Chapter 9
“Truly remarkable, Anton!”
The moment I returned home, I was showered with praise.
My father and Count Haverland’s reactions were as expected.
Come to think of it, these two have been sticking together quite often lately.
Did they form some kind of brotherhood?
“Your performance was truly beautiful, young master…”
Even Theo’s eyes were glistening with tears.
I had heard he was planning to attend the concert, and it seems he was very pleased.
“This is not the time for this!”
Father suggested holding a banquet right away, but I refused.
I simply didn’t have the energy for that.
He had clearly seen his son reveal his identity and be cheered on by the crowd, so it was understandable for him to be overcome with emotion.
However, the feelings I had were quite different.
‘This is somewhat embarrassing.’
It’s a relief that this is another world. If it were modern-day Earth, it wouldn’t have been surprising to get criticized for such a performance.
I skipped dinner using fatigue as an excuse and went up to my room.
I sat down in front of the piano.
I recalled the William Tell Overture I performed at the square today.
My fingers lacked strength.
If I left them still, they would even start trembling.
I must have pushed myself too hard.
I had rearranged the piece and lowered the difficulty, yet I was in this state.
The performance itself was something I had learned, so my body remembered it.
Reading the sheet music wasn’t difficult either.
But I couldn’t say that my skills were top-notch.
Choosing William Tell Overture might have been premature.
“I need to build more foundation.”
I took out the sheet music I had made whenever I had the chance.
I decided to go back to basics and think of an easier piece.
Schubert, Moment Musical.
**T/n: Schubert’s Moments Musicaux is a set of six short piano pieces composed by Franz Schubert between 1823 and 1828**
There are six pieces in the set, and the third one is the most famous.
It’s short and simple, making it easy to follow.
I tapped on the keys and began writing the sheet music.
Notating music is only difficult at first. Once you get used to it, it takes only a few minutes to write a single measure.
“This should do.”
I immediately started playing.
Since I had soundproofed my room for practice, the sound wouldn’t leak out.
I built a clear and soft melody on top of a simple rhythm.
A minor key’s elegant melody.
It might sound as if the main melody is repeating constantly, but with occasional modulations, there’s no time to get bored.
I added rubato to the piece.
It’s a technique where the performer adjusts the length of the notes at their discretion.
Since I didn’t have the original sheet music anyway, maybe I was performing every note with *rubato?
**T/n: Rubato is a musical term derived from the Italian word meaning “stolen time.” It refers to the expressive and flexible alteration of rhythm or tempo by the performer. When playing with rubato, a musician may slow down or speed up certain parts of a piece to enhance its emotional expressiveness, deviating slightly from the strict timing of the written score.**
With that, the brief re-production was over.
It didn’t seem bad.
I decided to practice by drawing sheet music for easier pieces and using them to refine my skills.
That was the best way to prepare a proper performance by the time the Imperial Knights’ Departure Ceremony arrived.
“Hoo.”
It’s already been a while since the sun set.
I should wash up and get some sleep.
“Young master.”
I heard Theo’s voice from outside.
“What is it?”
“We have a visitor.”
A visitor?
At this late hour?
***
“Anton! Would you consider teaching my daughter to play the piano?”
It was a baron who had come from a remote territory.
I didn’t recognize his face, and I didn’t know his name either.
It seemed he had seen my performance today.
There was a girl standing next to him—she was small and frail.
Her clothes were neat and tidy.
In any case, having visitors at the manor was a rare occurrence.
The only regular visitor was Count Haverland.
For some reason, I started to have a bad feeling.
“Please! I’ll pay you handsomely, so please consider it!”
What should I do?
Am I in any position to be teaching someone right now?
I need to focus on my own practice because of my lack of skills.
Taking responsibility for teaching the daughter of a baron is not something I want to do right now.
Still, I couldn’t just turn away a guest who had come all this way, so I led him to the drawing room.
“Would you like some tea?”
“Thank you.”
Theo, who had been listening to our conversation, walked into the kitchen.
I sat on the sofa across from the baron and his daughter.
“Your daughter seems to have a great interest in the piano.”
“She’s always wanted to hear your music. Word has spread even to the provinces. She was always disappointed that she couldn’t get a ticket to the theatre, and then we heard there would be a concert at the square today. Even though she could only watch from afar, it was truly magnificent! She kept pestering me, so I decided to take the liberty of coming here, despite the impropriety.”
While the Baron passionately explained, the girl remained silent.
She bowed her head and fidgeted with her fingers.
She must be shy.
The story was touching, but I couldn’t accept the proposal.
When I told him this, the baron looked visibly disappointed.
‘This won’t do.’
Reluctantly, I went upstairs and brought down Schubert’s sheet music.
I copied it exactly in front of them.
“How about starting with this?”
“This is…”
“I just composed it today…”
“Wow! A brand new solo piece by the maestro! Such beautiful harmonies! The perfect balance between crescendo and decrescendo! The staccato rhythm is like the twinkling eyes of an Angel!”
I was startled.
The girl, who had been silent until just a moment ago, stood up abruptly as soon as she received the sheet music.
Then, she began to deliver an impromptu speech.
‘Does she really like it that much?’
I was relieved.
I thought she would sulk if I didn’t agree to teach her personally, but she held the sheet music tightly with a satisfied expression.
“Please come back once you’ve practiced. I’m curious to hear your daughter’s performance as well.”
“Thank you so much!”
“Thank you very much!”
The two of them left like that.
They hopped into their carriage with lively steps, waving as they departed.
“Daddy, buy me a piano now!”
It sounded like I just heard something terrifying.
I bowed deeply at the main gate.
Surely, this won’t be the end.
More people might start coming, asking for lessons like they did.
‘Sheet music…’
It’s too much to handle it all myself, so maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to create and distribute sheet music.
How much should I sell each one for?
I should talk to Edward about it.
I returned to my room.
“Young master.”
“Please, no more…”
“You have another visitor.”
“Sigh…”
***
“Yes, welcome.”
I greeted them absentmindedly, exhausted both physically and mentally.
I glanced at Theo, who immediately headed back to the kitchen.
Standing at the door was a young girl with black hair.
Her cheeks were covered in freckles.
Judging by her worn tunic, she must be a commoner.
But since we were meeting for the first time, I couldn’t speak informally.
“Did you come from far away?”
“…Ah!”
She jumped in surprise at my words.
“Ah… Ah! Is this the residence of the maestro?”
She was stammering so much that it seemed like she was hiding something.
I replied without letting my guard down.
“Yes, it is.”
“I came because I have a request. I apologize if I’m being rude.”
“No, it’s alright. I had a feeling a guest would be coming, so I was prepared.”
Of course, that was a lie.
I had no idea someone would show up.
She followed me into the drawing room.
With graceful movements, she sat on the sofa and straightened her back.
Her hands, placed neatly on her lap, were elegantly folded together.
‘Something’s off.’
Her demeanour is unusual.
It’s not easy to possess this level of sophistication unless one has received etiquette training since childhood.
Just look at the baron’s daughter from earlier—she was slouching on the sofa, sitting crookedly.
This woman is not ordinary.
“I am Anton, the Eldest son of the Tilburg family.”
“Ah! I am El…lis, a newspaper delivery girl living in the Imperial… I mean, the Imperial Capital.”
Ellis?
Not Elize?
‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’
If her acting had been even slightly better, I might have been fooled. But this… it’s like she’s asking me to recognize her.
I noticed it the moment she opened her mouth.
‘Crown Princess Elize Flovitz.’
What an unrealistic scenario this is.
And what’s with being a newspaper delivery girl?
Is it okay for such a flimsy profession to be her cover story?
Even her freckles look like they were deliberately drawn on.
So much effort put into being vague.
If I weren’t calm and collected, I might not have noticed.
When I dropped my smile, her distinctive appearance stood out even more.
Hair as deep and rich as if it could swallow all the world’s colours.
Eyes glowing with a soft light, as if drawing one in—such charm is almost mesmerizing.
No matter how much makeup and disguise are used, some things simply cannot be hidden.
However—
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. May I ask what brings you here?”
I don’t want to put the crown princess in a difficult position.
If her goal is to hide her identity, I have no intention of probing further.
More than anyone else, I understand that feeling well.
“I thoroughly enjoyed today’s performance. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard music so full of energy and vitality.”
Did she watch my performance at the square in this disguise?
I was surprised at how modest her hobby is.
“Haha, I’m glad to hear that. Thank you for the compliment.”
I responded politely.
“It was different from Clair de Lune. I thought lyrical pieces were your specialty, but it seems you also have a more masculine side.”
“…”
“Ah.”
Her expression rapidly darkened.
It seems she realized her mistake.
At this point, I can no longer pretend not to notice.
“How did you get to hear Clair de Lune?”
You’re supposed to be a commoner, aren’t you?
I only performed that piece in a theatre reserved for nobles.
“I think… I heard it secretly.”
…What nonsense is this?
Did she not prepare a script for her story?
Or maybe she actually wants to be recognized.
‘This is driving me crazy.’
Talking to her makes me feel like I’m becoming more foolish by the minute.
I need to risk being rude and say something.
—
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