The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 447: Meeting With The Count

Chapter 447: Meeting With The Count

The noble lord paced back and forth, his expression dark and brooding. Every aspect of his demeanour radiated wariness and anger.

"Would you please sit down? I’ve already summoned them. They should be here any moment," King Kyden said, exasperated by the man’s anxiousness.

The lord’s persistent demands had been tormenting the king for days, rattling on about the tragedy that had befallen his men.

"How could I, Your Majesty? This is a grave matter! The lives of my men have been jeopardised, and my safety in this kingdom is at stake!" the lord spat, his frustration boiling over.

With such a dire occurrence at hand, he couldn’t sit still or lay back. Perhaps the word ’dire’ wasn’t strong enough to describe the gravity of the situation.

What had happened was beyond horrible, and knowing that ’they’ were the perpetrators left him horrified. How could anyone with a right mind commit such acts? It was madness personified!

"There must be an explanation for this. Furthermore, you have no proof. Your accusations are based solely on the words of your knight during an unconscious state," King Kyden replied coolly. "Moreover, it was your men who confessed to their crimes afterwards."

"That’s preposterous! They are obviously being framed! Are two of my men’s dead bodies not proof enough that such cruelty occurred? And what of the survivors? They were given dwale during their treatment to alleviate the pain. You know well that anyone under that substance doesn’t lie! They spill their secrets without restraint!" the lord argued, his voice rising with indignation.

"It could be a hallucination," the king countered, maintaining his composure.

"It can’t be! My man’s words were clear, and he even mentioned their description and names!" the lord insisted, desperation creeping into his tone.

King Kyden gripped the armrest of his throne, irritation flaring within him. "As I said, I will not pass judgment until there is clear evidence! Out of respect for your relationship with my brother, I’ve called them here for further details. You should not mindlessly accuse them or act disrespectfully. Do you understand?"

The lord huffed in discontent. "You’re obviously protecting them!"

"I am not! If I were, I wouldn’t have used a royal decree to summon them! I am doing everything in my power to resolve this matter fairly. Don’t accuse me of bias!" The king’s stern warning silenced the noble, causing him to clamp his mouth shut.

Pushing his luck to have the king impose a sentence without convincing evidence would indeed invoke the king’s wrath. Reluctantly, the lord decided to play it safe. At least he had already managed to bring those individuals in for questioning.

"Very well. I will accept a fair and square decision after a thorough investigation takes place. But if they are truly the culprits, you should sentence them according to the law without hesitation!" the lord urged in urgency.

"You have my word! I don’t tolerate injustice in this kingdom, and I don’t take sides, no matter who the perpetrators are," King Kyden replied in a decisive tone.

Satisfied with the king’s promise, the lord finally sank into his chair, though his fingers continued to tap impatiently on the armrest. Each sound grated on the king’s nerves, but he chose to remain silent, unwilling to engage in another fruitless argument.

Moments passed in silence. Each man awaited the arrival of those who would shed light on the dark events that had occurred.

***

The group walked down the hallway in silence, a heavy seriousness enveloping them. No one posed a question or made a remark; their faces, body language, and even their steps reflected the gravity of the situation.

As they reached the main door of the throne hall, Charles stopped and turned.

"The men will enter first. Miss Elisabeth Canton, you are required to wait until you are summoned," the chamberlain instructed.

"I thought we were all being called together?" Kiev asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"It is His Majesty’s order, Your Highness," Charles replied, maintaining his formal tone. "As for Mr Rafe Amares and Lady Bridgette Lynn, please proceed to the audience chamber."

"Noted, Lord Enos," Rafe said, nodding.

Bridgette walked ahead without waiting, irritation painted on her expression. She was annoyed at being denied the chance to share the same carriage with Kiev, and Eric’s insistence on riding his warhorse, along with the other knights, left her feeling isolated.

This forced the lady-in-waiting to ride in Rafe and Callis’s carriage, a situation she didn’t favour. The healer remained oblivious to her throughout the journey, while the Mederian Princess’s red eyes kept glaring at her upon contact, making her feel unwelcomed.

Turning to Callis, Rafe noticed her apprehensive expression.

"Don’t worry. Everything is going to be fine. Just wait for us, all right?" he said, gently holding and patting her hand.

Callis nodded slowly, though her heart was still heavy with anxiety. Rafe then moved toward the audience chamber as instructed.

"I hope nothing bad will come from brother and the knight’s meeting with His Majesty," Callis said, glancing at Kiev. "He wouldn’t reprimand you, would he?"

"It won’t be an issue. After all, we’re not here to blow up his kitchen," Kiev joked, eliciting muffled laughter from the knights. They turned their heads down to avoid meeting Callis’s glaring gaze and in an attempt to stifle their amusement.

"Brother!" Callis exclaimed in anger, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

The light-heartedness of the moment did little to ease the stress, but it was a brief reprieve amidst the uncertainty that loomed ahead.

"All right, enough of that. Let’s get back to the main thing at hand," Eric said, breaking the respite.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Kiev turned to Callis, offering a reassuring smile.

"Don’t be anxious. Everything will be fine." He then looked at his sister. "Could you accompany Elis while I’m gone? She might not be comfortable if left alone."

"Of course, brother," Callis replied, understanding that Elis would likely feel uneasy in such unfamiliar surroundings. Though she had been in the palace before, the throne hall and the surrounding area were not places she frequented.

"Gentlemen, please proceed once I announce you in. Miss Canton and Mrs Amares, you may wait in the antechamber. I’ll lead you there myself once I’m done with the announcement," Charles instructed.

"My lord, if it’s all right with you... Can I just wait here?" Elis asked.

The chamberlain raised an eyebrow. "In this hallway? Right before the door?"

Elis nodded affirmatively.

"I’m sorry, but I’m too nervous to go to another place."

"Elis, we won’t know how long the meeting will be. You can’t just stand here. You’ve just recovered. Don’t exert yourself," Kiev said, concerned about her well-being.

His soulmate had only recently come off her menstruation, which had left her bedridden due to cramps and discomfort for days.

"I’m all right, and I don’t mind standing. Knowing that you’re behind that door makes me feel more at ease than being somewhere else. Here, even if I can’t see you, I know you are near," she insisted.

Kiev sighed, recognising her resolve. Forcing her wouldn’t change her mind.

"I have no issues with the request... if that’s all right with Your Highness," Charles said, turning to Kiev for confirmation.

"Fine. Since that’s what she wants," Kiev relented, giving in to Elis’s wishes.

"Don’t worry, brother. I’m right here with her," Callis assured him.

Kiev nodded, though his concern lingered.

The doorkeeper opened the main door to the throne hall at the chamberlain’s order, and Charles stepped in with reverence to announce the arrival of the summoned group.

After bowing to the king and exchanging formal greetings, he stepped aside and proclaimed, "Announcing the arrival of Sir Eric Navin, the representative of His Highness the Grand Duke of Gerhard, Sir Noah Brooks, His Highness Prince Kiev Naver of the Sabel Island, and their escorts, the Knights of Gerhard."

The Count of Abinair stood immediately from his seat, his anxious expression returning as the group entered.

Eric and Kiev strode down the carpeted path toward the dais, followed by the others. The second-in-command knight’s gaze fell on the lord, who stood at the right side of the audience seating.

Instinctively, he and the knights pieced together the puzzle, knowing precisely the reason behind this summoning yet remaining composed, except for Noah, who had never encountered the count.

As the men halted before the King of Cassian, the knights knelt while the Mederian Prince bowed in respect.

"Greetings to the Sun of Cassian!" their voices reverberated through the hall.

King Kyden nodded in acknowledgement, commanding, "Rise."

"I see that the Count of Abinair is here. Greetings, my lord," Eric said, bowing respectfully to the count.

Kiev’s red-ruby eyes darted to the man addressed as a count, his heart pounding immediately in disdain.

The name ’Count of Abinair’ ignited a tempest of rage within him. Though the count had never directly harmed Elis, he was the one who had purchased her and her sister from the slave market in Tarnova, subjecting them to a life of torment and suffering.

At the same time, Noah felt a surge of surprise when he heard the Count’s name. He quickly understood that their recent ’mission’ had somehow reached the King of Cassian’s ears. However, he and the rest of his group didn’t waver at this knowledge, for they had been prepared for such possibilities.

"So... you are the Count of Abinair," Kiev uttered, his voice low and dangerous as he locked eyes with the count.

A flash of fiery anger ignited in his crimson gaze, ready to set the lord ablaze.

All that held him back from advancing was the promise he had made to the Knights of Gerhard—that their once-tarnished reputation and dignity should be restored to what it once was.

***

A carriage rolled down the pathway and entered the mansion’s courtyard, coming to a stop at the entrance of the main building. A couple emerged, seemingly bright and happy.

Anryr rushed forward to welcome the pair.

"Welcome back, Sir and Lady Mills!" His voice greeted them in reverence.

"Hello, Mr Foster! It’s been a while," the knight responded, a smile on his face.

Sylvia stood beside him, beaming with joy.

"How’s everything? I hope the change of season gives you some respite. It is, after all, the time to rest of the year," she said, her friendly demeanour lighting up the courtyard.

Anryr placed a hand on his heart and closed his eyes for a moment, lamenting his thoughts.

"It is supposed to be a time of rest, but this mansion never ceases to be filled with bizarre occurrences. Just the other day, we had an explosion that nearly drove me mad," he reported.

"An explosion? What happened?" Drystan asked, panic creeping into his voice. Sylvia’s cheerful expression shifted to one of concern.

Anryr recounted the tale of how Callis destroyed the barbecue pit near the training ground during her ill-fated attempt to cook for Rafe.

The couple was astonished upon hearing the details.

"Seriously? Callis did that?" Sylvia asked, still doubting the revelation.

The steward nodded in defeat.

"I never expected that she was capable of blowing up the ground and shaking the mansion. None of us did. Luckily, no one was hurt."

"Hah! This surely will remain a story for a lifetime! One that everyone will never forget!" Drystan chuckled.

Sylvia elbowed her husband’s waist, giving him a side glare. Though the incident was amusing, she couldn’t bring herself to laugh at her friend Callis.

"I’m so sorry. Didn’t mean to make fun of that," Drystan surrendered, sensing her discomfort.

"So, are you here to return for good and move in?" Anryr asked. "I might need some time to prepare your accommodation in the married-couple quarters. So, if you don’t mind, please wait first."

"We are staying, but only for a few days," the knight clarified, sharing a glance with Sylvia, who nodded in agreement.

"Before His Highness the Grand Duke left, he entrusted me to care for the Marquess of Sylvere. It would be much more reasonable for me to continue staying at Count Medhir’s mansion since he’s still residing there until the end of this season," Drystan decided.

"Grandfather has been recovering quite well recently, and his symptoms haven’t recurred for a while. So, we took this opportunity to visit Drystan’s family at Oldmie. Then, Drystan thought of coming back here to meet with the knights, and I agreed. Besides, I also miss seeing Lady Jarr and Lady Raychard," Sylvia added, addressing her friends formally as she was now officially part of the duchy.

"Ah, yes, I heard. His Lordship’s health has been improving greatly after you both agreed to marry. Sir Navin frequented the count’s mansion and told me about it," Anryr noted. "Though your stay wouldn’t be long, I appreciate the company. Lady Jarr does need someone to help ease her mind."

"Why? Is there something bothering her?" Sylvia asked.

"She didn’t state anything, but I can see it every time I notice the crease on her forehead. Lady Raychard is still not well despite all the treatments Mr Amares has provided, and Lady Bridgette Lynn’s provoking attempts have only complicated the situation. The two royal maids, however, have been a great help in attending to our lady’s care," said Anryr.

"Wait, Lady Raychard is still not well?" Sylvia asked, turning to Drystan. "It has been a month... probably more. How could she still not recover?"

"I’m not sure about that, my lady. Mr Amares has been trying his best, but it hasn’t been fruitful," the steward replied solemnly.

"Oh, dear! I better go and see her!" the noble lady exclaimed nervously.

"That would be a good idea. Lady Jarr is with our lady in the chamber. Your presence will surely alleviate the situation," Anryr encouraged.

Sylvia turned to her husband, her eyes glimmering with anticipation of understanding.

"Go ahead. Take your time with them. I’ll visit Lady Raychard later," Drystan said, knowing how close the three ladies were.

Sylvia turned on her heel and hurried toward Anna’s chamber, her concern for her friend gnawing at her heart. She prayed nothing worse would occur. Her rushed steps echoed through the hallway and soon faded from the two men’s hearing.

"Is Sir Navin in his office? If he’s not busy, I’d like to catch up with him," Drystan asked.

"I’m afraid he’s not. He, Sir Brooks, His Highness Prince Kiev, and Miss Canton have been summoned to the palace by His Majesty, along with Mr Amares and Lady Lynn, who were called upon by Her Majesty, the Queen. Mrs. Amares followed her husband while Sir Jarr and Sir Skyler escorted the first group. Only Sir Henderson and Sir McQuinn remain at the mansion," Anryr explained.

"Oh, what’s the occasion?" Drystan inquired.

"Her Majesty the Queen wanted to know the health condition of Lady Raychard and wished for the two to report to her directly. As for Sir Navin, His Highness Prince Kiev and Miss Canton... I cannot quite tell. Lord Enos didn’t mention the reason," said the steward.

"The king’s chamberlain came to invite them himself?" Drystan asked, surprised.

Anryr’s expression turned grave.

"It’s not an invitation, Sir Mills," he said in a cold and serious tone. "It’s a summons by royal decree."

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