It was a routine long established in the palace of Cassian.
King Kyden rose before dawn each morning. After washing and dressing, he knelt in private prayer before receiving the day's breviary from his chaplain.
As was customary, he attended mass in the temple's inner courtyard. When it concluded, he lingered among the people gathered there — listening patiently to petitions, grievances, and pleas. Known for his benevolence, he answered with fairness and reason, never dismissing a voice without hearing it first.
Following the morning's religious observances, he convened with the royal council.
Only after matters of state were discussed did he retire briefly for a late-morning meal with his wife, Queen Emelda.
Then came the throne hall.
Ambassadors from foreign lands, noble lords, knights, and officials filled the chamber daily. Reports were delivered, disputes presented, documents signed, alliances discussed. For hours, King Kyden presided with measured authority.
At last, when the hall began to thin and the morning's duties neared completion, the chamberlain entered quietly, bringing a sealed scroll in his hands.
He waited until the remaining courtiers withdrew before approaching the throne.
"Your Majesty," he bowed, presenting the scroll. "The monthly report from the frontier campaign near Tarnova."
King Kyden accepted it with a faint smile.
"I expect all is well, as always," he said confidently. "With the Grand Duke leading the campaign, there is little to doubt."
Since his brother had taken command of the campaign for two consecutive seasons, incidents had declined sharply. When it came to defence and suppression, the Knights of Gerhard were unmatched in Cassian.
"They have been stationed there for months," the chamberlain replied. "It may be time to announce their rest interval."
"Yes," King Kyden agreed. "Late summer approaches. Activity at the slave market usually slows by now."
He broke the seal and began reading.
At first, the contents were routine — patrol movements, reduced smuggling attempts, stable conditions along the border and so on.
Then—
His eyes halted.
A crease formed between his brows.
"Charles," he said slowly, lifting his gaze, "is this accurate? Or has someone developed a reckless sense of humour?"
The chamberlain stiffened.
He had not read the report; such matters were restricted to the king's eyes.
However, when the carrier delivered the sealed scroll, a whispered rumour had accompanied it — one so astonishing that Charles had nearly dismissed it outright.
He had warned the carrier to silence and kept the matter contained until the king reviewed the report himself.
"It is authentic, Your Majesty," Charles replied carefully. "I verified the seal."
Kyden looked back at the parchment.
The official insignia of the Grand Duke of Gerhard stamped the leather cover.
There was no mistake.
"My heavens…" the king breathed, rising abruptly from his seat. "My brother is married?"
Charles swallowed.
"I am not certain, Your Majesty. However… I did hear a rumour from the carrier," he said carefully, choosing his words with caution.
"A rumour?" King Kyden narrowed his eyes. "And you chose not to tell me?"
"It would have been improper to reveal it without confirmation," Charles replied, lowering his gaze. "It concerns His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke of Gerhard."
Though King Kyden was known to be gentler in temperament than his brother, he did not tolerate slander, especially when it concerned Kyren.
The two shared a bond few could rival. Though the grand duke seldom returned to the palace after King Kyden's marriage, no one questioned their closeness.
They were fraternal twins, raised side by side, and Kyren's influence within the kingdom remained formidable as the former Crown Prince.
For that reason, Charles was always cautious. To offend one brother was to risk displeasing both.
"Come here," the king said, crooking a finger.
The command was quiet, but the weight behind it was apparent.
Charles stepped forward at once.
When he was close enough, King Kyden leaned slightly toward him, voice dropping to a firm whisper.
"Spit it out. Now."
Charles admitted cautiously.
"It was said His Highness brought a woman into the camp one night. They wed immediately… and consummated the union that same night. The lady remains at the frontier with him."
King Kyden stared at his chamberlain.
"He legalised it?" he exclaimed.
Under Cassian law, a marriage became irrevocably binding upon consummation.
A royal union could not be annulled, and could only be dissolved with the king's explicit consent. And, a lawful wife, once acknowledged, held rank and rights accordingly.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I was just as astonished when I first heard it," Charles admitted, unable to conceal a trace of excitement. "But since His Highness has written it plainly in the report, there can be no doubt that he truly has married someone."
King Kyden remained standing, the scroll still in his hand.
For a moment, disbelief lingered across his features. Then it gave way to something brighter.
His blue eyes lit with delight, and a boyish grin broke through his composure.
Whatever weight the morning had carried vanished at once, replaced by a rare, unguarded happiness.
King Kyden chuckled in disbelief.
"That man avoided women like the plague," he said, shaking his head. "And now he got married in the middle of a campaign?"
Charles allowed himself a small smile.
"It appears so."
The report offered little detail about the marriage. Only a name was written.
'Lady Anna Raychard.'
No lineage. No explanation.
Yet the mere existence of that name stirred something bright in the king's eyes.
For years, King Kyden had attempted to persuade his elder twin to reconsider his vow of celibacy. He had presented noble daughters, foreign beauties, well-mannered ladies of impeccable upbringing, but none had stirred Kyren's heart.
And now, out of the blue, his strong-headed brother had married without any notice.
"Don't you find it peculiar?" King Kyden mused, pacing slowly as he thought again. "Kyren is not impulsive. He does nothing without weighing the consequences, and yet he took such a big responsibility during the most unpredictable moment."
"There must be a reason," Charles replied. "I agree His Highness would not act carelessly."
King Kyden paused. Then, a thought crossed his mind.
"I want to see her," he said at last. "The woman who thawed that frozen heart in a single night must be extraordinary."
Charles inclined his head.
"If I may offer a suggestion?"
"Speak."
"A royal marriage should have been conducted within the palace. Since it has already occurred, Your Majesty could summon them both when announcing the rest interval. You have yet to bestow the lady's official title."
King Kyden's expression brightened.
"That is an excellent idea!"
He returned to his seat, energy renewed.
"Prepare the summons at once. I will sign it immediately."
There was a spark in his eyes now, equal parts of curiosity and delight.
He could hardly wait to meet the mysterious woman who had accomplished what no noble maiden in the kingdom ever could.
She had done the impossible.
She had married the Grand Duke of Gerhard.
And Kyden intended to see her with his own eyes.