Chapter 79
“Now that the two performances are over, we can finally see that girl.”
“Aria, wasn’t it?”
The murmuring grew louder and louder.
Expectation was visible on the audience’s faces.
Aria.
A figure of legend who elevated songs once considered the amusement of commoners to the heart of Imperial culture at a young age.
Among those who came to the theater today, quite a few hoped for Aria’s appearance more than the performance of Crown Princess Elize.
Her last performance was a year ago.
Although she had steadily released Jubel since then, among so-called classical music enthusiasts, the cries of longing had only grown louder.
After all, imagining her image while listening to her music and watching her live on stage were entirely different experiences.
Some even went so far as to chant Aria’s name aloud, urging her to appear.
No one stopped them.
Likely because everyone was feeling the same way.
She was a figure backed by Anton Tilburg and publicly endorsed by Crown Princess Elize.
That was Aria.
The audience grew more and more heated.
Even the lips of the typically stoic noble gentlemen began to twitch with anticipation.
They were dying to know—what kind of song would she sing this time?
But—
“Hmm?”
“Huh?”
The figure who emerged from behind the curtain was unexpected.
Everyone’s expressions shifted to surprise, as if on cue.
“I am Anton Tilburg.”
A few tilted their heads, casting questioning glances.
“Looks like he’s here to personally play the accompaniment!”
Some quickly speculated about the reason for his appearance.
It made sense.
Anton’s solo recital was scheduled for tomorrow—
The final day of the festival.
Normally, he had no reason to appear on stage today.
Then—
“As a gesture of gratitude for the grace shown by His Majesty the Emperor, I would like to dedicate a piece.”
“Oooh?”
The audience’s jaws dropped at Anton’s unexpected statement.
“Is that—really true?”
A viscount from a rural estate, seated among the audience, sprang to his feet and shouted, speaking everyone’s heart aloud.
There was a reason for this reaction.
Most of the nobles visiting today had come from places far from the Academy.
For example, from the County of Seneca in the South—it took a week.
In the case of the Rosley Margraviate, it could take a full month one way.
Because of that, many chose to attend just one day of the festival rather than all three.
Especially today.
For the attendees on the second day, this tendency was particularly strong, as it was obvious the roads would be congested with carriages on the final day.
They had a choice:
Leave a day early for the sake of duties or convenience, at the cost of missing the professors’ performances, including Anton’s.
Or—
Stay until the very end, enjoy everything, and return late, regardless of delays.
An overwhelming majority had chosen the former.
“It’s a shame not to hear Professor Anton’s performance, but I can’t rest easy leaving the estate for too long.”
“We’ve had our fill of the banquet anyway. Let’s look forward to the next time.”
“I plan to head back right after today’s performance.”
“Same here.”
You can’t always have everything you want.
Knowing when to give something up is also a virtue, especially in noble society.
“At least we’ll get to hear Aria sing. That’s something.”
“That’s why I’m not as disappointed as you are.”
And in that moment—
Anton appeared.
Naturally, the audience’s eyes widened. None of them had expected him to show up himself.
It was the very definition of a surprise.
Like going to a Yunchan Lim recital and having Son Yeol-eum show up as a guest—
Or thinking the show was over only for Cho Seong-jin to appear unannounced?
And he’s even performing live?
No one could possibly stay calm.
“Ooooh!”
“W-Wow! Aaaah!”
As expected, the audience couldn’t contain their excitement and burst into cheers.
“We get to hear Professor Anton perform in person? Really?!”
Anton had been just as absent from the scene as Aria.
The most recent time had been at the Academy entrance ceremony, but since it was restricted to students and family, it couldn’t be considered a proper recital.
Tomorrow’s performance was the real deal—and most of the people here had already given up on attending it.
Just when they had decided to let it go, an unexpected opportunity arrived.
There was no one who wouldn’t be moved in that moment.
A wave of disbelief rippled through the hall.
And then, soon after—
Without anyone asking, the crowd naturally fell silent and fixed their eyes on the stage.
Anton Tilburg stood quietly in front of the piano.
Moonlight softly illuminated one side of his face, and the entire theater fell into complete silence.
—
He sat down and placed his hands on the piano.
Turkish March.
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
But that’s not the version I’m going to play today.
This masterpiece of the century was arranged by Arcadi Volodos, a Russian pianist, and I once saw a video where Son Yeol-eum performed that arrangement.
I liked it so much, I always kept it in my playlist.
The Turkish March is already bright and cheerful by nature, but its bouncy rhythm and playful melody can easily come off as light or frivolous.
Arcadi Volodos reinterpreted it in his unique style, transforming it into something far more vibrant.
It’s similar yet different—a version that feels a little grander.
Then came Son Yeol-eum’s vibrant touch, turning it into a performance that could only be called a masterpiece in its own right.
I recreated the sheet music from memory.
That’s the piece I’m about to perform here today.
The melody that burst from my fingertips vividly recreated a marching army.
The rhythm charged forward like pounding hooves.
Explosive energy.
And at the same time, transcendental technique.
Each note was given character, breathing life into the music.
With strong and precise keystrokes, the rapid passages flowed as effortlessly as breathing, and the movements of my hands, like a dance, were captivating to watch on their own.
The audience naturally surrendered to the flow of the music.
“As expected of the professor.”
“The first two performers were excellent… but when it comes to piano, Sir Anton is just on another level.”
What surprised them most was—
That even within his thoroughly calculated movements and the emotions conveyed with restraint—
There was ease.
Anton was smiling faintly.
That demeanor seeped into the music itself, and the audience could feel a spark of wit and humor amidst the confident and energetic performance.
The Emperor and Luhan, sitting in the box seats, felt the same.
“Anton Tilburg… Truly, an Academy professor is something else.”
To the Emperor’s casual remark—
“That performance my sister gave? That was just child’s play. Anton is the real deal.”
Luhan responded with shining eyes.
“Brother! Take that back right now!”
Therese’s furious voice exploded like a bomb.
“It seems he was tipped off by Elize.”
The Emperor’s calm voice brought the two agitated ones back down.
“About Ibelon, you mean?”
“He did say he was dedicating the piece to me.”
“Couldn’t he have just said that out of respect?”
“No.”
Normally, the Emperor would’ve agreed with Luhan’s opinion, but not today.
“You can feel the spirit. This is a piece created to celebrate victory. Can’t you sense the will of a conqueror in it?”
“That’s true.”
At last, the two aligned their views and quietly nodded along, watching the stage in silence.
Anton continued to dominate the piano with even more energetic playing.
Eventually, he leaned his head back from its bowed position and lifted his hands.
At that moment, applause erupted.
This time, even the Emperor couldn’t stay still—he stood up and clapped lightly.
As he rose, Luhan and Therese had no choice but to rise as well.
“Excellent! Truly a magnificent performance!”
What especially pleased him was that the piece had been dedicated to His Majesty the Emperor.
“This music perfectly embodies Father’s strength and spirit!”
Luhan added enthusiastically.
“Invite him to the palace once the festival ends.”
“Yes!”
Therese’s pupils trembled slightly as she quietly watched the two men’s dynamic gestures.
‘Scary…’
***
It had been a long time since I played in front of a real audience, and the thrill coursing through my body was overwhelming.
This—this is what makes playing the piano worth it.
I even considered bowing cheerfully and exiting the stage like Diana.
I felt like I had to express this feeling somehow.
But…
That would be a little too embarrassing.
Yeah, I can’t do it.
Still, I gave a proper, honest bow and walked off stage.
And there she was—Elize, standing right in front of me.
“As expected, that skill of yours is incredible. You’re not secretly drinking some kind of potion every day, are you? Don’t tell me what you gave me earlier was…?”
“I don’t drink stuff like that.”
“Ha ha!”
With her leading the way, we headed toward the waiting room.
This whole situation felt a little off.
Why am I being escorted by the Crown Princess?
Where did Edward go?
This was beyond the limits of my understanding, so I decided to stop thinking altogether.
—
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