Chapter 64

I am Albert Laforêt, the second son of the Duke of Laforêt. Thanks to that, I can spend my life immersed in music. My older brother Charles drew the short straw: with Father obsessed with music as well, Charles has been managing the estate since before he finished university.

I’m in the Royal Academy’s Middle School division and, out of necessity, chose the Civil Servant track. It’s deplorable there’s no dedicated Artist track. I’ll finish the required certifications as quickly as possible so I can devote myself entirely to music.

“Albert, have any new members joined the Music Club?”

Caesar, an eccentric who took the Mage track, addressed me. He’s the heir of the Duke of Barnes—pitiful, really. His father founded the Barnes Trading Company and is practically adored by my brother. Caesar cares only for alchemy, but as the eldest son he’ll eventually have to manage the company and the estate.

“Who knows? The Music Club doesn’t admit members without a recommendation. Speaking of which, President Melissa did mention that Princess Margaret was recommending someone.”

He gave me a rare, envious look.

“The Alchemy Club can hardly recruit any Elementary students. No one’s joined since Benjamin, the year before last.”

He was hinting that the Alchemy Club was on the verge of being disbanded.

“How many members do you have now?”

“Five, but two of them are sixth-years. Besides, they’re the sort who would dump the presidency on me, so I can’t rely on them.”

According to Student Council rules, a club must have at least five members or it will be dissolved. But in the end, it’s someone else’s problem.

“You’d better work hard on recruiting then,” I said dismissively and hurried toward the Music Club. The new member Princess Margaret recommended was arriving today; I didn’t have time for Caesar’s whining.

I arrived at the clubhouse, but Princess Margaret hadn’t shown up yet. Was she wasting time chatting with her schoolmates?

Finally she arrived, accompanied by her three shadows and the freshman.

“Princess Margaret, is this the new club member you recommended?” President Melissa asked.

“Yes, Melissa. Perfect timing. Everyone, this is my lady-in-waiting, Patience Granger. I recommend her for the Music Club.”

President Melissa smiled brightly and shook Patience’s hand. More importantly, did this Patience have the qualifications for the Music Club?

Patience was a scrawny, tiny slip of a girl. Since I was introduced, I offered a slight nod.

“Hey, it’s sudden, but I want you to perform something.”

“Indeed, I’d like to hear it too.”

Princess Margaret’s schoolmates had unpleasant personalities. Still, I wanted to hear her play, so I stayed silent.

“Right, Patience. Please play the new song I gave you yesterday.”

To my surprise, Patience played the new piece I had composed. I had only recently handed that score to Princess Margaret.

“My, she certainly lives up to being a lady-in-waiting chosen by Queen Victoria.”

Catherine praised her, but I was dissatisfied.

“However, I would have liked a bit more emotion. Playing exactly as written is a bit bland.”

I offered that as a point of improvement. Patience’s skill was decent enough.

“Oh, she only played it once yesterday, so it can’t be helped. You mustn’t be mean just because it’s your song, Albert,” Princess Margaret chided.

I was shocked. If she could play it to that level after only one try, she passed.

“But one must be able to compose as well.”

Harriet, Princess Margaret’s schoolmate, looked sweet but had a spiteful streak—yet she was right.

“Indeed. I understand expecting a new song from a new member, but let’s wait until she’s settled in,” President Melissa said. She is good at mediating.

After that, members performed one after another on the Hanon (piano), lute, and flute. I played the lute as well.

After everyone had played, Princess Margaret insisted Patience perform one more piece.

All the new sheet music Princess Margaret owned had been played, and the famous songs were done. What would Patience do? I felt a bit sorry for her—she was still a child—but this was the Music Club; if she lacked talent, she had no business being Princess Margaret’s lady-in-waiting.

I supposed she’d play some famous masterpiece. I didn’t have high expectations, but then the Hanon piece Patience played shook me to my core.

It was bright and light, a melody like that of a Goddess of Music descended from the heavens. But the descent of that beautiful goddess ended all too soon.

“I apologize. I made a fingering error.”

While everyone froze, Patience apologized for the mistake.

“No, a fingering error is of no consequence. You… your name was Patience, right? You have incredible talent.”

I knelt beside Patience at the Hanon and kissed her hand. That hand had produced that heavenly music; I rubbed my cheek against it. I wanted to take her to my mansion right then and there.

“Albert, I will not permit such liberties with my lady-in-waiting.”

Princess Margaret blocked me. Fine—I would restrain myself for today. One day, I shall live alongside Patience’s music.

From then on, Patience continued to compose wonderful new songs. It irritated me that she was wasting time as Princess Margaret’s lady-in-waiting, but apparently Queen Victoria had decided it, so it couldn’t be helped.

It is tradition for the Music Club to present new compositions at the Aoba Festival. I am currently composing a piece of extreme virtuosity and wanted Patience to keep producing new songs. The “new songs” from Princess Margaret’s hangers-on were nothing more than rehashes of old melodies—a disgrace to the Music Club. Talent should go to those who will use it, not squander it. Finally, Patience arrived.

“Patience, is the score for the new song finished?”

Even though I wanted to see the score as soon as possible, Princess Margaret cautioned me—perhaps because she had already heard it herself. If our positions were reversed, I would’ve pounced on it too.

“Albert, calm yourself a little.”

Princess Margaret loves music from the heart. But those three foolish girls were intolerable.

“I wonder if it is quite right for only Lady Patience to announce new songs so often?”

“Princess Margaret, Lady Patience must be getting tired as well,” they said.

I saw through their rotten motives—they wanted to curry favor with Princess Margaret, who was enamored with Patience’s talent. You sycophants.

“Don’t say such foolish things. This is a club where we compete in musical talent. Lady Catherine, Lady Harriet, Lady Liliana—why don’t you simply submit several new songs yourselves?”

Faced with my sound logic, the three fought back with emotional arguments. Do they have no brains? I found myself in a heated debate despite myself; I have no desire for such low-level squabbles.

“Patience, you look bored. Play the new song on the Hanon.”

Princess Margaret must have been fed up with them too. She ordered Patience to play—there was no point in dealing with people like that.

I sat and prepared my heart to listen. The previous pieces had been light, bright, and wonderful. Would this one be the same? My heart pounded with anticipation.

Even the three complainers sat down. All right, Patience—play!

This was a heavenly melody. What a beautiful, radiant piece. Is Patience the incarnation of the Goddess of Music?

The melody sank into my chest, and I couldn’t move even after it ended. Ah, I want to spend my life with this music.

“Patience, won’t you marry me!”

I knelt before her, kissed the hand that had played that brilliant melody, and proposed. With this, I could live alongside that magnificent music. Patience blushed, likely from embarrassment. Father, too, would be awestruck by Patience’s talent and would surely grant permission for the marriage.

“Albert, don’t take my lady-in-waiting.”

Yet Princess Margaret rejected me. Why?

“Catherine, Harriet, Liliana—you must also create new songs that aren’t inferior to Patience’s.”

On this point, Princess Margaret was correct; even those three foolish girls nodded in silence.

“Um, I have a request, if I may? I am good at coming up with new phrases, but I am not very good at polishing them into a full piece or writing them down as a score.”

Patience—what are you saying!

“That’s right. You should provide the phrases to everyone and have them complete the new songs,” the Princess suggested.

That would be a waste of Patience’s ideas—throwing pearls before swine. To cast the seeds of a magnificent song into the gutter!

What a tragedy. Princess Margaret granted permission because she wanted to hear many new songs. Ah, I must watch closely to ensure those three foolish girls don’t ruin Patience’s melodies.

I know! I’ll invite Father to the Aoba Festival. He will undoubtedly fall in love with Patience’s talent. I’ll be a dutiful son for once and have Father become the patron to open a music salon for Patience and me in Romano.

the Music Club’s presentation of new songs at the Aoba Festival was magnificent. I hadn’t experienced such a wonderful presentation since I joined the club.

I performed my virtuoso piece, as well as Patience’s “Minuet” and “Eine Kleine.” Father was so moved he shouted, “Bravo!” I felt a bit embarrassed, but it stemmed from a shared love of music.

Honestly, I wonder why Princess Margaret’s schoolmates were even chosen. They threw a tantrum demanding to see the Knight Club’s matches—I can’t see the appeal—and moved their new song presentations to the afternoon. They’re likely chasing after Percival of the Knight Club, but he isn’t the type to indulge foolish women. Shouldn’t they, as Princess Margaret’s schoolmates, spend the Aoba Festival with her? Patience stood beside Princess Margaret as her lady-in-waiting; those three could learn a thing or two from her.

The Chorus Club’s presentation was, in a word, pathetic. I don’t understand singing such stale, old songs. On top of that, they even complained to the Student Council that the Music Club’s afternoon presentation ran a bit long. Because of them, several people could only perform one song. They do not love music. Marcus Lambert is in my Class A; he’ll be dissatisfied with that stale Chorus Club. I’ll prod him a bit.

After the Aoba Festival came the final exams. I’ll obtain my certifications in dull subjects like Law and Administration and spend my free time immersed in music.

During summer vacation, the Queen’s party decided to stop by the Laforêt estate on their way to the Summer Detached Palace. Father and Brother were busy with preparations; I only needed to greet them on the day and share lunch.

Oh—Patience is here. She was invited to the Summer Detached Palace as Princess Margaret’s lady-in-waiting. She needs a break like this, considering she’s bullied by those three foolish girls.

Father escorted Queen Victoria into the mansion. Brother hosted Prince Richard and Prince Keith. Since I’m in the same Music Club as Princess Margaret, I was ordered to host her.

“I am thinking of having Patience learn the lute.”

Oh, excellent!

“Learning the lute will broaden her range in composition.”

Patience is skilled at the Hanon, but she can’t play other instruments. That must be corrected. That natural gift must be nurtured.

The luncheon ended without incident. Since Mother has passed, Father and Brother worried about properly hosting the Queen, so I was relieved.

“It was delicious. And it was a lovely performance,” the Queen said as she stood. Now, finally, summer vacation. Until now, the mansion had been so noisy I couldn’t concentrate on music.

Patience was about to board the carriage. I had to be clear.

“Patience, you must compose many new songs during summer vacation.”

“It’s the student from back then!” Father started fussing. Had he not noticed? Father is even more of a music-idiot than I am. If Patience isn’t at the Hanon, he likely can’t identify her.

“Albert, who is that child?”

Does he not even remember being introduced?

“That is Patience Granger.”

Brother remembered. Yes—this secures the House of Laforêt. In other words, he will take care of me.

“Did Patience compose those magnificent new songs from the Aoba Festival? I thought your virtuoso piece was wonderful as well. However, I have never heard such light-hearted, cheerful melodies or a ‘Minuet’ that cleanses the soul.”

Father was full of praise. With this, he surely won’t object if I ask for Patience’s hand in marriage.

“If you are so fond of her, why not take her as your second wife?”

I was stunned. What on earth was my brother—whom I thought the only sensible person in the house—saying!

“That is… the age gap is a bit too wide. I know! How about hiring her as a court musician?”

Ah—that path might work. If we make Patience our family’s musician, we’ll always be with that music. Brother was setting boundaries before Father could fall too deeply. There’s no way Brother would accept a stepmother seven years younger than himself.

I wonder if it would work if she were my wife? Brother will be a tougher opponent to persuade than Father. Patience is still just a ten-year-old child. I shall think on it further in the future. I am called an eccentric by students who do not understand a love for music, but I am not a pervert who lays hands on a ten-year-old. I proposed, but marriage will be after graduation.