“What a waste. If he were a commoner, I’d make him my aide right away.”
He had become the head of his family and inherited the position of Chancellor, but the label of having the worst work capacity always followed him. Since he had chosen swordsmanship as a means to surpass his outstanding brothers, it was only natural that his administrative skills were lacking. How wonderful it would have been if swordsmanship skills were proportional to administrative ability.
Ultimately, he had to wear his sword to hide his inadequacies and raise his voice to maintain a tough exterior. He feared that the officials in the Chancellor’s Office would look down on him otherwise. However, his habit of working while armed caused the staff he encountered dozens of times a day to gradually distance themselves from him. As the Chancellor who needed to grasp and handle many tasks, the people who were supposed to support his work had disappeared.
But this child currently standing before him… This child did not fear him.
“He has grit. He’s firm.”
He didn’t get scared. He didn’t shrink back at rough language, and despite being in a superior’s office, he maintained a relaxed demeanor with a faint smile on his lips.
“You’ve been showing off quite a bit since the start of your successor training.”
“It was only possible because you trusted me and gave me this position.”
Dien, feeling embarrassed by the man’s intense gaze, scratched his cheek.
“I’ve heard the stories. I heard you made a fool of the guards during their induction ritual… Seeing you in person, I understand why.”
Rumors are inflated, and words are distorted. Dien had no memory of toying with anyone, but to them, he had already become a legendary noble who had humiliated the security guards.
“Ha ha ha. My memory and the rumors seem to differ.”
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m praising you right now, Young Lord Dien. You are the only person since the founding of this kingdom to humiliate the guards during their induction.”
“Since you call it praise, I will accept it with gratitude.”
The more they spoke, the more Persian Cherbil liked Dien. He possessed appropriate etiquette and a modesty that was never excessive. Persian Cherbil took a seat opposite Dien and spoke.
“What kind of administrator do you think is a good administrator?”
“An administrator who complies with the law, is fair and just, and is diligent in every matter.”
“Then what direction do you think the Chancellor’s Office should take for the sake of the kingdom?”
“In accordance with policy—construction, diplomacy, culture…”
“Hahaha, I asked for your opinion, not what they teach you at the Academy.”
Laughing briefly, Persian Cherbil cut Dien off and rose from his seat. He hadn’t felt any particular inspiration from the answer.
“I’m asking too much on your first day at the palace.”
Seeing Persian Cherbil like that, Dien spoke again.
“If you are asking for my opinion…”
Persian Cherbil stopped in his tracks at Dien’s words.
“An administrator must have an attachment to their work. They must delve deeper into the task than anyone else, and their pride should be wounded if someone points out a flaw in their work.”
A moment of silence followed. Persian Cherbil asked again.
“Then, which direction should the Chancellor’s Office go?”
“The direction will be decided by you, Count. Whatever it is, I am sure it will be a path for the people of the kingdom.”
He pushed the answer back to him.
“How cheeky.”
Persian Cherbil chuckled at Dien’s bold opinion.
“His firmness comes from this kind of thinking.”
Seeing Dien’s attitude toward work, one thing was certain. If one becomes attached to their work, their skills improve and pride develops. Since they stop worrying about what others think, they naturally become a confident and firm person. Persian Cherbil felt that Dien might have a deeper pride in being an administrative official than even he did.
“Do you know who the final approving authority of the Chancellor’s Office is?”
“It is Count Persian Chervil, who stands before me.”
Dien bowed his head slightly.
“Then you must also know that I can give you orders in an official capacity.”
“Of course.”
“From your next successor lesson onward, you will study here in my private office. Any objections?”
What was this about?
Dien’s thoughts momentarily stalled at Persian Cherbil’s sudden remark, and he was flustered.
“Well, that’s… I…”
Having finished his piece, Persian Cherbil grabbed the doorknob of his office. He had unilaterally ended the conversation. Receiving one last intense look from Persian Cherbil, Dien hurriedly stood up and bowed.
“I’ll see you in my office from now on.”
Those were his final words.
“Sigh… This is going to be a headache.”
After the man left, Dien held his head in his hands.
“This has become exhausting.”
Being under his father was one thing, but being directly under the head of the Chancellor’s Office, Count Persian Cherbil, was a matter on a completely different level. Furthermore, under such a blunt superior, it was certain that every word and action would have to be calculated, and his fatigue would surely skyrocket.
“Surely he wouldn’t point a sword at me just for not working well…”
Dien was not ignorant of Persian Cherbil’s notorious reputation. Just the thought of facing him already made the back of Dien’s neck feel stiff.
***
“The first day was intense…”
He had vowed never to work overtime in this life, but he had already far exceeded his clock-out time on the very first day of his successor training. Was he born with a curse of overwork even in this world?
“Hey, don’t say such unlucky things!”
From next time, he would definitely leave on time. He would keep telling Persian Cherbil that this was still training and that he hadn’t been officially commissioned yet. Surely the man wouldn’t pressure him too much, considering his young age.
“Lord Dien!”
As he reached the castle gate, Nue waved her hand happily. Seeing her face was quite a relief. That was how exhausting today had been.
“Nue! Have you been waiting long?”
“It’s fine! It’s my job!”
Dien, who secretly appreciated her coming to meet him, flashed a bright smile.
“Is today the day?”
“Yes, that’s right!”
The two of them headed toward the workshop without needing to say who should go first. The closer they got to the workshop, the faster his heart raced. Today was the day he would receive the guitar he had ordered.
“Did you bring the payment?”
“Of course.”
Nue took two gold coins from her pocket and showed them.
“Great job, Nue! If the item is good, let’s go straight to the Central Plaza and perform.”
“Really? Can I hear your violin playing again? Wow!”
Nue clasped her hands together, her eyes shining.
“Of course! From now on, I’m going out to perform every night. You come along too if you want, Nue. But no more shell games, okay?”
“Lord Dien! I told you I’m not doing that anymore!”
Dien laughed aloud at Nue’s indignant reaction.
“By the way, Lord Dien… the workshop artisan said the instrument you ordered wasn’t a violin. He said it’s an instrument he’s never seen before…”
“That? Correct. It’s not a violin.”
Dien answered as if it were obvious.
“What? It’s not a violin?”
“Hmm?”
As they neared the workshop, Dien’s pace quickened, and Nue began to follow closely behind him.
“If it’s not a violin, then what is it?”
“A guitar.”
“A guitar?”
Along with his answer, Dien wore a bright smile that seemed to contain the Milky Way. His heart swelled at the thought of showcasing a proper guitar performance before a crowd.
***
Late at night.
A man carrying a glass lantern was walking down the street. It was Baron Pablo Celler. He was the man who had held the position of Court Musician the longest by the side of a King with very picky tastes. He was the most sought-after guest for social gatherings, a man whose schedule was fully booked for the next two years. He had received the title of Baron solely through his musical talent, and he was even handsome.
Every night, he would walk the streets to find musical inspiration.
“What kind of song should I play for him in two days…?”
The Court Musician had to present a new piece to the King once every two months. That was the day the King looked forward to the most; it was his only true pleasure. The King, who could play every string instrument on the continent, placed great expectations on Pablo at every recital. On days he liked the music, he would give a warm embrace; on days he didn’t, he would leave the concert hall in silence.
Since he had seen the King’s back as he walked out during the last recital, Pablo was even more anxious about this upcoming performance.
“Is this really my limit…”
His musical inspiration wasn’t what it used to be. Ingenious melodies no longer came to him like the songs he had written in his youth. Perhaps he was already standing at the very end of his prime.
“Sigh…”
With a heavy sigh, Pablo slowly headed toward the Central Plaza.
“What’s this?”
It was late. Usually at this hour, the plaza was dark and desolate as all the street vendors and shops had closed. But today, many people were gathered in the middle of the Central Plaza with lanterns lit. The area was so bright it felt strange compared to the path he took every night. Naturally, he walked toward the light.
“Is it a storyteller? That’s an instrument I’ve never seen before.”
After walking for a while, Pablo discovered a person speaking alone in the center of the crowd.
“This will be the final song. Thank you for listening to my performance until this late hour.”
“No!”
”Don’t go!”
At his words, many people began to groan in disappointment.
“Kid, if you go home late, your parents will worry.”
The performer spoke to a young girl sitting in front of him.
“This really is the last song. You have to go home! I’m saying this because you’re like a child to me.”
“Puhahaha!”
The crowd burst into laughter as the boy told the little girl she was like a child to him.
“Then… I will start the real final song. For the sake of the little lady’s safe return home, I will not take any more encores. Everyone, will you cooperate?”
“Yes—”
At his words, the people wore smiles as sweet as candy.
“Then I’ll begin. The last song is a piece about spring, love, and flowers.”
Picking up the instrument he had set aside, he began to play.
♪♪♪♪♪♪♪
“This is!!”
Pablo’s eyes widened as he heard the intro. Pablo was well aware of the level of street musicians. He had only intended to check what kind of sound the unfamiliar instrument made, but the rhythm, which broke all traditional molds, was absolutely shocking.
And that was only the beginning.
♪♪♪
“This is impossible… How can a street musician produce such a melody…”
The melody flowing from his hands seemed to stir the very essence of spring. The wrists moving slowly but powerfully, and the resonant sound felt from them. When his voice was layered over the melody, it felt as if actual sprouts were budding all around him, signaling the arrival of true spring.
“It’s a lie…”
He didn’t want to admit it, but this song held more emotion than any piece he had ever composed. The resonant sound provided by the instrument was one thing. The rich harmony and free-spirited technique of this first-time genre was another.
But above all else, it was the musician’s voice, which was so beautiful he couldn’t tell if he was dreaming or awake. If one were to hear the voice of a god, would it sound like this? Pablo felt the hair on his body stand on end. He couldn’t even breathe, as the beautiful melody and voice were etched into his heart.
“I have to pull myself together! I have to stay focused and catch that man right now!”
The song ended, and he barely managed to calm the intense lingering emotions swirling within him. He had to catch that man immediately. That man would surely expand his musical world; he was the man who would open a new horizon for court music. Only by engaging in musical exchange with such a man could his dying inspiration be revived!
No, if he made music with that man, his stalled skills could make a great leap forward.
“Wait!”
Pablo rushed toward him, pushing through the crowd.
“Please!!”
As the song ended, many people flocked to the street musician. However, no one was more desperate than him. Many people cursed at him for pushing through so rudely, but he didn’t care.
“Over here… please look over here!”
Dien heard his desperate cry. He waved his hand awkwardly at him.
“Another overzealous fan…”
“Let’s go quickly, Nue. It’ll be tiring if I get caught again.”
This was already the third time during today’s performance alone. He had wasted an enormous amount of time politely turning away people who suddenly intruded on his performance. Since it was already past midnight, if he got caught by an overzealous fan, tomorrow’s successor training would be conducted in a state of total exhaustion.
“This one is a bit extreme.”
Nue frowned as she looked at Pablo.
“You go on ahead, Lord Dien. I’ll talk to him and send him away.”
“Yeah, I’m counting on you.”
“Yup!”
Nue rolled up her sleeves and tried to block Pablo’s path, but those who had become Dien’s fans today were already blocking Pablo first.