The Grand Duke's Soulmate-Chapter 582: His Entourage

The second-in-command knight said at once, "A warship would send the wrong message."

He turned to face the Grand Duke.

"Sailing in armed steel would be no different from announcing an invasion," Eric said firmly. "We are not seeking to intimidate or provoke. One wrong move, and the Mederians may interpret our arrival as hostility and respond in kind."

"What’s the concern?" Eli asked. "The clans cannot harm us while His Highness the Grand Duke is onboard. They are bound by oath to protect the Khasif and her soulmate, which means they wouldn’t be able to raise a hand against us."

Eric’s gaze flicked briefly to the young knight, catching the confidence in his eyes, and he answered at once.

"It is not our safety that concerns me," the second-in-command knight said quietly. "It is theirs. We may walk away unscathed, but they may not due to the same oath."

He continued, voice measured, "A single confrontation could spiral into bloodshed, and bloodshed invites vengeance. According to the previous crew, His Highness Prince Kiev sent an advance signal through magic before they landed. We cannot do the same, and without notice, our presence may be misunderstood before we even set foot on their shores."

His tone hardened slightly. "That happened before with Lady Raychard’s father. We can’t repeat the same mistake. And I feel it would be best for us to land on Sabel first, assess the situation before going to Semeta. That wouldn’t alarm the locals."

A brief silence followed, as they agreed on how crucial this was.

The incident had carved a deep scar into the Mederians’ memory, hardening Kiev’s resolve to keep Anna by his side and his reluctance to entrust her to Kyren.

Only later, when the truth came to light—that the Grand Duke was the princess’s destined soulmate, bound to her by the binding spell as her guardian—did he finally relent.

"Very well. Sailing in a warship is out of the question," Kyren said decisively. "We will take another vessel that’s suited more for travel than intimidation. I have other ships anchored at Port Braska. Arrangements can be made, and we will sail to Sabel Island first."

Eric smiled, a quiet breath of relief leaving him now that his concern had finally been addressed and resolved.

"That settles the ship and the initial anchoring site," he said, then added firmly, "but as I mentioned earlier, we still require a capable crew."

"Now, what’s the issue?" Drystan asked. "Aren’t Cassian sailors good enough for an expedition like this?"

"They are skilled," the second-in-command knight replied, "but most of them have never sailed east. The royal winter crew could join us, but magic has erased their memories of Semeta. They wouldn’t recognise the route even if they had travelled it. Therefore, they need to be guided."

"What about Seadog Grim, the old seaman from the cog ship?" Sylvia suddenly spoke up, recalling one of Anna’s old tales. "Lady Raychard once told Lady Jarr and me that he could read the weather itself. He was one of the crew on the cog ship."

Eric’s expression lit up at once. Only a handful of knights—Eli, Damon, Luke, and himself—had been aboard that cog ship then.

"Yes! He was the old man who recognised our lady as a Ro’an descendant," he said eagerly. "He caused the entire ship to bow to her! The ship master said he has sailed nearly all his life and knows the sea better than any map. He’s crossed the Seven Seas more times than most men leave their homes. We should ask for his help."

"Is he reachable?" the grand duke asked.

Eric nodded.

After arriving at Port Braska, he expressed his desire to retire from sailing and settle in the capital. The cook who died during the voyage was a close friend, and his loss weighed heavily on him. The patrol took him to a relative’s home near the port. If he is still alive, he should be there.

"Would he agree to join us again?" Luke asked.

"I’m convinced he would," Eric replied without hesitation. "His loyalty to our Khasif ran deep. He was the first to address her as ’Her Imperial Highness’ the moment we stepped aboard."

"He should have called her ’Her Imperial Majesty’ instead," Eli added with a grin, remembering the moment.

Kyren shook his head lightly.

"Anna hadn’t yet worn the Emperor’s Ring. Technically, the title was not hers at the time. He was right, but I disbelieved him."

"Sir McQuinn was eager to learn more about the legend of the emerald eyes," Rafe added quietly. "We spoke of it in hushed voices over corn on the cob on our first night on the ship."

His expression turned solemn at the mention of the knight’s name.

The mood shifted at once. Silence followed, heavy with memories of pain and unresolved suffering since the kidnapping of Anna and Helen.

Damon’s fate went unspoken, but none had forgotten.

"Send word to Seadog Grim," Kyren ordered at last.

"It will be done," Eric replied. "Since we are already heading to Port Braska, we can contact him along the way."

The Grand Duke nodded in agreement.

"Thank you, Lady Mills. That was an excellent suggestion," the second-in-command said as he gazed at the lady-in-waiting.

Sylvia smiled softly.

"Happy to help."

Drystan grinned beside her, proud of his smart wife.

"Still..." Clara murmured, doubt flickering across her face. "Is one experienced seaman truly enough?"

Answering the thought, Eric said, "Of course, one man won’t suffice. We need more, preferably those who know the eastern seas well, have charted the open routes, and understand the fastest passages. Only then can we reach the island without delay."

Everyone fell silent, minds already racing ahead.

Then suddenly, Athillia straightened, eyes bright in anticipation.

"I believe I know just the right people!"

"Who?" Noah asked, curious.

Athillia spoke a name—unfamiliar to most, yet instantly recognisable to Kyren. The grand duke’s eyes sparked at once.

"Why would we engage with such people? Who are they and why are you suggesting them?" Alex asked, brows furrowed.

"Because His Highness the Grand Duke had collaborated with them. Some of you have met them aboard the cog ship," Athillia said, glancing toward Sylvia. "Surely you remember."

Realisation rippled through the room.

"Wait... Are you saying ’them’? Those ruffians?" Ayden asked, eyes widening.

Athillia affirmed with an excited nod.

"Who else would know the eastern seas better? If anyone lives up to their name, it would be them."

"But... we know their nature," Rafe said hesitantly. "Should we truly involve them?"

"We should," Kyren said firmly. "Athillia is right. That is where they come from, and they know those waters well. Besides, they are our allies."

"Are they still on the island?" the young lady-in-waiting asked.

"They are," Eric replied. "The latest patrol report confirmed it."

The second-in-command knight then spoke to the Grand Duke.

"You didn’t read the reports, so I took the liberty of doing so on your behalf."

Kyren inclined his head.

"Thank you." Then, he added after giving it some thought, "Given the season, they won’t be leaving yet. Winter halts their work, but they will remain to guard their claim and resume operations once the waters thaw. By now, the site might have exhausted the remaining little yield. Knowing them, they won’t refuse a worthwhile offer, and I am prepared to make one."

"Can they be managed?" Rafe leaned closer and whispered to Eric, "They are reavers, and behaved like barbarians."

The second-in-command knight smiled faintly.

"Mention our Khasif, and they’ll behave. I’ll also let them know that your wife is a Mederian princess... politely," he added, subtly suggesting a humorous way to control those men.

"So, agree?" Eric looked back at the crowd and posed the question. All attendees nodded in synchrony, agreeing with the Grand Duke.

"Then that settles it," Garin said. "What’s next?"

"The final matter," the second-in-command knight continued, "is deciding who among us will go."

Hands shot up at once—the knights, knightess, and even the ladies.

"Why can’t we all go?" Eli blurted out, caught up in the excitement.

"This will be a long and unpredictable journey," Eric replied. "We have no certainty of when we will return. So, some of us must remain behind to govern Gerhard while the entourage is away."

Understanding dawned on the young knight. A flicker of worry crept into his thoughts at the possibility of not being chosen, yet he could not deny the wisdom of the decision.

The castle had been left only in the hands of Gerald, the steward, for the past few seasons, and much still demanded attention—administration, security, and the safeguarding of the duchy itself.

"May I say something?" Kyren interjected. "I know you are leading this, Eric, but hear me out."

"Of course, Your Highness." The second-in-command knight bowed, allowing the Grand Duke to make his statement.

"This will be an entourage under Rafael’s command. He is the one leading us to the island. I believe the choice should be his," said Kyren.

Recognition took hold, and all eyes immediately turned to the healer, making him stare back with wide eyes.

Eric gave him a small nod of permission.

"It’s your call, Rafael," he said. "Choose your own entourage, as His Highness suggested."

The healer hesitated, his eyes slowly shifting among the faces.

All showed eagerness.

He took a deep breath, feeling the burden of their anticipation. Kyren and Eric were certain—but the rest...

"Then..." he began quietly, "the ones I choose are—"