Fated Eclipse: The Illegitimate Princess And Her Alpha Suitors

Chapter 143: A Question Without Preparation

Lyria’s POV

Duke Thorncrest made a low sound beside me, something between a sigh and a scoff, as though the entire announcement had left a bitter taste in his mouth.

”What a benevolent pair of rulers,” he said lightly.

Baron Redwick snorted immediately, not bothering to hide his disbelief.

”If that is benevolence,” he muttered, ”then I fear the definition has shifted beyond recognition.”

The Queen spoke again in that same tone of hers.

”There is one final matter,” she said.

I felt something tighten faintly in my chest at those words.

”I am pleased to announce,” she continued, ”that in response to the expressed wishes of the people, there will be formal interviews conducted for all candidates.”

A murmur of interest rippled through the courtyard below, though it did not reach us fully.

”Both Moon candidates and suitor candidates alike,” she clarified, ”will be required to participate.”

Baron Redwick frowned immediately.

”That should have been communicated beforehand,” he muttered under his breath. ”Not declared as though it were a matter of convenience.”

Duke Thorncrest gave a small, resigned nod.

”Indeed,” he said quietly. ”Though I cannot say I am surprised.”

The Queen continued.

”These interviews,” she said, ”are not merely a response to public curiosity. They are an opportunity for the kingdom to become better acquainted with those who seek to stand at its highest selection.”

Her gaze remained steady.

”Questions will be posed,” she continued, ”and each candidate’s responses will be observed carefully. Their answers will serve as a reflection of their character, their intentions, and their suitability.”

My fingers, resting lightly against the window frame, trembled before I could stop them.

I lowered my gaze quickly, hoping neither of them noticed.

But of course, Baron Redwick did.

Duke Thorncrest probably did too.

The Queen’s voice continued to flow through the veil.

”This interview will be broadcast across the kingdom this evening,” she said. ”So that all may witness the integrity of the selection process firsthand.”

There was a pause.

Then, with perfect composure, she inclined her head.

”We trust that the people will observe with fairness.”

Beside her, the King stepped forward once more.

His expression remained controlled, his voice steady as he added, ”We thank you for your continued attention and participation in this matter.”

Both of them bowed.

And just like that, the image within the scrying veil shimmered.

The light distorted and then faded.

The broadcast had ended.

For a moment, none of us spoke.

Then Duke Thorncrest let out a sound of irritation, low and sharp.

”Well,” he said, ”that was rather... impromptu.”

Baron Redwick adjusted his spectacles, his expression tight.

”That is putting it lightly.”

Duke Thorncrest exhaled.

”They are either remarkably confident,” he said, ”or entirely unconcerned with the inconvenience they cause others.”

Baron Redwick did not respond immediately.

His gaze, however, shifted toward me.

I felt it before I fully lifted my head.

”Are you nervous, Your Highness?” he asked me softly.

I hesitated.

My lips parted slightly, but no words came at once.

Duke Thorncrest spoke before the silence could grow too uncomfortable.

”You do not need to force composure with us,” he said, his tone lighter again, though not dismissive. ”There is no need to put on a brave face simply because we are present.”

I blinked at him.

He met my gaze directly this time.

”We are also inconvenienced by this,” he added plainly.

Baron Redwick gave a faint, disapproving sound.

”I would not describe it so casually,” he said.

”And yet,” Duke Thorncrest replied, ”you were already preparing mental notes on how to structure responses for a scenario that was not even scheduled this morning.”

That earned him a sharp look from the baron.

Duke Thorncrest only smiled faintly in return.

Then his expression shifted, just slightly—almost thoughtful.

A pause followed.

And then his eyes brightened.

”Oh,” he said suddenly.

Baron Redwick frowned.

”What is it now?”

Duke Thorncrest turned slightly toward me.

His tone lightened again, but there was something deliberate beneath it.

”Tell me, Your Highness,” he said, ”since the interview is this evening...”

A pause.

”...why do we not assist one another?”

I stared at him.

For a moment, I was not entirely sure I had heard correctly.

”P-pardon?” I asked softly.

He tilted his head as though the idea were the simplest thing in the world.

”Preparation,” he said. ”Since it has been so graciously denied to us by circumstance.”

Baron Redwick’s brows drew together at once.

”That is not how preparation is meant to function,” he said.

”And yet,” Duke Thorncrest replied smoothly, ”we are not being given the luxury of proper function, are we?”

Baron Redwick opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Duke Thorncrest continued before he could respond.

”We have no formal briefing,” he said. ”No structured guidance. No clarity regarding what will be asked or how it will be evaluated.”

His gaze flicked briefly toward the corridor beyond the window, as though imagining the palace beyond.

”So,” he said, turning back to me, ”we compensate.”

I hesitated slightly.

”C-compensate... how?” I asked.

His smile returned.

”By helping each other,” he said simply.

Baron Redwick frowned.

”That is far too informal a method for something of this importance.”

Duke Thorncrest sighed softly.

”And yet,” he said, ”you are holding a book the size of a minor architectural structure and still believe it alone will prepare Her Highness for whatever questions they choose to throw at her this evening.”

Baron Redwick’s grip tightened faintly on the book.

”It contains all necessary knowledge,” he replied firmly.

Duke Thorncrest glanced at it.

Then back at him.

”...Does it contain the temperament of those who will ask the questions?” he asked.

Baron Redwick did not answer.

I found myself looking between them again.

”I am very certain the royal family is doing this as a sort of payback due to what happened during the ball the previous evening. It would not be surprising, too, if some other candidates have been informed of this interview while the rest of us have not been informed... so why don’t we take the chance to help each other?” Duke Thorncrest asked us.