Chapter 27

027. Comfort (4)

I opened my eyes halfway.

Sunlight streamed through the gap.

...The long night has ended.

The doctor, who arrived in pajamas, boiled willow bark and let it drip into my mouth. Most of it seeped into the bed, and he boiled it again and let it drip several times.

How much time had passed?

When the pain subsided, my strength was completely drained.

I collapsed from exhaustion and just now opened my eyes.

In the end.

“I survived.”

...Unfortunately.

...

A few days later.

“Master!”

The door burst open, and I felt my heart drop. I was about to flare up but then burst into a bitter laugh.

What kind of person wants to die?

Still...

“Where to?”

I saw Ipero, dressed up.

This was the first time I saw him like this, and it felt very strange.

Actually, even he seemed quite awkward.

“Yes, there’s a concert in Mannheim.”

“What concert?”

“A musician who was the conductor of the House of Esterhazy is coming. A famous musician who achieved great success in England, and I just happened to get a ticket.”

“...Isn’t that expensive?”

“I don’t know. I received it.”

“From whom?”

In response to my question, Ipero smiled slyly.

“From the Count.”

“My father?”

It was surprising that my father, who had little interest in the arts, gave Ipero a concert ticket.

Was it a reward for his lifelong dedication to the Friedrich family?

I had heard that Ipero liked music, but...

I, like my father, had little interest, but I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, so I said something I didn’t really mean.

“Have a good time. It should be fun.”

“Do you really think so?”

“...Huh?”

“You just said it would be fun.”

I had known him for 15 years. A person whose voice and expression were always the same. His eyes sparkled, uneasily.

“I knew you would—so I got two tickets. Let’s go together.”

“What? My father wouldn’t allow it...”

“I knew you would—so I got his permission. You can’t refuse. The price of this seat is 3 groschen.”

...What, do you know how much that is?

In the end, I was led by Ipero’s hand into the carriage.

Our destination was Mannheim.

It was practically a neighboring city, but to me, who had never left Baden-Baden, it felt like a whole new world.

The market stretched out much longer than the one inside the castle.

The smell of sauerkraut and the pungent aroma of wheat beer wafted from there.

Naturally, it was my first time at the concert hall.

My mouth gaped at the opulent interior.

But that was only for a moment.

There were things that sparkled even more than the gilded structures.

The gazes fixed on me.

“...”

Unfriendly gazes pierced me.

Ipero, who was pushing my wheelchair, seemed to feel this attention and was fidgeting.

Honestly, it was uncomfortable.

But I didn’t want to ruin Ipero’s concert experience, so I spoke first.

“I’m fine. It’s almost better than pity.”

...Being looked at like a strange animal.

I tried to ignore it and changed the subject.

“But so many people came to see this person?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm...”

Just music.

A mere pastime for the ears, with no connection to life and death.

Yet, why were so many people waiting with such vibrant faces?

I sat in a good seat worth 3 groschen and observed the reason.

Dozens of orchestra members moved in unison under the musician’s direction,

and the concert, where I heard melodies for the first time, ended.

Ipero, who had been checking on me all along, asked quietly.

“...How was it?”

“Ipero.”

I barely managed to call his name and had to close my mouth.

I was trembling madly. My heart was pounding. But it wasn’t a seizure. It was a thrill, not pain, that made my body shake. This was a new feeling for me.

Just as I was close to death,

music had caught me.

“...It’s amazing, this.”

“Indeed. It’s impressive. I felt a thrill. After all, it’s Haydn.”

Ipero, relieved by my expression.

As I listened to his words, I pondered a name.

“Haydn... is that the musician’s name?”

...

When I returned from Mannheim, what awaited me were my parents’ worried faces.

“You look... better?”

I was the opposite.

My mother, who hugged me tightly and praised me, asked.

“How was the concert?”

So...

My dry lips moved.

My bony hands twitched.

I wanted to express the ecstasy I had experienced, but there were no words or gestures that could capture it.

Dozens of musicians...

A man standing alone before them...

I started to speak but couldn’t finish.

“Anyway. It was amazing.”

That’s all I could say.

My father, seeing my appearance, smiled and said.

“That concert must have been worth 3 groschen.”

“No, it was more than that. What I felt there was definitely more.”

I quickly answered and looked at my father. It wasn’t like that. My father, who hadn’t heard it himself, wouldn’t know.

Seeing me, my father, feigning surprise, said softly.

“Yes... It seems that way.”

And after a moment, as if thinking about something, he spoke.

“If you received more than you should have, it’s right to give it back. Since you can’t return the music you heard, how about supporting the musician?”

...

“While supporting, ...”

Click.

A pile of parchment, a quill, and ink were placed on the desk I inherited from my grandfather.

I couldn’t handle them, so they were all unnecessary to me.

“What about a letter?”

“...?”

“You said you had a lot to say. Since you can’t meet him in person, why not write it down?”

I asked, doubtful.

“Will he listen to my story?”

“He has to. You’re sending him several thalers.”

I chuckled at Ipero, who muttered, “Indeed.”

“Then, write down what I say.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“I am... um... Brunner Friedrich, the heir of the Friedrich family. That... let me think for a moment.”

Ipero, chuckling, said he could wait and slowly.

“Letters are often like that. When you start to write, all the things you wanted to say fly away. You can talk about the weather or food, if you like.”

“I’ve thought of something.”

“I’m listening.”

Ipero, picking up the quill again.

“I had many questions about the first piece I heard at the concert. The music was clearly somber, yet it sounded bright and cheerful. The second piece was completely the opposite. My butler sometimes plays pranks on me with a blank face, and it felt like that was expressed in the music...”

I was feeling a bit unwell at the time. I was worried about another seizure, but it seemed to calm down a bit.

Most of all, I enjoyed writing this letter.

“And the third piece... huh? Ipero. Why?”

Suddenly, I felt a hot gaze.

Ipero, who had been writing with the quill, his eyes grew wider and wider.

...

“Master, a reply has arrived.”

“Really?”

“But...”

Ipero showed a difficult expression.

He hesitated and said.

“It’s just one line.”

“Oh...”

Given the many questions and comments I had in my letter, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

It was probably just a thank you.

“Should I read it?”

“Yes. Since a reply came...”

I would be satisfied with that and try to be more concise next time.

“Haydn is coming to the Friedrich family.”

“...Huh?”

I turned my head with difficulty. There, Ipero was smiling, quite slyly.

“He’s coming? Haydn.”

...

A few days later, when Haydn arrived, I had many conversations with him.

One day wasn’t enough; he stayed as a guest in the castle for a week, talking about music.

Even then, it wasn’t enough.

I began to strongly desire.

To hear Haydn’s next piece.

To hear the pieces of other musicians.

To talk to them.

In the end, the music that caught me and placed me back in life.

It became a reason to endure today and to have a tomorrow.

It became a comfort in a life that felt like hell.

So...

As Brunner, I want to ask.

To you,

my story.

─!

My music,

─!

'Was it a comfort?'

───!

With the highest note a piano can produce.

Finally, the piece ended.

I lifted my head and looked at the audience.

Time seemed to have stopped.

If the wind hadn’t blown and the tablecloth hadn’t fluttered, I would have really believed it.

President Baek Jong-woo was wiping his eyes with his thick hands.

Vice President Baek Sun-hwa was bowing her head, looking at the floor.

The other guests were not much different.

After a while, Chairman Baek Han-gil, who was sitting in the middle, broke the silence.

“Did you come to a funeral?”

Pfft.

People began to laugh, their faces still wet from tears.

Chairman Baek Han-gil chuckled and looked at me.

I smiled back at him and waited for his answer to Brunner’s question.

My lips twitched.

My wrinkled hands trembled.

And finally, I spoke.

“It was a great piece and performance.”

Hearing the familiar process and answer, I bowed willingly.

Since he had been comforted.

The performance was over.

#

-Yes, Mom. So I might be a bit late. I ate a lot of delicious food here. They said they’ll take me home to the front of the house. Don’t worry. I’ll call you when we start.

I hung up the phone and moved.

I approached Park, who was waiting at the door, and said.

“I’ve told him.”

“Shall we go up then?”

Following him, I went up to the top floor of the mansion. At the top of the stairs, there was a door. It was a study converted from an attic.

There, waiting for me, was Chairman Baek Han-gil, who had finished his separate meal.

“Sit down.”

I sat in the chair in front of him, and Chairman Baek Han-gil asked me.

“How was the food? Did it suit your taste?”

“Yes, it was really delicious.”

“I’m glad. You must be wondering why I made you sit here all of a sudden.”

“I was still thinking about when to talk to you comfortably.”

My answer made Chairman Baek Han-gil’s eyes curve into a crescent. After laughing for a while, he said.

“Then, let me take one worry off your mind.”

“Thank you.”

Answering quickly, Chairman Baek Han-gil laughed again.

And with a smile still on his face, he said.

“I called you as a student to properly thank you.”

Silent, I waited for the next words.

“I don’t know how much Sun-hwa told you, but as you can see, I have a very serious illness.”

Serious illness.

That’s right. A disease that couldn’t be cured 200 years ago, and it’s still the same.

“And today, I was comforted by your music. Unexpectedly.”

His firm eyes wavered as if recalling the performance.

“I’m glad my music was a comfort.”

I answered calmly, and Chairman Baek Han-gil burst into a hollow laugh again. Then, he suddenly turned his wheelchair slightly to look at a large speaker.

“Oh, by the way. I want to listen to that piece regularly.”

“I was planning to record it and give it to you.”

I also looked at the same place. The speaker was not ordinary, like a high-end audio user. It must be very expensive.

Good. The clearer the speaker’s resolution, the clearer my music’s intention will be heard, and I hope he will be comforted every time...

At that moment, Chairman Baek Han-gil looked at me again and continued.

“And I have one more request. It’s a proposal that will certainly not be bad for you.”

That request must be the reason I was called here. Asking for a recording could have been done through Vice President Baek Sun-hwa.

I was curious what a CEO would ask of a student like me, and he continued.

“Would you come and perform occasionally? In return, I will support you for life.”

It was an unexpected proposal. I didn’t really expect anything, but I didn’t think it would be this.

Well, Chairman Baek Han-gil had always supported talented performers.

‘Still, for life...’

I couldn’t know the exact details of the support, but it was certainly a huge offer.

But.

I said to Chairman Baek Han-gil, who was looking at me with a hopeful expression.

“I need to think about it.”

“Huh? Even if I offer to support you for life?”

“It’s like a contract, isn’t it? My father said I should be careful with contracts.”

I deferred the decision in a way befitting a 17-year-old.

The reason I didn’t accept the offer outright was simple. I didn’t like being tied down. It’s a contract, after all. “Occasionally” is vague, and if I receive support, I have to come when called.

With so many things I want to do in the future, it’s a dilemma.

Chairman Baek Han-gil, who couldn’t know my thoughts, laughed heartily.

“You’re right. Your father is wise. But this time, even your father would agree with me. There will be a reward beyond your imagination, and it won’t take as long as you think.”

“It will take a long time, I think.”

Feeling a sense of finality in his words, I spoke firmly. It seemed something from Brunner was influencing me.

“Hmm?”

“I feel like I’ll see you for a long time. That’s why I need to think about it.”

Chairman Baek Han-gil, who might have found my bold answer annoying, exhaled and asked.

“See me for a long time? Do you really think so?”

“Yes.”

In fact, I don’t just think so; I’m certain.

The Chairman Baek Han-gil in front of me,

will still be in good health when I’m 32.

#

After the party ended at night.

Chairman Baek Han-gil was still in the study, but the person in front of him had changed.

Baek Sun-hwa and Baek Jong-woo. The siblings stood before their father.

Chairman Baek Han-gil, who had been silently looking at his children, asked bluntly.

“Why are you both so down after I gave you such valuable gifts? Did you do something wrong?”

Baek Jong-woo, who had had a few drinks, opened his mouth with a red face.

“Father...”

His voice was trembling. His face was the same as after the performance.

Chairman Baek Han-gil, frustrated, pressed on.

“A 50-year-old man, still whining! How can I entrust the company to you like this? If I live...”

Then he suddenly stopped.

I don’t know why, but at this point, I thought of the student Han Seo-ho.

What