Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: For Elise 3
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“To be honest, I only practice for two hours a day.”
“Really?”
Elise asked, her eyes widening at my words.
It was true.
Back when Erdi and I were fervently restoring musical scores, I used to pound the piano day and night, but I no longer had the leisure for that.
More than anything, my body couldn’t take it.
Two hours.
That was the optimal practice time I had set for myself.
My lessons with Diana were also limited to exactly that amount.
So I wasn’t lying right now.
“Two hours a day. In my experience, that’s the most effective amount of time for improving one’s skills.”
“Ooh!”
“Especially at lunchtime.”
“Oooh! That’s something new I’ve learned!”
“So how about Your Highness trying it that way as well?”
“Sounds good!”
She accepted it more easily than expected—this time, I was the one surprised.
I turned my gaze toward Therese.
She looked satisfied, yet also dissatisfied.
A subtle expression.
‘Looks like she’s still not quite content.’
She seemed to want me to do something more.
Clutching the hem of her dress, she kept shifting her head back and forth.
Then—
“Um, Sister.”
“Hm?”
Therese stepped closer to Elise and spoke carefully.
“T-to be honest, I’ve been wondering if you’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately. I love everything about you, Sister, but… seeing you skip meals and devote yourself entirely to the piano makes my heart ache.”
“Oh, Therese.”
It was concern spoken from the heart.
She hadn’t been trying to push me—she must have been restless, wanting to say those words herself.
Therese, like Elise and Ruhan, carried imperial blood, but being younger, her standing and influence couldn’t compare to theirs.
How difficult it must have been for her to speak so honestly to Elise all this time.
No matter how close they were, she likely chose to swallow it alone rather than risk upsetting her.
“And also… I keep losing sleep because of the piano every dawn. It’s wonderful that you play, but please think of others too… cough.”
For Therese to change her attitude this much meant she had endured as much as she could.
“I-I’m sorry, Therese.”
Elise lowered her head deeply, apparently at a loss for words.
“Actually, Father was worried as well. He said that someone destined to lead the Empire shouldn’t be so absorbed in the piano alone.”
“He didn’t say anything to me…?”
“That’s because you’re in the banquet hall all day.”
“Ah.”
The two continued talking for a while, and before long, laughter returned and the atmosphere warmed again.
Sincerity always finds a way through.
So… does that mean I can leave now?
“Performer.”
Just as I stood up to take my leave, Elise caught me as if by instinct.
“I’ve made up my mind.”
“…Yes. To be honest, I was very curious. May I ask what it is?”
“From now on, I’ll only practice two hours a day. Only at lunchtime! And I’ll focus on the Imperial duties I’ve been putting off as well. This is a promise.”
I felt like applauding her.
Therese’s expression also softened as she looked at her sister.
“I’ll keep it. So please don’t forget your promise either, Performer.”
“Understood. Then I’ll see you in a week.”
With that, I hurried out of the reception room.
***
As soon as I arrived at the estate, I headed to the archive.
I was the one who named it that—it was where I kept all the musical scores.
“It should be here somewhere…”
I traced the bookshelf with my fingertips.
“Why can’t I see it?”
I was sure I’d placed Beethoven right after Scriabin.
Since I kept the room quite dark, relying on a single candle wasn’t easy.
I could barely read the titles.
After several minutes of struggling, I finally found it.
I brushed off the light dust on the cover.
A bagatelle in rondo form.
A light piano piece with an enchanting main theme that repeats.
To avoid confusing it with other works, I had written the title exactly as in the original, but I never imagined it would be used in this way.
Für Elise.
‘Should I change it to For Her Highness Elise?’
Something to think about.
She probably wouldn’t mind, but casually using the Crown Princess’s name didn’t sit well with me.
‘No, wait.’
Didn’t she ask for the same wording when she took my autograph back then?
If I said I named it after recalling that moment, I might be able to get away with it.
After checking there were no empty spaces, I arranged the score in order.
Then I wrapped the outside with high-quality parchment.
A kind of gift wrapping.
After all, it was a present—I couldn’t just hand over a stack of paper.
I sealed it with wax.
The family seal I had received when my title was elevated.
Looking at it now, it turned out quite presentable.
All that remained was whether Elise would like the gift or not.
That part didn’t worry me in the slightest.
Wasn’t it obvious?
***
“I’ve been waiting.”
A week later, I visited the Imperial Palace again to have an audience with Elise.
The place was the same reception room.
This time, Therese was there as well.
“Have you been getting enough rest?”
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
She answered confidently and extended her hand.
A sign for me to check, no doubt.
Though there wasn’t much I could tell just by looking.
I gently took her wrist and pressed lightly.
“How is it?”
“Oh? I don’t feel anything at all! I guess I’m completely better!”
Seeing her exaggerate like that made my trust drop a notch.
Still, her expression was bright.
Pain isn’t something you can simply hide—unless she was a master of method acting, what she said must be true.
“You’ve definitely improved a lot.”
“Then it’s time for the present, right? Yay!”
At her lively gesture, Therese glanced at her, signaling subtly.
Rather than a warning, she seemed embarrassed herself.
Then she met my eyes and nodded.
‘Let’s be understanding.’
After being separated from her beloved piano for an entire week, how moving must this moment be for her?
Elise took the wrapped package from me with both hands and immediately broke the wax seal to check the contents.
“What’s the title of this piece?”
“There isn’t a separate title.”
“Hm…”
“I only wrote For Elise.”
“As expected. You really are attentive, Performer.”
The corners of her lips curved up slightly.
“May I try playing it right away?”
“Right now?”
“Aren’t you curious? About my piano skills.”
Honestly, I was curious.
And it was the Crown Princess of the Empire playing—how many people would ever get to see that?
In the end, the three of us headed to the banquet hall together.
A luxurious grand piano came into view.
‘Phew…’
PTSD surged back.
It reminded me of the time I had risked my life playing here, forced by Crown Prince Ruhan’s command.
Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Elise sat down on the small bench before the piano.
She opened the score and studied it carefully.
A troubled expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“I want a different gift.”
“Ah.”
Was she saying, only now, that she didn’t like the score?
That was unexpected.
But considering who she was—
Crown Princess Elise.
“I apologize. It’s my fault for failing to understand Your Highness’s wishes.”
“No!”
When I immediately bowed low to apologize, she waved her hands in panic.
“I want you to play this piece first.”
Ah, that’s what she meant.
“Since it’s a score meant only for me, I want a performance meant only for me. May I ask that of you? Hehe.”
“Leave it to me!”
She really had a talent for taking one’s heart on a roller coaster.
Was I just being overly sensitive?
That too might be true.
In any case—
I switched places with her.
For Elise.
There was probably no more famous classical piano piece than this.
Its simple melody lingered in the ears, stirring emotions, and its delicate flow left an indelible aftertaste on the listener.
‘Please like it.’
After carefully placing both hands on the keys, I began to play.
***
The sound of the piano filled the banquet hall.
The moment the first note rang out, Elise felt as if someone were whispering softly inside her heart.
‘Strange.’
The melody wasn’t difficult.
She had practiced enough to be confident.
It was something she could play herself.
But—
‘Something’s different.’
The level of the score wasn’t the issue.
An indescribable affection and longing rode the air, gently brushing against her ears.
Anton had his eyes closed.
His fingertips moved slowly.
Elise’s gaze followed his movements.
Leaning forward, brushing the keys as if in passing.
Every emotion he felt seemed to seep into her.
She couldn’t be certain, but she felt it.
For Elise.
Music meant only for her.
Within the bright, lively tune was a trace of sadness.
And within the waves of melody that soon settled again lingered a peculiar wistfulness.
Her heart began to race.
Faster and faster.
Accelerando.
Very, very fast.
Prestissimo.
At that moment, Elise thought—
‘Music is truly fascinating.’
Could anything else be so fickle?
As she listened quietly, memories she wanted to forget seemed to sink beneath the surface.
Her responsibilities as Crown Princess.
Her duties.
The exhausting life within the Imperial Palace.
All of it faded, leaving only herself and the music.
She liked that moment.
But at the same time—
Emotions she had resisted and ignored began to resurface.
Some feelings faded, while others became vivid.
And within those clarified emotions, Elise swallowed words she could not bring herself to speak aloud.
‘I want to know every world he looks upon.’
She wanted to feel it together.
Sadness and longing.
Perhaps even joy.
Every emotion hidden beneath them all.
It felt strange.
Unfamiliar, and frightening.
Yet she couldn’t reject it.
‘Could it be that I…’
When the music ended, silence settled over the banquet hall.
Elise rose from her seat without a word.
Then, carefully, she began to clap.
Someday, she would be able to face the true nature of what she felt just now.
When that day came, she would understand why her heart swirled so violently,
and why her breath grew short every time she heard his playing.
She put strength into her clapping hands.
Affettuoso.
With emotion.
With a warm and loving heart.