Chapter 22
Iolin’s fingertips trembled.
It felt as if a great flame was surging inside her chest.
‘How can it be so passionate?’
The intense arpeggios and brilliant melodies intertwined, making the atmosphere of the concert hall vibrate with a heavy resonance.
But soon.
A lyrical melody emerged.
A moment of silence.
The flame subsided.
It felt like the sun was shining over a battlefield, comforting the weary hearts of the warriors.
A very brief moment of peace descended.
But only for a while.
A sudden storm swept through the garden once again.
The melody moved towards its end, with a lively rhythm and powerful harmony, like the determined steps of a warrior charging toward victory.
‘This is like…’
Caught in the whirlwind of emotions, Iolin imagined.
A hero fighting against fate and ultimately seizing victory.
The music resonating from the performer’s fingertips pierced deep into her heart.
It transported her into a scene from history.
There was pain and sorrow in that place.
But.
At the same time, the glorious banner fluttered brilliantly.
She felt as though her body was being lifted into the air.
A sense of liberation guided her into a world of freedom and light.
Click, the shackles were undone.
She could hear nothing.
Neither the cheers of the audience nor the sound of applause.
Only the gentle melody of the piano lingered in her ears, comforting her heart for a long time.
***
The performance ended.
“Wow!”
“That’s it!”
The audience jumped up from their seats and rushed toward the stage.
‘Oh!’
An intrusion.
An outburst of excitement they couldn’t control.
But that’s okay.
I was also caught up in their emotions.
With a smile, I shook hands and shared hugs.
“As expected from someone from the capital!”
“Thank you!”
Perhaps at this moment, it wasn’t just Lolin who found hope.
The concert had already turned into chaos.
There was no time for formal farewells, so I simply wrapped things up and stepped off the stage.
“That was truly a magnificent performance. It ended too soon, though, leaving me wanting more.”
Lolin approached and spoke.
“I’m glad you were satisfied.”
She said she wanted to stay in the garden a bit longer.
It seemed she wanted to spend more time with the residents of the estate.
Edward was already directing the workers to move the piano.
‘Already?’
Quick.
I returned to the mansion with Erdi.
***
“It’s truly fortunate that the performer visited our territory.”
It was still early in the evening.
Merchants gathered in a corner of the market, chatting.
“Not many people of such character exist. To think he could even console the spirit of Lord Colin.”
“That’s exactly what I thought.”
“In that case, why don’t we…”
One of them suddenly spoke with a serious expression.
“What if we erected a statue of the performer in the garden?”
“Hm, that’s a good idea.”
“I’m sure the Countess would gladly approve. But the problem is…”
His voice trailed off.
A certain person’s face came to mind.
Viscount Paube.
If it’s the Viscount, he might interfere with the merchants’ plan.
“Hahaha!”
Just then, the man next to him burst into laughter.
Everyone turned their heads, puzzled.
“Aren’t you worried?”
“Looks like you haven’t heard the rumour yet.”
“What rumour?”
“Actually, just a moment ago, the Count…”
Whisper, whisper.
***
After the concert ended, a banquet was held.
The venue was Lolin’s castle.
All the nobles from nearby territories, dressed in splendid attire, gathered there.
“Is it really alright for me to be here?”
Erdi asked with an anxious expression.
“If you feel uncomfortable, you can go rest in a room.”
“No, I’m not uncomfortable.”
“Then just enjoy it. No one here will ask about your status.”
Hearing this, he seemed more at ease and his expression relaxed.
Erdi was the unsung hero who contributed greatly to the success of today’s concert.
He deserved at least this much recognition.
In any case, since it was a banquet held in a southern county, it indeed exuded a passionate atmosphere.
Lolin was wearing a deep red dress, which looked exceptionally elegant and luxurious.
She was busy greeting all the guests who came to visit.
Then, she walked over to this side.
“Please, enjoy yourself. This is my small token of appreciation for your efforts as a performer.”
Her smile was beautiful.
Just as we were about to toast with the drinks brought by the attendants—
“Oh my! So, you were here!”
A familiar voice echoed.
Turning my head, I saw the Viscount standing there.
You again?
“Isn’t the banquet boring?”
“I’m enjoying it.”
Asking if the banquet is boring in front of the Countess?
It’s not just a matter of having thick skin; the man seems utterly out of his mind.
“Instead of filling your stomach with this poor meal, why not join me elsewhere?”
The gazes of the surrounding nobles focused on one spot.
Viscount Paube was openly insulting Iolin.
And it didn’t stop there.
He was even belittling the guests who came here in good spirits to attend the banquet.
Most of them looked shocked, but a few lords who knew her circumstances couldn’t hold back their laughter.
They probably thought Iolin would remain submissive this time as well.
However—
“Viscount Paube.”
Lolin’s cold voice froze the atmosphere.
“As my vassal, you have a duty to uphold loyalty and courtesy.”
She stood tall, her eyes filled with more conviction and confidence than ever.
“Yet you dare insult me and display such arrogance? Have you forgotten your place?”
A public warning.
In the noble society where honour is highly valued, a remark that questions one’s character is a heavy blow.
Furthermore, this was a banquet hall filled with many neighbouring lords.
She rebuked the Viscount’s misconduct in front of everyone, effectively announcing the end of his influence.
At the same time, she solidified her authority.
With just a few words, Lolin overwhelmed her opponent and glared fiercely at him.
It was an action unimaginable from the Iolin of the past.
The Viscount, flustered, took a step back.
“Do you have any excuse left?”
“…No, I don’t.”
Situation resolved.
The expressions of the nobles who were snickering just moments ago soured.
‘Well done, Lolin.’
She was no longer an inexperienced girl.
Now, she stood as the head of a household and the ruler of this territory.
Lolin Seneca, the Countess.
With the successful conclusion of the concert, today’s events would likely serve as a turning point for her to regain both her standing and the people’s trust.
Victory is something only those who choose to stand and fight can seize.
I watched quietly for a long time as Lolin stepped onto the battlefield on her own accord, her figure exuding a sense of dignity.
***
The Next Day.
“I wish you good fortune on every path you take, Maestro.”
“Thank you.”
After bidding farewell to Lolin, I got back into the carriage.
If fate allows, we might meet again someday.
As we were just about to leave the garden, a nearby voice interrupted.
“A solid, smooth stone!”
“Should I carve it like this?”
“Bring me a blacksmith or a sculptor right away!”
Several men, each gripping a large rock, were busily hammering and chiselling away.
‘What on earth are they making?’
Anyway.
“Where are we headed next?”
I asked, and Edward pulled out a map to show me.
“We’re heading east.”
“What’s there?”
He pointed his finger at a place.
A vast land bordering the sea.
“It’s a maritime trading city ruled by Margrave Rosley.”
“Seeing it like this, it feels quite far away. Maps these days tend to exaggerate.”
“It will probably take about a month to get there.”
“…Excuse me?”
Is there no way we could just not go?
I thought the map was inaccurate, but it turns out it was as precise as a satellite image.
Regardless of my shock, Edward continued speaking without pause.
“We might need to stop at villages along the way to rest, so it’s safer to assume about a month and a half.”
“Edward.”
“Yes?”
“Nothing. Yes, it sounds great.”
A month and a half.
I’ll have to keep moving during that time, so I guess there won’t be any practice time.
“This is a real vacation.”
If I had known this, I would’ve brought a book.
About a week into this monotonous journey, we arrived at a village.
***
“It’s a small village.”
Edward responded to my comment.
“It seems to be a place where people live self-sufficiently, farming for their livelihood.”
That meant it was a place not under the control of any lord.
Given the vastness of the land, it’s not surprising to find a few such places.
“Let’s see if there’s anywhere to stay.”
As we entered, an old man, likely the village chief, came out to greet us.
“Welcome.”
“We’re travellers. Is there a place where five people could stay?”
That’s me, Edward, Erdi, and two coachmen.
“There’s an inn built for those who pass through.”
What a relief.
We followed the chief to the inn.
After exchanging greetings with the innkeeper, we were assigned our rooms.
We plan to stay here for about two days.
Feeling nauseous from being in the carriage all day, I went out for a walk.
“The air is nice.”
Just then—
“Excuse me!”
A cheerful voice called out.
“W-Wait a moment!”
A woman dashed over to me and bent over, panting heavily.
Her shiny blonde hair fluttered in the wind.
She seemed to be in her mid-twenties.
“T-That’s… Could it be!”
She pointed at the cart temporarily parked in front of the inn.
There was a piano loaded on the cart.
‘Is she surprised to see a piano?’
Curious about what was going on, I just stood still and watched.
She suddenly leaned in close.
“Diana Pierce!”
“Ah, Anton Tilburg.”
Then, she clasped her hands together and bowed deeply.
“Forgive me for my rudeness upon first meeting! I never expected to see a piano in such a village!”
“It’s fine. It’s not like it wears out just from being looked at.”
“May I take a closer look?”
As soon as I gave permission, Diana briskly walked over to the cart.
She put her hands on her hips and examined the piano carefully from various angles.
“Does it make sound too?”
“Yes. Pressing the keys will produce sound.”
“Amazing… I’ve only seen things like this in books…”
Judging by her reaction, it seemed this was her first time seeing a piano in person.
And she probably never heard one being played either.
She sure is a lively woman.
“In any case, it’s been an honour!”
Diana bowed again.
Then, she quickly turned and disappeared into the distance.
‘I feel drained.’
I looked quietly down the path she ran.
It was narrow and bumpy.
‘…To think she’s never heard a piano performance before.’
Suddenly, a good idea came to mind.
I returned to the inn and looked for Erdi.
“Erdi!”
“Yes?”
“Let’s make your debut.”
—
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