Chapter 313: A Moment of Respite
Chapter 312: A Moment of Respite
Lyria’s POV
Earl Hawthorne turned to me, his expression one of genuine apology.
"Your Highness," he said, his voice carrying a note of sincere regret, "I must offer my sincerest apologies. It did not occur to me that, since Julian has begun learning to fight and the weather has turned so dreary, we would inevitably all seek shelter within these training grounds. I ought to have anticipated that others might make use of them as well."
I shook my head at once, offering him a reassuring smile.
"Y-you need not a-apologise, my lord," I said softly. "I m-must admit, I rather e-enjoy seeing all of you t-together. It is q-quite delightful, actually."
From his place upon the bench, Duke Thorncrest immediately perked up.
"Did you hear that, Benedict?" he called, his voice brimming with triumph. "Her Highness has declared that she enjoys our company. We are most certainly welcome here."
A quiet chuckle escaped me as I shook my head at his interpretation.
"T-that is not q-quite what I s-said," I replied, though there was no reproach in my voice. "While I d-do find your company e-entertaining, I had p-planned on having a p-private date with E-Earl Hawthorne."
I paused before adding with a small smile,
"A-and though you have a-assured us that you w-will behave as though y-you are not present—which I m-must confess I rather d-doubt, judging by what I h-have observed thus far—I w-would much rather it be j-just the Earl and myself."
A brief silence followed.
The spacious training hall fell quiet.
Even the rain against the towering windows seemed to soften, as though the very heavens had paused to await the gentlemen’s response.
Then Duke Thorncrest sighed.
It was a long, theatrical sigh, laden with exaggerated disappointment.
"Well," he said, rising from the bench with an elegant flourish, "since Her Highness has asked so very sweetly, I suppose we must take our leave. I could never bring myself to refuse the request of a lady—least of all one so charming as Your Highness."
Duke Valenridge rose beside him, though with considerably less flourish.
"I must confess, Your Highness," he remarked, "you might have permitted me to remain seated a little longer. I had only just begun to make myself comfortable."
He turned towards Earl Hawthorne, fixing him with a look that was equal parts playful and cautionary.
"Big man," he said gravely, "you had best ensure that Her Highness enjoys this date. Should she fail to do so, I shall hold you personally accountable."
Earl Hawthorne rolled his eyes.
"I am perfectly capable of ensuring Her Highness enjoys herself without your assistance, Evander," he replied dryly. "Though I appreciate your concern."
Lucian stepped forward then, his attention settling upon me.
"Your Highness," he said gently, "are you quite certain this is wise? Learning to defend oneself can be physically demanding. You have only recently begun recovering from your illness."
Before I could answer, Duke Thorncrest waved a dismissive hand.
"Lucian, Lucian," he said, shaking his head with exaggerated pity. "If it were truly too taxing for Her Highness, do you not imagine her maids would have prevented her from coming? Or the physician, for that matter? They would hardly have given their approval had they believed it detrimental to her health."
He paused before adding with a grin,
"Besides, our dear Benedict would sooner carry Her Highness around the training hall himself than allow her to overexert herself. He is far too concerned for her comfort."
Earl Hawthorne nodded firmly.
"I have no intention of making today’s lesson strenuous," he assured everyone present. "Everything shall proceed at a pace suited to Her Highness. There shall be no unnecessary exertion—only instruction adapted to her abilities."
Duke Thorncrest turned towards me then, and for once his expression softened into something entirely sincere.
"I do hope you enjoy your date, Your Highness," he said warmly. "And should the big man become even the slightest bit tedious—which I suspect he is perfectly capable of doing—you need only send for me. I should be delighted to provide considerably better company."
Duke Valenridge raised an eyebrow.
"And precisely how do you intend to outshine Benedict?" he asked with amused scepticism. "By telling jokes?"
Duke Thorncrest considered the question with surprising seriousness before nodding.
"That is, in fact, an excellent suggestion."
He pointed approvingly at Duke Valenridge.
"And that, Evander, is precisely why I am so fond of you. You always possess such practical ideas."
Baron Redwick adjusted his spectacles, looking every bit the scholar.
"I am afraid one cannot defeat an opponent with jokes," he observed thoughtfully. "That is not generally how combat is conducted."
Earl Hawthorne frowned.
"I disagree," he said after a moment. "Considering who Alistair is, I believe it entirely possible. I possess no talent whatsoever for wit. He would likely disarm me with a single clever remark."
Lucian slowly shook his head.
Though he attempted to remain composed, I noticed the faintest trace of amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Duke Valenridge chuckled quietly.
Baron Redwick then turned to the others.
"If we are to vacate these training grounds," he said thoughtfully, "where exactly do we intend to go? Surely there must be somewhere else we might occupy ourselves."
Lucian considered the matter briefly.
"There is another training hall," he replied. "It is considerably smaller than this one, though it should serve our purposes well enough. There is no reason for us to impose upon Benedict and Her Highness any longer."
The four gentlemen began making their way towards the great doors.
Duke Thorncrest paused upon the threshold.
Turning back, he offered me one last brilliant grin.
"Enjoy yourself, Your Highness," he said. "And remember—should the big man prove too tedious, I am but a summons away."
"I sincerely hope it does not come to that," Earl Hawthorne muttered beneath his breath.
A quiet laugh escaped Duke Valenridge as the four gentlemen finally disappeared through the doors.
Their voices gradually faded into the corridor beyond until only the steady rhythm of the rain remained.
Silence settled over the vast training hall once more.
Only the original occupants remained.
Myself.
Earl Hawthorne and his valet.
My maids.
And Phineas, standing faithfully at his post nearby.