Fated Eclipse: The Illegitimate Princess And Her Alpha Suitors

Chapter 360: A Sea of Faces

Lyria’s POV

Duke Thorncrest looked towards Elise, his expression one of exaggerated solemnity.

"Since you have refused to furnish me with a flower," he said, "I believe you shall have to make amends by performing all the introductions for me."

Elise giggled.

Whatever shyness had possessed her earlier appeared to have vanished entirely. She had apparently decided that Duke Thorncrest was the most amusing person she had encountered that afternoon, and I suspected there was very little he could do now to convince her otherwise.

He bent down and, with surprising ease, scooped her into his arms.

She gave a tiny squeak.

Then she laughed.

Her little arms went around his shoulders as he settled her against himself.

"Now then," he said. "Are you prepared for your most important duty?"

Elise nodded vigorously, her braids bouncing with the movement.

"Good girl."

He glanced at her.

"Who is your favourite suitor?"

Elise did not hesitate.

"You."

Duke Thorncrest’s face brightened considerably.

"An excellent choice."

I pressed my lips together to hide my amusement.

"I knew you possessed excellent judgement," he told her.

Elise giggled again.

"You are," she repeated, as though she wished to make certain he understood the importance of the declaration.

"I am delighted to hear it."

He lowered his voice conspiratorially, although everyone around us could still hear him.

"Do not let the others know. They shall become terribly jealous."

Elise nodded solemnly, apparently accepting this as a matter of great importance.

Duke Thorncrest carried her towards the commoners.

Almost immediately, several children noticed him.

Their faces lit up.

"Thorncrest!"

"Look! It’s the Duke!"

"Your Grace!"

The children hurried towards him, some tugging at his coat while others simply stared up at him with wide eyes.

Duke Thorncrest laughed.

"Good heavens. I appear to have acquired an army."

He carefully set Elise down.

She immediately took her new responsibility seriously.

She pointed towards a boy standing nearby.

"This Tommy."

The boy blinked.

He could not have been much older than five or six. His cheek was smudged with dirt, and one of his stockings had a hole near the ankle.

He attempted a bow.

"’Ello, Your Grace."

Duke Thorncrest grinned.

"Good afternoon, Tommy."

He reached down and ruffled the boy’s hair.

Tommy immediately tried to flatten it again.

The duke laughed.

I looked towards Elise’s mother and offered her a small smile.

"T-there is n-nothing to b-be thankful for," I told her gently. "Elise g-gave me a g-gift. I w-would never h-have hurt her for it."

The woman’s eyes glistened.

She clasped her hands before her.

"Thank ye, Your Highness," she whispered. "Thank ye kindly."

Duke Valenridge rose and offered me his hand.

I looked at it for a moment before placing mine in his.

He helped me to my feet.

"There are still many people awaiting your attention," he said.

His voice was quiet, but there was amusement in his eyes.

I smiled.

"I a-am aware."

Before I could say anything further, another voice interrupted.

"Why, precisely, are you holding Her Highness?"

I turned.

Lucian stood several paces away, one eyebrow raised.

Beside him stood Baron Redwick, who had returned to his spectacles. His goggles were nowhere to be seen, and he was adjusting his frames with the meticulous care he seemed to apply to everything.

Duke Valenridge sighed.

"I was merely assisting Her Highness to her feet."

Lucian’s eyebrow rose higher.

"Indeed?"

"Indeed."

"Then I wonder why you have not yet released her."

Duke Valenridge glanced down at our joined hands.

Then at Lucian.

Then back at me.

"An excellent question," he muttered.

He released me.

Lucian gave him a suspicious look.

Before either of them could say anything further, a girl suddenly appeared before Lucian.

She looked to be about fourteen. Freckles scattered across her nose, and her dress was plainly her finest, though the sleeves were a little too short and several patches showed at the elbows.

She looked at Lucian with undisguised admiration.

Then she extended her hand.

"Ye can ’old me ’and, Your Grace."

Lucian blinked.

For perhaps the first time that afternoon, the usually composed duke looked completely at a loss.

I was rather astonished myself.

The girl seemed to notice his hesitation and gestured towards her hand again.

"Go on."

Then, apparently remembering something, she wiped her palm carefully against her dress before extending it once more.

Lucian stared at the offered hand.

Duke Valenridge stepped forward.

"I could hold your hand, if you prefer."

The girl immediately turned towards him.

"No."

Valenridge placed a hand against his chest.

"No?"

She shook her head.

"Duke Aurelgrave’s me favourite."

Valenridge’s expression became one of exaggerated injury.

"I am wounded."

She ignored him.

"Me first ’and’s got to be his. I made sure I didn’t ’old nobody else’s all day."

Lucian’s lips twitched.

He quickly composed himself.

"And what is your name?"

"Samantha."

She said it proudly.

Lucian inclined his head.

"Then, Miss Samantha, may I have the honour of being the first person whose hand you hold today?"

The girl’s entire face brightened.

"Yes!"

She looked as though he had just presented her with a crown.

"It’s me birthday." She told him.

Lucian paused. "Your birthday?"

She nodded enthusiastically.

"I’m fourteen today."

"Then I ought to congratulate you."

"Thank ye."

She looked down at their hands, then back at him.

"This is me best birthday ever."

There was such complete sincerity in her voice that Lucian’s expression softened.

"I am pleased to hear it."

"I begged me mum to bring me." She leaned closer, lowering her voice as though sharing a great secret. "She said we couldn’t afford it."

Lucian’s expression changed slightly.

"But ye know what?"

"What?"

"I begged her again."

A small grin appeared on her face.

"Then she said yes."

Lucian smiled.

"Then I am glad she did."

"Me too."

She squeezed his hand.

Lucian glanced down at their joined hands, seemingly surprised by the gesture.

Then Samantha looked up at him again.

"I’ve wanted to see ye for ages."

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