Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Schubert, Moments of Music (2)
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“Pardon me, but may I have a word?”
“Yes.”
She didn't seem the least bit surprised by my excessive courtesy, as if she had already been found out.
“Perhaps it would be best if we both dropped the act here. If we continue like this, I fear we won't be able to have a proper conversation.”
“Pfft!”
Princess Elise covered her mouth, a laugh bursting out of her.
I was worried my comment might be taken as an issue, but it seems I was worried for nothing.
She seems to have a rather innocent side to her.
“It’s hard to hide today, isn't it? I thought I wouldn't be caught since disguising myself like this is a hobby of mine.”
“Do you often play the part of a commoner?”
“No. This is my first time playing a commoner. I have played the role of a count's daughter a few times, though. Everyone fell for it completely.”
So that's how it is.
Now I understand.
The princess must have been referring to ‘Clair de Lune.’
However, I’ve never heard a rumor that a member of the imperial family was among the theater's audience.
If there were, the nobles, who are obsessed with gossip, would have done something about it.
That doesn't make sense.
She must have fabricated a fictional persona or disguised herself under someone else's identity.
‘It’s a good thing she didn't show up on the third day.’
If she had, things could have gotten quite complicated.
I offered another polite greeting and took a seat opposite her.
“I took care to show up without an appointment, thinking it might be a burden. Though, I was found out quite nicely.”
Seeing her like this, her personality is the complete opposite of her brother, Crown Prince Ruhan.
He dragged me right off the stage just before a performance.
That was truly sudden.
“Please, lower your form of address.”
“That would be difficult for someone I hold in such high regard.”
She smiled wryly and shrugged her shoulders.
To think I'd hear such words from a princess.
I'm at a loss again.
“Do you remember what you said at the beginning?”
She spoke again.
“You said you came here because you had a request.”
“It’s nothing difficult. I just came to get one signature.”
“Pardon?”
So, she's asking for an autograph?
Asking a performer for an autograph isn't that surprising.
It’s a tradition that has existed for a very long time.
It’s a sign of respect and gratitude, and once you get an autograph, you can keep it as a memento.
The problem is that the one making the request is a princess.
“How could I, a mere performer, dare to...”
“Don't say things like that.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“A mere performer? Arrogance is a sin, but so is excessive modesty.”
“My apologies.”
She must be a huge fan.
From ‘Clair de Lune’ to ‘William Tell Overture.’
She knows every single piece of music I've presented to the public. There's no more room for doubt.
She can't stand it when the performer she adores belittles himself.
I can fully understand that feeling, as someone who has also claimed to be a fan of someone else.
I called for Theo and asked for the most expensive paper in the mansion.
A soft piece of parchment was placed before me.
I dipped the pen in ink and wrote down my name.
“Is there a specific phrase you would like?”
Valuable autographs often come with a small message.
Something like ‘Always be happy’ or ‘Thanks for the delicious meal.’
The princess seemed to think for a moment, then opened her mouth.
“‘For Elise.’”
“...That's a wonderful phrase.”
It was hard to hide my fluster.
If she had asked for a dedication instead of an autograph, I wouldn't have been able to keep a straight face.
It feels like that's only a matter of time, though.
Princess Elise took the parchment and smiled faintly.
She wasn't showing it overtly, but it was a smile that showed she was in an excellent mood.
Then she looked at me again with a calm expression.
“And one more thing. Since my identity has been revealed, I'll just speak my mind without hesitation.”
“Yes. Please do.”
“I heard you have accepted the proposal to perform at the Imperial Knights' departure ceremony.”
Proposal?
“I thought of it as a command.”
“I suppose it might have felt that way.”
The princess took a sip of her tea and continued.
“Have you agreed on a payment?”
“Honor and glory are more than enough.”
“That is not payment.”
“Pardon?”
“Payment should be something more material.”
That's a very capitalist perspective.
Naturally, I agree with her completely.
“I will have a sponsorship sent in the name of the Imperial Family.”
“...Thank you.”
A sponsorship.
Truthfully, I don't need it that much.
The family's finances aren't at a critical level.
The debt I owe to Count Harborland can be covered by the theater's profits.
While a performer's livelihood often depends on sponsorship, that isn't always the case. In my situation, if I sell musical scores, I can make money...
Huh?
“Your Highness.”
“Yes.”
“May I make a different request instead of a sponsorship?”
“Hehe. Speak freely. I'll grant any request. What do you want? A medal? A plaque of gratitude? I could even appoint you as an official performer of the Imperial Family.”
“No.”
I don't need anything like that.
“I would be grateful if you could write me a letter of recommendation.”
“A letter of recommendation?”
I'm planning to properly re-engrave Schubert's music soon.
‘Moments Musicaux No. 3.’
It's a piece that anyone with a certain level of skill could play without much difficulty.
I was planning to sell it to performers and nobles as a test, but a better way to secure customers came to mind.
What if I included the princess's letter of recommendation inside the scorebook?
“I like that.”
She said.
“However, I must hear the music first. Otherwise, I cannot write a recommendation.”
“That is a very reasonable point.”
But if I do that...
I'll have to take the princess all the way to my room.
This is a bit disrespectful.
There's no way to move the piano, so I gave up on that idea.
“I am ashamed to have you in such a humble place.”
“It's fine.”
It's a good thing I had tidied up.
I sat down on the chair and began to play immediately.
A warm, delicate melody rang out.
The cheerful rhythm created by the left hand is covered by the graceful melody sculpted by the right.
A calm and sorrowful atmosphere continues, followed by a single prelude.
The melody, flowing in a minor key, shifts to a major key, evoking bright and lively emotions.
Several dramatic changes occur within the short piece, which is not even two minutes long.
“Wow.”
The princess clapped her hands in delight the moment the performance ended.
She isn't writhing her body and shouting cheers like the audience in the plaza, but her expression shows she is sufficiently satisfied.
“I wonder if I am even worthy of writing a recommendation. For such beautiful music.”
“Not at all.”
Even as I said that, she seemed secretly pleased.
After securing the promise, we left the mansion together.
Suddenly, a knight protecting her jumped out from behind the door.
Good heavens.
Had he been hiding and waiting this whole time?
Well, it does sound unreasonable for a princess to be walking around alone at night.
“It was an honor to meet you.”
“Oh! Don't forget, my name is Elise!”
I answered with an awkward smile.
The princess walked gracefully toward the main gate, then quickly scanned her surroundings and began to run at full speed.
The knight protecting her followed right behind.
‘What was that?’
It's difficult. So difficult.
The world of the imperial family is truly hard to understand.
After that, several lords visited with their children, and before I knew it, dawn had arrived.
Do these noble dogs not sleep?
Some weren't satisfied with just a score or an autograph and even tried to leave their own daughters behind at the mansion.
“Please raise her for me!”
“What a crazy person.”
I told Theo to refuse all future visitors and went to my room to rest.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Hmm.”
I went to see Edward and showed him the scores.
In addition to Schubert's piece, I added a few more, mostly easy ones, like Grieg's Arietta and Dvořák's Humoresque.
“If we just change the paper to a cheaper material, production shouldn't be difficult.”
“Let's print them immediately!”
“I will leave a message with a workshop I know. But, Young Master.”
“Yes.”
“Do you really think these will sell?”
Edward suddenly looked gloomy and expressed his concern.
“Most of the scorebooks currently selling in the capital are the works of Sir Victor Korsolin. He has a substantial following.”
“Is he still active?”
“His scorebooks are still very popular. He has a tight grip on the market.”
“It will be fine.”
Why does Victor Korsolin have a grip on the score market?
Because I haven't entered the fray yet.
I'm sorry for the guy, but the law of brand value holds true even in another world.
Of course, good products sell well.
There's no need to say who has the good products here.
Furthermore.
I still have a weapon left.
A weapon that might cause a much greater ripple effect than the quality of the scores.
“Please deliver this to the workshop manager as well.”
“What is this?”
“A letter of recommendation from the Imperial Family.”
“Pardon?”
“It was written personally by Her Highness, the Crown Princess.”
“Pardon?”
I stressed it to Edward, who was asking again.
“Make sure you deliver it.”
“...Of course.”
One more thing.
“I would like to suspend the performances until the departure ceremony.”
“That would be difficult.”
“I thought so.”
This morning alone, I worked up a sweat chasing away the guests coming to the mansion.
If I stop the performances, a protest group might storm my front gate.
But if I hold a performance every day, I won't have enough time.
To look ahead, I need to stop my activities and build up my skills.
“So, I have something in mind.”
My scores will be released to the world soon.
Now is the perfect time.
“How about holding a competition?”
The Anton Tilberg Competition.
What is the biggest driving force for growth?
It's rivals.
At least, that was the case for me.
I studied and practiced harder because I wanted to be praised before my friends.
The rivalry over who could master Czerny 40 first served as the foundation for my skill growth.
A competition is a place to discover talent.
If I provide proper scores as well, there's a high chance that hidden talents will emerge.
Of course, I plan to provide plenty of time for practice.
My purpose is simple.
‘If I can discover talent.’
We can share and acquire each other's knowledge and techniques, allowing us to improve our skills much faster.
This event benefits everyone.
Aspiring performers need a guide to lead them, and I need rivals.
A rival to burn the driving force for growth within me!
Anyway.
“That is a good idea. It should be enough to keep the nobles entertained while you are not holding performances.”
“That's what I'm saying.”
“I will arrange it to coincide with the release date of the scorebooks.”
“I'm counting on you.”
And so, the preparation for the competition began.