The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 394: Two Hearts Beating

Chapter 394: Two Hearts Beating

"What exactly is going on, princess?" The nanny’s aged eyes gazed intently at Callis, seeking an answer.

Her body shook as the carriage carrying her and the Mederian Princess rocked over the uneven path towards the forest.

"I thought of asking you, but you weren’t in good condition. Where has His Highness Prince Kiev been? Why is he suddenly summoning us?" she asked.

Her mind raced with various possibilities. She had tried to get an explanation from the steward and the knights, but they had only told her to stay calm as everything was under control. Until now, she had no idea about the previous day’s commotion.

"Anna was possessed yesterday," Callis began to explain.

"What??"

"Two Bargesians had disguised themselves and infiltrated the mansion. They tried to give me a rose imbued with dark magic. Unknowingly, I gave it to Anna as a present, and she wore it during the training. Because of my foolish act, she was possessed by the dark spirit and went on a rampage. Then, she escaped to the forest, and brother went to pursue her," the Mederian Princess explained.

"Oh, my goodness!" Jessy covered her mouth, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"I was surprised, too. But the most shocking thing was when she suddenly summoned her powers. I don’t know how she was able to do that. The knights and I tried to contain her, but she fought against us and tried to eliminate us all. Because of the dangerous situation, the alarm sounded so everyone could take cover in the mansion," she continued.

"Su-summoned her... powers?" The nanny stammered. "But that’s impossible!"

"I know... I didn’t anticipate it either. I don’t know when or where she learned it, but it happened... and it was terrifying. She was so strong, even able to summon Ramios! I thought we were all going to die. But somehow, brother managed to seize the emperor’s sword from her. Oh, if he hadn’t come in time, the worst would have happened!" said Callis.

Jessy shook her head.

"No! Even if she had learned it, it wouldn’t be possible! I still remember Her Imperial Highness Princess Angel’s incantation very well when she cast the binding spell!" exclaimed Jessy.

"Her incantation? You never told us about this!" said the Mederian Princess.

"I didn’t reveal it because she asked me not to. Only Nessy and I knew because we were there that night," said the nanny.

"Tell me about it, Jessy!" Callis demanded.

"But... I made a promise!"

"Listen to me! Aunt Angel is no longer with us. The ones who will be protecting Anna are only the Mederians! You need to let us know so we can take more precautions!"

Jessy shook her head.

"No! The one who is supposed to protect her is none other than her soulmate, that little boy."

"He has long been gone! We don’t even know who or where he is!" Callis voiced out. "Now tell me, what did the incantation say?"

The nanny took a deep breath. It had been a long time, but the scene before her eyes felt like it happened just yesterday. Her lips began to utter the incantation.

"When the protectors all have fallen,

Fate will bring forth her guardian.

Once brought together, come what may,

Her dormant gifts shall have their sway.

Summoned forth, her might be unleashed,

A new dawn rises, and all wrongs cease."

Callis creased her forehead as this was her first time hearing it.

"I don’t quite get it. What does it mean, Jessy?" she asked.

"It means that if Princess Anna is bereft of her protectors, her soulmate will emerge as her guardian. Only in their reunion can she access her abilities," Jessy clarified.

"That seems implausible! Her soulmate is absent! The incantation implies she can only invoke powers when they have united," the Mederian Princess remarked, puzzled.

"He should be an adult by now. Could they have crossed paths somehow?" the nanny guessed.

Callis reflected on Anna’s journey from Cassian’s borders to Gantz, a story recounted by Rafe.

"I don’t know. What if they have indeed met? Her travels from Dartrey Forest to the capital were lengthy. It could be one of the men she encountered en route!" she speculated.

"Or could it be the Grand Duke himself?" Jessy suggested.

Callis shook her head in disagreement.

"He can’t be. He’s been with her for a while, but she never showed any signs of power awakening. She has always remained fragile in his company."

Jessy nodded slightly, acknowledging the reply. She remembered the young boy, Anna’s apparent soulmate, with dark hair and fair skin, lying unconscious with closed eyes in his mother’s arms. After all these years, locating him without additional details would be difficult.

None of the Mederians knew the boy’s identity except for one key fact - his mother possessed the emperor’s ring and had brought it with her, pleading to Angel to save him from the brink of death.

Any request made by someone bearing the ring would be granted. This was an old promise made by Empress Regina, Angel’s mother. It was said the empress owed the ring bearer a huge debt.

"Let’s ask brother for more information. Sir Brooks told me that he has been with Anna since yesterday. Perhaps there are further details about this occurrence that could help us understand the situation and why this happened," suggested Callis.

Jessy nodded in agreement.

***

The carriages travelled through the lush, wooded landscape, gradually ascending the gentle hills. After some time, they reached their destination. The group waiting at the scene rose to their feet as they spotted the approaching carriages.

Noah and the escorts of the Mederian siblings dismounted their horses to lend assistance. The coachmen’s carriages came to a halt, and the doors opened from within. Callis hurriedly stepped out, followed by her nanny, Jessy, while Rafe exited another carriage.

"You’re all here," Noah said, noting the assembled knights, including Eric and Garin.

"Yes. Sir Parker’s team arrived before us," Garin replied.

Noah turned his attention to the unconscious Anna, lying motionless.

"Our lady hasn’t awakened?" he asked.

"Not yet," Eric answered.

Noah’s dark eyes then fell upon three unfamiliar individuals dressed in tribesmen’s outfits.

"Who are they?" he inquired.

"They are friends. They saved Sir Mills, His Highness Prince Kiev, and our lady from a pack of wolves," Eric explained.

"Wolves?" Noah exclaimed, a sense of panic and guilt washing over him for leaving only Drystan to guard the prince and princess.

"Don’t worry about it. Everyone is safe. These men will be coming with us to the mansion. There’s another matter that requires our attention, which I’ll fill you in on later," Eric reassured him.

Noah nodded in acknowledgement.

At that moment, Callis came rushing over, with Jessy close behind.

"Oh, my goodness! Anna!" Callis cried out upon seeing the princess’s condition. "Jessy, go attend to her immediately!" she ordered her nanny.

Jessy swiftly moved and approached the princess.

Callis turned around, her eyes searching for her brother. She found him unconscious, supported by Armel’s shoulder.

"Oh, no! Brother!" she exclaimed as she rushed to his side and knelt.

Tears instantly welled up in her eyes as she took in his dishevelled state.

"Please! Please don’t die! I promise I’ll be good from now on. I’ll listen to whatever you say, brother!" she wept, pulling him into a tight embrace.

Approaching from behind, Rafe was alarmed at the sight of the unconscious Mederian Prince. He moved to rush forward, but Eric stopped him.

"Don’t worry, he’s just sleeping," the knight reassured him.

"Thank goodness!" the healer said, rubbing his heart as he took a deep breath. "I thought he fainted!"

Callis’s anguished cries still filled the air.

"Mrs Amares, His Highness is fine. He’s just exhausted," Armel informed her.

Hearing this, Callis felt a little relieved.

"Dear heavens! How did he become like this?" the Mederian Princess asked, her cheeks stained with tears and her shoulders shaking.

Slowly, Kiev opened his eyes, and despite his weary, pale face, a gentle smile appeared on his lips.

"You’re here," he said, carefully moving away from Callis’s embrace and sitting up. "I’m all good, Callis. Don’t worry about me."

"No, you’re not! You’ve obviously deple..."

Kiev squeezed his sister’s hand, silently signalling her not to reveal his condition to the others.

"I’m all right!" he insisted.

The Mederian Princess wanted to argue further, but sensed something amiss in her brother’s gaze. Kiev was clearly hiding something.

"Let’s get Princess Anna into the carriage. We need to get back," he said, forcing himself to stand up.

Despite the brief respite before the carriages’ arrival, the Mederian Prince felt aches throughout his body. He knew his condition would only worsen soon.

"But, brother..." Callis began.

"I will only carry her up to the carriage and her chamber once we arrive at the mansion. You and Jessy will take care of her," he said firmly.

The Mederian Princess acquiesced. She and the other newcomers had been briefed on Anna’s delicate situation, which only Kiev, herself, and Jessy could handle due to the lingering effects of dark magic. It would take some time for it to fade completely.

"I’ve arranged for two carriages. You can place her in one, and Mrs Amares and Madam Collins can attend to her along the journey home while you rest in the other carriage," Noah explained.

"I’ll accompany you," Rafe offered.

"Very well," Kiev agreed.

The Mederian Prince gently lifted Anna’s limp form and placed her in the carriage, followed by Callis and Jessy. As he settled the princess on the seat, the Mederian Princess and the nanny joined to assist. Kiev took a moment to whisper to them.

"Princess Anna will awaken soon. Please ensure you stay by her side today and tend to her needs. She requires nourishing sustenance to restore her energy... and Jessy..."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"When you find out, use your magic to conceal it. For her safety, it must remain undisclosed for now. I’m sure she doesn’t know it yet, too," Kiev continued.

"Conceal what? What doesn’t she know?" Callis asked, puzzled.

Rafe arrived at the carriage door before the Mederian Prince could explain further.

"Is everything all right? I brought an extra blanket that might be useful," he said, handing a bundle of cloth.

"Everything is fine," Kiev replied, swiftly changing his concerned expression.

Jessy accepted and thanked the healer as directed by the Mederian Prince.

Rafe stood by the door, waiting for Kiev to step down from the carriage and go to theirs to embark on their journey home.

"As I mentioned... Callis, Jessy, do attend to what is necessary. I rely on you," Kiev said.

"Yes, Your Highness." Jessy bowed in deference.

The Mederian Prince left the carriage, followed by the healer. Soon, the group set off towards the mansion.

As they travelled, Callis turned to her nanny and inquired, "What does brother mean? Why did he ask you instead of me? I have more magical abilities, while you only specialise in life magic."

"I’m not sure, princess. Perhaps he was concerned because your injury hasn’t fully healed," Jessy speculated.

Cradling Anna’s head in her lap, the nanny gently stroked it.

"I don’t think so. Something feels amiss. We must find out. Since brother mentioned you specifically, use your magic to uncover the truth," Callis urged.

"But my magic is for detecting life, and Princess Anna is still breathing. Other than being unconscious, there seems to be nothing worrisome," the nanny explained.

"There must be more to this than meets the eye, Jessy. Do it!" the Mederian Princess insisted.

The nanny nodded. Placing her hand on Anna’s heart, she closed her eyes, casting the magic. A white light emanated from her palm, flowing through the princess’s body.

Suddenly, her eyes widened.

"Oh, my!" she exclaimed.

"What is it? What have you found out?" Callis asked anxiously.

"I sense two... two heartbeats!" Jessy revealed.

"Two heartbeats? How is that possible?" The Mederian Princess furrowed her brow.

In a split moment, a realisation dawned on her as she looked at the nanny, who already understood the situation.

"Oh, heavens! Anna is pregnant!"