Chapter 76
The melody did not rush but moved forward slowly.
As if dreaming in silence.
Moonlight passed through the stained glass on the ceiling, filling the theater with a myriad of colors.
Clear blue and red.
Each twinkling star took on a hue and poured down, recreating thousands of tiny lanterns.
A stage that had been in black and white until just moments ago was now adorned with brilliance.
It was truly a breathtaking sight.
To think such an atmosphere could be created with only natural light.
‘Hugo Kahn, are you truly a genius?’
The surprise lasted only a moment.
From Diana’s fingertips, notes cautiously stepped across the keys, then scattered as if about to take flight, lightly stirring the air in the theater.
The melody continued to stretch far out.
Beyond the rainbow-hued lighting that shimmered across the audience seats.
Like little birds fluttering their wings.
In that enchanting atmosphere, I found myself being pulled into her dream without realizing it.
Surely everyone must have felt the same emotion.
Over the Rainbow.
A soft leap between her fingers.
There was no difficult technique.
And yet, the lingering resonance burrowed deep into the heart, etched in vividly.
Sometimes, a single line of writing moves the heart more than a long novel.
What is her strength?
Innate talent?
Absolutely not.
Auditory sensitivity.
Physical flexibility and agility.
The ability to interpret sheet music, rhythm.
From stage experience to expressive ability.
All of them—if anything, she was lacking rather than exceptional.
Only a year ago, Diana was clumsy in every aspect.
If I didn’t demonstrate it for her, it would take her forever to understand the composer’s intent.
She once spent several weeks just playing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.
But—
Not being born with something doesn’t mean you must live without it forever.
She accepted her weaknesses and, after overcoming them, came to dominate this grand stage.
If there is such a thing as magic,
Then this moment right now must be magic.
She reforged her flaws into her most dazzling weapon.
The potion Elize drank?
That was closer to alchemy than magic, as I’ve said.
Eventually—
Diana gently stopped her hands, which had been striking the keys.
She took a breath and smiled softly toward the audience.
A look of certainty on her face.
She must have realized—
That the place she belonged was right here on this stage.
Some feelings can be sensed without needing confirmation.
A girl who grew up in the countryside without the Empire’s protection, who loved music more than anyone but couldn’t move forward because of her circumstances.
After a long time and a long detour,
She finally bloomed here.
The stage was Diana’s present—and now her home.
Her journey of patience resembled the path of the Scarecrow gaining wisdom, the Tin Man finding a heart, and the Cowardly Lion gaining courage.
She overcame her shortcomings and fears one by one and grew.
She learned the basics through Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.
She learned how to fully express emotion through Arabesque.
Slower than anyone, but more sincere than anyone.
The audience slowly began to rise and clap.
This was today’s tribute to her courage.
Is it easy to play the piano in front of hundreds of eyes?
Even if she didn’t show it, she must’ve been trembling inside.
Diana rose from her seat and bowed deeply.
Her blonde hair swayed and cast a deep shadow on the floor.
The performance was over, but for her, this was the beginning.
Like Dorothy returning home after a long journey.
One day, she would surely return to this place again.
Diana was no longer the awkward countryside girl of the past.
She was a performer.
A pianist.
Someone who could stand proudly on stage anytime.
As she was heading toward the waiting room, she suddenly stopped and looked up at the ceiling.
Moonlight passed through the stained glass and softly illuminated her face.
That sight looked just like a spotlight, and I held my breath in admiration.
And then—
“I’ll stand before you again with even better music next time!”
“Waaaah!”
At Diana’s cheerful farewell, the audience who had risen for the standing ovation erupted in thunderous cheers as if a war had broken out.
It was a truly heartwarming sight.
As she turned back and walked toward me—
She suddenly stumbled forward and collapsed with a thud.
“Ah!”
“Careful.”
It seemed her legs had given out.
I quickly reached out and supported her.
“Oww… that hurts…”
It looked like she had strained her ankle in the fall.
That was unexpected.
To finish her performance well only to suddenly get injured?
Images of soccer players being carried off the field after a dramatic goal flashed through my mind, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“What… Young Master. I didn’t know watching someone in pain was your kind of thing.”
Now that we’ve grown closer, she doesn’t hesitate to say things like this.
I didn’t really mind, so I let it go.
Besides, it was rare.
Compared to Aria? Not even close.
Anyway.
“Good job.”
With that calm praise, I defused the situation.
“Heh… hahahaha!”
Diana threw her head back and laughed brightly, as if nothing could satisfy her more.
Was the experience so thrilling that she forgot her pain?
No doubt she’ll continue to challenge herself.
Someday, she might leave my side and see the world beyond.
But—
“Come back anytime.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean the theater will treat you as an official performer from now on. You’re skilled. I see you in a new light.”
“Tch.”
She tilted her head and gave a playful scoff.
Slowly lifting the hand that had been cradling her ankle, she brushed her hair back, looking embarrassed.
“Why would I ever leave your side, Young Master?”
Seems that bothered her a bit.
And she’s not wrong.
“Well, there’s no one as well-versed in piano as I am. If you leave, you’ll be missing out.”
“That’s not—”
“Don’t worry. I’ll teach you everything I can.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“You want to enter the Academy? That again?”
“Oh, really.”
Diana shook her head as if frustrated with my lack of understanding, then abruptly pushed me aside.
“I can walk on my own.”
I didn’t stop her.
Honestly,
I know exactly what she meant by those words.
She wasn’t hiding anything—it was almost blatant.
I chose to pretend I didn’t understand for one clear reason.
‘I’m sorry you were born into this time and this status.’
There’s no possibility of us going further.
I’m just worried her recent eagerness might push us into danger.
We need some distance.
Watching her hobble away into the darkness made me sigh.
Why did memories from the past suddenly come back?
‘I shouldn’t have taught her Chopsticks March.’
That seems to be the root of the problem.
***
First things first—focus on the remaining performances, so I went straight to find Elize.
“Your Highness? What are you doing now?”
I noticed Victor and Edward pacing anxiously, and went over to see what was wrong.
Elize was frowning as she flipped through two scores.
One was For Elize, of course.
The other was the Turkish March I recently sent to the court.
Since the name “Turkey” doesn’t exist in this world, we reconstructed it simply as March.
Anyway,
For Elize has a slower tempo and a simple rhythm, while this March requires faster, clearer speed.
And demands many more technical skills.
It’s a piece that’s risky without experience—but now seems appropriate to challenge.
“She seems troubled…”
Elize muttered and thumbed through the score.
“Hadn’t you chosen which to play already?”
I stepped in to clarify.
“That’s true.”
So I asked what the issue was.
I didn’t speak bluntly, though; I was as polite as possible.
She explained:
Originally she planned to play ‘Für Elise’ today, but she got caught up in surging confidence—
“I know this piece is harder, but for some reason I feel like I can nail it perfectly today!”
She’s drawn to the March she brought.
If this were Erdi or Victor, I’d say “play both” without hesitation.
But two things make it difficult:
It’s only been a month since I sent the March score.
And her current condition is unpredictable.
Those two factors made it hard to decide.
Logic says:
“I’d guess your desire to play the March is a bit excessive, but…”
“That’s a fair point.”
It’d be safer to stay on course.
After all, she nearly broke down saying she couldn’t go on stage earlier.
“But!”
Just when I thought the situation was settled—
“‘Für Elise’ is a personal piece, but the March feels like a work meant for everyone, especially something His Majesty would enjoy.”
At that, my patience hit its limit.
“I think it’s dangerous to present an unprepared piece just for that reason.”
I spoke with sincere intention.
“Alright.”
She accepted more easily than expected.
“In that case, please perform the March for me.”
“Huh?”
“Would it be possible?”
“I mean, there’s no reason it couldn’t be.”
My own recital is scheduled for tomorrow.
I’ve finalized the selection.
Changing the schedule isn’t difficult, and I already know the March perfectly, so I’m not worried.
But why did she have to ask me specifically?
She must have sensed my question—Elize leaned in and whispered.
“…My father recently conquered an eastern kingdom.”
“The Kingdom of Ibelon?”
“You knew, huh?”
I actually didn’t until now.
It seems the conquest has just been finalized.
They didn’t fully absorb it, but allowed autonomous rule under imperial suzerainty.
Of course, the upper class had already been replaced.
Everything politically and militarily took time to wrap up.
Eventually, the Empire’s flag was raised in front of Ibelon Palace, and Luhan was deeply involved.
The Emperor is planning an official address and palace banquet to celebrate this achievement soon—but before that, Elize wants the March performance to move them both.
‘Wasn’t she estranged from her brother?’
Personal feelings don’t affect official duties.
It’s a good idea.
If I’d known earlier, I would have prepared.
“There’ll be an announcement soon. It’s natural you didn’t know.”
“Your Highness must’ve been busy because of that.”
“Oh my. Thanks for noticing. Heh.”
With such clear reasoning, I couldn’t refuse.
In the end,
Elize will perform her chosen piece,
and then I’ll go on stage immediately after.
—
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