Chapter 135: What One Must Learn to Become
Chapter 134: What One Must Learn to Become
Lyria’s POV
Duke Thorncrest did not seem at all convinced.
He tilted his head slightly as he studied me, his expression far too amused for my comfort.
"Is that truly the case?" he asked, his tone light, almost conversational. "You were not searching for anything... improper?"
My face warmed again despite my efforts to remain composed.
"I—I was n-not," I said, a little more firmly this time. "I was l-looking f-for s-something else."
He hummed softly, folding his arms as though considering my answer with great care.
"Mm. Yes," he said after a moment. "That does sound like precisely what someone searching for something lewd would say."
My fingers curled slightly against my skirts.
"I—I was n-not," I repeated, my voice quieter now, though no less certain.
Before the duke could continue, Baron Redwick exhaled sharply.
"That is quite enough," he said, his tone cool as his gaze shifted toward Thorncrest. "You will refrain from harassing her."
"I am not harassing her," the duke replied at once, glancing at him with mild offense.
Baron Redwick said nothing at first.
He simply looked at him.
It was a very particular look.
One that carried far more meaning than words.
Duke Thorncrest held it for all of two seconds before he let out a soft laugh and lifted both hands in mock surrender.
"Very well," he said easily. "Very well. I concede."
His gaze returned to me, bright with amusement.
"But truly," he added, "her expressions are rather adorable. It would be a shame not to remark upon them."
I felt my face grow warmer at that.
I lowered my gaze at once, unsure how to respond to such a statement.
Baron Redwick adjusted his spectacles with a small, precise motion.
"You would do well to exercise restraint," he said flatly.
"Yes, yes," the duke replied, waving a hand dismissively. "Restraint. Decorum. All the things you hold dear."
Then, after a brief pause, his tone shifted—just slightly.
"Teasing aside," he said, glancing back at me, "if you were to tell us what you are searching for, we could assist you."
Baron Redwick inclined his head in agreement.
"That is correct," he said. "It would be far more efficient than wandering the shelves without direction."
His gaze moved briefly toward the rows of books surrounding us, then returned to me.
"We would ensure you find what you require."
I hesitated.
For a moment, I said nothing.
My fingers tightened faintly against the fabric of my dress as my thoughts began to turn inward.
If I told them...
If they knew...
Would they laugh?
The thought came unbidden.
I could already imagine it—the amusement, the quiet mockery.
A princess who did not know etiquette.
A princess who could not even properly read.
A princess who needed help for something so basic.
My throat tightened slightly.
I lowered my gaze further.
Perhaps I should not have come here first. Perhaps I should have gone to Patricia first. She would have understood. She would have made sure I knew what to search for.
She always did.
A soft breath left me as I swallowed.
"Is something the matter?"
Baron Redwick’s voice was quieter now, less formal too. I had to admit, I quite liked the sound of his voice.
I lifted my gaze just enough to see him properly.
He was watching me.
"Asking such a simple question has caused you to hesitate," he continued. "Which leads me to believe the matter may not be so simple to you."
I did not respond.
He tilted his head slightly.
"Is the subject... sensitive?" he asked.
For a brief moment, I almost nodded.
The word felt fitting.
Because it was not just about a book per se, but rather about everything I lacked. Everything I did not know but was expected to know.
But I stopped myself before the motion could fully form.
Silence settled again.
Duke Thorncrest did not interrupt this time.
He only watched, his earlier amusement softened into something more curious.
Baron Redwick spoke once more, his voice gentler still.
"You may speak freely, Your Highness," he said. "We will not judge you."
I did not know why that made it harder.
Perhaps because a part of me wanted to believe him.
I drew in a small breath.
Then another.
And finally—
"I-I..." I began, my voice barely above a whisper.
I paused.
Then forced the words out.
"I am l-looking f-for... a b-book on e-etiquette."
The words fell softly between us. Once more there was silence, this one longer than I had expected.
My fingers curled tighter.
There it was.
Now they would laugh.
Or smile.
Or say something polite that meant something else entirely.
I kept my gaze lowered, bracing myself for it.
But it did not come.
Instead—
"Hm."
The sound came from Duke Thorncrest. It was a thoughtful sound.
I blinked, startled despite myself.
I glanced at him, and he was looking at me with interest.
"Etiquette," he repeated, as though testing the word.
Then he tilted his head.
"Is it because of your new circumstances?" he asked.
I stilled, but he did not wait for my answer.
"It must be," he continued lightly. "That would be the most logical reason."
He gave a small nod to himself.
"Yes. That is quite sensible, actually."
"P-pardon?" I asked before I could stop myself.
Duke Thorncrest laughed. "I said it’s quite sensible. Why are you looking at me like I said something shocking?" he asked.
Surely my ears were deceiving me.
"I-is it?" I asked him, my eyes still wide.
Baron Redwick adjusted his spectacles again, his expression thoughtful.
"It is," he said. "Your position has... changed."
There was a careful pause before that word.
"As such, expectations will change with it."
I swallowed, because I knew that.
But hearing it spoken aloud made it feel... heavier.
Duke Thorncrest smiled faintly.
"Rather clever of you, really," he said. "To think ahead in such a manner."
Clever.
Another word I was not used to hearing directed at me.
My thoughts faltered slightly.
I had expected something else.
Mockery.
Dismissal.
Not this.
"I..." I hesitated, unsure what to say.
Because I had not thought of it as clever.
Only necessary.
Only something I had to do to survive what was coming.
My gaze lifted just a little more, settling properly on him now.
"W-what?" I asked, the word slipping out before I could stop it.
