Fated Eclipse: The Illegitimate Princess And Her Alpha Suitors

Chapter 296: The Price of Colour Pencils

Lyria’s POV

I looked at him, his face illuminated by the pale moonlight that danced across the surface of the lake. The water lapped gently against the shore, and the night air was cool against my skin, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and night-blooming flowers.

”You should n-not apologise,” I said, my voice soft but firm. ”You are n-not at fault. You were n-not the one who caused the i-injuries.”

Lucian’s jaw tightened, and I could see the tension in his shoulders as we continued to move across the grass. His hand at my waist was steady, guiding me through the steps of the waltz, but there was a rigidity to his frame that had not been there before.

”Even if I am not the one who caused the injury directly,” he said, ”I had a hand in it indirectly. I should have been more careful. I spend a great deal of time with the Queen and Princess Jacinta. I should have known that whatever I did with you might backfire. I should have known that the Queen would take her anger out on you. It was foolish of me not to anticipate it.”

I was quiet for a moment, his words settling over me. Then I spoke again.

”Like I said, you n-need not apologise,” I said. ”The Queen w-would have sought any way to p-punish me, whether I d-deserved it or not. She d-does not need a reason. She c-creates one. And besides, it is a-already a problem that I am n-not only recognised as a p-princess but also as a M-Moon candidate. That alone is e-enough to make h-her angry. My very e-existence is an o-offence to her.”

Lucian’s jaw clenched at that, a muscle twitching beneath his skin. He did not respond immediately, but I could feel the tension radiating from him. His hand tightened slightly at my waist before he forced himself to relax.

We continued dancing.

The steps were smooth now, my feet moving with a confidence that had not been there before. The waltz was becoming second nature, the rhythm ingrained in my memory. I no longer had to count the steps in my head; my body simply knew where to go.

Then Lucian spoke again, his voice softer.

”You are better than last time,” he said. ”Much better. You move with more ease and grace.”

I beamed at the compliment, a warmth spreading through my chest. His words meant more to me than I cared to admit.

”I p-practiced,” I said.

He frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion.

”Where?” he asked. ”From what I recall, you were quite injured and only just recently began recovering.”

My smile widened.

”I-in my h-head,” I said. ”I practiced with my i-imagination.”

Lucian was quiet for a moment, clearly taken aback by my words. His eyes searched my face as though he were trying to determine whether I was being serious.

Then he burst out laughing, the sound rich and warm, echoing across the still water. And honestly, I quite liked the sound of it.

I smiled at his reaction, pleased that I had been able to surprise him.

”I did not know you had that kind of sense of humour,” he said, shaking his head.

”I am w-working on it,” I said. ”It is s-still not as good as I w-want it to be, but s-surely I could hold a play on my o-own. Or perhaps I could b-become a jester. Maybe the r-royal family would employ me if I b-became one, and then I c-could be getting p-paid. I could e-entertain the court with my wit a-and c-charm.”

Lucian laughed again, shaking his head.

”Take it easy, Your Highness,” he said. ”Though I would support you if you were to become one, I doubt it would be that easy.”

I laughed.

”I d-doubt that t-too,” I said.

He twirled me, the movement smooth and effortless, and then he brought me close again. The closeness was sudden, and for a moment, I forgot to breathe. His hand was warm at my waist, his eyes searching mine in the moonlight.

My eyes widened, and my heart rate quickened.

”I f-forgot to thank you for the p-pencils you g-gave me,” I said, my voice slightly breathless. ”They were q-quite e-expensive, were t-they not?”

A sad smile crossed my face as I thought of the first time I had used the pencils.

Lucian frowned.

”Why do you have that look on your face?” he asked. ”What troubles you?”

I shook my head.

”D-do not b-be bothered b-by it,” I said.

His gaze lingered on my face, as if searching for what I refused to share with him.

”They m-must have b-been expensive, right?” I asked, changing the subject.

He was quiet, but then he nodded.

”They were,” he said. ”Which is why you are going to pay me back for them.”

I blinked, taken aback.

”I kn-know,” I said quickly. ”I w-will look for money. You j-just have to tell me how m-much you b-bought them for. I w-will find a way to g-gather the funds, e-even if it takes t-time.”

He shook his head, a smile on his face.

”I did not mean that you should pay me back in coin,” he said. ”I meant that you should draw something for me, if at all, and only when you have the chance. And also promise to dance with me at the elimination ball. That would be payment enough.”

I blinked, clearly taken aback.

That was not what I had been expecting.

”That is a-all you want?” I asked. ”I know the p-pencils were quite expensive. I c-can really pay you back. It m-might take some t-time, but I w-would try to g-gather the money and p-pay you.”

Lucian looked at me, a serious expression on his face.

”Do you know who I am?” he asked.

I frowned, confused by the question.

”Of c-course I do,” I said. ”You are L-Lucian Aurelgrave.”

”And what is my title?” he asked.

”D-duke,” I said.

He nodded.

”Surely you do not think I am so impoverished,” he said carefully, ”that I would require you to repay me for a gift I gave you willingly. The pencils were a gift, Your Highness, not a loan. I would not have given them to you if I expected to be reimbursed, especially in coin.”