The Music Genius Young Lady is Preparing for Disownment - Chapter 1

The golden sunlight streaming through the window gently bathed the imperial palace’s music room in a soft glow that afternoon.

Inside, the black grand piano reflected the light with pristine elegance, exuding an air of sophistication. Seated side by side in front of it were a man and a woman.

“Pieria.”

His voice was low and soft, yet carried an undeniable force. Helision’s tone struck Pieria’s heart like a sharp bow brushing across violin strings.

Helision’s gaze settled on Pieria. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, glinting off his golden hair, and his deep, calm green eyes captured her completely.

As if leaving no room for escape.

“There’s a piece I want to play with you.”

The faint smile on his face still carried the dignity of a crown prince, but beneath it was a desperation directed at someone—at her.

“…Which piece?”

Pieria asked in a small voice, overwhelmed by the intensity of his gaze. Helision, however, smiled calmly and confidently.

“A piece that can only be completed by your hands.”

His words were filled with the certainty of a conclusion already decided.

He brushed the piano keys with his fingertips and whispered softly,

“If you’re not with me, this piece has no meaning.”

A delicate, emotional melody began to flow from his hands.

It started softly, gradually growing richer, filling the room. The melody carried the feeling of suppressed emotions—or of shyly revealing a handful of genuine heartbeats.

The gently unfolding melody sounded like a secret confession, laying his heart bare.

Pieria felt herself drawn into the music, almost hypnotized.

Who would have guessed that the crown prince, notorious as the “Blood-Stained Narcissus” for his ruthlessness, could play the piano with such breathtaking beauty?

Helision, known throughout the empire for his merciless decisiveness, was now a sovereign of another world entirely—choosing the piano over the sword, music over the battle cry.

The music flowing from his hands was tragic yet intoxicating, like a crimson narcissus blooming in radiant light.

Pieria knew of only two kinds of people capable of playing with such depth:

A prodigy of unparalleled skill… or someone playing with the weight of profound sincerity.

At that moment, she realized which piece he had chosen.

**A Fantasia for Four Hands.**

Considered “the most essential piece representing Schubert,” it required two performers, their hands constantly intertwining. And—

It was dedicated to Caroline, Schubert’s unrequited love student.

“A Fantasia for Four Hands” carried significance beyond music. Right now, Helision’s intention was unmistakable.

“…!”

Pieria’s face flushed crimson. As if noticing the signal, Helision’s gaze locked onto hers.

He gradually slowed the tempo, finally stopping, and moved his lips slowly, ever so slowly.

“Don’t you want to know why I chose this piece?”

His voice was soft yet commanding, carrying a weight that could not be refused.

Pieria lifted her head, drawn to his gaze. His green eyes, sparkling like spring leaves, seemed to erase the world and fix solely on her.

He brushed the keys lightly with his fingers.

He first.

Then her.

The performance began.

A fragile melody that seemed ready to break at any moment.

Though the piece entered its repeating phrases, neither of them noticed. Each breath, each movement, was intimately attuned to the other.

Soon, his right hand reached toward hers.

“…….”

“…….”

Their hands brushed.

“!”

Pieria forgot she was even playing, inhaling sharply.

*Was Helision’s hand always this large?*

Every nerve in her body tensed, as if any distraction would allow him to seize her. The closeness was almost magnetic, drawing her in. His hand lightly grazed the keys before vanishing playfully.

The music grew more intense.

Pieria, responding to his invitation, placed her hand on the keys. Their hands moved in harmony, weaving intricate chords. In the flow of the performance, their backs of the hands brushed gently.

Her heart raced.

Too… close.

The sensation of him next to her traveled from her fingertips through her whole body. Her breath grew shallow, yet she could not stop playing. Helision deliberately slowed the tempo, keeping her attention fixed on him.

“Don’t be nervous, Pieria. The piece you play will sound the most beautiful in the world.”

His low voice, sweeter than any melody, seeped into her ears.

The piano’s melody softened, grew tender, and as it neared the climax, their hands touched again.

“…!”

This time, it wasn’t just a brush. His fingers lingered on hers for a moment.

Pieria looked up, startled. His green eyes bore into hers, containing something beyond music—as if she were his entire world.

“This piece will never be complete.”

“…….”

“Not without you.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the piano’s melody resolved perfectly.

The notes that had filled the room faded, leaving only the quiet tension between them. Helision smiled faintly, extending his hand to her.

Unconsciously, she lifted her gaze, and there it was—a gentle curve of eyes that seemed to have always been fixed on her.

“You understand now, don’t you? This piece is for you and me.”

His green eyes seemed to expand into a vast field, enveloping Pieria completely. Seeing herself reflected in that gaze, she went momentarily numb.

Were his eyes always this intense?

Helision leaned closer, narrowing his delicate eyes. His hand gently held hers. Within that subtle pressure, Pieria felt a warmth spread through her entire body.

“Pieria, you’re already part of my melody. You can’t leave me.”

So close she could hear his heartbeat. His sweet voice brushed against her ear.

“…….”

Overwhelmed by the revelation of his feelings, Pieria bowed her head, hiding her flushed face.

She avoided his longing gaze, but could not block the fresh citrus scent that lingered in the air around him.

He moved his lips slightly, and a reply, as if long-prepared, slipped out.

“……Alright.”

Answering, she realized, just as he had, that the only person she could play this piece with was Helision.

“Perhaps… the music was just an excuse,” he murmured.

“The truth is, I just wanted you by my side.”

His soft smile was as dazzling as the May sunlight pouring into the room. His face, already radiant, shimmered as if sprinkled with gold dust.

Amid the rapid beats of her heart, everything else faded; only Helision existed.

Ah, what a problem.

She had only wanted to devote herself to music… and yet somehow, she had ended up in this kind of relationship with him.

To explain how it came to this, one would have to go back a little in time.