Chapter 463: The Conversation

Chapter 462: The Conversation

Lyria’s POV

Honestly, I had thought I had concealed it well enough from them.

Duke Thorncrest’s gaze was upon me now too, a deep crease between his brows.

"Limping?" he asked. "You are hurt?"

"It is n-nothing," I said, attempting to wave off the matter. "It i-is nothing worth f-fussing over."

"You are limping, Your Highness," Lucian said sternly.

"I h-heard you the f-first time," I replied. "And as I s-said, it is nothing f-for either of you to f-fuss over. Rather than arguing the m-matter, we ought to make our w-way down and join the o-others."

Lucian stared at me a while, then extended his arm.

"Take my arm, Your Highness. I shall escort you down."

"I shall d-do no such thing."

"You are in pain."

"I a-alone have the right to my own f-feelings," I said. "And if I s-say I am not in p-pain, then I am n-not in pain."

"You ought to be examined properly. Should you continue walking upon an injury, you shall only worsen it. And it is plain enough to me that you are in pain," Lucian retorted.

I stared at him.

"Once m-more," I said, "you need not m-make a fuss over this. As I h-have said, only I shall t-tell you if I am in p-pain. And for the present, you shall d-drop the matter entirely."

"I do not comprehend why you are being so stubborn about accepting aid, Your Highness, when you are plainly in pain," Duke Thorncrest said.

I turned and fixed him with a glare.

"It i-is hardly my fault that you d-do not comprehend it," I said, rather more sharply than I had intended. Then I turned back to Lucian. "G-get out of my w-way. T-that is an o-order."

Lucian only stared at me.

"Do you m-mean to show me as little respect as Marquess Hale d-does, Your G-grace?" I asked. "Or p-perhaps you wish to r-render all my efforts here f-fruitless altogether?"

His frown deepened at my words, and perhaps at last he understood why I refused assistance for the present. I would not appear so weak before people who wished me weak. For though I had helped save a child, that alone did not mean their hostility should vanish. Deep-seated hostility required time to dissolve.

I had made a start now — a place to begin — but that was all it was. I had still a long road ahead of me.

Finally, Lucian exhaled heavily.

"I understand," he said. "But know this, Your Highness — the very moment we are private, I shall come to you, whether you require my help or not."

So perhaps he did grasp what I was aiming at.

I nodded, grateful he had let the matter rest.

Meanwhile, Duke Thorncrest continued frowning.

"I still do not understand," he said softly. "Why not simply take proper care and be treated, rather than pretend you are not hurt?"

"I-I shall c-consider your t-turning a blind e-eye to this injury a f-favour, Your Grace — one I owe you. And s-shall explain in d-due time why I insist upon c-carrying on this w-way," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

He only stared at me, then nodded. I then turned to Lucian with a raised eyebrow, and he made way for me to walk down the field, both of them close behind me.

---

When I reached the lower fields, someone approached me — Jim.

"Your Highness," he said. "I believe we ’ad an agreement. Would ye be willin’ ter speak wiv me now?"

I regarded him a moment.

"N-now?"

He nodded.

"I’d also suggest, if it pleases ye, that yer people remain ’ere a while. Food’ll be prepared shortly, an’ shared amongst everyone."

I considered this. We had eaten nothing since the early hours of the morning, and so I nodded.

"My p-people shall not leave u-until I have c-oncluded my c-conversation with you," I said. "Lead t-the way."

Jim nodded and turned, and I followed him.

He led me towards a building, and I noticed, by the manner in which it was situated, that it oversaw the whole of the fields. It was a modest structure, though larger than most of the houses in the town.

As we approached, I observed chairs set upon the veranda, along with various implements — sewing kits, blankets thrown across some of the seats, pots of flowers arranged here and there. I said nothing, remaining quiet throughout, until we reached the door — but just as Jim opened it, he turned to me.

"Will yer guard be comin’ in?"

I frowned and turned, following his gaze, only to find Brayden standing at a distance, his posture alert. I had not even realised he had followed me.

I turned back to Jim.

"Will t-that present an i-issue?"

He shook his head.

"No."

I nodded, then signalled to Brayden, who approached at once, and the three of us entered the house together.

Within, there were further signs that a great number of people were lodged here. Blankets lay folded in corners. Cooking utensils hung upon the walls. The scent of bread and herbs lingered in the air, as though meals had been prepared here recently, and often.

Jim gestured towards a couch.

I sat, grateful for it, though I did not permit the relief to show upon my countenance. My side ached, and my legs were weary, and the comfort of sitting was considerable.

Jim sat opposite me.

"I apologise fer the state o’ me ’ome, Your Highness," he said. "But after the storm, most o’ the townspeople are lodgin’ ’ere — them whose ’omes was destroyed."

I nodded, but said nothing. I already possessed knowledge of this, after all.

Jim continued.

"I must offer me thanks," he said, "fer savin’ young Daisy."

I regarded him, Daisy must be the name of the child I saved.

"D-Daisy’s father s-saved m-me also," I said.

Jim nodded.

"Aye, but it were Your Highness’s quick thinkin’ that saved Daisy. Fer that, I’m grateful."

I paused.

"I c-cannot keep refusing a-apologies — or thanks," I said. "So, alas, I s-shall accept it."

Jim studied me a moment.

"Ye wished to ’ave a conversation wiv me?" he asked. "That were part of our agreement, after all."

I hid the smirk threatening to slip free, and nodded. For this was what I had been aiming for all morning.

"I d-do," I said, then relaxed further upon the couch. "I n-need you to be h-honest with me."

Jim met my gaze. "I’m ever honest."

"Is t-that so?"