/
“What kind of violin is that, Ethan Bronte?”
Nereus asked, raising one eyebrow.
Ethan smiled at him and bowed his head toward the people.
“I apologize to everyone who has been waiting. As you can see, I don’t think I will be able to present the song I promised you right away due to my carelessness.”
Dorothea looked at his violin, which had broken strings.
‘I’ve seen a lot of Ethan’s violins until now, but this was the first time I’d seen it like that.’
This is because Ethan, with his unique delicacy, took great care of his instruments.
‘Besides, how can the strings break like that before the concert even starts?’
Unless he’d scratched something sharp on the violin or hit it hard, but there’s no way he could do that.
“You don’t even carry spare strings?”
Nereus asked, and Ethan shook his head.
“I always put it in my case and carry them around, but today, strangely, they all disappeared and only the G-string was left here.”
“How can you be so ignorant of instrument maintenance? isn’t that a disqualification as a musician?”
Ethan nodded at Nereus’ sarcastic remarks.
“You’re right. It was my mistake.”
‘I should have expected someone to do something dirty.’
Ethan looked at Nereus and continued.
“I apologize to the other musicians and ask for your patience as I search for spare strings. As an apology for my carelessness, I thought I’d play something else while we wait if that’s okay?”
“Are you going to play that violin now? With only one string?”
“Isn’t it the charm of string instruments that you can make many sounds with just one string, Prince Nereus?”
Ethan then turned to the people, as if asking for permission.
They applauded, encouraging him to play.
Acknowledging the audience’s welcome, Ethan bowed politely and arranged the strings of his violin, tucking the violin between his shoulders and chin.
Then he placed the bow on a single thin string and gently pushed the sound into the air.
Then, the note changed from one string to create a soft melody.
The sound focused on one string spreads with a clear and delicate tone.
Even if the position of the finger was changed a little could throw a note off by half-tone and his fingers clearly pointed out each note.
Although it started slowly and quickly accelerated, he didn’t lose his smile and played the song leisurely.
The crowd listened as Ethan skillfully plucked at a single string.
Nereus realized that Ethan wasn’t just playing the violin as a hobby or for show.
It’s no wonder that he was invited to a royal orchestra somewhere. A talent cherished by Countess Duncan, who loves music.
Even Dorothea, who doesn’t know much about music, was amazed at Ethan playing with a single string.
When he finished his performance perfectly, people applauded excitedly.
“What is this song?”
“I’ve never heard a performance like this in my life!”
Not only the perfection of the performance itself but also the unique aspect of playing with one string attracted people’s attention.
But Nereus already knew what he was playing.
“It’s Solganini’s ‘Meso Fantasia’.”
“That’s right. It’s a very interesting song. It’s also a song where you can feel the charm of the violin.”
When Nereus answered correctly, Ethan put down his violin and smiled.
The Meso Fantasia was a variation of a theme from an opera song by Solganini, known as the virtuoso of the century.
TL: A virtuoso is a person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit.
A song that contains all kinds of techniques that can be shown with a single string.
Aside from the richness of the song, it was a perfect performance for a show that would make waiting time enjoyable.
“When did you start learning the violin?”
“I think before I was born
?”
Ethan jokingly answered Nereus’ thorny question.
Nereus’ expression frowned, but Ethan’s words were not lies.
It is because he played the violin quite well even before his return.
He also liked the piano, but the easy-to-carry violin became his friend to fill his free time.
Being an illegitimate child who couldn’t go out in social circles, all he could do was spend time with the books and instruments in the wealthy duke’s house.
‘I didn’t go to school or meet anyone, so I was able to practice for eight hours a day at any time.’
However, he had no desire to make a name for himself as a musician, and the Duke and Duchess thought of musical instruments as an education, not as a way to present him to the world as a musician, so he never dreamed of becoming one.
Besides, it was more fun to hear compliments like, ‘that an amateur, not a professional, is at this level!’
After his social debut and falling for Dorothea, he always played the violin.
After returning, the first thing he grabbed as soon as he entered the duke’s family was a violin bow.
‘I played the violin and the piano whenever I had time to get rid of complex thoughts.’
It was a little difficult to build a body suitable for playing, but the violin was one of his few hobbies, and he used to play the violin for four or five hours whenever he had time.
‘If I simply count the number of years
It’s been over 30 years, isn’t it?’
Almost 20 years before his return, and well over 10 years after his return.
’30 years is a long period even if there is a period of neglecting violin practice.
As he counted the time, he suddenly felt old.
“Ethan Bronte!”
Then the host called him from under the stage.
Fortunately, he seemed to have gotten a replacement string while he was playing.
“Then I will prepare the next song soon, so please wait for a moment.”
Ethan apologized to the audience and went down from the stage to change the strings.
* * *
A few minutes later, Ethan, who changed the strings and came back up again, skillfully played the next song that was scheduled.
He made eye contact with Dorothea several times while playing.
They had to hold back from smiling when they made eye contact without anyone knowing.
Since other people were watching, they had to be careful with their facial expressions.
Fortunately, Dorothea wasn’t the only one who seemed mesmerized by Ethan.
The women who gathered there, and even the men, were mesmerized by his performance.
In the enchanting and elegant melody of the violin, Ethan’s beauty shone more splendidly.
His long, smooth fingers, his luscious silver hair waving softly like a dance, and his thick eyelashes gently fall down. Deep eyes soaked in the melody.
His performances were completely artistic, both visually and aurally.
TL: Aurally is relating to the ear or the sense of hearing.
When his performance was over, everyone gave a standing ovation.
After Ethan left the stage, the applause continued for several minutes.
Some even ran behind the stage where Ethan had left, handed him the bouquets they had prepared in advance, and gave him presents.
Just by looking at it, it was as if Ethan had won an international competition, not just finished his performance.
The music performance was a success, and Ethan’s popularity didn’t fade even at the small party held after the music performance.
Ethan followed Dorothea with his eyes, even though he was surrounded by others.
Dorothea pretended not to be interested in Ethan and chatted with others, but then glanced at him and looked away again.
That brief eye contact was both breathtaking and dizzying.
‘If I keep it a secret, what will be the excuse for meeting the princess in the future
?’
Ethan’s attention was focused on Dorothea in the midst of people’s attention.
“Ethan
”
Ethan was lost in thought and a familiar voice called out to him.
When he turned around, Monica Aponita was there.
“Oh, Lady Monica.”
Ethan looked at her with a cold expression on his face. Because he didn’t have to be nice to her anymore.
‘Besides, I don’t want to be misunderstood by Dorothea.’
“Today’s performance was really good.”
At Monica’s praise, Ethan nodded his head once.
“I’m going back to Hark
.”
“Oh, I see. Please return carefully.”
It was a quicker return than expected, but Ethan didn’t ask why.
He could only assume it was because she was uncomfortable to be in Lampas with Nereus.
Monica licked her lips as if she had something to say, then slowly opened her mouth.
“The princess is so beautiful that I can’t compare her to me, so I think I can understand why Ethan likes her.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t worry
 I’m not going to go around talking about it. However, if you ever come to Hark in the future, please stop by my house.”
Ethan nodded his head at Monica’s words.
‘So
Does that mean you really liked me?’
Then a servant came to Ethan.
“Prince Nereus wants to see you for a moment.”
At the name of Nereus, Monica flinched again.
“I’m sorry, but the others find me first, so tell him I can’t come.”
When Ethan refused at once, the servant was astonished as if he had not expected it.
‘Did he think I would come if he called me after my violin strings had been broken by him?’
“He said that he would make a good offer to you.”
“Even if that’s a very good offer, could you please tell him I’ll politely decline?”
Not even hearing what the offer was, Ethan declined with a smile.
Then Monica gently tapped him.
“I think you should go.”
Considering Nereus’ personality, Monica gently recommended meeting him.
If he continues to refuse like this, things may become more troublesome.
And if the servant told Nereus that Ethan hadn’t come because he was talking to Monica, things would get even more complicated.
Finally, Ethan sighed and nodded.
* * *
“It’s a great performance. It wasn’t a false rumor.”
Ethan’s eyebrows twitched slightly at the uncharacteristic praise.
His eyes were quite favorable, unlike before.
“Why didn’t you join an orchestra or a music club and hold a music performance with this skill?”
He would have achieved great fame if he held a violin and toured the aristocrats who liked music.
He must have made a lot of money, and he must have enjoyed a life of luxury that everyone would envy.
“I just want to enjoy it as a hobby.”
“Don’t lie. It’s more than just a hobby.”
“With all the time and money I have, I take my hobbies a little too seriously.”
Ethan smiled at him.