The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 70: Her Ex-betrothed, Not Her Betrothed

Chapter 70: Her Ex-betrothed, Not Her Betrothed

Silently, Kyren descended the stairs with his long legs and scanned the ground floor. Once Anna had fallen asleep, he could finally leave his wife momentarily.

At the dining area, he spotted Rafe and Eric conversing over coffee. After finishing their duties, both men enjoyed a small chat. The commander motioned for the healer to follow him, and they left the inn.

The cold night wind brushed their faces, bringing the salty taste of the sea as they walked through the shady area. The sound of the owl hooting and the crickets chirping could be heard nearby.

Once they reached a secluded spot away from prying eyes, Rafe inquired, "What’s the matter, commander? Is something wrong with the lady?"

"She’s fine. She’s asleep now after taking Ayden’s medicine."

"Then, what is it about?" the healer asked again.

"I know what’s causing her fear."

Kyren revealed that it was linked to a shipwreck and shared the story he had learned from his wife.

Rafe was surprised and exclaimed, "No wonder she was so terrified on the boat!"

"We must take action regarding this matter. Anna insisted on sticking with the planned schedule and transportation. She told me she wanted to face her fear," said the commander.

"She displays a strong will to overcome her trauma, which is commendable. However, it won’t be easy," the healer acknowledged.

The commander inquired, "How can we support her through this?"

"Firstly, she must not be left alone. Someone should always be by her side," the healer advised.

Kyren responded, "I’m committed to dedicating my attention to her for as long as necessary."

"That’s reassuring to hear. However, this will be quite a journey. The shipmaster predicted a ten-day voyage to Port Braska, provided there were no unforeseen obstacles. Ayden and I can take turns accompanying her if you require rest," Rafe offered.

Kyren shook his head determinedly.

"I’ll stay with her constantly. You need not worry about that. Just be ready if her traumatic symptoms become too much for me to handle alone. I may need your assistance then."

"Understood, commander." Rafe grinned before commenting, "It’s a positive sign that she has started confiding in you."

"Yes, but there’s still a lot she’s holding back. I can’t help but wonder why she’s hesitant to reveal that she’s the Princess of Ardel and her life was in danger from the Bargesians."

"What? The lady is the Princess of Ardel?" Rafe asked with widened eyes.

"Eric didn’t tell you? I thought he would have spilt the beans by now. He can’t seem to keep anything from you. After all, you’re his best friend," Kyren replied.

"So that’s what he’s been hiding from me! Oh, he’s so going to get it!" the healer muttered to himself.

"It’s fine if you know. I will disclose the information anyway when I meet with His Majesty, as it is only fair that everyone knows who she is," he planned. "Of course, he’ll make a fuss out of it since she’s from the traitor’s bloodline. But I’ll make sure to use the fact that the previous King of Ardel supported us during the Laradie outbreak to calm him down."

"This is surprising! Based on her knowledge, I had a feeling that she was of royal descent, but I never would have guessed she was a Princess of Ardel! I spent three years studying in Engarth, and no one ever mentioned her. It’s like she never existed!" Rafe exclaimed.

"That’s why I sent Noah to Constance to find more information on her. So far, I haven’t heard anything from him yet," said the commander.

"I see now why you previously chose Sir Brooks to be her escort. You had instructed him to investigate her!" said the healer.

"That’s correct. According to Anna, the bandits kidnapped and apprehended her after breaking into her house. They took her to a place which later caught fire, and she managed to escape. However, she was subsequently captured by slave traders."

"Bandits? She didn’t say it was the work of the Bargesians?" asked Rafe.

"No. She clearly mentioned ’bandits’. Bargesians are bandits in a way, so she’s not entirely wrong. I learned about it when I caught and punished the slave traders," answered Kyren.

"Yes... I remember now that she said she was caught by the slave traders between the border of Dracor and Ardel before being brought to Cassian. That means the kidnapping by the Bargesians must’ve happened in Ardel," said the healer, piecing the information together.

"It appears the Barbarians of the South raided Ardel and took her by force," guessed the commander.

"Why would they attack Ardel suddenly? Aren’t the two kingdoms allies in the traitors’ pact? They were on the same side," questioned Rafe.

"I’m not sure, but the Bargesians seemed to have some motive for going after Ardel. Their land has been cursed and is deteriorating, which might have prompted them to infringe upon their neighbouring kingdom. Nevertheless, we will never submit to their demands and will fight back if they try to attack our land," Kyren stated firmly.

"Definitely! We will never bow to them!" Rafe agreed.

Since the collapse of the Ro’an empire, the kingdoms of Cassian and Barges have been bitter foes. The greed of a few lords caused the division of a once-thriving nation across the continent.

Consequently, the continent’s northern and southern regions, which had different stances, could never become allies.

The commander requested, "Let’s prioritise my wife’s well-being right now. Other than keeping her company, what other steps can we take to assist her?"

The healer responded, "Diverting her attention and letting her participate in activities can be beneficial. Her symptoms will decrease if she doesn’t dwell on the trauma." He added, "However, we should observe how she copes before initiating any treatment. In the meantime, I’ll have Ayden prepare some calming medication."

"Good idea." Kyren nodded and continued, "Anyway, Anna told me something new. A matter that I’ve never figured out by myself."

"What is it?" asked Rafe with interest.

"She was engaged," he revealed.

"What? With whom?" the healer asked with round eyes, surprised by the news.

"Someone from the Kingdom of Sabel. The shipwreck happened on her journey to her wedding with her family."

"That’s an island kingdom far in the east! How did she get engaged to someone from there?"

"I don’t know and don’t bother to know. She told me the man just came once during the funeral, and they never met. She has never seen him at all," replied the commander nonchalantly.

"Then, that means it was a family arrangement."

Arranged marriages were a common practice among royal families and nobles.

Most kingdoms would form alliances with their more potent neighbours to enhance their political standing and defence against potential threats.

However, the fact that Anna was promised to a suitor from the Kingdom of Sabel sparked his curiosity since little was known about the faraway island.

"Did the engagement get annulled after the incident?" asked Rafe.

"Not that I am aware of. But, it doesn’t matter anymore." Kyren chuckled, "It’s a good thing the wedding fell through. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have become my wife."

The healer playfully teased him, "Funny, I recall you being the one who initially rejected marrying her."

"All right! All right! I take it back. I would have regretted it if she had married someone else. I can’t even think of that now!" the commander sheepishly admitted.

"Well... I’m glad to see you doing fine with the lady. You’ve been incredibly patient with her. I’ve never seen you so attentive to anyone before," the healer complimented.

"I promised her that I would take care of her, and I plan to keep that promise," replied Kyren with pride. "She’s been through a lot, and I don’t think her family treated her well."

"How so?"

"When we talked about the royal family, she seemed uneasy and wanted nothing to do with them. That’s why I’ve decided to do my best to ensure she doesn’t experience the same treatment after becoming my wife," he added.

"Now I get it. So that’s why you didn’t tell her that you’re the Grand Duke of Gerhard," Rafe remarked. "But, she’ll eventually know when we reach the capital."

"I’m aware of that, and I understand your concern. Fret not. I’ll tell her soon at the right time before it happens. Right now, she doesn’t even know that I already knew about her status," answered the commander.

"Why didn’t you just tell her you already knew about her and ask her to reveal everything?"

"I don’t want to force her," the commander said. "It took a while for her to open up to me. If I push too hard, she might shut me out like during our last fight."

"You truly care about her, don’t you?" Rafe gazed at Kyren, observing the commander’s bright eyes each time he spoke of his wife.

"Of course I do!"

"Commander, do you remember what I asked you before?" the healer reminded him.

"About what?" Kyren squinted his eyes as he wore a brooding expression.

"About you going berserk when something happened to her. What do you actually feel about her? Are you... in love with the lady?" guessed Rafe.

"Love? That’s ridiculous! I admit that I care about her, but that’s because she’s my wife. She’s my responsibility," he denied. "Besides, you already know... the spell specifically stated that there will be no love for other women."

"But, your affection for her is so obvious!" countered the healer.

"It’s the lust, Rafe! I told you that she’s the first woman I’ve felt this way about," Kyren said earnestly.

"If you had mentioned this earlier, I would have looked into it too when I was in Engarth," Rafe replied.

"It wouldn’t have made any difference," the commander retorted. "You couldn’t find anything about the spell in the end."

Rafe inclined his head, feeling remorse that he hadn’t found the solution to the grand duke’s personal matter.

Then, he looked again at the commander and said, "I suspect that you did not have a lust for any women due to the effect of the spell as well. But it does make me wonder why you have such a strong feeling towards only the lady. Is it possible that..." he paused before continuing his words.

"What?" Kyren asked, sensing the healer’s hesitation.

"That she can break the spell?" guessed Rafe.

"It’s impossible! It takes someone with enormous, powerful magic to undo the spell, and I would’ve known immediately if Anna could do that," countered Kyren, shaking his head.

"How do you know she’s capable or not?"

"Have you forgotten my ability?" he reminded the healer.

"Ah... forgive me for not remembering that."

Rafe now recalled the grand duke’s exceptional skill after he was healed from the injury he suffered during the kidnapping incident when he was a child.

"Even if I can’t use magic, I can sense anyone who can. When I met Anna for the first time, I didn’t detect anything from her, which meant she had no open mana line. Thus, it’s impossible for her to have any magic attributes," said Kyren.

"Also, I find it hard to believe Ayden’s claim that the wolf bowed to her. The beasts must’ve sensed other dangers and retreated as they were sensitive animals. It’s likely just a coincidence," he added.

"I guess you’re right. You have the ability that all of us don’t. So, your judgment is more accurate than ours," said the healer. "If only your soulmate had survived, you wouldn’t have gone through all this."

"Rafe, there’s no point in talking about the dead," the commander said sternly.

"You’re right. My apologies," the healer replied, bowing his head.

"I’m returning to Anna now," the commander told him.

"Understood, commander," the healer said.

As he bowed again, a sudden question popped into his mind. "Wait, can I ask something?" the healer said, stopping the commander before he could leave.

"What is it?" Kyren asked.

"Do you think the lady’s betrothed will come to claim her someday?" the healer questioned.

"He would have done so after the shipwreck incident if he cared about her at all," the commander scoffed.

"By the way..." added Kyren, pausing.

"Yes?" Rafe curved his eyebrows.

"It’s her ex-betrothed, not her betrothed," he corrected before striding to the inn, leaving the healer alone.