The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 64: [Bonus - ] The Crown Prince’s Secret

Chapter 64: [Bonus Chapter] The Crown Prince’s Secret

As Kyren, Alex, Drystan, and Eric discussed their journey plan, Anna sat down with droopy eyes, lost in thought.

The other knights began to pack up after their meal. After finishing the discussion, the commander approached his wife and noticed she seemed quiet and troubled.

"Is everything all right?" he asked her.

Anna’s thoughts were interrupted by his question, causing her eyes to shake. She wore an unsettled expression on her face.

The commander asked again, "Are you feeling unwell?"

She quickly shook her head and fidgeted with her skirt, debating whether to tell him what was bothering her. However, seeing how busy the group was preparing, a sense of guilt washed over her.

She wanted to avoid inconveniencing them further with her problem, mainly since she had caused delays and troubles during their journey multiple times.

"No. I’m fine."

Kyren sat beside her and exhaled.

"Please tell me, Anna," he said firmly, noticing her nervousness.

"Nothing... It’s just... the carriage. I’m just scared if it gets dark inside," Anna admitted, though she was avoiding the actual reason for her fear.

Reassuringly, the commander took her hand and said, "Don’t worry, it’ll be a short journey. Hold onto me if you feel scared. I’ll be right there with you. And it will get even better when we start travelling by sea."

"By sea?"

Anna felt her blood run cold. A glimpse of the terrible past began to flash back in her eyes; the violent sea storm battering the ship’s hull mercilessly, the broken masts and sails tumbling down, hitting the deck, and the crew’s screams on that fateful day. She would never be able to forget that horrible incident.

"Are you fine with that?" he asked.

Anna hesitated before responding, looking down and swallowing nervously.

"I suppose so," she replied softly.

The urge to confide in him about her traumatic experience rose again, but when she saw his pearly blue eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to burden him further.

He had gone out of his way to make her journey as comfortable as possible, never letting her leave his side during their carriage ride and tending to her whenever she fell ill.

He had even altered their route to accommodate her. It would be selfish to trouble him and the other knights with her fear of travelling by sea.

"Commander, we’re ready," Eric came over and announced a few moments later.

Kyren acknowledged him with a nod.

"Come, let’s get into the carriage."

The commander stood up and offered his hand to her. The princess looked up, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Hey, why are you crying?" He knitted his brows.

Anna’s tears started trickling down her cheeks as she turned to her husband. " Kyren... I... I’m scared," she confessed, standing up and holding his hand.

Kyren comforted her, yet he was unaware of what she was terrified of.

"Can you promise me one thing?" she asked earnestly.

"What is it?"

"When we get on the boat or ship, promise that you’ll hold me and never let me go until we reach our destination," she pleaded.

"I already promised you that I’ll be with you every step of the way," Kyren reassured her, wiping his wife’s tears.

"Promise again! Please! This time, promise with your life!" she implored.

"Okay, I promise with my life that I will hold you and never let you go."

Anna immediately bumped her face into his broad chest, weeping. Kyren stroked her back lightly, consoling his frightened wife.

"I will always be with you," he whispered, kissing her head gently. Then, with his sturdy arms, he hoisted the crying Anna, leading her to the carriage.

The men gathered before the carriage and stared at the couple, wondering why the lady suddenly burst into tears.

"What happened?" Ayden whispered to Rafe.

"She must’ve been scared to get into the carriage again," guessed the healer. His assistant nodded lightly.

"I hope we won’t get to any dark path on the way," he prayed.

"Don’t worry. We won’t. We bypassed the mountainous area already. The sun is up and rising. Thus, the road should be clear," answered Rafe.

"We will depart now with your permission, Commander," said Drystan to Kyren when the grand duke arrived before them, carrying his crying wife.

He and Alex had been chosen as dispatchers to the palace to convey the message of the delay and change of route.

"Proceed, and if His Majesty requires further information on any matters you cannot address, please inform him that I will provide a direct report," he instructed them before climbing into the carriage Eli had opened.

The two knights respectfully bowed to their leader before continuing with their mission.

Then, the journey of the entourage continued.

Whilst the group made their way towards the jetty, the two knights, Alex and Drystan, rode their horses to the palace as planned.

***

The light filtering through the trees’ canopy was warm and golden, illuminating the forest with a soft, ethereal glow. The birds sang sweetly, their melodies echoing through the trees, while insects buzzed and chirped in the underbrush.

The entourage moved along the path suggested by the carriage driver. The movement was subtle, facilitating the pace appropriate for Anna.

Eric rode solo, way ahead and taking the lead after the mute carriage driver showed him the shortcut based on the map, whilst the other knights rode beside the carriage to guide it.

Rafe approached Eric, querying him about his conversation with the grand duke.

"You had a long talk with the commander last night. What was it all about?" he asked.

"We discussed a few things about the journey plan and so on," the knight simply replied.

"And what are the ’so on’ matters? I saw you two move away from the camp and speak secretly."

Eric smirked and responded, "Well... Let’s just say I know something that the rest of you don’t. "

The knight’s half-smile bothered Rafe so much that he persistently asked.

"Oh, come on! You really like to give a teaser! Just spill it already!" he urged.

"I give you a hint. It’s about the lady. The matter that you all are curious about," he said.

"Did you ask the commander? What did he tell you? Is she as we suspected?" Rafe anxiously asked with round eyes.

"I’m not telling! It’s something I want to keep to myself!" Eric said, avoiding eye contact with the healer.

"Since when have you kept any secrets from me? Like we don’t know each other very well!"

"Since you keep a secret from me!" Eric fired back.

"What secret? I haven’t kept anything from you," the healer protested.

"Yes, you have! In fact, you are still keeping it from me!" Eric stated firmly.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Rafe rebuked.

"You think I’m stupid? You think I don’t know that you know the reason the commander refused to ascend the throne three years ago and announced to be celibate?" Eric turned and squinted his eyes at the healer.

Rafe’s mouth was clamped shut at the questions. Eric scoffed when he saw the change in the healer’s expression.

"You are right. Like we don’t know each other very well. Your stunned silence is very assuring," the knight sneered.

"Why are you asking about it now? You’ve never questioned it all these years!" the healer asked.

"That’s because I didn’t have anything to use against you. But now, I do."

Rafe sighed in response.

"It’s not what you think it is! It was a confidential order from His Majesty, the previous king, that I must keep hidden."

"D*mmit, Rafael! You’re only making excuses! Do you really think I would go around talking about the former crown prince if I knew anything? Haven’t I served him just as long as you have? Don’t I deserve to be in the loop? Am I really that untrustworthy? I’m his right-hand man, for God’s sake!" The knight bombarded the healer with sarcasm.

"I’m sorry! I know you’re mad and feel deserted. But I have no intention of keeping it from you. Her Majesty, the previous queen, was desperate when His Majesty fell ill. That’s why they sought me for a solution," Rafe explained.

"Solution for what?" Eric asked curiously.

The healer hesitated before responding, "It pertains to the commander’s situation, but I am not at liberty to disclose any details."

"You’re making excuses again!" accused the knight.

"I’m not! Believe me! This is a matter related to the throne. Do you know how burdening it is to keep a big secret like this? How I wish I could confide in someone!"

"Fine! Don’t talk at all!"

"Eric, please!" the healer pleaded.

"Don’t call my first name! Address me by my title! We’re still on duty!" Eric sternly replied, no longer looking at Rafe.

"Oh... come on! Look.... Harghh.... You really give me a hard time! Fine! I can’t tell you everything, but at least I can tell you this."

"What?" asked the knight with interest.

"Regarding the commander’s current predicament, it is linked to an incident from his childhood. Are you familiar with the kidnapping case?" asked Rafe, recalling the incident that once shocked the kingdom.

"Do you mean the incident where he and His Majesty, the present king, were abducted during their trip to Galicia’s capital?"

Rafe confirmed with a nod.

"I believe everyone was aware that the commander was in a coma for over a month and nearly died," he added.

"You’re right. The whole kingdom was in despair, thinking that he would pass away," stated Eric.

"He was treated somewhere and miraculously recovered," Rafe said.

"Indeed! I heard he suffered a serious head injury, but I’ve never noticed any scars. Also, after he returned, he seemed even stronger than before. No one has ever been able to defeat him, not even His Majesty," Eric responded.

"That incident was his turning point, but I can’t go into too much detail. All I can say is that the treatment has brought him back to life. Without it, he wouldn’t be here today. That’s all I can tell you," Rafe replied.

"You do know how to increase the intensity, Rafael! Now, you’re telling me you’ll stop your story here?"

"God knows how badly I want to tell you. But, I am as good as dead if I open my mouth further," stated the healer.

"Huh! Then, pray that He has mercy on your soul! Half-told stories are as bad as half-cooked meals! You can’t even swallow it! It’s of no use!" the knight grunted.

"Urgh! Stop pressuring me!" Rafe yelled in frustration.

Suddenly, the mute driver rang the bell, causing both men to turn their heads to him. He pointed towards a path. As they threw their sight in his finger’s direction, both men could see the jetty appearing in their view.

"We’ve arrived!" Eric announced to the entourage.

He turned to Rafe and whispered, "We’ll continue later. You owe me this!"

The healer sighed again. Knowing Eric’s persistence, he knew he would be pestered again by him.