Fated Eclipse: The Illegitimate Princess And Her Alpha Suitors

Chapter 238: A Question of Propriety

The Queen’s gaze moved slowly from Duke Valenridge to Diana, then back again. Her expression did not change—it rarely did—but there was a stillness to her now, a careful control that suggested she was choosing her words with deliberate care.

”Your Grace,” she said, her voice smooth, ”why are you questioning my maid?”

Duke Valenridge tilted his head.

”My maid?” he repeated. ”I was under the impression the maid in question belonged to Princess Lyria. Is she yours, then? Or is she the Princess’s?”

The Queen smiled. It was a pleasant expression, but it did not reach her eyes.

”All maids in the palace belong to me,” she said.

The Duke tilted his head further, a faint furrow appearing between his brows.

”That is rather strange,” he said. ”I never expected Her Majesty to own people. Is that not... illegal?”

The Queen’s eye twitched.

It was small—barely noticeable—but it was there.

”You know precisely what I mean, Your Grace,” she said, her voice still smooth, still composed, though something sharper lurked beneath it.

The Duke smiled.

”I simply wished to be certain,” he said.

He paused, and when he spoke again, his tone was lighter, almost conversational.

”However,” he continued, ”I am quite certain I instructed this maid—” he gestured toward Diana, who had gone very pale—”to summon a physician. I do not recall mentioning Your Majesty.”

The Queen regarded him for a moment.

”I came because I heard the Princess was unwell,” she said. ”Is it not natural for a mother to be concerned for her daughter?”

Duke Valenridge raised a brow.

”Daughter? You mean stepdaughter,” he said.

”There is hardly a difference. She is a daughter still,” the Queen replied.

The Duke smiled faintly.

”True,” he said. ”Though I do wonder who told you.”

He tilted his head again, pale green eyes sharpening.

”Or perhaps—did you plan for the Princess to be ill? If not, then obviously this maid informed you herself.”

The Queen’s eye twitched again.

She did not respond immediately. When she spoke, her voice had cooled.

”I must admit, Your Grace, I am quite surprised to find you here. It is highly inappropriate for a gentleman to be present in an unmarried lady’s chambers.”

The Duke’s smile did not waver.

”I find it more inappropriate,” he said, ”to see someone who is clearly unwell and do nothing to help. Especially when the maids assigned to her refuse to assist.”

His gaze flicked briefly toward Sally and Theresa, who had retreated further into the corner as if distance alone could absolve them.

The Queen gave a small chuckle—the sound almost pleasant.

”Surely, Your Grace, the maids would have assisted her. You simply did not give them the opportunity.”

Baron Redwick stepped forward then.

He had been silent until now, hands clasped behind his back, spectacles catching the light. When he spoke, his voice was calm, precise.

”Forgive me for speaking out of turn, Your Majesty,” he said, ”but I doubt the maids would have done anything.”

The Queen’s gaze shifted to him.

”Oh?”

”I noticed during my date with the Princess,” he continued, ”that she did not look her usual self. She was pale. It was evident something was amiss.”

He adjusted his spectacles.

”And yet, the maids appeared entirely unconcerned. Worse, they seemed to be attempting to conceal her exhaustion. The amount of cosmetics upon her face was... excessive.”

The Queen turned to Diana.

”Is this true?” she asked.

Diana bowed quickly, hands trembling.

”Your Majesty, Her Highness requested the cosmetics herself. She was not ill when we dressed her.”

Duke Valenridge spoke before the Queen could respond.

”Is that true?” he asked quietly. ”Or are you lying to save yourself?”

Diana went even paler.

”I... Your Grace... I would never—”

The Queen raised a hand.

”Enough.”

Silence fell instantly.

She turned to the Duke.

”Why would you assume she is lying?”

The Duke shrugged.

”I have learned, Your Majesty, that people often say whatever is necessary to avoid punishment. It is not an accusation. Only an observation.”

Baron Redwick cleared his throat.

”Rather than argue,” he said, ”perhaps the physician should be permitted to examine the Princess.”

The Queen gave a slow nod.

She turned to the man who had entered with her and Diana—a tall physician with a neatly trimmed beard and a leather case in hand.

”Yes,” she said. ”Do your duty.”

The physician bowed.

”Your Majesty.”

He then turned to Duke Valenridge and Baron Redwick and bowed again.

”Your Grace. My Lord. I must respectfully request that you step out of the chamber. It is not proper for gentlemen to remain present during a lady’s medical examination.”

Duke Valenridge frowned.

”Why?” he asked.

The physician blinked.

”I beg your pardon?”

”Why must we step out?” the Duke repeated. ”What is it you intend to do that cannot be witnessed?”

The physician straightened.

”Your Grace, it is a matter of propriety. The Princess is unmarried. It would be—”

”Improper?” the Duke finished. ”Yes. I am familiar with the word.”

He crossed his arms.

”But here is what I find improper,” he continued. ”The Princess is ill. She has been ill for some time, apparently, and no one noticed—or if they did, they did nothing. Her maids are either incompetent or unwilling to perform their duties. You, a man, are about to examine her alone in her chambers while she is unconscious and unable to consent.”

The physician’s face reddened.

”Your Grace, I assure you, I am a professional—”

”I am certain you are,” the Duke said evenly. ”But neither Baron Redwick nor I are stepping out.”

Baron Redwick adjusted his spectacles.

”Yes,” he said quietly. ”A female physician would be more appropriate, given the circumstances. Is there not one available?”

The Queen watched the exchange in silence, her expression unreadable.

Duke Valenridge turned back to her.

”Your Majesty,” he said, ”surely you agree that a female physician would be more suitable? The Princess is unmarried, as you so helpfully reminded us. It would be... improper... for a man to examine her, would it not?”