FWDA 56

Chapter 56

When her vision was swallowed by a blinding white light, Jayna lost consciousness—only to find herself seated in a grand, majestic hall when she came to.

Still dazed, she looked around and spotted a pamphlet in a man’s hand nearby.

—Beysarit Annual Concert—

It was only then that Jayna realized Diarmid had brought her to a concert hall.

“Wait… are the Tower Master and I watching a concert alone together?”

“Sit.”
“Ah, yes.”

Startled by the voice beside her, Jayna quickly took her seat.

It was her first time in such a grand concert hall, and she felt awkward, while Diarmid sat in his seat as if he were entirely at home in this elegant setting.

He doesn’t look much like a magician right now…

Here, surrounded by the quiet dignity of the place, he looked more like a performer himself. With his noble features and graceful bearing, even the chilliness he exuded seemed to belong to an artist’s refined temperament.

Sure enough, murmurs began to rise from nearby.

“Wow, he’s handsome… who is he?”
“He doesn’t look like a commoner. Anyone know him?”

Because Diarmid rarely attended social events, few people recognized his face. Everyone merely tilted their heads in curiosity.

His striking features, sculpted jawline, and the way he seemed to command all the light in the dim hall drew every gaze toward him.

“I wonder if he has a lover?”
“With a face like that? No way he doesn’t.”

Despite the whispers, Diarmid stared straight ahead, aloof as a moon untouchable in the night sky. His air of detachment made people hesitant to approach him.

Looking around, Jayna noticed that nearly everyone else had come with family, lovers, or friends.

And here I am, sitting next to the Tower Master, with nothing between us at all…

Next to him, she felt strangely out of place—like a blot of black ink dropped on a pure white canvas.

She couldn’t help wondering why Diarmid had brought her here.

Maybe… because he wanted to spend time with me?

No way. Jayna stifled a laugh at her own ridiculous thought.

He wouldn’t have brought me just because he didn’t want to come alone, either.

It wasn’t like Diarmid to feel lonely or to care about appearances.

Then what’s the reason?

After some thought, Jayna finally reached a conclusion.

Ah, he must have brought me so I could study the harpsichord performance, as a reference for Mother’s piece.

Listening to others perform was just as important for improvement as practicing herself.

Nodding, Jayna finally began to relax.

“Is something wrong?”

She had been muttering to herself when Diarmid spoke without turning his head.

“Ah, it’s my first concert. It’s fascinating.”
“Your first? Do dragons lack culture?”

Jayna almost protested that dragons were deeply artistic by nature, but she stopped herself. Saying so would only make her sound like she was whining about being the odd one out.

“There will be more chances from now on.”

His cool tone could have been either comforting or mocking; Jayna couldn’t tell, so she simply smiled awkwardly.

“That would be nice.”

Not long after she nodded, the concert began.

The first piece was a familiar melody—something even Jayna, who had spent all her time in the Tower, had heard before.

From here, I can see the performer’s hands clearly.

Her seat, just slightly left of center, offered a perfect view of the harpsichordist’s nimble fingers dancing across the keys.

These must be great seats. I wonder how he got the tickets?

Judging by the packed hall, he couldn’t have gotten them at the last minute.

Did he… reserve them in advance just to bring me here?

No way. Jayna couldn’t help but chuckle softly. That was impossible.

The idea of Diarmid planning ahead just for an outing with her—it was absurd.

Focus, Jayna. Stop imagining things.

When a tune she liked came on, she nodded slightly to the rhythm or mimed the motions of playing along with her fingers in the air.

Then, a wistful, tender melody filled the hall.

“Ah…”

This time, unlike before, Jayna froze—her breath caught and her hand covered her lips as her eyes locked on the stage.

“Do you like it?”

Diarmid’s voice came quietly from beside her.

“It’s Frensino’s Nocturne No. 10.”

Jayna startled and turned toward him, but Diarmid continued softly, not waiting for her answer.

“Your mother’s favorite piece.”
“…”
“Seems your tastes are alike.”

Jayna’s eyes widened.

It was the first time he had ever mentioned Bezriche directly.

She knew he must have said it merely to help her interpret the music better—but for some reason, she couldn’t take her eyes off him.

“Wow, that one was amazing!”

A young girl sitting in front of them clapped happily, and her father chuckled beside her.

Their warm, affectionate image reflected faintly in Jayna’s eyes—overlapping with her and Diarmid’s silhouettes.

The sky was a clear blue, sunlight shining brightly one afternoon.

Jayna walked outside the Tower with Hilvenzia, though she kept glancing nervously back.

“Are you sure this is okay?”
“It’s fine. I’ve already cleared it up—no need to worry.”

She had agreed to go on an outing with Hilvenzia after being asked out on a “date.” They’d snuck out without telling Izren, and Jayna couldn’t shake a guilty feeling.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time it’s just the two of us, isn’t it?”
“Yes. And thankfully, that annoying cat isn’t here this time.”
“What ingredient do we need again?”
“Oh, just some lizard tails. They’re easy to get, so we’ll have plenty of time left over. I heard there’s a festival on the way—if we stop by, the timing should work perfectly.”

A few days ago, Hilvenzia had invited Jayna out, saying she needed to buy alchemy materials. Cooped up in the Tower for so long, Jayna happily accepted. Coincidentally, the day of their outing turned out to be the day of the Oddity Festival—something she’d wanted to see.

Jayna found it curious—and a bit suspicious—that Hilvenzia had picked that specific day.

“Dad, let’s go to the Oddity Festival next time!”
“Alright. Then let’s decide what to wear.”

After watching a concert with Diarmid, Jayna had overheard a family in front of her talking about the festival and asked him what it was. Only a few days later, Hilvenzia suddenly invited her out—on the festival day.

Jayna suspected Diarmid might have mentioned it to Hilvenzia, but when she asked—

“Oh my, I had no idea it was the Oddity Festival today!”

Hilvenzia denied it outright, in her usual playful tone.

Jayna didn’t press further. Especially since Hilvenzia had looked so excited and said, “Well then, my dear Jayna simply must wear a festival outfit!”—and promptly bought her several new clothes.

Good thing I didn’t tell anyone I went to the concert with Diarmid.

She hadn’t told Mikael, Hilvenzia, or even Izren about that night.

Normally, she would’ve mentioned it, but she’d felt strangely reluctant. It wasn’t just the image of that affectionate father and daughter she’d seen—it was also because she didn’t want others to get the wrong idea.

After all, dragons didn’t really have a concept of fatherhood.

And Diarmid himself had once accused her of being a child born from Bezriche and another man.

Though they’d begun meeting more often and talking more comfortably, a bond that had been severed couldn’t be mended overnight.

“This outfit doesn’t really suit a festival, does it?”

Lost in thought, Jayna suddenly looked down at herself.

Her small frame was now dressed in luxurious silk clothes.

“Oh dear, then my eyes must be failing me! Is it because I’m getting old…? Perhaps I need glasses after all…”

Hilvenzia, a woman of immense power, sighed dramatically in mock distress.

Jayna couldn’t bring herself to refuse. After all, Hilvenzia was doing this just because she wanted to dress her up.

So Jayna let herself be dragged from one boutique to another, trying on all sorts of adorable outfits.

Unlike Mikael’s taste from the last shopping trip, Hilvenzia’s choices leaned entirely toward cute.

“Oh my, our little lady looks just like a snow fairy!”