Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Imperial Palace - [5]
The air in the waiting room hung heavy. In the murky silence, like being submerged underwater, the only sounds were the occasional faint tremble of hands gripping instruments or the gulp of someone swallowing dryly.
Of course, we all thought there was no need to be nervous. Well... no, it was more accurate to say we shouldn't be nervous.
"Hoo..."
I loosened my tie slightly and let out a long breath. My heart was pounding like it was about to burst out of my chest.
"Nervous?"
Versha approached me and asked. Her usual sharp features had softened into a gentler expression.
The power of makeup was truly remarkable.
"Can't lie about that, can I?"
I confessed honestly.
"I'm shaking so bad I feel like I might die. My legs are wobbling—I can barely stand."
At my words, chuckles rippled through the orchestra members, everyone nodding in shared understanding.
"...What happens if we mess up here?"
When I half-jokingly, half-seriously asked, Versha raised her violin bow and slowly scanned the group.
"Hmm... well. We all die together, I suppose. Here's hoping for a clean execution. Way less lonely than going alone."
"..."
The members' faces twisted in collective horror. It was scarier because that joke felt half-serious.
"Just kidding."
Versha grinned and pointed toward the stage.
"Let's go. Time to show them our stage."
"Yes, ma'am."
I took a deep breath and followed behind her.
The moment we stepped from the darkness behind the massive stage curtain toward the light...
The tremor in my fingertips had already turned to excitement.
Wooong—.
The enormous velvet curtain parted to either side. A flood of dazzling light poured in at the same time.
The orchestra and I walked out onto the stage. The sight before us was honestly staggering.
The three-story-high domed ceiling glittered with a chandelier adorned with tens of thousands of crystals, shining like the sun itself.
Beneath it sat hundreds of nobles filling the seats, their jewels and ornaments twinkling like stars and dazzling the eyes.
It was an overwhelming pressure that stole your breath. I pretended to be calm as I scanned the audience.
Front row center. On the tallest, most ornate golden throne sat a middle-aged man.
His Majesty the Emperor. He leaned deeply into the backrest, fixing us with a heavy gaze.
Intimidating as hell.
In what looked like the VIP section sat Lia and Anna—and surprisingly, Haruna too.
Haruna, seeming even more tense than me, clenched her fists toward me.
Fighting.
That's what her lips seemed to say.
And then.
Huh?
In the middle somewhere, one woman stood out strikingly. Snow-white hair like fresh powder, golden pupils.
She exuded an otherworldly nobility, elegantly sipping from her teacup.
When our eyes met, she lightly waved the hand holding the cup.
Have I seen her before?
The memory teased at the edge of my mind. She felt familiar, but also not... I wasn't sure.
Either way, I nodded back as if entranced.
"Iman."
"Yes."
Versha gave me the signal: ready?
I sat on the piano bench and adjusted the height. The familiar feel against my backside brought me back to reality.
Focus.
I placed my hands on the keys. Silence. Even the breathing of hundreds had stopped.
Ching!
The first note exploded forth.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The strings swept their bows in unison, creating a majestic wave.
Violins' sharp highs blended with cellos' deep lows, crashing over the stage like a massive sound tsunami.
And atop it all, the piano glided in smoothly.
Taaaaang—!
Iman's keystrokes were solid. But it was a solidity that blended seamlessly, flexible and resilient—like the prow of a ship slicing through fierce waves without being swept away.
The week's practice hadn't been in vain.
Versha, Iman, and the orchestra had rehearsed over ten hours a day, at minimum. And now, that result unfolded right here.
A perfect ensemble, filling each other's gaps and making one another shine brighter.
Ku-gu-gu-gung...
The piano's sound didn't drown in the orchestra's. Thanks to the sound-amplifying artifact.
It started from the tiniest whisper, gradually building to grandeur.
The piano began leading the orchestra's melody. The audience's reactions shifted.
The nobles who had been fanning themselves with bored expressions froze.
-My god...
-It was great before, but something's different. Feels so full now?
-With the piano... the sound has real backbone.
The Emperor pulled away from the backrest, leaning forward. Interest flickered across his formerly impassive face.
And with a grand final chord, the first movement ended.
Sweat beaded on the orchestra members' foreheads as they lowered their bows, and Iman panted heavily too.
Silence. And then.
Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap...
Someone started the applause first. The Emperor. That sparked the audience into a roar of claps.
-Bravo!
-Magnificent!
-Beautiful...
Iman and the orchestra exchanged glances. Iman met Versha's eyes.
Versha gave a short nod. Iman took a deep breath and nodded back.
As the applause died down, the hall lights suddenly went out.
-Huh?
-What's going on? Power outage?
-An accident?
The nobles began murmuring. Pitch-black darkness fell.
That was when it happened.
Pop!
Stage center. A single spotlight beam dropped solely on the piano and Iman.
The surrounding orchestra vanished into shadow, leaving Iman alone in the light.
Solo stage.
Versha's suggested hidden card, prepared just for this. Iman placed his hands on the keys.
The piece Iman played was [Paganini/Liszt - Etude No. 6].
Known as "Theme and Variations."
An intense, clear main theme with a simple melody that stuck addictively in the ears.
And the performance began. The opening was sharp and concise.
The bare A-minor theme sliced cleanly through the space, free of excess.
Each note snapped precisely, embedding into the ears with perfect rhythm.
Soon the variations kicked in, and the simple line ballooned wildly in complexity.
The single-note theme donned countless embellishments, proliferating gorgeously.
A dense accompaniment poured forth like heavy, solid gems...
Then rich harmony suddenly filled the space with grandeur.
The mood shifted again. No gaps between notes—a packed progression brimming with flashy techniques.
Paaat—
Visual effects burst forth too. Light particles leaped from the keys, dancing wildly.
Matching the rapid runs, they trailed afterimages, wrapping the piano in a brilliant fireworks display.
-Whoa...
-Incredible.
-So beautiful...
The nobles were overwhelmed by the sound, entranced by the light. Even the Saintess set down her teacup.
Lia, Anna, and Haruna all watched Iman in awe.
The performance raced toward climax. Faster. Stronger. More dazzling.
Into the latter half, the volume swelled even greater.
That initial crisp theme melody stood firm at the center, never losing its way.
The mood changed once more. High notes like a snowfall of pristine flakes.
As the piece peaked, a touch of madness seeped into the speed.
Breathless tension like pursuer and pursued, with a heroic grandeur that devoured the instrument.
Low and high tones crisscrossing wildly, proving this was truly the end.
And.
Ding——.
The final keys pressed together. The strings' vibration seemed to rumble the floor.
Sweat streamed down Iman's body, and he gasped for air.
"Hoo. Hoo..."
Iman stared into space. Silence flowed.
One second. Two. Three.
Cheers, roars, and applause thundered through the hall.
Even those who had clapped seated for decorum now stood, applauding fervently.
The Emperor himself wore a satisfied smile.
Fireworks burst amid the excited fervor as Iman slowly rose from his chair.
His legs trembled, but he composed himself, straightening his clothes as if nothing was amiss.
And with the utmost grace, the deepest courtesy he could muster.
"Thank you very much."
Iman bowed profoundly toward the audience.
Amid the pouring cheers and applause, the stage curtain descended slowly. Very slowly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Ugh, fuck. Thought I was gonna die from nerves."
Of course, the second I got offstage, I hurled.
Partly from the stage tension, but also because I had to meet His Majesty the Emperor afterward.