Chapter 190: Going For A Hunt
The knights assembled again in the discussion room, responding to Kyren’s summons. After the previous commotion, the grand duke swiftly revoked the plan to report about the Bargesians and declare war against Ardel.
"We shall not proceed," Kyren declared with a solemn face.
The knights contemplated as the grand duke’s decision weighed heavily on their minds.
"But, Your Highness..." Eli halted as soon as he noticed Kyren’s piercing glare.
A contemplative silence enveloped the room as the weight of the situation settled upon everyone present. The grand duke’s sensitivity regarding Anna was well-known, and the mere thought of her getting hurt caused a collective unease.
The memory of the grand duke’s intense reaction during a previous incident at the camp, when Anna had selflessly donated her blood, lingered in their minds. And so, they had to be careful with their words.
Eric, ever quick-witted and tactful, quickly spoke to ease the tension.
"We understand your concerns," he said calmly. "While we may not proceed with the original plan, we will not ignore the potential threat from the Bargesians. I have already dispatched skilled spies to monitor their activities closely. We will gather more information and ensure that their intentions remain transparent."
The second-in-command knight, along with Luke and Damon, had maintained a covert watch against the Bargesians throughout the night, only returning to the mansion at dawn after the Ardel’s delegation departure.
Kyren acknowledged their efforts with a nod.
Alex’s voice held a hint of apology as he addressed the grand duke, "Your Highness, please forgive me for speaking candidly, but I believe Lady Raychard’s words hold merit. If we were to directly approach the palace and inform His Majesty of the situation, he would likely present it to the nobles. Given the gravity of declaring war, solid justification would be required, and it seems unlikely that the nobles would readily agree based on their reaction last night after knowing the lady’s true bloodline."