Chapter 213: A Promise of the Ball
Chapter 212: A Promise of the Ball
Lyria’s POV
I was quiet for a while.
The words lingered between us like something delicate that might shatter if either of us moved too quickly.
The Duke’s expression had shifted. Not entirely away from amusement, but something softer now sat beneath it—something expectant, as though he already knew my answer and was simply waiting for me to confirm it aloud.
The truth was rather simple.
I could not remain.
The Queen had ordered me to keep the dates brief. Five minutes. No more. And I had already lingered far beyond that limit.
It would be wiser to leave now. To retreat to my chambers before the Queen learned how long I had stayed. To avoid placing myself directly in the path of her wrath.
I exhaled slowly.
"I have t-things I must attend to, Your Grace," I said at last.
Duke Thorncrest blinked.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then he tilted his head slightly.
"Are those things more important than me?" he asked.
I paused.
That was... a strange question.
"Yes," I said simply.
Silence fell instantly.
He pressed one hand to his chest in dramatic fashion.
"I am wounded," he declared.
A soft chuckle slipped from me before I could stop it.
"I d-did not mean it so h-harshly," I said. "But I must g-go."
He continued to look at me as though personally betrayed by my existence.
It was rather exaggerated.
And yet... oddly effective.
"I do a-apologise," I added gently. "Perhaps we may continue our g-game another time. When I am f-free."
His eyes sharpened slightly at that.
"When you are free," he repeated.
"Yes."
"And without restrictions?"
I hesitated.
That was not something I could promise.
But I nodded anyway.
"Yes. If p-possible."
A faint hum left him.
"I see," he said slowly.
Then he leaned back slightly, exhaling as though deeply burdened.
"So this is how you treat our partnership," he said.
I blinked.
"I b-beg your pardon?"
"After I fed you," he continued mournfully, "after I entertained you, after I ensured you did not collapse of starvation in my presence, you are quite prepared to abandon me."
"That is n-not what is happening," I said quickly.
He sighed again, louder this time.
"I see I have been used."
"You have n-not been u-used."
He looked at me.
Then his lips pursed slightly.
It was... a pout.
An actual pout.
"If it is not that," he said, "then stay."
I hesitated.
The request was simple.
And yet it was not.
Because staying would mean ignoring everything I had been taught to observe. It would mean risking attention I could not afford. It would mean stepping beyond the carefully measured boundaries the Queen had set for me without ever needing to speak them aloud.
"I c-cannot," I said softly.
The Duke watched me for a long moment.
Then I rose from the settee.
The movement drew the attention of the maids in the corner. Diana straightened. Theresa uncrossed her arms. Sally blinked as though waking from a trance.
I smoothed my skirts and looked down at Duke Thorncrest.
"I really m-must go," I said. "But we shall likely have t-time to speak again."
I tilted my head slightly.
"Who knows?" I said. "Perhaps if you put m-more effort into your tasks d-during the competition, you might earn a-additional opportunities."
He stared at me.
Then he laughed.
"More effort," he repeated. "You wound me twice in a single conversation."
"You survived the f-first wound. I am certain you s-shall survive this o-one as well."
"Debatable."
I smiled.
He sighed then, this sounding closer to genuine reluctance.
"Very well," he said. "Go. Attend to your mysterious business. Abandon me to the mercy of these empty teacups and abandoned macaron crumbs."
"Y-you are being d-dramatic."
"It is my only comfort."
He rose then, smooth and unhurried, and stood before me.
"Promise me something," he said.
I tilted my head.
"What?"
"Promise me you will dance with me during the ball."
I blinked.
The request was unexpected.
"I—" I began.
"You owe me at least that much," he continued. "After abandoning me so cruelly today. After refusing to continue our game. After declaring your... work more important than my company."
"You are c-collecting g-grievances now?"
"I am keeping a list."
I stared at him for a moment.
Then I nodded.
"V-very well," I said.
His smile widened.
"That is all I ask."
I inclined my head, then turned toward the door.
I paused at the threshold and looked back.
Duke Thorncrest stood where I had left him, one hand resting loosely behind his back, watching me go.
"Your Grace," I said.
"Princess," he replied.
I stepped into the corridor.
The maids fell in behind me.
We walked several paces before I stopped and turned toward them.
"Send s-someone to clean t-the tearoom," I said.
Diana paused, then she bowed.
"Yes, Your Highness," she said.
One would think she actually respected me with how deep she bowed.
I turned and began walking toward my chambers.
I had not promised to dance with Duke Thorncrest because I had one issue.
I did not know how to dance.
And I had been so focused on the interview, on the poetry competition, on surviving the Queen’s scrutiny and the scrutiny of the court, that I had not once considered what would be required of me at a formal ball.
Certainly, I had stood in the shadows during such events. I had watched others dance. I had observed the steps, the turns, the way partners moved together across the floor.
But watching was not the same as doing.
And I would be expected to do.
In front of the court. In front of the kingdom. In front of suitor candidates, in front of Duke Thorncrest who would be waiting for me to honour my promise.
I pressed my lips together.
And now... how was I to dance at the ball without disgracing myself? How was I to survive the night?
