The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 58: A Slave Status

Chapter 58: A Slave Status

Their several-hour journey finally halted for their first night’s rest when they arrived in the vast field. The sun was setting on the western horizon, casting an orange glow over the surroundings.

"We’ll camp here tonight and continue at dusk," Kyren ordered his men as they finally arrived at a suitable camping spot.

The commander dismounted from the horse and assisted Anna down. The princess staggered as her foot reached the ground and nearly flopped. Fortunately, her husband steadied her, holding her waist firmly.

"Are you all right?" asked Kyren.

Given her circumstances, the grand duke opted for a considered leisurely trip for the Knights of Gerhard rather than a fast-paced one. However, even that was a harsh journey for the commander’s wife.

"I’m fine," Anna replied, covering up the surging ache that writhed over her muscles.

Despite feeling intense soreness in her back and thigh, she had to swallow and endure the pain as she didn’t want her husband to know. After all, it was her insistence not to stay in the carriage in the first place.

"Come and rest first. The knights will get things ready in a moment," Kyren told her as he led her steps.

Holding her husband’s hand, Anna forced her jelly-like legs to move further and sat beneath a shady tree. She leaned against the trunk, closing her eyes and taking several deep breaths to slow her heartbeat.

Gradually, her panting decreased, and her heaving chest returned to the regular rate.

Rafe, who had descended from the horse, came over and examined his patient quickly while Ayden went to assist the knights in setting up the camp.

"She’s cold. She needs to warm up," he said after checking her.

The commander’s wife was trembling and as pale as a corpse despite wearing a thick robe and gloves.

"I’m fine, Rafe. I was fine last time when I rode the horse. I’ll get warmer soon," she replied.

"Your previous ride was not as far as this one, and your body may have yet to adapt to the travel fully. Trust me on this, my lady," Rafe reassured her earnestly.

The healer turned to the commander and said, "Hold her tightly and warm her while we get the campfire ready. It’s going to get colder soon when it’s dark."

Kyren nodded and, without hesitation, pulled Anna to sit on his lap. He held her close and wrapped her in his robe. She was like a tiny baby cradled in his arms.

The healer then left to prepare the ingredients for food and medicine for the lady.

"Pitch my tent a little further away," ordered Kyren to his men.

The knights who had taken out their equipment and materials to erect the shelters quickly adhered. Soon, the commander’s tent was ready, and the campfire was lit. Next, they began building the other tents and preparing for dinner.

The commander carried his wife to the campfire and sat there to warm her up. As the heat spread through the atmosphere, Anna’s fatigue began to lessen. However, she still felt achy all over her body.

"Kyren, I think I need to lie down." Her voice shook, and her face paled from exhaustion.

She was back in the sitting position on Kyren’s lap, nestling beneath the robe.

"Just a little bit more. You’re still cold," he said as he rubbed her hand and feet.

Rafe came over again to check on her the second time.

"Has she warmed up?" he asked the commander.

"Not much. Her fingers are still cold and shaking," replied Kyren.

"My lady must’ve exerted so much from the journey. From the look of it, you’re not used to horse riding, aren’t you?" guessed Rafe, eyes fixed on Anna.

"I... I did ride before... Just not much," she admitted.

The princess looked away from the gaze of the healer in embarrassment. Now, all the men would’ve known how terrible a horse rider she was.

"Don’t worry. There’s no shame in your situation. You’re not expected to match the capability of the knights. We understand your condition and are concerned about how it will affect you on your first trip. That’s why we’re all being careful with you," the healer explained when he noticed her reaction.

Rafe then turned to Kyren and said, "We’re preparing some tonics for her. But she needs to eat first before taking it. Since she’s too pale, I suggest you take her to the tent to rest first. The meal will be ready soon."

"Her body is still cold. She needs to get some warmth," replied the commander.

"It will be better for her to lie down. As for warming her, I think you know best what to do," the healer averted his eyes from the couple.

Hearing the healer’s advice, Anna became more embarrassed. She wished she could crawl and hide herself inside the robe. Although it was not meant for anything explicit, she still felt shy when others spoke about it.

"All right. Let me know when it’s ready," Kyren replied, understanding what the healer meant.

He stood up and carried Anna in his arms.

"I’ll send them to your tent," said Rafe.

"Noted," Kyren replied curtly.

***

As the other knights completed setting up their tents, they gathered around the campfire. Rafe and Luke cooked the meal, Drystan boiled water, and Ayden brewed medicine.

"Is the lady’s condition that bad?" asked Damon to Ayden beside him.

The assistant healer, preoccupied with mixing the ingredients for Anna’s tonics, was disturbed by the question.

"Somewhat. Today is the beginning of her extensive travels, and Mr Amares anticipated some impact on her. However, we were not prepared for it to be as severe as it is," replied Ayden as he continued measuring the required herbs.

"Didn’t she always take the medicine you provided her at the camp? Why is the lady’s condition suddenly seeming worse? She even vomited on the way." This time, Eli interrupted.

The young knight had always been fascinated by curiosity.

"People can vomit for many reasons, such as stomach aches, indigestion, and so on. As for the lady, she has some conditions. That’s why she vomited," Rafe explained as he cooked.

"If I hadn’t known, I would’ve thought she was pregnant already. My wife experienced the same symptoms during her early pregnancy," Eric chuckled.

All the men’s eyes darted to him, except for Rafe.

"But they just got married for a few months. Wouldn’t it be too soon to tell?" Luke suddenly interrupted.

"She’s not pregnant," Rafe slowly answered, focusing on his cooking.

"What are the symptoms of a pregnant woman, anyway?" asked Eli inquisitively, ignoring the healer’s reply as he continued to lean toward the topic that had gained his interest.

"Symptoms differed according to each woman. Like my wife, she started vomiting and weakening from the first month early on. In the third month, she started to crave certain foods. While in the fourth month, she had already turned into a gluttonous monster," Eric explained, a smile forming on his lips as he reminisced about his wife.

"My sister couldn’t even eat during her pregnancy. She would endlessly sleep during the day and get cranky at night. Poor my brother-in-law had a hard time handling her," added Drystan, shaking his head.

"She’s not pregnant," Rafe said for the second time.

However, his low voice kept getting ignored by the men immersed in the topic.

"It would be best if she were not pregnant," Alex suddenly said, drawing the men’s attention.

"Why not? It’s about time for the commander to have children anyway. The duchy needs an heir," Damon countered.

"Oh, my! Come to think of it, if the baby is a boy, he would be the Cassian’s throne heir!" Eli excitedly intervened.

The knights and the assistant healer seemed excited, except Alex, who appeared anxious and Rafe, who had a straight face.

The current queen of the kingdom had yet to bear a male heir. Consequently, if a son were born from the grand duke’s lineage, he would eventually be named the Crown Prince of Cassian.

It was another reason why the unmarried noble ladies sought Kyren as their most prospective partner, aside from his good looks. Many women indeed coveted the position of Grand Duchess of Gerhard.

"The royal family and nobles won’t recognise him!" stressed Alex.

"What are you talking about? Why wouldn’t the future son of the commander won’t be accepted? He’s of royal bloodline!" countered Drystan.

"They won’t because the lady is a slave!"

"Alex!" Eric shouted to the knight.

He was so upset that he didn’t even address the knight with his title.

A sudden silence filled the air.

"What did you say?" Damon asked with eyes wide open.

Alex’s gaze darted to Eric, Rafe and Ayden, who had uneased expressions compared to the rest, who were in shock.

"It seems like Sir Navin, the healer, and his assistant knew about this all along," he concluded as he analysed their looks.

Luke, Drystan, Damon and Eli turned their head to them.

"Is this true, Mr Amares?" Eli asked in disbelief.

Rafe’s mouth was locked.

"Mr Norman, you’re the closest to the lady. Is what Sir Jarr said correct?" Drystan sought the same answer.

"I’m in no position to verify that." Ayden looked away from him with a solemn face.

"Stop this right now!" ordered Eric as he glared at the knights.

"Why avoid the fact, Sir Navin? Isn’t it the truth? I heard it myself when she cried today. Don’t we all deserve to know who she was?" urged Alex.

"I said, stop it! She’s the commander’s wife! You’re being disrespectful!" Eric said again, controlling his voice from yelling so as not to be heard by Kyren and Anna.

"I’m not! I don’t look down on her! I know she’s a kind person. The royal families and nobles will reject and torment her mind when they learn about her true status. That’s why I pity her!"

"It’s not for us to think about that! The commander has decided to keep her at his side regardless of who she is. She’s his woman! He’ll protect her!" Eric adamantly responded.

"So, it is true..." Damon muttered to himself.

"Now it all makes sense. I’ve been thinking all this while about why the lady, being an Ardelian, suddenly appeared in Cassian alone. She must’ve been kidnapped by the slave traders and brought to the City of Tarnova," replied Eli, piecing the puzzle in his head.

Drystan sighed.

"Mr Amares, we’ve known to this extent. Please be transparent and let us know what exactly happened to the lady," urged the knight.

The healer exhaled as all eyes turned to him.

"You shouldn’t dwell on the lady’s personal matter," Eric countered, disapproving.

"As her escorts, we are responsible for ensuring her safety and well-being. Please tell us so we can offer her the best protection and care. We’re also the commander’s trusted men and loyal to him. We’ve been holding back the curiosity for so long," Damon persuaded.

The healer let out a sigh of resignation. He had always anticipated that the day would come when he would have to deliver difficult news to the knights. To prevent any potential conflicts from escalating, it was vital for him to clarify the situation.

"Yes. Sir Henderson’s guess is right. When the lady was brought to the camp that night, she was nearly r*ped. The slave trader gave a dangerous aphrodisiac to her. The commander married her and consummated that night to save her life," Rafe finally explained.

Everyone except Eric and Ayden was astounded by the facts he laid out.

"She was severely injured and malnourished. They tortured her by locking her in a prison carriage for days. That’s why she had a panic attack today. She was scared of the dark in the carriage," he added.

The knights looked down with gloomy faces.

"Poor our lady! She has always smiled and never complained about anything. I didn’t know she had suffered so much!" Eli almost cried.

"She even sacrificed herself to save the others from the plague. She doesn’t deserve such treatment! I swear I’ll kill the slave traders!" Damon gritted his teeth in annoyance.

"The commander already took action on that. They were all dead now," replied the healer.

"Sacrifice? When did she save others from Laradie? Did I miss something on this?" asked Alex.

Drystan also looked confused. The two knights did not know that Anna’s blood was the Laradie cure they had taken.

Rafe was about to open his mouth again when Eric interrupted.

"All right, enough of this. We should not prolong this matter. Please remember that the commander had given us his orders, and we should comply with them," warned the second-in-command knight.

Just then, a panicking shout was heard from the commander’s tent, calling Rafe and Ayden.

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