Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Romance Fantasy Heroine - [2]
Lucian had chosen For the Lute.
It was a piece that seemed to capture the regrets and pride of an old knight who had bid farewell to countless comrades, stirring deep emotions.
For the Lute was performed using the pedal point technique—think of it as keeping the bass note fixed while only the upper melody changes.
The performance began.
What came to Rozina's mind were memories from the past that clung to her ankles like they would never let go. And the contradictory feelings of an unchanging reality that was constantly shifting.
Incompatible elements blended together, creating a beautiful sound. Rozina held her breath as she watched Lucian.
'Indeed... a genius is a genius.'
She had no choice but to admit it. Lucian was arrogant, fiercely proud, and sometimes childishly jealous.
But when it came to music, no one was more serious or pure than him.
Tiririring—zing—
The performance painted the image of a knight standing alone on the battlefield, clutching a broken sword. It was a melody so beautiful and sorrowful that it sent a sharp tingle through her chest.
The contempt she had felt for him just moments ago softened a little.
'But...'
Rozina's gaze subtly shifted to the side. She looked at Aiman's piano.
Objectively... no, subjectively, her heart was tilting just a bit.
Could she already sense the outcome? Or foresee the future?
'Ah...'
In that moment, Rozina realized what had led her to this judgment.
It wasn't simply the rarity of the piano as an instrument. It was because Aiman's demeanor made her feel truly seen as a person.
And Lucian's performance passed its climax and came to an end.
The final chord scattered into the air, and Lucian wiped the sweat from his brow, breathing heavily.
"Hoo..."
He set down the lute and looked at Aiman with challenging eyes.
"How was it?"
Lucian's gaze was filled with conviction. The pride of an artist who knew no one could do better...
"Splendid."
Of course, Aiman agreed wholeheartedly. It wasn't empty flattery.
"Then, it's my turn."
Aiman sat down at the piano bench. Though he looked a bit fatigued, the moment his hands touched the keys, his aura shifted subtly.
One might say it came alive. Or that his ordinary impression sharpened ever so slightly.
Rozina swallowed at the sight. She asked cautiously,
"What's... the title?"
Aiman pondered briefly what piece to play. His gaze passed over Rozina and Lucian.
"The Nutcracker."
"The Nutcracker... doll?"
"Yes. This situation feels so ironic. Well then, let's begin."
Aiman's fingers pressed the keys.
-Papapapapam. Pam, pam, pam!
To Rozina, Aiman's piece felt like a fantasy of fairies at play in a dream.
The title suggested as much. The Nutcracker... bouncy rhythms. Playful yet somehow eerie and mystical melodies.
And with every strike of the keys, halos of beautiful light seemed to spread outward.
A refreshing clarity, as if invisible silver dust was scattering through the air with each note.
The overwhelming range and harmonies from the 88 keys demonstrated a command of space that the lute could never touch.
Lucian sensed his defeat the moment it started, but Rozina's thoughts were elsewhere entirely.
'The Nutcracker...'
Rozina recalled the fairy tale she had read as a child.
A girl receives a Nutcracker doll as a gift. The doll comes to life and fights alongside her against the King of Mice, emerging victorious.
Then, transformed into the Nutcracker Prince, it invites the girl to the Land of Sweets for dances and festivities in a fantastical tale...
'Is this... a metaphor for me right now?'
Perhaps she herself had been gifted a doll named Aiman. He would surely lead her to a fantastical place...
"Ah..."
Rozina knew this was her own whimsical interpretation.
But... what mattered was that she felt happy with the scenes the music evoked.
That alone was enough. Truly.
The music raced toward its climax. Crystalline high notes, like dancing sugar plum fairies, filled the room and ended in a brilliant flourish.
Ding—
The final note melted into the air. A perfect silence followed, as if the world had been cut off.
Rozina opened her trembling lips. Fulfilling her duty as judge. Recalling the music.
"The winner is..."
She looked at the two men.
"Aiman."
Lucian couldn't argue. He stared blankly at the piano before slowly bowing his head.
"...A complete defeat."
His voice was hoarse.
"I lost. No room for excuses."
He admitted defeat cleanly. Arrogant as he was, he was a true artist. He knew when to bow his head before a superior sound.
Aiman watched him and thought to himself,
'In terms of pure performance skill, he's actually above me.'
To be honest, it felt like the difference came down to the instrument. Like using a cheat key with a classical masterpiece.
So Aiman stood, bowing 90 degrees toward Lucian.
"That was a fine performance."
"...?"
"The passion and technique in your sound—I learned so much. What I have is just the power of the machine. The sensibility from your fingertips is hard to match."
Lucian was taken aback by Aiman's words.
'He's... not mocking me?'
Victors usually crushed the loser and claimed their spoils. Was this the leisure of a winner? Or the dignity only a true master could possess?
Lucian bowed his head in return, caught off guard.
"You're too kind. I... witnessed a new world."
An uncomfortable silence flowed again, and only then did Aiman notice Red Beard tied up in the corner once more.
"Well, now..."
Aiman clapped his hands to lighten the mood.
"What to do with him..."
He pointed at Red Beard, abandoned in the corner.
-Mmph! Mmph!
Red Beard was trembling, his eyes... well, they looked deeply impressed. As if all hostility had vanished.
"We'll call the guards."
At Aiman's words, Lucian stepped forward.
"I'll serve as witness."
He gave Rozina a wistful glance before speaking.
"My fiancée... no, not anymore."
"?"
Aiman looked at him with puzzled eyes at those words.
Lucian pressed on regardless.
"My ex-fiancée, perhaps? She should walk the path she desires. She seems happy with you."
"?"
Rozina looked flustered too. But Lucian ignored her and continued.
"On my family's name, I'll ensure that dwarf pays for his crimes. I'll speak to the guards. Hope to see you again. The music was good."
Lucian said his piece, dragged the dwarf away, and left. Aiman and Rozina could only stare at each other in bewilderment.
"What was that about?"
"As I said, Lucian's the type who just says whatever... I'm sorry."
"No... Lady Rozina has nothing to apologize for."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Only Aiman and Rozina remained in the wrecked living room. The clock pointed to 2 a.m.
"...Why does today feel so endlessly long?"
Recalling the day's events:
Auction house, piano modifications, attempted murder, chase, music battle... All in one day. It felt like a whole week's worth of drama compressed into hours.
"You worked hard, Master."
Rozina approached and placed a warm damp cloth on my forehead. The word "Master" carried a hint of caution.
Was she thinking about her situation? Really, there was no need. Though... she had been thrilled right up until moments ago.
"...You really don't have to call me Master."
"But."
"I don't like hearing it."
"...Understood. Aiman."
Rozina awkwardly glanced around. Probably wondering where to sleep.
No need to look. This house had two beds!
Of course, from her perspective, they were so shabby they might not even register as beds. That explained why she hadn't noticed.
"...Lady Rozina. Embarrassing as it is to call them beds, what you're seeing are indeed beds."
At my words, Rozina froze for a moment.
"Underst...ood."
"But seriously, you'll sleep like that for a whole week?"
"Um... well."
She didn't know. Exhausted, time to sleep. Rozina hesitated, glancing at me uncertainly, but I paid it no mind.
Whatever! I'm going to bed! She can figure it out.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Knock. Knock.
I woke to the sound of knocking, groggily looking around.
The sun was already up. Fortunately, Rozina was sleeping soundly too. She didn't seem uncomfortable.
I got up to open the door, and surprisingly, it was Hans—my colleague from work.
Why was this guy here? Did he need help with something?
"What? Why are you here?"
"I need to talk about your piano. As we know, it was affiliated with the Merchant Guild, right? Thought we should report it."
Hans spoke with a serious expression, glancing around. Then he spotted Rozina lying on the bed and froze.
"No."
I said hurriedly, but it was like Hans wasn't hearing me anymore. He looked back and forth between me and Rozina, his face incredulous.
"Misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?"
"Yeah. Total misunderstanding."
Perhaps having overheard us, Rozina stirred awake. Still disheveled, she said,
"Master... did you sleep well?"
"Master?"
I could feel Hans staring at me in shock.