Chapter 114: The Performance They Perfect
Chapter 113: The Performance They Perfect
Lyria’s POV
The words lingered in the air for a while after the duke had spoken them.
The Queen was the first to move.
Her smile returned—perfectly measured, perfectly composed—as though nothing at all had unsettled her.
"Your Grace," she said smoothly, her voice light with polite concern, "do you truly suffer from a headache? This is not some lie, is it?"
It was obvious she wanted to point out the fact that the duke was being disrespectful towards the royal family.
Duke Valenridge did not so much as hesitate.
He turned his head slightly, his expression one of mild confusion, as though the question itself was rather curious.
"And why," he asked calmly, "would Your Majesty believe I would lie about such a thing?"
There was a pause.
He exhaled lightly, as though the very act of speaking required more effort than it should.
"My dear friend," he continued, his tone easy, "Duke Alistair Thorncrest can attest to it."
His gaze flickered—just briefly—toward Thorncrest.
"He was kind enough to steady me some moments ago," he added. "When I nearly collapsed."
The Queen’s eyes twitched again, just like how her husband’s did a few minutes ago.
"Oh?" she said, her smile sharpening ever so faintly. "How unfortunate that I did not witness such an incident."
"After all," she continued, "was it not Duke Thorncrest who was otherwise occupied... bringing my dear Lyria out from the shadows?"
I almost threw up at how fake that sounded, even coming from her.
The dukes turned to each other, having a private conversation with just a glance between them.
Duke Thorncrest turned slowly.
"Your Majesty," he said, his tone as smooth as ever, "I fear you may have overlooked it."
He tilted his head slightly, as though recalling something of little consequence.
"I did, in fact, return to my friend’s side shortly after," he continued. "He was... quite unsteady."
His gaze shifted to Corvin.
"To be certain," he added lightly, "I believe Marquess Hale also bore witness."
Corvin stilled.
Duke Thorncrest did not give him time to respond. He did not even give him a chance to deny the accusation.
Instead, he turned back to the King and Queen and then gestured casually at the Marquess.
"There," he said, indicating the Marquess as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "You see? He remembers it as well."
Corvin’s mouth was open in shock. He had tried to reply to the duke before, and it seemed he was still frozen, trying to respond to the duke.
My lips twitched in a smile. I liked the way Corvin’s mouth was open in shock.
But I lowered my gaze before anyone could notice.
It was obvious to me they were lying, but it seemed most others around didn’t know.
I could hear the murmurs.
Low voices weaving through the hall as nobles turned to one another in quiet speculation.
"Did you see it?"
"I thought he seemed pale—"
"Perhaps it happened too quickly—"
"Surely they would not fabricate such a thing—"
I nearly laughed at the whole absurdity of the situation. The nobles were quite... gullible. Yes, gullible—that was the word.
I raised my gaze just in time to see Duke Thorncrest and Duke Valenridge having a quick conversation.
If one wasn’t paying attention, they wouldn’t know.
They stood upright, pretending as though they were not speaking with each other.
I had only just blinked when suddenly, Duke Valenridge swayed.
It was quite convincing too.
His posture faltered, just enough to draw attention without appearing exaggerated.
And Duke Thorncrest moved instantly.
"My dear friend—" he said sharply, his voice cutting through the hall with sudden urgency. "Valenridge, are you quite alright?"
All heads turned.
All attention snapped toward them.
Duke Valenridge lifted a hand to his temple, his expression tightening into something that almost resembled discomfort.
He shook his head faintly.
"It appears..." he murmured, "that the pain has worsened."
There was a faint crease between his brows now.
A convincing one.
"It is... rather unpleasant."
What a flawless performance. It was so well done that even I—watching it unfold—felt the faintest flicker of doubt.
Duke Thorncrest straightened, his expression now edged with concern.
"Your Majesty," he said, turning back toward the dais, "I must insist."
His tone remained polite.
Perfectly so.
But there was an urgency beneath it now.
"My very good friend is clearly unwell," he continued. "It would be most unfortunate if his condition were to worsen within the confines of this hall."
The Queen’s smile had not faded.
But it had... tightened.
Just slightly.
"Surely," she said, her voice smooth, "it is not so dire—"
"It is," Thorncrest cut in gently, though there was nothing gentle in the interruption.
"I would not make such a claim otherwise."
There was a pause.
"If Duke Thorncrest is alarmed," Earl Hawthorne said earnestly, "then it must be serious."
His gaze moved between them.
"We should not delay," he added.
I bit the inside of my cheek.
Hard.
Because laughter almost bubbled out at that moment.
This entire performance was ridiculous. It was an obvious lie, and yet, there were people gullible enough to fall for it. Lucian and Baron Redwick looked exasperated with the whole performance. I was very certain they also knew it was fake.
But even they did not interrupt. They were quiet as they observed everything.
The King exhaled quietly.
The exhale was weighted with something that resembled irritation... and something darker beneath it.
"Very well," he said at last.
The words were clipped.
"Let it not be said that we disregard the well-being of our guests."
His gaze swept across the hall.
"This gathering is concluded. The royal family will reconvene regarding the matter at hand."
There was movement then.
The tension in the hall began to loosen, just slightly, as nobles shifted, whispered, and prepared to disperse.
But my attention remained fixed on the two actors.
Duke Thorncrest bowed. It was deeper than necessary and wholly dramatic.
"Your Majesty," he said, his tone laced with something that almost sounded like gratitude, "you have my sincerest thanks."
He straightened.
And glanced—just briefly—at Duke Valenridge.
"For a moment," he added lightly, "I feared my dear friend might perish before us all."
Oh gods!
My shoulders shook quietly. No matter how I tried this time, I couldn’t quite stop the laugh from escaping.
Duke Thorncrest noticed and winked at me, a smile on his face.
