Chapter 12
Chapter 12
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Anton Tilberg Piano Competition (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Erdi Bilet!"
"Huh? Wha...?"
The man looked around in a panic, his head swiveling.
He seemed to have never expected to win a prize himself.
He must have thought he had no chance at all, since the 3rd and 2nd places were already gone.
But he was wrong.
If this man wasn't first, then who else could they possibly grant such an honor to?
"Is it really alright for me to receive this?"
"You were truly magnificent."
"...Thank you."
On the spur of the moment, I asked a few questions I was curious about.
"Where did you learn to play the piano?"
"Ah! The Duke, who is our newspaper's patron, invites me to his residence once a month. I've only been allowed to play a few times there, that's all."
Once a month?
And he's only played a few times?
'This one's no good.'
I need to get something out of this.
After telling him I'd visit the newspaper soon, I sent Erdi down.
Applause erupted from the audience.
Even though they hadn't made the rankings, everyone seemed to have greatly enjoyed today's event.
It might be a good idea to hold these events from time to time.
"You've worked hard."
I also thanked Count Harborland.
Finally, I went to greet Edward before heading home.
It was time to start preparing for the stage of the expedition ceremony.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Hey, Erdi."
"What is it, sir?"
The newspaper's president called for Erdi.
He had just returned from the performance competition.
He was so eager to boast about the results, he was practically itching with impatience.
"The Duke's Lady is looking for you."
"For me?"
But the words he received in return doused his excitement in an instant.
He set out on the road, his heart pounding.
The residence wasn't far.
"Huh? Was the appointment today?"
The man guarding the main gate asked Erdi.
"I was told the Lady is looking for me."
"Ah, that's right! I remember now. Go on in."
The two exchanged brief greetings and parted ways.
The servant who came to meet him welcomed him.
"Hey, Erdi! I heard you won a big prize at the performance competition today!"
"Has the word already spread this far?"
"The Duke is very pleased! He thinks of you like a son, you know."
Duke Edelo Dresel.
He had been on friendly terms with Erdi for a very long time.
The head of a Ducal house and a commoner newspaper delivery boy.
Some might find it strange, but the Duke cherished Erdi immensely.
A long, long time ago, the Duke's carriage had overturned, causing a major accident.
That's when Erdi appeared and offered his help.
As a token of his gratitude, the Duke invited him to his residence and treated him to a meal, and that friendship has continued to this day.
Of course, that wasn't the only reason.
"If it isn't too much to ask, would it be alright if I played the piano?"
"Feel free to play to your heart's content."
With the Duke's help, he learned a few basics, and that was the start.
"Have you already memorized all of this sheet music?"
Erdi's skills grew by leaps and bounds.
It took him a mere year to master the complete works of Victor Korsolin.
Even noble children who received professional education never demonstrated such a rapid capacity for learning.
The Duke even planned to act as his patron and have him enroll in the Academy, but Imperial law stood in their way.
Only children of noble houses could enroll in the Academy.
He considered borrowing a theater to hold a solo concert, but that wasn't easy either.
"It seems the Duke cherishes a commoner newspaper delivery boy more than his own daughter."
Even if it was just a rumor filled with distortion from high society, it couldn't be ignored.
The head of the family represents the house.
The lord represents the territory.
If he brought disgrace to everyone for the sake of his own selfish desires, it would be right to give up.
So, inviting Erdi to his residence once a month to treat him to a meal was the best choice he could make.
However.
'The meal date is still a long way off.'
A question mark floated in Erdi's mind as he walked, guided by the servant.
Moreover, the one who called for him wasn't the Duke, but his daughter.
Leah Dresel.
He had briefly encountered her at the performance competition today as well.
'Could it be because of that incident?'
A sense of dread washed over him.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Theo. I'm going out for a moment, so please explain the situation to my father."
"Understood."
My destination today was not the theater.
It was the newspaper.
Where Erdi Bilet worked.
I had already decided on the piece to perform at the expedition ceremony.
But to present it properly, I needed help.
There was no one better to ask for advice than Erdi.
'He's a genius, not only in technique but also in his ability to reinterpret.'
That guy is a genius.
He just never had a chance to shine, hidden by his status and the times.
That's why I held the competition.
A society that enjoys a higher level of culture.
That's not something I can achieve on my own.
I wanted to find someone to exchange inspiration with, and he appeared right before my eyes.
"Is anyone here?"
The newspaper was located on the outskirts of the capital.
A middle-aged man appeared after I knocked on the door.
"What brings you here?"
"I'm looking for someone. Erdi Bilet."
"Are you from the Duke's residence?"
"Pardon?"
"No. It's nothing."
The Duke's residence?
I only recently learned that Erdi was on friendly terms with the head of the Ducal house.
That's all the information I have.
As I went inside, piles of gray newspapers greeted me.
There was no particular news.
No murders, no robberies.
"Hmm."
The headline featured the schedule for the expedition ceremony.
In two weeks.
There wasn't much time left.
It was time to start my work.
"Where is Erdi?"
"He's over there."
The man pointed to a corner with his finger.
I looked in that direction and saw a lump.
At first, I thought it was a pile of rags, but upon closer inspection, it was moving slightly.
"Erdi?"
"Ah! Young Master!"
He hid his face as if startled upon seeing me.
"What's this?"
I pulled away the blanket covering him, revealing his disheveled hair.
His cheeks were also flushed red.
"What happened to you?"
"It's nothing!"
There's no way I could believe that.
Something must have happened without my knowledge.
"He was hit by the Duke's Lady."
The man who had been watching us from the side spoke up.
He seemed to be the president.
"What do you mean by that?"
He explained the situation on Erdi's behalf.
Apparently, the Duke Erdi was friendly with was Edelo Dresel.
I know that name as well.
I even know the details of his daughter's life inside and out.
"She was so resentful that Erdi won the prize that she laid a hand on him. He was slapped on the cheek. She even took his certificate."
"Is that true?"
Anger surged within me.
'What the hell is this woman?'
It's twisted affection, and a warped sense of fandom.
I thought she was just an overly enthusiastic, scatterbrained lady who loved music a bit too much, but she's completely out of her mind!
It's understandable to be angry for not receiving a prize.
It's natural for jealousy to bloom.
However.
That is no reason to torment an innocent commoner.
"What are the Capital Knights doing? For such an unsavory incident to occur at the Duke's residence."
"The young master has a point."
Rather, because it's the Duke's residence, are they trying to hush it up?
Even the Knights who manage order in the name of the Imperial Family can't intervene?
"A noble doesn't need a reason to beat a commoner."
"But there is such a thing as a person's duty."
"When you think about it, just a newspaper delivery boy playing the piano at a Duke's residence is already against propriety."
Isn't that just too unfair?
"I'm fine."
Erdi squeezed out the words in a small voice.
"Like hell I'm fine with this."
"Young Master?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"I don't even know how I raised you anymore."
"Don't worry. Nothing will come of this."
"Haa..."
The Dresel Duchy's territory.
A long sigh escaped the father's lips as he looked at his daughter.
He had been thinking she had been acting out lately, and sure enough, something had happened.
She had hit Erdi out of jealousy.
'And what's this?'
It was clearly the certificate she received for her good results at the performance competition.
'Why is this here?'
There was no need to think about the reason.
Because Leah had taken it.
As his worries deepened, he felt a rush of blood to his head.
"Why did you do such a thing?"
"It doesn't make sense. My performance was much better. The judges must have been bribed, I'm sure of it."
"Where would that child get any money?"
"...He must have stolen it from the nobles while delivering newspapers."
"Leah!"
The Duke's voice rose.
It was rare for him, known for his refined character, to show such a side.
It meant he was that furious.
Leah clamped her mouth shut.
She had her own reasons.
After learning that the performer was Anton Tilberg, the eldest son of a nearby Baron.
She had contemplated various ways to catch his eye.
The reason was simple.
'Patronage.'
She planned to use money to forge a strong bond and make him her exclusive performer.
But there was a problem.
'The Crown Princess's handwritten letter of recommendation!'
Had he already made connections with the Imperial Family?
If so, things were getting complicated.
Even a mighty Duchy is nothing compared to the Imperial Family.
She might lose Anton to the Crown Princess.
She decided she had to claim him first.
'To make a good impression...'
That was the only way.
Leah loved music.
She was confident, at least in listening.
That's how she knew.
To capture Anton Tilberg, music was necessary.
Birds of a feather flock together.
She would play her music for him and gain his interest.
Even she thought it was a brilliant idea.
She was sure that even with the difference in their status, he would be more drawn to her than to the Crown Princess.
But.
"Erdi ruined everything! I never liked that guy."
"Be quiet."
The Duke was contemplating how to punish his daughter.
No matter the reason, this was clearly a wrongdoing.
It had tarnished not only his name but the honor of his family.
"Leah."
The moment he called his daughter's name.
"Your Grace! We have a guest from the Imperial Palace!"