Chapter 332: A Dance Interrupted
Content Warning: This Chapter contains discussion and implications of sexual assault, coercion, and abuse of power. No assault is depicted on-page, but these topics are referenced during the characters’ conversation. Reader discretion is advised.
Chapter 331: A Dance Interrupted
Lyria’s POV
"The Marquess," Duke Thorncrest said, "is a known womaniser. I was quite shocked when I entered the palace and discovered that he was present amongst the suitors."
I merely blinked.
There was hardly anything surprising about that.
"T-that is h-hardly a-an i-issue," I said, a hint of amusement creeping into my voice. "Y-you l-look as t-though y-you a-appreciate w-women y-yourself."
He laughed.
"I do admire women," he admitted. "I enjoy speaking with them, much as I am speaking with you now."
I tilted my head.
"Y-you k-know t-that i-is n-not w-what I m-mean."
He laughed again.
"I do," he replied. "But surely you must know that not every rumour deserves to be believed."
I paused, my brow furrowing slightly.
"S-so t-the r-rumour a-about y-you i-is n-not t-true?"
His smile lingered.
Instead of answering, however, he guided me through another graceful turn before speaking again.
"The Marquess," he continued, "has a particular preference."
I looked at him curiously.
"He prefers women who do not want him."
My steps faltered ever so slightly.
The music continued around us, elegant and refined, yet for a brief instant I scarcely heard it.
My thoughts drifted unwillingly to Mother.
To the King.
To the way he had taken what he desired without regard for her pleas or her suffering.
I slowly lifted my eyes to Duke Thorncrest.
"I-if w-what y-you h-have j-just s-said i-is w-what I t-think i-it m-means..."
His expression lost its playful ease.
"If you are thinking of men who force themselves upon women," he said quietly, "or men who care nothing for consent, then yes."
His voice remained calm, but there was unmistakable disgust beneath it.
"That is precisely what I mean."
A chill settled within my chest.
How could such a man be permitted to remain amongst the suitors?
How had I only now come to learn of it?
"The last report I heard," Duke Thorncrest continued, "was that he faced accusations of impregnating the daughter of one of his own vassals."
My eyes widened.
"The matter was settled before it reached the courts," he said, a trace of bitterness entering his voice. "The young lady withdrew her accusation. She declared that the Marquess was not responsible."
I searched his face.
"A-and d-do y-you b-believe h-her?"
He shook his head slowly.
"No."
The single word carried remarkable certainty.
"I believe she was pressured into withdrawing her statement. Whether through threats, money, or influence, I cannot say. Perhaps all three."
He guided me through another turn before continuing.
"It is hardly the first accusation made against him. Every complaint has ended the same way. The women eventually recant, the investigations cease, and the Marquess continues his life as though nothing ever occurred."
I felt my jaw tighten.
"T-that i-is d-disgusting."
"It is."
His answer came without hesitation.
"Which is precisely why I intend to ensure he does not remain in this competition."
I looked up at him sharply.
"W-what d-do y-you i-intend t-to d-do?"
A small smile returned to his face.
"Rather than saying ’I,’ I ought to say ’we.’"
I frowned.
"Y-your f-friends a-are i-involved?"
"They are."
His smile broadened ever so slightly.
"It was not solely my decision."
For a moment I found myself thinking of Earl Hawthorne, Baron Redwick, Lucian, and the others.
Despite their differing personalities, they seemed remarkably united whenever something truly mattered.
A smile found its way to my lips.
"F-for s-some r-reason," I admitted, "I d-do n-not f-feel q-quite s-so w-worried a-about t-the M-Marquess a-any l-longer."
He regarded me with quiet curiosity.
"You trust us that much?"
"I t-trust y-you," I replied with a small nod. "A-and... I t-trust y-your f-friends a-as w-well."
He regarded me silently for several moments before speaking.
"I ought to confess something."
I looked at him curiously.
"I trust my friends with nearly everything." He said. "There remain a handful of matters in which I would sooner rely upon myself, but regarding this, I do not doubt them."
"Me t-too." I told him.
"And just so you know," he continued. "I shall never knowingly do anything that would bring you harm, Your Highness."
His voice remained quiet, yet every word was sincere.
"Nor shall I stand aside whilst another attempts to do so."
Warmth spread gently through my chest.
Those words comforted me.
"I a-appreciate t-that," I said softly.
He inclined his head.
"It is merely the truth."
We continued dancing as the orchestra carried us through another graceful circuit of the ballroom.
Around us, gowns swept across polished marble, and quiet conversation drifted through the elegant hall.
For a little while, neither of us spoke.
Then I remembered something.
A question that had lingered within my thoughts ever since Baron Redwick had said it.
I looked up at Duke Thorncrest.
"I h-have a q-question f-for y-you."
He smiled.
"Then pray ask it."
I hesitated.
It felt rather embarrassing to admit I did not understand something that everyone else seemed to grasp so easily.
Still...
If I did not ask...
How would I ever learn?
"W-what d-does i-it m-mean..."
I paused, carefully arranging the words.
"...w-when s-someone s-says t-they w-wish t-to b-be m-more t-than f-friends?"
His eyes widened just slightly.
It was not the reaction I had expected.
I wondered whether I had asked something improper.
Perhaps I ought not to have—
Before he could utter a single word...
The music changed.
The final notes of the waltz faded through the ballroom.
Our dance had come to its conclusion.
I blinked, startled by the sudden silence between one melody and the next.
And then...
Lucian was standing before us.
He had approached so quietly that I had not noticed him.
His posture was immaculate, his expression composed.
He bowed with perfect courtesy.
"Your Highness," he said, "may I have this dance?"
I looked at him for a moment, my thoughts still lingering upon the unanswered question I had posed to Duke Thorncrest.
Then something else caught my attention.
Princess Jacinta now stood beside Duke Thorncrest.