Fated Eclipse: The Illegitimate Princess And Her Alpha Suitors

Chapter 298: Good Food Is To Be Shared

Lyria’s POV

Was he not? I asked myself, my mind spinning with confusion. Surely he was teasing me, playing some sort of game.

I looked at him, searching his face for any sign of mockery, any hint that this was all some elaborate jest. But his expression was steady, his eyes fixed on mine with an earnestness that made my heart beat faster.

”Are you n-not doing s-so?” I asked, my voice small and uncertain. The words came out hesitantly, and I cursed myself for letting my uncertainty show.

Lucian sighed, looking clearly exasperated.

”Sometimes,” he said, ”I wonder how you can be so smart and, at the same time, so... oblivious.”

I blinked, my brow furrowing.

”I am n-not—”

”You are,” he interrupted gently, his voice soft but firm. ”I am not messing with you, Your Highness. When it comes to you, I am rather serious. Everything I speak to you is the truth. Every word, every sentiment. I would not waste your time with falsehoods.”

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks once more. It felt as though my face was on fire, and I looked away, unable to meet his gaze.

”Stop t-teasing me,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He shook his head, his expression earnest.

”I am not teasing you. I am being honest. You are attractive to me, and I must admit that I have always found you so.”

”Nothing about m-me is attractive,” I said softly. ”Compared to y-you.”

Lucian looked intrigued. His brow lifted slightly, and a flicker of something—surprise, perhaps—crossed his features. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes searching mine.

”Do you find me attractive, then?” he asked.

I blinked, startled by the question.

”I am p-pretty sure everyone w-with functioning eyes finds y-you attractive,” I said. ”Your eyes are q-quite exquisite. They are v-very beautiful. And when you s-smile, they light up. Your hair is b-beautiful too. It c-catches the light in a way t-that makes it look almost g-golden.”

I paused, my voice dropping to a mumble.

”Everything about y-you is beautiful. Even your v-voice and the way you s-speak.”

Lucian’s eyes widened.

The shock was evident on his face, his composure cracking for just a moment. He stared at me as though I had just told him something entirely unexpected, something he had never heard before.

I immediately picked up a sandwich and took a large bite, trying to hide my embarrassment behind the act of eating. The bread was soft, the filling cool and refreshing, but I barely tasted it.

I had been honest. Lucian was quite beautiful. One of the most beautiful people I had ever met. But why did he look so shocked? He must have heard such things from others before, right? He was related to the Queen, and though I hated to admit it, she looked beautiful too. It was obvious beauty was in the genes. So I had told Lucian a fact, which was exactly why I failed to understand his reaction fully.

He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture I had not seen from him before. He released a soft, shaky chuckle, then exhaled slowly. He looked at the lake, then back at me, as though he were trying to compose himself.

”Do you really mean that?” he asked. ”Do you truly find me attractive?”

I frowned, confused by his words.

”Everyone with f-functioning eyes w-would find you a-attractive. You are q-quite beautiful. Handsome s-seems too small a word to d-describe just how you l-look.”

He shook his head, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.

”I am asking for your answer,” he said. ”Not for you to generalise. Do you think I am attractive? Do you find me so?”

I tilted my head, considering his question. The light caught the edges of his face, and I found myself studying his features—the sharp line of his jaw, the curve of his lips, the intensity of his eyes. He was beautiful. There was no denying that.

After a long moment, I spoke.

”I s-suppose I do,” I said.

Lucian let out a defeated sound, a soft exhale that seemed to carry something like resignation. He muttered something under his breath, and I caught the words, ”should have known.”

Then he reached into the basket and took a tart, biting into it quietly. The pastry crunched softly, and he chewed slowly, as though he were giving himself time to think.

I frowned.

”Why d-did you want to know?” I asked. ”Why d-does it matter if I f-find you attractive?”

He looked at me, his expression unreadable.

”For purely selfish reasons,” he said.

I nodded, seemingly satisfied with his answer. I did not press further. There was something in his voice that told me he would not elaborate, and I respected that.

Then he spoke again.

”Do you like your new maids and guards?” he asked. ”Are they treating you well?”

I smiled at the change of subject.

”I d-do,” I told him. ”T-they are quite b-better to w-work with t-than the previous o-ones.”

His expression softened.

”I’m glad,” he said.

Then my eyes lit up as a thought occurred to me. I called Margery and Pippa closer, gesturing for them to approach.

Lucian frowned, watching me with curiosity.

I picked up some snacks from the basket and extended them toward the maids.

Pippa blinked in shock.

”Your Highness,” she said, ”what are you doing?”

”I am g-giving you snacks,” I said simply.

I called Lucian’s valet closer as well.

Pippa shook her head.

”I do not understand,” she said. ”Why?”

I frowned at her confusion.

”O-obviously,” I said, ”it is because I think you w-would be bored s-standing and just watching L-lucian and m-me eat. Also, I am sure you m-must be hungry. T-the snacks are good, s-so you should eat up. There is no r-reason for you to g-go hungry w-while we eat.”

Margery and Pippa exchanged a glance.

Oliver stepped forward hesitantly.

”Your Highness,” he said carefully, ”with all due respect, this is not proper.”

I looked at him, genuinely confused.

”Is there any r-reason to uphold p-propriety regarding g-giving servants snacks,” I asked, ”when it is o-only just us p-present?”

Oliver blinked, clearly taken aback.

I continued.

”After all,” I said, ”g-good food is to be s-shared in the s-shadows, especially where t-there a-are no eyes o-on us.”