As the heavy door creaked open, Kyren entered the room cautiously, his senses on high alert.
The silence enveloped him, broken only by the soft sound of his footsteps echoing through the room. His gaze swept across the expanse, taking in the lavish decor and the play of light from the chandeliers above.
Yet, amidst the stillness, his acute instincts caught a flicker of movent. His eyes narrowed as he turned his gaze towards the source.
It was the balcony where a subtle rustling had captured his attention. Kyren’s heart quickened, his mind racing to assess the situation.
With asured steps, he made his way towards the balcony. His footsteps were muffled by the plush carpet beneath his feet.
"Who are you?" Kyren questioned, his gaze piercing as he focused on the figure standing before him.
As the person turned, carefully removing their cloak, their true face was unveiled, and Kyren’s features twisted imdiately.
It was her. The woman he wished not to get close again. The one who had caused him nothing but frustration and disgust.
His voice was laced with annoyance as he confronted her, unable to conceal his disdain, "You! What do you want? Is this so kind of joke, a feeble attempt to waste my precious ti?"
His sharp edge tone was a clear indication that he had no patience for whatever sche she might have concocted. His expression hardened, and his eyes fixed on her, waiting for an explanation that might justify her audacity in seeking him out from the ballroom.
In a soft tone, Sarah swiftly intervened with hopeful eyes, "Your Highness, please do not misunderstand ! I have been trying to et you ever since your return to Gantz. But every ti, you have avoided . I had no other choice but to resort to this."
Sarah’s plea hung in the air, her voice trembling with a hint of sorrow. She hoped to convey her genuine intentions to Kyren.
"It is highly improper for us to et like this. I do not wish to give rise to any unnecessary gossip," the grand duke declared firmly. "I should leave."
"Wait! Don’t you want to know who initiated the rumours on your concubine?" Sarah interjected.
Kyren paused, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Who?" he asked, his tone demanding an answer.
"A maid overheard your concubine’s conversation with the queen in the parlour the other day. After spreading the rumour, she fled from the palace," Sarah explained earnestly.
Realisation dawned upon Kyren.
"Soone must have influenced and persuaded her to act. A re maid wouldn’t dare do sothing like this on her own," he surmised, eyes full of suspicion.
"I am willing to help," Sarah offered her assistance. "I will find and capture the maid, bringing her to you for justice."
Kyren regarded her cautiously, aware that this woman was not one to act without personal gain.
"What’s the catch?" he inquired. His question was guarded.
"I desire nothing from you... except a piece of your heart," she declared.
A hushed silence filled the room as Kyren weighed Sarah’s response, his mind racing to make sense of the situation. It was difficult for him to fathom that, even after all these years, she still harboured feelings for him.
He narrowed his eyes, studying every subtle movent and nuance in her body language. It didn’t take long for him to start connecting the dots.
"I think the one behind all this is you," Kyren confidently stated. "Other than Their Majesties, who else had the power to conceal the perpetrator so effectively without leaving a trace?"
Sarah’s eyes widened, surprise flashing across her face. She struggled to find words. "No, Your Highness! I swear it’s not ! I have no reason to sabotage you or create such chaos."
Kyren’s expression hardened as he listened to Sarah’s words.
"I might not have concrete proof, but my experience in handling people has taught to read between the lines," he retorted. He clenched his hand tightly, exerting control over his mounting anger.
"For old tis’ sake and as a repaynt for the annulnt of our betrothal, I will let this pass, but only this once. We shall not speak of this matter again, and I will ensure Their Majesties remain unaware of the situation. This would be the end of it," he added.
Kyren was prepared to turn away, but before he could do so, Sarah impulsively lunged forward and clutched his arm, preventing him from leaving.
"Please, don’t go! Give a chance to talk to you!" she pleaded desperately.
"What more do you want from ?" Kyren inquired in a high tone, his gaze shifting towards Sarah’s hand on his arm.
With a stern glare, he subtly gestured for her to release him, and she quickly complied, removing her grip. His sharp eyes caught sight of the ring adorning her finger—the engagent ring bestowed upon her by the previous queen as a symbol of their betrothal.
"You should remove that ring. There is no point in keeping it," Kyren spoke in a low tone, his words carrying a hint of bitterness.
Sarah’s determination flared as she vehently refused, bringing her hands to her chest and clasping them protectively.
"I will not! This is the only thing that connects and you! You made that annulnt decision on your own without even consulting , and I never agreed to it!" Her voice quivered with a mix of frustration and hurt, highlighting the deep-seated emotions she had felt since the dissolution of their engagent.
"You’re delusional if you still believe yourself to be my betrothed. It’s over! I never desired to be engaged to you, and you knew it!" Kyren stated with finality. "I am a married man, and you need to move on."
"No, you’re mistaken! That woman is not your lawful wife! She’s nothing more than a concubine!" Sarah retorted with defiance.
"Whether a concubine or lawful wife, it makes no difference. She is the only woman for ," Kyren stated firmly.
"Why her, Your Highness? She openly admitted to being a slave! How could you choose soone like her to stand by your side? Why not ? Am I not deserving enough for you?" Sarah’s voice trembled with a mix of frustration and hurt.
"Don’t you dare mock my woman! You know nothing about her!" Kyren’s anger flared, his emotions escalating as the conversation touched upon Anna’s status.
"I have told you ti and again. I feel nothing for you! Even if Anna had never entered my life, I would never have chosen you to be my wife. We would never be compatible," Kyren stated firmly, his words laced with annoyance.
Sarah interjected, quivering with emotion, "My family holds the most prestigious noble lineages throughout Cassian, second only to the royal family. We have remained firmly loyal to the Raychards since the foundation of this kingdom. How can you say we’re incompatible when my entire existence has been devoted to you? I have loved you since we were children! Everyone believed we were destined to be together!"
"That’s your perception, not mine! I had no desire to be with any woman," Kyren responded adamantly.
"Then, what about her? Why have you suddenly opened up to her, even after declaring yourself celibate? Why are you so infatuated with this mysterious woman who cannot offer you anything?" Sarah asked.
"That is none of your concern! You have no right to question !" Kyren retorted sharply.
"My family and I can offer you more than you can possibly imagine! We can provide unwavering support for the military, vast wealth, business opportunities, and even the loyalty of the entire Knighthood of Neblim, along with our dedicated supporters. Furthermore, I can bear you an heir who would ascend to the throne..." Sarah stated as she desperately attempted to sway Kyren’s decision, but her sentences were quickly cut off.
"Enough! Stop this nonsense, Sarah! I don’t want, and I don’t need any of it!" Kyren’s tone grew harsher, his frustration evident.
Sarah scoffed, tears welling in her eyes, "You only use my first na when you yell at . You have never treated with tenderness. If only you could understand the depth of my love for you... I would do anything to be your wife, Your Highness!"
"You need to cease this futile pursuit before things worsen for you because I will never be able to return your feelings for ," the grand duke asserted firmly.
"Then... even if you can’t love in return... Can’t you at least accept as your lawful wife? We can live with mutual respect! And... and you can keep Lady Raychard as your concubine! I won’t interfere!" Sarah pleaded through her tears.
"I told you to stop! Your words are absurd! I will never marry anyone other than Anna! Do you understand?" Kyren’s words resonated in the still air.
Sarah’s desperation reached its peak as she rushed forward, attempting to embrace the grand duke. However, Kyren swiftly evaded her advance, keeping a safe distance between them.
"What is wrong with you? Why won’t you listen to ?!" Kyren shouted with anguish.
"I can’t leave you, Your Highness! Never! Please, just accept ! I am willing to do anything you ask of ! Anything!" Sarah implored desperately, her voice trembling with a mix of longing and desperation.
In a surprising move, she abruptly lowered the opening of her attire to expose her shoulders and a portion of her ample bosom. Kyren’s eyes widened in disbelief and shock at her audacious and shaless act.
"What on earth do you think you’re doing? Cover yourself properly!" he yelled in disapproval.
"No! I want to prove my sincerity to you! I am willing to offer you my body and soul! You can have in any way you desire!"
Sarah lunged towards him again, driven by her determination and a misguided attempt to win his affection.
In a sudden and alarming turn of events, Kyren’s anger boiled over, and he grabbed Sarah by the neck, causing her to let out a piercing scream.
The grand duke’s fury was almost pushing beyond the bounds of his patience, knowing that Sarah had not only attempted to humiliate Anna but didn’t heed his advice to back off despite his nurous warnings.
Sarah struggled to breathe, gasping for air. Fortunately, Kyren released his grip, allowing her to collapse to the ground, coughing and trembling in fear.
"What’s the matter? Weren’t you the one who claid to be willing to do anything for , even offering your body and soul?" Kyren’s voice dripped with a chilling tone as an eerie smirk ford on his lips.
Sarah froze, her eyes filled with terror. She had never anticipated the grand duke to be such a dangerous and violent man.
"What you just experienced was just a glimpse of my anger. Do not tempt further. I will ensure you face the consequences if you dare to spread any news about this eting. Never appear before again!" Kyren warned with a palpable threat.
With that, the grand duke turned and walked out, forcefully slamming the door behind him, leaving Sarah alone in the room. The door echoed with a loud thud, amplifying the weight of his rejection.
Tears stread down Sarah’s face as she crumbled under the weight of her shattered hopes and dreams. Her dark grey eyes reflected profound sorrow, knowing that the pain she felt from the physical assault paled in comparison to the ache in her heart.
However, as her sadness transford into a wave of fierce anger, her gaze hardened, revealing a determination fueled by revenge.
"I swear! If I cannot have you, Kyren, neither shall she!" Sarah muttered through gritted teeth, her words carrying an ominous undertone.
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