Chapter 517: Admitting a Victorious Defeat
’Knock! Knock!’
Kyren’s attention shifted to the connecting door leading to the master suite. The sound was soft and almost timid.
He rose from his seat and strolled over casually. From the gentle rhythm of the knock, he guessed the ’girls’ talk’ had ended without casualties.
The partly damaged door creaked open, revealing a petite figure with wide doe-like eyes, her expression shaded with guilt.
"How may I help you, my lady?" Kyren asked smoothly.
Anna’s cheeks flushed. The title, though spoken politely, was meant only to tease her.
She cleared her throat and steeled herself. Now that she had learned the truth from Athillia, she knew her husband would mock her without mercy.
"Can I see you for a moment?" she asked softly.
Kyren tilted his head, scanning the hallway behind her.
"Where are your girls? Have you finished your little talk?" he asked, his voice still laced with mischief.
"They left already. Callis took Athillia with her. She was eager to show her around. I thought you were still in discussion with your knights?"
"I was. Even Prince Kiev joined us," the grand duke replied.
"Prince Kiev?" Anna blinked, curiosity stirring. "What was that about?"
"Just a few conversations. Boys talk too sometimes, you know."
The way he said the ’boys talk’ made Anna’s ears burn. She pressed her lips together, trying not to rise to his bait.
"Could you please stop teasing me? I came here to speak with you, not to pick another fight."
Kyren chuckled, opening his arms with a slight bow. "Then please, come in."
Anna stepped inside the private library. Silence lingered as she lowered her gaze, fingers nervously fidgeting with her skirt.
"What is it you want to talk about?" Kyren asked.
She moved closer to the table, tracing the carved patterns along the oak edge. Her mind raced, still arranging the words she wanted to say.
"Well?" the grand duke’s voice pressed again, carrying a hint of impatience.
Anna huffed and spun around.
"All right, all right! I’m sorry!" she blurted, her tone grumpy despite the apology. "I learned the truth from Athillia. It seems I misunderstood the whole thing."
Kyren’s lips curved into a smile. Finally, his wife admitted to her fault.
But the victorious grin on his face only made Anna pout harder. She turned away with a sharp huff.
"I wouldn’t have thought that way if you didn’t have such... weird conversations with her! She said you always spent time with her till late at night, and—and—you cared about her, and..."
Her stammering faltered when a warm, solid presence wrapped around her from behind. Kyren hugged her gently while his smile still lingered.
Normally, he would have jumped to defend himself, to argue his side of the story. But not this time.
Eric’s words from their earlier boys’ talk echoed in his mind – ’When it comes to arguments with women, the only way to win is to admit defeat.’
It had sounded strange, even nonsensical, to the grand duke then. But the more he thought about it, the more he realised Eric was right. In the end, an apology was the only way to mend what mattered.
A soft kiss grazed Anna’s earlobe, warm breath brushing her skin, and her anger began to unravel. Instead of irritation, a wave of guilt washed over her.
"I’m sorry..." Kyren whispered. "I truly am."
Anna’s throat tightened, a lump rising as her constriction pressed in. She shouldn’t have lashed out at him in front of everyone... shouldn’t have humiliated him like that.
But she had been emotional, possessive even. Maybe it was because he was her soulmate, and the thought of him having another woman was unbearable.
Her tears slipped free.
Kyren turned her gently to face him, his gaze softening at the sight of her crying face.
He brushed her tears away and said quietly, "What I did to you was even worse. Because of my pride, I nearly lost you and our child. I failed to see that your anger came from love, not hate. I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t hurt you again. Never. Please forgive me."
Hearing the sincerity in his voice, Anna’s tears spilt harder.
"I’m sorry, too! I didn’t mean what I said to you! Huuu—!"
Kyren chuckled at his wife’s childish antics. He couldn’t bring himself to blame her, especially not when she was this adorable.
"Come here!"
He pulled her back into his arms, holding her dearly. This was the woman he wanted with all his heart. This was the woman he would die for. He would cross mountains and seas to prove how precious she was to him.
"There’s no one else in my heart but you, Anna. Only you... and, of course, our son."
Anna’s heart fluttered at his words. But then, she lifted her head in surprise.
"How do you know it’s going to be a boy?" she asked.
Kyren chuckled again.
"Your tantrums and sulking reminded me of the time we first arrived at this mansion and had a fight. I broke and destroyed many things, shouted, and refused to listen to anyone. That behaviour isn’t like you at all, but somehow you picked it up from me. So, I think... it must be a boy."
Anna blushed and playfully slapped his chest.
"What if it’s a girl instead of a boy?"
Kyren leaned back slightly from the embrace, smiling at her.
"That would be even better. She would be as lovely as you. Besides, it would make it harder for my brother to bother us with succession matters."
At his words, Anna was suddenly reminded of Cassian’s yet-unnamed Crown Prince. Now that she was pregnant and with her true lineage as the Ro’an imperial empress, her child would stand as the most fitting candidate for the throne. If the baby were a son, that position might already be sealed.
A quiet worry crept into Anna’s heart. She was unprepared for the storm of political burdens and responsibilities that would come with such expectations.
"Kyren, I’m not ready for that..." she began softly.
"I know what you’re thinking," he cut off and cupped her cheek gently. "Don’t worry. I will never name our child heir to the throne, even if His Majesty insists. I’ll speak with him myself."
Relief swept through Anna, her chest loosening. The grand duke knew her heart too well.
"Now, how’s my little one?" Kyren asked, lowering his hand to rub her belly—this time at the right spot. "Still sulking after being upset by your mother? Be a good boy and don’t trouble her too much. She’s been through so much for you already. Don’t make her mad again, or your father won’t know how to win her back."
Anna let out a small laugh at Kyren’s gentle words to their baby. The way he said, ’Father,’ warmed her heart, filling her with joy. At that moment, she realised they were truly building their own little family.
After their reconciliation, Kyren shifted the topic, breaking the news about Meredith and Emily’s pregnancies.
"Oh, my goodness! I was already thrilled for Mer when I heard it from Callis. I never expected Emily to be pregnant, too!" Anna exclaimed, her face bright with happiness.
"They tied the knot around the same time, so it isn’t surprising that both ladies are expecting now. They’re at the right age, after all. What shocked me more was Noah’s marriage," said the grand duke.
"Please don’t be mad at him," Anna pleaded quickly. "He went through so much to be with Emily. He’s sincere about her, and I can feel it. I trust him."
"I know. He came and explained everything to me," Kyren replied, a small smile tugging his lips. "Even if he hadn’t, I already knew you’d take his side. You always favour him."
Anna pouted a little but spoke firmly. "He made mistakes before, but he’s changed. We should support him now."
Kyren nodded. Then, in a more deliberate tone, he asked, "In that case... would you agree to let a few female attendants serve in the mansion?"
As promised, he relayed the knights’ request to his wife, explaining Meredith’s delicate condition and the need for more help now that three pregnant ladies, including Anna, were under the same roof. He also brought up the names of the candidates they had in mind.
"Since we’ll return to Gerhard soon, I don’t plan to hire too many attendants here. Once we’re back, we can recruit more. For now, let’s start with these ladies first. What do you think?" Kyren asked.
"I couldn’t agree more!" Anna replied with excitement. "Sir McQuinn has recommended the right people for us. They’re trustworthy, and I feel comfortable around them."
"That’s good to hear. Prince Kiev mentioned he’ll remain here until the season changes," Kyren added thoughtfully. "I think we should do the same. Travelling now wouldn’t be wise, not with the weather, and especially not with you and the other ladies in this condition."
Anna nodded eagerly. "Yes, you’re right."
A smile tugged at her lips.
"Do you know what this means, Kyren?" she asked.
"What?"
Placing a hand gently over her belly, she looked down with sparkling eyes.
"Our child will have companions of the same age! They’ll grow up as friends."
Kyren’s smile widened.
"It will be a whole new generation of the Gerhard family," he said with pride, his gaze softening as it lingered on his wife. "Thank you for agreeing to this, Anna. I don’t dare to bring other women here without your consent. Otherwise, they’d risk being devoured whole by your temper," he teased.
Anna laughed, her earlier tears ceased, now replaced with overflowing joy. But then her expression softened, a shy flush colouring her cheeks.
"Kyren..." Her fingers traced circles on the knot of his chest.
"Yes?" He tilted his head, curious at her tone.
"You mentioned ’devoured’... erm, that reminded me..." She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "You saw Armel earlier, right?"
"Yes. Why?" His brow lifted, wondering why the teenager was being brought up now.
"He gave me a Snow Apple. He said it’s the last one. It was so delicious! I feel like I could finish a whole basket if I had more..." She looked up at him with wide, pleading eyes. "They’re rare, but... can I have them?" she asked in the sweetest voice she could muster.
Kyren chuckled, recognition dawning on him.
"Ah, so my wife has cravings," he said warmly.
Thankfully, Eric’s advice about pregnancy had prepared him for this.
"Say no more. I’ll scour the whole of Cassian to find them for you. Just tell me whatever you want. Your husband is at your service, my love."
Anna giggled, her heart swelling at his words. Kyren wasn’t only steadfast and protective, but he was learning to pamper her, too. Their child would surely be surrounded by endless love.
"Let’s go meet the others," she said, eyes glimmering with anticipation. "I was so caught up in sulking that I haven’t even greeted my friends!"
"All right. But the pregnant ladies are resting. Best not to disturb them now. We’ll see them later."
Anna nodded quickly. "Then we can meet with Clara and Sylvia first."
Not wanting to dampen her spirits, Kyren agreed, though he would have preferred she rest.
"All right. Let’s go. We also have yet to meet with Sir Ashburne. I wonder whether he’s back or not," said Kyren.
Fingers intertwined, the couple walked out of the private library together, full of love.