Fated Eclipse: The Illegitimate Princess And Her Alpha Suitors

Chapter 307: The Training Grounds

Lyria’s POV

The maids descended upon me with a flurry of purpose that left little room for protest. Before I could fully process what was happening, my gown was being unlaced and carefully removed, the fabric pooling neatly around my feet.

”Now then, Your Highness,” Elara said, her tone brisk but not unkind, ”if you are to learn how to defend yourself, you cannot possibly do so in a gown. You would be tripping over your own skirts within the first minute.”

I blinked at her, my brow furrowing.

”B-but what else w-would I w-wear?” I asked.

”Trousers, of course,” she replied as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

I stared at her.

”T-trousers?”

”Yes, Your Highness,” she said. ”They will allow you to move far more freely than any gown ever could. You shall need that freedom if you are to learn anything of value.”

Margery nodded in agreement, her eyes still slightly red from her earlier tears, though her composure had largely returned.

”She is right, Your Highness. A divided riding skirt would suffice, but trousers would be better still. You need not worry about your skirts catching beneath your feet.”

Debbie and Pippa exchanged a glance before immediately setting about searching through my wardrobe with renewed determination. Bridget joined them, her movements swift and efficient.

I stood in nothing but my shift, feeling rather exposed and uncertain as I watched them sift through the modest collection of garments I possessed.

”Here,” Debbie announced triumphantly, producing a pair of dark-coloured trousers. They were simple and practical, yet finely tailored. ”These should fit Your Highness rather well.”

I had not even known I owned a pair like them.

The last time I had worn trousers had been when Jacinta punished me by forcing me to work in the stables.

The memory was not a pleasant one.

I quickly pushed it aside, unwilling to allow it to cast a shadow over the morning.

The maids helped me into the trousers, the fabric soft and surprisingly comfortable against my skin. They dressed me in a plain ivory shirt, neatly tucked into the waistband before fastening a dark fitted vest over it. Though simple, the garments allowed for easy movement without appearing inelegant.

When I looked at myself in the mirror, I had to admit, as always, that the maids were remarkably skilled at what they did.

”I believe the vest should be removed,” Pippa remarked with a thoughtful frown.

”I agree,” Margery said with a nod. ”Though it is more proper that Her Highness wears it when she arrives. Once the lesson begins, she may remove it if necessary.”

”That seems sensible enough,” Pippa agreed. ”Very well. Now we must see to your hair.”

She motioned for me to sit before the dressing mirror.

I obeyed.

Her fingers moved with practised ease as she gathered my hair, twisting it into a neat bun at the nape of my neck. A few soft strands were deliberately left loose to frame my face, lending warmth to the otherwise practical style.

”Just a little,” Bridget murmured, dabbing something cool and delicately scented upon my cheeks before adding the faintest touch to my lips. ”Nothing excessive. Your Highness requires very little.”

”H-how do I l-look?” I asked.

”Like someone about to have a most delightful date,” Debbie replied with a warm smile.

”A rather unconventional one,” Margery added with a hint of amusement, ”but delightful all the same.”

I smiled.

Then a thought suddenly occurred to me, and I felt warmth creep into my cheeks.

”I d-do not actually k-know where the i-indoor training g-grounds are,” I admitted. ”I h-have never b-been there.”

The maids exchanged amused glances before Elara gave a soft laugh.

”You needn’t concern yourself, Your Highness. We know the way. And even if we did not, Phineas most certainly would. He is a royal guard, after all.”

Within moments, we had left my chambers.

Phineas fell into step behind me, his steady presence strangely reassuring as we made our way through the palace. Rain continued its gentle rhythm against the towering windows we passed, the grey daylight filtering through the stained glass and painting muted colours across the polished marble floors.

The palace stretched endlessly around us, we passed through familiar corridors before turning into wings I seldom visited.

The atmosphere gradually changed.

The lavish ornamentation gave way to refined practicality. Though still unmistakably royal, the decorations were fewer, replaced by broad hallways and sturdier stonework built to withstand constant use.

This was the guest wing.

Most of the suitor candidates now resided here.

As we walked, I found myself glancing discreetly at the doors lining the corridor. Some remained firmly shut, while others stood slightly ajar.

I could not help wondering which room belonged to whom.

Before long, we reached a broad staircase fashioned from pale granite, its banisters carved with intertwining wolves and flowering vines. Countless footsteps over generations had worn the centre of each step smooth.

Phineas descended first.

I followed, my maids close behind.

At the bottom stood a pair of towering double doors.

They were carved from ancient black oak, reinforced with polished iron and adorned with intricate silver inlays depicting the royal crest. Massive wolf-head knockers rested upon either door, their craftsmanship so exquisite they appeared almost lifelike.

Phineas pushed them open.

I stopped.

Before me stretched the royal indoor training grounds.

It was unlike anything I had imagined.

The chamber was immense, large enough to rival one of the palace’s grand ballrooms. A magnificent vaulted ceiling arched high overhead, supported by elegant white marble columns veined with gold. The ceiling itself was adorned with painted murals depicting legendary warriors, ancient queens, and the founding of the kingdom, transforming what might otherwise have been an ordinary training hall into something befitting royalty.

Tall arched windows rose nearly from floor to ceiling along both sides of the chamber. Though rain streamed down the glass, soft natural light still flooded the room, illuminating every polished surface.