A serene atmosphere enveloped the luxurious space. The soft moonlight seeping through the window enhanced the tranquility around.
“Wow… I didn’t know there was a place like this inside.”
As I followed the guide and walked through the spacious mansion for a while, I arrived deep within to Viviana’s private space.
A lavish carpet laid on pristine white marble created a soft floor, and although there were no extravagant decorations, delicately crafted furniture was orderly arranged.
In this mystifying and dreamlike space, Viviana, with her mouth slightly agape, struggled to speak.
“Don’t expect much. I’m not very good at it.”
“Yes, Your Highness! I simply want to see you play.”
With a smile blooming on my lips, Viviana rose from the sofa and quietly sat at the piano. The atmosphere about her as she sat at the piano was distinctly different from before. Unlike her usual strong aura, Viviana now radiated a serene vibe.
She always wore a mischievous and relaxed smile, but seated at the piano, her laughter transformed into a gentle, natural smile. I found myself standing at a distance, blinking in awe at her contrasting demeanor.
‘…She’s really serious about the piano.’
I lost count of how many times I experienced a bad ending because I neglected that darn piano. But luckily, the Viviana of now, regularly practicing the piano, seemed unlikely to fall into corruption.
Taking a short breath, Viviana slowly placed her hands on the keys. The moment her fingers pressed down, a crisp and clear sound resonated.
With that first note, Viviana’s fingers began to dance across the keys. Slowly yet swiftly, softly yet splendidly, her fingers glided as if they were dancing beautifully over the keyboard.
While her playing wasn’t worthy of applause at a grand level, the harmony between Viviana’s noble figure and the music produced created a breathtaking scene.
And the melodies that followed were undoubtedly beautiful. They captivated me to the point that I almost lost myself in the enchanting music.
‘This is totally different from the game.’
In the game, Viviana playing the piano was merely a means to lower the corruption gauge, nothing more.
But hearing her play right in front of me made it impossible to not feel the reality of it. For Viviana, whose daily life revolved around slaying enemies and engaging in politics, the piano was her only source of happiness and solace.
‘I want to hear it up close.’
I rose from the sofa and, entranced, walked toward Viviana’s music. Normally, she would have sensed my approach immediately, but it seemed she was too engrossed in her piano playing to notice me.
I pulled a backless chair closer to her side. Resting my arms on the piano stand, I looked up at Viviana as she played. She momentarily looked startled by my gaze but continued her performance without missing a beat.
As each note floated gently, enjoying the soft melody, Viviana’s fingers came to rest on the final note and slowly lifted away from the keyboard.
“…How was it?”
Viviana asked me. Her expression remained unchanged, but I could catch a hint of expectation in her eyes. As usual, with a touch of sincerity, I gave her a playful smile.
“I think I’ve fallen for you, Viviana.”
“…You don’t have to flatter me, Young Lady. Other nobles might not know, but I’m not particularly fond of it.”
“Why do you think it’s flattery?”
I held her gaze without wavering. It was Viviana who turned her eyes away first under my intense stare.
“Hehe… Your Highness seems confident in every aspect except when it comes to the piano.”
“…It’s not exactly like that…”
“It was truly beautiful. It’s the best performance I’ve ever heard. This is not a lie; it’s genuine.”
Viviana raised one eyebrow slightly and looked at me. I met her amethyst gaze unflinchingly. After staring at me for a while, she swept her hair back and responded.
“…Thank you.”
“I’m the one who should thank you for playing. Could you please play for me again sometime?”
“If that’s what the Young Lady desires.”
It’s a lie that I’ve fallen, but it’s true that I enjoyed the piano performance. It was just a moment, but I found myself entranced, lost in her music.
“You’ve worked hard all this time, Viviana.”
“Huh?”
She raised an eyebrow in confusion, as if she didn’t understand my sudden words.
“I could feel it while listening to your performance. I could sense how difficult your life has been and how weary you have grown.”
“…What do you mean?”
“The voice within you came through so clearly in your playing!”
Viviana’s eyes, initially shaken, seemed to express surprise at the thought of her emotions being embedded in her own performance. Naturally, she wouldn’t think that. After all, saying that emotions are clearly expressed in the music was a lie.
To someone like me, who simply sees instruments as just that — instruments — I cannot know how difficult her life is merely through her exceptional playing.
“…I don’t quite understand what you mean, Young Lady.”
“I just have a good ear for music.”
I only knew that Viviana was worn out because the game indicated it. As someone who reincarnated as the daughter of a declining noble family, this was the only advantage I had, and I had to use it.
Viviana was trying hard to ignore it, but the turmoil hidden deep in her amethyst eyes already spoke the truth. I leaned closer to her piano chair, smiled softly, and opened my arms toward her.
“Come here, will you?”
“What?”
Viviana frowned at my overly casual way of speaking. Regardless, she was a noble living in a different realm. Normally, I wouldn’t want to upset her mood, but now that I noticed she had an affinity for me, I felt no need to reserve myself.
“I just want to hug you. I want to provide you with some comfort.”
“…Huh?”
Did I touch a nerve? Viviana’s eyes had grown significantly colder compared to when she played the piano.
“Young Lady, I think you’re misunderstanding something. I’m not weak enough to seek solace in someone else’s embrace. And I’m not even struggling to that degree.”
I shuddered at Viviana’s icy tone. With trembling eyes, I began to back away slowly, my voice turning pitiful.
“…Is that so? I just thought… you looked sad, and this is all I could think of to help. I apologize if I caused any trouble.”
“…”
“I won’t do that again; I’m really sorry…”
“Huh.”
What was it this time that displeased her? Viviana grabbed my wrist, her face now twisted with frustration.
“Why are you running away? I didn’t say that to make you apologize.”
“But still. You look angry, Your Highness…”
After a brief pause, Viviana hesitated, took a deep breath, and looked at me with softened eyes.
“I’m not angry. I was just momentarily flustered.”
“Can I not comfort you, Viviana?”
“…”
I carefully stared at her again, opening my arms. Unlike before, my arms trembled slightly, but that seemed to provoke more of her feelings.
“…Do you really want to hug me that much?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, I nodded vigorously. Viviana gazed at me intently and let out another sigh.
“Ugh, fine. This is a first for me, so it’s new.”
With that, Viviana stepped into my embrace. She slowly leaned against my chest, wrapping her arms around my waist. If I had a larger chest like a mother’s, I could have welcomed her comfortably, but unfortunately, this body is quite lean.
“…Hehe.”
I smiled broadly as I welcomed Viviana. Gently cradling her head with my hands, I patted her back.
“I heard you’ve been going to the front line every month to fight. I can’t imagine how heavy the burden must be on you.”
“It’s fine. Dealing with paperwork is way more annoying than slaying enemies.”
“You always stain your blade with the blood of men to protect the people of the Empire. If I were you, I would crumble under the burden of guilt.”
“….”
In fact, one of the many paths to Viviana’s downfall sparked from taking too many lives. Even she, known as the ‘vile fiend of the battlefield’, felt the weight of her soul.
“Viviana, you haven’t done anything wrong. You’re only sacrificing yourself to protect me and all the citizens of the Empire.”
Though no reply came, I continued to speak.
“No one thinks your struggles are a given. If I were in your place, I would run away to the center of the Empire for a safe life.”
“But you’re always fighting… I feel endlessly grateful yet saddened by your dedication. It seems like you’re sacrificing yourself.”
“I wish you could rest a little… It would be nice if, as a Princess, you could cast aside your burdens and just be at ease…”
“Ooh! Would you like to go to the sea together sometime? I know a great spot. I bet the sound of the blue waves and tides would bring you some peace.”
“Or I know a truly delicious pastry shop; we should visit it together sometime. Wouldn’t sweet treats improve your efficiency?”
“I don’t know if these will comfort you or not… but if you lean on me whenever you’re struggling, I promise to embrace you a hundred times.”
“I hope you think of me as your pet. If you wish, I want to be your sanctuary at any time.”
“Oh, and I meant what I said earlier about falling for you while you were playing the piano. It was truly beautiful.”
“…Your Highness?”
“Are you perhaps asleep? Should I sing you a lullaby?”
“Oh, wait. Can I keep hugging you like this?”
“Hehe, thank you.”
“…Your Highness.”
“I’m always cheering you on.”
Amid my constant encouragement, Viviana remained silent for a long while.
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