(PART 3)

"Your Highness, it is an honor to meet you at last." Theodore Nightingale greeted the Prince first rather than Madame Sophie, who introduced every student as they went on the stage.

"Sir Theodore, I am but a mere student here. Please, don't stand up for me."

Very politely and humbly, the Prince showed extreme respect to his nation's top musician, and the two men were almost about to kiss each other's asses.

"As you wish, your Highness. We are excited to hear you play." At that time, Sir Hans von Steinberg, the judge from Buren, decided to cut the ass-kissery short.

"Right. What piece will you be playing, your Highness?" Sir Hans asked.

"My partner, Lady Matilda, and I have chosen to play the Light of the Saints." The Prince answered.

Not everyone knew why but a huge smile appeared on the faces of both Madame Sophie and Sir Hans while Sir Theodore Nightingale's expressions couldn't be read.

After all, it is not a piece of his making but rather a very common and known piece that can be said to have been heard a thousand times by everyone. While it is a piece composed by Saint Amadeus, something that has been heard so many times becomes rather… mundane.

The judges sat back down and waited for it to be played. Usually, this would be played with a piano and a violin but it could easily be seen that when Prince Liam sat in front of the Piano, Matilda didn't seem to bring a violin or rather pick one. She proceeded to stand directly at the center of the stage and faced the judge.

"Oh! A vocalist?"

With that question, the whole situation flipped on its head. The Light of the Saints was usually an instrumental piece that most vocalists would avoid except those select few that can reach the Whistle Register, which can be considered unattainable for many.

If she can reach such an impressive note then forget about Theodore Nightingale and his shenanigans, he wouldn't be able to voice a word.

And so in that lightly lit hall draped in silken veils, the prince's fingers caressed the ivory keys of the piano with ethereal grace, conjuring cascades of arpeggios that shimmer like starlight. Each chord resonated with celestial longing, paving the way for Matilda, whose voice ascended to the heavens with an elusive note, piercing every heart and striking every soul. As the Prince's harmonies embrace Matilda's unearthly tones, a symphony of celestial beings seems to awaken, their celestial melodies intertwining in a dance of cosmic harmony. The air hums with the resonance of their collaboration, making a weave of sound that transcends mortal comprehension.

In that ephemeral moment, time stood still, and the audience were transported to a realm where music and magic intertwined. With each note, they were drawn deeper into the enchantment, spellbound by the otherworldly beauty of the duet. And as the final chord faded into the corner of the hall, the echoes of their performance lingered like whispers in the breeze, leaving behind a lingering sense of wonder and awe, one that many wanted to enjoy to never end.

All the clapping and the applause halted for a few seconds until the echoes died and then it started from the first person who woke up from these heavenly visions, it was like none other and nothing was like it.

It was as if God had created another miracle and put it into these two performers to create something this heavenly just as it was intended by Saint Amadeus.

The intense celebration of such a performance struck everyone with awe and left them begging for more as the Prince and his partner walked off the performance court while waving and greeting their newfound fanbase.

Amidst all that and aside from Prince Liam and Matilda, nobody noticed that Vivian was now on the performance standing tall and facing the busy judges. The two musicians, who were with her in the rehearsal, seemed to have lost their will to perform and hid behind the largest instruments found in the court while they braced and waited the storm stirred by the Prince and Matilda to settle.

That performance just now was just too good. Impossibly good, in fact, nothing else should be played after it. Not even Vivian should perform in this kind of atmosphere now. If she had any sensibility that is.

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Vivian remained standing beside the piano that the Prince just used and waited and waited and waited… finally, when someone else took notice, he was Sir Theodore Nightingale, the most feared judge in the performance.

When the man simply raised his hand, all the commotion died down gradually and people took notice of Vivian. There was that indeed, the seventh performance.

"Thank you." Vivian spoke clearly and slightly bowed to Sir Theodore.

Why is she here? A member of the crowd actually voiced that question out loud, displaying the sheer disdain Vivian is facing in the high society.

Others seemed to be complaining as well but they were soon silenced by the fact that this place is the dominion of the Royal Family and House Morgan, nothing here happens by mere chance.

But being all by herself was enough for many to show disdain in their eyes for the girl who had fallen from the position of Princess Consort back to the mere daughter of a count. Even Madame Sophie was having a hard time trying to find words to introduce Vivian with since she is not even one of her students.

"Where is your partner, young lady?"

But without even waiting for Madame Sophie, the old Sir Theodore Nightingale spoke to Vivian right away.

"I was unable to acquire a suitable partner for tonight's performance. I hope you forgive me, my lord." Vivian said while keeping her hands joined and her gaze on the ground, filled with grace and etiquette.

She was a gorgeous and elegant creature despite the antagonism. And since her behavior sounded sure and confident, Sir Theodore couldn't find fault with her right away.

"Are you aware that half of your performance grade comes from your partner?" He asked again.

"Yes. I apologize once again for the inconvenience. However, I may have found a solution for that."

"And what is that?" He asked.

"I shall perform two roles at once. I believe it is not against the rules of the Performance." Vivian replied.

Two roles at once.

Now that's biting more than one can chew.

In such nerve-wracking performances where everyone should show nothing less than perfection, doing two things at once is simply another name for the recipe for disaster.

But it is not against the rules.

"Vivian, mon cher, 're you sure you 're up to this?" At that time, Madame Sophie finally spoke.

"It seems that I have no choice. I hope that I can be judged based on playing two roles if I am not being greedy." Vivian replied.

The judges found the situation baffling. As for Sir Theodor and Sir Hans, they knew well that the First Royal Academy wouldn't bring up a student who has no partner just by mistake. Traditions here are greatly honored and such a situation is surely aimed for.

Also, seeing the complicated face made by Madame Sophie, the two judges were sensible enough to detect the situation Vivian was in. While more details on the situation were needed, so far it must go according to plan.

"What piece will you play?" Sir Hans asked.

"It's an old song I know. Its singer isn't with us in this world, may God rest his soul." Vivian replied.

The judges frowned and it made most of the guests murmur among each other. It made many uncomfortable to hear whatever that was after the epic performance done by Prince Liam and Matilda. Speaking of which, the duet from the last performance had just joined the first row of students and seemed to be asking what was going on.

Vivian was causing a scene again. Showing up without a partner, playing an unknown piece.

Like what can go more wrong?

Many eyes landed on Count Julian Moore, whose face was stiff and solemn, yet the look in his eyes towards his daughter betrayed his solemn face and many could tell that he was feeling sorry for his daughter.

The judges, on the other hand, had a decision to make, whether to call this off or let her play.

It was already a bad situation as it is and nothing can be done.

"Go ahead!"

Vivian was given the green light to perform and her two support musicians found their way to their instrument while completely drenched in cold sweat.

A piano and vocal performance as it seemed just like the previous one with Prince Liam and Matilda. It was simply the worst joke possible at the moment. If it were to go wrong, Vivian and the performers would be booed at and shamed by the audience.

Little did everyone know how much Vivian prepared and how much she trained. In her traits window, right after "Expert Pianist", there was "Adept Vocalist", and she was readier than ever.

She pressed the first note…

🎵 Is the real life… 🎵

Then the second…

🎵 Is this just fantasy… 🎵

And her fingers danced so elegantly repeating the same note…

🎵 Caught in a landslide… 🎵

Then halted and let the following line start before playing while singing…

🎵 No escape from reality… 🎵

And just at that second, when her violet beautiful eyes met with old peepers of Sir Theodore Nightingale, the elderly musician found love.