Chapter 418: The Sleeping Duke
Lyria's POV
Duke Valenridge slept for a considerable while.
At some point, Pippa entered bearing a tray of refreshments, and insisted that I partake of something, else she should be obliged to summon Elara. I had no wish to be scolded a second time, and so I resolved to oblige her. She had scarcely set down the tray when she noticed the figure upon my bed, and froze at once.
Her gaze travelled from the sleeping Duke to myself, and then back again, and her expression passed through several stages in rapid succession — surprise, disbelief, and, at the last, disapproval.
"Your Highness," she said. "Why is His Grace upon your bed?"
I glanced towards him, hoping her voice had not roused him, and was relieved to find he slept on.
"K-keep your voice d-down," I said softly. "He is r-resting."
Pippa stared at me.
"Resting, Your Highness?"
"Y-yes. He s-suffers difficulty in sleeping, and I t-told him he might r-rest here."
"Upon your own bed?"
