Chapter 32

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Victor Shostakovich is a court musician serving in the imperial court of the Kirin Empire, renowned for his unparalleled musical knowledge spanning all eras and regions. Leveraging the longevity of elves, he is dedicated to the preservation of old music and instruments, as well as the collection of unique music and instruments from various continents.

Moreover, his skills as a magician are also formidable, ranking among the best in the world, though few are aware of this.

Source: Romanovpedia.

"Well, for me, the important thing was my magical skills, so I had almost forgotten about music until recently."

"Really, this guy is so boring. No matter what song you play for him, he only says, 'It's good, isn't it?' Even if it's way off."

"Well, I'm just a layman. If a note is off, I just assume it's supposed to be that way."

It's nice that they're chatting so warmly, but I'd like to be let go already.

I've been hugged by Victor—since his last name is hard to say, he said I could call him that—since his self-introduction, and I've also been glared at by the fox-eyed lady the whole time.

"Um, yes, I understand that Mr. Victor and Professor Romanov are good friends... This is my first time meeting, I'm—"

"You're the heir of the Kikunoi family, Phoenix, right? Alyosha told me about you. Nice to meet you, little one."

"Little one...?"

"Phoenix, so little one. Isn't it cute!"

Calling a white pig 'little one,' what kind of visual and auditory violence is this? I feel like my stomach is about to be cut open from embarrassment.

Professor Romanov seemed to notice my awkward expression, but his face was plastered with a cheerful smile that seemed to say, "Just give up."

Anyway, the fox-eyed lady is reaching her limit.

Her eyes are not just narrowing; her cheeks are also flushing with anger.

Before she explodes, I say, "Um..." and Victor turns to the beautiful fox-eyed lady.

"Oh... I remember, you wanted me to give you singing lessons, right? If you've changed your mind, that's fine too."

"Ha!?"

"I'm offering to give you lessons. If you don't want them, that's fine too?"

"......!?"

Her red lips trembled, and her eyes shone brightly.

When a beautiful person is angry, it's especially intimidating because they're beautiful to begin with.

In contrast, Victor seemed uninterested and easily brushed off her anger.

However, when she relaxed her grip on her fan, she straightened her back.

"Before that, could you introduce your guest?"

"Oh... This is Sir Aleksey Romanov and his student, Phoenix, the heir of the Kikunoi family."

He introduced Professor Romanov and me in a way that seemed like a hassle.

The moment the fox-eyed lady heard Professor Romanov's name, her bad mood vanished as if it were a lie.

"Oh! Sir Romanov, you mean the famous Sir Romanov?"

"I'm not sure which one you're referring to, but I'm Aleksey Romanov."

The lady, oblivious to Professor Romanov's formal smile, was squealing like a fan who had just met a celebrity.

I thought I should introduce myself properly, but the moment our eyes met, she looked away uninterestedly.

Better not to provoke the gods.

When I looked at Victor, he shrugged, so that seemed fine.

"Hey, are you not going to give the lesson? If not, can you let us go?"

"......! I will! I will, but...!"

The beautiful lady looked at me and Professor Romanov.

Well, it's hard to concentrate with outsiders around.

I tugged on Professor Romanov's sleeve, thinking we should leave, and he nodded in agreement.

However, Victor shook his head.

"You can't sing if there are outsiders around, can you? I wonder how you even think about performing at the National Theater."

"What! I can sing! Who do you think I am!?"

I don't know who she is, but if she can perform at the National Theater, she must be a very talented singer.

"Little one, she's going to perform at the National Theater soon!"

"Wow, that's amazing!"

"Of course! I'm Maria Crow!"

I clapped, and Maria puffed out her chest. She looked to be in her mid-twenties, exuding confidence.

"I see, you are a wonderful singer. This is perfect. Bringing Phoenix to the capital was worth it."

"......What do you mean?"

Maria asked Professor Romanov with a melting smile, but Victor, narrowing his eyes suspiciously, answered.

"Alyosha was instructed by a very important person to polish little one's musical talent. He finally remembered his old childhood friend, me, recently. He thought I might be able to teach little one a thing or two."

"Wait! Professor Romanov!? Victor is a court musician!? Just a thing or two!?"

"Well... I didn't know how amazing Vitya was either."

This person seems to be untouchable when it comes to things he's not interested in...

Also, my reactions are usually pretty bad, so I should be careful.

The important person must be the princess.

Maria, also curious, tilted her head.

"An important person?"

"Yes, I can't reveal their identity, but they are a very important person."

"I see..."

"Anyway, since we're talking about music, and there's a theater in the capital, I thought it would be good for Phoenix to hear the best singer in the capital. I asked Vitya if he could help. If not, I could have Phoenix sing. After all, he knows the most about music out of anyone I know."

"I appreciate it, but I'm good with instruments, not so much with singing."

He said, "Come here," and led us to the back.

When we opened the door to the back room, a large three-legged table-like object covered with a cloth was sitting in the center. From its shape, it was clearly a...

"Grand piano!?"

"Oh, little one knows a lot."

"Hmm? Isn't it a Flügel?"

"In the empire, it's called a Flügel or Grand in the northern kingdom of Romagne. The important person must have taught you that. Little one, you haven't left home, have you?"

"Yes, that's right..."

No, I just called it a grand piano in my previous life. The princess taught me, that's a lie. Sorry.

When I slightly averted my eyes, he looked at me curiously, but Victor removed the cover and pulled out a chair in front of the piano.

When I placed my fingers, a familiar sound rang in my ears.

"Okay, sing a bit. What are you good at?"

"...The song I perform at the theater is 'Oh Empire, You Are an Eternal Paradise.'"

"Hmm, that's fine then."

Victor's long, slender fingers danced over the keys.

The melody, similar to Elgar's 'Pomp and Circumstance,' started slowly with low notes and gradually picked up speed. Maria's voice followed, becoming thin or thick and high.

However, at what seemed to be the chorus, her pitch was slightly off. Though it was just a slight waver, Victor noticed, raising an eyebrow. Maria looked regretful.

In a word, it was impressive.

The moment the last note faded, I applauded the wonderful performance and singing.

In contrast to Maria, who seemed somewhat dissatisfied, Victor sighed and shook his head.

"Little one, you can't coddle adults. You noticed the pitch was off, right?"

"That's... but..."

"No 'buts' or 'howevers.' The worst thing is when someone notices they're off but accepts it because they get applause, thinking, 'This is good enough.'"

Wow, harsh.

Maria's face turned red with the merciless criticism.

Her lips trembled, and she looked ready to explode, but Victor remained calm, looking at her with a "What?" expression.

Professor Romanov interjected.

"Now, now, Vitya. You may criticize, but I found the young lady's singing to be quite wonderful, and Phoenix agrees. It's not bad by your standards, is it?"

"Well, it's not bad. I think she has what it takes to perform at the National Theater. But..."

"Then, would it be alright to hear Phoenix's singing and ask for advice? You're not a specialist in singing, are you?"

The unexpected suggestion left Victor, me, and even the angry Maria stunned.

However, Professor Romanov seemed serious, smiling beautifully and asking Maria, "What do you think?"

Charmed by Professor Romanov's smile, Maria cleared her throat and softened her expression.

"Very well. I cannot refuse such a request from Sir Romanov. I will be happy to give guidance."

"That's great, Phoenix."

"Thank you."

I bowed, but Maria was still focused on Professor Romanov, not looking at me.

Victor, shrugging, sat at the piano but then murmured, "Ah."

"Little one, do you know any popular songs around here?"

"No, not at all."

"I see. Then, how about the song you learned from that person? I can't play the accompaniment, so a cappella is fine, right?"

"Yes, I usually sing a cappella, so it's fine."

I took a deep breath, focusing on my diaphragmatic breathing and the magical nerves, as the princess always told me.

I chose Schubert's 'The Wild Rose,' which I had sung many times for the princess.

When I opened my throat, my pitch and voice were surprisingly stable.

I sang it leisurely and enjoyably, and Victor clapped.

"That's a beautiful song. It makes me want to see wild roses."

"Yes, I used to sing it while looking at wild roses at home."

"Does your home have wild roses? That's wonderful."

We chatted about 'The Wild Rose,' and Maria approached with a very serious face.

"You... your singing just now...?"

"Ah... was it strange? I'm always told to focus on my magical nerves... to stabilize my pitch by being aware of them..."

"Was that from your important person?"

"Yes, that's right."

Maria clenched her lips tightly.

Was my singing so bad that it made her angry?

As I paled, Maria placed her hand on my shoulder.

"Thanks to you, I've been awakened. Please come to the National Theater's performance in two weeks. I will let you hear the real Maria Crow."

Really!? Lucky!

But, my singing must have been bad, so she's showing me an example.

I lowered my eyebrows slightly, and Maria shook her head.

"Your singing was a song I hadn't heard before... but it wasn't bad."

"Really?"

"Yes, stand tall. I don't praise people easily."

Her stern, dignified face, illuminated by the light from the window, looked very sacred.

Victor, watching, smiled.

"You look good, Maria. I'd be happy to give you lessons now."

"Really!?"

"Yes, I'll train you intensively from tomorrow until the performance."

I don't quite understand, but it seems like the rain has settled the dust.

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