The Bauer Music Festival was an international event hosted by the king himself. King l’Ausseil and the other members of the royal family would be in attendance. Many prominent musicians from Bauer would perform, as well as musicians from our neighbors in the Alpes and Sousse, and Loro to the west. This was an incredibly prestigious event. In fact, there was no greater honor for a musician than to be invited to perform at the Bauer Music Festival. One could go so far as to say it guaranteed you a successful career.
“Allow me to apologize for ruining what should be such a wonderful opportunity for you two.” I bowed apologetically to Pepi and Loretta, who were dressed for their performance. The two frantically shook their heads.
“Please raise your head, Miss Claire!”
“Please! It’s true the music festival will be ruined, but we will have other chances to make names for ourselves.”
Lifting my head, I saw they both looked resolute. They’d been so weak-willed when I first got to know them. They really had changed greatly since then.
“This is all Master Clément’s fault, anyway.”
“Yeah! You didn’t do anything wrong, Miss Claire.”
“Thank you. And I appreciate your help,” I said.
We believed Clément would show himself at the very end of the music festival for the award ceremony. As King l’Ausseil would be in attendance, security would be strict. Naturally, that meant people would be examined as they entered, and only select persons would be allowed near the stage. For that reason, I needed Loretta and Pepi’s help.
“For the time being, I want you two to focus entirely on your performance,” I said.
“We will!”
“We’ll make it a good one!”
And so the music festival began. The Royal Academy concert hall was filled to the brim, mostly with nobility invited from various countries. They listened raptly as the musicians performed, none the wiser to the chaos that would shortly ensue.
“Lady Loretta and Lady Pepi will be up soon, Miss Claire,” Rae said, her eyes on the schedule.
“I know,” I replied.
“I-I hope they can focus on their performance,” Lilly said with worry.
“I’m sure they’ll be just fine,” I soothed. I kept a watchful eye on the concert hall but couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding… There are too many soldiers present. There must be private troops belonging to House Achard among them. What are you plotting, Clément?
Pepi and Loretta took the stage. I remembered Pepi telling me it was her dream to play violin at a concert with Loretta accompanying her on the piano. It seemed her long-held dream was finally coming true, here and now.
Pepi readied her violin and smiled at Loretta. Loretta took her place at the piano and signaled to Pepi that she was ready. Together, they began to play.
Loretta, lauded as the pianist with a rainbow palette, added her vibrant melody to Pepi’s transcendentally precise and technical playing. Their styles, so different, should have clashed—but instead, they blended paradoxically into one another, entwining to form a sound like never before.
Pepi, Loretta… You’re both so wonderful.
A number of people in the audience took out handkerchiefs to wipe their tears. The two were simply that moving.
Their performance would likely last for around ten minutes, the standard for a violin-piano piece. But as everyone listened, the same thought was shared: More, more. Please don’t let this performance end.
Eventually, however, it had to cease. When the last note faded into silence, the concert hall erupted into applause.
“Bravo!”
“May these new prodigies be blessed!”
“That was a wonderful performance! Good show!”
The audience showered them with praise as they left the stage. I, myself, clapped hard enough for my hands to sting.
“I don’t know much about music, but I can tell Lady Pepi and Lady Loretta are incredible,” Rae said.
“Y-yeah,” Lilly agreed.
“Of course they’re incredible,” I said proudly. “They’re dear friends of the Claire François, after all.”
Things continued on until only the award ceremony was left. All the musicians who’d performed gathered on stage for the audience to applaud them. King l’Ausseil and Thane could be seen watching from the upper gallery.
The master of ceremonies said, “And now, a word from the organizer of this event, Clément Achard.”
The place grew quiet. I shared a look with Rae and Lilly, and the two nodded back at me. I turned my attention to the stage and focused. A spotlight shone down as an elderly gentleman appeared from the wings, leaning on a cane. It was Clément—or at least it seemed like him. We couldn’t rule out the possibility of a body double quite yet.
“It has been an honor to once again organize the prestigious Bauer Music Festival for His Majesty. We have been joined by many splendid performers this year, and I would like to take this opportunity to…” There was no doubting that sonorous voice belonged to Clément. This should be enough. The man on stage couldn’t possibly be a double. “…and with this, I conclude my address. Thank you for listening. And now for the awards.”
“I object!” A shout came from the same stage Clément stood on. “A man who threatened and tried to pin his crimes on my father, Patrice Barlier, has no right to hand out awards at our honorable music festival!” It was Pepi. Her accusation echoed throughout the whole concert hall.
“Oh, you’re that Barlier girl… How foolish. What is this nonsense you speak of?” Clément said.
“What she’s saying is true!” I stood up and raised my voice as well before he could begin making excuses. He took one look at me and clicked his tongue in irritation, glaring. That wouldn’t stop me, though. I was no longer the powerless woman I’d been when I visited the Achard estate before. I had friends I could count on, connections, and Rae.
“You as well, young lady of House François? Oh, how far the noble houses of Bauer have fallen. I can’t believe I’m hearing such baseless accusations.”
“Will you still be able to say that after seeing this?” Using the light from my fire magic, I projected a summary of the data on human trafficking we’d found onto the stage curtains. The crowd began to murmur.
“Clément, what do you have to say for yourself?” From up high in the gallery, King l’Ausseil questioned Clément.
I thought Clément would panic at this point, but instead he remained calm. “I have no knowledge of any of this. This is all news to me. I swear, this must be a plot of Dole’s to—”
“Enough of the farce. I’m sure you’re aware yourself that the evidence presented is not something you can talk your way out of,” the king sternly said. Clément replied with silence. “Hmph. I’ll hear your excuses once you’re locked away. Soldiers, arrest this man.”
On the king’s orders, the soldiers moved to apprehend Clément. At least, they were supposed to.
“…What is the meaning of this? I said arrest—”
“I guess that’s it, then. Seeing as there’s no going back, I might as well take a souvenir with me.” Clément lifted his cane and pointed the tip at King l’Ausseil. “Soldiers, bring me His Majesty l’Ausseil’s head.”