Chapter 262: The Unconventional Performances
Lyria's POV
The Queen's eyes were fixed upon Duke Thorncrest like a hawk assessing its prey. Her posture was rigid, her hands resting upon the arms of her chair, and the silence surrounding her was the sort that preceded a storm.
"Your Grace," she said, her voice sharp, "what you did was not composing. It was not even remotely close to what was asked of you."
Duke Thorncrest did not falter. His smile remained in place, easy and untroubled, as though he had not just been accused of mockery before the entire court. He stood with his hands clasped loosely behind his back, his posture relaxed.
"Your Majesty," he said, "composing an original piece can be interpreted rather broadly. It could mean creating something entirely from the beginning, or it could mean taking something that already exists and reshaping it into something new. The instructions did not specify which."
He paused, gesturing lightly toward the piano.
