The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 375: The Prince Consort of Ardel

Chapter 375: The Prince Consort of Ardel

The forces of the Ardel armies marched towards the encampment. As they reached the outer perimeter, they were greeted by a disturbing sight.

The two watchtowers guarding the reinforced gate were in dire condition; one had crumbled to the ground entirely, while the other stood only as a shell of its former self, the remaining base bearing the scars of a massive onslaught.

The intimidating scene left the Ardel soldiers bewildered and uneasy. Seeing the destruction, fear of the mine’s fate crossed King Ronan’s features.

"Advance now! We must secure the mine!" he commanded his men.

"But, Your Majesty, we cannot simply rush in blindly! This is too dangerous! We could be walking right into a trap!" the commander warned.

Impatience flaring, the king seized the commander by the neck, snarling, "I care not if some of you worthless fools perish! Secure the mine, now!"

He roughly shoved the commander to the ground, and the king’s private guards began drawing their blades, threatening the commander.

"Order your men to go, or I’ll have your head severed!" the king roared.

A young soldier, still a mere boy, rushed forward and fell to his knees, pleading, "Please, don’t kill Sir Ashburne! I beg you, Your Majesty!"

"I’ll kill anyone who defies me!" the king shouted in rage. "The commander is useless and a coward! Anyone who wishes to take his place shall be rewarded greatly over!"

No one stepped forward despite the king’s tempting offer. They knew the commander, though loyal, was a kind and thoughtful leader – to replace him would mean facing the same consequences when the king’s wrath flared.

Enraged, the king pointed to a burly knight.

"You are now the new commander!" he declared, not waiting for a response.

Turning to his guards, he ordered, "Sever his head! Let it be a lesson!"

The commander’s helm was roughly removed, exposing him to the executioner’s blade. The crowd braced in fear, some even closing their eyes from the horrifying scene about to happen.

A sharp whistling sound suddenly pierced the air, and a precise, powerful arrowhead hit the executioner’s sword.

’Clang!!’

The blade shattered, the arrowhead’s force overpowering the steel. Sounds of gasping filled the air. Those whose eyes were closed opened up, shocked by the surprising event of the intrusion.

"What the h*ll?" King Ronan exclaimed in bewilderment.

The private guards were also alarmed by the attack. Their blades, made of hardened steel with high durability, had never been broken by an arrow shot.

"You will have to go through me if you want to kill him," a strong voice rang out from the parapet walkway atop the protective walls.

The king and his armies looked up to see a figure clad in black armour, a longbow gripped in his right hand. His imposing presence made it clear he had intervened to prevent the execution.

Simultaneously, the Cassian armies began to reveal themselves, emerging from the surrounding trees and hills and positioning themselves for battle.

"Damn it, we’ve been ambushed!" King Ronan cursed, his face contorting in rage. "Protect me at all costs!" he ordered his soldiers.

Fearful of the formidable Cassian forces, the Ardel armies hurried to form a defensive formation, raising their swords and spears towards the approaching enemies.

"What are you waiting for? Attack them!" the king shouted from behind his private guards.

However, the Ardel soldiers hesitated, their resolve wavering. Rumours of the renowned "Guardian of the Blessed Land" - the Cassians’ legendary prowess - instilled a deep-seated fear in their hearts.

They knew the Cassians had repeatedly repelled invasions from the Southerners after the Great War and were well aware that they were no match for the formidable Cassian forces.

"Do it, or I’ll have your families killed!" the king threatened his soldiers, growing increasingly desperate when there was no movement from his men.

The Ardel armies surged forward with reluctance. The man in black armour atop the parapet effortlessly leapt to the ground, his smooth landing astounding the Ardelians and causing them to falter.

The other Cassian soldiers, however, remained steadfast in their positions as if under orders not to engage.

"You’ve certainly brought a sizable force, but can they truly fight?" the man in black armour addressed King Ronan with a mocking edge to his voice.

The king remained hidden behind his private guards.

"Who are you?" asked King Ronan.

The mysterious man had a strikingly handsome face, raven-black hair, and piercing blue eyes. His aura and presence captivated the Ardel soldiers, who had never seen such a charming individual.

"I am Kyren Raychard, the Grand Duke of Gerhard and the Commander of the Cassian battalions," he introduced himself, his gaze unflinching.

"A Raychard..."

King Ronan’s eyes widened with recognition. He had heard that name before and knew it belonged to the King of Cassian. This could only mean one thing...

"You...you’re one of the royal family of Cassian!" King Ronan exclaimed, his eyes widening with alarm.

"Kill him! Kill him now!" the king shouted frantically to his armies.

The Ardel soldiers were stunned to hear Kyren’s introduction.

The tale of the brave and well-known Grand Duke, the King of Cassian’s brother, had reached them before, especially those who lived near the border of Dracor and Ardel.

He was said to be the Knight Commander of Gerhard, frequently protecting the southern border of Cassian, which had become a trespassing path for slave traders to the City of Tarnova in Dracor.

"Try it," Kyren smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Send me your best men, and I’ll show you what I alone can do before we engage in a full-blown war."

Urged by the king, several men rushed forward, including a few of the king’s private guards. A minor skirmish commenced, and Kyren swiftly unsheathed his longsword from its scabbard.

The grand duke’s grip tightened around the hilt of his long sword as the Ardel soldiers rushed towards him. Sliding into a defensive stance, he readied himself for the impending clash.

The first few fighters surged forward, their blades swinging in broad, powerful arcs. But Kyren moved with a fluid grace, his body twisting and turning to avoid their strikes. His sword flashed through the air, dodging the blows.

One Ardel knight lunged, thrusting his spear towards Kyren’s midsection. The grand duke pivoted on his heel, his sword darting out in a lightning-fast riposte. The knight’s weapon was knocked aside, and Kyren’s blade slashed across the man’s sleeve, tearing it apart.

Another soldier, seeing an opening, brought his heavy broadsword crashing down in an overhead strike. Kyren raised his sword, the two steel edges meeting with a resounding clang.

The two men strained against each other, a test of raw strength. But with a deft twist of his wrist, Kyren disarmed the Ardel soldier, clattering his sword to the ground.

The remaining soldiers hesitated, their confidence shaken by Kyren’s seamless deflection of the attacks. But the king’s private guards, seasoned veterans, pressed on, converging on the Grand Duke from multiple angles.

Kyren’s eyes narrowed as he analysed the situation. His blade moved in a graceful, intricate dance. He parried blows, redirecting thrusts and counterattacking with lightning-fast precision.

His movements seemed to anticipate his opponents’ actions, allowing him to respond before they could even execute their strikes.

Another private guard, seeing an opening, thrust his blade towards Kyren’s unprotected back. But the Grand Duke, sensing the attack, spun on his heel, his sword sweeping up in a powerful vertical strike.

One by one, the Grand Duke’s opponents fell, their weapons disarmed or their bodies sent reeling from his relentless onslaught. The adversaries quickly retreated, and the fight was over in moments. The remaining Ardel armies watched in stunned silence, fear gripping their hearts.

The Grand Duke had demonstrated his skill in combat, just as the rumours had described. The high-level knights and skilled mercenaries who had engaged him had been unable to land even a single blow, let alone subdue the formidable Cassian commander.

It was clear that Kyren had chosen not to kill any of his opponents and was content to defeat them alive.

"Is there anyone better than them?" Kyren asked, his deep blue eyes scanning the Ardel ranks.

The Ardelian armies, despite their numerical advantage, took several steps back as Kyren approached them. Not a single soldier dared challenge the Grand Duke. The demonstration of his prowess shattered their courage and conviction.

"Kill him, you useless idi*ts! As your king, I command you!" King Ronan ordered his soldiers again.

Kyren turned his gaze towards the king, his steps halted.

"So, you are the former Prime Minister who betrayed his own people to become king!"

Kyren’s features were etched with disdain. Faced with the architect of the coup d’état that endangered Anna’s life, King Ronan’s very presence repulsed him.

Though eager to confront the king, he restrained himself, prioritising the success of his plan before making a decisive move.

"What nonsense is this? I am king by right, by merit! No one is more deserving to rule than I am!" The king’s retort was laced with indignation.

"Deserving?" the grand duke sneered. You eliminated the nobles loyal to the Ardel dynasty, destroyed Engarth’s medical university, and, most heinously, plotted against the last heir to the throne, Princess Anna Adhemar!"

King Ronan was taken aback by the grand duke’s revelations. How did this foreign prince know the intricate details of his machinations?

The commander and his soldiers turned their attention to him. Whispers of these rumours had circulated, but those who dared to question disappeared swiftly, instilling a deep fear of discussing such matters.

"That’s a fabrication! Princess Anna was bedridden and sick, with no heir to the throne. Chaos gripped the kingdom after her passing due to illness, with nobles vying for power. I had to restore order and protect my people!" protested King Ronan.

"Your talent for fiction is remarkable! How many more falsehoods will you concoct to mislead your own subjects?" Kyren retorted sharply.

"I have never deceived anyone! You are ignorant of the facts!" the King shot back.

"I am well-informed! You conspired with the Bargesians to seize power and eliminate those who opposed you! I wonder... was it also your doing that led to the shipwreck of the Ardelian royals two years ago on their way to Sabel Island for the princess’ wedding?"

Kyren’s pointed question stirred suspicions among the Ardelian forces, who were surprised by the grand duke’s detailed knowledge of their kingdom’s affairs.

"No, I had no part in that!" King Ronan denied it. "How do you know about the princess? Have you been spying on us?"

Kyren smirked.

"I know because she informed me! The princess you believed to be deceased is alive, and now she is my wife!"

The revelation stunned the king and his men.

"You’re lying! She perished in the fire!" King Ronan countered.

"Your Majesty, first you claimed Her Highness died of illness, and now you say she perished in a fire. Which one is true?" the Ardelian commander, taken aback by the conflicting statements, interjected.

"Silence, you f*ol!" the king snapped, his temper fraying.

Unable to contain his frustration, the commander pressed further. "The people hold the Ardel Dynasty in high esteem. King Adhemar III, a renowned professor at Engarth’s medical university, developed the serum for the Laradie plague, saving countless lives. We wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for him! We knew Her Highness’s existence, though she remained hidden due to her condition. Speak the truth!"

"She’s dead! That is all you need to know!" King Ronan asserted, feeling the challenge to his authority.

Murmurs spread through the crowd, discontent evident on their faces at the unconvincing response.

"She’s alive! She resides in Cassian now. You believed she was lost in the barracks fire in Huntbel forest, but she escaped, was captured by slavers and taken to the City of Tarnova. I rescued her en route and wed her," Kyren declared boldly.

King Ronan stood speechless, faced with this unexpected turn of events.

"No, that can’t be true!" he denied, disbelief clouding his eyes.

"It is the truth. Your boldness in action led you to believe your deeds would remain hidden! You sought to recreate the pure serum and planned to control the continent by spreading the Laradie plague to reap profits. You callously eliminated the Engarth scholars who rebelled against your tyranny and even dared to send a fake ambassador to abduct our scholars for translation!"

Kyren’s words struck a nerve. King Ronan clenched his fists, his expression betraying his fear as his intricate plans were laid bare. The crowd were now utterly shocked.

"This is a lie! You are fabricating all of this! Your accusations are preposterous!" the king protested.

"I do not believe he is lying. There was a fire in the Huntbel forest a few months ago, right near my home. I saw it with my own eyes, and your armies were stationed there!" shouted one of the Ardelian soldiers, a former villager from the area.

"Yes, a family member of mine was an apprentice to the scholars. He vanished after the university was razed. You must have murdered him!" another soldier exclaimed.

"My friend served a noble family in Constance. Not just him, but all the servants in that household mysteriously vanished!"

"Likewise! My cousin, a maid to a minister, disappeared without a trace!"

Unrest among the Ardelian forces swelled as they realised they had been deceived. Upon discovering the king’s treachery, their reverence for the Ardel Dynasty was deeply affected.

Formerly cowed by the ruthless mercenaries in King Ronan’s employ, their defiance now sparked a newfound courage upon witnessing Kyren’s ability, a figure they felt able to challenge the king and his mercenaries.

"Silence! How dare you question your king!" King Ronan bellowed.

Disregarding the king’s command, the commander turned to Kyren, hope gleaming in his eyes. "Is it true that you rescued and wed Princess Anna?"

"Yes," the grand duke affirmed.

"Can you prove it? You claim to know all about her. Describe her features to me!" implored the commander.

"Why should I?" Kyren inquired.

"Because I once served as her escort! Though briefly, I am familiar with her appearance. I can verify the truth of your claim!" the commander explained.

"You were her escort?" Kyren queried skeptically. "I thought all who served the former dynasty were eradicated."

"I left my post years ago to care for my sick parents in my village. I was only recently called back to military service. My association with her as an escort was not widely known. The posts of her escorts changed frequently and were often terminated abruptly. I do not know the reason why," the commander revealed.

"I see... So you have been appointed commander due to your skills, I presume?" the grand duke said to the commander, who nodded in response.

"Silence! How dare you instigate my men!" King Ronan roared. "Kill him!"

The king’s private guards stepped forward, but Kyren’s gaze halted them in their tracks.

"I dare you to take one more step. You’ve seen my capabilities, and I was holding back just now, actually. Should I lose my temper, none of you would survive. Do you think I wouldn’t recognise you as the mercenaries he hired? I knew it instantly from the brief fight. I have defeated several great mercenaries, including the renowned Noah Brooks. I’m sure that name rings a bell to you."

The mercenaries’ faces paled visibly. They were well aware of the story of Noah, the finest mercenary among them, who had been defeated by a mysterious man years ago and forced to serve under him.

None of them had ever imagined that the mysterious man was this grand duke.

Fearing the consequences, the mercenaries took a step back. King Ronan was gripped by fear as none of his men dared to attack Kyren or the Ardelian commander.

Silence filled the air until Kyren spoke again.

"Now, about my wife. Since you claim to have been her escort, you should know she has a petite frame, long auburn locks, fair skin, and mesmerising emerald eyes."

"That is true," the commander acknowledged, amazed.

"Anyone could have seen her portrait or been told about her appearance!" King Ronan countered, sowing seeds of doubt in the commander’s mind.

"My wife is fluent in the ancient Ro’an language, more so than the other scholars we have in Cassian. She is an excellent cook and can sing beautifully. I recall her singing the only song she knew, ’Flowers of the East Garden’. She said she had heard it during a bard’s performance in the castle," Kyren continued, ignoring the king’s retort.

"That is absolutely correct!" the commander exclaimed. "I was present at that time. She even sang the song afterwards in the garden. Her Majesty the Queen had forbidden her from singing ever since, so no one else knew of her talent. You could only have known these details if she had told you herself!"

Kyren smirked, satisfied.

"So, now, do you believe me?"

The commander’s face lit up with relief.

"I do believe you! Thank the heavens our princess is alive!" A grateful smile was etched on his face. "This means... you are the Prince Consort of Ardel now... The husband of the heir to Ardel’s throne!"

The commander then faced his men and called out with authority, "Everyone, bow to His Highness, the spouse of our rightful ruler!"

The Ardelian soldiers immediately dropped to one knee, showing their respect and allegiance to the grand duke as the prince consort.

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