chapter479

The competition kicked off and the first contestant, a guy from France, stepped up to the piano. He took his seat with practiced grace, adjusted himself, and let his fingers brush the keys. Within seconds, the music started to pour out, quick and lively, every note dancing from his hands. The whole audience seemed to sink right into the melody, caught up in the ebb and flow. Some people nodded along, others closed their eyes to listen, all of them wearing that dreamy, faraway look.

One by one, more contestants took their turns. In the middle of it all, Connor leaned over and asked Lydia, "So, what do you think of them?"

This first round was about everyone performing before any judging happened, and Connor really wanted to know what Lydia thought. Even though his background was in the military, he'd grown up learning music and the arts, so he knew a thing or two. He'd seen Lydia editing sheet music on her phone yesterday, which made it pretty clear she was on another level.

Lydia answered, Number one and number seven were solid."

The rest, not so much.

Connor nodded right away. "That's what I thought too."

Soon enough, contestant number eight finished and number nine was up next. The host called out Lucinda's name and suddenly, Kylie grinned. "Finally, Lucinda's turn."

As the white spotlight hit Lucinda,

the entire room seemed to stop and stare. She was stunning, almost unreal. It was like she'd walked right out of a fairy tale in her pale blue gown. The top was strapless showing off her slim neck and delicate collarbones, and there were tiny crystals scattered all over, catching the light like a sky full of stars. Around her waist, a matching silk ribbon drew attention to her small perfect figure making her look even more elegant. The ski flowed all the way to the floor in layers of airy tulle that moved with her, every layer embroidered with silver patterns that shimmered whenever she shifted.

The applause was instant and deafening. Everyone in the audience was welcoming her, cheering her on, showing just how much they were looking forward to her performance.

All that attention made Lucinda hold her head a little higher. She had this dress custom-made by a top designer who only created a few pieces a year and, just as she hoped, the moment she walked on stage, all eyes were on her.

So what if Lydia was talented? There was always someone better out there.

Lucinda shot a proud, elegant smile toward Lydia and her group. Their

seats were right near the stage,

they could see her perfectly,

perfectly, and

she

could see them. When she noticed Connor looking at her too, her smile grew even sweeter.

Today was her chance to show them what real, high-end art looked like. Lydia's so- called skills didn't even count. Lucinda was determined to make Lydia feel so

outclassed she wouldn't know what to do with herself.

With that thought, Lucinda took her seat at the piano, her dress spreading out around her like she was wrapped in light. She looked every bit the musical fairy, ready to shine. As she pressed the first key her confidence soaked. She could already picture Lydia's

embarrassment at the end of the competition.

Connor would definitely regret not choosing her. Lydia? Please. She could never be

as graceful, as beautiful, or as refined.