CICN 105

Chapter 105

Duke Kaelen was even more surprised and looked at Evie more closely.

At the same time, he recalled the information he had heard about the child.

In fact, information about Evie Alden had circulated once within the royal palace.

Specifically, it spread among the ministers right after Clois instructed that the child’s admission documents be approved.

Once it became known that she was truly an orphan with no connections to Clois or any other noble, interest waned.

There was no need to pay long-term attention to a country orphan.

However, when it became known that Clois continued as her guardian due to the commotion at the academy for gifted children, more detailed information was compiled and passed along.

She’s definitely from the Elam City orphanage.

Elam City was a small town on the far eastern coast of the Empire, very far from the Sole Estate where Clois and Lilian had lived.

It was practically the farthest end of the Empire.

Could it really be that far…

Then the Duke realized he had been indulging in an absurd thought.

Why did I think Princess Evbien was still alive?

There could be many children who resembled her. Among the children presented to Clois before, there had even been some who astonishingly resembled Lilian.

Compared to those children, Evie didn’t resemble her much at all.

Yet, seeing her smiling made him think of her continuously for some reason.

The Duke’s expression hardened for a moment as he gave an order to the butler.

“Summon Riden.”

“Understood. He’ll probably grumble about having to come to the main residence twice today.”

“Twice? Did he come earlier today?”

The vassal was someone the Duke entrusted with discreet matters.

Had he already come once?

“As soon as Master Arsel arrived, he summoned him once.”

“I see. I’ll ask Arsel about that separately. Anyway, I’m counting on you.”

The butler left, and soon the door to the annex opened, and the Duke’s wife stepped out.

She ran toward the two children with a smile.

“Hooh.”

The Duke was genuinely surprised again.

His wife often lamented whose personality Arsel had inherited, but he secretly thought Arsel had taken after her in many ways.

After all, while smiling, she tended to set firm boundaries with everyone.

Especially since Arsel had suffered a lot as a child, most children were only briefly met and then sent off appropriately.

“Evie, what if you go ahead without me!”

“Ah! That tickles!”

His wife scooped up Evie and gently tickled her in her arms.

Watching the child laugh and seeing his wife unable to contain her delight, the Duke was flustered again.

Why didn’t she smile like that when I returned…?

What kind of child could she be…

That both Arsel and his wife adored her so much.

At that moment, Duke Kaelen had no idea that in a few days, he would seriously ask Evie if she had any intention of becoming his daughter.

Evie and Arsel had entered the adjacent building after touring the library.

It was a music classroom run by the Duchess.

Before her marriage, she had been reputed as the most skilled musician in the social circles.

However, being from a family of low-ranking nobles in a remote estate, she was often mocked in society.

“Miss Sylvia, our house is hosting a banquet. Would you perform? Of course, the payment will be generous. I hope it might help your family situation a bit.”

Moreover, once it became known that her family was struggling and that she had come to the capital mainly for marriage prospects, many people laughed at her and treated her rudely.

It was then that Duke Kaelen, five years her junior, was captivated by her performance alone at a vacant banquet hall after everyone had left.

“Lady, will you accept my proposal?”

“……Who are you?”

From that moment on, he relentlessly courted her until they eventually married—a story that remained a legend in society.

People assumed that after marriage, she would no longer perform music. In the Empire, women’s music was considered a light hobby before marriage.

“Duchess Kaelen is holding a recital along with her tea party!”

“Still performing? I had hoped to hear it at the engagement party but couldn’t, so I’m glad to hear it now.”

Contrary to expectations, the Duchess continued to practice many instruments, showing her passion for music, and the Duke enthusiastically supported her pursuits.

Under her sponsorship, the Kaelen household established a music school for women.

In only about fifteen years, the Duchess’ music school produced numerous renowned performers, including two chief conductors of the royal palace.

It was a highly respected institution, and the Duchess had strict admission standards.

When Arsel requested it, she thought it would be enough to just let him handle some instruments.

Evie, seeing the various instruments in the practice room, couldn’t stop her amazement.

Since the academy hadn’t started music classes yet, this was her first time seeing such instruments in person.

“Wow… it’s bigger than me!”

She circled a large harp in awe.

Then the piano, the cello… and finally, when she saw the violin, she was delighted that it was smaller than her.

The Duchess quietly watched Evie, who was happily exploring the room.

She isn’t touching anything.

Of course, Evie wasn’t the first child to enter here.

Many mothers brought their children when the classroom was occasionally open, but despite their young age, most would touch the instruments without asking.

At least simple touching was acceptable.

“This makes a fun sound!”

Some children would pluck strings incorrectly, or play percussion they weren’t supposed to, sometimes even breaking instruments.

If they apologized afterward, it was fine, but…

“We can just buy a new one, right?”

They’d hold their heads high, looking indignant at being scolded.

Since these incidents were common, only children who passed an interview and had recommendations were admitted.

Evie approached the piano and politely asked Sylvia,

“Duchess, may I try playing an instrument?”

So politely and cautiously, it was touching.

“Of course. Would you like to sit and try?”

Arsel quickly stepped forward.

“Evie, shall I put you on the bench?”

“Yes!”

Evie stretched out her arms without hesitation, and Arsel carefully lifted her onto the piano bench.

“But how do I start? If I press incorrectly, will it hurt the piano?”

The Duchess nearly covered her mouth in surprise. Polite and thoughtful about the instrument!

She noticed Arsel silently watching Evie from the side.

Seeing his gaze, the Duchess smiled.

“Then, Arsel, could you show Evie how to play the piano first?”

Soon, the piano rang through the classroom.

“From here, do, re, mi, fa…”

Arsel taught Evie the piano on behalf of his mother.

Evie listened intently, then carefully pressed the keys.

Ding!

“It makes a sound!”

Overjoyed at playing the first note, she moved her small fingers across the white and black keys as Arsel instructed.

So far, it was just a warm, happy moment.

What shocked the Duchess came next.

“I think it will sound like this here.”

Evie vocalized a note and pressed the corresponding key. It was perfectly correct.

“Evie, how did you… know this?”

The Duchess asked in a trembling voice.

“Because as you go sideways, the sound increases by the same amount each time.”

Then, she quickly figured out the approximate notes on the sheet music and pressed them accordingly.

Music is connected to math, but to recognize it so immediately…

Muttering in disbelief, the Duchess scooped Evie up and, with a serious tone, said:

“When you graduate from the academy for gifted children, won’t you come to our household?”

Her brown eyes shone with genuine seriousness.