Around the middle of autumn, when the trees in the garden had begun to change colors, the Johnston Ducal House held a birthday party for Amelia’s 10th birthday. While Amelia had attended tea parties exclusively for children before, this was the first formal occasion where the Johnston family’s branch families and relatives were invited, marking Amelia’s official debut.

News quickly spread through high society when both the First Prince, Eldred, and the Second Prince, Christopher, attended Amelia’s birthday party together.

Prince Eldred, who had come escorting his close fiancée candidate, Jacqueline, contrasted sharply with Prince Christopher, who had never attended his own fiancée candidate Melissa’s birthday party. Instead, Christopher attended Amelia’s birthday party alone—and even more shockingly, he only danced with Amelia.

Melissa’s maid informed her that rumors were now circulating that the Second Prince’s fiancée might change from Melissa to Amelia.

Melissa had known that Amelia occasionally visited the royal castle even after that day when they had gone there together with her older brother. But she hadn’t realized how shrewdly Amelia had deepened her acquaintance with Prince Christopher.

What hurt Melissa the most was not just Christopher’s disregard for her, but her father’s passive stance—he remained a silent observer, making no protest against Christopher or the royal family for slighting her. Worse still, he did not even offer Melissa a single word of comfort. He was probably reluctant to dampen Amelia’s happiness at Christopher’s visit.

Melissa had been receiving princess consort education since she was six, cutting down on her piano practice at the royal family’s request. Yet, despite all that effort, Prince Christopher had never once attended her birthday party—while he had no qualms about attending another noble girl’s, even if she was his fiancée’s younger sister, and dancing with her.

To her father, did my efforts mean nothing? Does he not care that I am being treated so lightly? Is he so indifferent to me that he cannot even spare a word?

Even her older brother and grandmother, who must have heard the rumors in high society, did not ask her how she was feeling. That, too, was painful.

Once the maid left, Melissa sat alone in her room, burying her face in her knees and sobbing quietly for a while.

Yes… I should play the piano.

Melissa’s piano had a silencing magic device attached, making it so that only she could hear the sound. She had been enchanted by the piano since she was three, playing however she pleased despite her lack of skill. But soon after, her grandmother had complained that it was unpleasant noise, and the device was installed.

The silencing device, however, had a function allowing specific individuals to hear the music if they wished. Her father and brother had occasionally come to listen to her play during breaks from work and studies.

“You’ve improved again.”
“Mel’s piano playing is soothing.”

She remembered those gentle words from her father and brother.

At the same time, she realized something—since Amelia had come to the Johnston household, neither her father nor her brother had ever come to listen to her piano playing.

When her mother was alive, she had often come to hear Melissa play. If she found Melissa practicing, she would always disable the silencing function and listen with a smile, even if Melissa was only repeating the same section over and over.

Melissa recalled her mother’s words when she had been struggling to find time for the piano due to her princess consort training and had even considered quitting.

“People may betray you, but the skills you acquire never will. As long as you don’t grow to hate the piano, keep playing whenever you can. One day, the piano will surely help you… I love your playing, Mel.”

Lately, there had been many sad things, but at least she still had her piano. She had learned in princess consort training that playing the piano was a luxury, something only nobles and wealthy commoners could afford.

Just being able to play was already a privilege—wasn’t that enough to make her happy?

Pouring her feelings for her beloved mother into each note, Melissa continued to play.