Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Regional Tour, Seneca County (2)
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A middle-aged man with a sharp-looking face appeared.
I wondered who could be interrupting my cozy time with Aiolin, but it turned out to be a Viscount.
He immediately looked me up and down.
Was he trying to gauge the gap between himself and me?
I was taken aback.
"Pleased to meet you."
"Yeah."
What a terrible first impression.
I wasn't expecting a round of applause, but even by those standards, his tone was incredibly stiff and dry.
It's clear he doesn't know who I am.
"I have something to discuss with the Count. Could you step out for a moment?"
"...Excuse me?"
Who the hell is this guy?
If someone overheard, they'd think the Emperor himself had arrived.
'So that's how it is.'
I understood the situation perfectly.
This was how Aiolin was being treated right here, right now.
Since he's a Viscount, he's likely a vassal. For such a man to be arbitrarily dismissing the Count's guest...
It just doesn't make sense.
I thought the nobles of the capital were the worst, but I was wrong.
As I stood there hesitating, the Viscount spoke again.
"I told you to leave."
"Viscount Paube."
Aiolin stepped in to stop him.
"He is my guest."
"I am aware."
The two clashed.
I can understand Aiolin's actions.
That's the right thing to do.
But what I truly couldn't understand was Viscount Paube's expression.
He clicked his tongue and shook his head with a deep sigh, as if something was particularly displeasing to him.
"I'll be waiting outside."
And with that, he left.
Aiolin gave a slight bow at the waist.
"I apologize. You had to witness an unpleasant scene."
"It's no problem."
The words, 'Just what is that bastard's problem?' were on the tip of my tongue, but I held them back.
There are lunatics everywhere, and I've seen plenty of them in my time.
The Viscount is just one of them.
'Is he unhappy that a much younger Aiolin is commanding his loyalty?'
I'd already heard from Edward.
About the current situation in Seneca County.
He said her only son had died in an accident, and Aiolin had inherited the position of head of the house.
However.
If Aiolin hadn't been there...
The Viscount, a vassal, might have inherited the title himself.
The attitude the Viscount just showed was not out of concern.
It was closer to a one-sided insult.
At the same time, it was an expression of his inferiority complex.
'He refuses to acknowledge Aiolin's qualifications?'
It's a reasonable inference.
Moreover, if this is true, it means the situation is far more serious than I thought.
Just suddenly being saddled with responsibility would be overwhelming enough, but to have to endure every day under such scrutiny and contempt...
But it's too early to be certain.
'In times like these, I need to hear both sides.'
Perhaps there's some other reason for the Viscount's behavior.
I mustn't make a rash judgment.
I can't exactly ask the Count directly.
I had some errands to run outside anyway. I might as well check on the public mood while I'm out.
I have a feeling I might find a clue for the concert.
That should be fine.
Anyway.
After that, I had a few more conversations with Aiolin.
Whether to station merchants around the concert venue or not.
Things like that.
"Then, I'll be in your care."
When I came outside, the Viscount was standing there.
I didn't want to speak with him, so I stepped aside slightly.
He didn't even glance at me and walked into the drawing room.
I returned to the room I'd been assigned and changed my clothes.
"Where are you, Erdi?"
I found Erdi and we headed for the market.
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"You seem quite energetic."
"Indeed."
The South is truly the South.
People proudly displayed their sun-kissed skin and healthy physiques.
Their expressions were bright.
"Are you a stranger here?"
As I was walking down the road, a merchant called out to me.
"Yes. I came from the capital."
"I saw you walking from the castle direction. Did you have an audience with the Count?"
"How did you know?"
That's just uncanny.
"There's nothing else in that direction but the Count's castle."
"...Right."
Merchants only make small talk for one reason.
"I'm not buying."
I just kept walking.
People were sitting around leisurely, chatting away.
Cheerful voices echoed through the air.
It was a pleasant sight.
If there were problems with the lord, the mood of the territory would be somber.
The influence can't be ignored.
Having said that...
'Nothing seems to be out of the ordinary, though.'
Should I just conclude that the Viscount is trash?
But I can't gauge Aiolin's reputation just from the mood of the market.
I walked a bit further and came upon some fields.
There were farmers working in the fields.
"By the way, about the Count. She hasn't been looking well lately."
"Don't underestimate Lord Collin's bloodline. She'll surely get better."
They didn't seem to know we were there.
It would be rude to listen in on their conversation any longer, so I quickly backed away.
A few more words reached my ears from behind.
"I hope she doesn't get pushed around by the vassals."
"I trust the Count."
Ah, I see.
So that's how it is.
I was certain now.
As expected, there's no more credible indicator than the voices of the people.
A lord who has the support of her territory's residents can't possibly be incompetent.
It was nothing but envy and jealousy.
Not only does he refuse to help the young Count, but he actually ignores and belittles her.
The rumors I'd heard from Edward were all true.
The nobles of the neighboring territories were probably siding with the Viscount as well.
I've made up my mind.
"I'll have to add a piece."
"Do you have one in mind?"
Do I ever.
Chopin, Polonaise Op. 53.
"The Hero."
The piece I once played in front of the Crown Prince when he dragged me off that time.
It was only half of a half, and it was sorely lacking.
However.
How much effort I put into completing this piece after that, no one will ever know.
Of course, Erdi's contribution was huge.
It probably differs a lot from the original, but I tried to preserve as much of it as I could.
A grand and majestic epic.
A weapon I had hidden, and I never thought I'd be pulling it out here.
But it's fine.
I'm not saving it to give to someone else.
If this performance can perhaps, even a little, break the chains binding Aiolin, that's more than enough.
Let's do it.
"By the way, when are we going back?"
Walking without thinking, I'd gone too far.
I trudged back to the castle.
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"Please move it carefully."
I hired a few workers and asked them to transport the piano.
As planned, the entire garden was decorated as a concert venue.
The flower fields were left as they were, and chairs were placed along the wide walking paths.
The stage was right in the center.
A 360-degree open-air concert.
It feels new.
I could see Aiolin outside, giving various instructions.
It's nice to see her working so hard.
This concert isn't just for me.
Since I've come all the way to a remote territory, it should become an event for the residents.
"Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves."
Edward approached and said.
"Let's just quit the theater and go on a tour."
"I'm with you."
He expressed his agreement without a moment's hesitation.
We always seem to be on the same wavelength in the strangest places.
"...On second thought, it's better to keep the theater as it is."
Is that so?
In any case, preparations are proceeding steadily.
I've also practiced enough.
The concert is tomorrow.
We will be charging an entrance fee, but it's only one silver coin per person, so it's practically free.
'Good.'
After checking the piano's acoustics one last time, I returned to my room.
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Early dawn.
A time not long after the sun had risen.
The residents of Seneca County began to emerge from their homes one by one.
Their movements were as orderly as if they had all made a promise.
"You too?"
It was obvious without asking.
Their destination was the Count's castle.
And the large garden prepared in front of it.
"This is the first time in my life I've ever heard a piano performance."
"Look at this country bumpkin."
It wasn't just the commoners.
Nobles living in the vicinity had also gathered in one place.
Of course, Viscount Paube was among them.
"He seems to have put in some effort."
His tone was still indifferent.
"I didn't expect the Viscount to come."
A Baron who was on friendly terms with him approached with a smile.
"It would be quite an eyesore if Aiolin were to host this event all by herself. We should step up and lend the occasion some glamour."
"You are quite right."
However.
They soon faced an unexpected situation.
"What do you think you're doing?"
The front seats, which could be considered the best seats, as well as all the seats with a view of the stage, were completely occupied.
It was unthinkable for commoners to take seats before the nobles.
Edward, sensing their discontent, approached and asked.
"Is there a problem?"
"There are no seats for us."
"How about here?"
He pointed to an empty seat.
It was indeed a seat.
"The view of the stage is obstructed by the trees from here. The front would be better."
Ignoring Edward's words, Paube walked forward.
A family of five commoners was sitting there.
They stood up on their own, without him even having to say a word.
Just as Paube was smiling contentedly, about to take the front seat...
"Excuse me, but seating is first-come, first-served."
Erdi spotted him and hurried over.
The Young Master's concert was first-come, first-served, no exceptions.
That was an immutable law.
But Paube glared at Erdi sharply, clearly displeased.
"First-come, first-served? Are you suggesting there's a problem with me sitting here? And this is an event being held in my own territory, is it not?"
Erdi was at a loss for what to do.
He thought the Viscount wasn't entirely wrong.
As he hesitated, Edward appeared again to resolve the situation.
"Viscount."
Paube didn't answer.
"Would you be willing to give up your seat to those who rarely have the opportunity to see a concert?"
"I'm afraid I can't do that."
"Understood."
Edward turned and whispered to Erdi.
As if he were conveying a very secret message.
"By the way, what happened to that person? The Lady who tried to harm you."
"...I heard Her Highness the Crown Princess went personally to issue a warning. The Young Master told me so."
I was curious as to why Edward was suddenly bringing up an old story, but Erdi answered truthfully.
Paube's expression hardened as he overheard their conversation.
'...Is it true?'
The Imperial Family would intervene over a mere commoner?
'Is he a far more significant figure than he appears...?'
Paube stood up from his seat.
It was a blow to his pride, but hearing those words made him feel uneasy for no reason.
He didn't want to take any unnecessary risks.
He was infinitely weak to those stronger than himself.
'I've heard rumors that the performer has the Imperial Family's endorsement. It's probably best not to cause any trouble today.'
And.
One person was watching all of this unfold.
Edward's and Erdi's gazes moved at the same time.
There, a man was nodding slowly with his thumb raised.
'Excellent.'
Just keep it up.
