Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Academy Festival (9)
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Apologies spoken in words are too easy.
Anyone can do it.
Showing sincerity with money is the same.
Of course, I almost fell for it when she gave me the pure gold ring.
If you truly want to ask for forgiveness, you have to act.
For example, with your body.
After coming to that conclusion, I came to the theater with Leah.
“It’s definitely much bigger than the Rune Moon.”
“Is this your first time here?”
“Yes.”
We immediately started cleaning.
The stained glass installed all over the walls could be opened outward.
This was also one of the designs Hugo had conceived.
A theater with windows.
Even in the modern era, that’s not very common.
We opened all of them to air the place out.
A cool breeze blew in, gently swaying the air inside the theater.
I picked up the trash scattered on the floor and wiped away stains and dust with a damp cloth.
“Lady Leah.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll handle this side since you did that one, so do this.”
“Ah.”
I gave instructions to Leah from time to time.
She followed along surprisingly well, without a single complaint.
How did that prideful girl undergo such a reformation?
I remember her being utterly convinced she was always right.
She didn't know the meaning of compromise.
Did she perhaps gain some enlightenment during her exile?
There are often such narratives, aren't there?
Yak-yeon Jeong wrote his famous *Mokmin-sinseo* during his exile after the Catholic persecution.
Dante was the same.
It’s a famous anecdote that he completed the *Divine Comedy* while in exile.
Just as hardship gave those men time to reflect inwardly.
If Leah, too, in that short time, reflected on herself and was reborn as a completely different person...
If she decided to atone for her past misdeeds in the loneliness wrought by her pride and desires...
‘That doesn’t sound entirely impossible.’
Somehow, I have a feeling that the end result will be very different from before.
As I was lost in these thoughts, Leah, who had been crouching somewhere, suddenly stood up and shouted at me.
“I’m all done!”
I checked, and from the first floor to the second, the floor and the seats were all polished to a shine.
Does this woman have a talent for cleaning?
“You worked hard. I didn't expect you to do it this well.”
Since it was completely unexpected, I spoke honestly.
“Call me anytime you need it again.”
“Then, tomorrow as well.”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“No, I was just saying that.”
If I keep giving her orders, I feel like I’m just using her.
I went outside with Leah.
I locked the theater door securely and turned around; the soft moonlight was illuminating her hair.
And then, for a moment.
She looked at me, fidgeting as if she had something to say.
“May I... go see the performance?”
“By all means.”
Right, it had been quite a while since she’d heard me play.
“This time, I’ll really just watch.”
Does that mean she won’t be stalking me after the stage ends?
She smiled shyly, said goodbye, and boarded the carriage that had come to pick her up.
It won’t be an easy path, silently correcting her past amidst everyone’s disbelief.
Suddenly, I felt like cheering her on a little.
Everyone has a certain degree of right to resolve to become a better person.
“Well then.”
Until the festival ends, Leah decided to stay for a while at her father’s mansion with Duke Dresel.
And the next day.
Edward, who had visited the theater from early morning, reportedly stood there blankly for a long time upon seeing the completely tidy audience seats.
Right.
I forgot to tell him that the cleaning was done.
It was an unsolvable blunder.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
What is the most important thing in a performance?
Sound? Lighting?
No.
The lineup.
Think of a university festival.
We have some politician coming to give a lecture, but over there, the most famous idol these days is performing?
There’s nothing more frustrating than that.
It makes you question why you’re paying tuition to see this.
That rule applies unchanged in this other world as well.
The opening ceremony, where the students took the stage, had its own meaning, but.
Attention was not as focused as it is today.
There are many reasons, but first and foremost.
It’s the comeback stage of Aria, the young singer who once led the Jubel trend.
“Is that true?!”
“I still listen to that song sometimes!”
There was no more perfect news to arouse the audience's anticipation and joy.
“Her Highness the Crown Princess is performing on stage?”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
“No! I heard it directly from Edward!”
“What! Bring Edward here right now!”
A second storm broke out due to the unexpected issue of Elise’s performance.
Elise is immensely popular among the citizens of the Empire.
More than you can imagine.
If you consider that in the past, there was even a petition to worship her as a religion, that says it all.
“Hey, Edward! Is that true?”
“I heard a rumor that Her Highness will be performing herself today!”
Nobles on the verge of a riot swarmed the front of the theater and questioned Edward.
Edward’s answer to that was.
“Yes.”
It was just one word, but.
“Oooh!”
“Open the theater doors quickly!”
It was more explosive than any gunpowder.
Diana was less of a hot topic compared to these two, but once the rumor that she was my protégée gained traction.
“That performer is Lord Anton’s secret younger sister...”
“No, I heard she’s the daughter of a wealthy noble from the south. A marriage proposal is already being discussed...”
“I heard they even have a child together...”
“What?!”
Tabloids, whose origins were unknown, spread uncontrollably.
‘How on earth do rumors like this start?’
However, most people seemed to know it was just a baseless rumor and didn't think much of it.
That was a relief.
In any case, today’s performance, featuring these three, drew unprecedented interest.
The front of the theater was soon filled with a massive crowd.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“There’s a strange rumor circulating outside.”
Backstage.
I was heading to the waiting room, thinking I should prepare since I arrived early, but Victor was there.
As soon as he saw me, he cautiously asked.
“Is it true?”
“Is what true?”
“The rumor.”
“Hoo...”
As I let out a sigh while maintaining the most serious expression I could, he seemed to sense my displeasure and straightened his face.
“My apologies.”
“As if that would be true.”
“Well, I suppose not.”
“Let’s get ready.”
Just then, Diana and Aria came to the waiting room.
“Let’s start the rehearsal.”
The performance order is Diana, Elise.
And then Aria.
It’s a bit awkward with Elise squeezed in between, but she and Diana are performers.
Aria is a singer.
I decided it was right to place Aria last.
Above all, the song she is singing today suits the finale.
This is, in a way, a timetable for everyone.
I went up on stage with the two of them, checked the sound, and confirmed our movements.
The audience hadn't entered yet.
As long as the entrance wasn't opened, the sound from inside couldn't be heard.
We were able to finish the rehearsal comfortably.
Then.
“It’s about time we should be going.”
I waited for the important guest with a trembling heart.
How much time had passed?
The noise from outside began to flood in, and Edward came running, out of breath.
“...He has arrived!”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The eyes of everyone stationed around turned to the Emperor.
The long cloak swept the floor, making a soft sound.
I knelt before him.
“I thank Your Majesty for granting me the joy of welcoming you. I feel infinite honor to see you again.”
He nodded and answered solemnly.
“A splendid festival. Just as Elise said.”
I cast my gaze behind the Emperor.
Elise was there, and Ruhan and Therese were there.
Everyone was there.
It was truly a nerve-wracking moment.
If I had been careless, I might have developed an arrhythmia.
I carefully rose and guided them to the seats prepared for them.
Originally, this was nothing more than a simple sound booth.
But we meticulously renovated it to a level that almost resembled a temple.
In just one day.
We decorated the walls with gold ornaments and antique patterns, and prepared chairs with velvet cushions.
We also put a lot of effort into other things as well.
The Emperor, seemingly uninterested, sat down immediately.
Then, looking forward, he uttered a single word.
“The stage is quite far.”
“But the sound will be the best.”
“Yes, that’s sufficient.”
At that moment.
“Don’t worry about it... no, don’t worry.”
Elise slid up next to me and whispered in my ear.
Some of the guard knights looked at me with eyes full of disbelief, but she paid them no mind.
“He looks very pleased.”
Well, yes.
Elise would know the Emperor's mind well, after all.
She is his daughter, isn't she?
Elise approached the Emperor and whispered something.
It seemed to be about her needing to step away to prepare.
Then, walking back to me.
“Let’s go.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Hooooh...”
“It’s alright. Take a deep breath and clench your fists.”
“Haaaah... hooooh...”
“Your Highness, Your Highness? Look at me.”
It was driving me crazy.
As soon as we descended to the waiting room, Elise plopped down onto a folding chair.
When I asked what was wrong, she suddenly said she had lost her confidence.
“I, I didn’t prepare properly... aauuuh... I can’t remember the score...”
As the time to go on stage approached, it seemed she was having a panic attack from extreme nervousness.
A common occurrence.
This is akin to a natural disaster.
No one can predict it, and even the person themselves cannot control it.
Since I didn't want others to see her like this, I sent everyone else out for now.
I had two choices.
Cancel her performance and have the show go on with just Aria and Diana.
Or, somehow instill some confidence and get her in front of the piano, whether she makes a mistake or not.
This doesn't even need to be considered.
The former is overwhelmingly safer.
There is such a thing as the Crown Princess's dignity, after all.
“I-I’m sorry... aauuuh... I, I couldn’t even keep my promise...”
Once it was just the two of us, Elise started using honorifics again.
Why does this feel more comfortable?
Anyway.
“It is not Your Highness’s fault.”
She couldn't have known it would turn out like this.
The surroundings are overflowing with crowds.
Attention is focused like crazy.
And the stage is bigger than she expected.
Most people try to endure this kind of pressure, but it’s not their fault if they can’t.
Human emotions were designed that way from the start.
There are times when fear feels overwhelmingly intense.
Elise, who is used to being in front of people, is this nervous, so it must be because she has so much to lose.
You might say the opposite is true, but the magnitude of fear grows with how much you have to lose.
If you have a lot to lose, there is that much more you must overcome.
For some people, a mistake is just a mistake, but for others, a mistake is the end.
Elise is the latter.
I can't just demand that she shake off the burden.
“It’s alright. Please rest.”
I sat her down quietly and went outside to call Victor.
As tactfully as possible, I informed him that Elise’s performance would likely have to be canceled today.
“Should I go up and make the announcement?”
“No. I will do it.”
I asked Victor to take care of Aria and Diana's preparations, and returned to Elise.
“Please wait a moment, and I will call the guard knights.”
“Aauuuh...”
First, I need to get her to a comfortable place.
Thinking that, I moved to get up, but something rattled in my pocket.
‘Wait.’
I quickly reached into my pocket.
I felt a glass bottle.
I pulled one out.
‘Can I use this?’
Originally, I received this from Margrave Rosley.
A healing potion.
It is said to clear the mind instantly and alleviate pain.
Would it be effective in this situation?
There's also another one.
A memory potion.
I don't know if it applies to musical scores.
But just in case.
If I can perfectly recall the notes, transferring them to the keyboard would be a piece of cake.
My hands already know where to go.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
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Certainly, it would be a boost to her confidence.
Having been pushed this far, a desire to test it out surged within me.
But.
What if it has no effect?
Worse, what if it contains poison?
As a general rule, you shouldn't eat food given by others.
If you put the wrong thing in your mouth, you're in trouble.
As I was lost in these worries, Elise asked casually.
“Wh-what is that?”
“A memory potion. If you drink this, you can remember anything...”
Whoosh.
Before I could even finish explaining, she snatched it and chugged it down.
“Ah!”
“Pffah!”
It was an irreversible situation.
If anything happens to her now, I’m a dead man.
Right at that moment.
“The score! Give me the score!”
“Wh-what score?”
She jumped up, brushed past me, and picked up the wad of papers I had thrown on the floor.
And then, she started devouring them in a state of extreme concentration.
As if trying to hammer every single note into her head.
“I have to memorize it... memorize... okay... ohho... so that’s how it is...”
Soon, she started muttering incomprehensible things.
“I’m ready. Let’s go.”
A voice that was exceptionally cheerful and clear.
‘Well, maybe it was the placebo effect.’
I hadn't even given her the important healing potion.
I can’t believe that nonsensical theory—that improved memory would boost confidence—actually worked.
Did it give her the conviction that she wouldn't make a single mistake?
I could only nod my head in a state of utter resignation.