Anna’s heart weighed heavy as she woke up the next day, the previous night’s events still fresh in her mind. The revelation of her true parentage to the nobles and the accompanying sadness lingered within her, threatening to overshadow her resolve.
However, she remained steadfast in her decision not to let regret consu her. It no longer mattered to her as long as she could reclaim a sense of normalcy and ensure the safety of those she cared about.
As Anna prepared for the day, Rosalie entered the room, surprised to find her already washed up and in the process of getting dressed. Concern etched on her face, Rosalie expressed her worry.
"Oh, my lady! Why didn’t you call ? I thought you were still asleep. Luckily, I ca to check on you!"
Anna reassured the chief maid with a smile, appreciating her dedication.
"No need to worry, Rosalie. I can manage on my own. Besides, we returned so late last night. You must be tired and have many other tasks to attend to."
Rosalie replied earnestly, "My priority is always you, my lady. His Highness has instructed to take good care of you. If you keep doing everything yourself, I might lose my job soon," adding a touch of humour.
Anna chuckled, enjoying the mood.
"All right, next ti, I’ll make sure to call on you more frequently, so you’ll be busy with . Then, you can ask His Highness for a salary raise," she teased, eliciting a genuine laugh from Rosalie. "Now, co and help with these strings. I can’t quite reach them myself."
The chief maid gladly stepped forward, her hands deftly manoeuvring the strings into place as she secured Anna’s attire.
Rosalie was relieved to see the changes in the princess’s deanour and grateful that Anna had not succumbed to overwhelming sadness. She admired the princess’s endurance, finding herself amazed by Anna’s strength.
"Where is His Highness?" The princess suddenly inquired.
She had awakened to find that the grand duke had already left her side.
"He’s downstairs in the discussion room with the knights," Rosalie inford her. "They’ve been in there for quite so ti, and it appears to be sothing serious."
Anna’s curiosity was piqued as she sought further information. "Serious? Do you know what it’s all about?"
Rosalie shook her head.
"I’m afraid I don’t, my lady. But I did notice that Sir Navin, Sir Parker, and Sir McQuinn returned with severe facial expressions early this morning. Their presence, especially that of Sir Navin, suggests that there must be an important matter. Perhaps it’s best not to disturb them."
Anna nodded in agreent.
"Yes, you’re right. I wouldn’t want to interrupt their deliberations if it’s sothing important. Let them focus on whatever it is they need to discuss."
Rosalie offered reassurance, "Don’t worry, my lady. I’ll go and bring your breakfast while they handle their affairs."
"No need for that. I plan to dine in the dining room and take a walk after. Would you please accompany ?" requested the princess.
"Of course, my lady," Rosalie replied.
As they both descended the stairs, Anna noticed Kyren and his knights striding towards the foyer from the discussion room, crossing the main hall, fully ard with armour and weapons. Curiosity was getting the better of her, and she couldn’t help but inquire about their purpose.
"Kyren, where are you and the knights heading to?" she asked.
The grand duke abruptly halted his steps, causing his knights to follow suit. The air grew tense, and Anna sensed an overwhelming seriousness emanating from their expressions. Kyren’s gaze bore into her, his face filled with a mix of anger and disappointnt.
"What’s going on?" Anna asked again, her confusion evident in her voice. Rosalie, too, wore a perplexed expression, unable to comprehend the gravity of the situation.
"Why, Anna? Why didn’t you tell ?" Kyren’s voice resonated, a hard edge cutting through the air. "Why did you allow yourself to be stepped on by them as if you were so low and aningless?"
Anna’s brows furrowed in confusion.
"I... I don’t understand what you an," she stamred, the weight of Kyren’s accusatory gaze bearing down on her.
The grand duke’s expression hardened further as he revealed a painful truth.
"You are the rightful heir of Ardel’s throne, and your Pri Minister, the current king of Ardel, overthrew you! That ambassador who humiliated you by falsely claiming you’re an illegitimate child last night was none other than the Bargesian who pursued you!"
Anna’s heart sank at Kyren’s words. The truth crashed upon her like a tidal wave. Her legs weakened, and she gripped the railing tightly to steady herself, desperately trying to comprehend the revelation that her husband had learned her guarded secret.
"Don’t tell that this is all a re joke, Anna!" Kyren’s voice bood with anger, his frustration palpable. He closed his eyes and clenched his fists tightly, struggling to contain his feelings. "What you did last night... admitting that you’re an illegitimate daughter of King Adhemar..."
Kyren couldn’t finish his words as his emotions rose.
Anna’s face displayed genuine fear, her voice trembling as she hurriedly interjected, "I swear! I didn’t an to humiliate you, Kyren! Please believe !"
The grand duke’s eyes flashed with rage as he continued, "This isn’t about , Anna! This is about you! Don’t you have any dignity for allowing those barbarians to trample on you like that? They took away everything from you, killed your people, confiscated your kingdom, and even tried to kill you! And after all that, you just stood there silently and watched?"
Desperation filled Anna’s voice as she pleaded, "Kyren, you don’t understand! It’s not what you think. There are reasons why I couldn’t act differently."
"I’ve had enough of all this!" Kyren declared fiercely, his tone resolute. The fire in his eyes reflected his determination. "I will pay back for whatever they did to you. They will face the consequences of their actions!"
Anna’s eyes widened, sensing the dangerous aura emanating from her husband. Fear gripped her heart as she cautiously asked, "What are you going to do?"
"I am going to the palace and report this matter to His Majesty! I will sever the alliance and declare war with Ardel, and I’ll kill every single one of them!" Kyren’s voice thundered aloud as he disclosed his intentions. With long, firm strides, he continued moving to the foyer, followed by the knights, his every step exuding a fierce resolve.
Anna’s erald eyes widened in shock, her heart pounding rapidly. Tears welled up and cascaded down her cheeks, mirroring her anguish. Desperate to prevent the impending catastrophe, she lunged towards Kyren, reaching out to grasp his arms in a plea for restraint.
"Kyren! Please! Please don’t go! Don’t do this!" Anna’s voice trembled with desperation, her grip tightening on his arms. "The Bargesian leader... he promised that he would let go and not take any action if I refrained from interfering with the alliance!"
Kyren paused his steps, turning to face Anna. A mixture of disbelief and anger clouded his expression. "And you believe that murderer? How absurd!"
The princess’s voice cracked as she tried to explain, her words strained with anxiousness, "I had no choice! He... he threatened to raid the palace, just as he did before with Ardel’s castle!"
Kyren’s glare intensified, his eyes filled with dissatisfaction and furiousness.
"Do you think my n and I are too weak and incapable of defending you? I am a northern warrior, a descendant of the Ro’an Empire’s admiral! My ancestors once protected the entire continent from our enemies! Never underestimate and my knights, Anna!"
Anna tried to reason with him, "I never once did! But... war will only lead to more pain and suffering!"
Determined to uphold what he perceived as a matter of honour, Kyren’s voice was firm. "This is a matter of justice, and I won’t let this pass!"
The princess’s grip on the grand duke’s arm tightened, her desperation evident as she pleaded with him, "No, Kyren, please! I don’t want such a thing by resorting to more violence and bloodshed. Please don’t let His Majesty know about this!"
Before Kyren could respond, Eric interjected with urgency and determination, "My lady, please step aside! This is an urgent situation! The Bargesians have already departed this morning, shortly after one of their mbers returned to the palace. We must catch up to them and take action before they go any further."
"They... they left?" she asked in disbelief.
"Yes, my lady," answered the knight firmly.
Anna’s eyes shook as she processed the revelation. Brone had indeed adhered to his promise, and it seed that her decision to follow his instructions had played a significant role in their retreat.
"Let go of my hand, Anna!" Kyren’s voice cut through the tension, his demand clear.
The grand duke’s intensity of emotions overpowered his reason, and he was determined to take revenge for Anna, even against her own wishes.
"No! You heard what Sir Navin said. The Bargesian leader and his n had left! They won’t interfere with our lives again!" the princess protested.
But Kyren’s distrust remained unyielding. His voice grew stern, "Not even one of that swindler’s words can be trusted! You don’t know what he could be planning out there! Don’t be so naive!"
Anna’s lips quivered as she pleaded with Kyren to listen to her. The thought of a war erupting, with lives lost and destruction all around, weighed on her like an unbearable burden.
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