The streets were bustling with people with different kinds attire. The wagons making their way through the crowds. The sounds of laughing can be heard. The city was very lively. Little boys running around with kites in their hand. A group of cute young girls making flower garlands while sitting near a fountain. The capital of solen kingdom was being decorated magnificently.
The people in the city, be it the nobility, the aristocrats, the royals or the commoners everybody was overjoyed and were preparing for the joyous occasion.
The war was finally over after two years. The war heroes, after shedding blood, sweat and tears won the war against the Aslle kingdom and were finally returning home after a long battle. They will be arriving after traveling for two days. All the nobles and commoners were very excited to meet their family members after a long period of time.
Aside from meeting their loved ones people were more curious about the young Grand Duke of Katz who is known for his extraordinary talent in swordsmanship and the strongest warrior. It is said that the young duke was engaged to the daughter of Marquis Spade when he was 15 years old but soon after the engagement the Grand Ducal couple lost their lives in an accident and after that Marquis spade took all responsibility of the Young grand duke. There are some rumors circulating within the society that The the daughter of Marquis Spade is an arrogant brat who is dumb and didn't have any skills to be called a the Daughter of Marquise Spade who was once the Hero of the empire. She is regarded as a Jinx because of which the Young duke lost his parents.
All the people in the empire believe that the Marquis doesn't give any attention to his daughter and the Duke doesn't have a ounce of affection towards her. There are also some rumors that the daughter of marquis spade doesn't come out of the mansion at all and the maids and butlers who work in the mansion have barely seen her face.
Because of these rumors the nobles were expecting that if the grand duke would marry the empires crown princess Olivia, then the empire would gain a gem stone in the form their emperor. All the people were very excited to meet the Young Grand Duke. They wanted the day of their arrival to arrive early.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The day of of their arrival finally arrived. The war heroes Marched through the streets. The citizens cheering them and offering flowers to the brave soldiers. The troops were being led by the most handsome Young Grand Duke of Katz.
Everyone who came to the welcoming ceremony be it men or women were astonished after witnessing his beauty.
Grand Duke Raiden Katz was a man with distinct features. Because of his attractive face and his red hair which matched with his golden eyes and a well toned body he always stood out from everyone else. He was extremely aristocratic in his ascetic appearance, restrained attitude, and neat gestures.
Many of the noble young ladies who came to see the parade fainted just by looking at him.
.
Grand duke along with leading the troops was analyzing the crowds. His comrades looked towards him. It was as if he he was searching for something or 'someone'
.
.
.
.
The ceremony ended and it was evening.
Raiden was at the estate of Marquis Spade with a Bouquet of pink camellias.
As soon as he got off the carriage , the maids poured out of the mansion at once to welcome the Grand duke.
"Welcome to the marquis estate Grand duke. " the old head butler said while bowing his head, showing his outmost sincerity.
" It's been a while Lynn, how have you been all these years." The duke asked with a smile on his face.
" Your Grace, thanks to the Lord and the Lady I've been living a good life."
The sky which was filled with orangish tone was slowly starting to turn into darker shades. Looking at the sky the butler requested the Duke to head inside since it was getting darker.
.
.
The Duke sat in the sitting room. The old butler served him some tea.
Taking a sip he asked "I forgot to ask how is The Marquis and Marchioness."
"Your Grace, the lord and and the lady are doing well, I apologize for making you wait... The Lord and The Lady will arrive soon".
"Don't worry I guess they are busy, I don't mind waiting for them" said while gracefully putting the cup down " I wonder how is Cynthia"
Lynn flinched when Raiden mentioned the young lady's name.
Because of Lynn's reaction Raiden became suspicious.
"what happ-"
"Oh! Duke Raiden it seems you're back from the war"
When he was going to ask about Cynthia The marquis and the marchioness entered the room with smiles on their faces.
They sat on the blue sofa infront of the duke.
"How are you Raiden it's been a while since we met?... how have you been all these years?" The marchioness asked with a warm smile on her face.
"Thanks to your love and support all these years I'm all good.."
"That's good to hear" Though the marquis said with a straight face he was glad that the child he raised has come safe and sound.
They were having a good conversation until Raiden mentioned Cynthia's name.
The couple flinched when they heard their daughter's name.
The room went silent. Lynn had the same reaction when he heard the lady's name. Raiden understood that some thing was wrong.
"Marquis is something wrong with Cynthia. Did something happen to her." The couple could clearly see that Raidens eyes were filled with worries.
The couple looked at each other, they didn't know what to say to Raiden.
The marchioness was nervously fiddling with her fingers.
For a moment Raiden was dumbfounded because the kingdoms most beautiful woman who never lost her cool in the most extreme conditions was fiddling with her fingers because of nervousness, that means something big happened to her.
The marchioness looked straight into the Grand dukes eyes. It was as if she was giving a warning to The Duke to brace himself to hear the truth.
"Grand Duke the truth is - "