Chapter 528: The People with Tears in Their Eyes

What should I do…? Sophia-sama and Erwin-sama are completely frozen in place. This is one of those moments where I’m supposed to step in and fix things, right? Fabienne seems to think so too, judging by the way she’s glancing at me.

“Um, well… the piece I played on the piano for the demonstration has been recorded,” I say, desperately trying to fill the silence. “Of course, you can record other songs later as well. When you have some free time, you could invite an orchestra and record the musicians’ performances.”

“Oh… um… thank you?”

Sophia-sama answers with a question mark in her voice for some reason. Yeah, her thoughts are definitely still tangled up. Erwin-sama’s eyes are darting back and forth too, like he’s watching something unbelievable unfold. Once the two of them come back to their senses, I’ll have to properly explain how to use the phonograph.

“Julius-sama, you even played the piano?” Lionel asks. “No, wait—since when were you able to play the piano in the first place?”

“Well, you see, Lionel,” I reply lightly, “it’s just one of a gentleman’s accomplishments.”

“……”

I didn’t say it out loud, but Lionel gave me an extremely dubious look. Still, we’ve known each other long enough. He’ll understand that this is just how I am… right? Yeah. He’ll understand. Totally.

“Sophia-sama, Julius-sama’s performance is truly wonderful,” Fabienne says, stepping in smoothly. “I’m sure you’ll be surprised as well. When you press this switch, the music will play.”

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Fabienne moves to support me. Honestly, I’m so grateful. I was genuinely at a loss for what to do. The cooks and servants had even stopped what they were doing, watching us with puzzled expressions.

“Oh… um… like this, correct?”

Sophia-sama presses the switch. At once, the gentle sound of the piano begins to flow from the phonograph’s horn—the very piece I had played earlier. I deliberately chose a quiet, calm song, something that could withstand even this strange tension in the air.

Thank goodness I didn’t record any anime songs. Fabienne and Nero both asked me to, but I decided against it at the last moment. Excellent judgment, me.

A soft piano melody fills the dining room. The cooks and servants pause again, captivated by the sound. The air grows taut, almost reverent. Why does it feel like this…?

“Um… was it not to your liking?” I ask hesitantly.

“Hah! No, not at all!” Sophia replies quickly. “It’s just so beautiful that I was completely absorbed. I imagine everyone else was surprised as well, don’t you think?”

As she looks around, the people who had frozen in place begin nodding vigorously, one after another. Then they resume their work. Somehow, it looks like they’re moving to the rhythm. Hopefully no one bumps into anyone else.

“This was performed by you, Julius-sama?” Erwin asks, nodding again and again. “To think you were a first-class musician… what a surprise.”

Beside him, Sophia-sama is staring at me with an expression that clearly says, You never told me this. And she’s right. In the letter from Sister-in-law Daniela, there wasn’t a single word about me having any musical accomplishments.

That’s because I’ve never once played an instrument at the Heine Frontier household.

I can already imagine it: Sophia-sama will surely write to Sister-in-law Daniela about this. And Daniela will be utterly shocked, wondering what on earth they’re talking about.

I can see it. I can see the whole scene so clearly.

…Yeah. I think I might have really messed up this time.

I probably can’t expect any backup from Lionel either. He’s standing beside me with his eyes wide and a hand clamped over his mouth, clearly trying not to let a sound escape in his shock.

While all this is happening, Giovanni-sama and the others enter the dining room. Were they sorting the materials they collected earlier? They all look strangely cheerful.

Smiling while cleaning up materials… that feels like a bad sign in its own way. Is this the inevitable fate of an alchemist?

“Apologies for keeping you waiting,” Giovanni says.

“Oh, not at all,” Sophia replies graciously. “Our preparations are just about complete as well.”

At her words, the cooks begin rushing about at a frantic pace. And yet… they’re still moving in rhythm. Just how much do they like this song? Even so, their movements are smooth and coordinated. It doesn’t look like anyone’s going to collide.

“Oh my, what a splendid piece of music,” Giovanni remarks. “A piano solo, is it not? Truly marvelous. …It seems the sound is coming from this magical device.”

As he says that, Giovanni-sama turns his gaze toward me, wearing an incredibly broad smile.

That smile is terrifying, Giovanni-sama. Terrifying. Of course, I’ve prepared everything properly.

I signal to Nero with my eyes, and he brings over the phonograph that had been placed on the shelf.

“This one is yours, Giovanni-sama,” I explain. “It contains the same piece, so I hope you’ll enjoy it in your room. The decorations are the same as the one I have. And this one here is meant to be presented to His Majesty the King.”

“What did you say?”

“Eh? Um, I was hoping you could deliver this one to His Majesty on my behalf—”

“You mean… I may receive the same device as you, Professor Julius?! Oh, gods above!”

Clutching the phonograph, Giovanni-sama drops to one knee and raises it toward the heavens. For some reason, I seem to be the object of his faith.

Please stop. Everyone’s watching. Please, just stop.

I should have handed it to him quietly later. But then I’d have to endure that terrifying smile aimed at me throughout the entire dinner.

…Yeah. Let’s just say this was the better option.

“The piece currently playing was performed by Julius-sama himself, you know,” Erwin adds with a smile.

“…What?”

Erwin-sama is smiling kindly. I know he meant well. I really do appreciate the sentiment. But the timing couldn’t be worse.

Giovanni-sama’s gaze changes completely. It’s the look of someone who has just laid eyes on a true god.

“O-oh… ohhhh…!”

Once again, he kneels, lifting the phonograph skyward. This time, tears stream down his face.

What do I do? How did things end up like this…? And why are Sophia-sama and Erwin-sama tearing up too?

No—wait. Not just them. Even the cooks and servants in the room are wiping at their eyes.

What is this, this is bad. Really bad. Hurry—bring out the food already! Quickly, cooks! Move it!