Chapter 66: The Duke's Hidden Blade
Lyria's POV
The Queen gave the Duke a long look as though she were carefully deciding whether the man standing before her was merely insolent or deliberately provoking her.
Beside her, Jacinta shifted slightly.
Almost immediately, she lifted a hand and adjusted the delicate crown resting upon her head. It had indeed tilted a little to the side.
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.
The Duke noticed the movement as well. A slow smirk curled at the corner of his mouth, though he said nothing.
"Your Grace," the Queen said, "I trust you do not mean to suggest an insult to the Princess."
The Duke tilted his head.
"Your Majesty is admirably swift to identify insult," he said pleasantly. "It is a quality I find most admirable in a ruler. Vigilance of that nature protects a great deal."
He paused, then added,
"However, since the matter of insult has been raised — I find myself compelled to observe something."
