The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 419: A Demand For Justice

Chapter 419: A Demand For Justice

Rafe hurried to the door of the Mederian Prince’s chamber after receiving an urgent summon. Upon arrival, he found a group of knights gathered, but Eli and Drystan were missing. Alex had also joined them, drawn by the bizarre news.

Despite her protests to stay, Emily had left earlier at Eric’s insistence. Understanding the situation, Noah urged her to wait elsewhere, and she reluctantly agreed.

"What happened?" Rafe asked Eric, who stood among the knights. "I heard Miss Canton has fainted."

The second-in-command knight stepped forward, his expression grave. "She was terribly shocked," Eric replied.

"By what?" Rafe pressed.

"She just found out that her sister was the victim in Sir Brooks’s case," Eric revealed.

"What??" Rafe’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"I didn’t kill her!" Noah exclaimed, desperation etched on his face. But the healer knew this wasn’t the moment for arguments.

"Step aside and let me in. I’ll check on her first," Rafe said firmly.

He moved to the door and knocked. When no sound came from within, he opened the door and entered silently, closing it behind him, leaving the knights in anxious uncertainty.

Inside the bedroom, Rafe saw Elis lying on the bed, her head resting on the Mederian Prince’s lap. Kiev sat upright, one hand gently rubbing her head while the other held her hand. Elis’s face was streaked with tears as she lay unconscious, covered by a duvet.

"You’re here," Kiev said softly, careful not to disturb her.

"I came right away when you called for me. The knights filled me in on what happened," Rafe replied as he approached the bed.

"She’s in total shock and fainted after knowing that her sister has died in vain," Kiev explained.

Rafe’s expression turned sombre.

"I... I’m truly sorry it turned out this way. However, let’s set that aside for now and focus on her well-being. Have you tried healing her?" he asked.

Kiev shook his head.

"I can’t. I suffered serious mana depletion when I rescued Princess Anna the other day. So, for about a month or so, I won’t be able to use any magic," he responded.

The healer’s eyes widened. "Why didn’t you tell me? Even Callis didn’t say anything!"

"I would rather not, and I specifically told her not to tell you. I need you to concentrate on Princess Anna’s health instead of me. After all, I’m fine now. My physical strength is back. I just need time to replenish my mana after using it so severely. You don’t have to worry about me," said Kiev.

Rafe sighed in relief. "Very well, then. In that case, let me examine Miss Canton to assess her condition."

"Call her by name, Rafe. She’s my woman, and you’re my brother-in-law. That makes us family," Kiev emphasised.

Rafe’s heart warmed at the acknowledgement. The Mederian Prince’s words revealed how much Elis meant to him.

"All right. Now, lay Elis down properly so I can check her accordingly."

"I can’t do that. If you want to examine her, you’ll need to proceed like this," Kiev refused.

The healer felt a bit annoyed by the Mederian Prince’s stubbornness. Didn’t he just admit they were family? Why was he acting as if Rafe would take away his precious belongings?

"I’m not going to do anything weird. I just want to make sure she’s all right. Don’t you trust me?" asked the healer.

"I didn’t say I don’t trust you. But she needs me." Kiev’s eyes darted to his hand holding Elis and then back to Rafe. "She’s clutching mine and won’t let go."

The healer felt sympathy upon seeing Elis’s condition. He had witnessed her vulnerability and fragility. Kiev was the only one who could calm her in such a situation.

"Fine. Then I’ll just check on her like this," he relented. "Lower the duvet for me so I can start."

Kiev nodded and pushed the duvet aside, revealing Elis’s body. She still wore her new gown, which had a revealing neckline and short sleeves.

Rafe’s forehead immediately furrowed at the sight of her flawless, fair skin. He was sure her body had once been marked by the cruel treatment she endured as a slave, having treated her at the Count of Abinair’s mansion before.

"This... Where are her scars? How come they’re all gone?" he asked, surprised.

"I healed her. Every scar on her body is perished," said Kiev.

"You did that? When?"

"The night she first started to sleep with me. Those scars only brought her pain and reminded her of the dreadful days she suffered. I couldn’t let her live like that. So, I healed her and restored her body to what it used to be. Even the slave tattoo on the back of her neck is gone," Kiev explained.

"So you knew..."

Kiev nodded solemnly. The healer wasn’t surprised that the Mederian Prince would know about Elis’s status as a former slave, given that the couple had been living together for some time. Their close bond made it inevitable that such truths would surface.

"Didn’t that require a tremendous amount of mana?" Rafe asked, curious.

"It did. Restorative magic, in particular, can only be performed by someone with a high mana pool. Not everyone can handle it, as it can be life-threatening. Callis is not allowed to learn this magic for her safety," the Mederian Prince explained.

"You healed Elis and restored her physical condition. Then, within two days, you confronted Her Highness Princess Anna, who was possessed and unleashed your magic to subdue her. Afterwards, you pursued and saved her from the forest, using your magic again. No wonder you were so exhausted when you returned with the knights!" Rafe exclaimed.

Kiev remained calm, though he could see the healer’s alarm at his actions.

"You shouldn’t have strained yourself that much!" the healer added. "What if something happened to you?"

"Nothing happened, and I’m fine now. Besides, if anything did happen, you’re here to care for Callis," said Kiev.

"And what about Elis? Don’t you need to take care of her? Are you really fine with leaving her alone?" the healer reprimanded.

Kiev pressed his lips together as he looked down at Elis. His heart felt pierced by thousands of needles at the sight of her pain.

How could he ever leave her?

Yet, he had no other option at that moment. He never anticipated such a terrible occurrence would follow within days after the duel with the king.

"I know you feel responsible and did well in resolving the matter, but take care of yourself, too. Even though Callis is my wife and my responsibility now, she wouldn’t want to see you get hurt. Elis needs you, too," Rafe said, his tone lighter than before.

"I will. Thank you for the reminder," replied the Mederian Prince.

"All right, I’ll check on her now."

The healer carefully examined Elis.

After a moment, he concluded, "Thankfully, nothing seems alarming, and her pulse has returned to normal. Her body is in good condition. However, I believe her emotions might be affected. I can’t determine that unless I wake her up. Are you fine with that?"

Kiev thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement. Rafe pulled out a small ampoule from his pouch and opened the cap. A pungent smell wafted from it as he held it near Elis’s nose.

Moments later, the woman’s forehead creased, and she stirred. Slowly, her consciousness returned, and she opened her eyes, the disturbing scent awakening her senses.

"Elis, are you all right?" Kiev asked gently.

She blinked as she tried to recall what had happened, her gaze also landing on Rafe.

"Wha... what happened?" she asked, dazed. She lifted her body, and the Mederian Prince helped her sit upright.

"You fainted," the healer replied.

"Fainted? Why..." Elis paused as the memory flooded back. Her heart was immediately gripped by despair, and tears began to shimmer in her eyes.

"Erika! Erika!! They killed her, Kiev! They killed her!" she cried out.

Kiev quickly embraced her, placing her head on his chest and rubbing her back to console her. "I’ll seek revenge for her, Elis. Just as I promised," he said with determination.

"About that..." Rafe cleared his throat, his gaze shifting between the couple. "I know this might not be the right time to say this, but... Sir Brooks insists that he’s not the perpetrator."

Kiev shot a glare at the healer, but it was Elis’s response that surprised them both.

"It’s not him! I know it’s not him! It’s them!"

"Them? Whom do you mean?" Kiev asked, his brow furrowed.

Elis narrowed her bloodshot eyes, tears still streaming down her cheeks. She was sure the criminals were those men.

"The Knights of Abinair... Ivar and his companions!"

"Is this the group of knights you encountered at the plaza?" Rafe asked.

Elis nodded weakly, still sobbing.

"How can you be so sure?" the healer pressed.

A painful memory surfaced in Elis’s mind, a long-buried recollection. "I heard them talking before they took my sister."

"Tell us more, please!" urged Rafe.

"We had just arrived at the Count of Abinair’s mansion after being purchased two years ago. The knights were the ones who took us from the slave market in Tarnova. I begged them not to harm us, and Ivar said that if I listened to him and let him take my sister with them, she would be freed from slavery. I agreed, hoping she wouldn’t suffer."

She sniffled, taking a breath.

"What did they talk about?" Kiev asked.

"They were spiteful about someone, a former mercenary who had served the same guild as Ivar. They hated him because he was exceptional. Someone of royalty from another kingdom had scouted him for his great talent and offered him a position as a knight. They wanted to eliminate him for good. My sister was supposed to lure him in so they could finish him off."

"That’s..." Rafe swallowed his words.

He could have revealed that the mercenary mentioned by Elis was none other than Noah, but he needed more confirmation before coming to a solid conclusion. Something just didn’t match.

If Elis knew who the mercenary was, she might have brought it up earlier, considering she and Noah had been at the mansion for quite some time.

"This mercenary... do you know him? Did they mention his name?" the healer asked carefully.

Elis shook her head. "I have no idea what his real name is. But they called him by a nickname."

"What is it?" asked Kiev.

"The Black Jaguar."

Rafe pondered this information. He had never heard the name before, but the story of how the mercenary was scouted by royalty echoed how the Grand Duke had obtained Noah as his man.

"I see. Thank you for sharing this with me. I appreciate it. I will convey this information to the knights so we can take appropriate action," said Rafe.

"I want them dead, Kiev! They destroyed my life! They r*ped and killed my sister! They lied to me! Every time I asked about my sister, they would hit me and torture me badly! I want them all dead!" Elis exclaimed, gripping Kiev’s tunic tightly.

"As you wish!" Kiev replied fiercely. "I’ll make sure they pay for what they did to you and your sister!"

Rafe looked up at the Mederian Prince, whose crimson eyes burned with a vengeance. He knew well that with such a murderous resolve, Kiev would be unstoppable.

The bloodshed was inevitable, but Rafe, with a brilliant mind, would navigate this carefully for everyone’s sake.

***

As Rafe stepped out of the chamber, the gathered knights approached him.

"How’s everything?" asked Eric.

"Apart from being upset, she’s all right," the healer replied. "I need you all to come with me to the meeting room. There’s something we need to discuss."

"About what?" Noah asked.

Rafe’s grey eyes were fixed on him with a severe expression. "About you. Believe me, you wouldn’t want to miss this."

Following the healer’s lead, they made their way to the meeting room.

Once the door was closed, Rafe began, "I need to know, does anyone of you know the ’Black Jaguar’?"

Surprised, Noah responded, "That was my nickname when I served the guild as a mercenary!"

"Can anyone else confirm this?" the healer asked again.

"He’s speaking the truth. That was his nickname before he followed His Highness the Grand Duke. I can attest to that. I was the one who did the background check on him when His Highness showed interest in him. Why are you asking, and how did you know?" Eric inquired.

Rafe’s lips formed a wistful smile as he looked at Noah.

"So, it is you... just as I predicted."

"What are you implying? Did Elis say anything?" Garin asked impatiently, no longer addressing Elis formally after she had called him brother.

Rafe nodded and shared the details that the woman had provided.

Upon hearing the truth, Noah erupted with anger.

"D*mn those scumb*gs! I’m going to kill them all!" His face flushed red as he stormed towards the door, only to be halted by Rafe.

"Wait! Don’t act on impulse!" the healer reprimanded.

"Are you telling me to sit still like a stone after what they did to me?! I was humiliated! They ruined my reputation, my dignity, my life! You all didn’t believe me and accused me of being the culprit! I was cast out and looked down for years, and you want me to wait??" Noah countered, his voice filled with rage.

Eric’s face fell with guilt as he had insisted the knight was guilty all this while. The perfectly staged crime had turned Noah into a scapegoat.

The second-in-command knight then stepped forward.

"If you wish to blame anyone, blame me. I was the one who was convinced you did it and was against you. Though it’s late, I owe you an apology," he said.

"We all apologise, too," Luke interjected.

"Your apology won’t bring back what I’ve lost!" Noah shouted. "Do you know how I’ve felt all these years? After everything I’ve been through?"

His words brought silence to Eric, and the other knights looked down in guilt. Noah’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, and his hands trembled. He was hurt, deeply hurt.

"I want my life back! I want my position back! Everything that was taken from me because of the accusation, I want it all back! And I want my name cleared! I want everyone to know I’m innocent! Those who had framed me for the crime, I want them all to suffer three times more than I did! If you can give me those things, then I’ll consider forgiving you!" Noah shouted angrily.

Eric cast his eyes down. Noah had suffered tremendously from the accusation, and he wasn’t wrong to want reparation.

"Are you sure you want all that?" Rafe asked.

Noah turned to him, feeling challenged.

"Why not? Don’t I deserve to have back what’s mine? His Majesty should apologise to me and declare my innocence! Have I not suffered enough?"

"Think again, Sir Brooks," the healer replied. "You’re not the only one who has suffered."

"What the h*ll are you implying?" Noah shot back furiously.

"You’re right to demand reparation, but for the declaration of your innocence by His Majesty, it requires a royal decree. For that, Elis would need to come forward as a witness. In that sense, her identity would be known to all."

"Mr. Amares is correct. If Miss Canton came forward to prove your innocence, she would have to reveal herself as a former slave. That would tarnish her dignity forever. Everyone knows what happens to a slave woman. His Highness Prince Kiev, too, would be affected by this," Alex interjected.

The two men’s statements made Noah hold back his emotions. Elis was Kiev’s woman, and the Mederian Prince had helped him, giving him a chance for a duel to be with Emily. If it weren’t for him, Noah would have lost her for good.

As much as the knight wanted revenge and to regain what he had lost, Emily, who had captured his heart, was of no less importance. Seeing how Elis had cried and wailed until she fainted left a sense of pity to him.

Noah might have suffered a hundred lashings and been downgraded to a lower-ranking knight, but Elis had endured far worse. Floggings, torture, s*xual harassment—those unspeakable torments had invaded her life for two years to the point of near madness and trauma.

How could he have the heart to see her face discrimination from society for the rest of her life if he forced her to reveal the truth?

He was a man, a strong knight capable of facing hardship, but she was a fragile woman who had endured relentless torment while clinging to her sanity in hopes of being reunited with her sister.

Now, that dream lay shattered.

The uneasy situation tore at Noah’s heart, forcing him to choose between demanding justice for himself or preserving Elis’s dignity.

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