The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 438: A Craving And A Help Request

Chapter 438: A Craving And A Help Request

After the commotion subsided, the mansion returned to its usual calm, with everyone tending to their tasks. As night fell, it was time for dinner.

"Where have you been today?" Kiev asked as Callis and Rafe entered the dining hall.

An abundant spread of food and drinks was served on the long oak table, ready for the occasion. The Mederian Prince had arrived on time, but the knights had yet to join them for dinner, as was customary.

Rafe pulled out a chair for his wife across from Kiev, and Callis sat down after thanking him. The healer took his place beside her, joining the table. The servants stood ready to serve, but Kiev instructed them to wait for the knights’ arrival.

"I went to the market with Jessy. Anna hasn’t had much of an appetite and wanted something different," she replied. "Where’s Elis?"

"She didn’t want to join and told me to come down myself. She wanted to retire early tonight," Kiev said. He then asked, "What did Princess Anna want that required you to get it instead of sending for the servants?"

"She wanted something filling but not too sweet, a bit sour, less salty, yet savoury and definitely not from the mansion’s kitchen. How could I send a servant for something like that?" Continuing, she added, "So, I went to the bakery and bought some buns and pastries, but she said those weren’t right either. She couldn’t specify what she wanted. Her description was entirely based on her taste buds. It’s like solving a puzzle!"

"Lady Raychard has been experiencing a loss of appetite lately but has never been picky about food. This is strange," Rafe noted.

Callis and Kiev exchanged concerned glances, concerned that the healer might notice Anna’s pregnancy.

Kiev cleared his throat and corrected, "Her Highness Princess Anna, Rafe... If it’s the knights or others addressing her by that name, I wouldn’t mind. But you are my brother-in-law."

Rafe realised his slip of the tongue. He knew well that Kiev disliked the title ’Lady Raychard’ bestowed on Anna, as it implied that the princess belonged to the grand duke, carrying Kyren’s surname.

"I apologise for that. It was just out of habit. I’ll be more careful next time," Rafe said.

"Good. Anyway, her peculiar cravings might be due to indigestion. She hasn’t been eating properly, which could explain the change in her appetite," the Mederian Prince suggested.

"That doesn’t seem likely. I check on her daily, and the examination results show no health issues. However, the maids attending her reported ongoing nausea and fatigue," Rafe replied. "Mary, in particular, mentioned that Princess Anna could be pregnant based on her symptoms. But that can’t be..."

The healer abruptly fell silent, unwilling to draw attention from the Mederian royal siblings regarding why Anna couldn’t be pregnant, which resulted from Kyren’s inability to father children with the princess.

In this delicate situation, both sides were keeping secrets from one another for their own interests.

"Mary might have some knowledge of women’s health, but she’s not a healer. She’s merely making assumptions," Kiev said. "You should trust your findings over her opinion."

The Mederian Prince’s response brought relief to Rafe, who had feared that Kiev would probe deeper. Fortunately, he did not.

"Since when did you learn so much about Mary’s knowledge? As far as I know, she has only been serving Anna and never came directly to you," Callis suddenly asked her brother, trying to shift the focus away from the main topic without being obvious.

"Ah... that! She helped us today with Elis," Rafe interjected.

Kiev had intended to keep the matter quiet, but he realised that Callis would eventually find out, given her close relationship with Elis. So, he decided to let his sister know about Elis’s improving health.

"Yes. Elis suddenly bled, and we thought there was something serious. Mary assisted us with the examination, and it turned out Elis was just experiencing menstruation," he explained.

"Menstruation? You freaked out over that?" Callis chuckled. "You’re acting as if she’s never menstruated before!"

A solemn look filled the faces of the two men, causing the Mederian Princess’s cheerful demeanour to shift to serious.

"Wait a minute... Didn’t she have any? It can’t be!" she said, piecing together the gravity of the situation from their expressions.

"Elis had been given excessive aphrodisiacs by those who harmed her, which caused her menstruation to stop long ago, making her unable to have children," Kiev explained.

Callis’s eyes widened in shock. She had learned about the tragedy that befell Elis but never realised the extent of its impact on her life.

"That means her womb was damaged! Oh, my God!" Callis exclaimed, quickly covering her mouth with both hands in surprise.

"Kiev has healed her and restored her fertility. Her menstruation has returned starting today, which means she’s no longer barren," Rafe added.

Callis’s red-ruby eyes darted to Kiev, still in shock, but now for another reason.

"Healing a ruined organ... that’s not the usual healing magic! That’s restorative magic!" she exclaimed as she realised what Kiev had done. "Are you trying to kill yourself, brother? That magic is extremely dangerous!"

"I’m perfectly fine! Don’t make a fuss about it," said the Mederian Prince nonchalantly. "Besides, it was worth the effort. I did what I had to do, and now Rafe is helping with her further treatment."

"Hah! You talk as if the magic is nothing, yet you forbid me from learning it!" Callis retorted.

"My constitution is different from yours. I have a vast mana pool and am much stronger. You wouldn’t be able to handle the aftereffects of that magic. That’s why you’re not allowed to practice it. You need to know your limits," Kiev replied.

Callis’s gaze drifted away, avoiding her brother’s eyes as if hiding a secret. She pretended to sulk, pulling a long face. But as soon as she turned to Rafe, her expression brightened.

"I’m glad Elis is healed and that you’re helping with her treatment. I hope it won’t be long until we hear good news. She would be a great mother!" she said, holding the healer’s hand.

"You’ll have to ask your brother about that. A single hand cannot clap," Rafe teased, taking the opportunity to jab back at Kiev regarding his lack of intimacy in marriage.

"Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!" Kiev muttered quietly.

"What?" Callis asked, puzzled by his words.

"Nothing!" he replied hastily.

Just then, the main door of the dining hall swung open, and the Knights of Gerhard strode in.

"Forgive us for keeping you waiting. We were having a discussion," said Eric, noticing that Kiev, Rafe, and Callis hadn’t yet started their meal.

"No problem at all. We were in conversation, so we didn’t notice how much time had passed," Kiev assured him.

Eric and the knights took their seats.

"Where are Emily, Ayden, and Dame Verns?" the second-in-command knight inquired.

"Emily told me they would be a bit late and said to proceed first," Noah replied.

His wife had gone to see Clara and the assistant healer before parting ways with the knight, who had been called for a sudden discussion.

Eric ordered the servants to serve dinner, and the meal commenced.

"Lady Lynn isn’t joining us?" Rafe noticed the absence of the lady-in-waiting.

"She’s been forbidden entry to the dining hall after making a scene during our last dinner. From now on, she’ll have her meals alone in her chamber," Eric explained.

"That sounds like a punishment. What did she do?" Rafe asked, curious, as he hadn’t been around when the incident occurred.

"She hit one of the servants with her fan when the gravy splattered on her handkerchief upon pouring. It was just a drop, not a smear," Eric explained.

"How arrogant! Even Lady Jarr isn’t that petty over such a small mistake," Rafe grunted in annoyance. "Where’s your wife, anyway?" he asked Alex.

"She’s staying over at my father-in-law’s place tonight. He’s unwell, and Meredith is taking care of him. She’ll be back tomorrow," the knight replied.

Rafe nodded in acknowledgement.

"I didn’t see you around today, Sir Navin. I was told that the authority called you," Kiev said, initiating small talk with the knight as he continued his meal.

"Ah... yes. The knights and I were discussing some matters related to it. I also heard there was a small commotion today, and you handled it brilliantly without the knights’ intervention. Thank you, Your Highness," Eric said.

"That was nothing. I hope you won’t bring up the matter and argue further with Lady Lynn," the Mederian Prince replied.

"I won’t. Mr Foster already conveyed the message, and I’ll gladly honour your request since everything was resolved. I was urgently called away and had to leave hastily to attend to the pressing issue. I never thought something else would occur in the mansion during my brief absence. Luckily, we have you around," Eric said with a smile.

"What was the issue with the authority? Is it related to the discussion you just had?" Rafe interjected.

"Yes, it is. Apparently, the Count of Abinair lodged a report about his missing knights," Eric explained.

Kiev, stirring his soup, paused. He didn’t look surprised but intrigued by the topic. The Mederian Prince continued to maintain his calm demeanour.

"Oh, really? What happened then?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

"He was complaining about their absence, claiming it was unusual. It hasn’t even been a day since they went missing, so the guards won’t start searching yet. He made a scene at the authority office, demanding more attention for the case using His Highness the Grand Duke’s name. They couldn’t appease him, so the officer in charge summoned me for help. The count was already pressuring me to search for his men when we met," Eric explained.

"So, are you going to help him?" Rafe asked.