Chapter 43
Chapter 43
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Wish - [1]
Three maids rushed over as if they had been waiting for this moment.
The time after my bath to get dressed up. It felt incredibly awkward.
No matter how much I thought about it, this level of hospitality seemed far too generous for someone like me.
"Baron, this way."
"We'll dry your hair first."
"I've prepared some soothing oil for your skin."
The maids moved with perfect coordination.
One gently wiped the remaining moisture from my body with a soft towel, while another warmed some scented oil in her palms before applying it to my shoulders and arms.
The last one was combing through my wet hair to remove the excess water.
I felt like a mannequin right now. Even after three days, I still hadn't adjusted.
Honestly, washing and dressing myself would be a hundred times more comfortable.
"Your silence is making it even more burdensome."
I cleared my throat and spoke up.
"And do we really need to go this far? I could just throw on something casual."
"We're sorry, Baron."
The personal maid tending to my hair bowed her head.
"If it's uncomfortable..."
"No, it's fine. I just... never mind. Please continue."
I waved it off, and the maids visibly relaxed before resuming their busy work.
The hands dressing me were meticulous.
Every action—buttoning my shirt, tying my necktie, smoothing out the jacket's wrinkles—was filled with care.
"Um... Baron."
While I was getting my hair styled for a while, the personal maid hesitantly spoke up.
"If it wouldn't be rude, may I say something?"
"Go ahead."
"I just wanted to express my gratitude."
"Gratitude? To me?"
"Yes."
The maid paused her combing and met my eyes in the mirror.
"Lady Rozina... has changed so much since meeting you, Baron."
Sincerity filled her voice.
"The mansion has come alive again. The atmosphere among the servants has softened considerably."
The other maids nearby nodded in agreement.
"To be honest, the old Lady Rozina was... so cold and sharp that she was intimidating to be around."
"Exactly. She was always on edge, and her smiles felt fake. Even a small mistake from us would bring down a scolding..."
They shuddered slightly, as if just recalling those days.
"But these days, she smiles genuinely. She even hums sometimes. And instead of getting angry, she lets things slide with a joke."
The maid resumed combing and added,
"It's all thanks to you, Aiman. Thank you so much."
I felt embarrassed. I'd just played some piano and... well, served as her attendant? No, more like her maid.
"I don't think it's due to me. It's probably just her inherent warmth coming to the surface."
"Even if you see it that way, we see it as your influence."
The maid spoke, then realized she'd overstepped and bowed her head immediately.
"If I've spoken out of turn, I'm sorry..."
"No, it's fine. I won't mention it to the lady, so don't worry."
"Thank you... This is the last part."
The maid carefully combed my hair, slicking my bangs neatly back.
With my forehead exposed, the man in the mirror looked much more refined.
This was the style Rozina had told me not to do last time, but wasn't this better?
I couldn't figure out why she'd said not to.
"All done. Good work."
The maid smiled in satisfaction and stepped back.
"Today... I hope you have a wonderful time."
Her eyes sparkled oddly. It felt burdensome somehow.
Guided by a servant, I arrived not at the main house but at a private parlor in the annex.
It wasn't the formal reception room; this was Rozina's personal space.
"Here it is."
The servant opened the door and withdrew. I took a deep breath and entered.
The room was dimly lit.
Thick curtains covered the windows, and only the lamp on the table cast a soft glow over the interior.
In the center sat Rozina. She was pouring red wine into a glass.
In a dress even redder than the wine, she looked... quite alluring.
"You've arrived."
Rozina turned to me, paused for a moment, then smiled.
"I've been waiting, Aiman."
"Thank you for inviting me."
I sat on the sofa opposite her.
Two glasses of wine and some simple cheese appetizers were already prepared on the table.
"The atmosphere... is nice."
"Do you like it?"
Rozina lifted her wine glass in a toast.
"This is my secret space. I don't invite just anyone."
"I'm honored."
We clinked glasses lightly. A clear chime echoed through the room.
A sip of the wine brought a sweet, bittersweet taste enveloping my tongue.
"You promised, didn't you?"
Rozina set down her glass and stared straight at me.
"That you'd play a piece just for me."
"Of course."
I stood and walked to the piano, lifting the keyboard cover and sitting on the bench.
The black and white keys gleamed under the light, waiting for me.
"The piece I promised: Sentimental Waltz. A waltz just for you."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Aiman's fingers pressed down on the keys.
A waltz rhythm in three-four time. But not the lively, ornate waltz one might hear at a ballroom.
It was too melancholic for dancing.
Ti-ra-ra-ra... la-la...
The simple melody repeated, but the depth of emotion within was anything but simple.
The soliloquy of a woman left alone in an empty hall after the grand ball had ended.
Or the moment of facing one's bare face in the mirror after removing the mask.
Rozina closed her eyes, wine glass in hand. The music seeped into her ears.
It knocked on the door of her innermost room, one she'd never shown to anyone.
'This piece...'
She bit her lip.
'It's me.'
The lady of the Bellua family. Proxy for the house. Flower of high society. Behind those glittering titles lay a heavy weight.
The obsession to be perfect, the tension of never showing weakness, and the profound loneliness blooming from it all.
The piano melody spoke.
-I know the sorrow hidden behind your splendor.
-That sorrow is part of your beauty.
-Everyone lives wearing a mask.
Her chest swelled with emotion. There was fondness, a flutter of excitement...
But it felt more like solace.
Or perhaps, being understood?
Rozina gazed at her reflection in the wine glass.
Her face was flushed.
Was it from the red wine, or something else?
She didn't know. Not even herself.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Ding...
The final note faded, leaving a long afterglow lingering in the room.
I lifted my hands from the keys and looked at Rozina.
"...Thank you."
Only after a while did Rozina open her eyes and murmur. Her expression looked quite serene.
"The best waltz of my life."
She spoke with genuine feeling. Glad she liked it.
"Aiman, you're... too much, you know? Stirring people's hearts like this without permission."
"You're too kind."
I considered adding some flattery but decided against it.
Then Rozina said to me,
"By the way, how has life in the Bellua household been? Any inconveniences?"
Rozina asked, lightening the mood.
"It's been far better than I deserve. The maids have been so attentive that I don't know where to put myself."
"Hehe, I'm glad."
Rozina took a sip of her wine.
"Then come visit anytime. My room is... always open."
She added with a peculiar gaze.
"'Master.'"
I smiled awkwardly and averted my eyes. Time to change the subject.
"Oh. I saw the newspaper. The story about the Eastern Witch."
Rozina's lips curved slightly, as if letting it slide.
"That 'witch,' you mean."
"Hans caught my attention a bit."
"Don't worry... It's already been handled."
Rozina replied nonchalantly to my words.
"I won't go into the details of how. But in short, your friend won't be in any danger."
"Good to hear."
Aristocrats were aristocrats, huh? Probably some noble maneuvering behind the scenes.
"The witch mentioned the piano. Probably referring to me. And something about giving me an elixir."
Rozina nodded.
"Are you curious about that elixir?"
"A bit, yeah."
"I've looked into it myself."
I waited for Rozina to continue.
"It seems like a secret family heirloom passed down through generations of witches."
"And she's giving away something like that... because she liked the piano?"
"I don't quite get it either."
She paused briefly, as if debating whether to say more.
"Please tell me."
"Very well. From what I dug up, this 'witch' can glimpse fates."
"Fates?"
"Yes. Fate. The reason such a being seeks out a piano... forgive the rudeness, but compared to the future or fate, a piano is just an object... Sorry."
"No, it's understandable."
Rozina tilted her head, truly puzzled, but I had an inkling.
That ancient dragon in the dragon's lair had spoken to me about the possibility of reviving a goddess.
Maybe this 'witch' could glimpse something similar?
Chasing that led her to Hans, and through him to the piano. Something like that.
As I pondered, Rozina asked,
"If you want... shall I arrange a meeting?"
"Hmm."
I thought for a moment.
"Not right now."
I shook my head.
"Let me think it over and get back to you. For now... I want to savor this afterglow a bit longer."
"A wise choice."
Rozina smiled and refilled my glass.
"You're right. Enjoy the moment."
We toasted again. Naturally, nothing happened.