The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 373: A Bewitched ’Gift’

Chapter 373: A Bewitched ’Gift’

The longboats bearing Ardel’s armies finally reached one of the Agathe islands, where the camp and the gold mine were.

Initially, they unleashed cannon fire from their navy ships, bracing for a counterattack. Strangely, there was no response. Even from the crow’s nest of the flagship, no movement could be discerned. The island appeared deserted.

Following their commander, the large vessels anchored, and the longboats descended to ferry the troops ashore.

As they landed, their boots sinking into the damp sand, they hastily formed a defensive shield wall, armed and ready for an ambush. Yet, to their astonishment, the surroundings remained eerily quiet. Not even a Cassian’s vessel was spotted in sight.

Ardel’s forces were teeming with confusion. Many, once civilians, now thrust into military action, stood bewildered, unsure of their next move.

"Commander, it seems the enemy has abandoned this place. What are our orders?" inquired one soldier as the leader vigilantly scanned the area.

"Trust not in appearances! They may be lying in wait, poised to strike at any moment! Stay alert and hold formation!" the commander commanded.

The troops stood in tense silence, clutching their weapons. Fear etched on some faces—they were unprepared for battle, torn from their families and friends, and lacked proper training.

Forced into service by the king’s decree, refusal meant dire consequences; capture, imprisonment, severe punishment, and confiscation of their belongings.

King Ronan’s royal vessel was the last to land, ensuring the coast was secure before disembarking. On arrival, he swiftly sought an update from the appointed commander.

"No signs of the enemy, Your Majesty," the commander reported.

King Ronan surveyed the area sceptically, saying, "They must be nearby. They are ignorant not to heed our warning shots."

"Could the surveillance boat have made a mistake?" the commander ventured.

"You f*ol! Trained scouts do not falter. If they had erred, the camp’s chief or pirate leaders would have appeared by now!" scolded the king, kicking the commander’s shin.

Enduring the pain with a furrowed brow, the commander bore the king’s constant disrespect, a pattern of belittlement that had led to executions of his men for even minor offences.

This oppressive behaviour not only rankled Ardel’s troops but also kindled a deep-seated animosity toward the king. Despite their numbers, the soldiers lacked morale or respect for their bullying monarch. They yearned for a swift end to the conflict, to return home unscathed.

"Let’s go to the camp and inspect the mine behind it! We must secure it and reclaim it for ourselves!" King Ronan commanded impatiently.

"Your Majesty... considering the uncertain situation on the island, it might be wiser to dispatch a small team for reconnaissance before advancing," the commander cautiously suggested.

"I am the king! I give the orders here, not you!" King Ronan’s voice thundered, silencing the onlookers. You will do what I tell you! I want my hands on that gold. Do you understand?"

The commander clenched his jaw, his fist tightening behind his back. Insubordination would lead to a fate like those who had defied the king before—swift execution.

"Yes, Your Majesty," he acquiesced, swallowing his objections.

"Now, move! Ensure my safety is a top priority! I have brought you all here to secure victory against the Cassians! None shall challenge me or lay claim to what is rightfully mine!" King Ronan proclaimed.

With that, the group made their way to the camp, unaware they were walking straight into a carefully laid trap.

***

"Oh, dear! Are you all right?" Anna inquired, extending a comforting hand to the little girl who stumbled to the ground to avoid the collision.

Despite the weight of her armour, the princess knelt to assist the girl to her feet. Sylvia joined in, gently brushing off the dirt from the child’s skirt.

The little girl, visibly shaken and close to crying at the near-miss with what appeared to be a noble figure, thought Anna was a knight due to her full suit of armour, save for the helm.

"I’m sorry," the girl murmured, tears welling in her eyes.

"Don’t cry, dear. No one is upset with you. Are you hurt anywhere?" Anna asked softly, wiping a smudge from the little girl’s cheek.

Shaking her head, the child received comfort as Anna gently dried her tears.

"There, there. You’re a brave girl. Brave girls don’t cry over a little stumble, do they?" Anna reassured.

Relieved, the little girl nodded, sniffled, and quieted her sobs.

"Thank you, My Lady," she expressed, curtsying gratefully to Anna and Sylvia.

"Well-mannered indeed! Your mother must be a remarkable person," Sylvia commended warmly.

Proudly, the little girl beamed at the praise.

"How did you come to be here?" Anna inquired.

"I arrived with my mother."

"Your mother? Who is she, and where might she be?" Sylvia asked with curiosity.

The noblewoman scanned the surroundings, her gaze questing for the little girl’s mother, but she was nowhere in sight.

"My mother is Mrs Bane. She sells fish here. She’s in the kitchen," the girl disclosed.

"Mrs Bane? Anna, does that name ring a bell to you?" Sylvia inquired her friend.

"Likely one of the suppliers for the mansion. I’ve been favouring fish in my meals recently, avoiding poultry and meat. She must be the provider," the princess deduced.

Sylvia nodded in acknowledgement.

"What’s your name, and how old are you?" Anna asked the little girl.

"I’m Arissa, and I’m seven years old," the child introduced herself.

Arissa’s innocent demeanour and sweet voice melted Anna’s heart, prompting a warm smile from the princess.

"Are you certain you’re not injured? I can summon the healer to ensure you’re well," Anna offered.

"No, My Lady. I’m fine. Thank you once again," Arissa expressed gratefully.

"I must have startled you earlier, didn’t I? I apologise for that," Anna remarked.

Arissa shook her head.

"It’s my fault, My Lady. I was rushing and didn’t pay attention. Please forgive me," she admitted.

"Just be cautious next time. You shouldn’t wander alone. Your mother must be anxiously searching for you. Where were you headed?" Sylvia inquired.

"To the training ground. Mr Hay asked me to deliver this flower to someone..." Arissa’s voice trailed off as she noticed the red rose she had been carrying lying on the ground.

"Oh, no! It’s soiled!" she exclaimed, swiftly picking it up.

Her small hand delicately brushed off the dirt from the flower.

Moments ago, her mother’s employee’s father had tasked her with delivering the rose to a lady in the mansion. Despite feeling uneasy around the old man known as Mr Hay, the promise of a generous amount of candy had lured Arissa. It would be their shared secret since her mother prohibited frequent indulging in sweets.

"She surely won’t accept this!" Arissa lamented, her disappointment evident as she inspected the rose.

Anna and Sylvia gazed at the deep red rose, its beauty captivating them instantly.

"Oh, goodness! What a stunning flower!" exclaimed Sylvia.

"Absolutely beautiful! I don’t think this variety is from this mansion. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before!" Anna remarked, her wonder evident as she admired the flower.

Turning her attention to the little girl, Sylvia inquired, "Who were you planning to give this to?"

Arissa looked up at both women, her eyes lingering on Anna’s face. As she observed the princess, she noticed the remarkably unique colour of her eyes, a detail she had overlooked previously due to their height difference.

Recalling Mr Hay’s instruction to deliver the flower to a lady with captivating eye colour, Arissa couldn’t remember the specific shade he had mentioned.

"It must be you! Mr Hay said to give it to the pretty lady with beautiful eyes," Arissa exclaimed, convinced that Anna was the intended recipient of the flower.

"Me? Why me? And who is this Mr Hay?" Anna asked, surprised and intrigued.

"Um... Mr Hay is the father of one of my mother’s workers. I’m not sure why he wants you to have it," Arissa explained, her face reflecting her puzzlement.

"Perhaps this Mr Hay has a crush on you, Anna, after catching sight of you," Sylvia teased, chuckling. "You are quite lovely and easy on the eyes!"

"Oh, Sylvia, stop joking! You know I’m just average. If we’re talking beauty, Callis surpasses me by far," Anna responded.

Sylvia laughed.

"Beauty is subjective. Callis is indeed gorgeous, but you have your own charm. Otherwise, why would your husband be so taken with you?"

Blushing, the princess smiled shyly.

"My Lady, would you accept this gift?" Arissa asked hopefully.

"Of course! Since you’ve brought it all this way, I would be delighted to accept it," Anna replied warmly, not wanting to disappoint the little girl.

Arissa beamed with gratitude. "Thank you, My Lady! Thank you so much!"

Accepting the flower with appreciation, Anna tucked it into her hair, styled in a ponytail.

"Now that everything’s sorted, you should head back before your mother starts worrying. Off you go!" Sylvia urged Arissa, prompting her to leave.

"All right, My Lady! Thank you, and goodbye!"

The little girl bowed and hurried off. Anna waved farewell, watching the girl leave with a fond smile.

"She’s adorable, isn’t she?" the princess remarked.

"I’m certain your child with His Highness will be even more so," Sylvia predicted.

The mention of children shadowed Anna’s face, recalling Kyren’s refusal to have children in their marriage. Despite her sadness, she had to accept his decision.

"Come on, Sir Navin and the others are waiting for us," Sylvia prompted, oblivious to Anna’s emotions.

"Ah, yes, let’s go," the princess agreed, her wandering mind refocusing on the present.

The two women made their way back to the training grounds, joyfully unaware of the impending danger.

***

"What the h*ll!" Derek exclaimed as he witnessed Arissa mistakenly offering the flower imbued with his dark magic to Anna while concealed in hiding, with Brone by his side.

"How could that girl be so daft as to give it to the wrong person!" the Bargesian leader muttered. "You did give her specific instructions, didn’t you?" he asked the mage.

"Of course I did! It was a simple task! Deliver the flower to the lady with striking red eyes! How difficult could it possibly be? That child must be colour-blind!" Derek grumbled, his irritation palpable.

"Or perhaps she’s just too dim-witted to remember such a straightforward directive! We devised the plan to enchant the flower, knowing no woman could resist it," Brone added.

"We need to get it back! Otherwise, all the effort I’ve put into channelling my dark magic into it will go to waste! It’s not easy to gather the power! We can’t fail," the mage insisted.

"How do we retrieve it? She’s on her way to the training grounds where the knights are! It will surely attract their attention! And what excuse do we have to take it back?" Brone commented. "Can’t you just create another one?"

"You f*ol! I don’t have enough mana to recreate another item with my magic! If we were to make another, we’d have to resort to sacrificial means again! That would consume precious time and effort. Moreover, we’re in Gantz! The Cassians’ patrols are swarming the area! We’re already taking a massive risk by attempting to abduct the Ro’an princess! Committing further atrocities would only escalate the danger," the Bargesian leader explained, irritation evident in his voice.

Clicking his tongue in annoyance, the Bargesian leader inquired, "When will the enchanted flower begin its effects?"

"In approximately an hour and a half," Derek replied.

"Judging by their routine, the princess and the knights usually take a brief respite every hour. I’ll go and retrieve it," Brone declared confidently.

"How do you plan to do that? You mentioned we’d draw attention from the knights and lack a viable excuse," the mage pointed out.

"Leave that to me! You know I excel at deception," the Bargesian leader boasted, glancing at Anna’s distant figure. "That naive and clueless Princess of Ardel is an easy mark. She’ll hand it over to me without a hitch!"

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