The Grand Duke's Soulmate-Chapter 584: When Loyalty Decides (I)

"Calm down, Meredith. You shouldn’t act this way. Think of the baby," Alex said, trying to reason with his wife.

"Calm down, you say?" Meredith shot back, glaring at him.

The knight instinctively took a step back. This was dangerous territory. He had never seen her this furious.

"How am I supposed to calm down when everyone is preparing to bring Lady Raychard back, while you and Sir Brooks are being left behind?" Her voice rose sharply.

She hardly sounded like herself. The knowledge that neither of the two knights would be sailing to Semeta had overwhelmed her, emotions spilling over without restraint.

"Lady Jarr is right!" Emily added heatedly. "Both of you are high-ranking knights and His Highness’s most trusted men. How could you not be chosen? This is unfair!"

"Emily—" Noah began, attempting to interject.

But standing beside Meredith, she turned the same sharp glare on her husband, making the knight promptly shut his mouth.

Both ladies had seized the rare opportunity to confront the Grand Duke amid his already burdened schedule, driven by the urgency of the impending journey.

There was much to be done since this was no ordinary expedition.

Had Kyren followed his heart alone, he would have departed for the port immediately. But Eric had urged caution that preparations of this scale required time, not impulse.

He had taken the advice to heart.

Taking responsibilities, he had resumed his duties as Grand Duke in full, attending to every unresolved matter left neglected during his grief.

Orders were issued, tasks reassigned, and contingencies put in place. He wanted Gerhard ready—ready to receive the return of its lady, who had never once stepped upon its soil.

Never had he imagined that, after a long day of inspections and council matters, he would be met by Meredith and Emily, their dissatisfaction plain to see.

And clearly, they were not pleased.

"I did not choose the members of the entourage," Kyren said. "He chose them."

He gestured towards Rafe, standing not far from him.

The healer visibly flinched when both women turned their glare upon him, eyes sharp enough to flay skin.

Thankfully, he had been following Kyren and wasn’t inside the castle. Otherwise, they would have approached him and swallowed him whole.

"Before you both direct that fury at me," Rafe said carefully, lifting both hands in surrender, "let’s think rationally."

He drew a steady breath.

"This will be a long and dangerous journey. Both of you are heavily pregnant. Surely you want your husbands by your side when the time comes. It’s your first child."

"No, we don’t!" Meredith and Emily shouted together.

"What?" Noah exclaimed. "Do you hate me that much now, Emily?"

Alex also cast a bewildered look.

"I don’t hate you!" Emily snapped. "What I mean is, the journey matters more!"

"Oh, so now you’re implying that giving birth is less important?" Noah planted his hands on his waist, dark eyes narrowing.

Kyren, who had remained seated at his desk throughout the exchange, rubbed his temple slowly.

The argument had been going in circles for far too long.

He could, if he wished, end this with a single command. His authority would silence the room instantly.

But these were not mere subordinates. They were his most loyal people. People who had bled for him, fought beside him, and stood firm through his darkest days.

More than that, the two women standing before him were Anna’s closest friends and had been there for her through thick and thin.

And they were not rebelling out of disobedience, but loyalty, and a desperate desire to support him. That made this far more complicated than any order he could simply give.

In such a delicate situation where emotions and matters of the heart were entangled, Kyren knew there was only one person capable of untangling it without making matters worse: Eric, his right-hand man.

And since this involved two pregnant women, already overwhelmed and driven by anxiousness and stubbornness, the second-in-command knight’s presence was all the more necessary.

He was, without question, the best person to step in. But now the argument continued and, without doubt, remained unresolved.

"You are missing the point here, Sir Brooks!" Meredith interjected sharply. "What we are trying to say is that we want His Highness to bring both of you along on this journey."

Her voice wavered, but her resolve did not.

"This is not just a duty to us," Meredith said steadily. "It is repayment."

A knock suddenly rapped against the door, creating a brief pause.

Kyren’s eyes widened slightly. That had to be Eric!

And just as expected, when the door opened, the second-in-command knight stepped inside, but not alone. Rachel, the newly appointed chief lady-in-waiting, had come along—perfect timing and a perfect pair to handle the tense situation.

Eric and his wife had clearly heard the raised voices even before entering.

Sensing the tension brewing within the library, he had instructed the steward to remain outside while they went in instead—knowing full well that this situation required more than authority alone.

It required understanding.

Both of them greeted the Grand Duke with proper respect before Eric began.

"Mr Foster informed me of the situation," he said. "He mentioned that matters were... escalating," his gaze shifted briefly before he added, "and I also brought my wife along. Considering those involved, I thought it was best."

Rachel stepped forward to the ladies, saying, "If I may, could you please indicate to me what the issue was and why you are this upset?"

At the sound of her voice, Meredith’s composure finally broke.

"Lady Navin—!"

Tears welled in her eyes as Meredith rushed forward, clutching Rachel’s arms.

The chief lady-in-waiting, being the elder, drew her in without hesitation, holding her close and patting her back in a steady, reassuring rhythm.

Rather than judging or reacting with anger, Rachel took her time. She listened quietly and patiently, soothing the pregnant noble lady as emotions spilt over.

Meredith’s tears fell freely, mingling with broken whimpers and sobs as she poured out her side of the story.

Nearby, Emily stood frozen in place, visibly affected by the raw despair before her. She was no less shaken, hastily wiping at her tears with the back of her hand, lips trembling as she struggled to keep herself together.

"They won’t listen to us," Meredith cried. "Neither of them will!"

Rachel lifted her gaze, glancing between Alex and Noah. Both knights exchanged uneasy looks.

Her sharp, discerning eyes made them feel as though they stood at fault, yet before either could offer a defence, Rachel spoke.

"If you felt this strongly," she said to both ladies, "you should have come to me first. There was no need to take this straight to His Highness."

Meredith sniffed and lowered her head.

"I’m sorry... We didn’t mean to be disrespectful," she murmured. "It’s just... we tried telling them. Over and over. But they said the decision had already been made."

Rachel studied her for a moment, then spoke calmly.

"Don’t you think Sir Jarr’s and Sir Brooks’s opinions should be heard as well?" she said gently. "As they are the main subject of the arguments, surely, they have the right to voice their thoughts, don’t they?"

Both knights felt a quiet sense of relief.

The chief lady-in-waiting’s approach gave them room to breathe and to speak without feeling cornered.

It became evident that Eric was not the only one adept at managing people and sensitive emotions; his wife was, too.

Rachel, who had always been reserved and more focused on her family than others’ matters, rarely demonstrated such talent.

Eric nodded in agreement and stepped in.

"Now, both of you, speak your minds," he said, turning to the knights. "What is it that you truly feel about this?"

Noah and Alex exchanged solemn looks. After a brief pause, Alex stepped forward first.

"Honestly... we are disappointed," he admitted. "Of course, we want to be part of the entourage. The desire is burning, but..." His gaze drifted to Meredith’s rounded belly. "...I’m also deeply worried about Meredith and our child."

That’s correct, Noah continued. "While we aim to go to Semeta and assist in resolving the issues, Mr Amares’s decision wasn’t made lightly. It was driven by good intentions, and we both accept that without question."

Rafe released a quiet breath of relief. At least they understood his reasoning and did not resent him.

However—

"If neither of you goes," Meredith said suddenly, lifting her head and sniffling, "then His Highness and Mr Amares will be accompanied by only four knights. For such an important journey, how can there be so few escorts?"

"Yes!" Emily added urgently. "Lady Athillia mentioned that you’ll be relying on those ruffian seafarers as your main crew. How can you ensure everyone’s safety, especially Her Highness Princess Elisabeth, if something goes wrong?"

"Are you questioning my confidence in my men?" Kyren interjected coldly.

Emily immediately bowed, and Meredith stiffened before lowering her head as well, tension clear in their posture.

"Forgive us, Your Highness," Meredith said quickly. "It is not that we doubt you. But the decision to travel with such a small group is... concerning."

"We cannot travel in large numbers," Eric replied evenly. "That would only intimidate the Mederians. This decision was made after careful consideration of every factor."

"I understand, Sir Navin," the noble lady said. "But this is a journey to bring back the Khasif. We don’t even know the full state of her recovery. She may require additional protection on the return."

Her words captured everyone’s attention. The room fell into a quiet, thoughtful silence.