Chapter 6
“This is… something else…”
The evaluation by the prince resumed once again.
I unknowingly swallowed a dry gulp.
“Would you consider becoming a musician directly affiliated with the Imperial Family?”
“Pardon?”
Did I make it?
The way he addressed me just changed from ‘you’ to ‘you there’—a promotion in terms of respect.
This alone showed how much his impression of me had changed.
The prince continued speaking.
“It’s the first time I’ve heard such a breathtaking performance! It’s like the triumphant fanfare that welcomes warriors returning from a victorious battle! It could even be adopted as the Empire’s military anthem! Why didn’t you play that piece earlier?”
“I’m embarrassed.”
He shared his impressions with a look of genuine amazement.
As expected, I was right.
***
The Polonaise, composed by Chopin, is a piece closely associated with Poland.
The term ‘Polonaise’ itself is a French word meaning ‘Polish style.’
It is a representative folk dance of the region, characterized by its lively 3/4 rhythm and the repetition of clear, simple melodies.
However, it’s never light or frivolous.
Especially for Chopin, the Polonaise holds an even more profound significance.
His homeland, Poland, suffered oppression from Russia, and even a hard-fought revolution was suppressed, leading to a time of considerable gloom.
Chopin himself was one of the direct victims of this situation.
Thus, he continuously released works in this style, as if to prove he was still alive through the music that his homeland prided itself on.
The one that receives the highest acclaim is the Heroic Polonaise.
Opinions on it may vary depending on the listener, but it’s undeniable that this piece is a grand hymn forged in the depths of a dark tunnel.
A noble battle to crush hardship and reclaim freedom.
And finally, the triumphant return of the glorious warriors who seized victory.
That’s how I hear it, at least.
It’s a masterpiece that sublimates the national spirit into art, eventually transcending even its own era.
That’s why I was confident that this was the most fitting piece to play for the prince.
And as expected.
His stance had visibly changed.
His fists were clenched in a dignified manner.
Even his standing posture exuded a solemn reverence.
With clear, shining eyes, he stared intently at my face and spoke.
“So, what do you think? Would you consider joining me?”
Pardon?
Was he serious?
I had my doubts, but his expression was deadly serious.
To think that I, who was dragged here as a criminal, would suddenly get a scouting offer from the prince.
Could there be a more dramatic turn of events?
Did the god of Polonaise bestow his Favor upon me?
In any case, I had to respond.
“Are you giving me a choice?”
“Everyone has the right to choose.”
“Then I’ll have to decline.”
“Hahaha!”
The prince, who had maintained a stoic demeanour all along, burst into hearty laughter.
Although it feels somewhat embarrassing to say this myself, I aspire to be a public artist.
While being a musician under the Imperial Family does sound tempting, I want to perform freely in front of as many people as possible.
That would be far more beneficial for the cultural development of this world.
Being under someone’s command is no different from being shackled.
I had spoken my true feelings on a whim, but his reaction was positive, to my relief.
“Very well. However, there is a condition.”
“A condition?”
“I would like you to perform at the Imperial Knights’ Departure Ceremony.”
The Imperial Knights’ Departure Ceremony.
It’s an event where trainee knights officially receive their qualification from the Emperor.
After the ceremony, these knights are either granted small territories or summoned to the lords or monasteries to protect the Empire and maintain order.
Some, like Ainz, are even appointed as direct attendants of the Imperial Family.
With immense responsibilities come honour and glory.
Moreover, I’ve heard that the pay is quite good.
The Departure Ceremony marks the beginning of such knights’ careers, making it the largest-scale event held in the capital.
I’ve attended it once before.
I barely saw anything from the back due to the massive crowd.
Anyway.
What the prince was saying now was simple.
He was offering me the opportunity to perform the congratulatory piece for the Imperial Knights’ Departure Ceremony.
“Would you refuse this as well?”
“How could I refuse? It would be an honour.”
While declining the position as the Imperial Family’s musician was possible, rejecting the opportunity to perform at the Departure Ceremony would not be a wise choice.
Moreover, since he used the word ‘condition,’ it felt more like an order than a suggestion.
‘It seems the misunderstanding has been resolved. Was he testing my suitability by having me perform intentionally?’
It was probably not a trial but an interview.
In any case, this wasn’t bad from my perspective either.
I hadn’t completely lost my freedom, and I could think of this as merely getting a bigger stage.
And what happens when the stage becomes bigger?
It means more people will be able to see me.
That alone is reason enough.
The contract was sealed in a flash.
“What is your name?”
“I am Anton from the Tilburg Family.”
“Then I’ll leave it to you, Anton.”
Receiving the prince’s greeting, I exited the banquet hall.
Ainz guided me outside.
He offered to take me back to the Barony by carriage, and I didn’t feel the need to refuse.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
Sitting across from me, Ainz opened his mouth.
“That performance earlier… It was excellent.”
“Thank you.”
“Especially the middle part. How should I describe it… It felt like starlight twinkling and decorating the night sky around the moon.”
Ah, so he liked that part?
His taste is completely different from the prince’s.
“By the way, what kind of piece are you planning to perform at the Departure Ceremony?”
“I’m still thinking about it.”
There are still a few months left until the Departure Ceremony.
Just like today’s Polonaise, pieces filled with intricate techniques are quite challenging.
Choosing an appropriate piece is the first priority.
Then comes practice.
I haven’t practiced enough.
While one or two brilliant performances might receive overwhelming praise, if I keep resorting to plagiarism without any foundation, my lack of skill will soon be exposed.
Of course, even so, it doesn’t seem like there’s anyone in the Empire who can catch up to my performance.
If I’m going to deceive, I should do it properly.
‘There are so many things I have to pay attention to.’
Ainz scratched his head and said,
“I’m looking forward to it.”
After that, we headed to the estate without any further conversation.
***
“Where did he go?”
A young girl, Elize Flovitz, walked into the empty banquet hall, glancing around with a disappointed expression.
She was slightly delayed because she had to change her clothes.
As the princess representing the Empire, she couldn’t afford to be rude in front of guests.
But in the meantime, the performer had vanished.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she quietly gazed at the piano.
The chair was slightly askew, as if someone had just been sitting there.
“Are you all right?”
Therese patted Elize on the back as she trembled with sorrow.
She offered a word of comfort.
“Maybe it was just an illusion.”
“You know that’s not true, Therese.”
“Calm down. I’ll prepare some tea for you.”
“I need to ask Luhan about this.”
“…”
There was no time to stop her.
Lifting her dress, Elize strode briskly down the hallway.
Soon, she arrived in front of a certain door.
She knocked.
She wanted to throw the door open, but etiquette held her back.
Luhan appeared.
“What brings you here?”
“Who was the one playing the piano in the banquet hall just now?”
“Must I tell you?”
A shadow fell over Elize’s face.
“Luhan Flovitz.”
She pronounced his name slowly, enunciating each syllable.
“Which do you prefer? Dethronement or exile?”
“…Are you serious?”
To utter such terrifying words without changing her expression.
Therese grabbed hold of her sister.
Had she not intervened, one of them probably wouldn’t have been able to sleep peacefully tonight.
‘Why is it that every time these two meet, they can’t help but try to tear each other apart?’
Are they really siblings?
Therese’s displeased gaze turned towards the two of them.
Elize sighed and spoke.
“I apologize. Please go in and rest.”
It bothered her that she had shown an unseemly side of herself in front of her younger sister.
Reluctantly, Luhan conceded.
“…Anton Tilburg.”
“Anton Tilburg?”
“That’s the name of the Performer.”
Elize, having finally obtained the information she wanted, turned away silently and disappeared.
She parted ways with Therese in the hallway.
Then, she entered her room alone.
***
‘What’s wrong with me?’
She knew something had been off about her lately.
She couldn’t fall asleep easily because something kept bothering her.
‘The moonlight.’
It started after listening to that performance.
Music is an art that stirs emotions and touches the soul.
The performer pressing the keys with his appearance obscured by a thin veil.
Perhaps that was the reason.
Because she couldn’t see him, it added to the mystery, allowing her to focus solely on the sound.
There was no barrier between herself and the music.
It felt like she was hearing ‘true music’ for the first time in her life.
Her heart pounded, and her breath quickened.
As her senses came alive, images were painted in the air.
Longing and joy.
Melancholy and elation.
A wave of contradictory emotions that shouldn’t coexist washed over her.
On that day, Elize felt as if the transparent shell encasing her had shattered.
An invitation to a new world.
So, if she ever met the performer, she would express her gratitude not as the princess but as a fan.
“If I ever get to meet him.”
Now then.
What would be the best way to approach him for a first meeting?
“Should I send him an invitation and have him come to the Imperial Palace? Or should I go meet him personally? Or maybe I could pretend to bump into him by chance on the streets…”
The corners of her lips lifted.
“…Hehe.”
—
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