Chapter 39
“…Are you trying to get yourself expelled from here? You know very well that in the Mage Tower, my word is law.”
As Diarmid spoke, his gaze never left the necklace hanging around Jayna’s neck.
“Even if I do get expelled, I can’t help it. This is something as precious as my own life.”
“…Is that so.”
Just as Diarmid rose from his seat, the socketed necklace around Jayna’s neck opened by itself. A melody floated out along with the fragrance of Leshane flowers.
“…Ah.”
Closing his eyes, Diarmid listened quietly to the tune before softly speaking to Jayna.
“Do you know how to play the harpsichord?”
Jayna tilted her head.
Harpsichord… that’s a keyboard instrument, right?
She had played the piano a few times in her previous life, but she had never touched a harpsichord before.
When she shook her head, Diarmid spoke again, as if he had expected that answer.
“If you wish to keep that necklace, then play this song before me. I’ll give you some time.”
Without waiting for a reply, Diarmid turned and stood up. Confused, Jayna blurted out,
“Why are you making such a demand of me?”
For once, Diarmid hesitated before answering.
“…There’s something I need to confirm.”
“I don’t know how to play the harpsichord, though. If you really want to hear this song, wouldn’t it be faster to ask someone else—”
“It wouldn’t mean anything if it isn’t you.”
Because they were both of the dragon race? Or because she was Bezritche’s daughter?
Jayna wanted to ask him so many things, but she couldn’t say a word—she only nodded. After all, she didn’t have a choice.
That night, a maid came to Jayna’s room.
“My lady. The Tower Master sent me to fetch you. Could you spare a moment?”
Led by the maids, Jayna arrived at an enormous, beautiful room.
“The Tower Master said this will be your new quarters, my lady.”
“I’ll be living here… alone?”
As she stood there in a daze, Jayna’s eyes landed on the elegant harpsichord placed at one side of the room. As if drawn by a spell, she approached it and carefully placed her fingers on the keys.
Plink.
Though she had never played one before, after a few tries, a pleasing sound came out.
How strange.
Jayna kept playing for a while, lost in thought.
To think she could play a beautiful instrument like this, in such a lovely room—it felt like a dream. Like receiving a birthday gift she’d always wanted.
She cupped her soft cheeks in her hands. The warmth reminded her that this wasn’t a dream.
I’m happy.
Stretching her small hands, she clenched and unclenched them several times.
Plink, plink, plink.
Listening to the melody from the necklace, Jayna carefully tried to match each note.
But it was hard with her small hands, and the harpsichord wasn’t exactly the same as a piano.
After a while of struggling to move her fingers across the keys, Jayna sighed.
“Whew…”
The tone is different too.
Unlike the piano, the harpsichord had no pedals, so it was difficult to control dynamics.
“The key colors are opposite of the piano’s… so confusing.”
At her muttered words, Izren—who had been nearby—asked,
“Confusing? The harpsichord?”
Since there was no such thing as a “piano” in this world, he probably didn’t understand what she meant.
Jayna nodded.
Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve ever talked to Izren.
“It’s hard to play the harpsichord on my own… I don’t even have a teacher.”
She pressed a few keys as she mumbled,
“If someone could just teach me a little, I think I’d get the hang of it…”
Then she caught herself and froze.
Not only the instrument, but a teacher too…? Am I being greedy?
Jayna clenched her fists and shook her head.
But no matter how much she tried alone, there was no real progress.
Eventually, she gave up on practice and climbed into bed. The bed was so large that she had to crawl on her knees to reach the center.
“Haah… what a crazy day.”
Rolling back and forth on the huge bed, Jayna found it so big that she didn’t even worry about falling off.
“So comfy…”
The bed wasn’t just big—it was luxurious. Soft yet firm, perfectly supporting her small frame. The blankets felt like nothing she’d ever experienced before. She buried her face in them, marveling at the downy texture of her first-ever goose feather duvet.
It makes me sleepy already…
With flushed cheeks, Jayna drifted off to sleep, murmuring even in her dreams—
“All I ever wanted was a little luxury… just a little luxury…”
Watching her quietly, Izren closed the door and left her room. He went straight to the Tower Master’s chambers and bowed.
[She looked happier than I’ve ever seen her before.]
[Did she, now.]
[But it seems she’ll need a harpsichord teacher.]
Diarmid rested his chin on his hand, thinking.
This has never happened before in the Tower…
He tapped his chair lightly, then spoke as if coming to a decision.
“Bring me Michael.”
“What happened between you and the Tower Master? He suddenly told me to find you a music instructor.”
“A music instructor?”
“Yeah, for some weird harpsi… whatever it was. Said he needs some special craftsman for it.”
“Isn’t it forbidden for outsiders to enter the Tower?”
“I dunno. Guess this time’s an exception.”
It was unbelievable.
He’d told her to play the song for him—but to actually assign her a teacher?
And to allow an outsider into the Tower…?
There had never been such a precedent.
The maids who worked there all bore magical seals on their bodies: marks that would cause them to explode if they ever revealed Tower secrets to the outside world. Even with enormous pay, most people refused to work there for that reason.
Well, it’s not like anyone would volunteer anyway.
Jayna was curious about Diarmid’s sudden change, but she decided not to dwell on it. No one would risk their life to teach her, after all.
But soon after, Michael brought unbelievable news.
A young noblewoman was coming to the Tower—to teach Jayna the harpsichord.
The pay must be high enough to tempt even nobles.
Jayna tilted her head.
No… it’s probably because of the Tower Master.
After all, a connection with the Tower Master was something money and power couldn’t buy.
Many nobles longed to meet him, but Diarmid was neither social nor easy to approach. So if there was a legitimate way to see him often… any noble family would gladly send their daughter.
…Just how important is this necklace?
Jayna looked down at it.
If Diarmid was breaking Tower rules to bring in an outsider, then there must be some hidden secret behind this necklace—something she didn’t know.
Could Bezritche have encoded something into the music?
She clenched her fists tightly.
The seriousness of the situation was finally sinking in.
For someone who could barely stand to look at her to go this far—it had to be something crucial.
Perhaps once it was all over, he’d try to silence her. Maybe by using magic himself, or ordering Hilvencia to kill her…
Should I say I can’t do it?
But Jayna quickly shook her head.
There was no way she’d hand over her mother’s keepsake.
And besides, she was going to die in a few years anyway. Whether it came sooner or later didn’t matter.
Yes… all I can do is give it my best, no matter what happens.
She reminded herself of the vow she’d made when she first entered the Tower.
There was no point worrying about tomorrow—time was too short for her.
When Jayna returned to her room, a young lady was waiting for her.
“My name is Charlotte de Marjanson. The Tower Master told me you wished to learn music?”
Her wavy brown hair shimmered, and her gentle eyes gave her a graceful, noble air. She was every bit the refined daughter of an aristocratic house.
“Yes, that’s right. My name is Jayna. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Indeed. Lady Jayna, our family has long served Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Prince…”
The moment Jayna greeted her, Charlotte launched into an introduction about her lineage. The story was long and elaborate, but in short—it was a warning that Jayna should listen carefully, since she was being taught by a lady from a great and prestigious family.
“…So, Lady Jayna, you must follow my guidance well.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll do my best.”
“I expect you to keep that promise, student.”
As soon as Jayna nodded, Charlotte switched to calling her “student.”
“So then, why do you want to learn the harpsichord, student?”
Jayna didn’t mind the arrogant tone. Her heart was racing at the thought of learning from a real teacher, regardless of manners.
“Well then, let’s see your skill first, shall we?”
Jayna quietly sat down at the harpsichord.
“The Tower Master told me to play this song.”
With that, she opened the necklace.
Immediately, Bezritche’s melody filled the quiet room.
