Callis and Alex entered first, and the derian Princess looked bewildered. She rushed to them as soon as she spotted her brother and Elis.
"What’s going on? I saw the won take you away in haste before I could ask anything, and you told to wait when you returned with them. Sir Jarr also ntioned nothing except that my presence is now required. Tell , what exactly is happening?" she asked anxiously.
Kiev and Elis exchanged smiles, adding to Callis’s confusion.
"We’re getting married, Callis. Elis has accepted my proposal," Kiev announced.
"Really? Are you serious?" Callis’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Elis nodded affirmatively, her excitent bubbling over.
"In fact, we’re going to get married now! I requested His Majesty to let you in to witness our marriage!"
Callis’s mouth ford an ’O.’
"No way! You’ve got to be kidding ! You were so mad at Rafe and when we got married instantly, yet here you are, following the sa path!" she exclaid.
"She’s my soulmate. Plus, I’m scared she might change her heart and reject again. So, before anything happens, I want to tie her to forever!" Kiev declared determinedly.
Callis’s lips broke into a big smile.
"He finally told you! Oh, I’m so happy for you both! I called you my sister-in-law in the hallway today, and now it’s really happening! This is so perfect!"
"So, you knew about this too!" said Elis.
The derian Princess smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry for not telling you that! I didn’t an to," she apologised. "The truth is, my brother never told . I found it out myself before the duel between him and His Majesty the King began!" she confessed.
Elis chuckled softly.
"You might have your own reason for not doing so. But it’s all right since Kiev has told . The most important thing is that we are both in love and going to be united."
"Yes, you are! Soulmates are ant for each other! I’ve been rooting for you all this ti, and I’m glad you are getting married," Callis said enthusiastically.
She looked at the bride and groom. Though both were appropriately dressed, and Elis was adorned in simple ornants that accentuated her beauty, neither was attired for a wedding occasion.
"Oh, we need flowers! You both aren’t wearing wedding attire, but the bride should at least hold a bouquet!" she exclaid.
"Here you are, Miss Canton." Noah suddenly approached with a bouquet in hand.
The ladies’ eyes brightened at the sight of the flowers.
"Where did you get this? And just in a short ti?" Elis asked, surprised. She hadn’t noticed the knight leaving the throne hall.
"Well... umm... it’s sothing borrowed... from His Majesty," he said, rubbing the back of his neck shyly as he turned toward the smiling king.
Sohow, the flower arrangent beside the throne had noticeably gone ’missing.’
Eric and Alex, who stood a little further away, began to gossip amongst themselves while Garin remained calm and collected.
"The derians do have a knack for express weddings, don’t they?" Alex remarked.
"It’s not the express wedding they’re after, but their soulmates. They are infatuated with them, and sealing the bond is of utmost importance in their lives. Once they find their soulmates, they’ll do everything to make them theirs," Eric explained.
"Ah, yes! I rember Mr and Mrs Amares’s case. The derians and Ro’an yearn for their soulmates’ love and affection. How unique is that!" Alex added, fascinated.
"Well... even without a soulmate bond, we still love our spouses very much, don’t we?" said the second-in-command with a grin.
Alex nodded with a smile, his thoughts drifting to redith.
"Absolutely."
"That friend of yours is quick with his move to get the flowers. He’s still quite the charr in romance and hasn’t lost his touch," teased Eric, his eyes trailing to Noah.
"He is!" Alex replied, chuckling. Turning to Garin, the knight asked, "Are you all right, Sir Skyler? You’ve been so quiet."
"I’m fine. I’m just amazed at His Highness Prince Kiev. Even after knowing everything, he still desires Elis so deeply. He even healed her to that extent. She wouldn’t et a better man than him. He honours her in every way," Garin replied, a hint of lancholy in his voice.
The knight used to harbour disdain for Kiev, believing the derian Prince was rely seizing an opportunity for his gain to own Elis, oblivious to the sincere intentions buried deep within. But now, after getting to know Kiev, all he felt was respect and sincere admiration.
Just then, the queen arrived, escorted by her ladies-in-waiting and Rafe, all wearing curious expressions. After greeting King Kyden formally, the attendees were ordered to take their seats.
The healer sat beside Callis on the left side while the ladies-in-waiting occupied the right side of the audience seating. Once everyone settled in, the throne hall fell into complete silence as they awaited the king’s announcent.
"Today, His Highness Prince Kiev has formally requested to unite him and the lady of his choice, Miss Elisabeth Canton, in a marriage bond, and I shall grant his wish," declared King Kyden.
A cacophony of sounds erupted from the audience who didn’t know. Rafe turned his head to the knights sitting alongside him with wide eyes, silently asking for an explanation regarding the sudden marriage, but they just smiled back mischievously.
"However, before that, there’s sothing I must do," the king continued.
The audience held their breath, anticipating the following declaration.
"Step forward, Sir Noah Brooks," ordered the king, his eyes darting to Noah with a look of remorse.
"Yes, Your Majesty," replied the knight, standing up.
His legs swung slowly as if weighted down. The last ti he had faced directly before the king was to receive his judgent two years ago.
King Kyden rose from his throne, approached the knight and stood before him. Noah bowed in deference.
"Look in the eyes," commanded the king.
Noah raised his head, his dark eyes eting the king’s as demanded.
"With the confessions of the perpetrators who had frad you and after a thorough investigation, it is found that you, Sir Noah Brooks, are not guilty of the cri of r*ping and m*rdering an unknown slave woman from two years ago," announced the king, a statent that brought gasps of surprise from everyone present in the throne hall.
Noah held back his emotions. This was the mont he had been waiting for—an acknowledgent from the highest authority in the kingdom affirming his innocence, a word he had longed to hear for years.
"Following this, the news of your innocence shall be made known to the whole kingdom tomorrow morning through the town crier. Therefore, your previous title as a high-ranking knight is hereby reinstated imdiately. Your past position as the second-in-command knight shall also be returned to you, along with a hefty amount of money to compensate for what you’ve lost," declared King Kyden.
Eric remained silent, knowing well that, now that the truth had been revealed, the day would co for him to return the position he had been entrusted with to Noah.
"Your Majesty... if I may," Noah suddenly voiced out.
"Yes, do state. If there’s anything that you wish to demand from the wrongs that have affected you greatly, please do. I shall fulfil it to the best of my power as long as it is achievable," said the king.
"I agree with all of your declarations. However, for the second-in-command Knight of Gerhard position, I wish for it to remain with Sir Eric Navin," Noah replied.
Surprise rippled through Eric and the rest of the knights, who exchanged puzzled glances, wondering about Noah’s unexpected request.
"May I know the reason? That was your previous position. Shouldn’t you take it back as you deserve?" asked King Kyden.
Noah responded calmly, having made up his mind.
"I believe Sir Navin is more deserving of it. Though we are on par in terms of combat and other skills as a knight, he has sothing more that I still need to learn from him," said Noah.
"And what might that be?" asked the king.
"Compassion and humanity."
King Kyden smiled, his eyes darting to Eric. "What do you say to this, Sir Navin?"
Eric stood when his na was called and responded with a bow.
"I’ll accept whatever Your Majesty feels is deed fit. I shall not counter or disrespect Sir Noah Brooks in any way should he wish to regain the position. But if he decides not to pursue it, then I shall honour his request with utmost dignified chivalry to keep the responsibility."
"I shall not, Your Majesty, and I’m true to my word. I will continue to serve as a knight under the Knighthood of Gerhard, under the leadership of His Highness the Grand Duke, and also having Sir Eric Navin as my superior. That is my only request," Noah insisted.
The king nodded, satisfied.
"Very well. I will fulfil your wish. Let it be known that Sir Eric Navin shall continue his duty as the second-in-command knight of the Knighthood of Gerhard," declared King Kyden.
The knights clapped their hands in joy. Rafe, the derian siblings, and Elis shared in the blissful mont.
The king was amazed by Noah’s transformation. He rembered how troubleso the knight was and had long disagreed with his brother on the decision to include a problematic rcenary in the knighthood.
But Kyren had been adamant, believing there was sothing different about Noah and that he could change. Today proved the grand duke had never been wrong.
"I cannot bow to you for all the mistakes I made that inflicted harm upon you and the knighthood. The Raychards will only bow to the Imperial dynasty of Ro’an. However, I can offer you an apology for my shortcomings. Please forgive for failing in my duty as king to protect you and for the delay in addressing this matter. I sincerely apologise to you and to the Knighthood of Gerhard," said the king.
The throne hall fell into deep silence at the sound of the king’s apology. Noah’s eyes watered, and he downcast his gaze, feeling the weight of the mont. His heart was moved by the sincerity of the King of Cassian, who openly apologised to him before everyone and admitted to his mishaps.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you!" his voice choked as tears of happiness brimd in his eyes.
The Knights of Gerhard rose from their seats. The king glanced at them and nodded, approving for them to approach. In an instant, the knights ca forward, embracing their companion in a brotherly hug.
Noah couldn’t contain himself and burst into tears. The pain and burden that had shackled him for so long lted away in that mont.
Eric was the last to face him. The second-in-command knight patted Noah’s shoulders and said, "There’s no word I can say to show how much I regret my past actions and mistakes. Forgive , Sir Brooks."
Noah pulled Eric’s arm and hugged him tightly, the knight’s eyes red from tears.
"I would have acted the sa or maybe even worse if you were in my place. But, at least, towards the end, you gave your trust back to !"
This poignant exchange marked a turning point in their relationship as both knights confronted the weight of their past altercation.
The mont not only healed old wounds but also solidified their trust in one another, illustrating that even the deepest rifts can be nded with understanding and compassion.
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