Chapter 12: Before the Wedding ⑪ ~Edel’s New Song~

On the quiet moonlit night, the beautiful resonance of strings filled the air.
The melody drifting from the lord couple’s private chambers was perfectly suited to the calm evening.
The piece Edel had composed carried a gentle, beautiful harmony, and his singing voice did not so much soar as softly speak to the listener.
Listening, Aria leaned back against the sofa, a faint smile on her lips as she closed her eyes.
The song, which told the love story of a man and a woman who met by chance, came to an end with a smooth, flowing melody befitting its conclusion.

“…It was a beautiful song.
You used no violent words in the lyrics at all, wrapping everything in only graceful language.
Yes, it was splendid.”

“Thank you very much.
I’m happiest if you enjoyed it, Aria.”

Because her trip had involved a mine inspection and bandit subjugation on the side, he had worked hard to create a song that would soothe his wife’s heart after her return.
It was a piece devoted to pursuing the most beautiful possible ending, inspired by stories he had heard at the tavern.
Unfortunately, the original tale was apparently a well-worn joke among adventurers, about someone being scammed, drinking himself into a stupor, diving into a dungeon, and nearly dying after blundering into a trap.
However, the way the man spoke of his encounter and the image he painted of the woman were beautiful, so Edel let his imagination expand from there and completed the song while preserving that sense of purity.
It was likely that no one would believe this song had come from that story, even if he told them.

“What is the title of this piece?”

“I haven’t decided yet.
You’re the first person to hear it, Aria.
If you don’t mind, would you name it for me?”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

At Edel’s words, Aria’s eyes opened wide.
Being asked to name a song was a first in her life.
She had given up early on any talent in that area and resigned herself to simply listening, never once considering what went into choosing a title.
Everything she had heard before were famous works already known by many, all of them bearing names from the start.
And now, her husband had composed a song just for her and was asking her to name it.
As his wife, she absolutely had to think of a name worthy of the piece.

Unaware of how seriously Aria was taking this, Edel merely smiled cheerfully.
Seeing how pleased she was with the song he had made for her, he felt glad he had written it and offered heartfelt thanks to the gods for granting him this talent.
Regardless of its origin, he himself was satisfied with how the song had turned out.
When he considered naming it, the thought occurred to him that since it was the first song he had made for his wife, he would be happy if she named it.
Edel was usually the type to think of titles quickly, so it never crossed his mind that Aria would struggle so deeply with the task.

Meanwhile, Aria began thinking aloud as she searched for a name.

“Form One is a martial technique, so that’s out.
Should I include the name of a cute animal?”

Rather desperate words reached Edel’s ears.
This song depicted a love story between a man and a woman, so there was no fighting, no training, and no mastery of secret techniques.
And since no animals appeared in the lyrics at all, suddenly inserting one into the title would be baffling.
It would be a complete misrepresentation.

“Um, this song is based on a romantic story between a man and a woman, so if you could express those feelings honestly…”

“I see.
I’m sorry, but allow me some time to think.”

The Margrave was not only poor with musical instruments, but also with romantic naming.

“Yes, please take your time.
Oh, right, Aria, may I go out for a bit?
It’ll be an overnight trip.”

“Overnight?
Where are you going?”

“To the neighboring Earclut Viscounty.
Aria, are you aware that an old violin was discovered in a dungeon there?”

She did recall hearing something like that.
Earclut Viscounty had a deep dungeon that had yet to be fully conquered.
Last year or perhaps the year before, a violin had been found in a newly discovered chamber.
Though made of wood, it showed no decay and was said to be beautiful in appearance.

“And what about that violin?”

“Apparently, whenever strings are fitted, they snap immediately, so no one has ever confirmed its sound.
It seems to be the type of instrument that chooses its owner, and many musicians have tried restringing it.
Well, someone has finally succeeded in stringing it.”

“Oh?
Then its sound can be heard?”

“Yes, there’s going to be a public unveiling.
A friend managed to get an invitation and invited me along.”

Watching Edel speak happily about instruments, Aria recalled what she knew of Earclut Viscounty.
Aside from the dungeon where the instrument was found, it was largely a granary region with sprawling farmland.
The ruling family was gentle and far removed from power struggles, certainly not the sort to harm the Margrave’s husband.

“Hm, very well.
However, you must take Theodore with you.
And do not use a shared carriage to travel to the viscounty.”

“What?
I can’t?
And I’d feel bad making Theodore come along…”

Just as she suspected, Edel had intended to go alone by shared carriage.
And how had this so-called friend invited Edel in the first place?
No letters addressed to Edel had arrived at the mansion.

“Edel, Theodore is your guard.
No matter where you go, you must take him.
And how did this friend contact you?
No letters should have arrived here.”

“Oh, letters addressed to me are sent to the tavern now.
Minstrels like us tend to wander off easily, after all.
When we stay in a town for a while, we usually designate a tavern we frequent as our base for correspondence.
They’re typically delivered to the tavern through the Adventurers’ Guild.”

It seemed minstrels had their own rules.
Certainly, it was difficult to track down those who traveled constantly.
Adventurers could usually be located through their guilds, but minstrels were often unregistered, making it even harder.
Even so, they apparently had their own means of communication.

“I see.
We’ll discuss that further after you return.
I’ll prepare an inconspicuous carriage, so use that.
I’ll also assign a driver from the army.”

“A driver as well?”

“Yes.
For the Margrave’s husband to travel, that’s actually the bare minimum.
However, your identity is not yet widely known, and you likely don’t wish to make a fuss either.
So at least take those two with you.”

This was Aria making the greatest concession she could.
Only two guards, and no carriage bearing the Margrave family crest.
Since Edel had not had letters sent here, it was unlikely the other party knew anything about his wife.

“Understood, Aria.
Then I’ll borrow Theodore, the driver, and the carriage.”

“Mm.
How long do you expect to be gone?”

“Let’s see, about ten days.
It’s not that far, so I should be able to return around then.”

After her wife had been away for about ten days, now her husband intended to go out for ten days as well.
Truly, they were a couple constantly missing each other, Aria thought, smiling faintly.

“When will you depart?”

“I’d like to leave in about three days.
Apparently, the performer is a student from the music academy in the capital and can’t stay here long.”

That was why the concert had been arranged on such short notice, according to his friend’s letter.

“Very well.
I’ll inform Theodore.
Be careful on your journey.
If there’s anything you want, feel free to buy it and have the invoice sent to the Margrave household.”

“Ahahaha, if you spoil me like that, I’ll end up buying all sorts of things.”

“That’s fine.
The Margrave household won’t topple just because you spend a little.
You can rely on me more, you know?”

The only thing Edel had ever asked for were strings, and all his clothes and instruments were things provided for him.
He never complained and used them daily as if it were only natural.

“Hmm, I thought I was already relying on you quite a bit, Aria.
Was it not enough?
I’ll think of something when I get back.”

“Mm, please do.”

“And Aria, please think of a title for the song before I return.”

“…I will do my best.”

After making that promise, Edel went out.

And after a final letter saying he was looking forward to the concert, Edel vanished without a trace.