Chapter 18

"Congratulations to the new students on your admission."

As the surrounding crowd, who had been stunned into silence, began to murmur, the king stood up and addressed the new students.

"You who have just witnessed this commotion, you may be surprised by the actions of the girl who had been your classmate and practiced together, and perhaps you feel uneasy that you couldn't see through her true nature. Some of you might have found her charming. It's understandable. She was skilled at recognizing what people desired and giving it to them.

She is a monster. She has no conscience, and she lied and manipulated people without hesitation.

But she had no friends. Only the pawns she controlled. That's why she was caught and will now face the consequences of her actions. You have consciences. By helping each other with your consciences, you can form trustworthy friends. If another monster like her appears, you can face it with your friends. I hope you will find such friends in this academy."

"Sounds good, but do you think you can fool everyone with that?"

While the king was speaking, Bray whispered to Melissa, but of course, Melissa did not respond.

"Now, I would like to introduce the distinguished guest I invited to celebrate your admission."

As the king spoke, the stage lights dimmed, and a spotlight shone on Melissa, who was sitting at the back of the audience. Melissa slowly stood up and curtsied.

The emerald green dress, given to her by the prince as an apology for Bray's misconduct, shimmered like Lake Roton, reminding her of the warm people of Roton.

"This is Miss Melissa Telfort, a court musician invited from the Telfort Empire. She was originally supposed to attend the imperial magic academy's opening ceremony today, but due to her exceptional talent, she completed her magic training before enrollment and was granted a one-week delay, allowing us to invite her to our country today. ... Miss Melissa, would you please perform a piano piece for our new students?"

The current Melissa is no longer Melissa Johnston. Last autumn, she won the Apollo Award at the Telfort International Competition, became a court musician, and is now Melissa Telfort, owned by the Telfort Emperor.

"Please, this way."

Aubrey, the prince, in the uniform of Wainwright Magic Academy, escorted her. Melissa was told to walk slowly to allow time for the piano to be set up on the stage.

As Bray escorted her to the stage, Josh and Rose entered from the entrance. Rose was already crying. They had been invited to Melissa's grand stage and Nate's admission ceremony, but to avoid giving Amelia any discomfort, they were asked to wait in a separate room instead of entering the hall.

The emerald green ribbon in Melissa's golden hair probably shone in the light. Although it was not appropriate for such an occasion, it was more valuable to Melissa than any jewel.

"Vanessa."

"Daria."

She heard her father and grandmother whisper, but Melissa did not look their way. Because Nate was waiting for her on the stage.

As Melissa approached the stairs to the stage, the lights came on, revealing the piano and Nate. Bray handed the escort to Nate.

"Melissa, you look beautiful."

Nate, whom she hadn't seen for three and a half years, had grown taller and his voice had deepened, but his eyes, the same emerald green as Lake Roton, and the warmth of his hand remained unchanged. Melissa smiled at him.

"Thank you. You look handsome too, Nate."

Even though Nate looked like Amelia, it didn't bother Melissa.

Melissa couldn't understand why her father and grandmother were so fixated on her mother Vanessa and grandmother Daria's appearance. Even if Nate were to die and someone who looked exactly like him appeared, she would never love that person as a replacement for Nate. It would be disrespectful to both the replacement and the Nate she loved.

As Nate escorted her to the center of the stage, near the piano, a voice came from the front row.

"Your Majesty! What do you mean by Melissa Telfort? I, as the Duke of Johnston, have never approved of Melissa's expulsion."

Her father was questioning the king. As Rose had predicted, he seemed to have seen his wife in the blonde Melissa. Melissa turned to look at her father for the first time.

"Mel, you've grown."

Her grandmother spoke, but Melissa ignored her. To her grandmother, Mel was Amelia, not Melissa. She had heard that her grandmother Daria and mother Vanessa looked alike. Even though Melissa's eyes were blue instead of red, she seemed to be within her grandmother's tolerance level, but it didn't matter.

"Becoming a court musician of the empire automatically makes one an imperial citizen and removes one's noble status. You don't need your approval for Melissa's expulsion from the Johnston family."

"I never approved of Melissa becoming a court musician."

The king's explanation did not deter her father. Nate, who was escorting her, squeezed her hand. Melissa squeezed back, trying to reassure him.

"I gave my approval. Do you have a problem with my decision?"

The king had signed Melissa's application for the Telfort International Competition. The prince, who had learned of the situation, arranged for the king's signature to avoid any issues with Bray's hidden status and to prevent any conflict with the empire.

"Moreover, Miss Melissa became a court musician last autumn and withdrew from the noble academy. She no longer has a noble status. Not only did you not attend her graduation ceremony, but you didn't even check her graduation certificate or noble status. ... I understand that she was expelled from the Duke of Johnston's residence in the capital just before her 11th birthday and was sent to a rural estate, where she had no contact with the Johnston family for five years. What problem is there with Miss Melissa leaving the Johnston family, given that you ignored her for five years and didn't even notice her withdrawal from the noble academy?"

Her father was silent, unable to answer the king's question. If he admitted the magical repulsion with Amelia, it would reveal that he had prioritized an adopted child over his biological daughter. Moreover, the adopted child had just been arrested for murder.

"Your silence is an admission. ... I am trying to change the negative atmosphere caused by your daughter, but I am speechless at your behavior."

The daughter he referred to was Amelia. The future of the Johnston family, which had neglected their biological daughter and adopted a murderer as the first prince's fiancée, was bleak.

The king looked at Melissa, perhaps to see if she had anything to say. It had been so long since she had any desire to speak about them. The 10-year-old Melissa who was hurt by their every move was long gone. She shook her head.

"The daughter of the Duke of Johnston has been arrested and will not attend this magic academy. I would like to dismiss you, but I will allow you to hear Miss Melissa's piano performance. Perhaps you will realize the value of what you lost and regret your past actions."

The king had arranged this event. Initially, Melissa was supposed to attend the imperial magic academy's opening ceremony, but the king thought it was better for her to properly sever ties with the Johnston family. He had arranged for the emperor to invite her here today.

Her father and grandmother sat down, their faces drained of color. Her brother was not present, but she had no regrets. After her mother's death, only her brother and father had listened to her play the piano, but now she had many people who would listen. She no longer needed her brother to hear her play.

Melissa sat in the chair Nate pulled out for her, confirmed that he had moved to the side of the stage, and began to play.

The piece was "Farewell."

It might not be appropriate for an opening ceremony, but it was a piece she and Nate shared. Even if she had no memories with Nate, she would have chosen this piece.

It was a farewell to the fear of Amelia, a farewell to her family, and a farewell to her country. For Melissa, today was a day of farewells. For the queen and Prince Eldred, it was a farewell to smooth sailing. For the Johnston family, it was a farewell to their two daughters and their reputation. For Bray, it was a farewell to carefree days. Everyone had their own farewell to yesterday.

Melissa played "Farewell" with a heartfelt "goodbye" in her mind.

Nate's mother had apparently whistled this "Farewell" cheerfully. Melissa understood that feeling. The piece was sad, but it held a glimmer of hope.

Melissa's image was of the evening. Bathed in the orange light of the setting sun, it was a piece to say goodbye to the day. It was sad that it would soon be dark, but she was going home to a bright place, and tomorrow would come again.

With this feeling, Melissa played "Farewell."