The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 465: Guests Arrival At The Mansion

Chapter 465: Guests Arrival At The Mansion

The front gates of Gerhard’s mansion swung open at Eric’s command as the carriage carrying the two guests approached the compound.

The entourage was led towards the main entrance of the main building. No sooner had they arrived than a group of servants greeted them, headed by Anryr, whose face bore an expression heavy with concern and anxiety.

As Eric and Eli dismounted from their warhorses and handed the reins to the stable boy, Anryr swiftly approached them.

"Sir Navin, how’s the situation? Could you enlighten me on what happened? You said you’d explain everything once you returned," the steward asked Eric, eager for updates on the day’s unexpected occurrences.

Just as Eric was about to reply, Emily, supporting Clara, emerged at the entrance along with Armel. They were all eager for details about the turmoil.

"Sir Navin! Please tell us what is going on! How is Lady Raychard? Has she really recovered as we were told? I heard from those who went to the palace that His Highness the Grand Duke has returned, but he was carried out from Lady Raychard’s chamber unconscious! Also, is it true that His Highness Prince Kiev has been arrested? Mr Foster mentioned he saw him apprehended by the royal knights right before he returned." Clara exclaimed nervously.

Eric quickly raised both hands and flexed his palms, attempting to pacify the agitated situation.

"Calm down first!"

Just as he was about to continue, Rosalie, Sylvia, and Meredith arrived, followed closely by Mary and Scarlette.

"Oh, thank goodness, Sir Navin! You’re finally back!" Meredith exclaimed in relief. "Please help me explain the situation to them."

Sylvia and Emily began bombarding questions as well, their anxiousness apparent. Something felt distinctly off when they were ordered to return immediately from the palace without any further explanation. Their eyes fixed on him, waiting with bated breath for answers to questions that churned in their minds.

Taking charge, Eric ordered, "Everyone, please. Give me some space first so I can talk to Lady Jar. I promise I will reveal everything later."

The anxious group obeyed his demand and stepped back, allowing the second-in-command knight to converse privately with Meredith.

"You haven’t told them anything?" Eric asked in a hushed tone to the lady-in-waiting.

Meredith shook her head.

"Nothing beyond what they’ve seen for those who went to the palace. Furthermore, you and the knights were not here. I was worried that if I spoke first, everyone would be alarmed, and things could spiral out of control. So, I told them to wait for your return."

"You did well, Lady Jar," Eric acknowledged with a nod. "How is Her Highness Princess Elisabeth faring?"

"She’s asleep, and Jessy is accompanying her. We went straight to her bedchamber upon arrival. The nanny and I put sleeping pills in her tea and tricked her into drinking it. She didn’t stop crying all the way back and kept pleading for her husband to be released. Everyone else wondered what happened. Jessy and I didn’t know what to do, so I had to resort to such measures to calm her down," said Meredith. Feeling guilty, she added, "I hope she won’t hate me after waking up."

"No, I don’t think so. Her mind is too preoccupied with His Highness Prince Kiev’s case for her to notice that you had drugged her. Anyway, you did excellently, Lady Jar, by controlling the situation in my absence. No one can handle these circumstances easily. Thank you so much for your help!" Eric expressed with gratitude.

"I did what I could. But I can’t hold them off any longer. Their curiosity and anxiousness are growing more fervent. Dame Verns, in particular, has a sharp intuition. When Mr Foster informed her about what happened so far, she could sense that something bad had happened."

"Thank goodness she didn’t come along with you in the first place," said the second-in-command knight. "Otherwise, it could’ve been worse!"

"I managed to hold her back from accompanying us when we departed to the palace to get Lady Raychard’s treatment by using the excuse that her condition could hinder us since we needed to be quick. But if she knew what happened, nothing would stop her from going there! I haven’t even informed them that His Highness Prince Kiev and Princess Elisabeth are married! Please help me before something more serious occurs!"

"Don’t worry, I will! But first, there’s something that you should know. I brought back—"

Before Eric could continue, the carriage door creaked open, and a figure standing at the threshold began to descend, catching the crowd’s attention.

Everyone was so eager for details from the second-in-command knight that none of them noticed the carriage was carrying unknown guests.

Two figures emerged and stepped out, their eyes surveying the new environment with astonishment.

"Who are they?" Anryr quietly asked Eli, surprised by the unexpected arrival.

One appeared to be a mature man, resembling a knight with his stout figure, while the other was a young girl, probably in her teenage years, who looked quite pretty with her long, reddish-brown hair neatly braided to one side.

"They are His Highness the Grand Duke’s guests," the young knight replied briefly.

For a moment, the presence of these two guests diverted everyone’s attention, rendering the crowd silent. Eric swiftly left Meredith’s side and stood before the duo as he needed to introduce them formally.

"Everyone, let me introduce you. This is Sir Blake Ashburne, Commander of Ardel’s army, who collaborated with His Highness the Grand Duke, and this is Lady Athillia," Eric announced. "They are here as His Highness’s honourable guests."

Everyone’s eyes fell on the two figures, scanning them up and down in surprise. None had anticipated that, during one of the most crucial moments, they would receive Kyren’s guests.

Athillia’s light brown eyes caught sight of the bewildered crowd. Considering their unplanned visit, she was astonished to receive such a cordial welcome.

Nevertheless, as she sifted through them, she could sense that they were there to meet with Eric instead and were anticipating some news from the knight. Their expressions implied that Sir Ashburne and her arrival had not been expected.

However, the Bargesian Princess remained calm and composed. It would have been awkward to question why they wore such surprised looks as if the mansion’s occupants had never received any guests.

"Hello... Sir Ashburne and I had been waiting in the carriage. Since we’ve already arrived, I thought it best to come out... right?" she said hesitantly.

Typically, the servants would assist in opening the carriage door and leading them out, but Athillia thought there was no need for such formalities and immediately exited. Sir Ashburne, eager for a good rest, followed suit.

"You are Sir Blake Ashburne, the commander of Ardel?" Clara asked, stepping forward to get a better view of the man.

"Yes, and you are?" he replied.

"I’m Dame Clara Verns, Lady Anna Raychard’s escort, also from Ardel. I believe we have never met," Clara introduced herself.

Sir Ashburne’s eyes widened with excitement.

"You must be the knightess! I’ve heard stories about you! Yes, we have never met before, as I left Ardel’s castle before you began your service!" he exclaimed, extending his hand to shake hers.

Meanwhile, Sylvia whispered to Eli, "Did His Highness the Grand Duke return with them?"

"Yes, he did. Don’t ask more about her, as I’m also clueless about who she is," the young knight replied quietly, masking his emotions with a stoic expression.

"Save the introductions for now, Dame Verns. Our guests need a proper rest after their long journey," said the second-in-command knight to Clara.

Eric exchanged glances with Anryr, signalling the steward to act appropriately.

Quickly, Anryr bowed to the guests and greeted them, "Welcome! Welcome to Gerhard’s mansion!"

The servants followed his gesture, while the other ladies, though feeling awkward, nodded and curtsied. Athillia and Sir Ashburne reciprocate the formal exchange.

"My name is Anryr Foster, the steward of the mansion. Please excuse us for this humble welcome. The truth is, we didn’t expect Sir Navin to bring His Highness’s guests with him upon returning from the palace," Anryr explained.

"That’s fine. We also didn’t plan for this. We were supposed to meet with His Majesty the King upon arrival, but he was quite busy today. His Highness the Grand Duke is also occupied with urgent matters. It seems like something unexpected occurred," Sir Ashburne replied, oblivious to the peculiar stares of the crowd.

Clara looked back at Eric with a sharp, curious gaze.

"Something... unexpected... occurred. Right..." The repeated words were punctuated one by one in a meaningful tone.

Her eyes swiftly glanced sideways at the second-in-command knight.

"Please attend to the guests accordingly, Mr Foster," Eric said, avoiding eye contact with the knightess.

"Of course!" Anryr replied. "Rosalie, lead them to the parlour while I arrange their accommodations," he instructed his wife.

Rosalie complied, and soon, the chief maid, along with several servants, escorted the two guests to the designated area. Meanwhile, the steward directed other servants to prepare for the guests’ stay quickly.

The crowd’s attention returned to Eric with apprehension, awaiting his response. The curiosity about the guests could wait, as a more pressing matter required their focus.

Knowing it was time for him to respond to them as promised, Eric ordered, "Everyone, let’s head to the meeting room first."

The group immediately moved to the specified location, eager and anxious to hear the second-in-command knight’s explanation.

Eric glanced back at them as they settled within the room before beginning. He took a deep breath as he readied himself to reveal the critical situation.

"Just as most of you already know, Lady Raychard vomited blood today and received treatment from His Highness Prince Kiev’s healing magic at the palace. She is now safe," he announced.

"Why is she suddenly becoming so ill, Sir Navin? Is her health in a critical condition?" Sylvia asked impatiently.

Scarlette and Mary shared the same concern. They had done their best to serve Anna, but somehow, her condition had significantly deteriorated that day.

"There is nothing wrong with her health. The truth is, Lady Raychard is pregnant," Eric revealed.

"What??" Emily exclaimed. "Pregnant?"

"Yes. Most of you might have known this, but let me inform you again since some may not have been aware. Lady Raychard is partly Mederian, and according to His Highness Prince Kiev, the baby inside her requires mana to grow, which, in her case, she doesn’t have. That was why her condition got worse."

A cacophony of sounds erupted within the meeting room, with those who had not yet learned about the pregnancy utterly surprised.

"That is great news, Sir Navin..." Clara said. "But why do I feel that something ominous is going on?"

"You can tell?" Eli asked.

"The solemnity on your face, along with Sir Henderson and Lady Jar’s expressions, clearly indicates something bad is happening. I am confident that I didn’t mistake my observation," the knightess replied confidently.

"All right. I will explain further," Eric said. "But I need you all not to be alarmed. Believe me, as much as this news will shock you, it bewildered me, the knights, and those who were in Lady Raychard’s chamber at the palace."

All eyes concentrated on the second-in-command knight.

"Lady Raychard has been accused of having a scandal with His Highness Prince Kiev, and the child is said to be his."

Shock rippled through the meeting room, evident by the loud gasps.