141 Baron Habearo (2/2)

”Such a young lady, I think you’re simply not a professional.” Mars frowned, ”I did use the pedals.”

”I’m not professional, but Mr. Wise is!” Betty disputed, ”He’s a musician!”

Wise looked rather embarrassed when Mars turned to look at him.

”Well… actually, I don’t understand music completely. It just so happens that I’ve been studying piano recently.” Wise waved his hands a bit, then he started to introduce some really professional theories about this new music instrument, which confused all the people present, except Mars and Lucien.

Holding a glass of water, Lucien listened to Wise’s thoughts with interest. Some of his concerns were raised by some musicians and critics over the newspapers before, but finally these concerns were all proved unnecessary by Lucien’s successful playing.

”Now, the era of traditional symphony has ended. The splendid era has ended.” Habearo sighed, ”I still remember the thunder-like applause over that Aalto music festival many years ago, when traditional symphony established its supreme status. Mr. Christopher, Mr. Leandrinho, Ms. Rania, Mr. Ionescu and all those other great musicians created a great era, and now, that era has ended, sharing the fate of every human being, who will eventually die.”

”I don’t think that the passing of this era is something that we shall feel regretful. Now we have brand new music styles, themes, ways of presenting, and countless possibilities lying in the potential of music. Right now music is bursting out more of its energy than ever before! What is passed is passed. We shall look to the future!” As Betty was expressing her idea about music, she totally forgot that the person sitting in front of her was a baron.

Later, all of them joined the music discussion, except Lucien. Finally, someone turned to Lucien and asked, ”What’s your opinion, Mr. Evans?”

He considered for a bit and said carefully, ”I understand both sides. Lord Habearo missed the passing era because he was part of it, and he experienced the glory himself. Likewise, it is also reasonable that Mr. Wise and Betty, as the younger generation, would like to pursue the new trend of music.”

Both Habearo and Wise nodded.

”So, I think that, although revolution and change is always unavoidable in any era, as people witnessing the changes right now in the trend, we can hardly comment whether the changes are good or not. Maybe… maybe people who live a few hundreds of years later can have a better perspective talking about the features of different music eras.”

Lucien’s comment summarized their discussion well. The baron sighed, ”Mr. Evans’ point of view is really persuasive.”

However, Mars still did not want to let the topic go.

”Mr. Wise, can you play the piano for us to show me how am I supposed to utilize the pedals?”

”Yes, please, Mr. Wise!” Betty agreed with excitement.

”I also want to have a chance to appreciate Mr. Wise’s playing.” Habearo also nodded.

Wise had no choice but to nod, ”All right. I’ll try.”

Lucien recognized the melody immediatly when Wise started to play. It was Pathetique. Wise’s performance was unexpectedly good, and everyone present was listening to it very carefully.

Lucien took a glance at the baron when Wise was playing, and he noticed that the baron’s face was twitching a bit, as if he was suffering from some painful emotion, which made Lucien feel suspicious again.

As if the baron had noticed Lucien’s gaze, he forced a smiled on his face and leaned forward to talk to him, ”Mr. Evans, do you know Mr. Wise’s full name?”

”Burt Wise.” Lucien disguised his suspicion.

”No wonder… Burt Wise! The talented musician who’s gonna hold the concert in Korsor!”

Mars, who was standing beside them, was very surprised as well, ”I thought he was just a common young man who was a music fan. It turned out that he’s the most professional one among us all!”

”Really!? I… I never thought about asking Mr. Wise’s full name!” Betty’s eyes were shining with great excitement, ”He always said that he did not really understand music, and thus I never expected that he was the famous musician, Burt Wise!”

Lucien was surprised as well.

Wise came back to his seat under warm applause. He shrugged a bit when he sat down beside Lucien.

”I mean, really, I don’t really understand music.” Wise smiled a little awkwardly.

Lucien was amused. He raised his glass of water to Wise, ”Me neither.”

...

When the dinner was about to start, the uneasy sense of foreboding in Lucien’s mind started to become more and more torturing to him. Thus, Lucien found the excuse to use the bathroom and left the dining room following a servant.