106 The Dream City of Music (1/2)

Chapter 106: The Dream City of Music

Translator: Kris_LiuEditor: Vermillion

Sitting in the coach, which moved rather smoothly, Lucien looked out the window and found that Aalto became way busier than usual, because of the music festival.

Lots of coaches with strange coats of arms all of a sudden appeared on the streets, but they were familiar to Lucien, since he once read several books in Natasha’s study introducing the stories behind the coats of arms of different families on the continent.

Also, there were way more street artists and bards out there today. Among those people, Lucien noticed a familiar figure. It was uncle Joel.

Joel was playing lyre. It seemed the loss of two fingers of his left hand did not bother him too much. Surrounded by a bunch of people, Joel looked rather cheerful and excited.

Lucien asked the coachman to stop. Then, he left the coach and walked close to Joel. Standing behind the crowd, Lucien listened to his playing, smiling.

The crowd burst out a warm applause when Joel finished his playing and bowed to them. A few of the listeners took out their moneybags and put some coins in Joel’s hat to show their appreciation.

When Joel straightened up his body, he saw Lucien. Joel’s eyes were lit up with surprise.

”How come you’re here, Lucien!” When the crowd dispersed, Joel walked with Lucien to a quieter corner, ”I thought you were still in the manor.”

”I was.” Lucien smiled. ”I’m going to the association. How’re you doing, uncle Joel?”

”I’m doing great!” Joel’s eyes were shining with pride, ”You saw it. They love my music!”

Lucien nodded and said to Joel, ”For sure.” Then he pointed at Joel’s hat, which was filled with small change.

”I don’t need this money. You’ve been taking care of my family all the time, and because of you and John, we’re now living a decent life.” Joel weighed the hat a bit with his hand, ”As long as they like my playing, that’s enough.”

”I know,” Lucien agreed. ”Music itself is beautiful enough.”

”I just play because of my dream now, not for a living.” Joel nodded, ”It feels like those days when I just came to Aalto are back again. I’m passionate and motivated. Aalto Music Festival makes turns me into a spring chicken again… hahaha…”

Later, Lucien wandered around on the street to enjoy the different styles of playing. Street music had its unique charm, which also inspired Lucien quite a bit. Staying in his manor in the suburbs for too long, Lucien missed the bustling atmosphere.

As he was walking, Lucien was trying to construct a rough idea about how to recompose the third movement of Violin Sonata in G Minor, which was a very challenging piece of music in this world. Lucien wanted to present the beauty of this piece of sonata with piano, and he also wanted to show the audience his skills.

Lucien decided to recompose it on his own, rather than referring to the masterpieces in his original world like what he always did before. This concert would be the first and also might be the last music concert in Lucien’s life. He wanted to leave something that really belonged to him.

Watching people’s smiling and cheerful faces on the street, listening to the melodious music, Lucien sighed and murmured, ”I wish there was no Church here.”

”Sir, come and join our free concert!” Suddenly, a young man popped out in front of Lucien. ”Free!” His green eyes were full of hope.

”Ah?” Lucien was a bit confused.

”We rented a house for hosting our concert, sir!” explained the young man. ”By the way, I’m Piola, the first violin in our orchestra!”

It was still early. Lucien was not in a rush, so he nodded with a smile, ”Where is it then?”

”Over there!” Piola cheered, ”The thirtieth!”

Then he led Lucien to a two-storey house on the other side of the street.

The center of the living room was their simple and temporary stage, on which there were two violins, one viola and one cello. A black-haired girl of ample proportions was sitting in front of a harpsichord.

”Sorry, sir. We need to have more friends here before we start.” Piola apologized, ”Grace will play harpsichord for our guests during the waiting time.”