Fated Eclipse: The Illegitimate Princess And Her Alpha Suitors

Chapter 252: The First Official Elimination Ball

Lyria’s POV

The physician bowed deeply.

”Forgive me, Your Highness,” she said. ”I should have introduced myself before attending to you. I am Kathryn. I have been appointed as your private physician.”

I frowned.

”P-private p-physician?” I asked, my voice still hoarse, the words stumbling over one another.

Kathryn inclined her head.

”Given your condition, Your Highness, the Queen thought it best that you have someone dedicated solely to your care. Someone who could attend to you regularly and ensure that you recover properly. And also for any future ailments.”

I said nothing.

The Queen had never cared about my recovery before. The Queen had never cared about my health at all. Why would she start now?

But my head was foggy, and my thoughts would not stay in place, and I did not have the strength to think or consider her ulterior motives.

I turned my gaze to the maids.

There were five maids in my chambers now, and I could not understand why they were present. Where was Diana and the others? What exactly was going on?

”A-and you?” I asked the maids.

They bowed immediately, lowering their heads in unison, and then straightened one by one.

The first was the freckled maid who had given me water. She had kind eyes, and her brown hair was pinned in a neat bun at the nape of her neck.

”My name is Debbie, Your Highness,” she said. ”I am to assist with your morning and evening routines.”

The next was taller, with dark hair that curled at the edges of her cap. Her face was sharp, her nose narrow, her eyes the colour of hazelnuts. She bowed again as she spoke.

”I am Margery, Your Highness. I shall tend to your wardrobe and ensure your gowns are properly maintained.”

She had an accent, but I could not quite place why it sounded familiar.

The third was younger, perhaps only a few years older than me, with hair the colour of wheat and a smattering of freckles across her nose, just like Debbie. Her voice was soft, almost shy.

”I am Pippa, Your Highness. I shall attend to your meals and see that the kitchens provide what you require.”

The fourth had hair the colour of honey, with threads of gold running through it. Her eyes were green, bright and curious, and there was a small mole at the corner of her mouth. She curtsied gracefully.

”I am Bridget, Your Highness. I shall see to your laundry and ensure that your linens are fresh each day.”

The fifth was older than the others, with grey streaking her brown hair and lines etched around her eyes. Her face was weathered but kind, and when she spoke, her accent was thick—so thick that the words seemed to roll off her tongue, the r’s pronounced in a way that made even words without them sound as though they contained them. She spoke slowly, and I suspected it was so that I could understand.

”I am Elara, Your Highness,” she said. ”I shall oversee the other maids and ensure that your chambers are kept properly.”

I stared at them for a moment, taking in their faces, their names, the way they held themselves. They seemed... earnest. Genuine. Nothing like Diana, who had looked at me with disdain, or Sally and Theresa, who had whispered behind my back.

”Where,” I asked, ”is D-diana? A-and the others?”

The maids exchanged glances, and then Elara stepped forward slightly.

”Diana and the others will not be working with you any longer, Your Highness,” she said in that thick accent of hers. ”The Queen changed every maid assigned to you. Every worker. The previous maids neglected their duty in caring for you, and Her Majesty would not tolerate such incompetence.”

I was quiet.

I doubted the Queen had changed the maids due to their incompetence. I was certain it was more than that. The Queen did not care for me, yet she had gone out of her way to do this?

I sighed.

Just trying to think about what motive could be behind this made my head ache. Perhaps at some other time I would, but for now...

I was too tired to think about what was to be done.

I paused when I heard the distant sound of a violin.

It was accompanied by several other instruments as well.

Music.

I frowned.

”What is g-going on?” I asked. ”Why d-do I hear m-music?”

Debbie made a small sound that I suspected was a chuckle, though I was not quite certain.

”It is the night of the ball, Your Highness,” she said.

My eyes widened.

The ball.

I had forgotten.

I had been unconscious for—I did not know how long. Days, perhaps.

And the ball was tonight.

I tried to move from the bed, but my body was weak, and even adjusting myself felt like a chore. I tried again, but then Kathryn held out a hand, placing it upon my shoulder and gently pushing me back against the mattress.

”You must rest, Your Highness,” she said firmly.

”But—”

”No.”

Her voice was gentle but unwavering.

”You are exempt from the ball. You are unwell and have only just regained consciousness. The ball is not as important as your health.”

Margery spoke then, her voice calm and measured.

”Besides, Your Highness, the ball has already progressed considerably. The elimination has taken place.”

I turned to her.

”Who?” I asked. ”W-who w-was eliminated?”

”Marquess Theodore Velmora of Greenhaven,” she said.

I let out a breath I had not realised I had been holding.

It was not Duke Valenridge.

Not Earl Hawthorne.

I had been worried for them, given the fact that Earl Hawthorne’s poem had not been particularly remarkable and Duke Valenridge had not been among the top three.

Thank the Goddess it was neither of them.

I closed my eyes for a moment, relief washing over me.

”But apart from that, Your Highness,” Pippa said, ”the popularity poll was broadcast as well.”

I opened my eyes.

”P-popularity poll?” I asked.