Chapter 379: An Apology in Blue

Chapter 378: An Apology in Blue

Lyria’s POV

He paused.

For a moment, he did not speak. He simply stood there, his silhouette outlined against the dim light filtering through the curtains.

Then finally, he spoke.

"Your ladies were kind enough to admit me."

The words took a moment to register.

I sat upright immediately, the blanket falling from my shoulders to pool in my lap.

The movement was quick and he turned away just as swiftly, presenting his back to me, his posture becoming rigid.

"Is there a-any issue, my lord?" I asked. "Is s-something the m-matter?"

"No."

His answer came rather quickly.

Then, after a moment, he added, "Though I fear there is something of an issue with my present circumstances."

He cleared his throat before speaking again.

"I was rather too eager in my efforts to obtain an audience with Your Highness. In my haste, I failed to consider precisely how improper it might appear to enter your private chambers while you were asleep."

I glanced down at myself.

Then I understood.

Oh.

My face grew warm immediately. I was certainly not dressed for receiving visitors.

I quickly picked up my robe. I wrapped it around myself, drawing the edges together before tying the sash with fumbling fingers.

He remained with his back to me throughout.

That, strangely enough, made me feel even more embarrassed.

"I sincerely beg your pardon," he said. "I ought not to have imposed upon your ladies in such a manner. I fear I rather pestered the poor women until they relented and allowed me inside."

"I a-am quite c-curious my lord, w-why did you p-pester them s-so?"

There was a brief silence.

Then he sighed.

"I wished to see you. I have been regretting our previous meeting." He spoke more slowly now. "I behaved poorly, Your Highness. I departed without offering you an explanation, and upon reflection, I cannot think of any respectable reason for having done so."

I studied his back.

"After the w-way our last m-meeting ended," I said, "I d-did not think y-you would w-want to see m-me."

There was another pause.

"That is precisely why I wished to come."

I frowned.

"I ought to have conducted myself with greater consideration." He spoke with genuine remorse.

I looked at him for a moment.

He sounded almost like someone presenting himself before a magistrate to confess to some terrible offence.

It was rather amusing.

"Now t-that you are h-here," I said slowly, "you m-may as w-well explain yourself."

I paused.

"And you c-can face me n-now."

He hesitated.

I watched the tension in his shoulders.

"I am still n-not appropriately c-clothed," I added, "but I a-am certainly m-more covered t-than before."

A quiet breath escaped him.

"I am grateful for that distinction."

I nearly smiled.

Then, slowly, he turned.

Only then did I notice what he had been holding.

Flowers.

A small bouquet was gathered in his hand, bound with a simple ribbon. The blooms were a deep, vibrant blue, their petals delicate and soft, their centres a paler shade that caught the muted light entering through the curtains.

I stared at them.

For some reason, I could not take my eyes away.

He followed my gaze and cleared his throat nervously.

"I brought these for you."

The confidence he usually carried seemed to have deserted him entirely.

"Even with the considerable number of sisters I have," he continued, "I remain remarkably ignorant where flowers are concerned. I could scarcely present myself before Your Highness empty-handed, so I selected the ones that appeared the most vibrant."

A faint crease appeared between his brows.

"I am afraid I cannot tell you their proper names." He looked almost embarrassed by the admission. "I simply thought they were rather beautiful. And, they seemed suited to you."

My heart gave a strange little flutter.

I looked away.

I was beginning to understand why nobles were so fond of flowers.

They were rather dangerous things.

A person could say an extraordinary amount without speaking plainly at all.

He shifted his weight.

"I also wished to offer you my apology." His voice became even softer. "I was ashamed of the manner in which I left you. You had done nothing to warrant it, and I should not have subjected you to such discourtesy."

He held the bouquet out slightly.

"I thought perhaps these might serve as a small peace offering."

I looked at him.

Then he added, with an awkwardness that was almost endearing, "If Your Highness does not consider them sufficient, however, I shall accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate."

I raised an eyebrow.

"P-punishment?"

He nodded gravely.

"You may strike me, should you wish. More than once, if Your Highness finds that necessary."

I almost laughed.

"I do not b-believe that is how a-apologies w-work."

"Perhaps not." There was a faint smile upon his lips. "But I am willing to make an exception in this particular case. And I must admit that I have apologised in the exact same manner."

"N-now that is a s-story I a-am interested in k-knowing." I told Jim.

He smiled in reply.

I sighed and then shook my head.

The truth was, I was not cross with him.

Not really.

I had been confused by his sudden departure. I had wondered whether I had offended him somehow, whether I had said something improper or behaved in a manner he disliked.

But anger had never truly entered my heart.

I had simply been uncertain.

My gaze returned to the flowers.

They were beautiful.

The deep blue reminded me of the sky immediately before dusk, when the last traces of sunlight disappeared and everything became quiet.

I stepped closer and he watched me carefully.

"Do you like them?" He asked me. "It would give me great joy that I did not do a disservice I’m getting these for you."

I chuckled lightly. "I-it is no d-disservice. I quite l-like them."

His shoulders relaxed.

I reached out and gently touched one of the petals.

They were delicate beneath my fingertips.

"Blue v-violets," I murmured.

He frowned.

"I beg your pardon?"

I smiled faintly.

"The flowers," I said. "T-they are c-called blue violets."