The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 57: The Journey to Gantz Begins

Chapter 57: The Journey to Gantz Begins

Anna looked down as her palms sweated and trembled. She was visibly nervous and distressed, wringing her hands and fidgeting with her dress.

The entourage had departed this morning, and her body shook along with the movement as the carriage’s wooden tyres rolled down the path.

They had been on the road for hours and took layovers twice. The landscape was transitioning from the lush green and golden hues of forest trees in summer to autumn’s deep, warm hues.

The view was stunning. Nevertheless, they encountered hilly terrain as they proceeded west.

"Anna..."

She heard her name being called. Her head turned to him, sitting beside her in the carriage.

"Huh?" Her erratic focus was now drawn to him.

"What is it?" he asked.

Kyren’s dazzling blue eyes looked at her with an unwavering gaze. His expression was gentle yet intense as if he were utterly attuned to the princess’s emotions and needs.

"Nothing," she replied curtly, averting her eyes as if trying to escape the question.

"Please look at me," Kyren called out to her once more, gently placing his hand on her face and turning her towards him.

"What’s with the look? Is it because of the royal decree? Or are you not feeling well?" he wondered as he stared at her innocent face.

"I’m fine, Kyren."

"You’re not telling." He sighed. "You’re hiding something from me, Anna."

He moved his hand and placed it on hers. Then, he felt the shivers from her little hand.

"Why are you shaking? Your hand is sweaty. Are you sick?" This time, the tone of anxiousness began to permeate his voice.

"I’m fine."

"Anna, please stop avoiding telling me. Let’s address this," he firmly requested.

She raised her head at the towering man, feeling torn.

Was it right to tell him about her fear?

No. She didn’t feel it was the right thing to do. Nevertheless, the man kept on insisting. Knowing Kyren, she knew he would keep urging her if it was related to her health condition.

Anna’s anxiety began to build up when the news of the royal decree reached her ears. Her initial excitement about going to the Duchy of Gerhard died down, knowing that they wouldn’t be returning there but instead going to Gantz following the order of His Majesty, the King of Cassian.

Why would the unknown king be interested in her suddenly?

Kyren already answered the question. He had been serving His Majesty for years and was in no place to ask him.

He was right. How could a mere knight question an order from the king?

"Talk, Anna. Tell me, please," he pleaded with her.

"I’m scared," she finally opened up.

"About what?" He tried to comprehend her feelings.

"What if His Majesty dislikes me? What if he disapproves of our marriage? A lord, let alone a king, has a say in his knight’s wedding. If he says I’m not worthy of being the Knight Commander of Gerhard’s wife, what would become of me?" she asked.

The fear of the outcome was clearly written all over her face.

"Nonsense! His Majesty won’t do that! A consummated marriage is considered legal according to the Cassian law. There is no reason for him to disapprove of us. He would never disagree with whom I chose to be with," Kyren stated.

"He must have highly valued you. From how you said it, it seems you have a good relationship with him."

"We’ve known for years."

"What about your lord?" she asked again.

"Who? My lord?" The commander raised his eyebrows.

"Yes. You said you came from the Duchy of Gerhard. That means your lord is a duke. You’ve never spoken about him."

Upon receiving Anna’s reply, he found himself pausing. So far, their ’talk’ had yet to be resumed due to the various events that had taken place.

"About that... Well, actually­—"

"Kyren, can we stop? I’m not feeling well!" the princess suddenly said, her hand on her chest as her breathing became laboured.

"What’s the matter? Anna? Anna?"

As they passed through a desolate path guarded by towering cliffs, he noticed her struggling to catch her breath in the horse-drawn carriage.

"Stopped the carriage!" Kyren shouted as he banged the wall, signalling the drivers.

At the sudden halt, Anna’s trembling increased.

"Out! I want to go out! Please!" she exclaimed without hesitation, rushing towards the door and pushing it open with force.

Ignoring the bewildered commander, she stormed out and leapt down. Upon landing on the ground, she quickly made her way to the side of the road and crouched down.

"Uwekk... urgh... uwekk..."

The retching noise of vomiting echoed through the stone walls, followed by her gasp of breath. Kyren rushed over, holding his wife’s shoulders to help support her.

"Breath... slowly..." he said, calming her.

"Hurl if you need to," he continued.

"Uweek... urgh... urgh...."

The splash of vomit dropped to the ground. He pulled and held her hair while stroking her back to comfort her.

The knights on horseback turned their eyes to the couple, surprised by the unexpected occurrence.

"What happened?" Rafe shouted as he came running to them. Ayden also dismounted from the horse and hastily joined.

"Give me some water," Kyren requested of the healer.

Rafe passed him the water container tied at his waist.

"Are you done?" he asked Anna as he saw that the vomiting had stopped. The princess nodded weakly.

"Rinse your mouth with this," he instructed her.

After she rinsed, he offered her water and helped her wash her face. He even dampened her hair to allow her to cool off. Afterwards, he led her to the nearest boulder and sat her down to rest.

"Are you all right, my lady?" Ayden asked in concern.

Anna nodded again.

"You’re not all right! You were trembling just now," Kyren countered before she could say anything.

Rafe quickly checked her body temperature.

"You don’t have any fever," he said.

"I’m all right. It’s just that... It’s too dark. There’s... no light in... the carriage. I feel... suffocated." Her words were slurred as she tried to catch her breath.

"Is she always uncomfortable with the darkness?" Rafe turned to the commander and asked.

"She always does. Even at night, I would let a lantern on for her," replied Kyren.

Eric and Alex came over to assess the situation.

"What happened? Is something wrong with the lady?" asked the second-in-command knight.

"Nothing seems serious. Please stay back and give her some space," Ayden told them.

The knights nodded and retreated several steps away.

"Anna, speak," ordered Kyren as he saw his pale wife.

A bursting emotion erupted in her heart, tears falling to her plump cheeks.

"The slave traders... locked me in a prison carriage for days... That’s why... I’m scared of the dark!"

Her cries grew louder as soon as she answered. Kyren inhaled deeply, holding back his emotions. His strong arms wrapped around her like chains as he knelt before her.

"Why didn’t you tell me earlier?" He sighed.

"I’m sorry. I thought I’d be fine," she cried.

"They’re all gone now. I’ve already made sure of that. You’ve nothing to be afraid of. I’m right here with you," he whispered in her ear.

He could feel her shuddering in his embrace as he brushed her hair lightly.

"You do? They won’t come back and catch me again, will they? They won’t sell me at the slave market, will they?" she asked, sobbing into his chest.

"No! I’ve sent them all to hell. No one is going to hurt you again!" he firmly stated.

The commander ordered Alex to light a lamp and place it near them, as the area was dim. It took a while for Anna’s tears to subside.

"The sunlight is blocked by these high cliffs on the roadside. You’re experiencing a panic attack just now due to your fear of the darkness," Rafe explained.

"There will be a few darkened paths before we reach the vast field. Will she be all right then?" Kyren asked him.

"It’s not something that can be overcome quickly, Commander. It’ll take time to recover. It’s better to avoid the triggering factor for now," advised the healer.

"It’s the carriage, Kyren. I... I don’t want to be in the carriage in the dark! It reminds me of that time," she pleaded.

The prince pondered for a moment.

Then, he turned to Eric and Alex, who stood in the distance and shouted, "Saddle Max. I’m going to ride on him with Anna."

"Yes, commander," Alex responded and moved to the warhorse belonging to Kyren.

"You’re going to ride with the lady on the horse?" Ayden bewildered.

"Only until we reach the field area," replied Kyren.

"She’ll be exposed to the cold wind. Are you sure it’s all right, Mr Amares?" the assistant healer asked worriedly.

"Hopefully, the wind doesn’t blow hard along the way," prayed Rafe.

The healer then asked Eric, "Is it possible to reach the field before it turns dark?"

"It won’t be a problem at all. If the commander sped up, we could arrive in a few hours. We’ve been going slow since departure," the knight replied.

"I’m sorry for troubling you. It seems like I’ve slowed down everyone," Anna guiltily said.

"You don’t have to be sorry for that. You’re the main character for this entire journey. So, your health and safety are our utmost priority," said the grand duke.

Anna sat down as she regained her strength. Not long after, Alex arrived with a majestic black stallion that had saddles for two people. The princess was amazed by the size and power of the magnificent warhorse. He was more prominent than the horse she rode with Damon to Mistdale.

"He’s huge!" she said as she looked at the warhorse.

"This is my horse, Maximillian. He’s the finest breed in Cassian, a gift from His Majesty, the previous king, to me," Kyren told her.

"Oh, my. He looks so strong!"

"He is strong indeed. The name ’Maximillian’ means ’the greatest’," Kyren said with a smirk.

"Commander, are you sure about this? Max usually doesn’t like anyone else riding him except for you," Alex interrupted.

Kyren was about to answer the question when he saw Anna standing up and approaching his warhorse.

"Hello, Maximillian. I’m Anna. Is it all right if I ride you for a while?"

The commander’s wife gently stroked and patted the neck of the stallion as she sought its permission. Maximillian responded with a short neigh as if comprehending the request well.

The men were surprised as the warhorse typically did not like others to touch him except for his owner. He would become cranky, swishing his tail aggressively or stomping his hooves on the ground over strangers.

Kyren came near to his wife and said gently, "Call him Max."

"Max, please take care of me. I’m quite fragile. I hope I won’t trouble you much," Anna continued, talking to Maximillian.

The horse nuzzled up to the lady, his head low and his ears forward. He looked at her with soft, pleading eyes and let out a gentle whinny as if asking for a rub. He then lowered his head so that Anna could reach him.

The commander’s wife brushed the horse’s forehead, scratching gently behind its ears. Maximillian closed his eyes, letting out a contented sigh as the lady’s fingers worked their magic.

"He likes you! That’s surprising. This boy usually doesn’t get along with other people," said Kyren.

"Perhaps he understands that I need his help and pities me." She smiled.

"So, are you feeling any better now? Can we start moving?" asked the commander.

"Yes. I’m feeling much better. Thank you, Kyren."

"All right, men. Let’s continue!" the prince ordered his men after he and his wife mounted Maximillian.

Anna sat in the front, where Kyren’s arms encircled her waist. The commander held the reins firmly, his eyes fixed on the path ahead.

"Hold on to the saddle horn tightly," he told her.

"All right."

The horses began to trot as they continued their journey.

Alex’s eyes darted from behind to the commander’s back, riding his horse.

A disturbing feeling had been enveloping him since hearing Anna’s cries. It lingered in his mind, and even though the words had been muffled by distance, he could still clearly hear the anguish in her voice.

Undoubtedly, he had found out that the commander’s wife was a slave.