Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Forever Any Number of Times 2
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Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace...
"Hey, Therese."
"Yes."
"I'm just so, so happy right now."
Elise had come out to the garden for the first time in a while.
She had asked her knight escort to procure a new memento from Anton Tilberg.
It was to experience the 'Jubel'.
A small artifact shaped like a die.
Just by looking at its exterior, it was difficult to tell what it was used for.
However.
There was a button on its top.
"I just have to press this, right?"
"It's intuitive."
Push-
And then.
"Ooh!"
"Oh my."
A gasp burst from the sisters' lips simultaneously.
A sweet melody that captivated the heart.
"An artifact that reproduces a performance... It seems the rumor of his collaboration with the Academy was true."
"I knew it. The Performer must be a genius."
By the way, what music is this that's flowing out?
Elise pricked up her ears.
It was a melody she had never heard before.
It brought to mind a green forest.
Or a lake shimmering in a gentle breeze.
Leaning forward, she wished to get closer to that peaceful, delicate rhythm.
"It's truly wonderful. Don't you think?"
This time, Therese couldn't help but nod in agreement.
Definitely.
A performance that evokes a feeling that is both familiar and new.
It makes you feel good, yet at the same time, a sense of longing washes over you.
The heart churns like a wave, then sinks, only to repeat the cycle.
"It's fascinating."
"Indeed."
Elise closed her eyes.
Therese did the same.
As if they had made a promise.
How much time passed like that?
An unfamiliar figure walked into the garden.
"Your Highness, the Crown Princess."
"Hm?"
She turned to see who was interrupting their pleasant pastime.
A knight escort was kneeling before her.
"What is it?"
"Did you not give the order to report immediately once a schedule for Sir Anton Tilberg's new recital was set?"
"Could it be?!"
"It is in three days."
Elise shot to her feet.
A new recital.
It meant the Performer, who had left the capital, was finally returning to the stage!
It had already been several months since she last saw his face.
She had heard he visited the palace regarding his title promotion, but their schedules didn't align, so she couldn't meet him.
Now was the time.
"Therese! Let's go!"
"Where?"
"Where do you think! We have to prepare to visit Rune Moon, of course. Should I try disguising myself as a noble lady this time?"
"Hmmm..."
Therese seemed to have something on her mind, but it seemed impossible to stop her sister, who was happier than ever.
Even so.
She could at least say one thing.
"Wouldn't it be better this time to not hide our identities?"
"Why do you think so?"
"W-Well, that's because..."
Therese wracked her brain to come up with an excuse.
"The Performer's title has also been promoted... and it's his first recital in a long time... wouldn't it be fine to visit and offer congratulations in the name of the Imperial Family? O-Officially."
"That's it! Therese, you're so smart!"
Seeing Elise's reaction, Therese let out a quiet sigh.
'I can't say it's because I'm embarrassed by my sister disguising herself.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The moment I decided to put this piece on stage, I went to Aria for a final confirmation.
"Are you really sure you can do it?"
"Yes!"
"You can refuse. I'm not forcing you."
"I can do it. But..."
She agreed immediately, as if she had gained confidence.
But the way she trailed off... was it still a bit of a burden?
"But! I want to write the lyrics myself..."
Ah, so that's what it was.
Lyrics.
They are just as important an element as the melody of the music.
The melody appeals to the listener's emotions.
It's immediate.
The lyrics dig into that.
They sink into memory and follow the subject's life for a long time.
That's what makes music an eternal imprint, not just a momentary stimulus.
Lyrics.
Good lyrics, even when separated from the melody, give a wonderful impression like a single poem.
Definitely.
The lyrics to 'Forever, Even a Few Times' that I remember had that kind of feeling.
As originally planned, my goal was to somehow pull it out of my head and adapt the sentences to suit Aria.
However.
'If she wants to write it herself, that's a different story.'
There is no more perfect lyric than pouring out one's own story, just as it is.
Alright.
"I permit it."
"Thank you!"
With that, Aria huddled in a corner and started scribbling something.
I'm very curious to see what kind of work will be born from this.
Some time passed like that.
The day before the recital.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"What?"
Early morning.
I was on my way to the theater for performance preparations.
Wasn't Edward frantically looking for me?
I entered the waiting room with Aria.
"You don't look so good, sir."
"I have important news. Very important..."
Did a big problem arise?
This is the first time I've seen Edward so flustered.
And then came the words.
"Her Highness the Crown Princess will be visiting the theater tomorrow. I just received the letter."
"Ah, is that what it was?"
It's nothing.
There's already a precedent.
It feels a bit awkward to say this myself, but Elise has been my fan for a long time.
She even visited my mansion in person to get an autograph.
I heard it then.
'She said she definitely disguised herself and watched the performance at the theater.'
I figured it would be something similar this time too.
As I explained that, Edward shook his head.
What is it?
"That's not it."
"...Then what on earth is it?"
"She is visiting in the name of the Imperial Family. Officially. Her Highness Princess Therese is said to be accompanying her as well."
"..."
Are you serious?
I never expected this.
The Crown Princess and the Princess are coming to the theater to watch my recital without hiding their identities?
And officially?
Thinking about it, it's not strange.
Aren't the Imperial Family people too?
They have the right to see what they want to see and go where they want to go.
But.
Even so, it's hard to believe.
'The Elise I know isn't that kind of personality.'
If it were just a noble lady visiting the theater, there would be no need to pay much attention to protocol.
But if it's the Imperial Family, the story is different.
We have to worry about safety and security, and welcome them with treatment appropriate for their status.
It's natural that the audience's attention will be high.
It might also put a psychological burden on the performer...
'I'm not the type to feel that kind of thing in the first place, so I'll let it slide.'
Anyway.
It's obvious that the atmosphere of the theater will change noticeably.
The reason Elise has been hiding her identity so far was to avoid the troublesome things I just mentioned.
That's what I thought, but...
Is there a reason she suddenly changed her attitude?
If she's even sending an official letter in the name of the Imperial Family, doesn't that mean she's made up her mind?
My concerns are deepening.
"By the way, Young Master, there's one more thing."
"...What is it?"
"It's about the entry method."
"Ah, right."
Entry to Rune Moon is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Because of this, there has been significant discontent among the audience.
So far, we've managed to push through and stick to it, but if the opponent is Elise, the Crown Princess, we need to rethink it.
It's unreasonable to make the Imperial Family stand outside like ordinary nobles.
The former is a difference in method, but the latter is a matter of courtesy.
"It can't be helped. Let's reserve the two front seats in advance."
"No. That's not it."
What now?
We have to welcome the Imperial Family's guests, so we have to withdraw even the stubbornly enforced rules.
Are there other requirements?
"She said there's no need to change the entry method."
"What do you mean..."
"She said she will come and wait first, so please open the theater doors early..."
As expected of Elise.
She never disappoints me.
Anyway.
"It seems I'll need to put in more effort than usual, so I'll go up and practice first."
"Yes."
After that, I had a rehearsal on stage with Aria.
I put more heart into it than ever before.
"Treat it as if it's the real thing. If you practice carelessly because it's just practice, you won't be able to catch any mistakes."
"Yes! Young Master!"
"..."
What's this now?
Young Master?
"Ah! Lady Diana taught me! She said I should call you Young Master..."
"Good grief."
Diana is, in name, a servant of the mansion, and in the position of being hired as my personal maid, so it's right for her to call me that.
But isn't Aria a bit different?
'Is she not?'
Thinking about it quietly, it seems she is.
She is living in the Count's mansion.
The actual master of that mansion is me, the Count's eldest son.
Moreover, if you think about it, I am practically Aria's guardian.
'It's not strange to call me Young Master.'
Still, I don't like it.
It's quite grating.
"Just call me 'Uncle'. That title is unfamiliar to me."
"Y-Yes...! Uncle?"
"Good."
In my past life, I was a veteran college student who had completed his military service.
I have no particular aversion to the word 'uncle'.
"For now, let's continue practicing."
"Yup!"
And the next day.
"Edward. We're here."
We entered the theater through the back door.
"You've arrived."
Erdi greeted me.
It seems he came out at dawn to tune the piano.
As expected of a founding member, he does things efficiently without being told.
I like it.
"Has the audience entry started?"
"Yes. We just opened the theater doors."
"Let me check for a moment."
I approached the stage and parted the curtain slightly.
My eyes met Elise's.
She spotted me and gave me a bright smile.
Next to her was her younger sister, the Second Princess, Therese.
"Erdi."
"Yes."
"Since when have those ladies been out there?"
"I arrived around 5 AM... but it seems they were there even before that."
"As expected, their methods are different."
To think she would really come out at dawn and wait in line to sit in the front row.
In order to live up to that expectation, I'll have to show them a perfect stage.
"Let's go, Aria."
"Yup!"
Today, we will raise the culture of the Empire to the next level.
Song.
By spreading that brilliant art.
