Chapter 34
“Wow…”
Aria, clutching the Jubel tightly in one hand, let out an exclamation.
The object that the director had handed to her with great excitement.
At first, she didn’t expect much.
But.
When she pressed the button, music began to play!
Joel couldn’t hide his satisfied smile as he watched Aria, who seemed overjoyed.
“This is a gift from the performer. Make sure to thank him someday.”
“Yes!”
Even though she responded that way, Aria’s mind was entirely focused on the Jubel.
She quickly climbed onto her bed, buried herself under the blanket, and listened to the gentle melody flowing out.
A melody that warmly caressed her heart.
‘It feels like a dream.’
Being able to listen to such beautiful music whenever she wanted, as many times as she wanted.
Perhaps it was because she was too happy, but her eyes grew a little moist.
Soon, the sound stopped.
Click—
She pressed the button again.
It truly felt as if someone was playing the piano right in front of her.
Aria imagined that scene.
The image of the performer she once saw at the theatre came back to her.
“Hm hm~”
And then, she quietly began to hum along to the melody.
***
Edward informed me that all the Jubels were sold out.
Not in an hour, but in just 10 minutes.
It seemed even the random draw concept was met with a positive response.
“By the way, Young Master.”
“Yes.”
“Do you plan to continue selling the future Jubels in the same manner?”
“No.”
In truth, today’s sales were more like an event.
At the same time, I also wanted to test how people would react to the random draw mechanism.
At least I confirmed that it could make money.
There were even people who bought several to get the song they wanted.
While I don’t plan to sell all the Jubels randomly, I intend to use this strategy occasionally.
Like slipping in a few limited editions among the regular stock.
No doubt, crowds would form, trying to get their hands on the limited editions.
‘How did I end up like this?’
The reason I initially planned to popularize the Jubel was simple.
To create a world where more people could enjoy music.
Money wasn’t the goal.
But the situation changed.
After I heard that the financial state of the estate my father had taken on was beyond recovery.
It turns out that the former manager, Periton, had been extracting almost illegal taxes from the residents regularly.
And his methods were truly absurd.
He built unnecessary bridges within the estate and charged an exorbitant toll fee each time people crossed them.
While it’s true that the laws within the estate are determined by the lord, this was too much.
Charging people just for moving around the estate.
He even frequently demanded a large portion of their harvests as tribute.
He squandered all the extorted taxes right before being imprisoned, leaving nothing to return to the Imperial Treasury.
It was the worst situation.
It was only natural that my father, Count Julian, became deeply troubled.
While forcing the residents to do labour might rebuild the estate, it wouldn’t win their hearts.
But offering welfare without compensation wasn’t an option for our family either.
That’s why I thought of popularizing the Jubel while maximizing profit through the random draw method.
Now, it wasn’t just about popularity; profitability had to follow too.
Fortunately, it seems to have worked.
“How about holding a commemorative recital soon? It could serve as both a return event and a celebration of the Jubel’s launch.”
Edward suggested.
“Of course. I was already considering it.”
Let’s plan the next steps later.
It’s about time I returned to the estate, so I stood up from my seat.
Just then, Edward called out to me.
“Oh! And Erdi was looking for you earlier.”
Strange.
Normally, if he had something to say, he would come to the theatre or visit the manor directly.
I’d better stop by the newspaper office before heading back.
After bidding farewell to Edward, I stepped outside.
***
“Diana Pierce here! It’s such a pleasure to meet the performer here!”
“Ah, yes.”
Why is this woman here?
Diana Pierce.
I definitely remember her.
A resident of a village I briefly visited while passing through Seneca County on my way east.
She was incredibly interested in the piano.
‘Could she have come all the way to the capital just to see us?’
That’s quite some determination.
“It seems she’s been working at the newspaper office in my place for the past few weeks.”
Erdi said to me with an awkward expression.
Survival skills too?
“Wait, Erdi, did you get fired?”
“No, that’s not it.”
It didn’t seem to be the case.
“It looks like Diana has been ‘temporarily’ covering my duties until I returned.”
“Oh, I see.”
I had secretly hoped for a different outcome.
I thought the handover process was finally over.
In truth, Erdi’s income is already far above that of the average commoner.
With about thirty percent of the profits from past recitals being his share, he must have amassed at least several dozen gold coins.
But his attachment to the newspaper job is something I can’t quite understand.
Like a wealthy person driving a taxi for a hobby, or something like that.
Anyway.
I dropped by to see the newspaper office and greet the owner after being away for so long, and there I found a familiar face—Diana.
She must have quickly decided to inform me and left a message with Edward.
So.
At this point, I couldn’t help but ask why Diana was here.
“Do you have other business in the capital?”
“No! I came to see the performer! Actually, I arrived a long time ago, but I couldn’t meet you! Don’t worry, I’ve been doing fine! Haha!”
I wasn’t worried.
I was just a bit puzzled.
‘It seems she did come just to see us.’
Then why?
I was about to ask again when she suddenly clapped her hands together and bowed deeply.
“I want to learn the piano!”
“Ah.”
Honestly, I had expected this.
I already knew how much she was interested in music, especially the piano.
She even asked back in the village if she could ever learn to play.
‘Come to think of it, it was Erdi who showed her the performance back then, so why ask me?’
I glanced over at him.
It seemed he had something to say.
“I’m still not at a level to teach someone. It would be better if the Young Master took on the task.”
“Yeah, I figured you’d say that.”
He didn’t miss a single word I anticipated.
When I turned my head back, Diana was looking at me with shining eyes.
So, she wants to learn the piano.
It’s not the first time I’ve received such a request.
If I counted all the nobles who wanted me to teach their young children piano lessons, it would fill the entire theatre.
Of course, I turned them all down.
The reason wasn’t complicated.
I barely have time to practice myself.
Lately, I’ve even taken on the management of the estate.
I also have to pay attention to the sale of the Jubels.
I don’t have the leisure; I’ve even had to postpone my recitals.
But.
‘I can’t just turn away a guest who came all this way.’
I feel a bit sorry.
Besides, I seem to remember saying something when I visited the village.
‘I said she might have a chance to learn to play someday.’
I didn’t plant that hope expecting this situation… but I have a responsibility to keep my word.
No matter how I think about it, asking Erdi is the best solution.
He’ll say he can’t do it, but what can you do?
If I persuade him, he’ll eventually give in.
As I was about to conclude my thoughts, Diana suddenly leaned in close.
“I’ll do anything if you teach me piano! I’m good at cooking and cleaning! The newspaper owner even praised me! I’m not looking to learn for free! Please!”
I met Erdi’s gaze.
“Didn’t you say, Young Master, that you were looking for a servant lately?”
“I’ll be a servant! Or rather, a maid! I can do a good job!”
Somehow, it feels like they’ve already made the decision on their own.
Not that Erdi’s suggestion is wrong.
I was thinking that it might be time to hire a servant or maid anyway.
I thought I wouldn’t need one, but as my work piled up, there were more tasks I couldn’t handle alone.
And Theo’s nagging has increased too.
If I took Diana on as my maid…
‘Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad?’
I can’t spare time to teach her piano by carving out time from my already packed schedule.
It’s not about determination; it’s physically impossible.
But if there’s something to gain in return, it’s different.
If Diana can assist me properly, I might find a bit more free time.
Then, I can teach her piano.
Besides, she seems to want to learn specifically from me.
If there’s a way to keep my promise without it costing me, there’s no reason not to choose it.
It’s a win-win.
And so, the deal was made.
“Wow! Thank you so much!”
***
“Meet Diana Pierce.”
I brought her to the manor to introduce her to Theo.
It was to hire her as a personal maid.
From assisting with daily tasks to managing clothes.
Preparing meals, cleaning rooms, running errands—everything.
She volunteered for it, so it’s not an issue, and that’s what personal maids do anyway.
If her skills improve, I could even have her handle music notation and copying scores, which used to be Erdi’s job.
It’s a solid plan.
I get to offload tedious chores, and Diana gains the opportunity to have the best performer in the capital as her teacher.
Theo can worry less, and Erdi gets a junior to help him.
The resident servants get a new companion too.
In any case.
World peace.
“I’ll ask Doris to train her.”
Theo said.
Doris.
That’s the head maid’s name.
She would teach Diana everything she needed to know.
—
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