21 Harpsichord (1/2)

Chapter 21: Harpsichord

Translator: winniethepooh, Kris_LiuEditor: Vermillion

Victor was glad to see that Lucien did not slow down over the several days’ learning. Within fifty minutes he absorbed the rest of the grammar rules. He was smart and gifted in learning language, and had a good memory as well.

Good mood brought him ideas. Victor started humming.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s have a break. Help yourself to some tea and snack. I gotta jot this down.” He was already trotting upstairs when he finished talking.

Picking up the fine white teacup, Lucien took a sip of the weird-tasting tea. Rubbing his eyes, he tried to relax a little bit.

“Felicia, when can we go hunting in your family’s manor again? I miss the deers and rabbits there so much, and also the fresh air.”

Annie was another noble lady among them. However, except for her beautiful blond hair and gem-like green eyes, her appearance was just around average. Besides, her family was not that distinguished as well. Her father was just one of the many children of a common baron, who failed to inherit anything from the family. No title, no land, no manor. Annie’s family had to struggle to live a seemingly decent life with the income from her father work as a court clerk and the annuity from their title.

In comparison, the Hayne family, as one of the biggest families in the Duchy of Orvarit, still enjoyed a high reputation. Although her father did not inherit the title either, he still got a big manor outside of Aalto with its own woods, orchards, and even a granite quarry. They also possessed a property inside of the city.

Among them, Felicia had the most distinguished family background.

On hot summer days, there was nothing better than escaping from the heat enjoying some hunting and some homemade wine in a manor away from the city. Many young nobles who did not have a manor in their families would of course long for it. Lucien could tell Annie was trying to get close to Felicia.

“Is that true, lady Felicia? Are there rabbits and cute deers in your family’s manor?” Renee got in the conversation, asking with curiosity.

Since they started studying together, Renee always tried to cotton up to the noble students by talking about music, which worked very well.

She was thus encouraged. Through music, she started joining conversations between noble students more. Somehow she learned a bit on some theories about music. Often she asked Felicia or Annie related questions and became more and more acquainted with the nobles.

Learning from her, Colin and David started doing the same.

Lucien, perhaps because he was too nerdy and reserved, only cared about his own study. And for sure neither the nobles nor the commons would take the initiative to talk to him.

“I miss the place as well.” Felicia was still sitting straight, answering with her standard smile, “But there are only around three months left before Mr. Victor’s performance. Lott, Herodotus and I have to practice a lot. I really have no time to go there.”

For sure, Felicia was happy for being flattered and being the envy of the other students. Who would not?

It would not be true to say that Lucien did not want to have a look at such a fancy manor. But the most urgent thing in his mind was how to borrow the dictionary and finish browsing through it as quickly as possible.

Victor came downstairs with a slight smile hanging on his face. Apparently he was pretty satisfied with his work. The chatting stopped.

Athy, the steward, came in when Victor was about to continue his teaching. He whispered in Victor’s ear, “Your guest is here, my Lord.”

“Oh! I forgot!” Shaking his right hand, he looked a bit annoyed, “Let him in, please.”

Then he turned to his students, apologizing politely.

“I’m so sorry, ladies and gentlemen. I forgot I would have a guest here today. Can we resume the class tomorrow afternoon at two? I’m really sorry.”

The students were happy to have an early end today. When they were preparing to leave, Lucien walked closer to Mr. Victor, ready to ask him to borrow the common tongue dictionary for a few days.

Before Lucien began his request, two guests came in following the steward. One was a silver-haired pretty man in a red shirt and black coat, and the other was a white-haired elderly man with a wooden suitcase in his hands.

“Mr. Rhine…” Lucien and Felicia recognized the guest at the same time.

Felicia’s face turned pink, while Lucien felt even more surprised. He thought Rhine was just a bard living in the tavern. Rhine being Mr. Victor’s important guest was quite unexpected for Lucien.

“Hi, Felicia. And… you’re here, Lucien!” Rhine greeted them gracefully.