Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Diana Pierce! 1
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“Wow...”
Aria, clutching the juvel tightly in one hand, let out a gasp of admiration.
The object the director had handed over with such a grand fuss.
At first, she hadn't expected much.
But then...
When she pressed the button, music flowed out!
Joel couldn't hide his pleased smile as he watched Aria, looking as if she could fly away with joy.
“It's a gift from the Performer. You must thank her properly one day.”
“Yes!”
Though she answered, Aria's mind was completely captivated by the juvel.
She quickly climbed onto the bed, buried herself in the blankets, and lent an ear to the gently flowing melody.
A melody that gently soothed her heart.
It feels like a dream.
To think she could listen to such beautiful music whenever she wanted, as many times as she wanted.
Perhaps because she was so happy, the corners of her eyes grew slightly damp.
Soon, the sound stopped.
Click-
She pressed the button again.
It truly felt as if someone were playing the piano right in front of her.
Aria imagined that scene.
The image of the Performer she had seen in the theater long ago came back to life.
“Hmm hmm~”
And then, quietly, she began to sing along with the melody.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Edward informed me that the juvels were sold out.
He said they all went in ten minutes, not even an hour.
It seemed the random draw mechanic also received a fairly positive reaction.
“By the way, Young Master.”
“Yes.”
“Do you plan to sell the juvels produced from now on using the same method?”
“No.”
Truthfully, today's sale was more like an event.
At the same time, I wanted to test how people would react to the random draw mechanism.
First, I've confirmed that it's profitable.
He said there were people who bought multiple juvels to get the song they wanted.
I don't plan to sell all juvels through random draws, but I do intend to use it occasionally.
Like inserting one or two limited editions into a pile of regular juvels for sale.
Definitely, people wanting the limited edition will flock in droves.
How did I end up like this?
The initial plan to popularize juvels was for a simple reason.
To create a world where more people could enjoy music.
Money wasn't the goal.
But the situation changed.
After I heard that the financial state of the territory my father had taken over was beyond salvage.
The man named Periton, who managed the territory, apparently collected taxes that were practically illegal from the residents on a regular basis.
The method was truly outrageous.
He built unnecessary bridges within the territory and made people pay excessively high tolls every time they crossed one.
While the lord sets the detailed laws of the territory, this was too much.
Having to pay money just to move around the territory.
He even said it was common to demand most of the harvest as tribute.
The extorted taxes were squandered right before he was imprisoned, leaving no assets to return to the Imperial Family.
It was the worst-case scenario.
It was inevitable that my father, Baron Julian, would have his worries grow.
If he had the residents do labor, he could rebuild the territory but wouldn't win their hearts.
And if he tried to appease public opinion with welfare without compensation, our family didn't have the capability for that yet.
That's why I came up with the random draw method, which could maximize profits while popularizing juvels.
Now, it's about mass appeal and profitability.
We have to catch both rabbits.
Anyway, I'm glad it seems to have worked.
“How about holding a commemorative concert soon? It would be to celebrate your return, and also the start of the juvel sales.”
Edward asked.
“Of course. I was already thinking about it.”
I'll plan the next steps later.
It seemed time to head back to the territory, so I got up from my seat, but Edward called out to me.
“Ah! And earlier, Erdi was looking for you, Young Master.”
That's strange.
Usually, if he had something to say, he'd come to the theater or visit the mansion directly.
I should stop by the newspaper office before I go back.
I said goodbye to Edward and stepped outside.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Diana Pierce! To think I'd meet the Performer here! I'm just so, so happy!”
“Ah, yes.”
Why is this woman here?
Diana Pierce.
I definitely remember her.
We stopped by a village on the road heading east after passing through Seneca County.
A resident of that place.
She was definitely very interested in the piano.
Did she come all the way to the capital by herself just to see us?
That's incredible initiative.
“It seems she must have been handling the work at the newspaper office in my place for the past few weeks.”
Erdi said to me with an awkward expression.
She has survival skills too?
“Erdi, don't tell me you got fired?”
“No. That's not it.”
So that's not the case.
“It seems Miss Diana took over the work 'temporarily' until I returned.”
“I see.”
I was secretly hoping, though.
Thinking the handover was finally over.
Truthfully, the income Erdi is earning now is already beyond the level of an ordinary commoner.
Since about thirty percent of the money earned from concerts was his share, if you add it all up, it would easily exceed dozens of gold coins.
Yet, he still seems attached to his newspaper job; I can't think of another reason.
Is it like rich people driving taxis as a hobby, or something like that?
Anyway.
I stopped by to see the boss's face for the first time in a while, but I saw a familiar face and greeted her, and it turned out to be Diana.
He must have realized he needed to tell me quickly, so he left a message with Edward.
So then.
At this point, I have to ask why Diana is here.
“Do you have other business in the capital?”
“No! I came to meet the Performer! Actually, I arrived a while ago but couldn't meet you! I've been doing well on my own, so don't worry! Hahaha!”
I'm not worried.
I'm just a little curious.
It seems she really did come to see us.
Then why?
I was about to ask the reason again when she suddenly clapped her hands and bowed deeply.
“I want to learn the piano!”
“Ah.”
Honestly, I expected this.
I already know how interested she is in music, especially the piano.
She even asked back in the village if she could learn to perform someday.
Now that I think about it, Erdi was the one who showed her the performance, so why is she asking me?
I glanced over at him.
He looked like he had something to say.
“I am not yet in a position to teach someone. It would be better for the Young Master to take charge.”
“Ah, right. I knew you'd say that.”
He was spot on, without missing a single syllable.
I turned my head back to the front, and there was Diana, her eyes sparkling.
She wants to learn the piano.
This isn't the first request I've received.
I've had so many nobles try to entrust me with teaching their young children that I could fill the entire theater and then some.
Of course, I refused them all.
There's no other reason.
I don't even have enough time to practice myself.
Lately, I've also taken on the work of managing the territory.
I have to pay attention to the juvel sales as well.
I'm so busy that I've even postponed concerts.
But.
That doesn't mean I can just send a guest who came all this way back.
I'd feel too sorry.
Moreover, I think I said something like this when I visited her village.
'You'll have a chance to learn performance someday.'
I didn't expect this situation and plant that hope, but... I have to take responsibility.
Thinking it over, asking Erdi is the best option.
He'll say he can't do it, but what can you do.
If I persuade him, he'll obviously pretend to lose and agree.
Just as I was about to finish my thought, Diana suddenly stuck her face in front of mine.
“I'll do anything if you just teach me the piano! I'm good at cooking and cleaning too! The newspaper office boss praised me! I don't expect to learn for free! Please!”
My eyes met Erdi's.
“Come to think of it, Young Master, didn't you say you were looking for a servant recently?”
“I'll be a servant! Or a maid, I don't care! I can do it well!”
It feels like they've already decided amongst themselves.
I can't say Erdi is wrong.
I was just thinking it was about time to hire a servant, whether a valet or a maid.
I thought I didn't need one, but as my work got busier, there were many things I couldn't handle alone.
The added nagging from Theo is a bonus.
If I were to have Diana as my personal maid.
That's not a bad idea, is it?
I can't spare the time to teach her the piano.
It's not a matter of will; it's physically impossible.
But if there's something to be gained, it's a different story.
If Diana properly assists me as my exclusive aide, I might be able to have a little free time.
Then I could teach her the piano.
Plus, she seems to want to learn from me anyway.
If there's a way to keep my promise without losing anything, there's no reason not to choose it.
It's a win-win.
The contract was dramatically sealed.
“Wow! Thank you!”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Say hello. Diana Pierce.”
I brought her to the mansion and introduced her to Theo.
In order to hire her as a personal maid.
From simple daily life assistance to managing clothes.
Preparing meals and cleaning rooms, all sorts of errands.
I plan to have her do it all.
Since she offered to do it herself, there's no problem, and that's originally what a personal maid does.
Once her skills improve, I can have her take over the music score organization and transcription that Erdi used to do.
It's a good plan.
I’m glad to be free of those annoying chores, and Diana is delighted to have the capital’s top performer as her mentor.
Theo would be glad to have one less thing to worry about, and Erdi would be glad to have a successor.
The servants who were originally here might be glad to have a new friend?
Anyway.
World peace.
“I'll ask Doris to take care of her training.”
Theo said.
Doris.
The name of the head maid.
She will teach Diana what she needs to know.