Chapter 471: A Partner's Burden
Lyria's POV
"Since you are so eager to discover what I have to say, Jim, I shall endeavour not to keep you in suspense," Duke Valenridge said.
"I shall show you the route to the spring I discovered," he continued. "However, there is one condition. Once we have stepped beyond this building, Her Highness must return to the inn."
"W-what?" I asked, in shock.
Duke Valenridge, however, did not so much as glance in my direction.
"Would you be willing to accompany me, Jim?" he asked instead.
Jim appeared momentarily bewildered by the suddenness with which the Duke had changed the subject, but after a brief pause, he nodded.
"Aye. If ye know the way, then there's little sense in wastin' time. I'll find a few folk wot can go wiv ye."
"Splendid."
"Though," Jim added, his gaze shifting towards me, "is this on account o' 'er 'ighness bein' 'urt?"
