Chapter 311: An Audience Uninvited
Lyria's POV
Earl Hawthorne turned to Duke Thorncrest, his expression one of strained patience.
"Now that you understand the nature of our activities," he said, his voice carefully measured, "I trust you will excuse us. Her Highness and I have matters to attend to."
Duke Thorncrest did not move.
If anything, he appeared even more settled where he stood, his posture relaxed and entirely without shame.
"I should dearly love to," he replied, his tone light and wholly unrepentant. "But you see, I find myself rather curious about taking lessons from a war hero. It is not every day one has the opportunity to observe such a skilled instructor at work."
Earl Hawthorne groaned, the sound long and weary.
"Go away, Alistair," he said flatly. "I am quite serious. This is meant to be a private engagement."
Duke Thorncrest merely chuckled in reply.
