King Kyden’s eyes widened in surprise upon hearing Kiev’s challenge. The unexpected response caught him off guard, derailing his plan to force the derian Prince into a difficult choice between Elis and Anna. His calm expression gave way to bewildernt.
"How preposterous of you to challenge !" the king exclaid, his initial composure replaced by an annoyance.
Kiev let out a smirk.
"Why so, Your Majesty? Are you rejecting my challenge? Wouldn’t that disgrace you? Didn’t you proclaim yourself as the benevolent king from the monarch appointed by Her Imperial Majesty the Empress?"
The king clenched his teeth, increasingly irritated by the subtle smile on the derian Prince’s face.
"I will not waste my ti on such petty matters! You should not be ddling in Cassian affairs, Prince Kiev!" retorted King Kyden.
"A duel is not a petty matter, Your Majesty. I am making an official challenge, which any gentleman would do for the woman he treasures. As soone who upholds rules and regulations, you understand that no honourable man, let alone the king of a nation, would refuse a formal challenge. How would your subjects view you if they witnessed their respected king rejecting this?" Kiev’s words struck a nerve, causing the king to pause and reconsider.
King Kyden stood silently, his gaze shifting around the area, noticing that all eyes were fixed upon him.
Kiev’s words rang true. Refusing the duel would bring sha upon him, tarnishing the na of the Raychards and the kingdom. At that mont, he realised there was no other option.
"Fine! I accept! Let us establish the stakes of this duel. State your request," the king ordered, his tone begrudgingly agreeing.
Kiev’s smile grew wider, a glimr of confidence shining in his eyes.
"If I erge victorious, Elisabeth Canton becos mine, and no one can take her away without my approval," Kiev declared firmly.
"If she becos yours, you must promise to care for her and ensure she is not mistreated in any way," the king added, seeking reassurance.
"Agreed," the derian Prince affird.
The king continued, probing further, "And if you lose?"
"You may punish her according to your rules," Kiev responded, "and I will not interfere."
The king’s gaze shifted to Anna.
"And what about Anna?" he inquired.
"Princess Anna is already a stake in my duel with your brother, the grand duke. She shall not be part of this duel," Kiev clarified, drawing a line between the two challenges.
King Kyden smirked, a hint of amusent in his expression at the statent.
"Fair enough. It seems you are willing to put your dignity on the line rather than relinquish your claim on Anna to save a re maid."
"The matter concerning the princess is between and the grand duke. It has been decided as such, and it shall remain so until the next duel," Kiev firmly stated, asserting his stand.
"Very well. Let’s do this duel at the mansion’s training ground right away. However, before we comnce, I would like to have my armour and weapon prepared," King Kyden declared.
"Agree." Kiev nodded.
Turning to one of his attendants, the king conveyed his ssage, "Return to the palace and instruct Charles to bring my armour and sword."
The attendant raised an eyebrow, seeking confirmation.
"The sword... which one, Your Majesty? You possess quite a few."
A smile crept across the king’s face.
"The emperor’s sword, the one bestowed upon by Her Imperial Majesty the Empress."
Kiev’s throat tightened as he realised the significance of the king’s statent.
He had been unaware that the emperor’s sword was in the possession of the King of Cassian. His great aunt, Regina, the empress, had never inford him that it had been given to the Raychards.
At that mont, he turned his head to glance at Anna, fearing sothing dangerous would occur.
"Can’t we duel with another weapon?" Kiev unexpectedly made a request, hoping to avoid the potential consequences of facing the blade.
"Why not? Are you afraid of my sword?" King Kyden challenged.
"I am not!" Kiev quickly replied, maintaining his composure.
"Then there should be no issue with using it," the king asserted.
Kiev fell silent, brooding over the implications.
"You are aware of the sword, aren’t you? It once belonged to His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, and is imbued with his magic. It will prevent you from using your magic against due to your oath," King Kyden added.
His remarks drew the attention of the group.
"I have heard of it but never seen it," Kiev admitted.
"Well, it’s about ti you see it. We all know that you possess magic, and there is a possibility you might use it against to gain an advantage in the duel," the king explained, his tone firm.
"I won’t. You have my word," Kiev assured, attempting to alleviate the king’s concerns.
"I’m sorry. It’s not that I don’t trust you. However, in your last duel with my brother, you did use magic against him. So, I am not willing to take that risk," the king responded, unwilling to compromise.
Kiev had no counter-argunt. Saying anything more would only arouse the king’s suspicions.
"Fine. Go ahead," he conceded after a mont of contemplation.
The king nodded, satisfied. He signalled for his attendant to return to the palace to fetch the items.
"Your Majesty, since you and Prince Kiev have chosen to have the duel here, please enter and await inside while we prepare the training ground. It will take so ti, too, for your chamberlain, Lord Charles Enos, to arrive with your sword and armour. So, kindly take this opportunity to rest," Eric invited, offering a mont of respite.
"Very well. But I want Prince Kiev to release Miss Canton. She is not his until he wins the duel, and therefore, he has no right to hold her," the king asserted his demand.
Kiev hesitated, reluctant to comply with the king’s request. However, Garin stepped forward, offering a solution.
"Allow to care for Miss Canton for now, Your Majesty. As a Knight of Gerhard, my loyalty lies with you. Furthermore, she is familiar with ."
"Wait!" the derian Prince interrupted. "I understand your request is valid, but can I at least choose a person I can trust, soone who won’t be biased against either of us, Your Majesty?" Kiev proposed, seeking a compromise.
"And who might that be?" the king inquired, curious about the derian Prince’s choice.
Kiev’s gaze darted across the Knights of Gerhard before settling on Callis and Rafe standing nearby. Eventually, his eyes ca to rest on the figure of the healer.
"Rafe Amares," Kiev declared his choice.
"Him? Why?" the king questioned, seeking an explanation.
"As he ntioned, Elis is still unwell and requires dical attention. Rafe is a healer, a Cassian, and one of the trusted n of the grand duke. His loyalty has always been with you and your brother. Furthermore, he is married to my sister. I wouldn’t doubt him if Elis were under his care," Kiev responded, hoping the king would agree.
"I see... You have made a wise choice. I agree," said the king. "Rafe, please take Miss Canton from Prince Kiev," the king ordered, granting Kiev’s request.
Rafe nodded, understanding his responsibility. Callis accompanied him as they approached the derian Prince.
"Please take care of Elis for . I will end this duel as soon as possible and return for her," Kiev spoke to the healer.
Rafe couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Kiev.
For the first ti, the healer witnessed the hopefulness and the yearning for his beloved in the derian Prince’s red-ruby eyes. The way Kiev looked at Elis mirrored the way Callis looked at him.
Now, Rafe began to comprehend the inexplicable bond shared by the derians and their soulmates.
However, a lingering question persisted in his mind—why did Kiev choose to fight instead of pursuing a more straightforward path to be with his soulmate?
What was it about Anna that held so much importance to him that he wasn’t willing to let her go even after finding his beloved?
He was sure that Kiev was deeply head over heels with Elis. The intensity in his eyes when he looked at her was undeniable, unlike his gaze towards the princess.
So why, then?
The questions remained unanswered, leaving Rafe perplexed and curious.
As the healer took custody of Elis and prepared to care for her, the enigma surrounding Kiev’s motivations weighed heavily on his mind.
"Your Highness, please don’t do this! Just let be punished! It’s all my fault!" Elis pleaded with tears to the derian Prince. "I can’t bear the thought of you getting hurt. If sothing were to happen to you, I would never forgive myself. You’ve done so much for !"
Kiev gently wiped away her tears, his voice soothing.
"Don’t cry, Elis. This will all be over soon, and you’ll be safe. Don’t worry about . His Majesty won’t be able to harm ."
Unable to keep quiet, Rafe interjected with his own worries, "Kiev, honestly, it has been a while since I last saw His Majesty in a spar. I don’t want to scare you, but he is highly skilled, on par with His Highness the Grand Duke. They are non-identical twins, after all, and were trained the sa way from a young age. I say this out of concern, not because I doubt your combat skills."
Kiev’s determination remained unshaken.
"I understand, Rafe. But don’t worry, I will be careful."
Rafe nodded, trusting the derian Prince’s resolve.
"Very well. Elis, please co with . We’ll go to the treatnt room so you can rest, and I can check on you. It’s important for you to stay calm and avoid any potential triggers for your trauma," Rafe persuaded, his voice gentle.
Elis’s cries persisted, and her grip on Kiev’s arm remained tight. Callis joined in comforting the maid until she finally relented, slowly releasing her hold on the derian Prince.
Anna, too, ca forward and advised the maid, "Please go with Rafe, Elis. It would be best for you to go inside for now."
She then called Rosalie to help hold Elis, who was crying.
"Thank you," Kiev said sincerely to Anna.
Turning to his sister, he requested, "Callis, please co with . I need to speak with you privately."
Callis was surprised by the request but then agreed.
As Kiev saw Rafe about to depart with Elis and Rosalie, he hurriedly reached out and held onto the healer’s arm.
Rafe turned to him, noticing the worry etched on the derian Prince’s face.
"Take care of her and provide her with the necessary treatnt. Ensure her safety," Kiev implored, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I will."
"I trust you, Rafe. You are... my family."
The healer was taken aback by the recognition and confidence placed in him.
"I will, Kiev. You can count on ," Rafe replied, his voice filled with gratitude.
Callis, who had overheard their conversation, couldn’t help but smile.
The stubborn Kiev finally opened his heart and accepted her husband. It was a mont she had longed for, and seeing it co true brought imnse joy in her heart.
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