Rana_Chim_Chim

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be known that this book wouldn't have made it this far without the support my dear writing buddy Rachel E. Canton who is a great writer of SINS OF THE SERAPHIM - https://www.webnovel.com/book/sins-of-the-seraphim_26438336605116805 and Derek J. Perna

To Rachel & Derek, Thank you for everything!
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When the last heir of Ardel lost everything, fate would bring her to her rightful protector.

Anna Adhemar, the forgotten princess, found herself betrayed by the Regent. Hunted by the Bargesians and the ruthless slave traders, she desperately fled for her life. 

Rescued by a mysterious man, her newfound safety was short-lived as she succumbed to a potent aphrodisiac. Then, she awoke in the arms of the fearsome Knight Commander of Gerhard, stripped bare, in a foreign kingdom. 

Fear, confusion, and a sense of profound devastation enveloped her. 

But the man before her declared, "I am your husband. I married you last night."

Then, with unwavering determination, he vowed, " You're my woman now. No one can hurt my woman."
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Kyren Raychard, the Crown Prince who had chosen to forsake the throne and became celibate, led the Knights of Gerhard to safeguard his kingdom’s border from slave trading activities.

Outside his camp, he found Anna poisoned and delirious. The healer informed him of the only cure, of which he must race against time to give and honour her. 

For the first time, he felt an overwhelming instinct to protect and claim her as his own. 

Unaware of his deepening affection, he belatedly realised his feelings as he stood on the brink of losing her.

Bound by a soul-binding spell, their fates intertwined…

The Grand Duke's Soulmate

The training commenced with the usual routine—ten laps of field running, with the knights shirtless, as per the rules.

Anna was truly exhausted by the exercise, her face paling upon completion, but she refused to withdraw despite the knights' evident concerns. Her stubborn determination silenced them. She even had dismissed Rafe and Kiev, seemingly furious over some earlier event.

Clara and Emily arrived to observe the training as usual. After the run, Eric was prepared to pause the session, but the princess insisted on proceeding.

"Can we hold the weapons now? You said it would be part of the training, but I have not yet wielded a sword," she pressed.

"Don't you think it's too soon? Perhaps we could do another exercise instead. I'm not sure you're ready for this," the second-in-command knight suggested cautiously.

"No, no! We can do the next exercise tomorrow. I must start somehow. Please, Sir Navin," Anna pleaded.

First Time Holding The Sword