Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Debussy, Moonlight (2)
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“...What is all this?”
“It is fan mail from the Capital, Your Highness.”
“Fan mail?”
Ruhan Flovitz, the Crown Prince, tilted his head.
“For me?”
“I will report the details to you after further investigation.”
The apprentice squire who brought the letter was just as clueless.
He hadn't been active in public, so why was he suddenly receiving fan mail?
As Ruhan examined the envelope, adorned with all sorts of gaudy patterns and decorations, a hollow sigh escaped his lips.
He had discovered a bizarre phrase written on the front.
-My soul! My flame! Dear Performer!
“What is this...?”
It wasn't just that.
Every single letter contained a similar phrase.
The contents were even more ridiculous.
-I was cured of my cancer after hearing Your Highness's music!
Only then did Ruhan begin to understand the situation.
At first, he thought the sender had simply gotten the address wrong.
However, it was impossible for so many letters to be delivered to the wrong place all at once.
Especially not here, at the Imperial Palace.
“I must meet with Eins.”
He dismissed the apprentice squire and summoned his guard knight.
“What seems to be the matter, Your Highness?”
“It appears there is someone in the Capital impersonating me.”
“Someone dares to impersonate Your Highness?”
“He has some nerve. Track him down and bring him here. Alive.”
Who in their right mind would impersonate the Crown Prince?
He had seen many criminals in his time, but none so audaciously wicked.
“He seems to be a performer, from the looks of it. Go to the theater and make inquiries. You may use my carriage.”
As Eins turned to leave with his orders, killing intent flickered in his eyes.
The two of them had made a grave miscalculation.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Hehe.”
A short distance from Ruhan's room.
The Imperial Princess sisters were spending the afternoon in the garden.
“Hmm... Hoho.”
“It seems something good must have happened, Your Highness.”
Though she said this, the elder sister, Elise, had been acting strangely since yesterday.
She would frequently gaze into empty space and smile for no reason.
As evening approached, she insisted on seeing the moonlight and came outside into the cold.
She was the Crown Princess, the future ruler of the nation.
She knew it was improper, but frankly, she looked insane.
Why had her always elegant sister ended up like this?
‘Right.’
It had been ever since she returned from the Capital concert.
She had infiltrated the theater using the identity of a nearby nobleman's daughter, ignoring all warnings that her identity might be exposed.
‘What on earth did she see?’
If it could corrupt her sister this much, it must have been some sort of religiously problematic performance.
“That person is truly amazing. An angel sent from heaven, perhaps? I'm sure of it. I have never heard such a beautiful melody before.”
Watching her sister now even muttering to herself, the worries of the Second Princess, Therese, grew.
“You haven't heard the rumor yet, have you?”
She wasn't certain, but for her sister's sake, she decided to give her a heads-up.
There was a story that had recently begun to spread through the Capital.
“They say the rookie performer who debuted at Rune Moon Theater is actually Lord Ruhan.”
“Preposterous!”
Elise slammed her hand on the table, glaring at Therese with rabbit-like eyes.
The atmosphere changed in an instant.
“Ruhan? How could you compare that muscle-brained idiot who knows nothing about music to the sacred Performer?”
“You're being too harsh. What if someone hears you?”
After venting her frustration, she resumed staring into empty space and giggling as if nothing had happened.
Therese had thrown that out there hoping to break the spell, but it only made things worse.
Still, she couldn't entirely blame Elise's reaction.
She could understand if it were about hunting or battle, but...
She had never heard that Ruhan had any talent for music.
‘I thought it was just a baseless rumor.’
She had hoped that hearing this would bring her sister back to her senses.
The two siblings had a way of secretly despising each other.
That's just how siblings are.
The result, however, was a spectacular backfire.
“That's it! Instead of doing this, I must invite the Performer to the Palace!”
Watching Elise spring to her feet, Therese couldn't help but shake her head.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The second performance had ended in great success, and now only the final stage remained.
Security had been strengthened in case anyone tried to visit secretly.
They had hired private guards selected by Count Harborland, and he had no choice but to wear a robe to hide his face as usual.
Regardless.
The reaction to Debussy's masterpiece, Clair de Lune, was simply tremendous.
Apparently, a bizarre symptom called “Moonlight Syndrome” was even trending among the nobles of the Capital.
He didn't know the details, but it seemed many people were becoming lost in nostalgia while gazing at the dim moonlight.
Some nobles, lost in appreciation, were said to be skipping work and sitting on their terraces staring at the sky all day.
That wasn't the only thing bothering him.
“This is a disaster.”
As he was preparing for the concert, Edward, the theater owner, came to him.
“Everyone is misunderstanding your identity, young master.”
“...So it seems.”
They say a small lie begets a big one.
I never expected it to turn out like this.
I hid my identity to avoid attention, but I ended up getting even more.
I was prepared for some level of rumor.
But once the Imperial Family gets involved, it becomes a huge headache.
How many steps did they skip to get there?
“I handed out flyers, but no one believed them.”
“These crazy nobles.”
“Hahaha.”
We issued a statement right before the concert to quell the situation.
In the name of Edward, the theater owner.
It stated that there was no relation between the performer and the Imperial Family.
But it was buried before we could even lift a finger.
“Who handed out this trash?”
“Hey, Edward! There's some weird poster plastered on the front of the theater!”
One thing became clear from this.
People don't believe the truth.
They believe what they want to believe.
Even if it wasn't my intention, if the story has been blown up this much, punishment is unavoidable.
Offending the Imperial Family is a crime in itself.
In this world, criminals can only receive two punishments.
Death, or living a life as a cripple.
If I hadn't handed out flyers to create an escape route beforehand, things would have gotten much more complicated.
Still, there's always a one-in-a-million chance, so I need to find a way.
“Once today is over, I'll have to suspend the concerts for a while.”
“That would be for the best.”
It's better to lay low until the rumors die down.
How did it ever get to this point?
It was my mistake for underestimating how obsessed nobles are with gossip.
Speaking of which, there was one thing I wanted to ask.
“The sponsorship hasn't been cut, has it?”
I was worried about what Leah had said yesterday.
Since the theater operates on sponsorship, if the nobles turn their backs, it will inevitably cause problems with the performances.
“It hasn't been cut; it's increased. In fact, profits are much higher than usual.”
“...Is that so?”
“Thanks to your performance becoming a trend, not just the Capital but local lords are sending sponsorship funds as well. We've already far exceeded a few months' worth of revenue.”
“That's good to hear.”
It was genuinely great news.
I might be able to use that revenue to pay back the debt I owe Count Harborland soon.
The world is still a livable place after all.
There are far more people who purely love music.
“Then, I'm counting on you for the performance.”
“Thank you.”
Leaving Edward behind, I stepped onto the stage.
The audience seemed to be already full, as I could hear murmuring voices from behind the curtain.
This was the last performance of Clair de Lune, so I had to pour all my energy into it.
I placed my hands neatly on the keys, waiting for the curtain to rise, when...
“Are you the performer?”
A voice called out to me from somewhere.
Edward?
No.
The voice was deeper and more savage.
If it's not Edward, then who could it be?
My father and Count Harborland should be waiting outside the theater with the guards.
Moreover, they know my name already.
There's no need to ask, and they wouldn't come right before a concert.
“Follow me.”
The man's voice continued.
I turned my head to see a large, menacing man glaring at me.
‘So soon?’
The crest engraved on the man's breastplate.
It was unmistakably that of the Imperial Family.
‘The inevitable has come.’
The reason the Imperial Family was looking for me was obvious.
It was discovered much sooner than I thought.
All my efforts to hide my identity had become meaningless.
I had to remain calm in situations like this.
“Could I not go after I finish the performance?”
“Trying to run away?”
“Of course not.”
“His Highness the Crown Prince is waiting.”
Damn it.
He isn't giving me even a moment of leeway.
I looked behind the man to see Edward looking flustered, not knowing what to do.
Even he couldn't turn away an Imperial Knight.
He might have been able to stop a Duke's daughter, but against a knight directly serving the Crown Prince, it was a different story.
Resisting him would be the same as resisting the Crown Prince himself.
I had no intention of blaming Edward.
I had severely underestimated the class system and the authority of this world.
‘I never thought he'd come to the theater himself.’
The background check must already be complete.
I was outmatched in information gathering as well.
Running away would be like a rat in a trap.
The man spoke again.
“I heard you brazenly impersonated His Highness. The only reason you aren't dead on the spot is by His Highness's order. It would be wise to follow quietly.”
Seriously, I never did that.
The problem is always those damn nobles.
“Understood.”
I had no choice but to step down from the stage.
If I resisted any further, who knows what terrible things might happen.
I'll have to meet the Crown Prince and explain the situation, or do something.
I have ways to prove my innocence, so that should be enough.
I felt sorry for the audience, but Edward would handle it well.
I followed the man out the back door.
“...What are you two doing?”
Scattered soldiers on the ground, and two men squatting down with dazed expressions.
My father and Count Harborland.
“I'm sorry, Anton. I couldn't stop them.”
“It's alright. Please pray for my soul.”
After a brief farewell, I left the alley with the man.
A carriage was already waiting.
“...Is it really alright for me to board this carriage?”
“Quiet.”
I wasn't trying to escape; I was genuinely intimidated.
The large wheels were spotless and gleaming, and the exterior was decorated with all sorts of dazzling ornaments.
The interior was even more opulent.
Luxurious red leather seats.
So this was an Imperial carriage.
I sat down carefully and looked straight ahead.
The man who had boarded right after me stared at me with wide eyes.
“Could you look somewhere else?”
“Quiet.”
Feeling awkward, I rode for a long time before finally arriving at the Imperial Palace.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Today's performance has been canceled due to circumstances at the theater.”
“What?!”
“Hey! Edward! You never said anything about this!”
“What? Are you saying we can't hear the music?”
Right after Anton was taken away by the Imperial guards, Edward went on stage to explain the situation.
He couldn't give the details, so he made something up.
The nobles booed and shouted in anger.
But it didn't last long.
There was no reason to stay at the theater if there was no performance.
They began to get up and leave, one by one.
“I waited so long for this!”
Of course, they didn't forget to throw in a few parting words of encouragement.
The one who vented the most anger was a girl sitting in the front row.
Leah Dresel.
She had come to the theater again today because she couldn't forget the performance she saw on the first day.
She had waited since dawn because she was told that getting in line early would get her in quickly.
Just yesterday, she had received information from her informant.
‘A large belly inside a round circle.’
She was told it was the crest of Count Harborland's territory.
But it was strange.
“But, My Lady, the Harborland family has no sons.”
“...Is that so?”
She wanted to hear the music up close, but she was also curious about his identity.
‘Who on earth is he?’
It was impossible that the Count himself was on stage.
If the informant was to be believed, Count Harborland had a very impressive physique.
The man in the silhouette did not.
She was sure that if she saw the performance up close again, she could find a clue.
But.
“The concert is canceled! What does that mean?!”
She sprang to her feet and vented her frustration for a moment, but then...
A commotion could be heard from outside.
“It's an Imperial carriage!”
“Is it real?!”
“What?!”
Leah, startled, rushed out of the theater like a bolt of lightning.
A single carriage, adorned with golden decorations, was leisurely making its way down the street.
One glance was enough to recognize it.
Moreover, Leah had seen this carriage before.
When she went to meet Crown Prince Ruhan Flovitz.
“...The rumors were true?”
A chill ran through her body and her strength left her.
Regardless, the nobles filling the theater entrance were busy sharing their surprise.
“The performer's identity was really His Highness the Crown Prince!”
“But why was the concert canceled?”
“You fool! He must have had urgent Imperial business to attend to!”
“Exactly! The Empire's security is more important than some concert!”
As Leah listened to their conversation, her face grew darker.
‘The carriage he rode in was Count Harborland's... was that just a cover for his identity?’
And I had no idea.
What did I say to him again?
I didn't use informal speech, did I?
Did he notice that I had investigated him?
Gulp.
“Lady Leah has fainted!”