The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 450: Proving Her ’Innocence’

Chapter 450: Proving Her ’Innocence’

"Threatening others with your magic, just what were you thinking?!" Kiev reprimanded his sister in a stern voice.

By now, the three ladies-in-waiting had fled, saved by the Mederian Prince just in time.

"Tchkk!! I was just teasing them! They were so bold to cause a scene and act as if they were superior. It was only right to teach them a lesson!" Callis replied defiantly, looking away from her brother as she propped her hands on her hips.

"You’re a Cassian now and bound by the kingdom’s law. You can’t go around hurting anyone just because they pissed you off! Are you forgetting that you’re a married woman? Act like one!" Kiev shot back.

Callis crossed her arms over her chest, feeling the unfairness of being scolded.

"Like I want to act like that! I know I’m married. I just wanted to scare them so they wouldn’t bully others so easily!" she said, defending her action.

Kiev glared at his sister, but Callis merely returned his gaze with a side glance and pouty lips.

"Kiev, don’t be angry. Callis didn’t mean it," Elis coaxed him, placing her hand gently on the Mederian Prince’s arm.

The gentle persuasion seemed to calm Kiev slightly. Knowing his sister’s stubbornness, he realised it would be pointless to argue further.

"Suit yourself!" he said with a huff. "I’m taking Elis with me. His Majesty and the others are waiting for us. I’ll report what you did to your husband and let him penalise you for your wrongdoing! You have some explaining to do to him when we return!"

Kiev held Elis’s hand and turned to leave.

Just as he was about to pull her, Callis shouted, "You should have heard what they said to Elis! I wouldn’t bat an eye if they only made simple jokes, but those abusive words that degraded her are unforgivable!"

Kiev froze in his tracks, his jaw tightening as he processed Callis’s words. He turned to face Elis with an intense gaze.

"What did they say to you?" he asked, his voice low and menacing.

Elis gulped, knowing the weight of his inquiry. The low tone of the Mederian Prince alerted her that he wouldn’t let it go easily once he learned of the vicious remarks made by the ladies-in-waiting.

"It’s nothing important. It’s just a mere talk. Let’s go! His Majesty wants to see us, right?" she replied quickly, trying to deflect his attention.

"Elis..." Kiev called her name softly, sensing something was amiss in her anxious expression.

She evaded his eyes as if she were bearing guilt from somewhere.

"Please, just let it go," she urged quietly.

But Kiev wasn’t convinced. His protective instinct flared, and he knew he needed to hear what had been said to her.

"I won’t let this go, not when it concerns you," he said firmly. "What did they say?" he pressed again in the same tone.

The Mederian Prince stood resolute, unwilling to move until he had his answer. Feeling cornered, Elis clamped her mouth shut. She didn’t want to repeat those hurtful words, fearing they would offend him further.

"A mistress, bed-warmer, promiscuous woman who bewitched you, His Highness the Grand Duke, and His Majesty the King... and the worst part is they said after you win over Anna, you would toss her away, and the only way for her to live was to migrate and become a prostitute!" Callis interjected, her voice rising with indignation. "Tell me, should I just sit still when anyone tramples on her dignity like that? Am I wrong to stand up for her?"

Kiev’s lips flattened, his face solemn but his eyes burning with anger. An eerie silence surrounded him. The weight of his fury was apparent. The ladies-in-waiting had been fortunate—had he arrived earlier and heard the insults for himself, the consequences would have been dire.

"It wasn’t just Elis that they mocked, but also you and Anna!" Callis continued, her frustration spilling over.

"Callis, enough!" Elis raised her voice. "We’re in the palace and shouldn’t make a scene!"

"I didn’t! They did! You shouldn’t let them walk over you like that, Elis. It’s just so wrong!" the Mederian Princess insisted.

"I didn’t just stand still! I fought back when they started saying things about Lady Raychard!" Elis retorted.

"What about when they tormented you? I didn’t hear you rebuke them at all!" Callis challenged.

Elis looked down, shame washing over her. Kiev stood at her side, his silence heavy as if waiting for her to find her voice.

"They are high-ranking nobles, and I’m of low status. They’re not entirely wrong in that sense! I am nothing more than a mistress to Kiev," Elis responded.

"How can you think like that?" Callis exclaimed.

She wanted to scream that Elis was her brother’s soulmate, his destined partner, and his other half, but the words caught in her throat as Elis continued.

"I don’t think! But that’s what it is! Kiev and I are not legally married. You don’t have to comfort me!"

Kiev’s heart snapped at her words, the grip on her hand tightening instinctively.

Sensing the tension in his behaviour, Elis quickly clarified, "Please don’t mistake me. I’m not demanding a legal title or anything like that. It’s already enough for me to be at your side. As long as we are happy, I don’t care what others say about me!"

Kiev’s expression remained dark, and the flicker of hurt in his eyes shone upon hearing her reply. Even if she didn’t care, he still did. How could he let anyone insult his soulmate? The thought gnawed at him, fueling his anger at the ladies-in-waiting who had dared to speak so callously.

"Are you truly fine with them calling you that? You don’t mind?" Kiev asked.

Silence enveloped them once more.

"They can call me whatever they want. It’s you that only matters to me in the end," Elis finally replied, her voice steady, yet Kiev knew how much that hurt.

Inwardly, the Mederian Prince swore the ladies-in-waiting would not escape the consequences of their actions.

"I will take action on this and won’t let it slide. But for now, we must see His Majesty the King. The Count of Abinair is accusing you of being the catalyst for the incident that happened to his knights, and I’m going to prove that he’s wrong!" he said, returning to the reason for fetching her.

"C-count... of Ab-abinair?" Elis stuttered, her eyes widening in shock at the mention of the lord’s name.

"Don’t be scared. I’ll protect you from him," he reassured her.

"Why would the Count accuse her of that? And why were you and Sir Navin called for the incident?" Callis interjected, being nosy as usual.

Elis was still reeling from the revelation, but it didn’t take long for her to connect the dots.

"That night... you were gone till morning! Did you..." her voice trailed off, unable to finish the dangerous thought.

Kiev’s silence confirmed her suspicions, and her heart raced.

"What did I miss? Did you do something to them, brother?" Callis asked, her voice low.

"The palace’s walls have eyes and ears, Callis. Be careful with what you’re saying," Kiev warned seriously.

Callis closed her lips.

"We’ll talk after we get back," he said, turning to Elis with a softer expression. "Do you trust me, Elis?"

Elis looked up, her fear evident but tempered by the knowledge that Kiev would do anything to protect her. She nodded.

"Then come with me," he said, extending his hand.

"What about me?" Callis suddenly interjected.

"You will have to wait," Kiev replied, trying to keep his tone light.

"Again?? Why can’t I go in like the escort knights? They were not summoned, yet can enter the throne hall!" she protested.

"That’s because His Majesty the King allowed them to, while you are not. So keep yourself busy facing the walls while waiting for us," Kiev teased.

Callis grunted, annoyance clear on her face. However, she had little choice but to wait.

With that, Kiev intertwined his fingers with Elis’s, and together they strode into the throne hall.

Elis felt a surge of confidence with Kiev at her side. Her fear slowly dissipated upon hearing the Mederian Prince’s unwavering promise to protect her.

For the sake of him and the knights who had taken revenge for her, she was willing to play her part in this summons, ready to face whatever awaited them within the space of the throne hall.

***

"Hah! There you are! I thought you had run away!" the Count of Abinair sneered.

"Why would I? I brought my Elis with me to prove that she’s not the slave you thought she was!" Kiev replied determinedly.

Holding onto the Mederian Prince’s hand, Elis froze at the sight of the count. A wave of anxiety washed over her, and she instinctively hid behind Kiev.

"Why is she hiding? Is she scared or something?" the count taunted, a mocking smirk playing on his lips.

"How could she not be? She was suddenly summoned to the palace by a royal decree and accused of being the cause of a crime in a throne hall full of men. Any woman would be afraid!" Kiev shot back in contempt.

"Show her to me so I can identify her!" the count demanded impatiently.

When the pair walked in, he saw her figure. However, suffering from farsightedness, he couldn’t figure out what she looked like. The Mederian Prince’s sturdy frame now blocked his view, and he felt frustrated by the obstruction.

The other Knights of Gerhard watched the exchange with curiosity. Kiev’s decision to bring Elis into the discussion was unexpected, but they trusted his judgment and remained calm, ready to see how the situation would unfold.

"Present her to the count, Prince Kiev. He has the right to see her," King Kyden ordered from his throne.

The king was well aware that Elis had been a slave from Rafe, but seeing the Mederian Prince’s fierce determination to defend her piqued his interest. He wanted to see how Kiev would ’play the game’.

Kiev took a moment, then nodded, steeling himself for the revelation.

He turned to Elis and whispered, "You don’t have to respond to him. I’ll do the talking. Would you do this for me?"

Elis looked deeply into his eyes, and though she couldn’t know his full intentions, the conviction in his gaze reassured her. She nodded willingly, ready to stand by him.

"Don’t be afraid," Kiev whispered again, tightening his grip on her hand as he slightly turned to face the count. "Just stand beside me."

Gathering her courage, Elis stepped forward, still holding onto his hand, her heart pounding.

"That’s her! That’s the slave that I bought two years ago, along with her sister!" the count shouted, his voice echoing through the throne hall.

His confidence surged as he recognised the woman. Though it had been two years, he wouldn’t forget the beauty of ’Elisabeth Canton,’ a slave who had captivated many, especially Ivar.

"No, she’s not! A slave would have a tattoo on her back, but my Elis doesn’t have any!" Kiev countered defiantly.

"You’re lying! I know her! Same name! Same face! How can she not have it? Undress her so we can all see!" the count demanded, stepping closer to Elis.

But Kiev was quicker with his move. He swiftly pulled her behind him again, becoming a protective shield between her and the count. "Don’t you dare lay your hands on her! She’s my woman, and only I can touch her!"

"Hold it!" ordered King Kyden, his voice cutting through the argument.

"Your Majesty! This is ridiculous! He’s not proving anything!" the count countered.

"It’s such a disgrace to have my woman strip and show her body to other men, Your Majesty! When you bestowed her to me, you asked me to care for and protect her! I will not adhere to this demand!" Kiev declared. "My words as the Mederian Prince of Sabel Island are enough as proof!"

"I disagree!" the count yelled back in arrogance. "Whoever you are, you must provide concrete evidence for your claim!"

"Stop it, you two!" the King raised his voice again.

The atmosphere grew tense as no one dared to speak, respecting the king’s authority. However, it was enough to say that both parties were unwilling to yield.

King Kyden then turned to Eric, his second-in-command knight, and asked, "Would you tell me whether this Miss Elisabeth Canton was the slave?"

Kiev’s heart raced, a look of hesitation crossing his face. He was worried Eric might inadvertently admit to it since the knight was loyal to the king. But to his surprise, Eric’s response was steady and clear.

"I’m afraid I can’t do that, Your Majesty."

"Why not?" King Kyden raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Because Miss Canton belongs to His Highness Prince Kiev, as you bestowed her to him. So, the only one with the right to speak about her personal matters is him, not me. Also, as he mentioned, a slave would have a tattoo on their back, which is common knowledge. But His Highness claims she doesn’t. No one would be more eligible to verify that than him, as none of us had seen her bare."

The explanation brought a wave of relief to Kiev. Simultaneously, the king almost smiled at such a brilliant response, but he quickly masked his approval to maintain fairness in front of the audience.

The king was astute enough to recognise that the incident befalling the Knights of Abinair had indeed been perpetrated by the Knights of Gerhard and the Mederian Prince. The motive was unmistakable—a desire for retribution for Elis.

While he privately believed that such an incident was just, his position as the King of Cassian compelled him to adhere to the principles of impartiality. Consequently, a well-reasoned judgement, grounded in evidence, must be reached to resolve this matter fairly.

"I see... Then let’s do it the proper way," the King said, arriving at a resolution.

"And what is that?" asked Kiev, curious.

"You’ll know," King Kyden replied before calling for Charles.

He whispered to his chamberlain, discreetly conveying his orders. Charles nodded and left, soon returning with two elderly women.

"Greetings to the Sun of Cassian! We came as you ordered, Your Majesty," one of the women said in respect.

The men in the hall looked perplexed at their sudden presence.

"These women are the royal midwives, specialised in women’s health. Miss Canton will follow them to a separate chamber and undergo a proper examination. Wouldn’t this be the best way to prove whether she’s a slave or not?" the King explained.

The suggestion took Kiev aback; he hadn’t anticipated such a suggestion. Seeing his surprise, the Count of Abinair quickly seized the opportunity to agree.

"Yes, Your Majesty! That is a wise decision indeed! I would fully support it!"

"Your Majesty, this—" Kiev started, feeling a surge of protectiveness for Elis.

"Prince Kiev, this is a serious matter that involves the reputation of the Knighthood of Gerhard," the King responded in a firm tone. "If you disagree, it will complicate matters further. Irrefutable evidence is required to resolve this situation. If Miss Canton can prove she’s not the slave the count claims, then there will be no case against the Knights of Gerhard."

Before Kiev could voice his concerns, Elis stepped forward.

"I’ll do it, Your Majesty!"

Kiev’s crimson eyes widened at her unexpected response.

"Elis!" he exclaimed, a concern flooding his thoughts.

Elis met his gaze bravely.

"It’s all right. Let the midwives check on me. I’m not afraid!" she reassured him.

"But..." he hesitated.

"It won’t degrade me in any way. They are the royal midwives. They won’t harm me!" she insisted with determination.

"Are you sure?" Kiev asked, still worried for her safety.

Elis nodded firmly. With the Mederian Prince’s healing, she knew they wouldn’t find a tattoo or a single scar on her body. She felt empowered, ready to assert her freedom.

Seeing the confidence in her blue eyes, Kiev finally relented. He knew he had to trust her strength.

Elis’s determination and the Mederian Prince’s resolve surprised King Kyden. He had anticipated more resistance from both, especially considering that the examination was a decisive move to prove her identity. Yet, their willingness to proceed indicated a level of confidence and trust that he hadn’t expected.

It became clear to the King that Kiev had not initially rejected the suggestion out of fear of what the examination might reveal but somewhat out of genuine concern for his woman’s well-being. This realisation intrigued the king, who wanted to see more of their next ’moves’.

"Good. Now, take Miss Canton with you and conduct a thorough examination! I want the results as soon as possible," the king ordered, turning to the midwives.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the two midwives responded in unison, nodding respectfully before guiding Elis away.