Fated Eclipse: The Illegitimate Princess And Her Alpha Suitors

Chapter 288: The Scholar’s Explanation

Lyria’s POV

I did not answer Baron Redwick immediately.

The question hung in the air between us, but my mind had drifted elsewhere, unbidden, to the image of him in the training grounds earlier. The way the sunlight had caught the sweat upon his skin, the lean lines of his body as he swung the wooden sword, the way he had turned as though he knew I was watching.

I felt my cheeks warm at the memory.

Duke Valenridge chuckled softly, pulling me from my thoughts. His voice was low, amused, and entirely too knowing.

”You are having naughty thoughts, curious wolf,” he said.

I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could utter a single word, he sat up. He stretched his arms above his head with the languid ease of a cat awakening from a long nap.

Then he turned to Baron Redwick.

”You put on a good show at the training grounds earlier,” he said, his tone light and teasing. ”It was very impressive.”

Baron Redwick’s expression did not change.

”What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice tight with barely concealed irritation.

Duke Valenridge shrugged lazily, as though the question were of little consequence.

”I was taking a nap,” he said. ”Before some curious wolf appeared and I could not sleep any longer.”

He paused, then shook his head.

”I must revise that statement. She actually helped me sleep. Quite effectively, in fact.”

Baron Redwick was not impressed. If anything, his frown deepened, the lines around his mouth becoming more pronounced.

”Have you forgotten the rules of the competition, Your Grace?” he asked. ”Suitor candidates are not supposed to have physical contact with Moon candidates. It is explicitly forbidden.”

Duke Valenridge stood, brushing off his clothes casually.

”I told the curious wolf about the rules,” he said. ”She refused to listen.”

Baron Redwick’s eyes narrowed.

”Do tell—are you referring to Her Highness as ’the curious wolf’?”

Duke Valenridge nodded.

”I am.”

Baron Redwick’s jaw tightened, a muscle twitching beneath the skin.

”Her Highness is a princess,” he said. ”She should not be referred to by nicknames. It is entirely inappropriate and beneath her station.”

Duke Valenridge stared at him for a long moment, his pale green eyes unreadable.

”Her Highness did not complain, though,” he said simply.

Baron Redwick argued, his voice rising slightly.

”That is because she does not know. But it is against propriety for you to give the Princess a pet name. It diminishes her standing and could lead to misunderstandings.”

I spoke up then, my voice cutting through the tension.

”It is b-between me and D-duke Valenridge,” I said. ”No one e-else k-knows about it. A-and, as h-he said, I d-did not c-complain.”

Baron Redwick turned to me, his expression softening slightly, though his concern remained evident.

”Evander may slip up at some point, Your Highness,” he said. ”In a formal setting. In front of others. It would cause a scandal. People would question your relationship, and it would reflect poorly upon you.”

I met his gaze steadily.

”M-my lord,” I said, ”w-why are you so focused o-on a pet n-name? S-surely you are h-here for t-the lessons, a-are y-you not?”

He hesitated, his mouth opening and closing before he finally spoke.

”It is not proper,” he said. ”Evander should not be calling you by a pet name. He should refer to you by your title. It is the correct and appropriate way to address a princess.”

”You r-refer to the D-duke b-by his given n-name,” I pointed out. ”So w-why are you so f-focused o-on a p-pet name? Why are you n-not c-concerned t-that H-his Grace m-may slip up in o-official settings as well? You call him Evander w-when you are alone, do you n-not?”

Baron Redwick was quiet for a moment, his jaw working as he considered my words.

”I know how to differentiate between official settings and private ones,” he said at last. ”I am careful.”

”Just a-as I a-am,” I said. ”It is only a pet name. B-besides, I am s-somewhat friends with Duke Valenridge. T-there is nothing i-improper a-about it.”

A vein twitched in Baron Redwick’s temple.

Then he sighed, a long, defeated sound that seemed to drain the tension from his shoulders.

”I apologise for reacting in that manner,” he said.

I smiled at him.

”I u-understand,” I said. ”Y-you were l-looking out for me. I a-appreciate that.”

He seemed to relax slightly at my words.

Then I tilted my head.

”I d-did not know you w-were i-interested in l-learning to f-fight,” I said.

Baron Redwick’s cheeks flushed.

Duke Valenridge chuckled. Then he bowed to me respectfully.

”I shall see myself out,” he said.

I looked at him.

”W-will I see you a-again?” I asked.

He smiled.

”Unless I am eliminated,” he said, ”we shall likely see each other again, Your Highness.”

With that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps fading into the silence of the library.

I watched him go until he disappeared around the corner.

Then Baron Redwick closed the distance between us.

”I apologise for arriving in such a state,” he said. ”I had not realised how much time had passed. I came as quickly as I could.”

I smiled at him.

”I knew y-you w-were o-occupied,” I said.

Then I asked him again.

”Why d-did you d-decide to l-learn to fight?”

He cleared his throat, adjusting his spectacles.

”It helps with building the body,” he said. ”There is a direct correlation between physical training and overall health. When one engages in regular physical activity, the body responds by strengthening the muscles, improving circulation, and increasing endurance. The benefits are both immediate and long-lasting.”

He paused, seeming to gather his thoughts.

”Furthermore, the benefits extend beyond the physical. A healthy body contributes to a healthy mind. The discipline required for training—the consistency, the perseverance—cultivates mental fortitude. It teaches one to push through discomfort, to embrace challenges, and to persist in the face of difficulty. These are skills that translate to every aspect of life.”

He continued, his voice growing more confident as he spoke.

”Additionally, there is the matter of balance. Training the body helps correct the imbalances that arise from a sedentary lifestyle. It improves posture, enhances flexibility, and promotes overall well-being. The heart is strengthened, the lungs become more efficient, and the mind grows sharper. A person who is physically strong is better equipped to withstand the pressures and burdens of daily life.”

He paused then, clearing his throat once more.

”I apologise,” he said. ”I became carried away. I must have bored you.”

I shook my head.

He could not have been further from the truth.

”T-that is h-highly unlikely,” I said. ”I-it was quite i-interesting hearing y-you speak.”