Fated Eclipse: The Illegitimate Princess And Her Alpha Suitors

Chapter 52: The Rules of the Moon

Lyria’s POV

I lingered in the shadows once more, pressed against the marble pillar whose cold surface seemed to seep into my bones. The ballroom thrummed with murmurs, the soft shuffling of silk on polished floors, and the occasional clink of crystal as chandeliers caught candlelight.

The King gave the footman a nod, and sensing the cue, the footman drew a deep breath and cleared his throat.

He unrolled a parchment, the soft crackle of the vellum breaking the tense silence. I leaned forward just slightly, hidden in the folds of shadow, and felt the familiar ache in my bones deepen.

”Ladies and gentlemen,” the footman intoned, voice formal, yet carrying a tremor of deference, ”His Majesty wishes to announce the rules by which the forthcoming competition shall proceed.”

The King’s dark gaze swept over the assembly, landing briefly on each noble before returning to the footman. The scroll trembled faintly in the footman’s hands.

”The competition,” the footman continued, ”shall extend for twelve weeks. At the conclusion of each week, Her Highness the Princess shall eliminate one suitor, selecting from among them those whose comportment, character, and bearing fail to resonate with her. And at the end of the twelfth week, she shall choose the one with whom she feels the fullest accord, and who shall stand as her rightful spouse and, in consequence, the Sun of this Kingdom.”

A polite murmur rose from the assembly. I caught glimpses of raised eyebrows and faint whispers, the nobles attempting to conceal their curiosity beneath rigid posture.

The footman’s voice continued, measured and formal, each word deliberate. ”Each week shall feature at least one event designed to test the suitors. On the other days, they shall have the opportunity to know the Princess more intimately, through conversation, engagement, and observation. Events shall be announced in due course, and the suitor who attains the highest score shall be automatically safe from elimination at week’s end. However, these scores, though notable, shall not predetermine the Princess’s ultimate choice, for she shall select solely by resonance of the heart.”

The footman’s voice grew more solemn. ”All that the suitors undertake shall be observed, noted, and judged. Not only by Her Highness herself, but by the assembled audience, and by a council consisting of His Majesty, Her Majesty, and the most notable members of court. Each act, each gesture, each choice shall be weighed. All are forewarned to comport themselves accordingly.”

The footman, bowing with impeccable formality, raised his voice once more. ”Furthermore, know this: the actions of each candidate shall not remain confined to these walls. Through the scrying mirrors stationed throughout the Kingdom, the subjects shall witness every movement, every interaction, every moment of composure and lapse, from the grandest gestures to the quietest of glances. The Kingdom shall bear witness, and shall pass judgment in their own estimation.”

The room shifted with barely restrained murmurs. Some of the nobles pressed their gloved fingers to their lips, others stiffened, and a few exchanged glances that were equal parts awe and fear. It was one thing to be observed by the crown; it was another entirely to have the entire realm’s gaze fall upon them as if the walls were entirely transparent.

I felt a prickle of unease that had nothing to do with my own place. I could only help but wonder, if Jacinta’s choice was to be from her heart, how much of that heart would be free to feel amidst the scrutiny of mirrors and other nobles?

Whispers traveled across the room as the nobles turned to each other.

I could hear most of them too.

”Has the king gone mad?” one woman asked behind her fan.

”Does he intend for the entire Kingdom to see?”

”What of discretion?”

”Surely not in these trying times, right? The subjects do not even recognize him as king.”

”People will talk; I can only imagine just how much they will say regarding this.”

”I already have a lot to say regarding this.”

If the King and his family heard the words—which I was very certain they did—they did not say anything. They were silent, and they smiled with pride too.

Even the suitor candidates looked surprised, like this had not been what they were expecting when they had come for the princess’s hand in marriage. But what were they expecting?

Did they think that they would just get to ask the Princess to marry them, and she would smile and say yes? I almost scoffed at that.

But on second thought, I could hardly blame them. To have one’s every action scrutinized by both crown and court was a rare and simply uncomfortable experience.

The footman rolled the scroll in his hands with a soft crackle, bowing deeply. ”These are the rules that shall govern the competition. His Majesty shall now announce the first event, which will commence upon his declaration.”

Before the King could speak, Earl Hawthorne raised his hand.

All eyes turned to him, and he immediately brought it down like a child being reprimanded. I smiled at that. I never expected the Earl to have a cute side to him, for someone as large as he was.

He was known for being a good soldier, and I had heard the maids talking about how intimidating he looked. But I honestly saw none of that in him. A good soldier, perhaps, but intimidating? No. Especially after one has spoken with him.

”Is something the matter?” the King asked him with a frown.

The Earl nodded. ”While I understand the rules, I just have one question, Your Majesty. When you say this competition will be broadcast to the Kingdom, do you mean everywhere, including our territories?”

The King nodded. ”That is exactly what it means. I reckon your people would want to see you as you woo the Princess, and also vote for you.”

The Earl made a face at that. ”I’m not very certain I’d like that,” he muttered.

The King ignored him. He just smiled and focused on the assembly.