Chapter 53
—
“In truth, I only practice two hours a day.”
“Really?”
Elize widened her eyes as she asked in surprise.
It’s true.
There was a time when I used to play the piano day and night while working hard with Erdi to recreate sheet music. But now, I don’t have that kind of time.
Most importantly, it’s exhausting.
Two hours.
That’s the optimal practice time I’ve set for myself.
Even my lessons with Diana are limited to that duration.
So, I’m not lying.
“Two hours a day. From my experience, this seems to yield the best results in improving skills.”
“Wow!”
“Especially around noon.”
“Wow! That’s fascinating to know!”
“So, Your Highness, how about trying the same?”
“Sounds good!”
She accepted it more readily than I expected, which caught me off guard this time.
I glanced toward Therese.
Her expression was a mix of satisfaction and dissatisfaction.
A subtle look.
‘She still seems to have more to say.’
She seemed to be waiting for me to do something more.
Grasping the hem of her dress, she hesitated and looked around.
At that moment.
“Um, Sister.”
“Yes?”
She cautiously approached Elize and opened her mouth.
“To be honest, I’ve been thinking that you’re overdoing it these days. I love everything about you, Sister… but it pains me to see you skipping meals and becoming so absorbed in the piano.”
“Oh, Therese.”
That’s genuine concern.
Perhaps she wasn’t pushing me to say it but was struggling to muster the courage to voice it herself.
Although Therese is also a member of the royal family like Elize and Luhan, her young age likely limits her influence.
How difficult must it have been for her to honestly confess something to Elize?
No matter how close they are, she likely chose to keep it to herself rather than risk upsetting her sister.
“And… because of the piano playing in the early hours, I’ve been losing sleep. I enjoy your performances, but please be more considerate of others… cough.”
For Therese to change her stance to this extent, she must have reached her limit.
“I… I’m sorry, Therese.”
Elize lowered her head, seemingly at a loss for words.
“Actually, Father is also worried. He’s concerned that someone who will lead the Empire is focusing too much on the piano.”
“He never said anything to me…?”
“Well, you’re in the banquet hall all day.”
“Oh.”
After that, the two continued to talk about this and that, eventually smiling and laughing in a friendly atmosphere.
Sincerity always finds its way.
So… can I leave now?
“Musician.”
Just as I was about to rise and take my leave, Elize stopped me, as if she had read my mind.
“I’ve made up my mind.”
“…I’m curious. May I ask what it is?”
“From now on, I’ll only practice for two hours a day. Only at noon! And I’ll also focus on the royal duties I’ve been putting off. This is a promise.”
I felt so proud that I wanted to clap.
Even Therese’s expression softened as she looked at her sister.
“I’ll definitely keep this promise. So, Musician, don’t forget yours either.”
“Understood. Then I’ll see you in a week.”
After saying that, I quickly left the parlor.
***
As soon as I arrived at the mansion, I headed to the archive room.
The name “archive room” is something I came up with, but it’s where I keep all the sheet music.
“It should be here somewhere.”
I ran my fingers along the bookshelf.
“Why can’t I find it?”
I thought I placed Beethoven right behind Scriabin.
The room was so dimly lit that relying on a single candle wasn’t helping.
The letters were hard to see.
After fumbling for a few minutes, I finally found it.
I brushed off the thin layer of dust on the cover.
A bagatelle in rondo form.
A light piano piece with a captivating repeating theme melody.
I had written the title the same as the original to avoid confusion with other pieces, but I didn’t expect it to carry this meaning.
For Elize.
‘Should I change it to “For Crown Princess Elize”?’
It’s something to think about.
I get the feeling she wouldn’t mind either way, but casually using the Crown Princess’s name doesn’t sit right with me.
‘No, that’s not it.’
Didn’t she ask for the same wording when she got my autograph back then?
If I explain that I was recalling that moment when I titled it, it might pass without issue.
After confirming there were no gaps, I arranged the sheet music in order.
Then I wrapped the outer layer with high-quality parchment.
It’s a form of packaging.
Even though it’s a gift, I couldn’t just hand over a stack of papers.
For the finishing touch, I sealed it with wax.
The wax bore the family crest I received when my title was elevated.
Looking at the finished result, it seemed quite presentable.
Now, the only question is whether Elize will like this gift or not.
But honestly, I’m not worried about that.
The outcome is obvious, isn’t it?
***
“I’ve been waiting.”
A week later, I visited the Imperial Palace again to meet Elize.
The location was the same, the parlor room.
This time, Therese was also present.
“Have you had a good rest in the meantime?”
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
Elize responded confidently to my question and extended her hand.
It must mean she wanted me to check.
Though there’s not much one can tell just by looking with the naked eye.
I lightly held her wrist and pressed down firmly.
“How is it?”
“Oh? I don’t feel anything at all! I must be completely healed!”
Her exaggerated reaction made her credibility take a sharp dive.
Still, her expression was bright.
Pain isn’t something you can easily hide, so unless she’s a master of method acting, her words must be genuine.
“You’ve definitely improved a lot.”
“Then it’s time for you to give me the gift, right? Yay!”
At her lively gesture, Therese glanced sideways, signaling her with her eyes.
In truth, it wasn’t so much signaling as it was her own embarrassment showing.
Then, when our eyes met, she nodded slightly.
“Let’s understand her.”
After being separated from the piano she loved so much for an entire week, this moment must be incredibly moving for her.
Elize took the package I handed her with both hands and immediately tore open the wax seal to check its contents.
“What is the title of this piece?”
“It doesn’t have a title.”
“Hmm…”
“I simply wrote ‘For Elize.’”
“As expected, you really are thoughtful.”
Her lips curled into a soft smile.
“May I play it right away?”
“Right now, you mean?”
“Aren’t you curious? About my piano skills.”
To be honest, I am curious.
Besides, how many people get to witness the Crown Princess of the Empire playing the piano?
In the end, the three of us headed to the banquet hall.
A luxurious grand piano revealed itself.
“Hoo…”
PTSD hit me like a wave.
It brought back memories of when I risked my life to play here under the orders of Prince Luhan.
Whether she knew what was going through my mind or not, Elize approached the small stool in front of the piano and sat down.
She unfolded the sheet music and stared at it intently.
She seemed to be deliberating.
“Is something wrong?”
“I want a different gift.”
“Oh.”
She’s saying she doesn’t like the sheet music now?
This was an unexpected turn.
But considering who she is—it’s Crown Princess Elize.
“My apologies. It’s my fault for failing to understand Your Highness’s feelings.”
“No!”
When I quickly adopted a humble posture and begged for forgiveness, she waved her hands in flustered denial.
“I’d like you to play this sheet music first.”
Ah, so that’s what it was.
“Since it’s a piece just for me, I’d like a performance meant only for me. Would that be okay? Hehe.”
“Leave it to me!”
She truly has a knack for playing with people’s emotions.
Or am I just overly sensitive?
That could be true too.
Anyway.
We switched places.
For Elize.
There’s probably no more famous classical piano piece than this.
Its simple melody lingers in one’s ears for a long time, evoking deep emotions, and its delicate flow leaves an indelible impression on the listener.
‘I hope she likes it.’
I carefully placed my hands on the keys and began to play.
***
The sound of the piano filled the banquet hall.
As the first note rang out, Elize felt as though someone was whispering quietly into her heart.
‘This is strange.’
It wasn’t a difficult melody.
Having practiced diligently herself, she knew.
This was something even her own hands could play.
But.
‘Something is different.’
The difficulty of the sheet music wasn’t the issue.
An indescribable affection and longing traveled through the air, gently tickling her ears.
Anton had his eyes closed.
His fingertips moved slowly.
Elize’s gaze followed Anton’s movements.
The way he leaned his body, lightly brushing the keys.
Every emotion he was feeling seemed to transfer directly to her.
Though she couldn’t be certain, she felt it.
“For Elize.”
Music meant solely for her.
Within the bright and lively melody lay a hint of sorrow.
As the gentle waves of the notes resumed, they carried a faint sense of yearning.
Her heart started to race.
Faster and faster.
Accelerando.
Faster and faster.
Prestissimo.
At that moment, Elize thought.
‘Music is fascinating.’
Is there anything else in the world as unpredictable as this?
Listening quietly to the performance, she felt as though the memories she wanted to forget were sinking deeper and deeper below the surface.
The responsibilities of being the Crown Princess.
Duties.
The tiring life within the Imperial Palace.
All of it faded away, leaving only herself and the music.
She liked that moment.
But at the same time.
The emotions she had suppressed and ignored began to resurface.
Some feelings disappeared, while others grew more distinct.
And amidst the clarity of those emotions, Elize swallowed words she couldn’t bring herself to say aloud.
‘I wonder what kind of world he sees.’
She wanted to share it.
The sorrow and longing.
Perhaps even the joy.
All the emotions hidden beneath it.
Her feelings were strange.
Unfamiliar and frightening.
But she couldn’t resist them.
‘Could it be that I…’
When the music ended, silence descended upon the banquet hall.
Elize stood up wordlessly.
And then, slowly, she began to clap.
One day, she would face the emotions she had just felt head-on.
When that time came, she would understand why her heart had been in such turmoil.
Why her breath caught every time she heard his performance.
Her clapping grew more fervent.
Appassionato.
With feeling.
Warm and full of love.
—
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