Chapter 23: Her playing piano

A luxurious space with a serene atmosphere. The soft moonlight streaming through the window cracks made the surroundings even more tranquil.

“Wow… I didn’t know there was a place like this inside.”

After being guided through the spacious mansion for a while, we arrived at a private area belonging to Viviana.

A luxurious carpet laid over the white marble created a soft floor, and although there were no extravagant decorations, the meticulously crafted furniture was neatly arranged.

In this mysterious and dreamlike space, as if it had sprung out of a painting, Viviana struggled to speak.

“Don’t expect too much. I’m not that good at playing.”

“Lady, I’m simply interested in seeing you play.”

As I said this with a bright smile, Viviana rose from the sofa and gracefully sat in front of the piano. The atmosphere around her was quite different from before. Unlike her usual aura of strength, Viviana now seemed rather serene.

She always had a mischievous and relaxed smile, but the smile she wore now, sitting in front of the piano, was a soft, natural one. I blinked in a daze, stunned by this stark contrast.

‘…She really loves the piano.’

I can’t count how many times I’ve seen her get a bad ending in the game because I didn’t play the piano regularly. But fortunately, the current Viviana seems to play the piano consistently, so she won’t fall into despair.

After taking a short breath, Viviana slowly placed her hands on the keys. As her fingers pressed down, a clear and concise note resonated.

With the first note, Viviana’s fingers began to move. Slow yet fast, soft yet intricate, her fingers danced across the keys as if performing a beautiful dance.

Although the level of her playing was not outstanding enough to warrant high praise, the noble demeanor of Viviana and the resonating sound of the instrument created a beautiful scene.

And the ensuing melody was naturally beautiful. Even I was momentarily entranced by the captivating music.

‘It’s completely different from the game.’

In the game, Viviana’s piano playing was merely a means to lower her corruption gauge, without any deeper significance.

But hearing her play right in front of me, I couldn’t help but realize the truth. For Viviana, who was constantly surrounded by the chaos of politics and battle, the piano was her only happiness and sanctuary.

‘I want to listen from closer.’

I got up from the sofa and walked toward Viviana, drawn by her music. Normally, she would have noticed immediately, but it seemed she was too absorbed in playing to notice me approaching.

I pulled up a backless chair beside Viviana, resting my arm on the piano stand, and laid my head on my arm, gazing up at her. She looked briefly flustered at my gaze but continued playing without stopping her fingers.

As I enjoyed the soft melody, one note at a time, Viviana’s fingers finally played the last note, slowly lifting from the keys.

“…How was it?”

Viviana asked me. Her face showed no difference from usual, but I could detect a faint hint of expectation in her eyes. I smiled with a mix of sincerity and casualness, as I usually do.

“I think I’ve fallen for you, Viviana.”

“…You don’t need to flatter me, Lady. Unlike other nobles, I’m not particularly fond of it.”

“Why do you think it’s flattery?”

I met Viviana’s gaze steadily without wavering. It was she who looked away first under the intensity of my gaze.

“Hehe… Lady, you’re confident in every other aspect, but you seem shy when it comes to the piano.”

“…It’s not like that.”

“It was truly beautiful. It was the best performance I’ve ever heard. This is not a lie, it’s the truth.”

Viviana raised one eyebrow slightly as she looked at me. I did not avoid her violet eyes and met her gaze firmly.

After staring at me for a long time, she brushed her hair back and replied.

“…Thank you.”

“I’m the one who should be thanking you for the performance. Would you play for me again someday?”

“If the Lady wishes.”

While my confession of falling for her was a lie, my appreciation of her piano playing was genuine. Even if only for a moment, I was completely captivated by her performance.

“Viviana, you’ve really been through a lot.”

“Huh?”

Viviana looked puzzled, raising one eyebrow at my sudden statement.

“I could feel it from your performance. How tough your life has been, and how tired you are of it all.”

“…What?”

“Viviana, I could hear the emotions from your heart clearly in your performance.”

“……”

Viviana’s eyes, filled with turmoil, seemed surprised at the suggestion that such feelings were conveyed through her music. Of course, it couldn’t be helped; the statement about emotions being clearly expressed in the music was a lie.

From my perspective, where an instrument is just an instrument, no matter how skilled Viviana’s playing is, I can’t tell how hard her life has been just from that.

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about, my lady.”

“I have a good ear for music.”

The fact that Viviana was exhausted was something I knew simply because it was mentioned in the game. As someone who has possessed the body of a fallen noblewoman’s daughter, this is the only advantage I have, and I must use it.

Viviana pretended not to notice, but the agitation deep in her violet eyes already told the truth. Sticking close to the piano chair, I smiled brightly and opened my arms towards her.

“Come here, please?”

“What?”

Viviana frowned at my informal tone, glaring at me. After all, Viviana is a noblewoman living in a different world from mine. Normally, I wouldn’t have done anything to upset her, but knowing that she had a liking for me, there was no need to be cautious.

“I’ll hold you tight. I want to offer you some comfort.”

“…Huh?”

Did she feel offended? Viviana’s eyes were noticeably colder than when she played the piano.

“My lady, you seem to be mistaken; I’m not so weak that I need to be comforted by being held in someone’s arms. And I’m not troubled enough to need comforting.”

I flinched at Viviana’s cold voice. As her eyes quivered, I slowly stepped back from her and spoke with a sad tone.

“…Is that so? I just thought you seemed sad, and this is all I could do. If I was a bother, I’m sorry.”

“…….”

“I won’t do it again, I’m really sorry…”

“Sigh.”

What had upset her this time? Viviana’s face contorted more harshly as she grabbed my wrist as I moved away.

“Why are you running away? I didn’t say that to get an apology.”

“But… you looked angry…”

At my timid voice, Viviana hesitated for a moment, then sighed deeply and looked at me with a softened expression.

“I’m not angry. I was just a bit taken aback.”

“Can’t I comfort you, Viviana?”

I cautiously looked at her again and opened my arms. Unlike before, my arms were trembling slightly, which somehow stirred Viviana’s emotions.

“…Do you really want to hold me that much?”

I nodded vigorously without a moment’s hesitation. Viviana stared at me intently and finally sighed again, lifting her hands towards me.

“Ah, okay. This is a first for me; it’s new.”

With those words, Viviana came into my arms. She approached slowly, placed her face against my chest, and wrapped her arms around my waist. If I had a fuller figure like my mother, I could have embraced Viviana softly, but unfortunately, this body is quite slender, so that wasn’t possible.

“Hehe.”

I smiled as I held Viviana. I gently cradled her head with both hands and patted her back.

“I heard that Lady Viviana goes to the front lines every month to fight. I can’t even imagine how heavy that burden must be.”

“It’s fine. Handling piles of paperwork is more annoying than cutting down enemies.”

“You’re always getting your sword stained with blood to protect the people of the Empire. If it were me, I’d be crushed by the guilt.”

Indeed, one of Viviana’s many routes to corruption occurred when she took too many lives. Even someone known as the demon of the battlefield to the enemy still felt the weight of her actions.

“Lady Viviana, you’ve done nothing wrong. You’re just sacrificing yourself to protect all of us in the Empire.”

Though there was no response, I continued to speak alone.

“No one thinks that Lady Viviana’s suffering is a given. If I were in your shoes, I would’ve fled to the heart of the Empire to live a safe life.”

“But you always fight… I’m endlessly grateful for your dedication, but it’s also heartbreaking. It feels like you’re sacrificing yourself.”

“I hope you can rest a little… It would be nice if you could lay down the burdens of being a lady and be at ease.”

“Oh! Would you like to go to the sea with me sometime? I know a great place. I’m sure the blue waves and the sound of the ocean would bring you some peace.”

“Or there’s a really good dessert shop I know of; we should go together sometime. Don’t you think sweet treats would boost your productivity?”

I don’t know if these things can comfort you, but if you’re ever struggling, lean on me. I’ll hug you a hundred times if that’s what it takes.”

“I wish you’d think of me as a pet. Whenever you want, I want to be your sanctuary.”

“………”

“Oh, and I meant it when I said I was enchanted by your piano playing earlier. It was truly beautiful.”

“…..”

“…My lady?”

“….”

“Are you sleeping? Should I sing you a lullaby?”

“…..”

“Oh, you’re not. Then, can I keep holding you like this?”

“Hehe, thank you.”

“…My lady.”

“I’m always cheering for you.”

At my constant encouragement,

Viviana remained silent for a while.