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In the realm of musical conversation, the other nobles seated behind the private boxes also found room to chime in — unlike earlier, when they could only listen to Cardinal Saer de, Duke Vaolet, and Princess Natasha discuss weightier matters.
"I heard from my dear little niece that Victor's piece was written off and on over the course of two or three years. Once he learned that a concert would be held at Sacred Hymn Hall, he specifically stayed at my younger brother's estate for three months to finish it. It's truly brimming with the flavor of the countryside — it reminds me of the oats back home, nearly ready for harvest."
Count Hain smiled as he shared the story behind the composition with the Duke and the Princess, quietly grateful to Phyllis. That niece of his — whom he had always found annoying and thoroughly disliked — had, ever since she started studying music, finally given a man with no musical talent at all something to talk about with His
Because the old Count's eldest son had fallen in battle during the crusade against the heretics, his second and third sons had begun vying for the title. The current Count Hain, then the second son, had not yet awakened his bloodline, and Phyllis's father had been the old Count's favorite — so the latter had held the upper hand, becoming the source of Count Hain's nightly nightmares.
But in the end, against everyone's expectations, Count Hain had successfully awakened the power of his bloodline. What's more, his son
Duke Vaolet gave a slight nod. "It reminds me of the Harvest Festival I celebrated in my youth. Natasha, whether his emotions truly sustained a coherent theme or not — to my ear, Victor's piece was already exceptionally accomplished. I'm genuinely looking forward to the next two works. In theory, each one should surpass the last."
"But the final piece isn't Victor's — it's composed by his student, Lucian. I can't imagine what kind of excellent music someone who's only been studying for three months could possibly write." Count Lafati joined the discussion as well. He appeared to be only around thirty years old, his entire being like a Dawn Angel from legend — so handsome he was almost blinding.
Princess Natasha laughed without any pretense of composure. "Uncle Hart, you're the last person who should say that. You awakened the 'Sun' bloodline and became a warlock at ten — that's far more talent than Lucian. And at only sixty-seven, you're already a high warlock of the eighth circle. Given a normal lifespan of two hundred years, you absolutely have what it takes to reach the Legendary realm."
This youthful-looking Count Lafati turned out to be a powerful spellcaster. However, to distinguish themselves from Arcane mages, the nobles referred to bloodline-based casting as warlock magic. Moreover, while other noble families risked mutations — or the triggering of power — by mixing various bloodlines, the Lafati family demanded bloodline purification, requiring marriage only within the family. Though this had produced many deformed members over the generations, it also guaranteed the transmission of formidable power from one generation to the next.
Verdi answered seriously on Lafati's behalf: "This is a power bestowed by the Lord. That Uncle Hart could become a warlock at the age of ten is the Lord's grace and blessing."
"Music is said to be the same, apparently," Natasha said with a casual smile. "But seriously, I'm looking forward to it. Whether Lucian's piece turns out good or bad, it'll be interesting either way."
Lafati shook his head. "Victor has placed it in the final and most important slot of the program. That alone proves the work's quality. I don't think Victor would want to ruin his own concert."
His judgment was supported by Count Hain and the other nobles. Having never met Lucian, they harbored little prejudice against him. They were certainly surprised by how short his study of music had been, but that didn't prevent them from assessing the work's quality based on Victor's arrangement.
Nobles who managed to maintain their standing and pass their families down through the generations might well have many other flaws, but when their minds were not clouded by emotion, they were far from stupid.
"Well, we'll get to hear it soon enough," Natasha said with two light laughs. "Next up is Victor's newly composed Piano Concerto. I've been looking forward to that brand-new instrument for quite some time."
Verdi sat in his chair as though mounted on horseback, his back perfectly straight, not relaxing in the slightest. "Oh? I wonder how its tone and sound quality compare to the Harpsichord?"
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After the second piece received the Duke's applause, Victor finally relaxed. When he returned backstage to rest, he was even able to exchange a few light jokes with Lucian, Lot, and the others. Rhein, however, maintained the low profile he had kept since the beginning, standing quietly off to the side. Phyllis and the rest assumed Rhein was preparing for the upcoming piece and thought nothing of it.
The intermission passed quickly. Victor walked over to the Piano — he would be playing it himself — while Rhein, as concertmaster, would coordinate and conduct the orchestra for him.
The bright, rich voice of the Piano opened the concerto's prelude. After just a few passages, a sacred and solemn atmosphere had been built up — this was a concerto with a religious theme.
"A fine instrument," Verdi said, nodding in satisfaction after recognizing the tone color, then closing his eyes to listen more carefully.
The grand, solemn characteristics of religious music were given full expression by the Piano's vast range. In several of the high passages, the instrument's volume and control were absolutely perfect, and the entire hall grew solemn and sacred.
When the concerto concluded, Cardinal Saer de traced a cross over his chest. "This is a hymn of praise to the Lord. This entirely new instrument has elevated the work completely beyond its original level."
Natasha habitually crossed herself as well, then could not help exclaiming in admiration: "This instrument is absolutely wonderful — it's the keyboard instrument I've always truly wanted! The Harpsichord and Clavichord are like children's toys compared to it — they simply can't produce that kind of majestic feeling!"