The Grand Duke's Soulmate-Chapter 575: The ceremony of hearts

Clara stood among the ladies, her expression anxious, as though she were waiting for something or perhaps someone.

Those beside her, however, appeared openly delighted. After months steeped in grief since the entourage’s return from the capital, this gathering was the first event to bring a glimmer of joy to Gerhard’s castle amid their long endurance of devastation.

"Are you all right, Dame Verns?" Rosalie asked gently, having noticed the knightess’s unease.

Clara turned to the chief maid and offered a faint, restrained smile.

"Honestly... I can’t say that I am."

"Of course she isn’t," Athillia chimed in with a teasing lilt. "Who would be calm in her position? If I were her, I’d be trembling with nerves."

Rosalie reached out and held Clara’s hand reassuringly.

"Don’t worry. We’re all here for you, aren’t we? Sir Navin even asked my husband and me to come to Gerhard specifically to help with this occasion. Every detail has been carefully arranged. It will turn out well."

Clara wanted to believe her, truly she did, but the doubt lingering in her heart refused to be silenced.

"What if His Highness, the Grand Duke, changes his mind at the very last moment?" she asked hesitantly, more to herself than to anyone else. "What if he refuses to go through with it... and leaves again?"

"I don’t think so," Athillia replied firmly. "If he had truly objected, he would never have permitted this to be arranged in the first place."

The others nodded in agreement. After all, Eric, Noah, and Alex’s success in bringing Kyren back from the Datrey Forest the day before was proof enough that the Grand Duke had not turned away from them nor from the occasion.

She then added, "Besides, the reason he left before wasn’t that he abhorred the event. It was because someone made a thoughtless remark..."

At the noble lady’s pointed words, every gaze shifted towards a figure standing on the other side among the men’s group: Gerald, the castle’s steward.

"What?" Gerald frowned at them, clearly displeased. "None of you ever told me exactly what happened at the port. How was I supposed to know?"

Anryr, on the castle’s steward’s side, shook his head and let out a weary sigh.

"You didn’t need to know every detail," he said calmly, though reproach edged his voice. "All you needed was the sense to hold your tongue when the moment called for it. It’s a delicate subject, hardly something to be spoken lightly."

Gerald’s lips curved downward in a faint scowl.

"A clearer hint would have helped, brother. All I knew was that the Mederians had taken Lady Raychard. No one mentioned they would leave by ship. Who would have thought a vessel would depart in the dead of winter?" he said, defending himself.

"Enough bickering, you two," Rachel interjected. "Today is meant to be a happy occasion. Must you truly argue over who was right or wrong?"

Both stewards fell silent, their expressions sheepish as they offered murmured apologies.

As Eric’s wife, Rachel was a senior noble lady of Gerhard, and her words carried unquestioned authority and respect among the castle’s occupants.

The other men nearby merely observed in silence. Such quarrels were nothing new between the steward brothers.

Ever since Anryr and Rosalie had arrived, their frequent disagreements over the household affairs had become an odd form of entertainment in the otherwise gloomy castle. Without them, the days might have felt unbearably sombre. Though they argued often, it was always in earnest service of their duties.

"Lady and Sir Mills aren’t here yet either," Clara said softly, her expression dimming.

"They’ll arrive soon," Emily assured her, one hand resting on her rounded belly. "Noah said he asked the post guard to deliver the message urgently on his way back. I’m certain they’ll make it."

Emily was now five months pregnant, and her belly was clearly visible—round and prominent, with a gentle curve beneath her gown that symbolised new life amid lingering sorrow.

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed along the marbled path leading to the temple entrance. The group turned as two figures appeared, walking hand in hand.

"Sylvia! You made it!" Emily exclaimed with delight. "What did I tell you?" she said, turning to Clara, who was now smiling at the arrival.

The wives of the two knights clasped hands as Sylvia approached, slightly breathless.

"Oh, thank goodness we arrived before everything began," she said with clear relief.

"What kept you so long?" Athillia asked.

"Drystan needed to ensure that my grandfather promised to follow the healer’s instructions and wouldn’t cause trouble to others before we could depart," Sylvia explained, glancing at the knight beside her with a small, affectionate smile. "Thankfully, the old man gave his word in the end, and we were able to leave without worry."

"Thank you so much, Lady Mills," Clara said earnestly. "I was afraid you wouldn’t come, considering His Lordship’s condition. This truly means a great deal to me."

"We wouldn’t miss it for the world," Sylvia replied warmly. "Certainly not for you. Besides, my grandfather isn’t in any critical condition. He was merely being cranky, as usual."

"I’ll join the men now, dear," Drystan said quietly, seeing that Sylvia had settled comfortably among the ladies.

"Of course," she replied, returning his smile.

Athillia cast the couple a glance and noticed their slightly unkempt appearance—Sylvia’s bun had slipped askew, and Drystan’s surcoat was buttoned incorrectly.

"You must have been in quite a hurry to forget tidying yourselves," the young princess said bluntly. "Your hair’s a bit messy, Sylvia. Here, let me help."

She stepped closer and carefully adjusted the loose strands of her hair. Sylvia’s cheeks flushed at the attention, while Drystan, having caught the remark, felt his own ears warm and quickly retreated to join the men.

"W-we rode the last stretch on horseback to get here faster," Sylvia explained quickly, letting out a small laugh. "You know how fast Drystan rides. Hehehe..."

Of course, no one needed to know about the mischief that had taken place in the carriage earlier, before they decided it was wiser to finish the journey on horseback, having spent an inordinate amount of time enclosed together, doing... ahem... things better left unsaid.

Drystan, now in the men’s group, promptly straightened himself, rebuttoning his surcoat before pulling out a comb to smooth his hair.

"What’s gotten into you?" Luke murmured at his side. "You’re usually meticulous about your appearance."

Eli also gave a curious look, his eyes asking the same without saying a word.

"The wind was strong on the ride here," Drystan replied evenly.

"The wind, huh?" Garin echoed, lips curling into a knowing smile. "Right..."

He decided not to make a fuss and instead asked, "So... what did you say to His Lordship the Marquess to get him to listen? He’s not exactly an easy man."

"Oh, nothing much. Just a word or two."

Drystan allowed himself a faint smirk. He hadn’t needed to argue with Liam at all. Simply mentioning that ’Danica’ would be displeased with a grumpy great-grandfather had been enough to set everything straight.

Although employing the imaginary child initially seemed inappropriate, it turned out to be a rare and effective strategy.

Sylvia’s uncles and parents have also adopted this method to motivate their father to prioritise his health, and it has proved highly successful.

"Mer isn’t here?" the noble lady asked, scanning the gathering and noticing her friend’s absence. "Is she still unwell?"

"I’m here, Sylvia!"

She turned at the sound of her name.

Meredith had just arrived, her arm linked with Alex’s, with Rania following behind. Like Emily, she also carried a rounded belly, as her pregnancy was at a similar stage.

"Oh, Mer! You’re finally out of your chamber!" Sylvia exclaimed, nearly moved to tears at the sight of her friend after being confined to her bedroom for so long due to her health.

"I’m much better these days," Meredith replied, returning her smile before glancing fondly at Alex by her side. "And besides," she added, her gaze shifting brightly to Clara, "today is an important day."

"I’m glad to see you looking well, Lady Jarr," said the knightess gently. "Thank you for coming."

"You’re welcome. I’m sorry for being a bit late. It took me so long to find a dress suitable for both the occasion and my figure," Meredith admitted. "I haven’t ordered anything new... I haven’t had the heart for it."

Her eyes lowered, the light dimming for a moment. The simple pleasures of choosing dresses or indulging in ladies’ pastimes had faded since grief had taken hold of her life.

"We’ll have to change that wardrobe soon," Alex interjected gently, rubbing her arm in comfort. "Most of your clothes won’t fit you much longer. Do it for our baby, at least."

"All right, dear," Meredith agreed quietly, though a trace of solemnity remained.

No matter how heavy her heart felt, she knew she could not surrender entirely to sorrow since there was life growing within her that needed her strength.

Steeling herself, Meredith lifted her gaze and changed the subject, her eyes sweeping over the gathering. Nearly all the ladies of the castle were present.

"Helen isn’t here?" she asked, not seeing the female assistant.

"She had to excuse herself," Emily answered. "You know she can hardly leave her place."

At the mention of Helen’s name, a quiet sadness settled over the group; even the men within earshot felt it.

"Of course... that’s understandable," Meredith said softly.

"Elis isn’t coming either," Athillia added in a low voice, sharing the same subdued mood.

"She’s still keeping to herself?" Sylvia asked.

The young princess nodded.

"Mary is attending to her today. I asked Armel to persuade her to come, but she refused. She only sent her apologies, along with a note of best wishes."

Everyone knew Elis had withdrawn from the world. Her separation from Kiev had shattered her so deeply that she had entrusted all the fortune left to her to Armel instead.

Yet the young man, loyal to the couple, had not spent a single coin and safeguarded it faithfully while continuing to look after the princess consort, just as Kiev had entrusted him to do.

"Now, what’s taking Ayden so long?" the assistant healer’s father suddenly voiced, his brows drawn together with growing unease.

"He’ll be here soon, Father," Ayden’s sibling reassured him gently. "He went to fetch His Highness, the Grand Duke, himself, together with Sir Navin and Mr Amares. They won’t delay any longer than necessary."

The old man nodded, though the worry did not entirely leave his face. Turning to Clara, he said apologetically, "I’m sorry you’ve had to wait like this."

The knightess offered him a calm smile. "It’s all right," she said softly.

She truly felt much steadier now, surrounded by familiar faces and those gathered here to witness and celebrate this moment with her.

"It would have been even merrier if your companions from the tribe had stayed for the occasion," Ayden’s sibling remarked. "But they were insistent on returning once spring arrived."

Clara replied, "They’ve been away from their families for too long, and they missed home. Besides..." She gave a faint smile. "Ayden was the one who changed his mind and wanted to hasten the ceremony. I wasn’t sure if it was the right decision to move forward so quickly, considering everything that had occurred."

"Don’t doubt it," Meredith said gently. "You had already intended this long before any of the tragedies occurred. Lady Raychard would have wanted this more than anyone, for you to be happy."

Clara’s smile softened as memories stirred—Anna’s bright eyes, her excitement when Clara had first shared the news. That had been before the kidnapping, before everything fell apart.

"You’re right," the knightess murmured. "She would have wanted this."

The wedding had been deliberately arranged as a modest affair, attended only by the castle’s occupants and the groom’s family.

Clara had no family of her own to invite, and anything more extravagant might have been too burdensome for the Grand Duke’s fragile heart. Out of respect for his grief, they opted for restraint rather than spectacle, keeping the promise they had made.

"Still," Ayden’s father said, "a marriage can’t take place without a groom, can it?"

"And not without the authorised person to give the bride away," Noah added smoothly.

Ayden’s father turned and nodded towards him in acknowledgement.

"There they are!"

Everyone turned at Emily’s excited exclamation.

Approaching along the path, flanked by Rafe and Eric, were the figures they had all been waiting for.

Kyren walked at the forefront, dressed in ceremonial attire for the first time in many months. His long hair had been neatly combed and tied back, his garments pressed and orderly.

Although his beard was still untrimmed, it no longer lent him the air of neglect it once had. He looked composed and whole, if only for today and certainly in a better state than he had been since Anna’s disappearance.

Beside him walked Ayden.

He was dressed in formal robes befitting the occasion, his attire simple yet dignified. His face was bright, proud, and confident—his eyes already scanning the crowd for her.

Clara stood out at once, her composed posture unable to fully conceal the bright anticipation shining in her eyes. The knightess wore the ceremonial wedding attire of her tribe: a long dress split high at the centre, revealing fitted trousers beneath.

The fabric was beautifully embroidered with symbols representing the Sunik people—designs of the sun, the earth, and the connection between warriors and their kin. The colours reflected Ayden’s, but her outfit design was distinctively hers, embodying her heritage and personal identity.

Kyren halted before the knightess upon receiving the attendees’ greetings.

"Congratulations, Clara," he said evenly, his voice calm but sincere. "I’m happy for you."

"Thank you, Your Highness," the knightess replied, bowing slightly. "I truly appreciate you being here... and for standing in this place for me."

Only Kyren could have done this for her, as Clara had no other family and was under his authority as the lord.

The Grand Duke inclined his head.

"Then let us proceed."

Ayden entered the temple hall first, glancing back at the knightess with a smile full of quiet pride.

"I’ll be waiting for you inside," he whispered.

The temple door was closed as everyone settled into their positions according to the Cassian wedding tradition.

Anryr stepped forward then, offering to announce for the Grand Duke to take the knightess’s hand to escort her inside. Kyren gave his blessing as he linked arms with the knightess, carrying his duty to give her away.

The temple door opened, and together they stepped inside; the gathered witnesses watched happily as the ceremony finally commenced, the first wedding hosted by Gerhard.

It was a small occasion, but meaningful at heart – the sacred union of Clara and Ayden.