Chapter 740 — The Young People of the Empire
Blade of Dawn · Page 4 of 4
Though he could not see clearly, something seemed to have exploded in there; charred fragments were embedded in the walls, smoke and dust still drifted in the air, and a pungent smell wafted toward them.
"The usual by-products of experiments," said the male researcher with the worrying hairline, shifting his body without any change of expression to block the visitors' line of sight, and raising a hand to point toward a room at the end of the corridor. "Her Highness Frostbloom is over in the lounge. You may go and wait there, but do not disturb her — she is engaged in self-adjustment."
Self-adjustment?
Fendir and Elivain grew all the more puzzled, their curiosity stirred about this imperial princess of whom they had long heard, about the daily workings of this facility, and about this so-called "self-adjustment"; they exchanged a glance, then, bringing along the still somewhat dazed and bewildered Filmu, set off toward the lounge at the end of the corridor.
The three reached the lounge door, and before they had even pushed it open, they vaguely heard sounds from within.
It was soft, gentle music, lilting and plaintive, stirring to the heart, and even Fendir, about to push the door, could not help but halt his movement.
Then he pushed the door open, more carefully and slowly still.
In the brightly lit lounge, a young girl dressed in a plain long gown, over which she had thrown a short white robe, sat before a piano, wholly absorbed in her playing.
Only her profile was visible; the light falling from above spilled over her light brown hair, gilding it with a bright, faint sheen, and cast pale shadows across her face. Her fingertips flew over the keys, her expression calm and serene, as though she had melted into the instrument itself, wholly untouched by any disturbance from the world outside.
The soft, gentle, exquisite music flowed from the young girl's fingertips, flowing through the whole room.
Nor was the girl alone in the room; several people in standard white robes sat here and there, researchers come to rest, no doubt, and at this moment they all seemed to have been absorbed in the girl's performance.
Filmu and the other two, pushing the door open and entering cautiously, guessed that the girl playing the piano must be the rumored "Princess Rebecca." Fendir felt somewhat surprised, for he had heard a few things about Her Highness Frostbloom, and the princess of rumor did not seem the sort to sit quietly and play the piano in peace. Elivain, meanwhile, vaguely caught the low murmurs of several researchers in the room:
"I never imagined Her Highness Frostbloom had such musical talent..."
"Is this your first time hearing her?"
"Yes, it's my first time catching it..."
"They say, you know, that Her Highness Frostbloom's music teacher back then was quite formidable indeed..."
"No wonder..."