Chapter 71: The Shack and Its Secrets
Lyria's POV
Baron Redwick winning had not surprised me in the least.
His work had been extraordinary. Even if I had not spent three hours watching every brushstroke of every candidate's painting from my narrow window, even if I had arrived at the competition with fresh eyes and no prior observation, I would have known immediately upon seeing his completed work that it was the finest thing produced in that courtyard today.
Lucian was a deserving second.
I could admit that without particular discomfort.
The two of them together had produced work that stood in a different category from everything else presented. Technical accomplishment was one thing—several of the candidates had demonstrated genuine skill. But skill and resonance were not the same thing, and the two were rarely found together in equal measure.
Baron Redwick and Lucian had managed both.
The others had done well enough in their own ways.
