The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 479: A Cover Up Play

Chapter 479: A Cover Up Play

[Meanwhile, at Kyren’s chamber...]

"I said, get out!" The Grand Duke’s wrathful yell echoed through the chamber, accompanied by the sound of another item shattering.

The hurried steps of the knights’ leather boots gathering at the bedroom’s threshold signalled their withdrawal. Solemn and worried expressions lined their faces. As they returned to the living area of the chamber, the door creaked open, and Eric strode in.

The knights immediately turned to him.

"How was it?" Eric asked. "Is he still refusing to eat?"

The knights nodded gravely.

"He threw everything to the floor, Sir Navin," Drystan said with a sigh. "No matter how we urged him, he won’t budge. This has been our third attempt."

Eric clamped his mouth shut, his countenance brooding. The second-in-command knight had left for the night after interrogating Kiev because his second son, Evan, had a fever.

"How’s Evan?" Luke asked Eric about his son’s condition.

"He’s recovering. His body temperature returned to normal this morning. I have a healer and other help on standby," Eric replied.

"That’s good to hear," Garin said. "Luckily, your servant came and informed us when you went to the dungeon about your son’s condition. We wouldn’t have been at ease if you hadn’t gone back to see him."

"That servant came on her own accord, not by Rachel’s instruction. I know her well. She wouldn’t interfere with my duty, regardless of how difficult the circumstances were. She’s a strong woman," Eric said, feeling proud of his wife.

"We know she’s understanding. But family is important too, Sir Navin. I’m sure she appreciated your presence," Garin added.

Eric smiled, remembering how Rachel had cried in his arms the night before. She was indeed resilient, but as soon as she saw him, she melted into his embrace, needing his support.

"You’re right. I should be more thoughtful and not assume she can carry all the burden herself. I’ll be more attentive in the future. Thank you for the advice," he said.

Though Eric knew of Rachel and Garin’s discord due to a regrettable event years ago, he was aware that the knight still cared for her like a sister. What had happened was indeed a misfortune.

"A knight of Nemblim came over when we first attempted to persuade His Highness to have his meal. He must have heard His Highness’s yelling," Alex reported.

"A Knight of Nemblim? Why was he here? Did he convey any news regarding Lady Raychard?" Eric asked, raising an eyebrow.

"He said Lady James ordered him to check on His Highness. Also, regarding our lady, he said the trial for her and His Highness Prince Kiev will be conducted at the royal court this morning. The nobles have convened there, awaiting His Majesty’s arrival," Alex added.

"That vile woman has some nerve!" Noah spat angrily. "It must be her father pushing for the trial! They can’t even wait a day to get their hands on this! Sneaky James!"

"Hey, calm yourself. We already know their game. Even if you reprimand them directly, there’s no stopping it. We knew this would happen, sooner or later," Luke said to the knight.

"Should we go to the royal court, Sir Navin?" Alex asked Eric.

The second-in-command knight paused.

"No. It’s best we stay here. His Majesty ordered us to take His Highness to his chamber, so we should guard him unless instructed otherwise. Until we are called upon, we shall not go there," he decided.

"What about His Highness Prince Kiev? Will he stand by what he’s decided to say?" Alex asked.

Eric nodded.

"He’s fiercely protecting Lady Raychard. There’s no way he’ll back down," he affirmed.

"Mr Amares said you’re convinced he didn’t touch our lady. Sir Navin, you’re rarely wrong about reading people’s expressions. But the evidence is overwhelming. How can you be so sure this time, despite his confession?" Garin probed.

"His eyes..." Eric replied. "Lips can lie, but not the eyes. Even the most pretentious person often reveals the truth in their eyes that their words try to conceal."

All the knights lowered their sight, solemnity filling their hearts as they felt at their wits’ end, unsure of what else they could do to save Anna.

"Then, who might be the child’s father?" Garin muttered to himself.

Though quiet, the other knights heard him clearly.

"Rafael asked the same. We didn’t discuss it further as we heard the guards coming and hurriedly left. Surely, he must have talked about this with you all when I went straight back to my sister-in-law’s place," Eric said.

"He did. But we all feel stuck. None of us can guess. Logically, His Highness would be the father, but Mr Amares said it’s impossible," Drystan said. "Also, knowing how much His Highness Prince Kiev has sacrificed for Lady Raychard’s sake, it’s irrational to say he did it on purpose."

By now, they all knew Kiev had suffered dangerous mana depletion after saving Anna from the forest, as affirmed by Drystan and Rafe.

"Where is Rafael? Why isn’t he here?" Eric asked, changing the subject as he noticed the healer wasn’t with them.

"Mrs Amares came here, crying and begging her brother to be saved. She looked gaunt and weary, probably from not having rested since yesterday. He was concerned she might go to Lady Raychard’s chamber and cause a stir against the Knights of Neblim, so he took her away to his chamber," Noah explained.

"Why didn’t he ask her to return to the mansion first? Even if she’s here, there’s nothing she could do," Eric said.

"She likely wouldn’t have. You know how stubborn she is. Mr Amares had a hard time convincing her to leave. She only relented when he said he would accompany her," the knight added.

"She’s worried. She kept asking about His Highness Prince Kiev and Lady Raychard," Drystan said.

"Yeah. But we were also concerned that His Highness the Grand Duke might hear her cries and do something to her. Thankfully, Mr Amares took drastic measures to take her away before anything happened," Luke said.

"What about Sir McQuinn? Hasn’t he returned yet?" Eric asked.

The absence of his subordinate was unusual, given Damon’s adherence to their code of conduct during duty.

"Not yet–"

A loud bang on the door interrupted Luke, drawing their attention. Alex opened the door and was surprised to see Lord Grey, looking agitated.

"Alex, what the hell is going on? What has happened?" the minister asked anxiously.

"Father, calm down first," the knight said.

Lord Grey ignored him and stormed toward Eric.

"What is this accusation all about? I just came from the royal court, and it’s a big fuss over there!" he raised his voice.

"So you’ve heard..." Eric remained calm.

"I did! But I couldn’t believe it! Lady Raychard and His Highness Prince Kiev? That’s preposterous! Why didn’t anyone inform me about this earlier?" Lord Grey asked.

"Yesterday was one of the most difficult days, my lord. It was hectic for everyone. We didn’t expect the trial to begin so quickly," Eric said with remorse. "Lord James seems to be taking advantage of this. We all know he holds a grudge against His Highness the Grand Duke after the annulment of his daughter, Lady Sarah James’s, betrothal."

"The accusation is baseless! We all know Lady Raychard!" Lord Grey pressed. "His Highness Prince Kiev was her betrothed. She would have left with him when he arrived if she really wanted him!"

"Still, all the circumstantial evidence points to that assumption right now, Lord Grey. No matter how we investigated, we couldn’t find a plausible reason to indicate that nothing happened between them, though I know His Highness Prince Kiev never did it," Eric said.

"He’s in love with that maid. Anyone can tell that just by looking. It’s obvious," Lord Grey said, recalling Kiev’s jealous reaction to King Kyden when the king danced with Elis during Alex’s and Meredith’s wedding.

Silence enveloped them.

Then, Lord Grey declared, "I’m going to do something about this! Lady Raychard saved my daughter from the dungeon, and it’s time for me to repay that debt!"

"How?" Alex asked.

"I’m going to gather the four pillar families of Cassians and ask for their support."

"Haven’t they returned home already?" Drystan interjected.

Those nobles were among the guests of honour at his wedding.

"No, not yet. They’re still staying at the Count of Medhir’s mansion at the request of His Lordship, Marquess of Sylvere."

"But how will you do it?" Garin asked.

"From what I know, the Marquess of Sylvere and the Duke of Sanad’s family already favour her. The Duke of Greene might be neutral, but he’s perceptive and insightful. I can try to convince him. As for the Marquess of Roland..."

The minister paused, thinking about how Matthew, the Marquess of Roland, seemed to despise Anna because of her Adhemar bloodline.

"It won’t be that simple, father," Alex interjected. "Even with the Four Pillars Families’ support, this case directly impacts the royal family’s dignity. His Majesty has kept the secret of His Highness the Grand Duke’s inability to have children for so long. The fact that Lady Raychard is pregnant is beyond excuse. Severe punishment is likely to happen."

"But we can’t just stand here doing nothing!" Lord Grey argued.

"Actually, we met with His Highness Prince Kiev last night..." Eric revealed.

Lord Grey’s eyes widened. "What did he say?"

"He said he would admit to taking advantage of Lady Raychard. That way, she’d be protected from punishment," Eric said solemnly.

He would have disagreed with Kiev’s decision, knowing the Mederian Prince was innocent, but there was nothing else they could think of to save Anna.

"That’s preposterous! He will be heavily punished if he does that!" Lord Grey exclaimed. "I’m not going to let this happen!"

"The trial must have begun by now, my lord. There’s nothing we can do!" Luke said.

"It has been temporarily paused! Haven’t you heard what happened?" the minister said.

"How come?" Drystan and Luke exclaimed simultaneously.

"Lady Raychard has run away!"

"What??"

This time, Eric, Noah, Garin, and Alex shouted in surprise.

Lord Grey then conveyed the whole situation. Shock rippled across their faces.

"But how?" Alex muttered, furrowing his brow.

"It must be through the secret passage! His Highness mentioned those hidden paths all over the palace meant for escape, remember?" Eric reminded them.

"Yes, he did!" Luke slammed his fist into his palm.

"Even so, she won’t make it far in her state. Lady Raychard must be hiding somewhere nearby," Eric deduced.

"The Knights of Neblim have been ordered to search for her. Lord James and his daughter are leading the task," Lord Grey said.

"This is not good! They might do something to her if they find her. We’ve got to locate her before they do!" Noah exclaimed.

"They won’t harm her," Eric said. "I know Lord James and his daughter. They’ll bring her back and have her severely punished."

"How can you be so sure, Sir Navin?" Drystan asked.

"Because they’re the type who hold their pride high. Nothing is more entertaining than humiliating their enemies before finishing them. This is a good opportunity for them to strike back at His Highness the Grand Duke," Eric said.

"Then let me get to Lady Raychard and take her away before they do! That way, she’ll be safe!" Noah said.

"Be careful with what you say, Sir Brooks! Are you suggesting we betray His Highness the Grand Duke and His Majesty the King? That’s treason!" Garin shot back.

"I’m not a coward! I’m willing to do anything to protect Lady Raychard! I am her first escort!" Noah shouted back.

"Calm down! You’re being irrational! Are you forgetting you have a family now? Doesn’t Emily matter to you?" Eric reminded him.

Noah closed his mouth, struck by the realisation of his own responsibility. If he acted on impulse, Emily’s life would also be affected.

"Once Lady Raychard is found, the royal court will continue with the trial. His Highness Prince Kiev is determined, and I believe in him. He will admit to assaulting our lady. By doing this, Lady Raychard won’t be punished."

"But what about him? You said he’s innocent!" Noah said.

"He won’t be punished easily because reprimanding him would cause war against the Mederians, and His Majesty won’t take that risk. Our armies just returned from the battle in Ardel and are exhausted. Initiating a move that could lead to another confrontation isn’t smart," Eric said confidently.

"Still, I won’t back down. I’ll plead with the Four Pillars Families for their support! That would be better than just watching!" Lord Grey said.

"I’ll come with you!" Alex said, changing his mind. "My parents would listen to me since I rarely make requests. It would help convince them!" Turning to Eric, the knight asked hopefully, "Can I go, Sir Navin?"

The other knights turned to Eric anxiously.

"All right, you may go, though I doubt it will make much difference."

"Thank you! Father, let’s go!" Alex said, and the two men quickly left.

The door closed, and the tense situation was met with silence.

"Should we tell His Highness about Lady Raychard’s escape, Sir Navin?" Drystan asked, breaking the stillness.

Eric glared at the knight.

"Do you want His Highness to search for her and get her in trouble? Are you aware of how dangerous he is right now?"

Eric’s reprimand silenced Drystan. It was indeed a bad idea to tell Kyren about it.

Then, a knock came, and a knight entered.

"There you are! Where have you been?" Eric exclaimed in a furious tone.

Damon closed the door behind him and slowly walked up to the group.

"I went out of the palace to cool down and fell asleep at a tavern in the plaza," he explained.

"Hey, when I tell you to let off steam, that doesn’t mean you can fool around and get drunk!" Luke reprimanded him.

"Sorry! I got carried away!" Damon rubbed the back of his neck guiltily.

"Look at you! With those sunken, dark eyes... I bet you didn’t sleep a wink and finished a barrel last night!" Garin said. "Are you sure you’re sober now?"

"I’m all right!" Damon said.

Thankfully, as Luke claimed, Garin misunderstood the knight’s lack of sleep and thought he was drunk.

Looking back at his companions, Damon noticed their tense expressions.

"Why do you all look anxious?" he asked.

Eric sighed.

"Lady Raychard has escaped."

"Oh..." The sound escaped Damon’s lips.

Then, he realised his reaction was too subtle. It’s time to put a better play.

"Oh, my God!" he exclaimed, his hand flying to cover his mouth in feigned shock.

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