Fated Eclipse: The Illegitimate Princess And Her Alpha Suitors

Chapter 138: The Line One Must Not Cross

Lyria’s POV

Duke Thorncrest watched me for a moment after his last explanation, the faint smile on his lips lingering as though he found my attempts to follow his reasoning more amusing than he ought to.

Then, as though something had just occurred to him, his expression shifted ever so slightly.

”There is,” he said, tilting his head just a fraction, ”one more way.”

I frowned faintly at that, my curiosity stirring despite myself.

”O-one more... w-way?” I echoed, my voice soft, hesitant.

He nodded, folding his arms loosely as his gaze drifted somewhere thoughtful.

”Yes,” he said. ”Though I should warn you—this particular method is... rather dangerous.”

My fingers curled lightly against my skirt.

His lips curved.

”In a manner of speaking,” he replied. ”It is not merely an insult. It is provocation in its purest form—the sort that does not concern itself with whether the other party may respond... but whether they even dare to.”

My eyes widened slightly at that.

It sounded... bold.

Far bolder than anything he had described before.

”O-only daring people would do such a thing?” I asked quietly.

”Precisely,” he said.

I nodded slowly, my curiosity rising before I could quite stop it, my attention fixed on him in a way I could not disguise even if I tried.

He noticed and let out a soft laugh.

”You have a rather expressive face, Your Highness,” he remarked lightly. ”You look like an eager little puppy waiting to be told a secret.”

My face warmed at once.

”I—I do n-not—” I began, but he did not give me the chance to finish.

”I have only seen one individual employ such a method effectively,” he continued, his tone shifting.

”And you must understand,” he added, leaning just slightly closer, ”that the only reason he is able to do so...”

His voice lowered further.

”...is because he does not particularly care for society’s rules.”

There was a pause.

Then, softer still—almost a whisper—

”And because he possesses a degree of power that even the royal family seems... wary of.”

Something in my chest tightened at that.

I had not expected those words.

Baron Redwick shifted from where he stood.

He leaned forward just slightly, his interest no longer hidden behind composure.

”And this individual,” he said, adjusting his spectacles with a precise motion, ”is present within the palace?”

Duke Thorncrest glanced at him, amusement returning faintly.

”Of course,” he said. ”He is, after all, a friend of sorts.”

Baron Redwick frowned faintly.

”...Earl Hawthorne?” he asked.

Duke Thorncrest made a face at once.

”Good goddess, no,” he said. ”Hawthorne is many things, but daring in that particular manner? Certainly not. He simply speaks without thinking on occasion.”

That... sounded accurate.

Baron Redwick did not seem entirely convinced, but he did not argue.

Duke Thorncrest sighed lightly, as though disappointed in us both.

”Surely,” he said, glancing between us, ”it is not so difficult to deduce.”

I frowned slightly, my thoughts beginning to turn.

If not Earl Hawthorne...

Then who?

Someone bold enough to disregard society.

Someone powerful enough that even the royal family would hesitate.

My mind moved through the names I knew.

”...Marquess Hale?” I ventured cautiously.

Duke Thorncrest snorted.

”That one?” he said. ”He would sooner kneel and polish the royal family’s shoes than challenge them.”

That answer came far too easily.

I blinked, slightly taken aback by the bluntness of it. And I daresay I almost laughed delightedly at the words. I should have known it would not be Corvin.

”Then who—”

I stopped.

Because suddenly, I remembered a flash of red hair.

Piercings where none should be.

A presence that did not seem to belong within the careful order of the court... and yet stood within it as though it had every right to.

My eyes widened.

Duke Thorncrest noticed at once.

”Ah,” he said, his smile returning. ”It seems you have arrived at the answer.”

Baron Redwick looked between us, his frown deepening.

”I have not,” he said.

I hesitated only a moment before speaking.

”Duke Valenridge,” I said softly.

Duke Thorncrest gave a small, satisfied sound.

”Precisely.”

Baron Redwick exhaled quietly, as though the realization had only just settled.

”...I should have known,” he murmured.

He adjusted his spectacles again, his expression thoughtful now.

”He does not behave as though he is bound by the same expectations as the rest of us.”

”That is because, I suspect,” Duke Thorncrest said lightly, ”he does not consider himself bound by them at all.”

There was something almost admiring in his tone.

”Only someone like him could make use of such a method without consequence,” he continued. ”Because, quite simply...”

He shrugged.

”...he is himself.”

I was not entirely certain what that meant.

But I understood enough.

Duke Thorncrest turned back to me then, his expression softening just slightly.

”You need not concern yourself with such extremes,” he said. ”Provocation of that nature is... unnecessary for you.”

I nodded faintly.

”I see.”

”You would do far better,” he added, ”to learn something more refined.”

Before I could respond, Baron Redwick made a quiet sound of disapproval.

”Or,” he said, lifting the large book in his arms just slightly, ”Her Highness could learn from something structured, reliable, and proven.”

Duke Thorncrest glanced at the book.

Then he looked back at Baron Redwick.

Then at the book again.

”...You truly intend to subject her to that?” he asked.

Baron Redwick frowned.

”It is not ’subjecting,’” he said. ”It is educating.”

”That,” Duke Thorncrest replied, gesturing lightly toward the book, ”appears less like education and more like endurance training.”

Despite myself, I felt a small smile tug at my lips.

Baron Redwick noticed.

He ignored it.

”This volume,” he said firmly, ”contains everything Her Highness requires to properly conduct herself within society.”

”And nothing she requires to survive it,” Duke Thorncrest returned smoothly.

Baron Redwick’s frown deepened.

”Proper conduct ensures survival.”

”In theory,” Duke Thorncrest said.

”In practice?” he added, one brow lifting slightly, ”it ensures one becomes predictable.”

Baron Redwick did not seem pleased by that.

”And unpredictability,” he said coolly, ”is not always an advantage.”

Duke Thorncrest smiled faintly.

”No,” he agreed. ”But neither is rigidity.”

They held each other’s gaze for a brief moment. Duke Thorncrest seemed to genuinely enjoy the exchange, while Baron Redwick looked exasperated.

I stood between them, uncertain whether I ought to speak.

Or remain silent.

Or perhaps excuse myself entirely.

Before I could decide, however, a sound reached us, resonating through the air in a way that did not belong to the quiet stillness of the library.

Both men stilled.

Duke Thorncrest’s head turned slightly, his expression sharpening.

Baron Redwick’s hand paused against the spine of the book, his posture straightening almost imperceptibly.

The sound grew clearer, deeper, carrying with it a strange, almost humming vibration that seemed to settle into the very walls around us.

”That sound... i-it is t-to call for attention from e-everyone in the kingdom. A broadcast is to be made,” I said softly.