Chapter 12
“Erdi Villette!”
“Huh? What?”
The man looked around, bewildered.
He hadn’t expected to receive an award at all.
Since the third and second places had already been taken, he probably thought he had no chance whatsoever.
But he was wrong.
If this man isn’t the first place winner, who else could possibly deserve that honour?
“Are you sure I’m allowed to receive this?”
“It was an excellent performance.”
“…Thank you.”
Taking the opportunity, I asked him a few questions I had been curious about.
“Where did you learn to play the piano?”
“Ah! Once a month, a patron of our newspaper, the Duke, invites me to his estate. I’ve only played a few times there with permission.”
Once a month?
And he’s only played a few times?
‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’
I need to take advantage of this.
I told him I would visit the newspaper soon and sent Erdi back down.
Applause erupted from the audience.
Even though many hadn’t made it to the top ranks, it seemed they enjoyed today’s event.
It might be worthwhile to hold these events more often.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
I also expressed my gratitude to Count Haverland.
After giving my final greetings to Edward, I headed home.
It was about time to start preparing for the stage at the Departure Ceremony.
***
“Hey, Erdi.”
“Yes, sir?”
The owner of the newspaper called Erdi over.
He had just returned from the piano competition.
He was bursting with excitement, eager to brag about his results.
“The young lady of the Duke’s household is looking for you.”
“For me?”
But his excitement fizzled out at the unexpected response.
He set off nervously.
The mansion wasn’t far away.
“Wait, wasn’t the appointment set for today?”
The man guarding the front gate asked Erdi.
“I heard the young lady is looking for me.”
“Oh, right! Go right in.”
They exchanged a brief greeting and parted ways.
A servant who had come to greet him welcomed him warmly.
“Hey, Erdi! I heard you won a big prize at the competition today!”
“Has the news already spread this far?”
“The Duke was very pleased! He treats you like his own son, doesn’t he?”
Edelro Dressel, the Duke.
He had been friends with Erdi for a long time.
The head of a ducal household and a commoner newspaper delivery boy.
To an outsider, it might seem strange, but the Duke had always cherished Erdi.
A long time ago, the Duke’s carriage overturned in a major accident.
It was Erdi who appeared and provided help.
As a gesture of gratitude, the Duke invited him to his estate for a meal, and their friendship continued to this day.
But that wasn’t the only reason.
“May I play the piano if it’s not too much trouble?”
“Play to your heart’s content.”
With the Duke’s support, Erdi learned a few basic skills, and that was the beginning.
“Have you already memorized the entire sheet music?”
Erdi’s skills improved rapidly.
It took him only a year to master the entire Victor Kosolin collection.
Even noble children who received formal training didn’t demonstrate such rapid learning ability.
The Duke had even planned to sponsor him and enroll him in the Academy, but imperial law prevented it.
Only children of noble families could enter the Academy.
The Duke had considered renting a theatre to hold a solo recital for him, but even that was not easy.
“They say the Duke cares more for a commoner newspaper delivery boy than his own daughter.”
No matter how distorted the rumours in society were, they couldn’t be completely ignored.
The head of a family represents the family name.
A lord represents their territory.
If pursuing personal desires brings dishonour to everyone, giving it up is the right choice.
So, the best he could do was to invite Erdi to his estate for a meal once a month.
But.
‘The next meal is still some time away.’
As he walked down the hallway guided by the servant, a question mark floated in Erdi’s mind.
Moreover, the one who called him was not the Duke, but his daughter.
Lea Dressel.
I had briefly encountered her during today’s piano competition.
‘Could it be because of that incident?’
Anxiety swept over me.
***
“Theo, I’ll be going out for a while. Make sure to inform Father properly.”
“Understood.”
Today’s destination is not the theatre.
It’s the newspaper office where Erdi Villette works.
The piece I’ll perform at the Departure Ceremony has already been chosen.
But in order to present it properly, I need some assistance.
Erdi is more than qualified to offer advice.
‘He’s not just skilled in technique; his ability to reinterpret music is exceptional.’
That guy is a genius.
He’s simply been deprived of the opportunity to shine due to his status and the era he was born in.
This is the reason I hosted the competition.
A society that can enjoy a higher level of culture.
That’s not something I can achieve on my own.
I wanted to find someone to stimulate and challenge me, and he appeared before me like a gift.
“Is anyone here?”
The newspaper office was located on the outskirts of the capital.
When I knocked on the door, a middle-aged man appeared.
“What brings you here?”
“I’m looking for someone. Erdi Villette.”
“Are you from the Duke’s family?”
“Pardon?”
“No, I’m not.”
The Duke’s family?
I heard that Erdi is acquainted with Duke Edelro Dressel.
That’s the extent of my knowledge.
As I stepped inside, I was greeted by stacks of Gray newspapers.
There was no notable news today.
Just reports on murder cases and robberies.
“Hmm.”
The headline displayed the schedule for the Departure Ceremony.
Two weeks left.
There wasn’t much time left.
It’s about time to get started on my preparations.
“Where is Erdi?”
“He’s over there.”
The man pointed to a corner.
As I looked in that direction, I saw what appeared to be a heap of rags.
At first, I thought it was just a pile of old clothes, but upon closer inspection, I noticed it was moving slightly.
“Erdi?”
“Ah! Young master!”
Startled upon seeing me, he hurriedly tried to hide his face.
“What’s going on?”
When I lifted the blanket covering him, his dishevelled hair came into view.
Moreover, his cheeks were flushed red.
“What happened to you?”
“It’s nothing!”
Despite his words, there’s no way I can believe him.
Something must have happened while I was unaware.
“He got beaten up by the Duke’s daughter.”
The man who had been watching us from the side spoke up.
It seems this person is the owner of the newspaper.
“What do you mean by that?”
He explained the situation on Erdi’s behalf.
As it turns out, the Duke Erdi is close to is none other than Edelro Dressel.
I’m well aware of that name.
In fact, I know every detail about his daughter as well.
“It seems Lady Dressel was upset that Erdi won the prize and ended up slapping him. I heard she even snatched away his certificate.”
“Is that true?”
Anger surged within me.
‘What, this brat?’
It’s twisted affection, a warped obsession.
I thought she was just a cheeky young lady who loved music a bit too much, but she’s completely unhinged!
Getting angry over not winning a prize? Feeling jealous is natural.
But that’s not a reason to torment an innocent commoner.
“What are the knights in the capital doing? Such a disgraceful incident happened at the Duke’s estate.”
“You’re right, young master.”
So, they’re covering it up just because it’s the Duke’s estate?
Even the knights who maintain order in the name of the imperial family can’t intervene?
“A noble doesn’t need a reason to beat a commoner.”
“But we all have a duty as human beings.”
“By that logic, a mere newspaper delivery boy playing the piano at the Duke’s estate also defies the natural order.”
Isn’t this just too unfair?
“I’m fine.”
Erdi muttered softly in a trembling voice.
“Damn it, I’m not fine.”
“Young master?”
***
“I really don’t know how I raised you.”
“Don’t worry, nothing serious will happen.”
“Sigh…”
Dressel Estate.
A deep sigh escaped the lips of the father standing in front of his daughter.
Lately, she’s been getting more and more out of control, and now this.
She struck Erdi just because she was jealous.
‘And this…’
It’s clearly the certificate awarded for a good performance at the piano competition.
‘Why is this here?’
There’s no need to think too hard about it.
Lea must have taken it.
The worry was so intense that he felt the blood rush to his head.
“Why did you do such a thing?”
“It doesn’t make sense. My performance was much better. I’m sure they bribed the judges!”
“What money could that boy have?”
“…Maybe he stole from the nobles while delivering newspapers.”
“Lea!”
The Duke’s voice rose.
It was rare for him, known for his gentle demeanour, to show such a reaction.
It was a sign of how furious he was.
Lea tightly shut her mouth.
She had her own reasons.
After learning that the performer’s identity was Anton Tilburg, the eldest son of a nearby baron’s family, she tried various ways to catch his attention.
The reason was simple.
‘Patronage.’
She planned to use money to form a close relationship and make him her personal pianist.
But there was a problem.
‘The Crown Princess’s personal recommendation!’
Could he have already made connections with the royal family?
If that’s the case, things get complicated.
No matter how influential the Duke’s family is, they are nothing compared to the Royal Family.
There’s even a chance that Crown Princess Elize might take Anton away.
She thought she needed to act first.
‘To leave a good impression.’
There was no other way.
Lea liked music.
She was confident in listening to it.
So, she knew.
To capture Anton Tilburg’s attention, music was essential.
People connect with those who share similar tastes.
She believed that by showing him her own performance, she could pique his interest.
Even with the difference in status, she was certain that she could attract him more than the Crown Princess.
But then…
“Erdi ruined everything! I never liked that guy.”
“Enough.”
The Duke was contemplating how to discipline his daughter.
Regardless of the reason, this was clearly wrong.
She had tarnished not only his name but also the honour of the family.
“Lea.”
Just as he called his daughter’s name—
“Your Grace! There is a guest from the Royal Family!”
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