In the sole concert hall of Red Frost City, a beautiful woman sat alone on stage, gently pressing the final piano key.
As the last note melodiously faded, the audience in the hall rose to their feet, their applause, like a tide, testifying to the brilliance of the musician's performance.
The woman rose, her radiant, tear-streaked face alight with a beaming smile. Yet she spoke not a word, merely curtsied deeply, lifting her skirt, and exited the stage with serene grace.
.
From the highest vantage point in the concert hall, the Count of Stoneheart raised his glass in admiration to the young man standing at the edge of the balcony, "Your discernment is truly remarkable, Lord Hydral. Within a decade... no, within five years, the empire may well welcome another maestro in music."
He patted his chest earnestly, "I have never heard music so impassioned and captivating. Miss Leclerc is undoubtedly a genius. Only a fool like Cantrell would waste such talent."
Ansel, raising his glass in return, responded with a smile, "The Count of Red Frost's talent lies elsewhere. It is normal to be deficient in some areas, is it not?"
The nowadays two most influential nobles in Red Frost territory shared a hearty laugh, oblivious to the headless corpse hanging outside Ansel's mansion.
As the laughter subsided, the Count of Stoneheart ventured, "Does Miss Leclerc... need a recommendation letter to the Royal Theatre of the Empire?"
"That's a question you should ask her, not me, Count," Ansel replied, an enigmatic smile playing on his lips.
"Or you could try delivering the recommendation letter directly to Eula herself. Isn't that how you pleased my Seraphina?"
At the mention of her name, the girl who had been dozing in a corner started, instinctively clutching the collar around her neck.
No longer clad in her overly plain brown huntsman's clothes, Seraphina was now dressed in black fur cloak, yet all open, showing her black leather bodysuit and fitted trousers. The intricate yet understated patterns of her all-black outfit, combined with her trimmed, both masculine and beautiful snow-white short hair, the slender collar around her neck, and the vulnerability it exuded amidst her imposing presence, made her all the more enticing.
Of course, in Red Frost territory, Ansel was the only one who could openly gaze at Seraphina in such a way.
The Count of Stoneheart shook his head, "Miss Seraphina is a genius destined for great achievements. Regardless of what others think, I consider it a highly profitable investment."
Ansel swirled his wine, his gaze on the Count of Stoneheart contemplative.
"How is the Duke of Ironblade, Count?"
Leaning on his scepter, the young nobleman watched the increasingly nervous count as he slowly approached him.
"The... the Duke is doing well," the Count of Stoneheart stuttered, his smooth mannerism from earlier gone.
Ansel watched him for a while before breaking into a soft laugh, "Don't be nervous, Count. I merely wish to know how the Duke of Ironblade has been recently."
Seeing that Ansel indeed had no intention of pursuing the matter further, the Count of Stoneheart let out a sigh of relief, proceeding to speak even more cautiously.
"Lord Hydral, regarding the assassination that night... after several days of investigation, I can confirm who was so arrogant."
Ansel merely sipped his wine leisurely, paying him no mind.
After observing Ansel for a while, the Count of Stoneheart continued, "It was Baron Iceberg and Baron Howling Wind, they are Cantrell's trusted subordinates. Because your actions were... too swift, they might have been provoked, leading them to take such foolish action."
"They seem to be unaware that they have been exposed, but judging by their movements, they are likely gathering funds on a large scale, preparing to flee. Do you plan to--"
"This small matter, I can handle it myself."
Ansel put down his wine glass, beckoned to Seraphina in the corner, finally turning to the Count of Stoneheart with a friendly smile, "But I do appreciate your efforts over the past few days."
"No, no, no... Your assassination was a major dereliction of my duty."
The Count of Stoneheart shook his head vigorously, "Your forbearance in not pursuing this matter has earned my deepest gratitude."
At this juncture, an exceedingly bored Seraphina had already trotted over, leaning into Ansel's ear to whisper, "May we depart now?"
Ansel, extending a hand to grasp her collar, yanked her down, whispering into her ear in return,
"Not yet, what were you thinking?"
"Then you— mmph!"
Miss Seraphina, in a remarkable display of fortitude, let out only a slight grunt through gritted teeth, managed to keep her footing, and didn't collapse into Ansel's arms. Quite commendable indeed.
Disregarding the fierce glare of the still untamed white pup, Ansel leisurely reclined on the sofa, continuing to savor his fine wine.
Until a servant, who had been watching the entrance, rushed over and whispered something into Ansel's ear.
"So impatient, huh..."
He chuckled softly, turning to the Count of Stoneheart: "My sweet girl awaits me. I'm afraid I must forgo further drinking with you, my lord."
The Count of Stoneheart rose to bid him farewell, but Ansel waved him off.
Miss Seraphina, on the other hand, felt as if she had received a royal pardon and yearned to sprint off the premises right then and there.
.
Within the stands, the Count of Stoneheart watched the master and servant depart, waiting until they completely disappeared from his field of vision before he finally let out a sigh of relief.
"...My lord."
Someone emerged from the shadows behind the Count, questioning with a hint of doubt, "I could easily have taken the heads of those two Barons. Why did you forbid me from doing so? If I were to present the heads of those traitors to Lord Hydral, he would surely be pleased."
"Do not ask questions you shouldn't, Gallo."
The Count of Stoneheart, looking down at the departing crowds, calmly responded,
"Nor should you act over-smart. That's what a wise man should do."
.
Ansel was oblivious to the brief exchange between the Count of Stoneheart and his subordinate after he left. He knew that since the Count had brought up the assassination case, he should follow the process and continue to handle the matter.
But before that—
"Master! Were you pleased with my performance?"
Eula, walking ahead of Ansel, twirled her long skirt, her face radiant with a sweet smile.
"If I were not pleased, why would I be here accompanying you?"
Ansel answered with a smile, "Although there were minor flaws, they did not overshadow your dazzling brilliance on stage. I've told you, Eula, you will receive an invitation from the Imperial Royal Theatre. That day isn't far off."
The woman curtsied, her smile turning cheeky and adorable when she looked back up, "But presently, I don't care about any Royal Theatre, Master. I just want to thoroughly enjoy my reward time."
She walked lightly over to Ansel, taking his arm and resting her head on his shoulder, murmuring dreamily,
"Even if it's just half a day... it feels like an unbelievably beautiful dream to me."
As she spoke, Miss Eula turned her gaze to Seraphina, apologizing profusely, "I'm truly sorry, Miss Seraphina, for usurping your time as well."
Seraphina hadn't even opened her mouth when Ansel had already responded, "That's her job, Eula. There's no need to apologize."
Seraphina was visibly upset but couldn't voice her feelings, as doing so would probably result in a shock.
Looking at the woman's face, she found the pair of pitch-black, almost lusterless eyes to be uncomfortably eerie.
Was that melody she played really that enchanting? Why were people so crazed about it?
The girl contemplated, somewhat perplexed.
Was she the only one feeling irritable, even headache-inducing?