Chapter 38
Somewhere in the Imperial Palace.
“Hey, Therese.”
“Yes.”
“I’m really, really happy right now.”
Elize had come out to the garden for the first time in a while.
She had asked a guard knight to obtain a new souvenir from Anton Tilburg.
It was to experience the ‘Jubel.’
A small artifact shaped like a dice.
Just by looking at its appearance, it’s hard to tell what it’s used for.
However.
There is a button on the top.
“If I press this, it should work, right?”
“It’s intuitive.”
Click—
Then.
“Oh!”
“My.”
An exclamation simultaneously burst from the sisters’ mouths.
A captivating, sweet melody filled the air.
“An artifact that recreates a performance… It seems the rumours about collaborating with the Academy were true.”
“As expected, the performer is definitely a genius.”
But what is this music playing right now?
Elize perked up her ears.
It was a melody she had never heard before.
It made her think of a green forest.
Or perhaps a serene lake rippling in a gentle breeze.
Wanting to get closer to the peaceful, delicate sound, she leaned in.
“It’s really nice. Don’t you think?”
This time, Therese couldn’t help but nod.
Certainly.
The performance evoked familiar yet new emotions.
It made one feel good while also bringing a sense of longing.
Her heart surged like waves, then settled again, repeating.
“It’s amazing.”
“Indeed.”
Elize closed her eyes.
Therese did the same.
As if they had made a silent agreement.
How much time had passed like that?
A stranger entered the garden.
“Your Highness, the Crown Princess.”
“Hmm?”
Turning around to see who had interrupted their joyful time, she found a guard knight kneeling before her.
“What is it?”
“Didn’t you order that you be informed immediately when a new performance date for Anton Tilburg is scheduled?”
“No way!”
“It’s three days from now.”
Elize jumped to her feet.
A new performance.
It meant that the performer who had left the capital would finally return to the stage!
It had already been months since she last saw him.
She had heard that he visited the Imperial Palace regarding the promotion of his title, but their schedules hadn’t aligned, so they couldn’t meet.
Now the time had come.
“Therese! Let’s go!”
“To where?”
“Where else! We need to prepare for a visit to the Lunemoon Theatre. This time, maybe I’ll disguise myself as a noblewoman.”
“Hmm…”
Therese felt a little uneasy, but stopping her older sister, who was happier than ever, seemed impossible.
Still.
She thought she could at least say one thing.
“Wouldn’t it be better not to hide your identity this time?”
“Why do you think that?”
“Well, um…”
Therese racked her brain to come up with an excuse.
“His title has been elevated… and it’s been a long time since he’s held a solo recital… Maybe it would be nice to visit and offer congratulations in the name of the Imperial family? Officially, I mean.”
“As expected! Therese, you’re so smart!”
Watching Elize’s reaction, Therese let out a quiet sigh.
‘I can’t tell her it’s because I’m embarrassed when she disguises herself.’
***
Forever, again and again.
Right after deciding to bring this song to the stage, I sought out Aria for a final confirmation.
“Are you sure you can do it?”
“Yes!”
“You can refuse. I’m not forcing you.”
“I can do it. But…”
She accepted confidently, but her hesitant tone suggested some lingering anxiety.
“But! I want to write the lyrics myself…”
Ah, so that’s what it was.
Lyrics.
Just as important as the melody in a piece of music.
The melody appeals directly to the listener’s emotions.
It’s immediate.
The lyrics dig deeper.
They sink into memory and follow the listener throughout their life.
Lyrics are what turn music from a fleeting stimulus into an enduring impression.
That’s the power of lyrics.
Good lyrics can stand alone, like a beautiful poem.
Certainly.
The lyrics I remember from ‘Forever, again and again’ felt like that.
The original plan was to somehow pull those lyrics from my memory and adapt them into words that would suit Aria.
However.
‘If she wants to write them herself, that changes things.’
There’s no better lyrics than those that speak one’s true story.
It’s good.
“I allow it.”
“Thank you!”
Aria immediately tucked herself into a corner and began scribbling something.
I’m very curious about what kind of work will be born from this.
And then, a little while later.
One day before the performance.
***
“What?”
Early morning.
I was heading to the theatre to prepare for the performance.
Edward urgently called for me.
I entered the waiting room with Aria.
“You don’t look well.”
“I have important news. Very important…”
Did something serious happen?
I’ve never seen Edward so nervous before.
And then he finally spoke.
“Her Highness, the Crown Princess, will visit the theatre tomorrow. I just received the letter.”
“Oh, is that all?”
It’s not a big deal.
It’s happened before.
It’s a bit embarrassing to say it myself, but Elize has been my long-time fan.
She even visited my manor to get my autograph.
I remember her telling me back then,
‘She had once watched a performance at the theatre while hiding her identity.’
I figured this time would be similar.
When I explained this, Edward shook his head.
What is it?
“It’s not like that.”
“…Then what is it?”
“She’s visiting in the name of the Imperial family. Officially. And Princess Therese is accompanying her.”
“…”
Is this for real?
I never expected this.
The Crown Princess and the Princess are visiting the theatre without hiding their identities?
Officially?
When I think about it, it’s not that strange.
The royal family members are still human, aren’t they?
They have the right to see what they want and go where they please.
But.
Even so, it’s hard to believe.
‘The Elize I know isn’t that kind of person.’
If it were just a noble visiting the theatre, there wouldn’t be a need for much formality.
But if it’s the royal family, that’s a different story.
We need to consider safety, security, and greet them with the utmost respect.
It’s only natural that the audience’s attention will increase.
It could also add psychological pressure to the performer…
‘But I’m not the type to feel that, so I’ll let it go.’
In any case.
It’s clear the theatre atmosphere will change noticeably.
I thought Elize had kept her identity hidden so far to avoid all these hassles.
But now she’s suddenly changed her stance.
If she even sent an official letter in the name of the Imperial family, it means she’s serious.
I fell into deep thought.
“But, Young Master, there’s one more thing.”
“…What is it?”
“It’s about the entrance procedure.”
“Oh, right.”
The entrance to Lunemoon is first-come, first-served.
It’s true that there have been complaints from the audience because of this.
Until now, we’ve managed to maintain this rule, but if the Crown Princess is the guest, I have to reconsider.
It’s unreasonable to keep members of the royal family waiting outside like regular nobles.
The former is a matter of procedure, while the latter concerns respect.
“There’s no other choice. Let’s reserve the first two seats for them.”
“No. That’s not it.”
What else could it be?
I already rescinded the stubborn rule to welcome the royal guests.
Do they have other requests?
“They said there’s no need to change the entrance procedure.”
“What do you mean…”
“They just asked to open the theatre doors early, as they will arrive first to wait…”
As expected of Elize.
She never disappoints.
Anyway.
“Looks like I’ll have to put in extra effort today, so I’ll go up to practice first.”
“Yes.”
After that, I rehearsed on stage with Aria.
I put more effort into it than ever.
“Think of it as the real thing and try your best. If you treat it lightly as practice, you won’t be able to catch your mistakes.”
“Yes, Young Master!”
“…”
What’s this now?
Young Master?
“Ah! Miss Diana taught me! She said I should address you as Young Master…”
“Goodness.”
Diana is technically a servant of the manor and is employed as my personal maid, so it’s appropriate for her to call me that.
But isn’t Aria different?
‘Or is she not?’
When I think about it, maybe it’s appropriate.
She lives in the Count’s manor now.
And the practical owner of the manor is me, the eldest son of the Count.
Moreover, I’ve practically taken on the role of Aria’s guardian.
‘So it’s not strange for her to call me Young Master.’
But I don’t like it.
It’s quite unsettling.
“Just call me ‘mister.’ That title feels too unfamiliar.”
“Y-yes… Mister?”
“That’s fine.”
In my previous life, I was an older student who had completed my military service.
I don’t mind being called ‘mister.’
“Let’s finish our practice for now.”
“Yes!”
And the next day.
“Edward, we’re here.”
We entered the theatre through the back door.
“Welcome.”
Erdi greeted me.
It seems he had been tuning the piano since dawn.
As one of the original members, he’s reliable even without instructions.
I’m pleased.
“Have the audience members started entering?”
“Yes. We just opened the theatre doors.”
“Let’s take a quick look.”
I approached the stage and peeked through the curtain.
I made eye contact with Elize.
She spotted me and gave me a bright smile.
Next to her was her younger sister, the second princess, Therese.
“Erdi.”
“Yes.”
“When did those two arrive?”
“I arrived around 5 a.m., so I think they were here even before that.”
“Of course, they’re in a different league.”
They truly lined up from dawn just to sit in the front row.
To meet their expectations, I’ll have to put on a flawless performance.
“Let’s go, Aria.”
“Yes!”
Today, we will elevate the Empire’s culture to a new level.
Through the spread of song,
That Radiant Art.
—
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