The Grand Duke's Soulmate-Chapter 585: When Loyalty Decides (II)

Meredith glanced at the two knights, then back at the Grand Duke.

"As the former head of your admirers’ gathering, I learned much about the strength of Gerhard’s knights, and marrying one only confirmed what I believed," she said. "One knight is worth ten soldiers. Even if the group remains small, adding two more would not draw attention, but it would double your strength. Would that not make for a stronger strategy?"

Emily nodded firmly.

"And it’s not that we don’t love our husbands," she said, voice wavering. "Nor that we truly don’t want them with us during childbirth. But we feel—truly feel—that they must be involved with the expedition."

She swallowed hard.

"To Gerhard, Lady Raychard and Mrs Amares may be figures of rank and title. But to us... they are our Anna and Callis... our dear friends," said Emily.

Tears welled once more in Meredith’s eyes.

"Admiral James said it himself," she said quietly. "The Bargesians planned to turn back and slaughter everyone. If Lady Raychard hadn’t stepped forward... if she hadn’t faced them alone... none of our husbands would be alive today."

Silence fell again.

Emily faced her husband and said, tears pooling in her eyes, "Before you found me... when I was locked in the Bargesian barrack... terrified and breaking apart... Lady Raychard was the reason I stayed strong."

Meredith wiped her tears and added, her voice trembling but resolute, "And she saved me from the dungeon... When no one else came... When I thought I’d been abandoned."

"And Mrs Amares..." Emily’s words faltered, her tears finally spilling. "Where would we ever find someone like her? A princess who never judged us by birth or status... who spoke to us as equals, laughed with us, and accepted us for who we are..."

"For that," Meredith said firmly, lifting her head, "we owe them so much. Both of us do."

Emily nodded.

"We would have gone ourselves if not for our condition." She placed a hand over her belly. "But sending our husbands... that’s the least we can do."

"Oh, Meredith..." Alex sighed, "You speak as though you have set aside the importance of your well-being. Don’t you think I want to be there when our first child is born?"

"Exactly," Noah added at once. "What if something unexpected happens during the delivery? What if we can’t make it back in time? That regret would follow us for the rest of our lives."

Meredith turned to Emily. The two exchanged a quiet, firm look and nodded together, as though they had already reached an understanding long before this argument began.

"We are knights’ wives," Meredith said. "We knew what kind of lives we married into. Duty comes before comfort and before fear."

Emily nodded.

"Our children are strong, and we won’t be alone. Mr Norman will be here. Lady Mills and Dame Verns as well. There will be people that we trust." She lifted her chin slightly. "So don’t worry about us. Do what you must and bring them home."

"Make us proud," Meredith added softly.

Rachel inhaled, her gaze lingering on the two women before she spoke.

"It seems you’ve both already made your resolve." She then turned to the knights. "Now that your wives have spoken so clearly, what do the rest of you say?"

Eric frowned thoughtfully.

"Lady Jarr makes a fair point. Lady Raychard’s condition... that is something we did not fully take into account before."

The chief lady-in-waiting shifted her attention. "Sir Jarr. Sir Brooks. Speak plainly."

Noah and Alex exchanged a glance, both having the same determination.

"We do believe the mission is important," Alex said. "If our presence strengthens the entourage and ensures Lady Raychard’s safe return, then—"

"—then we’re willing," Noah finished. "As knights. As men who owe them our lives."

Meredith and Emily smiled. Their eyes turned instinctively to Kyren, and so did the others.

The Grand Duke leaned back slightly as attention shifted to him.

"As I said, the decision is not mine. I am not entitled to make the selection."

Swiftly, every gaze shifted to Rafe.

The healer stiffened. "Why is everyone looking at me?"

"Well?" Meredith pressed, eyes wide and intent. "Aren’t you the one leading the entourage?"

Rafe looked back at the Grand Duke, but the subtle expression he received made it clear that the decision rested entirely in his hands.

The pressure still lingered when Emily spoke, fixing him with a fierce glare that cut through his hesitation.

"Mr Amares," she said darkly, "if my husband doesn’t go, I swear I’ll name our firstborn Chester—boy or girl."

Noah’s eyes went comically wide.

Even before Emily was pregnant, she had always favoured Armel’s surname, which made him cringe.

"God, no!" he blurted out. "Anything but that!"

"Fine—fine! I agree!" Rafe exclaimed at last.

Meredith’s hand instinctively moved to her chest, Emily’s lips curved into a triumphant smile, and Noah exhaled in relief—The decision clearly resolved everyone’s feelings.

"From a practical standpoint... having two additional knights is beneficial and strengthens our defence without drawing unnecessary attention. So, it’s a sensible move," the healer added.

"Thank you!" Emily breathed.

Meredith let out a shaky laugh, tears sliding down her cheeks as she clasped her hands together, gratitude and vindication written plainly across her face.

"Good. Now that this matter is settled," Kyren said firmly, "we must decide which knight will stay behind."

"I can stay!" Eric said without hesitation, raising his hand in excitement.

"No!" everyone shouted at once—all, including Rachel.

"Err... maybe not."

The second-in-command knight withdrew his raised hand, his voice diminishing as he caught the sharp gaze directed at him.

"Your exemption will never be granted, Sir Navin," the grand duke said evenly, "...unless Rachel herself demands it."

His gaze flicked toward the chief lady-in-waiting.

Though Eric’s participation was vital, Kyren would still yield if she asked.

Her tolerance for her husband’s constant absences due to his duties had always been remarkable, and it was enough for the grand duke to consider it.

The second-in-command knight turned hopeful grey eyes toward his wife, a faint spark lingering despite knowing the likely outcome.

"Absolutely no demand from me, Your Highness," Rachel replied without hesitation. "I would be far more at ease if you took him with you. Please—make good use of him."

Emily and Meredith covered their mouths, barely suppressing their laughter, so much for Eric’s escape.

The second-in-command knight surrendered. There appeared to be no point in arguing any longer. Nonetheless, he spoke up.

"Still," he pressed on, grasping for reason, "someone must remain at Gerhard. We cannot have everyone leave. We were away for the campaign and remained in the capital for quite some time before returning. There is still considerable work pending at the duchy."

Kyren rose from his seat.

"This matter now falls under my authority," he said firmly. "I will decide who remains. After this, I will entertain no further objections, amendments, or arguments. We have too much to accomplish to delay ourselves by reshuffling the entourage. Is that understood?"

The room fell silent at once. Everyone bowed.

"Garin will remain," Kyren announced. "As third-in-command, he will assume the responsibilities of Sir Jarr and Sir Brooks in their absence. Relay this order to him, Eric."

The second-in-command knight straightened immediately.

"Understood, Your Highness."

With the decision settled, a sense of acceptance spread through the room.

At Kyren’s order, the gathering dispersed, each person carrying their own thoughts as they went.

As they exited the library, Eric noticed Rachel lagging behind. Once the others had gone, he turned to her. Her expression was taut.

"What is it?" he asked quietly. "You look troubled."

She hesitated, then spoke, her brow creasing.

"The other day... after my appointment... His Highness instructed me to arrange additional maids, female attendants, and midwives immediately. He wants Gerhard fully prepared for Lady Raychard’s return and for the ladies’ childbirth."

Eric frowned. "And why is that an issue?"

"The request was urgent," Rachel said. "So, I contacted my sister. You know she’s the most capable in these matters."

"Beatrice?"

Rachel nodded.

"I received her reply this morning. She’s coming herself to oversee everything personally, including the training. Given the timing..." She swallowed. "Beatrice surely is on the way and will arrive within a day or two."

The colour drained from Eric’s face.

"Then she... and Sir Skyler..."

His eyes widened in dawning horror.

"You must send a letter! Immediately! Tell her not to come and send the women only!"

Rachel shook her head.

"That’s impossible."

"Of course it’s possible," Eric insisted. "The courier can intercept her on the road. She can turn back to the capital!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Rachel raised an eyebrow.

"You’re telling my sister to retreat?" she asked, incredulous. "Eric, I issued that request under Gerhard’s name as the chief lady-in-waiting. She responded officially with her merchant company seal. You know very well this cannot be reversed."

"Then write again. Ask her to postpone," he urged.

"This is His Highness’s order!" Rachel snapped. "You know well we can’t defy him, and I cannot request a delay when everything is already in motion!"

Eric’s breath caught.

Kyren’s decision was absolute, and there would be no pleading for changes now. And yet this unforeseen complication had surfaced at the worst possible moment.

"Oh, no... They’ll surely meet again after all this time," he muttered, panic creeping in. "This won’t end well. No... this will be a catastrophe!"

Rachel exhaled hard.

"I can only pray that h*ll does not break loose," she said, already envisioning the trouble to come.

Beatrice and Garin could never meet.

If they did... the past would not remain buried.

And the wound they both carried would tear open once more.