Chapter 14: Names Spoken Like Blades
Lyria's POV
After a moment, Jacinta spoke again. Her voice was casual.
"I was quite shocked to see Corvin yesterday evening," she said, studying her own expression in the mirror. "At the ball."
Kyia leaned closer at once.
"Indeed, Your Highness?"
"I never imagined he would present himself as one of my suitor candidates," Jacinta said.
Jacinta was a horrible liar. She already knew Corvin was going to be one of her suitors. She had even shared a bed with him and kissed him in my presence.
I also knew she was saying this to get a reaction out of me. And I was determined not to give her that reaction.
I said nothing.
I stood where Kyia had placed me, my back straight, my arms locked around the basin, the heat of the water sinking steadily into my skin. I kept my eyes lowered to the carpet, to the pale blue and silver threads woven into its elaborate pattern, and held myself very still.
Stillness was safer.
Behind me, the soft rustle of silk and starched petticoats continued. The maids moved around Jacinta with the careful choreography of long practice—fastening, smoothing, adjusting, stepping back to inspect their work, and then leaning in again with silent precision.
Jacinta tilted her head slightly, examining her reflection.
"I must admit," she said lightly, as though continuing a pleasant thought, "Corvin is very handsome."
Kyia's posture sharpened at once. She was always ready to reply to Jacinta.
"He is also," Jacinta went on, her voice untroubled, almost amused, "quite notorious. A playboy, as they say."
One of the maids gave a tiny, startled cough and quickly lowered her head.
"And I have heard," Jacinta added, idly smoothing a crease at her waist, "that he has been keeping company with someone… quite beneath him."
I did not move, nor did I say anything. I knew who she was referring to. I was a princess too, even though I didn't want to be one for this kingdom.
"A girl," she continued deliberately, "who is hardly more than a maid."
Kyia gasped.
It was a small sound, but sharp with scandal.
"A maid?" she exclaimed, her hand flying to her chest. "Your Highness, surely not. I would have thought—"
She stopped herself just in time, remembering where she stood.
"I would have thought," she corrected carefully, "that a gentleman of his standing would take greater care with his reputation."
Jacinta smiled faintly at her own reflection.
"Men rarely take care of anything, Kyia," she said. "Except themselves."
Kyia leaned closer, lowering her voice as though sharing some delicate confidence.
"I had thought, Your Highness," she said gently, "that perhaps the Marquess might be a more suitable candidate for you."
Oh, they are a perfect match, all right.
"I shall see," she replied.
Kyia brightened immediately.
"Well, if you don't want him, there are, of course, other excellent candidates, Your Highness," she said, warming to her subject. "Quite remarkable gentlemen, I'd say."
Jacinta gave a slight nod.
Kyia began to count them with soft enthusiasm.
"The Duke of Thorncrest is exceedingly handsome and well regarded at court. There is also the Baron of Stoneford—his estates are vast, and his family connections are most respectable. The Earl of Windmere has an admirable reputation and a temperament said to be quite refined."
She paused, as though saving the best for later.
"The Duke of Blackmere, of course," she continued reverently. "And the Count of Brightwater. Every one of them is most dashing, Your Highness."
Jacinta regarded herself thoughtfully in the mirror.
"Yes," she said at last. "They are all… very presentable."
She tilted her chin.
"But I shall only choose one at the end of this."
Kyia nodded at once.
"Of course, Your Highness."
"I must also consider the condition of the kingdom," Jacinta added calmly. "I cannot simply select whom I find agreeable. There are alliances to weigh. Influence to be secured."
Her tone was untroubled, almost academic. One would think Jacinta really cared about the kingdom with the way she spoke.
Kyia's admiration was immediate.
"Your Highness is absolutely brilliant," she said fervently.
That was highly debatable, but then again, it wasn't my position to say anything.
The maids finished fastening the final buttons along Jacinta's back. One smoothed the fall of her skirts. Another adjusted the delicate lace at her cuffs. A third stepped back to admire the line of her shoulders and nodded in approval.
"You look exquisite, Your Highness," one murmured.
Jacinta barely acknowledged her.
She rose slightly on her toes, studying herself from another angle in the mirror.
From beyond the closed door, a firm, formal voice sounded.
"Your Highness."
The guards spoke from their station outside.
"Your escort has arrived."
There was a brief pause.
"Captain Alaric Hale is present to attend you."
Jacinta inclined her head.
"Very well."
The maids withdrew at once, stepping neatly aside to clear her path.
Jacinta turned.
Her skirts whispered as she crossed the room. But instead of heading towards the door, she came to a halt directly in front of me.
I could feel her there before I lifted my eyes—the shift in the air, the sudden closeness.
I raised my gaze just enough.
Her brows were drawn together faintly, her mouth curved into a small, displeased line as she studied me and the basin in my arms.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then she spoke.
"I do not require the water any longer."
Her tone was indifferent.
"You may take it away."
You never needed it in the first place, I almost said, but then I kept quiet.
"Yes, Your Highness," I said.
I inclined my head and turned carefully, angling the basin so as not to spill a single drop.
I had taken just one step when she called out to me.
"Lyria."
Her voice stopped me again.
I froze.
"Yes, Your Highness."
She moved closer.
I felt the faint brush of silk against my sleeve as she leaned toward me.
Her breath touched my ear.
Her voice dropped into something soft and deliberate.
"That ribbon Corvin gave you," she whispered.
My fingers tightened around the porcelain rim.
"You will bring it to me this evening. I will accept no excuse."