The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 449: A Princess In Rage

Chapter 449: A Princess In Rage

As the men entered the throne hall, Callis and Elis were left in the hallway. The door closed shut, and its thickness ensured that no sound emerged from inside.

Time passed slowly, each second making the wait feel interminable. From standing firmly to leaning against the wall and now pacing back and forth, the Mederian Princess could not hide her anxiousness.

Elis, however, appeared composed as she stood patiently. Of course, that was merely a façade. Inside, various thoughts brewed in her mind, filled with all manner of possibilities. The only thing that allowed her to maintain her calm was Kiev’s comforting words before he left. For his sake, she knew she ought not to show her fear.

"God, I can’t take it anymore!" Callis’s voice suddenly erupted, breaking the oppressive silence in the hallway.

Even the royal guards, usually stationed outside the throne hall, had been dismissed, convincing her that something of utmost importance and discretion was being discussed inside. It seemed none of the unrelated parties were meant to be present.

Elis flinched at Callis’s shout, prompting the Mederian Princess to realise her mistake. "Forgive me! I didn’t mean to startle you," she apologised. "I’m just... arghh!"

A frustrated grunt escaped her lips. The uncertainty of being kept away from the reason for the audience was excruciatingly tense.

If only she could burst in and lead herself inside at will. She might have done so if she were still the Mederian Princess, regarded as the King of Cassian’s honoured guest. However, now married to Rafe, she was subject to King Kyden’s authority without question.

"Why don’t you go and freshen up a bit? That might help you feel better," Elis suggested.

The notion made sense to Callis. Her nervousness had caused her to hold her bladder for far too long, and now it felt like it might burst. A quick visit to the privy and a splash of water on her face could certainly improve her mood.

"You’re right," Callis agreed. "Why don’t we go together? I can’t leave you alone here."

"I’m fine. I would be more anxious if I moved away. You go ahead," Elis replied.

"But what if something happens to you?" Callis pressed.

Elis smiled reassuringly.

"What could possibly happen? We’re in Cassian’s palace, the safest place in the kingdom. Besides, Kiev is just on the other side of the door with the knights. There’s nothing to worry about," she dispelled the concern.

"All right, then. But don’t go anywhere and just wait here! I shan’t be long," Callis reminded her before turning to head down the hallway.

Elis nodded in agreement as the Mederian Princess pivoted on her heels and left. Returning to her waiting stance, she clasped her hands and stood straight—a common posture for an idle maid, one she was used to.

The air felt thinner with the passage of time. The longer she waited, the more nervous she became. In her heart, Elis prayed that this summoning wasn’t as severe as she and the others expected and that they would return to the mansion with no further issues.

"My... my... I thought I was mistaken. But look who’s here!"

A lady’s voice emerged from behind, prompting her to turn her head towards the sound. The lady wore a sardonic grin, accompanied by her companions.

Elis quickly recognised them and curtsied in respect. The group of ladies-in-waiting, who were threading down the hallway, abruptly halted upon encountering her in the midst of their stroll.

Having spent her time as Callis’s maid during their stay at the palace, she knew who they were, though she had never mingled with them or made any direct approach.

"Greetings, my ladies," Elis offered her respect, but her polite words were met with only scornful glares.

Instead of continuing on their way, the ladies-in-waiting hovered around her, scrutinising her appearance from head to toe.

"Look at that, Lady Harper! Just the other day, we saw her in a maid’s uniform, and now she’s already adorning herself in a noblewoman’s dress," Sophia pretended to whisper to Evelyn.

Still, her words were loud enough to reach Elis’s ears.

The lady-in-waiting covered her mouth with her hand and responded to her companion, yet speaking in a tone that could be heard clearly.

"Didn’t you hear? She’s the mistress of the Mederian Prince now and no longer a maid. Of course, that uniform would have been tossed aside by now," Sophia remarked mockingly.

"How pathetic to know that such a lowly life would shamelessly crawl into His Highness’s bed to gain herself a spot within the noble social circle, don’t you think? I would rather be dead than use such a brazen tactic," Nancy added sarcastically.

Elis bit her lower lip, holding back the urge to respond to their depreciative remarks. She chose not to fight back, fully aware that a person in her position would be seen as a target for mockery and disdain among the nobles.

Since the day she was proclaimed Kiev’s woman, she hadn’t stepped out of Garhard’s mansion, thus avoiding such scrutiny. The mansion’s occupants all treated her with kindness and respect. But that didn’t erase the reality that people outside, particularly the nobility, would look down upon her.

"I wonder what kind of spell she used to bewitch His Highness Prince Kiev that he was willing to duel for her against His Majesty the King," Evelyn remarked, stoking the flames of derision as she noted Elis’s silence.

"It wasn’t just His Highness. His Majesty the King was affected, too. Think about it. An intimate relationship without a proper marriage is forbidden in the kingdom. Yet, His Majesty ignored this important rule and bestowed her to His Highness as a bed warmer," Nancy remarked with a disdainful smirk.

"Yes. Come to think of it, even His Highness, the Grand Duke, unexpectedly hired her despite everyone knowing how he despises female servants. She really does make herself ’exceptional!’" added Evelyn, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Of course she does. Remember Sir Alex Jarr’s wedding? She turned up all glammed up and dressed extravagantly, giving her blessings to the bride and groom as if she were part of the royal family. She even danced with His Majesty and His Highness Prince Kiev. How audacious!" sneered Sophia.

"Well... some women are just willing to do anything for their own benefit, regardless of whether their actions are shunned by society. They have no regard for etiquette or morals. It doesn’t matter to them as long as they achieve their objective of gaining wealth and status," Evelyn chimed in.

"Handsome men always fall for the promiscuous ones who lack dignity. Even His Highness the Grand Duke is the same when it comes to lust. He couldn’t take his eyes off his concubine. I hope the air outside of Cassian makes him realise who is truly precious and suitable for him," Nancy added smugly.

"Stop it!" Elis, who had been silent for a while, suddenly shouted, startling the ladies-in-waiting.

She raised her head, her cheeks flushed red with anger.

"It’s fine if you want to mock and ridicule me. I’m fully aware of my status and where I should belong. But Lady Raychard is not a promiscuous woman as you claim! She is part of the royal family, and you have no right to humiliate her!" she declared firmly.

"Everyone knows she got her position from the wasted skill she possesses! It’s not even worth bestowing her the title, as her abilities are of no benefit whatsoever! She’s useless!" Evelyn sneered contemptuously.

"Lady Raychard is not useless!" Elis retorted defiantly, defending Anna. "She’s a brave lady, a princess of royal blood, loving and kind-hearted! She is someone who stands up for others and offers her help when needed. His Highness the Grand Duke loves her! He is going to make her the Grand Duchess!"

"Hah! In your dreams! A traitor’s blood can never assume that position. Just wait and see! Lady James will soon rise and occupy the title. By then, people like you will just be cast aside!" Nancy scoffed.

"Yeah! His Highness Prince Kiev is only using your body to satisfy himself while waiting for the duel to resume. He has his eyes on his betrothed, remember? Once he wins the duel and claims her, what will become of you, mistress? For someone as tarnished as you, the only way to live is to migrate to another kingdom and become a wh*re!" Evelyn added cruelly.

Tears brimmed in Elis’s eyes as the insults became increasingly degrading. She could have swallowed the whole defamation and buried it in her heart if it had only been directed at her. But the ladies-in-waiting had gone too far by involving Anna and Kiev in their contemptuous taunts.

The ladies-in-waiting laughed, feeling victorious over Elis. But then...

"Aaa!!" Evelyn let out a piercing scream.

Her body bent backward as a hand grasped her hair with force while another hand grabbed her neck, ready to strangle her. The rest stood utterly shocked by the unexpected scene.

"Say that again about my brother’s love, and I’ll pull out your tongue!" Callis warned, her red eyes shot into the lady-in-waiting.

She then raised her head, scowling at the other ladies with a stern look while maintaining her attack stance.

"How dare you all surround my sister-in-law and try to harm her with your malicious words!" she reprimanded them.

Evelyn’s hands clasped Callis’s arm in a futile attempt to push her away, but the Mederian Princess proved stronger, as formidable as a high-ranking knight. The more the lady-in-waiting struggled, the tighter Callis’s grip became.

"Let her go! Guards! Gu—"

"Call the guards, and I’ll snap her neck this instant!" Callis threatened Nancy, who attempted to summon help.

"You wouldn’t dare! This is the palace!" sneered Sophia.

"Try me!" Callis shot back, her determination evident, and the two ladies-in-waiting paled at her threat.

They all knew she was a strong Mederian Princess with exceptional combat skills.

"Let her go, Callis!" Elis, who had been speechless amidst the commotion, finally voiced out.

"She and her friends mocked you, my brother, and Anna. How could I ever release her?" Callis replied through gritted teeth.

She had heard the taunting remarks from afar on her way back and rushed to the scene.

"Please! Don’t harm her! It will only make things worse!" Elis begged again, desperation seeping into her voice.

The Mederian Princess remained unmoved. Like her brother, Callis possessed a dangerous determination when provoked.

Elis struggled to calm the Mederian Princess. Then a thought struck her.

"Mr Amares wouldn’t want you to do this! He’ll get in trouble if you hurt Lady Harper!"

"Rafe is not involved in this!" Callis snapped.

"But he’s your husband. He’s responsible for you! Your actions would eventually affect him!" Elis implored, hoping to reach her.

Callis hesitated, her grip loosening slightly as the weight of Elis’s words sank in. The situation hung in a tense silence, and the other ladies-in-waiting watched with bated breath, worried about her next action.

A realisation dawned on the Mederian Princess. Elis was right. Since Rafe was the head of their household, he would bear the consequences of her actions. With a heavy heart, Callis withdrew her hands, letting Evelyn slump to the ground, gasping for breath.

Evelyn’s companions hurried to her side, supporting her as she heaved heavily, recovering from the choke. Callis, now at Elis’s side, glared scornfully at the three ladies-in-waiting.

Sophia looked up, her eyes blazing with hatred.

"You are not going to get away with this! I’ll report this matter to His Majesty and have you thrown into the dungeon!"

Callis scoffed at the threat. With a flick of her finger, fire suddenly rose from her palm, shocking the ladies-in-waiting and causing them to yelp and huddle together on the floor in fear.

The Mederian Princess stepped forward, her voice low and dangerous.

"Before you lodge your report, I’ll make sure your pretty hair is burnt. I might go to prison for what I do, but at least I’ll still be pretty, unlike you, who will be bald and ugly. Shall we give it a try?"

The ladies-in-waiting shrieked in terror as Callis’s slow, deliberate steps echoed ominously in the hallway.

"Stop it, Callis! Please!" Elis pleaded again, but the Mederian Princess remained undeterred this time.

Just as Elis was about to rush to stop Callis, a commanding shout broke through the commotion.

"Callis Naver-Amares!"