Chapter 206: Perhaps You Speak for Him
Chapter 205: Perhaps You Speak for Him
Lyria’s POV
I woke in pain.
Not simply the sting in my cheek from yesterday’s slap, though that remained tender beneath my skin, throbbing faintly whenever I shifted against the pillow.
No.
It was my back.
The scars stretched angrily across my skin as though the weather itself had decided to settle into my bones overnight. A sharp ache ran through me the moment I tried to sit upright, and I winced before I could stop myself.
Ah.
Wonderful.
I stayed still for a few moments, staring up at the ceiling while waiting for the pain to dull enough for movement to become worthwhile.
It did not fully fade.
It merely became tolerable.
I exhaled quietly and pushed myself upright anyway.
The room was cold.
Morning light filtered weakly through the curtains, pale and silver beneath heavy clouds. Rain had fallen again sometime during the night. I could hear the faint dripping outside the windows.
My maids were absent. That was of no surprise.
At this point, their attendance appeared to depend entirely upon whether humiliating me required effort or merely observation.
Slowly and quite carefully too, I shifted my legs over the edge of the bed and reached for my slippers.
Even that movement pulled painfully across my back.
I hissed softly beneath my breath.
There was no water prepared.
Which meant I would need to go down myself and fetch hot water from the kitchen boilers.
Wonderful once again.
I had only just managed to stand when a knock sounded at the door.
I blinked.
That alone was unexpected enough.
But before I could even answer, the door opened regardless.
And shockingly, my maids entered.
All three of them.
Diana carried a basin of steaming water carefully in her arms while Sally followed beside her with folded towels draped over one arm. Theresa came last, shutting the door behind them.
The three bowed.
"Good morning,"
There was the briefest pause.
"Your... Highness."
Interesting.
I said nothing.
Diana crossed the room first and set the basin down carefully upon its stand near the dressing screen. Steam curled softly upward into the cold morning air.
Sally began arranging soaps and cloths beside it.
Theresa merely watched me.
The atmosphere grew awkward rather quickly.
Then Diana cleared her throat lightly.
"We came to assist you in preparing for today," she said.
I only nodded.
Sally and Diana exchanged a glance.
It seemed my refusal to respond was considerably more uncomfortable for them than their cruelty had been for me.
What a fascinating discovery.
"Your Highness," Diana tried again carefully, "shall we prepare your bath?"
I looked at her for a moment before finally nodding once again.
The relief that crossed her face was almost amusing.
The bathing process itself passed mostly in silence.
Diana helped unfasten my nightdress while Sally poured the heated water carefully into the tub. Neither spoke much after my earlier silence had made it apparent I was in little mood for conversation.
Theresa, meanwhile, lounged near the vanity like an especially judgmental decorative object.
I stepped carefully into the bath and nearly sighed aloud as the warmth eased some of the tension in my back.
Diana washed my hair while Sally prepared fresh towels nearby.
For several minutes, the only sounds in the room were water shifting softly against porcelain and the faint crackling from the hearth.
Then Sally spoke.
"Her Majesty sent something for your back."
I glanced toward her.
She held up a small glass jar.
"It is meant to help with the scars," she continued. "After all..." her mouth curved slightly, "a princess ought not possess such things."
Theresa chuckled softly from across the room.
I said nothing.
Perhaps my silence yesterday had finally taught them caution because neither Diana nor Sally spoke again immediately afterward.
The room quieted once more.
When the bath was finished, Diana helped me dry off while Sally opened the small jar.
A bitter herbal scent filled the air almost instantly.
"It smells dreadful," Theresa remarked.
"It looks dreadful too," Sally muttered before she could stop herself.
I saw the way her expression twisted slightly as her gaze landed upon the scars crossing my back.
I almost laughed. It was not the first time they had seen them, but merely looking at them, one would not think so.
Sally dipped her fingers carefully into the ointment.
Then she began applying it.
The treatment was cold at first before warming gradually against my skin.
Neither she nor Diana managed to fully hide their expressions while doing so.
Theresa noticed.
"Oh honestly," she said dryly. "You both look as though you are tending to a corpse."
Sally wrinkled her nose faintly.
"Well."
"Do stop behaving like provincial servants," Theresa sighed. "The scars are not contagious."
"How comforting," Sally muttered.
I remained still throughout it all.
Eventually, the ointment had been fully applied and Sally stepped back with visible relief.
Diana reached for my fresh dress.
"What about the mark on her face?" Theresa asked suddenly.
I looked at her through the mirror.
Diana paused briefly before answering.
"Makeup can conceal that easily enough."
Theresa nodded approvingly.
"Yes. Better that than wasting too much of Her Majesty’s treatment."
Sally nodded immediately.
"We ought to preserve it."
How thoughtful of them.
I allowed them to finish dressing me in silence.
The gown chosen for today was pale blue with silver embroidery along the sleeves and neckline. Elegant enough to suit a princess. Restrained enough not to outshine Jacinta.
Naturally.
Diana adjusted the final fastening at my back before stepping away.
Then she spoke.
"Your date today shall be with Duke Thorncrest."
I nodded slightly.
"Did the Duke suggest where the meeting shall t-take place?" I asked.
Sally made a face immediately.
The expression was almost offended on the Duke’s behalf.
"Why would the Duke concern himself with such matters regarding you, Your Highness?" she asked.
"He would obviously prefer Princess Jacinta’s company," she continued. "Not... this arrangement."
Theresa hummed in agreement from near the wardrobe.
"Most men would."
Diana chuckled as she nodded in agreement.
I sighed softly.
It seemed I had indeed allowed them too much comfort in speaking freely before me.
I turned my gaze toward Sally.
"Mm."
She blinked slightly beneath the sudden attention.
I tilted my head just a little.
"It seems," I said mildly, "that I have given the three of y-you far too much leverage."
Sally frowned faintly.
I folded my hands neatly in my lap.
"Tell me," I said politely, "are y-you perhaps the Duke’s mouthpiece?"
Sally blinked.
"What?"
I looked at her calmly.
"Are you speaking for him?" I asked.
