The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 493: A Prince’s Sacrifice

Chapter 493: A Prince’s Sacrifice

"Sir Eric Navin, the second-in-command Knight of Gerhard, please stand up and testify before His Majesty," the officer announced.

Eric, already standing, approached the front and faced the king. He recounted the incident in the chamber and explained how Anna had been possessed by dark magic and the pursuit to rescue her from the forest.

When questioned, the details of the Bargesians’ origin and how they led to the incident were also explained in relation to the fake Ardel ambassador delegation.

Next, it was Sarah’s turn to testify. Her account aligned with that of the second-in-command knight, validating the dark magic incident reported by her informant, confirming Anna and Kiev’s close proximity, thus implying the pregnancy.

She indicated that the information she had received from the royal guard stationed there was intended to ensure Anna’s safety, as entrusted by Kyren to the king.

The chief lady-in-waiting managed to evade the consequences of her act since Eric hadn’t reported the dark magic possession incident correctly and even misled the chief of the royal guard by claiming it was a drill.

The king concluded that the second-in-command knight should face punishment for his misdeeds, and the discussion on the penalty would occur later. Eric and the knights raised no objections, fully aware that it was inevitable.

King Kyden also directly ordered his royal knights to search for the Bargesians immediately, as they were deemed a threat, although Eric had mentioned the tribesmen’s assistance in hunting them.

"Your Majesty, may I raise a question?" Aaron suddenly asked after the decisions.

"You may," the king allowed.

"Based on the testimonies given so far, it has been indicated that Lady Raychard is pregnant, as stated by Madam Jessica Collins and His Highness Prince Kiev Naver. Has this been medically confirmed?"

Such a question gathered everyone’s attention. Their eyes turned to Rafe, who was the healer in charge of Anna’s health.

The healer stood up and requested permission to speak.

After being granted the floor, he responded, "As Sir Eric Navin has stated, the blood tests I conducted at the mansion showed that she was not pregnant. Only after Madam Collins admitted to tampering with the blood sample using her magic did I discover the truth. No further blood tests were conducted after that. However, I would like to state that the symptoms she exhibited were similar to those of a pregnant woman."

"Your Majesty, allow me to make a request," Anna suddenly asserted.

The nobles began to murmur among themselves, curious about her plea.

"Please state it first for me to consider," the king said, giving her a chance.

"I understand that everyone is questioning who the father of my child is, and while I am confident it belongs to the Grand Duke, it is hard to make everyone believe the same. Therefore, as I previously pleaded with you yesterday, please allow me to give birth to my child and conduct the blood test afterwards to determine the father. We will all have a definite answer," she said.

Kiev glanced at Anna. Her speech suggested that somehow the princess had met with the king. He presumed their encounter must have been the ’matter of yesterday’ the king mentioned just now.

"That is incredibly bold of you, Lady Raychard!" Lord James exclaimed with a hiss. "Do you expect everyone to wait patiently until your labour? His Majesty would be ridiculed for allowing such a delay, and by the time the child arrives, his reputation would be marred across the continent! We all know that the child cannot possibly be the Grand Duke’s! How much disgrace do you intend to bring upon the royal family?"

"But this is also about my life and honour! It isn’t fair to punish me for something I didn’t do!" the princess retorted.

"Your pregnancy speaks for what you did! The child wouldn’t exist if you hadn’t done something of the sort!" the minister added harshly.

"That’s not true!" Anna countered.

"Enough!" The king’s voice cut through the tension. He then gave his ultimatum. "That request cannot be granted, Lady Raychard."

Anna looked back at the king, disbelief etched on her face.

"Why not?" she asked.

"Because the test is still in trial mode, and its success rate is unsatisfactory. It has not yet been approved for use," King Kyden explained. Turning to Rafe, he added, "Isn’t that so, Mr Rafe Amares? I believe you shared these details with her, leading her to believe such a test is possible."

Rafe stood up and replied solemnly, "I did, Your Majesty. It was part of our discussion when Lady Raychard helped my assistant and me with the medical book translation back in the camp. But I failed to mention that it is still in trial mode."

Anna’s heart sank. She thought she had a way to prove her innocence, but now that hope was slipping away. Sarah, on the other hand, smiled discreetly.

"Your Majesty, if I may suggest, though Lady Raychard’s request cannot be permitted, there are other available tests. As Mr Rafe Amares has already stated, no further tests have been conducted after the accusation, and this pregnancy is based solely on the Mederians’ claim and Lady Raychard’s symptoms. Wouldn’t it be reasonable to conduct a proper blood test to at least confirm the pregnancy?" Aaron proposed.

"True! This would also help determine how far along Lady Raychard is. His Highness Prince Kiev has only been in Cassian for about two months. If the pregnancy term is longer than that, it would prove that the baby isn’t his," supported Lord Grey.

"Her belly isn’t even showing! We all know that her pregnancy must have begun around that time of His Highness Prince Kiev’s arrival!" scoffed Lord James.

"Lady Raychard is of small stature! Nonetheless, a three-to-four-month pregnancy can remain invisible because of her frame!" Lord Grey countered.

The disagreement persisted until King Kyden intervened. The king then asked Rafe for his perspective, and the healer concurred with the two lords who proposed the idea, effectively silencing Lord James.

Kiev and Anna looked at Lord Grey and Aaron in astonishment. Why hadn’t they considered this? It also made them question why the lords suggested, as if they were trying to help them.

When their eyes locked, the corner of Aaron’s lips curved up slightly. Lord Grey, sitting beside him, also showed signs of satisfaction. Then Anna realised...

’They came for me! They came to help me!’ her heart screamed.

She had always doubted her first instinct regarding Lord Grey’s earlier nod, believing she had misread it. Warm tears filled her eyes, moved by the support extended to her.

Meanwhile, Sarah’s expression darkened. Everything had been going perfectly according to her plan. How did those lords come up with such an idea?

If it were proven that Anna had become pregnant before Kiev’s arrival, people would assert the possibility that the baby belonged to Kyren, as she was with him throughout that period.

This would ruin her agenda completely. While she could raise doubts and suggest that the baby was the result of Anna’s affairs with other men, proving that would be challenging. She could only rely on the king’s statement indicating Kyren’s inability to produce an heir.

That was too risky. Moreover, the Grand Duke might believe he had overcome his procreation issues—so she thought.

However, the chief lady-in-waiting could not directly oppose this suggestion, as doing so would expose her hidden motives.

Having heard the suggestion, King Kyden considered it. While he knew the baby couldn’t belong to his brother, this test could demonstrate Kiev’s innocence. It would grant him more time to extend the investigation before imposing punishment.

"Suggestion accepted," King Kyden decided. "We will have Lady Raychard tested accordingly."

Joy filled Aaron and Lord Grey’s expressions, while the dukes remained composed. The connection between the princess and the dukes was not as strong as that with the two lords, but all the Pillar Families’ heads and representative shared the same interest; to uphold justice.

The dukes also despised Lord James’s known attempts to strategise his schemes to gain power and use it against the royal family. Therefore, it was crucial for them to keep him in check.

The sudden accusation against the concubine took all of them aback, as Anna had never shown any promiscuous behaviour. Those who had met her were certain she was an elegant lady who carried herself with respect.

Aaron, in particular, could hardly believe the offence. During his father’s incident at the mid-autumn festival, the princess skillfully navigated the situation to ensure his father’s safety and preserve his family’s honour before the crowd.

In contrast to others, she refrained from judging; instead, she boldly reached out to offer help during the crucial moment. Her support might have seemed effortless, but it was executed impressively. She was truly a sharp-minded woman.

"Forget about it! There’s no need for further tests!" Kiev suddenly exclaimed.

Everyone turned to him, curious about why he had said that.

"Prince Kiev!" Anna exclaimed, surprised at his rejection.

The Mederian Prince turned to the princess at his side. He couldn’t agree with the blood tests that would ultimately confirm the pregnancy had occurred before he arrived in Cassian.

That would prove that he didn’t father the child, but Anna would still have to bear the accusation of having had an illicit affair since everyone believed that Kyren couldn’t have a child with her.

Sadness flickered in his eyes for a moment, knowing that her reputation was about to be tarnished by him, but it was quickly replaced by determination.

"I’m sorry, Princess Anna. I have to do this!" he said, hiding his feelings.

"What do you mean?" she asked, bewildered.

Kiev didn’t answer her. Instead, he addressed the king directly.

"Let’s cut to the chase. I will confess."

"What is your confession, Prince Kiev?" King Kyden asked, worry etched on his heart, sensing an ominous feeling.

"The baby is mine! I r*pe Princess Anna!"

Shock rippled across the royal court hall, followed by a cacophony of gasps and murmurs.

Sarah stood up in disbelief.

’Has he lost his mind?!’ her thoughts screamed, but the words wouldn’t leave her throat.

Meanwhile, the Knights of Gerhard and Rafe remained composed. What the Mederian Prince had promised them was now unfolding.

However, their expressions betrayed a sadness that could not be hidden, even though they understood that this outcome was anticipated.

King Kyden’s blue eyes widened in bewilderment as he looked at Kiev. His lips parted in shock after hearing such a statement from a prince who had always embodied nobility, courage, and integrity.

"You are lying!" Anna screamed. "This baby isn’t yours! I know it’s not!"

"It is!" Kiev insisted. "Otherwise, why would I ask Callis and Jessy to keep your pregnancy a secret? It’s all to protect my heir, of course!"

Anna’s face flushed red in shock. Her big, round emerald eyes were filled with tears that quickly streamed down her cheeks.

She shook her head relentlessly.

"No! No! No! It can’t be! It just can’t be!" she cried.

"I took advantage of you that night, Princess Anna. You were unconscious and in my grasp, and I’ve been waiting for that chance! You are my betrothed, but you refuse to come with me, and the Grand Duke wouldn’t let you go! I had no choice! This was the only way to make you mine!"

Even though the Mederian Prince’s words were resolute, Anna still couldn’t believe her ears. Her heart refused to accept the confession.

"You wouldn’t do that to me! You wouldn’t! You wouldn’t!" the princess cried again.

The Knights of Gerhard looked down, as did their healer. Witnessing the princess’s agonising despair was painful, but this was the only way to clear her name from the accusation of infidelity.

"I already did!" The Mederian Prince looked at her and suddenly held her arm.

The chain connecting to his handcuffs rattled with the movement.

"It was all my doing! Let me bear the punishment alone for my mistake. Even if it’s the death penalty, I’m ready to redeem myself. Just... just live well and take care of the baby, please!"

’Bang!!’

The door of the royal court hall burst open.

"Let go of her hand!"