Chapter 26

After defeating the Apostle of Asaret and paying homage to Her Majesty the Queen, Ariadne and Sancha's living standards soared. They were given a room at the western end of the second floor, complete with a study and a parlor. Though it was called a 'room' for convenience, it was essentially a small living space with two inner rooms, like a suite. It was the largest and best room among those used by the children, as it was originally used by the eldest son, Iphito.

"Miss! It's really luxurious!"

Sancha fluffed the down comforter on Ariadne's new bed, marveling at its fluffiness. Though it was a new comforter and didn't need much fluffing, Sancha enjoyed the sensation, fluffing it two or three times.

"You don't have to do it yourself, you know."

They were also assigned two new maids, Anna and Maria. Sancha, who had been a maid for only a few months, now had subordinates. However, Sancha glared at Ariadne, angry.

"Miss! How can you trust those girls with things that directly touch your body! They even go into the study!"

Ariadne smiled gently at Sancha's fussing. Being meticulous isn't a bad thing, but she might tire herself out this way.

- Knock knock!

A rough knock echoed at Ariadne's door. After a single knock, as if it was just a formality, the door opened, and Arabella appeared.

Arabella entered, hugging a lute as big as half her body.

"Hmph, I didn't come to play with you. I came to keep an eye on your foolish actions."

Ariadne, who had been relaxed with Sancha, instantly composed herself and greeted Arabella with a gentle smile, like a good older sister.

"Why did you bring the lute? Do you like it?"

"You don't know, but I'm a lute genius."

Arabella refused to call Ariadne 'sister.' However, Ariadne didn't point out the lack of respect, as she hadn't decided whether she could or wanted to act like an older sister to Arabella. She detested receiving favors she couldn't return. It was easier not to accept them at all if she couldn't return them.

"Do you have a talent for playing?"

"Playing? I'm good at composing too."

The ten-year-old girl said it with a sneer, but Ariadne wasn't really angry at Arabella's attitude. She had seen Arabella's isolated position in the household over the past few months. Lucrezia had always favored Isabella, while Arabella was excessively disciplined for things that didn't need it. There were no standards, and these issues were not visible when they were young.

Moreover, Ariadne, who had not received proper noble education in her previous life and was thrown into society without knowing how to play an instrument, had been looked down upon as vulgar. Therefore, Arabella's boastful claims were a bit surprising and a bit enviable.

"Can you really play that well? Show me once!"

Arabella, perceiving Ariadne's question as a provocation, straightened her posture and placed the lute on her lap. She held the head with her left hand and plucked the strings with her right. A soft melody flowed out.

- Twinkle.

It was a flamboyant piece that moved between octaves. Arabella's small fingers moved flawlessly between the changing notes.

"Wow."

- Clap clap clap!

"Good, right?"

"Miss Arabella, you're amazing!"

Sancha, who had been more relaxed with Ariadne, hid her true feelings and returned to her professional mode, showering Arabella with soulless praise. However, Arabella's performance was genuinely good, so Sancha could clap with enthusiasm.

"What piece is it? It looks really difficult."

Arabella, still hugging the lute, blushed slightly.

"I composed it!"

"You did?"

Ariadne was genuinely surprised this time.

"Really? You didn't just modify an existing piece?"

"No! I made everything from the harmony to the melody myself!"

When Arabella flared up, Ariadne calmed her down.

"Whoa, whoa, I just said it because your music is good. You really have talent?"

"Hmph, it's not that great."

Seeing Arabella, who would blush when praised and get angry when ignored, Sancha giggled.

Arabella glared at Sancha, but when Ariadne gave her a stern look, she pouted and turned her head away.

"Actually, I want a pipe organ. I want to arrange a Missa Brevis for a pipe organ with seven string instruments."

"Can't you use the one at the cathedral?"

A pipe organ is a massive instrument that requires careful planning during construction. However, as the family of Cardinal de Mare, they could use the pipe organ at San Ercolé Cathedral.

"You can only use it during Sunday Mass. Even if you lie and say it's for practice, you can only use it for three hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The priests and nuns use it constantly."

"Can't you ask Mother or the Cardinal for a pipe organ?"

Arabella frowned, truly hurt this time. However, her words were cautious despite her distorted expression.

"Mother... a pipe organ is expensive. It's too expensive to invest in just one girl."

Ariadne looked at Arabella, who was talking about things beyond a child's understanding. It was clear she was repeating what Lucrezia had said. She had probably already asked and been refused.

"Girls should share good things with their sisters... Isabel doesn't use the pipe organ, so they won't buy it just for me."

Arabella pouted as she spoke.

"I'm not asking you! I'm not even saying you're my sister! Even if you want to use it, Mother won't buy it for you!"

Ariadne smiled softly, brushing off Arabella's meaningless attack. Really, what Arabella wanted to say was probably "Mom only loves me. Don't touch my pipe organ," and the target of her words was likely not Isabella.

"I can't play the pipe organ, so even if they bought it, I couldn't share it. Don't worry, I won't take yours."

Ariadne, seeing Arabella's face mixed with doubt and relief, gently suggested again.

"If you really want a pipe organ, ask Isabella to request it. If Isabella asks, Mother might agree."

Arabella, holding the lute, had a complex expression of hurt and desire. Ariadne hugged her from behind, and Arabella, still young, didn't push her away.

If she had reached puberty or learned to be more cautious, it would have been a different story.

'What a pitiful, love-starved child.'

But I, who is in an even worse position, shouldn't feel sympathy for the child of Cardinal de Mare and Lucrezia.

* * *

Arabella was a clever child. Her mother's favoritism towards her sister was a fact that wouldn't change, and denying it wouldn't change anything. On the other hand, if she extended her humble attitude towards her older sister for a little longer, she could have the pipe organ she dreamed of.

So, Arabella decided to ask Isabella. She was a bit scared to do it alone, so she chose the second-floor parlor where the three 'sisters' waited for their governess to arrive.

Isabella, with her chestnut hair braided and draped over one shoulder, was wearing a well-fitted light purple indoor dress and applying oil to her eyelashes. Her oil-coated, sparkling eyelashes and the emerald-like eyes beneath them were both beautiful and weary.

Arabella, intimidated by her older sister's fiery beauty, cautiously spoke up.

"Um, sister."

Isabella, with her oil-coated eyelashes, looked down at Arabella. Her body language was annoyed, but her voice was as sweet as pearls rolling on a silver platter.

"What is it, Arabella?"

"Um, can you ask Mother to buy a pipe organ?"

Ariadne, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, shook her head involuntarily. Isabella needed to be made to want the pipe organ; if Arabella asked directly, Isabella would take advantage of her.

Sure enough, Isabella, who was still maintaining a minimum image in front of Ariadne, frowned and was about to get annoyed but held back when she glanced at Ariadne.

'No one knows me better than me. Even if I pretend to be nice, it's useless.'

Isabella, regardless of what Ariadne thought, still answered with a sweet voice.

"Arabella, a pipe organ isn't something you can just buy because you want it. Luxury is a bad thing and doesn't suit a fine young lady."

"It's not luxury! I really need it! I want to arrange new hymns for the pipe organ, but I can't use the one at the cathedral for long, so it's not working out."

Arabella, with a pout, was about to attack Isabella, saying, "You also collect cosmetics and luxuries from the Moorish Empire with gold coins, which is more frivolous than a pipe organ," but Ariadne gently pulled her from behind and covered her lips.

While stroking Arabella's cheeks, Ariadne, who saw her clumsy younger sister, interjected.

"Isabella, Arabella's hymns are truly beautiful. They're not just children's play."

Ariadne nodded at the lute, signaling Arabella to play.

- Twinkle.

Arabella, without hesitation, gently plucked the lute's strings. The melody was far more elaborate and layered than the lute's simple sound. Isabella's eyes widened as she listened, and after about 30 seconds, she waved her hand to signal Arabella to stop. Then, before the performance ended, she spoke to Arabella.

"Wait, did you really compose this?"

"Yep!"

"What is it for?"

"It's a Missa Brevis. It's still incomplete, so it needs more work."

Isabella's weary emerald eyes sparkled and narrowed. It was the look she made when she was plotting something bad.