A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 294

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“What’s wrong with my eyes?”
“They’re absolutely contemptuous.”
Duke Escra found himself making excuses—uncharacteristically so—as he watched Camilla shoot him looks of icy disdain upon learning he couldn’t play any instruments.
“I was busy. There was no time to learn something like music.”
“Do you think mothers have all the free time in the world to learn instruments? They all practiced diligently despite their hectic schedules.”
“Then what about you? Can you play any instruments?”
“…What about Jainer? Does Jainer play anything?”
Camilla deftly redirected the conversation, searching for someone else who could play an instrument.
“Jainer won’t either. That fool’s been gripping a sword since childhood.”
At Duke Escra’s response, Camilla’s gaze shifted to Count Alton standing off to the side.
“I too devoted myself entirely to magic from a young age. My apologies.”
Why was there not a single useful person among them? Did my dear Daive really have to perform alone?
“Sister, I’m fine. I don’t mind skipping the ensemble. I didn’t really want to do it anyway….”
Daive seemed to already know that no one around him could play an instrument, so he forced a bright smile. That’s why he hadn’t brought up the ensemble in the first place.
“Just having you come watch my performance is enough for me.”
Camilla reached over and stroked Daive’s head again.
Right, so what. An ensemble isn’t a big deal. As long as he plays his solo well, that’s….
[Daive keeps ensemble sheet music in his bag at all times. At the Academy too, he looks at other children with longing when they talk about ensembles.]
…that’s not going to work!
‘Sigh, I suppose I’ll have to use that method.’
Camilla gazed at Sharua, whose pitiful eyes never left Daive.
‘There is one way, after all.’
Sharua could possess my body and play instead. Of course, after possession takes hold, my body would be wracked with chills and I’d be bedridden for a while, but that’s a small price.
“I’ll do it.”
“…What?”
But then, an unexpected voice cut into the conversation.
Camilla turned to look at the person sitting beside her, her eyes widening slightly.
“You?”
“Yeah.”
It was Arsian.
“You can play an instrument?”
“A little.”
“Really?”
“I played a bit when I was young.”
“…Wow.”
Camilla’s mouth fell open in astonishment.
* * *
“That fellow still plays piano quite well.”
“The Duchess of Sefra also had considerable talent with the piano.”
“She was even called a prodigy.”
Duke Sorpel and Duke Jebillen nodded repeatedly as they watched Duke Sefra playing the piano for the first time in ages.
Since childhood, he had shown no interest in anything but the sword—yet the one thing he had genuinely loved was the piano. His talent for it was extraordinary.
Of course, he had never once displayed his piano skills before anyone other than the two of them.
“Didn’t that boy play as well?”
“Arsian?”
“When the Duchess was alive, I think I saw him play a few times.”
“That’s right. The three of them even performed together once.”
“Back then, Arsian seemed almost human.”
“What do you mean he doesn’t seem human now? The boy may be a bit prickly, but he’s quite capable. Why speak of him like that?”
“Well, his temperament is rather foul—what? You?”
“What?”
“Why are you suddenly defending him? Since when have you favored Arsian?”
Duke Jebillen cast a suspicious glance at Duke Sorpel.
“Why? Are you already protecting him because it looks like he’ll marry your daughter?”
“What nonsense! Why would that man marry my daughter!”
“Didn’t he go to the Gracia Empire with her this time?”
“That was merely for protection—I sent him along to keep her safe.”
“Then you should have sent a knight instead. Why send him?”
“Because he’s skilled!”
“There you go again, defending him.”
“This isn’t defending him! I’m speaking the truth!”
“If we’re talking about skill, my son is just as capable. Why not send him there instead? He’s far better than that foul-tempered wretch.”
“Why are you so desperate to disparage your friend’s son?”
“You’re definitely defending him.”
“Shut up.”
So you still haven’t given up. Duke Sorpel glared menacingly at Duke Jebillen, who was subtly trying to attach his own son, Petro, to Camilla.
Meanwhile, the piano piece had changed. At the familiar melody, both Duke Sorpel and Duke Jebillen froze.
“This is…”
“…the wedding march?”
That’s the piece played at weddings. Why is he suddenly playing this?
“It wouldn’t be bad if the father-in-law played the piano at the wedding ceremony. I should ask Camilla about it later.”
“…why would you ask my daughter about that?”
“Because the opinions of those getting married matter.”
“….”
“Hmph. That fellow—I realize it every time—he’s quite shameless… Hey, hey! Put the sword away!”
“Let go. I have something to say to that bastard.”
“Use words, use words. Besides, for his son’s wedding, he’s even playing the piano in front of others for the first time… ah, come on. I said put the sword away!”
While Duke Jebillen desperately held back Duke Sorpel, Duke Sefra’s piano performance continued uninterrupted.
The fact that the piece was still the wedding march only inflamed Duke Sorpel’s fury further.
* * *
“Wow…”
Exclamations tumbled from Camilla’s lips in rapid succession. Her expression, uncharacteristically for her, was suffused with astonishment.
‘How could anyone not marvel at such a sight?’
Today was the day of the Academy recital.
‘Our Daive performed so beautifully.’
Daive’s solo had just concluded moments ago. Even I, who knew little of music, found his violin performance utterly enchanting.
His violin instructor had apparently made a habit of calling the boy a prodigy, and it seemed that wasn’t merely flattery born of deference to power.
And then came the next performance. Arsian took the stage for the ensemble piece.
The moment Arsian, dressed in an immaculate black suit, seated himself at the piano, I couldn’t help but gasp in wonder.
‘Why does it suit him so well?’
Piano and Arsian—surely words that shouldn’t complement each other at all?
Fighting, swords, magic… those were the words that had always been perfectly suited to our Arsian. Who could have imagined him paired so harmoniously with a piano?
‘No one would ever believe it.’
Who in the Empire would believe that Arsian had taken the stage before countless eyes and played the piano?
‘And he plays it extraordinarily well.’
The piano melody that accompanied Daive’s violin was remarkably soft and beautiful.
The melody was so sweet it was almost unbelievable that it came from someone with Arsian’s rough temperament.
“Daughter, you’re being rather obvious with your admiration.”
“I don’t think I’m the only one admiring him right now.”
“…”
Duke Escra, who had skipped today’s Imperial Court meeting to attend Daive’s recital alongside me, glanced around at my words.
Many people couldn’t tear their eyes from Arsian. Most of them were young noblewomen, which displeased him greatly.
“All flash and no substance.”
“Even if he’s just flash, at least he has substance to show for it. And he plays piano well too. Unlike someone who can’t play at all and couldn’t perform an ensemble with his own son.”
“…”
Duke Escra, who had been trying to diminish Arsian’s merits, found himself with nothing more to say.
Against his will, he felt a twinge of gratitude—just a small one, really—toward that fellow who was performing the ensemble with Daive in his stead. The fact that he felt even this much irritated him immensely.
Watching Duke Escra press his lips firmly together, I couldn’t help but chuckle, as if I’d read his thoughts. It was frustrating, but gratitude was unavoidable.
‘I wonder if Daive feels the same way.’
Whether due to his shyness or his usual coolness toward Arsian, Daive had immediately refused when Arsian first offered to perform the ensemble with him.
‘I don’t want to.’
‘I mean, I don’t want to perform with you, not that I don’t want to do an ensemble.’
‘Obviously it’s you I don’t want to—’
Daive, realizing I was present during his conversation with Arsian, hastily fell silent.
‘Daive, why don’t you try performing with Arsian? You wanted to do an ensemble, didn’t you?’
‘B-but… he’s not family, and he’s not someone I know…’
‘Why isn’t he someone you know? He’s Rio’s older brother. You’re close with Rio, aren’t you? If he’s your close friend’s brother, he’s practically your brother too.’
‘Ah… Rio’s older brother…’
Before Arsian was my boyfriend, he was Rio’s older brother—a fact Daive seemed to grasp only then, and he agreed far more readily than expected.
‘Perhaps an ensemble was exactly what I wanted to do.’
Daive’s face gleamed as he took the stage alongside Arsian, absolutely radiant with excitement.
He seemed thrilled to have the opportunity to perform another piece after his solo performance.
[Our Daive is absolutely shining.]
Hearing Sharua’s words—she had come to the recital with me—I found myself nodding in agreement.
‘Both of them are positively luminous.’
A smile, softer than I had ever worn, graced my lips as I watched Arsian and Daive.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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