Chapter 151: The Corridor That Leads Where It Must
Chapter 150: The Corridor That Leads Where It Must
Lyria’s POV
Sally found her voice first.
"Your Highness," she said, stepping forward despite everything that had just occurred, "according to the rules, you are not to be seen alone with a potential suitor candidate without a chaperone."
Her tone was respectful, but firm.
Before I could respond, Duke Aurelgrave spoke.
"If that is your concern," he said evenly, "then you may walk behind us and consider yourself the chaperone."
Sally blinked, clearly not expecting that.
Lucian did not pause.
"Though," he continued, his voice sharpening just slightly, "this would not be an issue if the correct route had been taken from the beginning."
There was no accusation in his tone.
But there did not need to be.
The words settled where they were meant to.
Sally hesitated, then tried again.
"It is admirable that Your Grace wishes to assist, however—"
"The broadcast has already begun," Lucian interrupted smoothly.
"I have little patience for tardiness," he continued, adjusting his cuff with precision. "And I would not have been delayed myself, were it not for... circumstances."
At that, his valet—who had until now remained composed—glanced down briefly at Lucian’s shoes.
It was subtle, but I noticed it.
And in that moment, I understood.
Whatever had delayed him... it had not been of his own choosing.
"The more time we spend debating propriety and rules," Lucian said, "the more we ensure that she arrives late, and I trust that is not your intention, right?"
The maids looked at each other, then back to the floor, and shook their heads.
"No, Your Grace," they said.
Then he turned to me.
"We should go, Your Highness."
I inclined my head slightly, allowing a small, genuine smile to touch my lips.
"T-thank you," I said softly.
Then I stepped toward him.
We began to walk.
The corridor stretched ahead, quieter now, though the faint echo of distant voices still lingered—reminders that the interview had already begun without us.
Behind us, I could hear the others fall into place at a respectable distance.
Lucian slowed just enough to match my pace.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then, quietly—low enough that only I could hear—he said,
"You look beautiful."
I blinked faintly.
He did not look at me when he said it.
"If I may be so bold," he added, just as softly, "you always do. But this dress... suits you particularly well."
Heat rose faintly to my face.
"T-thank you," I replied, keeping my voice low as well.
He nodded once, as though that were enough.
Then, after a brief pause, he spoke again.
"I sent my valet to your chambers earlier," he said. "After the announcement."
I glanced at him.
"I wished to ensure you were prepared, but alas, he could not locate you," he told me.
"Ah... that is b-because my chambers have been moved. But y-you need not w-worry, I a-am already prepared," I said quietly.
He studied me for a moment.
"Are you certain?"
I nodded.
"I am."
There was no hesitation in it.
He watched me a second longer, then gave a small nod.
"I also have knowledge of the questions that may be asked," he said. "If you would like to hear them—"
I shook my head, just slightly.
But that was enough; he understood.
For a moment, something like approval flickered in his expression.
Then, very faintly, he smiled.
"Very well," he said.
There was a pause.
And then he spoke again.
"Just so you are aware," he continued, his voice quieter now, "though I am well aware I have done little to deserve such consideration... I am on your side."
I looked at him then.
There was no jest in his expression.
No teasing. I could only see the honesty in those blue eyes of his.
I let out a small breath.
"As much as I h-hate to admit it," I said softly, "I am... quite g-grateful."
His smile deepened, though only slightly.
Then he looked ahead again, and we continued walking.
We turned a corner.
And then someone collided with me.
It happened quickly.
A figure, moving far too fast for the corridor, struck against my side. The impact was light, but enough to disrupt my step.
"Oh—!"
The boy stumbled back immediately, his eyes wide.
"I-I’m sorry, Your Highness!" he said quickly, bowing his head in a hurried, uneven motion.
Before I could respond, he had already started running down the hallway, gone as quickly as he had appeared.
Lucian frowned slightly, watching him disappear down the corridor.
"That was... unusual," he said. "It is not common for palace staff to lose composure in such a manner."
I said nothing, because for one, the boy did not look like palace staff, and there was something else too—something I was quite certain Lucian was not aware of.
In the brief moment of contact, something had been pressed into my hand by the boy.
I lowered my gaze slightly.
My fingers curled just enough to conceal it. It was a small piece of folded paper, but I did not let Lucian know.
I lifted my gaze again as though nothing had occurred.
"Yes," I said softly. "It was... s-strange."
Lucian studied me for a brief moment.
Then, perhaps deciding there was nothing further to question, he nodded once and continued forward.
The corridor widened gradually.
The sound of voices grew clearer.
More distinct, and then we reached the hall.
The doors stood open.
Light spilled outward, warm and deliberate.
Inside, everything was already in motion.
Attendants stood at attention.
Observers filled the space with quiet tension.
And at the centre, the interview was taking place.
The moment I stepped in, the atmosphere changed as most eyes landed on me. Most of them with frowns, but some with a hidden message, some with approval too, and some nervously.
The ones with approval were Duke Thorncrest and Baron Redwick, who adjusted his spectacles. They stood next to Earl Hawthorne, who had a nervous look on his face, and right next to the Earl was Marquess Hale. He looked at me like he had a hidden message between us, and my stomach coiled, wondering if the paper had been from him.
But I did not get the chance to think about it too much, because one person was missing.
Duke Valenridge.
