The night streets of the Central Plaza had undergone an unprecedented change over the past month. It was late at night, but the streets, usually quiet, were crowded as if a major festival were being held.
With so many people, the shops did not close. Street vendors did not fold their stalls, and places to enjoy the night air appeared in every alley. Before long, a unique night culture had taken root in the Central Plaza.
The streets were brighter than day with lanterns carried by the crowds. Most people were satisfied with the lively atmosphere of the plaza, enjoying walks and street performances in the nighttime air filled with a new charm.
However, the one person who had created this atmosphere had not appeared in the plaza for fifteen days, unaware of the lively mood of the streets.
The mysterious street musician.
He was a rising star in the music world who had captivated the audience with a new genre in a short period. Because his performances were usually held in the evening, the nights in the Central Plaza had grown vibrant.
Many people enjoyed the night culture in their own ways, but the primary reason they came to the street was for one thing: to see the street musician’s performance. Those who still remembered him lingered around his usual performance spot.
Beneath the statue where the mysterious street musician used to play, one could see several unusual sights. Among them were women who seemed unable to leave the spot.
“I wonder if the musician will come out today…”
“Lady Dorothy, how long are you going to wait?”
“I’m planning to stay until midnight today as well.”
“You’re truly amazing, especially since the child who was always next to the musician told us a few days ago that there wouldn’t be a performance. I really can’t beat you, Lady Dorothy.”
“Because he might just stop by…”
It had already been fifteen days since they started waiting for the street musician. They only knew each other’s names, but they had become close solely because they liked the musician.
“The rumors can’t be true, right?”
“The one about him becoming a servant to imperial nobles?”
Their expressions darkened instantly. Rumors about the musician had begun to circulate at some point: that the street musician had become a plaything for an imperial noblewoman and was being overworked every night.
This rumor had surfaced because wandering imperial nobles had recently visited the Kingdom of Delos, coinciding with the time the street musician disappeared.
“That can’t be! We know better than anyone that the musician doesn’t care about money!”
“Then where did he go?”
“Could he have gone back to his hometown?”
There were many other rumors besides those. They ranged from him returning home after earning gold coins to another musician throwing him into a monster den out of jealousy. The servant theory, the homecoming theory, and the monster snack theory—there were many stories, but none that the women welcomed.
“Don’t say such things!”
Dorothy snapped and shouted. Among the girls waiting for the musician, Dorothy was the most tenacious. She was more sensitive than anyone regarding the rumors surrounding him.
“Sigh… Lady Dorothy, we hope those rumors are false too.”
“I heard a rumor that he’s the child of a secretary under the Chancellor. That the musician’s maid belongs to the House of Portran…”
“No way! If the musician were a noble, he would have worn official robes or formal attire!”
“That’s right. Even to me, the musician didn’t look like a noble.”
One of the women mentioned another rumor floating around, but no one listened. It was just one of many.
And then, a handsome man naturally joined them.
“Did the street musician not come out today either?”
“Yes, he didn’t come out today. But you’re quite amazing too, sir. Seeing how you come out every day like this… I’m sorry I misunderstood you. At first, I thought you were just a drunkard trying to intrude on the performance.”
“Hahaha, that’s understandable.”
The man’s name was Pablo Celler. He was the only man among the group waiting for the street musician.
“You’re here again today.”
“Yes, hello, sir.”
Pablo approached Dorothy, whose face was familiar. Though they hadn’t formally introduced themselves, they had become quite friendly, seeing each other every night.
“It’s already been fifteen days.”
“I see.”
Dorothy lowered her head with sad eyes, and Pablo sighed in disappointment.
Pablo had unwittingly fallen in love with the street musician’s music. He had tried to recruit the musician for his orchestra, but he had been kept at a distance by the growing audience. He had tried to approach him several times after the performances, but the musician had vanished like smoke every time. In the end, Pablo hadn’t even been able to strike up a conversation.
“It seems it will be hard to wait any longer…”
Pablo nodded slightly and looked at Dorothy. She bit her lip at his gaze. Like Pablo, it was impossible for her to wait for the street musician much longer. This was because she was conscious of the gaze of her father, Persian Cherbil.
“I think today will be my last day too.”
Dorothy’s eyes became as moist as a misty lake.
She had happened to see the street musician while on her way to heckle him. At first, she watched because she liked the melodies he played, but from the next performance, she couldn’t take her eyes off his clear voice and the way he handled the instrument.
Eventually, he came to mind even during her daily life. By the time she couldn’t sleep because of thoughts about him, she realized she had a severe case of lovesickness. Thus, Dorothy acknowledged her feelings for the musician.
After suffering from the fever of love for a long time, she intended to confess her feelings with a handwritten letter. She had written it with great care and was about to head to the Central Plaza to deliver it, but her father, Persian, who disapproved of her behavior, had grounded her.
Dorothy fiddled with the letter still in her pocket. If she hadn’t been grounded, would she have been able to deliver it? Her heart grew heavy as she bowed her head, and transparent teardrops fell through her blonde hair.
“Let’s just bury him in our memories,” Pablo said, looking at her with pity.
Today, Dorothy had slipped out of the estate while avoiding Persian’s gaze. If Persian found out, she might never dream of going out again. Once it passed midnight, Dorothy gave a short goodbye to Pablo and turned back toward home.
‘Tomorrow, Father said we should go to an orchestra concert…’
Dorothy reflected on the scheduled concert. Her father, Persian, likely suggested it to mend their relationship, which had become strained over the street musician affair.
‘Yes. I should listen to Father for the time being.’
She glanced at the Central Plaza one last time and walked down the street, lost in thought. It was time to bury the street musician in her heart, just as Pablo said. Though it was a one-sided love that hit her like a short-lived fever, she felt she would never be able to forget him.
In the deep night where cuckoos and grass insects chirped, Dorothy sobbed softly amidst the darkness.
***
“Master Dien—over here!”
“Thank you!”
When Dien came into the mansion after finishing his morning training, the maids of the Portran family handed him water and a towel.
“Master Dien, your body seems to have become very sturdy lately!”
“Really?”
It felt like only yesterday when he was lying in bed due to a curse, but Dien’s once emaciated body now had an attractive amount of muscle. Was it because his basic frame was good, as Shilona had said? As he ate balanced meals and exercised, Dien’s physique began to fill out as if it had been waiting for the chance.
“Thanks for looking after me!”
Dien’s red hair looked even glossier when dampened by sweat. Within a month, he had transformed from a child-like boy into a man who exuded a certain masculinity.
When Dien handed the empty cup back to the maid, she took it shyly.
“Pipi, today is your father’s birthday, right?”
“How did you know, Master Dien?”
“You told me last time!”
“Pardon? You remember what I said then? It feels like over a month has passed since then.”
“Of course! It’s family business! Wait just a moment.”
Dien had the maid wait for a moment and went into his room. He cared more than anyone about the affairs of the Portran household staff. When he came out of the room, he held a pouch of silver coins.
“I’ve already told the groom, so go home today. Buy a gift for your father on the way, too!”
Dien handed the pouch to the maid. However, she waved her hands, trying to refuse his silver.
“No, Master Dien! I went home during my last vacation, so it’s fine! And the silver is also…”
“It’s fine. Go on, take it.”
Dien forced the pouch into her hand.
“Master Dien…”
“Go change and head out. Your father will be happy.”
Dien smiled brightly as if it were no big deal and headed toward his room.
“Thank you!”
Pipi shouted and bowed toward Dien’s back as he entered his room.
‘Thank you so much…’
The phrase kept echoing in her heart. Soon, she began preparing to leave the estate with excited steps.
***
After sending Pipi off, Dien returned to his room. A maid was attaching window paper to seal the frame.
“Christine! Come down, I’ll do it.”
“Young Master! No! I can do it.”
“No, give it here!”
Dien stopped Christine, who was struggling with her short height. He took the paper and skillfully began to block the draft leaking through the window.
“Finished!”
“Wow! Young Master, why are you so good at this?”
“Hahaha, maybe I have a talent for housework?”
Dien gave a thumbs-up to the maid and made a funny face. At that, the maid also gave a fresh smile.
“Thank you!”
“No problem. Christine, your hairpin is pretty today too!”
“Heehee! As expected, only the Young Master notices.”
Since she wore a different hairpin every day, Dien knew well that she was very interested in them. Christine touched her hairpin, clearly in a good mood from Dien’s compliment.
“But I thought that floral-patterned one you wore last time was the prettiest!”
“Ah! Young Master! That one is my favorite! As expected, your eye for detail is… top-notch!”
Christine gave a thumbs-up and made the same expression Dien had just made. Seeing that, Dien responded with the same gesture, and the two began to giggle together.
“Well, I’ll be going now!”
At some point, Dien had become noticeably close to the servants of the House of Portran. Unlike a typical noble child, he would jump in to help with chores and dine with them without regard for status. Sometimes, he would quietly listen to their worries and resolve them without a word.
‘He’s a truly wonderful person.’
This was what the servants of the House of Portran thought every day as they looked at Dien. It was an open secret that they wanted to approach him first to talk. Before they knew it, they felt more comfortable with Dien than with their fellow servants.
“Master Dien—the carriage from the Cherbil family has arrived!”
“Got it! I’m coming out!”
Today was the day of the orchestra concert Persian had mentioned. At Nue’s words, Dien put on his casual clothes and trudged out of the estate.
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