Fated Eclipse: The Illegitimate Princess And Her Alpha Suitors

Chapter 343: A Morning of Scoldings

Lyria’s POV

I woke to whispers around me.

The voices were familiar now, woven into the fabric of my daily life in a way I had not expected when they first entered my service. I knew each of them distinctly—the firm, no-nonsense tone of Elara, the lighter, more excitable cadence of Pippa.

”Be quiet,” Elara was saying, her voice carrying that particular edge of authority she wielded so effectively. ”Her Highness is still resting. You will wake her.”

Pippa’s response was muffled, but I caught the gist of it. Something about not meaning to be loud.

Margery chuckled softly, the sound warm and familiar.

I blinked sleepily, my eyes struggling to focus. The world swam into view slowly, the edges of my vision still blurred with the remnants of sleep.

I was not in my bed.

That much became clear immediately.

My back ached.

A dull, persistent throb seemed to radiate from my spine and spread outward. I shifted slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position, and immediately felt the protest of my neck as well. It was stiff and unyielding, as though I had spent the entire night in an unnatural position.

I tried to move my head from one side to the other, hoping to relieve some of the tension.

It did not help.

If anything, it made the ache worse.

I slowly opened my eyes wider and finally remembered where I was.

The writing desk.

I had fallen asleep at my desk.

I glanced down at the open book before me. The candle beside it had burned nearly to its end, leaving only a small pool of wax behind. Several sheets of parchment were scattered across the desk, some covered with drawings and others with notes written in my uneven hand.

I grimaced.

I had intended to finish the third book before sleeping.

Clearly, that plan had failed rather spectacularly.

”Your Highness.”

The voice was sharp, crisp, and utterly devoid of the warmth I had come to associate with my maids.

I knew it immediately, and I sat upright so quickly that the ache in my neck protested violently.

Kathryn stood before me.

Her white hair was pulled back in its usual bun, though a few strands had escaped their pins. Her leather satchel hung from her shoulder, worn smooth from years of use. Her arms were folded across her chest, and her expression was one of barely concealed disapproval.

I stared at her.

She stared at me.

I had the distinct feeling that I was in trouble.

”I know that Your Highness has healed,” she said, her voice carrying a note of stern reproach, ”but that does not mean you should neglect your sleep. Especially given the lack of nutrition you have endured over the past years.”

I winced and then I glanced towards the maids, silently hoping one of them might rescue me.

None did.

Traitors.

”It is q-quite a lovely m-morning, is it n-not?” I offered, hoping to deflect her attention.

Kathryn sighed, the sound long and heavy.

”I care naught about the morning,” she said flatly. ”I came to check on you, only to find you sleeping at an entirely inappropriate place.”

She turned to Elara, her gaze sharp.

”Why would you allow Her Highness to sleep atop a desk? And looking at the dark circles beneath her eyes, it was a rather late rest.”

Elara opened her mouth.

Before she could respond, I spoke up.

”It is n-not the m-maids’ fault,” I said quickly. ”It is I w-who fell asleep a-at the d-desk. I m-must admit, I m-made a m-mistake. Yes.”

Kathryn turned back to me, her expression softening only slightly.

”Your Highness, you need to ensure you get enough rest. Your body is not yet fully healthy. You must make certain you are getting proper sleep.”

”I w-was only w-working.”

”I am aware.”

”I d-did not m-mean to f-fall asleep.”

”I am aware of that as well.”

I lowered my head.

She was somehow making it worse by agreeing with me.

Kathryn stepped closer and placed two fingers beneath my chin, tilting my face upwards so she could examine me properly.

”You look exhausted.”

I sighed.

”Perhaps a l-little.”

Kathryn released my chin and shook her head.

”You are fortunate that the competition today will be held in the afternoon. That will give you ample time to rest. But I must make something for you to take. Something that will help.”

I eyed her warily.

”W-will it be b-bitter?”

Kathryn’s lips twitched, though she maintained her stern expression.

”None of my herbs are bitter,” she said.

I made a face.

”T-that is a l-lie,” I said. ”A-all of them a-are b-bitter.”

Pippa and Bridget covered their mouths.

Margery turned away, but I could see her shoulders shaking.

Debbie’s laugh escaped.

Even Elara looked as though she were struggling not to smile.

Kathryn’s lips twitched, and I could have sworn I saw the faintest hint of amusement in her eyes. She shook her head, clearly fighting to maintain her composure.

”You have a remarkable memory for the things you dislike.”

”B-because they are m-memorable.”

That earned a quiet laugh from Debbie.

Kathryn gave me a look.

”Rest first. Complain later.”

I sighed dramatically.

Elara stepped forward then, her voice gentle but firm.

”Perhaps, Kathryn, you might refrain from scolding Her Highness quite so severely,” she said. ”She has only just woken.”

Kathryn glanced at her.

”I am not scolding her. I am reminding her.”

”There is very little difference when you are involved,” Pippa murmured.

Kathryn’s eyes immediately moved towards her.

Pippa straightened.

”I said nothing.”

I pressed my lips together, trying not to laugh.

The exchange was almost comforting. There was something strangely normal about watching them bicker over me. It reminded me how different my life had become since they had entered it.

Elara turned towards me, her expression softening.

”Your Highness,” she said, ”what was it you were working on last night?”

My eyes widened.

The books.

I had completely forgotten in my drowsy confusion. The small, makeshift books I had been working on—the ones I had planned as a surprise. I had been halfway through the third one before sleep had overcome me.

I sighed.

”It is k-knowledge,” I said. ”The l-language I s-spoke of.”