The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 452: Reinstated Dignity

Chapter 452: Reinstated Dignity

Callis and Alex entered first, and the Mederian Princess looked bewildered. She rushed to them as soon as she spotted her brother and Elis.

"What’s going on? I saw the women take you away in haste before I could ask anything, and you told me to wait when you returned with them. Sir Jarr also mentioned nothing except that my presence is now required. Tell me, what exactly is happening?" she asked anxiously.

Kiev and Elis exchanged smiles, adding to Callis’s confusion.

"We’re getting married, Callis. Elis has accepted my proposal," Kiev announced.

"Really? Are you serious?" Callis’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Elis nodded affirmatively, her excitement bubbling over.

"In fact, we’re going to get married now! I requested His Majesty to let you in to witness our marriage!"

Callis’s mouth formed an ’O.’

"No way! You’ve got to be kidding me! You were so mad at Rafe and me when we got married instantly, yet here you are, following the same path!" she exclaimed.

"She’s my soulmate. Plus, I’m scared she might change her heart and reject me again. So, before anything happens, I want to tie her to me forever!" Kiev declared determinedly.

Callis’s lips broke into a big smile.

"He finally told you! Oh, I’m so happy for you both! I called you my sister-in-law in the hallway today, and now it’s really happening! This is so perfect!"

"So, you knew about this too!" said Elis.

The Mederian Princess smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry for not telling you that! I didn’t mean to," she apologised. "The truth is, my brother never told me. I found it out myself before the duel between him and His Majesty the King began!" she confessed.

Elis chuckled softly.

"You might have your own reason for not doing so. But it’s all right since Kiev has told me. The most important thing is that we are both in love and going to be united."

"Yes, you are! Soulmates are meant for each other! I’ve been rooting for you all this time, and I’m glad you are getting married," Callis said enthusiastically.

She looked at the bride and groom. Though both were appropriately dressed, and Elis was adorned in simple ornaments that accentuated her beauty, neither was attired for a wedding occasion.

"Oh, we need flowers! You both aren’t wearing wedding attire, but the bride should at least hold a bouquet!" she exclaimed.

"Here you are, Miss Canton." Noah suddenly approached with a bouquet in hand.

The ladies’ eyes brightened at the sight of the flowers.

"Where did you get this? And just in a short time?" Elis asked, surprised. She hadn’t noticed the knight leaving the throne hall.

"Well... umm... it’s something borrowed... from His Majesty," he said, rubbing the back of his neck shyly as he turned toward the smiling king.

Somehow, the flower arrangement beside the throne had noticeably gone ’missing.’

Eric and Alex, who stood a little further away, began to gossip amongst themselves while Garin remained calm and collected.

"The Mederians do have a knack for express weddings, don’t they?" Alex remarked.

"It’s not the express wedding they’re after, but their soulmates. They are infatuated with them, and sealing the bond is of utmost importance in their lives. Once they find their soulmates, they’ll do everything to make them theirs," Eric explained.

"Ah, yes! I remember Mr and Mrs Amares’s case. The Mederians and Ro’an yearn for their soulmates’ love and affection. How unique is that!" Alex added, fascinated.

"Well... even without a soulmate bond, we still love our spouses very much, don’t we?" said the second-in-command with a grin.

Alex nodded with a smile, his thoughts drifting to Meredith.

"Absolutely."

"That friend of yours is quick with his move to get the flowers. He’s still quite the charmer in romance and hasn’t lost his touch," teased Eric, his eyes trailing to Noah.

"He is!" Alex replied, chuckling. Turning to Garin, the knight asked, "Are you all right, Sir Skyler? You’ve been so quiet."

"I’m fine. I’m just amazed at His Highness Prince Kiev. Even after knowing everything, he still desires Elis so deeply. He even healed her to that extent. She wouldn’t meet a better man than him. He honours her in every way," Garin replied, a hint of melancholy in his voice.

The knight used to harbour disdain for Kiev, believing the Mederian Prince was merely seizing an opportunity for his gain to own Elis, oblivious to the sincere intentions buried deep within. But now, after getting to know Kiev, all he felt was respect and sincere admiration.

Just then, the queen arrived, escorted by her ladies-in-waiting and Rafe, all wearing curious expressions. After greeting King Kyden formally, the attendees were ordered to take their seats.

The healer sat beside Callis on the left side while the ladies-in-waiting occupied the right side of the audience seating. Once everyone settled in, the throne hall fell into complete silence as they awaited the king’s announcement.

"Today, His Highness Prince Kiev has formally requested me to unite him and the lady of his choice, Miss Elisabeth Canton, in a marriage bond, and I shall grant his wish," declared King Kyden.

A cacophony of sounds erupted from the audience who didn’t know. Rafe turned his head to the knights sitting alongside him with wide eyes, silently asking for an explanation regarding the sudden marriage, but they just smiled back mischievously.

"However, before that, there’s something I must do," the king continued.

The audience held their breath, anticipating the following declaration.

"Step forward, Sir Noah Brooks," ordered the king, his eyes darting to Noah with a look of remorse.

"Yes, Your Majesty," replied the knight, standing up.

His legs swung slowly as if weighted down. The last time he had faced directly before the king was to receive his judgement two years ago.

King Kyden rose from his throne, approached the knight and stood before him. Noah bowed in deference.

"Look me in the eyes," commanded the king.

Noah raised his head, his dark eyes meeting the king’s as demanded.

"With the confessions of the perpetrators who had framed you and after a thorough investigation, it is found that you, Sir Noah Brooks, are not guilty of the crime of r*ping and m*rdering an unknown slave woman from two years ago," announced the king, a statement that brought gasps of surprise from everyone present in the throne hall.

Noah held back his emotions. This was the moment he had been waiting for—an acknowledgement from the highest authority in the kingdom affirming his innocence, a word he had longed to hear for years.

"Following this, the news of your innocence shall be made known to the whole kingdom tomorrow morning through the town crier. Therefore, your previous title as a high-ranking knight is hereby reinstated immediately. Your past position as the second-in-command knight shall also be returned to you, along with a hefty amount of money to compensate for what you’ve lost," declared King Kyden.

Eric remained silent, knowing well that, now that the truth had been revealed, the day would come for him to return the position he had been entrusted with to Noah.

"Your Majesty... if I may," Noah suddenly voiced out.

"Yes, do state. If there’s anything that you wish to demand from the wrongs that have affected you greatly, please do. I shall fulfil it to the best of my power as long as it is achievable," said the king.

"I agree with all of your declarations. However, for the second-in-command Knight of Gerhard position, I wish for it to remain with Sir Eric Navin," Noah replied.

Surprise rippled through Eric and the rest of the knights, who exchanged puzzled glances, wondering about Noah’s unexpected request.

"May I know the reason? That was your previous position. Shouldn’t you take it back as you deserve?" asked King Kyden.

Noah responded calmly, having made up his mind.

"I believe Sir Navin is more deserving of it. Though we are on par in terms of combat and other skills as a knight, he has something more that I still need to learn from him," said Noah.

"And what might that be?" asked the king.

"Compassion and humanity."

King Kyden smiled, his eyes darting to Eric. "What do you say to this, Sir Navin?"

Eric stood when his name was called and responded with a bow.

"I’ll accept whatever Your Majesty feels is deemed fit. I shall not counter or disrespect Sir Noah Brooks in any way should he wish to regain the position. But if he decides not to pursue it, then I shall honour his request with utmost dignified chivalry to keep the responsibility."

"I shall not, Your Majesty, and I’m true to my word. I will continue to serve as a knight under the Knighthood of Gerhard, under the leadership of His Highness the Grand Duke, and also having Sir Eric Navin as my superior. That is my only request," Noah insisted.

The king nodded, satisfied.

"Very well. I will fulfil your wish. Let it be known that Sir Eric Navin shall continue his duty as the second-in-command knight of the Knighthood of Gerhard," declared King Kyden.

The knights clapped their hands in joy. Rafe, the Mederian siblings, and Elis shared in the blissful moment.

The king was amazed by Noah’s transformation. He remembered how troublesome the knight was and had long disagreed with his brother on the decision to include a problematic mercenary in the knighthood.

But Kyren had been adamant, believing there was something different about Noah and that he could change. Today proved the grand duke had never been wrong.

"I cannot bow to you for all the mistakes I made that inflicted harm upon you and the knighthood. The Raychards will only bow to the Imperial dynasty of Ro’an. However, I can offer you an apology for my shortcomings. Please forgive me for failing in my duty as king to protect you and for the delay in addressing this matter. I sincerely apologise to you and to the Knighthood of Gerhard," said the king.

The throne hall fell into deep silence at the sound of the king’s apology. Noah’s eyes watered, and he downcast his gaze, feeling the weight of the moment. His heart was moved by the sincerity of the King of Cassian, who openly apologised to him before everyone and admitted to his mishaps.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you!" his voice choked as tears of happiness brimmed in his eyes.

The Knights of Gerhard rose from their seats. The king glanced at them and nodded, approving for them to approach. In an instant, the knights came forward, embracing their companion in a brotherly hug.

Noah couldn’t contain himself and burst into tears. The pain and burden that had shackled him for so long melted away in that moment.

Eric was the last to face him. The second-in-command knight patted Noah’s shoulders and said, "There’s no word I can say to show how much I regret my past actions and mistakes. Forgive me, Sir Brooks."

Noah pulled Eric’s arm and hugged him tightly, the knight’s eyes red from tears.

"I would have acted the same or maybe even worse if you were in my place. But, at least, towards the end, you gave your trust back to me!"

This poignant exchange marked a turning point in their relationship as both knights confronted the weight of their past altercation.

The moment not only healed old wounds but also solidified their trust in one another, illustrating that even the deepest rifts can be mended with understanding and compassion.