Chapter 5

In the middle of autumn, as the trees in the garden began to change color, the Johnston Duke's family held a 10th birthday party for Amelia. While she had participated in children's tea parties before, this was the first formal event where the Johnston Duke's branch families and relatives were invited, marking Amelia's official debut.

The social circle was abuzz when the first prince, Prince Eldred, and the second prince, Prince Christopher, both attended Amelia's birthday party. Prince Eldred attended with his close fiancée candidate, Jacqueline, while Prince Christopher, who had never attended Melissa's birthday party, came without escorting any fiancée candidate and danced only with Amelia.

Melissa was told by her maid that rumors were spreading that the second prince's fiancée might change from Melissa to Amelia.

Melissa knew that even after the three of them, including her brother, had visited the castle, Amelia occasionally went to the royal palace. It seemed that she had become acquainted with Prince Christopher without missing a beat.

What hurt Melissa the most was that her father remained a mere spectator, neither protesting against Prince Christopher or the royal family for neglecting Melissa, nor even offering her a word of comfort. Her father probably didn't want to dampen Amelia's spirits, who was delighted by Prince Christopher's visit.

Melissa, who had been receiving princess education since the age of six at the royal family's request, even cutting down on her piano practice time, found it particularly painful that Prince Christopher, despite never attending her birthday party, had attended and danced at another young lady's party, even though she was his sister.

Does my father not care at all about my efforts, or that I am being slighted by others, to the point where he has no words to offer me? My brother and grandmother must know about the social rumors, yet they don't even speak to me out of concern.

Alone in her room after the maid left, Melissa buried her face in her knees and cried for a while.

That's right. I'll play the piano.

Melissa's piano is equipped with a silencing magical device that makes the sound inaudible to anyone except the player. Melissa, who fell in love with the piano at the age of three, continued to play as she pleased, despite her lack of skill, but was soon told by her grandmother that it was unpleasant to listen to, and the silencing magical device was attached to the piano.

This silencing magical device can be easily set to allow specific individuals to hear the piano, even if the player is the only one who can hear it. In the past, her father and brother would occasionally come to listen to Melissa's piano during their work or studies.

"You've improved again."

"Mel's piano is soothing."

She remembered her father and brother saying these kind words gently.

At the same time, she realized that since Amelia came to the Johnston Duke's family, neither her father nor her brother had ever come to listen to her piano.

Her late mother often came to listen to Melissa's piano. Whenever she found Melissa practicing, she would always disable the silencing and listen, even if Melissa was just repeating the same part of a piece.

Melissa remembered her mother's words when she was considering giving up the piano due to the lack of time for practice after starting her princess education.

"People may betray you, but the skills you acquire will never betray you. As long as you don't hate the piano, make time to play it. The piano will surely help you. ... I love your piano playing."

Although there have been many sad moments recently, I have the piano. I learned in my princess education that playing the piano is a luxurious hobby that only nobles and wealthy commoners can afford. Just being able to play the piano makes me happy enough.

With thoughts of her beloved mother, Melissa continued to play the piano.