Chapter 8

The final part of the first movement lasted for roughly a minute.

Or at least, that was my estimation based purely on intuition.

Now then...

the performance truly began.

From those gentle, lulling minor notes, my fingers prepared the transition by gradually slowing the tempo.

Not long after that...

the melody stopped.

A faint rumbling quietly spread throughout the grand hall.

I exhaled softly for a moment while recalling those days once more.

"Are you sure you only want to master Piano Sonata No. 14?" he murmured, sounding unconvinced. I merely gave a small nod.

"Very well."

"Though honestly, I think your talent would be wasted if you stopped at this alone."

"You mastered the fundamentals in merely two weeks. Even proper piano lessons usually take far longer than that, so this is genuinely impressive. Especially considering your fingers already put you at a disadvantage structurally."

The analytical way he explained things still echoed vividly inside my head even now.

Meanwhile, I simply stood there in silence.

"Are you not interested in—"

"I do not have much time left."

I understood that better than anyone else.

I truly wished I could continue those sessions gently and endlessly with him, but I could not.

"What do you mean?"

"You do not need to know yet."

"Eventually, you will."

"So please, just teach me that piece alone. I do not want anything else. Only that one."

"Very well. But you should remember this too... the third movement is risky. It requires complete concentration. So, not only memorizing the notes, but also controlling the tempo changes too."

...

That brief flashback came to an end, followed immediately by the silence being shattered once more beneath the agility of my fingers.

Presto agitato. Third movement.

I played the fast tempo with a small improvisation by incorporating the ending section of the second movement.

The purpose was to shorten the transition.

Soon enough, the rumbling throughout the hall finally began taking shape.

As though what I was doing truly lay beyond everyone's expectations.

Well... that part was true.

Then—

Both of my hands accelerated at once as I entered the third movement fully.

After the fourth repetition of that same sequence, the roaring applause and thunderous cheers finally reached my ears.

More than enough to drive me further.

After repeating that same violent movement four times, I deliberately loosened the tempo, allowing the melody to descend more clearly beneath the roaring applause before dragging the audience back into the storm once again.

And finally—

the most captivating part.

The moment where that silent night lingering beneath the morning light grew increasingly suffocating and dreadful.

I continued playing until the very end.

"WOOOAH!"

The applause erupted even louder once the performance concluded.

Everyone smiled brightly, their faces overflowing with both amazement and delight with every clap that echoed throughout the hall.

I then began walking toward them, causing their excitement to swell even further.

Like a common crowd of ordinary people.

As though they were nothing more than commoners.

"Perhaps you should stop indulging in such unrealistic delusions, Dear Madam."

Stop interrupting my elegant monologue, Seira.

"I have listened to enough of your narration already. It is now time for you to address the public."

Hah? Address them?

"Yes. After all, this ceremony was organized specifically for your twenty-first birthday."

Ah. Right.

Understood.

Oh, right... speaking of that, what exactly am I supposed to say during this ceremony?

[A. "Good morning, everyone. I have something important to announce."]
[B. "Hello everyone, good morning. Please lend me your attention, because I have plans as the princess of the Claudius Aurelius Kingdom."]

A difficult choice...

I took a brief breath before finally choosing one of them.

"Hello everyone!"

"Good morning."

The roaring crowd suddenly fell silent, almost as though enchanted by the desire to listen.

All of them sat obediently within the seats arranged between the countless tables filling the grand hall.

"Please lend me your attention, because on this twenty-first birthday of mine, I have a grand plan as the princess of the Claudius Aurelius Kingdom."

Almost immediately, that silence began cracking apart little by little. Many among them had already started whispering amongst themselves.

What now?

"Anything is acceptable, so long as it concerns the kingdom."

Understood.

"So..." I intentionally projected my voice harder since there was no microphone.

Whether I liked it or not, I had to do this.

"First of all, as the sole heir to the royal throne, I ask for all of your cooperation in reporting any irregularities, both within and beyond the palace walls. Without exception. Including matters considered taboo or capable of staining the dignity of our kingdom, whose honor stands highly in the eyes of neighboring nations."

"Especially the Hibiscus Kingdom, where we remain eternal rivals despite occasionally working together."

Before I had even finished speaking, the whispers throughout the hall grew increasingly noisy.

Annoying.

"Second!"

I deliberately raised my voice further.

"All royal policies, even after receiving approval from the king himself, must still be discussed thoroughly among every layer of royal officials."

"Without exception."

That second declaration instantly divided the nobles into several visible factions.

Some remained silent, seemingly digesting the meaning behind my words carefully.

Others whispered amongst themselves with irritated expressions.

Meanwhile, several merely nodded calmly while speaking politely with those seated beside them.

"Very well. That is all, and thank you for watching my performance as well as listening to what I wished to convey."

Not long after lowering my head politely, I began walking slowly toward the curtain behind the stage.

There, I heard slow applause echoing quietly rather than explosively.

"You seriously never get tired of this, huh?" I muttered coldly.

"Cornelius."

Hearing that, he merely chuckled.

"I'm only here to compliment your performance. That's all."

"Darling."

My face instantly flushed red.

Though thankfully, it did not last long.

"Oh? Is that so... so you still haven't learned your lesson, I assume?"

I tried walking past him, yet his tall, athletic frame blocked my path with ease.

Even that long blond hair of his somehow made him even more annoying.

"What is it this time? Just say it already. Stop going around in circles instead of admitting what you really want, my dear Cornelius."

"Or... are you curious what a virgin with plenty of experience feels like?"

I leaned forward slightly, half lowering my posture as my index finger gently pressed against his chest.

My chest nearly brushed against his toned stomach.

Six-pack included.

"Hey, hey... enough teasing. People are gonna think we're flirting."

"Oh really? Isn't nobody watching us right now? Or are you intentionally trying to show off in front of all those lovely couples outside?"

He suddenly pushed lightly against my chest before fixing his shirt neatly.

"Alright, fine. I admit that part was intentional. But honestly, wasn't your announcement just as bold?"

My throat tightened slightly, though I still forced myself to speak.

"That's just your imagination."

"So move away and let me go already. I'm tired. I want to rest."

Cornelius stepped aside just like that, though he still remained dangerously close.

Close enough that we probably could have kissed had I not deliberately kept my distance.

"Alright then. But next time, if you want..."

He leaned closer before whispering softly beside my ear.

"We can have some fun until you're too exhausted to move.

I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

"So? What do you think, Princess?"