The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 55: The Royal Decree

Chapter 55: The Royal Decree

A sudden unrestrained laughter burst out of Anna’s mouth. The healer’s reply tickled her heart, letting her let out a delightful giggling sound to the men’s ears. Her eyes crinkled with pleasure, tears came out, and her face flushed with amusement.

The men sat still with no words coming out, eyes locked on the princess. Of them all, Rafe threw the most peculiar look at her.

Anna wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. The other knights who stole glances at her laughing face returned to their chats, and only a few interested in the conversation secretly paid attention.

"You really know how to joke around, Rafe." The remnants of the giggle lingered in her speech.

"I’m not, my lady! That’s what I heard when I studied in Engarth. All the professors I’ve met who mastered the language were already old and had white hair. They had spent years learning the language," Rafe replied earnestly.

"There’s no way I am one of them!" The commander’s wife shook her head.

"I believe we all know the famous myth about the Ro’an Emperor’s direct descendants. They are described as having a tall, well-built, gallant figure and being exceptionally gorgeous. Not to mention their combat skills and magic abilities. No one can match them in the whole continent," Ayden spoke up.

"You’re absolutely right! Now, tell me. Where do I fit in according to the description?" asked the princess, glancing at them with bright eyes.

The healer and his assistant exchanged a quick look before redirecting their attention to the princess. They examined her up and down, measuring her small, frail appearance, which did not match the specifications.

The stunned silence indeed brought a clear answer. Unhesitatingly, she concluded, "See... I’m totally the opposite! I don’t even know how to hold a knife or make any magic."

"But that was what my professors told me. They said the language was imbued with enchantment. So, only those with strong will and determination could master it. Even that will take some time," said Rafe confidently.

"Yes. That’s why we were amazed when we learned you knew the language very well," the assistant healer added.

"I’m just lucky because I can memorise things I read quickly. I’m sure others in Cassian know the language and have better skills than I do."

"Well, of course, a few understand the language, like His Majesty, the royal families, some scholars and healers," Rafe answered in a low voice.

"Ah, the commander knows it too! He’s good at it!" Ayden suddenly blurted.

"Really? You do?" Anna turned to Kyren and asked.

The commander, silent for a while, glared at the assistant healer like a hawk. Ayden almost forgot that he was one of the royal family members required to learn the language.

Realising that he had made an irreversible mistake, the assistant healer quickly closed his mouth with his hand and looked away.

"I do," the prince slowly replied as he averted his eyes to the food piled precariously before him.

"Didn’t you say only certain people can learn it in Cassian? In Ardel, there’s no such restriction. Anyone can learn it, though few people want to," Anna went on.

"It’s not an actual restriction. It’s just a common tradition in the kingdom," he explained to her.

"I see." She nodded thoughtfully, "Why did you learn it?"

"His Majesty, the previous king, ordered me to."

"Then, could you tell me, was it so hard to study them? Did you take a long time to master the language?"

The princess launched a series of questions. Her sparkling eyes showed how much interest she had in finding out.

Kyren cleared his throat before answering as he reflected on his experience. "It was a little hard in the beginning. But then, it gets smoother and easier. I was already fluent by the age of ten."

Anna turned to Rafe and Ayden and declared, "There... The commander said it himself. He even mastered it at a younger age than I do. So, I believe the ability to learn it is just a random skill."

She smiled at Kyren before continuing.

"Besides, if you look at him, I would say that Kyren fits the description perfectly better than I do. If someone told me that he is a Ro’an Emperor’s direct descendant, I would’ve believed it myself," she claimed.

The commander’s face changed drastically. An unsettling emotion ran through his mind as the topic continued.

"I’m not! I’m a Raychard," he quickly denied.

"The Ro’an Emperor’s descendants had long left the continent after the empire perished. I don’t think they are any more of them here. Also, they surely won’t return after what happened," said Ayden.

Kyren and Rafe’s sights collided; the commander’s sharp blue eyes sent unspoken messages towards the healer.

Rafe quickly caught on and realised the discussion should not be drawn out. He tactfully shifted the conversation to a new topic to keep it going.

Eric, who had been overhearing their conversation from afar, glanced at them furtively. Their discussion had piqued his interest initially, but as the topic changed, he stopped eavesdropping and resumed chatting with the knights.

***

Following dinner, Eric summoned the chosen knights to convene in the main tent. As they gathered and sat at the table, murmurs could be heard throughout the place. Each one was curious about what their next mission would entail. Among the group were four high-ranking knights; Garin, Alex, Drystan, and Luke. Two others were Eli and Damon.

In a short while, Eric entered with Rafe and Ayden, bringing silence to the group. The knights quickly stood up, anxious to receive their instructions.

"Sit down. I won’t be giving the briefing. The commander himself will do it. He’ll arrive soon." The second-in-command knight signalled to them.

"What is this task all about? At least you could tell us so we can be prepared," Rafe asked him.

He and his assistant were surprised when the knight called them to the meeting.

"I would if I knew. The commander didn’t even tell me anything. He only asked me to prepare a carriage," replied Eric.

"A carriage?" The enthusiastic Eli reacted when he heard the knight.

"I’m guessing it’s for the lady. Anyway, let’s wait for the commander’s order," said Eric.

The men returned to take their seats and held back patiently. Finally, the awaited commander arrived. He quickly flipped his hand to the rising men as he approached the table and sat in his chair.

"The letter from His Majesty reached me three days ago. He has also ordered a royal decree along with the interval announcement," Kyren began as he looked at the men with serious faces, anticipating the order’s details.

"His Majesty wish to meet my wife. Therefore, we shall go to the capital tomorrow after the team’s disbandment," he told them.

The men’s eyes rounded upon hearing him, but none uttered a word.

"As you all know, my wife is frail and has just recovered from sickness. So, I need my best men to be the escorts for the entourage. Rafe and Ayden, I need both of you to watch over her health," he ordered.

"Yes, commander!" both men answered committedly.

"Garin, I need you to lead the rest of the knights’ return to Gerhard. Ensure a smooth journey and convey my orders to the steward once you arrive. Tell him to furnish the castle perfectly and prepare the necessities for my wife. We’ll be returning home after having an audience with His Majesty."

"Yes, I will. If I may ask, how long do you plan to stay in Gantz?" asked the knight.

"I do not wish to stay long. It’ll be two weeks at the most," replied the commander.

"The journey to the capital usually takes around two weeks by horse from here. With the carriage, it’ll take a few more days as it will slow down the trip. Is the lady fit to travel that far?" Eric posed a question to him, and the knight’s attentiveness was quite concerning.

Kyren’s expression turned cloudy.

"That’s what I’m worried about. What is your opinion, Rafe?" The commander turned his eyes to the healer.

Rafe dithered momentarily before answering, "She is not in her best condition. A long journey like that will surely take a toll on her. I would suggest making frequent layovers so she can rest. Also, it’s approaching autumn. She must stay warm as much as possible to avoid getting sick again."

Kyren nodded.

Although he was reluctant to follow the order, he could not disobey the royal decree. At the end of the letter, it was clearly written that the lady must be presented before the king during the audience. As such, he knew that he had to curb his tension hereon.

"We will do as you said. Prepare for departure tomorrow," he instructed them.

"Also..." Kyren suddenly continued.

"None of you shall address me with my royal title during the journey. You can remain as current."

The knights squinted hard at the commander.

"But that would be disrespectful!" Alex, the high-ranking knight who was from a noble family, disagreed.

He was the son of a duke, a minister in the Cassian government cabinets. Once they left the frontier, all the men knew they were supposed to address the commander with his noble status.

"My wife still doesn’t know about my status. I don’t want to scare her," he muttered.

"You haven’t told her yet?" Eric interrupted with a surprised look.

"I will before we arrive in Gantz," he briefly answered.

"Understood, commander. We shall not speak of it until you allow us to," Luke promptly agreed.

"One more thing." Kyren’s eyes darted to the two knights, Damon and Eli, who were Anna’s escorts. He glared at them intimidatingly.

"Although I despise your previous actions, my wife has constantly appealed to me to forgive both of you. She even acknowledged you as her person. As such, you will not be punished and will still escort her for this entourage. But, remember... My tolerance is low. There will be no next time," he warned the knights sternly.

Eli and Damon quickly bowed.

"Yes, Commander! We will take this opportunity to redeem our mistake and not let you down!" Damon said.

Kyren nodded, acknowledging the knight’s promise.

The commander left after finishing the briefing. The rest of the knights dispersed to prepare for their new journey tomorrow, leaving Rafe, Ayden and Eric.

The three men watched as the commander’s figure walked away from them.

"That moron! He’s really looking for trouble, not telling her!" Eric grumbled when Kyren was far enough from them and could not hear him.

His usual playful demeanour trailed off as he clicked his tongue in disapproval. The order to keep the identity of the grand duke away from Anna bothered him.

"What are you worrying about?" Rafe asked him, oblivious to the outcome.

"Rafael, you have no idea what a woman’s heart is like!" The knight shook his head.

"What do you mean? And stop calling me that, you fool!" The healer squinted at Eric grumpily.

"Lady Raychard will surely be angry. A woman doesn’t like it when her man has a secret," Ayden spat out.

"Hah... Even your assistant has a more workable brain than you!" teased the knight to the healer.

"How dare you look down on me! You id*ot, st*pid ogre! Wait until I put the laxative in your food. Then you’ll know the meaning of suffering!" scolded the healer as he stomped his feet and left angrily.

"Hahaha... bring it on, mate! You surely scare me now. Ooh... I’m so afraid! The great Rafael is going to poison me! Hahaha...."

Eric’s laugh echoed as he moved in the opposite direction, also leaving the place. The sound of the healer’s curses muffled from afar as Rafe heard the sarcastic joke.

Ayden exhaled a sigh of defeat.

"Now that the frontier duty is over, these two best buddies will return to their usual squabbles. God, please help me!"