Chapter 48
If that was the case, I couldn’t let this opportunity slip by. I carefully observed the musical instruments lining the street.
Oh? After walking just a little farther, I found the perfect target.
“Ahem.”
I strolled past an instrument workshop, then spoke as if I had just happened to notice something.
“Oh my, a pi-a-no-for-te. To think I’d see one heeere.”
My voice sounded natural, right?
“Kh—ah, s-sorry, Sophia.”
“Mom, what are you doing?”
…Apparently not. Still, I remained confident.
At my words, the merchant who had been touching the instrument snapped his head up.
“You recognized this…? You know the pianoforte?”
Just as I thought.
The instrument’s proper name was pianoforte. Later, the name would be shortened to piano. It was a keyboard instrument.
Seeing the merchant’s reaction, Owen also showed interest.
“I thought it was a harpsichord. Is it not?”
“They do look similar, don’t they? This is called a pianoforte. It’s a recently developed keyboard instrument. Compared to the harpsichord, it has a wider range and much richer expressive control over volume and dynamics… or so I’ve heard. I only know what I was told.”
I hurriedly added the last part and glanced at Owen, but fortunately, he didn’t seem to think much of it.
The harpsichord was the representative keyboard instrument at this time. But later, the piano would appear and completely take its place. By the time I died in my previous life, the harpsichord had practically vanished.
I’d thought the piano wouldn’t be known in the capital yet—but it had already reached Monterosa.
The merchant stepped closer.
“That’s right, my lady. You’re quite knowledgeable. The pianoforte will definitely become famous in the future. It will surpass the harpsichord and become the standard keyboard instrument!”
Oh ho. Correct answer. This merchant had a good eye.
“How popular is it right now?”
I asked with a little expectation, but unexpectedly, the merchant bowed his head deeply.
“Well… it’s been difficult so far.”
“What? Why?”
“I thought it would become popular quickly since it looks similar to a harpsichord. But apparently, the playing technique is very different from what it seems.”
I nodded. I completely understood the situation. If it had just arrived, there would be no performers and no sheet music yet. Even in my previous life, I’d struggled quite a bit when I first learned the piano.
Which meant—
I was very good at playing the piano.
This was the perfect chance to show my “special skill” to the watchers. After pretending to admire the instrument for a while, I casually made a suggestion.
“If you don’t mind, may I try playing it? I’ve grown interested after hearing your explanation.”
The merchant stared at me blankly.
“You, my lady? Of course, you may do as you wish, but…”
As if to say don’t blame me later, he added a warning.
“It’s harder than it looks, my lady. As I mentioned, while it’s a keyboard instrument, its structure is very different from a harpsichord. Everyone who’s tried it so far has failed.”
“I’m just trying it out.”
When I didn’t seem bothered, the merchant tilted his head.
“I did warn you.”
With that, he began tuning the piano without further complaint. It felt like he was thinking, It’s not selling anyway—might as well let her try.
The piano was close to the main street, making it more noticeable than I’d expected. People who had been listening to our conversation, and those drawn by the large instrument, started gathering around.
Owen stood beside me with his arms crossed.
As I sat on the piano bench and watched the tuning, I spoke.
“What is it, Owen?”
“I didn’t know you liked playing instruments. If I had, I would’ve had one ordered for the ducal estate.”
There was regret in his voice—like a hotel manager disappointed that he hadn’t provided perfect service. I couldn’t help but smile.
“It’s not that I was itching to play or anything. I just wanted to perform once, since we’re in Monterosa.”
My real goal, of course, was appealing to the Dowager.
Glancing around, I saw the watchers who’d been tailing us mixed in with the crowd.
Good. Everything was moving just as I intended.
More people gathered—far more than I’d expected. And none of them knew who I was. The fact that I was just a passing stranger who’d soon disappear actually made me feel more at ease.
While I was momentarily distracted, a man’s voice reached my ear.
“To be honest, I thought you didn’t really like playing instruments.”
It rang clearly, as though there were no other sounds around us.
I laughed as if I’d heard something ridiculous. The eldest daughter of the Bartoli family—famous for its music—didn’t like playing instruments? Who would believe that?
But…
“Actually, that’s true.”
After hesitating for a moment, I admitted it. How did he know? I didn’t think I’d ever shown it.
“I see.”
Owen replied calmly, as if he already knew the reason without me saying it.
It was because I was greedy. I wanted to be good—but no matter what, I couldn’t break past a certain wall.
Among the three Bartoli sisters, I had the best sense of pitch. But that was as far as my luck went. Elouise’s musical talent was overwhelming. You could tell just by listening. It was something effort could never overcome.
I was confident I could work harder than anyone.
“……”
That was why there was a time in my childhood when I avoided instruments altogether. Around this age, I think.
“But once I gave up on wanting to be ‘good,’ it became fun again. As long as I enjoy it, that’s enough.”
I answered in a bright tone. In the end, after many years, I’d returned to music. Just like now—sitting in front of a piano.
“I like it too.”
At the familiar voice, I looked up. The dark-blond man looked calm, yet more serious than anyone.
“What do you like?”
“You—no. I mean, the way you play.”
I blinked a few times, then finally understood what he meant and laughed.
Looking more at ease than before, Owen continued.
“And what if you’re not perfect? No one here would know which part you played wrong anyway.”
That… was true. Just as I was about to accept that, he added,
“Ah—except me, of course.”
What?
I looked up, thinking I’d misheard him—but his expression said otherwise.
I demanded,
“How would you know, Owen?”
He grinned mischievously. Seeing a man sculpted like a statue smile up close was far more shocking than I’d expected. While I was still reeling from that ambush, Owen spoke again.
“When you make a mistake…”
His long finger traced up his smooth nose and tapped the bridge lightly. Leaning closer, he whispered as if sharing a secret only he knew.
“A small wrinkle forms right here for a moment. That’s how I know. Ah, I didn’t realize it, but I must’ve made a mistake just now.”
“I… do that?”
I had no idea. When I asked, he nodded, looking quite amused.
“Yes. Though it doesn’t happen often.”
How did he even notice something like that? And more importantly—when had he ever watched me play?
I wanted to ask, but for some reason I felt shy.
Just then, the piano tuning finished. Instead of answering, I gestured at Owen.
“Go on now, Owen. And… don’t just stare at my face waiting for me to mess up.”
“I’ll do my best.”
As I sent him off, Arne approached instead. The child looked hesitant as he came closer.
“What is it, Arne?”
Since I was sitting on the bench, our eye levels roughly matched. He looked into my eyes and whispered,
“Mom, um…”
“Yes?”
Lowering his voice even more, he asked,
“Can you play the piano?”
“Hm?”
At my reaction, Arne quickly waved his hands.
“I mean—of course it’s okay even if you can’t! I just don’t want that merchant to say, ‘I knew it,’ all smug like.”
Oh dear. That was what bothered him? It wasn’t even that rude of the merchant, really.
Smiling, I replied,
“Well, I don’t know—but it sounds fun, so I’ll try. You’ll listen carefully, right?”
“Um… yes!”
Arne answered bravely after a moment of doubt, then walked over to Owen, who was standing a few steps away. I watched as the two of them found a spot among the crowd where they could see me clearly.
The stage was set. Now it was my turn.
Come to think of it, this was the first time I’d played an instrument since regressing. A pleasant tension flowed through my body.
The street seemed to grow quiet. Even more so when I placed my hands on the keys.
Thump, thump—
Good. The tuning was perfect. It felt exactly like the piano I used to play before my regression.
Then I could do this.
Taking a deep breath, I began playing the piece most familiar to my hands.
It didn’t take long for people to react.
“Wow, that sounds beautiful.”
“What kind of instrument is that?”
“It looks like a harpsichord, but it’s different.”
The atmosphere quickly grew lively. Some people even began dancing to the music.
The merchant stood there with his mouth hanging open, staring at me. His expression was so funny that I almost burst out laughing.
Wow.
I felt like I was flying. Still playing, I glanced back at the watchers.
They were listening among the crowd—slightly behind me, to the right. Their expressions weren’t bad.
The two exchanged glances, then slipped their hands into their coats.
Like they were about to pull something out.
Wait.
That’s—
A sword?!
