On top of that, interfering with abuse within a family from the outside wasn’t easy. That hadn’t really changed in the twenty-first century. Things might have been different if my mother had given up on my father while Sergei was still alive...but she never had. She’d been madly in love with him and never considered leaving him up to the very end. Under those circumstances, no one could have saved her.
The worst evil hadn’t been my father, though—it had been my grandmother. I was afraid Valentin would be shocked if he learned the extent of his sister’s viciousness.
Well, from what I’d heard, he loved Sergei far more than he loved his blood-related sister. Right after Sergei passed, his beloved horse, Zephyros, had been killed, and neither my father nor Alexandra had shown a shred of remorse... I doubted Valentin had communicated with her much, after his abdication.
“I’m honored to hear you concerned yourself with us, Your Imperial Majesty,” I said. “I’m very happy now.”
“You truly are a kind child,” the former emperor said with a nod. “Well, you came here today for your friend’s sake. You must have inherited your eye for talent from my dear brother-in-law. How nice to think about... From now on, feel free to visit us whenever you like. And do not forget that I pray for your happiness in Sergei’s place.”
“Thank you for your warm words,” I replied, lowering my head. I glanced at Mikhail.
Seriously, what did you tell him? You’re sharp, so I’m sure you figured out a lot more than you should have when you were in the duchy.
Mikhail noticed my eyes on him and he whispered. “Earlier... I thought you might disappear. I got scared.”
Wh-Wh-What’s with that air of gravitas?!
Wait, I get it! You were scared because of my infamous sister-obsessed brother, weren’t you? If I disappeared out of the blue under your watch, who knows what he’d do to you!
Ekaterina was so eager to avert her eyes from a certain something she couldn’t name that she once again misread the situation entirely. Her assumption of what Alexei would do if something happened to her, however, was spot on.
Regardless, she found herself unable to answer Mikhail and avoided his gaze, her eyes wandering left and right in confusion.
Mikhail didn’t say anything more and looked at her with a gentle yet bitter smile. As for the former emperor and empress, they warmly watched over their grandson and the granddaughter of their dear friend.
When Lydia returned after changing, I let out a sigh of relief. She was wearing one of Clementina’s old dresses. It was of superior quality and far simpler than what she’d been wearing earlier. To be honest, it suited her better.
“I feel like I’m looking at myself in my youth,” Clementina said gently. “I shall give this dress to you, Lydia. My maids will clean your dress and return it to you promptly, so you needn’t worry. Let your parents know that when you get home.”
Lydia thanked the former empress, apologized for her earlier outburst, and sat back down. She seemed downcast and was as quiet as a doll. All she did was steal glances at me from time to time.
I didn’t sense any anger or hatred in her eyes, which brought me great relief, but I was uncertain. I didn’t know if I should speak to her or what to say if I did.
I really need that retired tennis player to help me out.
Just as my thoughts were straying in a stupid direction, colorful lights appeared on the stage once more. What started as a few dots of lights soon turned into a large, swelling sphere. It grew to be as large as a person, then even larger, until suddenly, it popped.
Color and light danced before fading away, revealing the silhouettes of Olga and Renato.
The first person to move was the chamberlain who’d been standing next to the former emperor. He looked at the former emperor to seek his approval and, as soon as Valentin nodded, he walked over to the stage with unhurried steps. I assumed he intended to guide the two geniuses who’d just returned from the garden of the God of Music to the former emperor and empress.
Seconds after the chamberlain had sprung into action, the maids and attendants started moving quietly. They brought two chairs, two teacups, and two plates, and set them up next to me.
They’re all so calm and composed.
Olga and Renato had been summoned by a god and then brought back amid colorful lights in front of their eyes. This was the sort of thing people went a lifetime without witnessing once, yet it hadn’t disrupted their work one bit. They were such pros! In my past world, they could have been featured on that show about professionals and their work ethic. I watched them go, thoroughly impressed.
Soon, the chamberlain brought over Olga and Renato. Olga’s face paled with nerves as she approached the former emperor and empress, while Renato looked both delighted and satisfied with himself.
When I caught Olga’s eyes and smiled at her, she seemed to calm down a little and returned the expression.
The daughter of a baron and the son of a viscount being in such close proximity to the former emperor and empress was unthinkable. They were given this honor to show that, by obtaining the favor of the God of Music, they’d elevated themselves beyond their ranks.
“Your performance was enormously pleasing.”
Olga and Renato bowed at the former emperor’s words.
“It was indeed,” Clementina said. “I have sent a messenger to the Music Sanctuary. They will send someone to take you there at once. Talk to the priests before deciding what to do next. The sanctuary will send word to the Magic Academy and to your families, so you don’t need to worry about anything. Enjoy the sanctuary’s welcome to the fullest. A bright future awaits you both.”