Ch.310102. Like a Thorn Caught (3)

They say my father died heroically in battle against the Demon King.

This seemed to be something that I, in my current state, was trying to bury with both pride and sorrow.

…And the head of the Esdina family, who should have died in battle, was very much alive.

Thanks to that, the Seras-Eras sisters were enjoying peaceful daily lives under both parents, unlike the reality I had known.

In the case of the Imperial couple, since they were told it would be difficult to guarantee another child after giving birth to Elhermina, she alone had firmly established her position as the eldest legitimate daughter… but her health was not particularly good.

So the Emperor, who felt some sort of debt toward my father, had suggested that I become his adopted son, but I had politely declined.

Then, as if he had been waiting for this, he steered the conversation toward the idea of an engagement with Elhermina, which happened several years ago.

…The memories from here now come back as vividly as reality.

Rather, because of that, the sense of reality worn down and eroded by time, or emotions, are incomparably different from my original self.

The fact that I couldn’t find meaning in playing the lute or guitar… was probably because I didn’t have the leisure to savor and enjoy it within myself.

But now, it’s different.

“How long have you been learning… and already at that level…?”

When I skillfully performed in front of Seras and Elhermina, everyone was so surprised their mouths fell open.

As that rumor spread, I eventually held a small concert for the elders, and the response was quite good.

“What’s this, Kariel? You rascal! How have you been hiding such talent?!”

Uncle Bariel slapped my back repeatedly with his large hand.

“The playing technique itself is so… refined? Minstrels wouldn’t dare play in front of him.”

Aunt Nedes, who had come to the capital after a long time, seemed to have enjoyed it quite a bit, offering generous praise.

“It seems you’re not just known for your looks but also possess such talent… Kariel, you’re going to make many women cry.”

The current Count Esdina offered such an opinion while clapping his hands up and down in a boisterous yet dignified manner.

“You must not have felt lonely during your time alone.”

His Imperial Majesty didn’t simply praise my skill but acknowledged the effort it took to reach this level.

“Perhaps we should invite a renowned person in this field to be your teacher?”

The Empress encouraged me not to worry about others’ opinions, suggesting I could learn more deeply if I wanted to.

“Why is everyone making such a fuss?”

Only Mother pretended to be embarrassed, repeatedly clearing her throat.

But the momentary wistfulness in her eyes naturally reminded me of whom she was thinking about.

Everyone was intentionally avoiding mentioning it… but it was more out of consideration than discomfort.

“Come to think of it, I remember receiving a gift of an instrument slightly larger than a lute. Yes, a similar instrument.”

When the Emperor recalled this and ordered it to be brought, a servant soon returned with a large lute.

More precisely, it was a guitar.

“Do you think you could handle this?”

“…Just a moment.”

As I held it, reality once again faded like waking from a dream, making the world appear bleached.

“……”

I deliberately pretend not to notice, pretend to bury it, and refine my mind.

Once again, the surrounding scenery and colors return.

Thinking about it, my life has always been gray.

Since when has it been that way?

Black and white.

Those were the only brilliant colors.

Beyond that, gold and mercury.

…Or perhaps the colors of the sea and snow.

Twang—

As I pluck the guitar strings with familiarity, a much heavier sound than the lute emerges.

“……”

As I briefly tune it, something about the feeling must be different, as expectation flashes in the watching eyes.

Twang! Ding! Ping!

After finishing the tuning in a few minutes, I simply start playing a piece as a prelude.

It has no particular name, just a simple tune that the golden one used to pluck when bored, nothing special.

“First…”

Starting with a gentle melody…

Unlike the lute, the guitar could produce melodies and tones that stimulated emotions much more.

That’s probably why the lute is more supplementary, accompanying singing rather than being played solo.

Of course, that’s not an absolute rule.

The guitar’s larger resonance chamber makes it much more suitable for solo performances.

In fact, the volume that spread out was completely different from before.

Unlike my outer self, my current self…

Had a song I’d always wanted to recall.

I had even prepared lyrics for it.

This wasn’t particularly for anyone else…

It just happened.

As if it were natural, as if it had to be that way.

Plucking the strings, unlike the exaggerated style typical of minstrels,

Based on what I learned from the golden one, sometimes constricting my voice, sometimes lowering it,

I produced the proper tone by adding falsetto.

A song.

Surprisingly, this is the first time I’ve sung like this in front of others.

Whether in the outside world or in this world.

And so.

I recited the lyrics while playing the guitar.

Even unseen faces have now grown dim.

There were so many words spoken, so many words heard.

Too heavy and too numerous to read from the book in hand.

Though buried somewhere near my heart.

Barely embracing that blurry image seen in dreams.

Like an echo that returns when called.

I wish you would return like that.

I haven’t forgotten.

That’s why I called out.

Just an empty echo.

Just a blowing wind.

The petals you brought today.

Are they his flower message worrying about our tomorrow?

I’m doing well here, so don’t worry.

Since we’ll meet again someday, let’s gladly smile and live well for that day.

Like dew that falls no matter how much it’s buried, like petals flowing down a river.

Yet we’ll see each other again.

If we don’t forget that place.

Someday, someday.

“……”

After the lyrics, I naturally continue with a monotonous yet somewhat emotionally stirring tone.

Music can control emotions.

Of course, it can also adjust them.

Images seen with the eyes are closer to fixed objects, so even for great masters, it’s difficult to directly control or adjust them.

They might somehow convey their intentions, but even that requires eyes to see.

But music, sound, is different.

It can much more directly, unilaterally break down the doors of others’ reason and emotion.

The fact that the golden one was proficient in music… was surely because that element was essential to the world she constructed and created.

I once thought about learning it too.

Not to do anything to anyone else, but to somehow deal with my own emotions.

More precisely, I wanted to release and fill them, whatever they might be.

“……”

Nothing is eternal.

I intentionally make it feel as though the performance is gradually losing strength, suggesting it will soon end.

As I slow the movement of my fingers plucking the strings and apply less force, the sound becomes like a weakened death cry, like the faint crying of a child growing melancholic.

Afterward, small breathing sounds and faint sobbing… vaguely fill the empty space.

The stage is set.

A son’s dedicatory performance seemingly longing for his father.

…Though not perfectly intentional, I can somewhat guess how this has affected everyone as intended.

I have experienced the various, colorful performances shown by the golden one.

Therefore, no matter what brilliant, diverse experiences I encounter in the world, I can only appreciate, realize, and feel them in a monotonous or bland way.

I don’t particularly resent her.

It’s just that the flatness of my emotional highs and lows isn’t entirely due to emotional wear from countless repetitive situations.

“That song…”

After everyone was awkwardly looking at each other, Mother finally asked gently…

“Did, did you just come up with that?”

While the Empress was expressing her amazement,

Nedes spoke in a somewhat awkward tone, either asking or self-questioning.

“Since the instruments are similar… you can use it right away?”

“…Nedes. Do you treat daggers and longswords the same? Are you suggesting that the tools and methods for throwing spears and hurling stones are the same?”

“No, that’s just a figure of speech. Just saying.”

When Bariel jabbed at her, this time it seemed to hit a nerve as Nedes showed discomfort.

Perhaps she too was quite moved by this song despite appearances.

“……”

Count Esdina and the Esdina sisters around him seemed to have much to contemplate, remaining silent in their thoughts.

The Empress was now comforting Mother, whose eyes had reddened.

“Hmm, I’ll need to keep a close watch on you, El.”

“F-Father?”

The Emperor must have said something frivolous, as his daughter Elhermina’s face was turning bright red.

“Cheating again.”

Dike and several other men seemed to want to say something but found the atmosphere too awkward and difficult to break.

“Enough with the sad stuff, play something upbeat next!”

Ah, when one tactless fellow blurted that out, everyone was about to give him dirty looks.

Still, he had a point.

If the gathering ended with this atmosphere, everyone’s sleep would be not just uncomfortable but restless…

Twang!

“Heh.”

This time, let’s lift the mood a bit.

After playing something exciting and stylish, then…

Screech—

Screeeeech—

“……”

The world turns to ash gray.

Time flows and flows and flows again.

Soon, as if nothing happened…

Before I knew it, Elhermina and I became engaged.

Not long after, we even held a grand wedding ceremony.

Afterward, Elhermina continued to be in poor health.

Although those around us urged that we should at least have an heir, we paid no attention to that and focused on her health.

At some point, when even His Imperial Majesty’s health deteriorated…

The imperial political scene appeared quite precarious.

There, the Emperor makes an extraordinary decision.

Namely…

“I will abdicate. To El.”

“…Your Majesty?”

“Kariel. You will become the princess consort and the regent of this country.”

“But for me to take on that role…”

“Everyone feels indebted to Lueld, so the other ministers won’t be able to refuse this. And… haven’t you filled El’s vacancy well? No one can question your significant role in relations with other countries and in diplomacy.”

Furthermore…

“We will support you from behind until the day you adapt to that position, with our eyes wide open.”

Therefore.

“Do as you wish. Haven’t you yourself proven that your principles and will are both righteous and practical?”

“…Your Majesty.”

“Not immediately. We’ll need at least a year or two to prepare, so just keep it in mind. Wouldn’t it be difficult for you to prepare if it were too sudden?”

The Emperor raised his blue eyes, proving his firm resolve through his gaze.

“El has also agreed to this. So there’s nothing to worry about.”

“……”

At this moment, he was only twenty-three years old.

And at this moment, the entire world lay before his eyes.

As if everyone wanted him to stand in that place.