Chapter 269: Letters and Loose Tongues
Chapter 268: Letters and Loose Tongues
Lyria’s POV
The next morning arrived with pale grey light filtering through the curtains, soft and gentle after the chaos of the previous evening. I woke feeling more rested than I had in days, though the thoughts of Baron Frederick still lingered at the edges of my mind, restless and unresolved.
Kathryn arrived early, as she had promised. She examined me thoroughly, pressing her fingers to my wrist, checking my pulse, studying my eyes and my skin. She unwrapped the bandages on my feet and applied fresh salve, her movements efficient and practised.
"You are healing incredibly well, Your Highness," she said, a note of genuine satisfaction in her voice. "Faster than I anticipated. The herbs are working."
I nodded, grateful for her words, and when she was done, she left.
The maids were already present, moving about the chamber with quiet purpose. Pippa had just finished clearing away my breakfast tray when she spoke.
"Has anyone heard where Marquess Hale will be having his date with Her Highness today?"
Immediately the question was asked, there came a knock at the door.
Pippa crossed to answer it. She returned a moment later, a folded letter in her hand, her expression somewhere between confusion and distaste.
"It is from Marquess Hale," she said, holding it out to me.
Debbie frowned.
"Perhaps he has gotten cold feet," she suggested.
I took the letter from Pippa and broke the seal.
Bridget snorted.
"I hope it says he has come down with an illness and cannot attend this date," she said. "Which he does not deserve anyway."
Elara shook her head with a sigh.
"Mind your words, Bridget."
Bridget shrugged.
"We are the only ones present, and I trust you all. Besides, it is the truth."
I unfolded the letter and read it quickly.
Then I laughed.
"Bridget," I said, "y-your prayer has been answered. T-the M-marquess claims to have f-fallen ill suddenly t-this morning a-and will be unable t-to a-attend the date."
Bridget rolled her eyes at that, clearly disgusted.
"He is lying. He probably just does not want to come."
Margery tilted her head.
"Is that not what you wanted?"
Bridget crossed her arms.
"I do not want him anywhere near Her Highness. I do not like him. But that does not give him the right to use an excuse as silly as this."
Pippa nodded in agreement.
"There is also the fact that he has a compromising relationship with Princess Jacinta anyway," she said. "Which is another reason why he should not be near Her Highness."
The moment the words left her mouth, the room went silent.
Pippa’s eyes widened.
"Oops," she said quietly.
Elara reached over and rapped her knuckles against Pippa’s head.
"Mind your words," she said.
Pippa rubbed her head, wincing.
"But we are the only ones here," she said. "And we all know it."
I looked at her curiously.
"H-how do you k-know?"
"It is quite well known, Your Highness," she said. "Kyia has a loose tongue. She is loyal to Princess Jacinta, but she cannot keep a secret to save her life."
Debbie nodded.
"I heard it from someone who heard it from Kyia herself," she said.
Margery laughed.
"The supposed future Head Maid certainly has loose lips. I heard it too. Everyone knows the information came from Kyia."
My mouth fell open.
I had thought Jacinta was keeping her affair with Marquess Hale a secret. I had assumed no one would find out. But from what I had just heard, everyone already knew.
I shook my head, a smile spreading across my face.
"Well t-then," I said, "i-it seems the P-princess’s s-secrets are not as well kept as she b-believes."
Debbie smiled.
"What will you do now, Your Highness?" she asked. "Since you are free for the day?"
I considered this.
"First," I said, "b-bring me the letter Baron Redwick g-gave me."
Debbie hurried to the bedside, retrieved the letter, and handed it to me. I sat before the dressing mirror and unfolded it.
The handwriting was neat and precise, the words carefully formed.
Your Highness,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to apologise for what occurred during our last meeting. I should not have asked you so directly about your ability to read. It was not my intention to mock or embarrass you. It came from a place of genuine concern—curiosity, yes, but also care.
I must also apologise for not realising how ill you truly were. I noticed something was wrong. I saw that you did not look yourself. But I did not act. I should have been more persistent. I should have cut the date short and insisted you rest. I failed you in that regard, and I am deeply sorry.
The reason I asked you about reading was not to expose your secret. It was to offer a solution. You do not need to be mocked by others—and they will mock you if they discover the truth. They will laugh at a Princess who cannot read. That is what they plan.
I am proposing to help you. I can teach you to read better, more fluently. If you are willing to accept my offer, please send word. I am grateful that you have recovered, and I have missed your presence.
Yours sincerely,
Baron Julian Redwick
I read the letter slowly, and when I finished, I folded it carefully and set it down.
"I n-need p-parchment and a pen," I said.
Bridget moved to the desk immediately and brought me what I required.
I began to write.
My handwriting was poor—crooked and uneven, the letters not quite formed as they should be. I scowled at the page, crumpled it, and set it aside.
I tried again.
The second attempt was not much better, but it was legible.
I gave up on writing entirely and turned to Bridget.
"S-send word to B-baron Redwick," I said. "T-tell him that I a-accept his offer. A-and tell him that if he is i-interested, h-he can come f-find me."
Bridget took the note and left the chamber immediately.
I turned to the other maids.
"I a-am going to s-spend some time in the library," I said. "I a-am f-free for t-the day, after all."
The maids exchanged glances.
Then they laughed.
"Well, Your Highness," Debbie said, "we had better get you dressed."
They set to work.
