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."
