Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Regional Tour, Seneca County (3)
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The Seneca County.
The cheers of the territory's people erupted.
Anticipation-filled voices filled the garden.
Since they could now enjoy a concert that could only be seen in the capital, right at their doorstep, it was only natural for their emotions to run high.
In that case, I had to show them a proper performance.
I couldn't disappoint them.
I stepped onto the stage.
"Greetings, everyone."
I greeted everyone with a voice amplified by magic.
"Waaaaah!"
It was a tremendous welcome.
And the performance hadn't even started yet.
The reaction was far too exaggerated for just seeing the performer in the flesh.
There was a reason for this.
Actually, I had stopped by the market for a bit not long ago.
That's when I bought a set of traditional southern attire.
A tunic of gorgeous colors and loose-fitting pants.
As befits a region proud of its warm weather, it was clearly different from the capital's trends.
The material was thin and much more comfortable.
In any case, I liked it.
If I was going to be in the South, I should dress like a Southerner.
It's like a pop star visiting for an overseas tour getting on stage in a hanbok.
It's a form of fan service.
With this, the awkward atmosphere between me and the audience completely evaporated.
I wondered what feelings they had for a man standing on stage wearing clothes that were a symbol of the South.
Probably a sense of kinship.
Now, it was time to begin in earnest.
But before that.
I stood straight in front of the piano and spoke in a polite tone.
"I thank Sir Colin Seneca for his long-standing kindness. I dedicate this piece to the late lord."
Truthfully, there was no connection between him and me.
I only heard that he had been on close terms with Edward during his lifetime.
I even heard he had been an ardent supporter of Rune Moon.
Moreover, the respect the territory's people had for him was no small matter.
You could tell just by listening to their conversations for a moment.
He must have received a great deal of support for a long time.
The first piece to be performed today, 'Liebesträume', was a requiem for Sir Colin.
As expected.
Already, several audience members were seen bowing their heads and entering a moment of silence.
As if they were praying to someone.
I watched them quietly for a moment, then went and sat down in front of the piano.
I placed my hands on the keys.
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A soft, sorrowful melody flowed out.
A warm and bright melody, as if dreaming a peaceful dream.
Everyone gathered in the garden closed their eyes and listened intently to the performance.
Liszt, Liebesträume No. 3.
Why did he attach the word 'dream' to love?
Perhaps Liszt thought the two were, in fact, the same meaning.
The performance soon dug deep into the hearts of the audience, drawing out long-forgotten memories.
Intense arpeggios and changes in pitch.
Connecting the notes with the pedal, it created a graceful and elegant atmosphere, as if a wave were flowing.
A hazy scene became clearer and clearer.
A thrilling moment.
Something I had loved.
Or perhaps someone who had loved me.
A pleasant smile hung on everyone's lips.
At the same time, a dramatic contrast in range erupted.
A melody that traversed between passionate high notes and delicate low notes.
Joy and sorrow harmonized.
As emotions exploded, the audience's pupils were dyed with ecstasy.
However.
Behind every beautiful and noble fate, an inevitable end always follows.
The volume began to slowly decrease, as if a moment was coming to an end.
That could be an era.
Or perhaps a life.
If neither, then maybe just this very moment.
At the end of the passionately flared emotions, all that remained were quiet, sunken memories and longing.
The end of love is always parting.
Therefore, it was surely a fleeting dream.
"Ah..."
Hot tears streamed down Aiolin's cheeks.
The audience members sitting around her hurriedly turned their heads.
The territory's people understood her feelings better than anyone.
Reminiscing about the tender memories with her father, Aiolin could not hold back the tears that were about to burst.
It wasn't just her.
People shed tears the moment the performance ended.
Recalling the brilliant past with Sir Colin Seneca, who had once been their lord.
The garden was submerged in a sea of tears.
For a very long time, a heavy silence descended.
What broke the quiet tranquility was the sound of a single commoner man's applause.
Following him, everyone gathered for the concert rose from their seats and began to give a standing ovation.
Aiolin walked to the front of the stage.
And then, she bowed deeply.
"As the lord of the Seneca County, I thank you on behalf of all the territory's people."
Her sincere words, spoken in a trembling voice.
A gesture of gratitude to the performer who had comforted her and her father.
It was the greatest courtesy she could show from her position.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Oh, dear.
The moment the performance of 'Liebesträume' ended, the atmosphere noticeably sank.
A heavy silence.
Everyone seems to have taken a significant emotional blow.
I can understand their feelings, as it was a piece to commemorate Sir Colin, who was greatly respected by all the territory's people.
'I suppose I'll have to take a short break.'
I had no choice but to hold an intermission after just one piece.
I couldn't continue the concert like this.
I got off the stage and sat on a small chair that had been prepared in advance.
Edward approached.
"It was a truly moving performance."
"...Edward?"
His eyes were moist; it seemed he had also shed a great deal of tears.
I had no intention of bringing it up.
"The Count was also very grateful."
At those words, I turned my gaze to the front of the stage.
I could see Aiolin surrounded by the territory's people, exchanging words of comfort.
It was a heartwarming sight.
I hope the love she is building lasts for a long time.
"By the way, where is Erdi?"
"He's coming this way."
"Young Master."
Erdi walked over and stood before me.
"The Viscount says he would like to speak with you for a moment."
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Viscount Paube's pupils trembled.
'Damn it.'
It was the man he had seen at Aiolin's mansion not long ago.
'So that man was the performer who came from the capital?'
Paube hadn't known.
He had thought he was just a commoner come to meet the Count.
There was no particular reason for him to think that.
He had a face he'd never seen before, and his clothes didn't look particularly high-class.
Moreover, hadn't he failed to greet Paube first?
Paube realized his mistake.
The performer was indeed from a baron's house, but the fact that he had ties to the Imperial family was already publicly known.
But that wasn't all.
The two commoner men standing beside him didn't look any less significant.
'So the Crown Princess is his backing?'
If he provoked him carelessly, he might end up in trouble.
And he had acted so arrogantly without knowing that.
'I should try to make up for it now, while I still can.'
Having come to that conclusion, Paube called for Erdi the moment the performance ended.
"I wish to speak with the performer in private."
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"For what reason have you called for me?"
I just wanted to be quiet for a bit, even if only for a moment.
But that seemed to be quite difficult.
The Viscount put on a friendly smile.
Is this the same person who sized me up and down the moment we first met?
Now that he knows my identity, he wants to show proper etiquette?
The classic type who is weak against the strong and strong against the weak.
I feel a bit good, knowing my status has risen.
In any case.
"I heard your performance well."
"Thank you."
"I heard you plan to tour the provinces and hold concerts."
"Yes."
"That must cost a lot."
"It does."
What is he plotting?
Is he perhaps trying to offer money to cover up what happened before?
"I'd like to offer a small amount of support. As a memento for visiting our territory."
As expected.
An easy-to-handle person.
My answer was already decided.
"I'm fine."
If I accept the Viscount's support, I would become acquainted with him.
I don't make friends with trash.
Moreover, I'm not in a financially tight situation.
I had brought 50 gold coins as emergency funds, and Edward's financial support was also substantial.
"In that case, how about you stay at my mansion after the concert? It will be much more comfortable than the Count's residence."
I immediately refused.
The reason was the same.
Originally, I planned to leave by tomorrow after the concert.
"...I see."
Thinking that I was impossible to reason with, the Viscount turned away.
I don't know what he's plotting, but it's probably useless.
"Erdi, let's prepare for the next stage."
"Understood."
Edward got on stage and shouted to the audience.
"The concert will resume shortly! Please return to your seats!"
Everyone returned to their original seats.
Aiolin also sat in her chair.
Her face was much more relaxed than before.
This time, without any particular words, I went to the piano.
Because some music can explain itself with just its sound.
Soon.
A chord erupted from my fingertips.
Heavy yet brilliant.
The atmosphere was the complete opposite of 'Liebesträume'.
The melody of the intro, which starts in D-flat major and rises chromatically, was enough to instill a sense of exaltation.
As if facing the prologue of a storm.
A lively rhythm and a harmonious blend of diverse chords.
All of it charged forward with overflowing power, shaking the audience's emotions.
An overwhelming epic from the very beginning.
And at that moment.
All the audience, who had been following the performer's movements with their eyes, held their breath.
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