Throne of Magical Arcana
chapter-116

After changing his clothes, Lucien left the Psalm Hall through the side door.

Not far away from it, he saw a couple of coaches, in front of which stood Victor, Joel and his family.

All of a sudden, Lucien felt quite emotional. Taking a deep breath, he walked toward them.

"Congratulations, Lucien. I’m so proud of you." Victor walked to Lucien and gave him a big hug, "Are you a bit depressed, Lucien?" Victor was very sensitive.

"Thank you, Mr. Victor." Lucien forced a smile on his face, "I’m fine… just a bit exhausted."

"I see." Victor showed his understanding, "Playing three piano solos at a time is exhausting for any pianist."

Then, Victor gently patted Lucien’s back, "Have a good rest tonight. Tomorrow night we’ll celebrate your success."

"Tomorrow?" To Lucien, the celebration party seemed to be quite in a hurry.

"Yes," answered Victor, "since a couple of days later, I’ll be leaving Aalto."

"Where are you going, Mr. Victor?" Lucien did not expect that it was Victor who first bid them farewell.

"After last year’s concert, " Victor smiled, "I’ve been receiving lots of invitations from other countries. I stayed in Aalto because, at that time, you were during your critical period of music learning. Since now you’re a well-qualified musician and you just held your first concert, it’s time for me to start my music tour and gather some new ideas about music."

"And Lott and I are leaving with Mr. Victor." Felicia nodded, "We are all Mr. Victor’s students, but now you’re a great musician, and, of course, we can’t fall too far behind." Felicia put on a sweet smile.

Lucien felt that it was a good chance to announce his leaving as well.

"A music tour… That’s what I’ve been thinking about, too." Lucien said to them seriously, "Honestly, this concert exhausted all my ideas about music, and I feel that I need to travel out of Aalto to see more, to experience more."

"I’m very proud of you." Victor looked at Lucien’s eyes approvingly, "Your serious attitude toward music will make you one of the greatest musicians, if you stick to it. I wish you all the best, my student."

"Me, too." Lucien hugged Victor again with deep emotion, "Wish you a wonderful tour, my teacher."

Then Lucien turned around and hugged Joel and Alisa, "I’m sorry… I’m afraid I won’t have my coming-of-age ceremony in Aalto now."

Lucien’s birthday was on July, 26th.

"Don’t say sorry, Lucien. We understand, although we’ll miss you a lot." Joel laughed and patted Lucien’s shoulder, "Alisa and I…" his voice trembled a bit.

"We’re very proud of you, all the time." Alisa finished Joel’s words, "Come on… don’t be this dramatic, Joel. Little Evans will come back again soon."

Alisa looked at Lucien with hope in her eyes, "You will, right?"

Lucien opened his mouth a bit but did not know how to answer Alisa’s question. He hurriedly nodded and turned to Felicia to hug her, in order to hide his awkwardness and sadness.

"Your playing and your understanding of music is awesome, Lucien!" Felicia was very excited, "Piano is the king of all the musical instruments!"

Lucien still remembered his promise to Felicia and Elena, "I’ll organize and write down my knowledge about piano before I leave."

"Thank you, our great musician." Elena’s face shone with excitement.

Then Lucien hugged his buddy, John, "I hope you will already be a knight when I see you again."

John answered decisively, "I will. Good luck, my friend."

The conversation between best friends was always simple, but the emotion was always deep.

Then, Lucien slightly bowed to all of them with his left hand on his chest and said to them sincerely, "Wish you all the best in my absence."

...

On the next day, Lucien spent most of day meeting his many visitors and at night he celebrated the success of his concert with all the guests.

When it was close to the early morning, all the guests started to leave Lucien’s place. The great silence was in sharp contrast to the faded jollification. Lucien went back to his bedroom and waited for Rhine, who had promised Lucien that he would come after the party.

After a long time waiting, Lucien almost lost his patience. At this time, he heard a knock at the bedroom window.

Lucien hurriedly stood up from his bed and turned to look at the the window.

However, it was Natasha and Camil who were standing on the patio. Being a bit amused by himself, Lucien opened the window.

Wearing a long dress, Natasha looked a bit shy until she started to talk, "Haha, were you waiting for me, Lucien? You looked in such a hurry."

"Yes, I was," he joked. "After all, you did not show up on my party tonight."

"I’m sorry, Lucien." Natasha apologized sincerely, "I wanted to, but I had to host the party in Ratacia for sending off the nobles from other countries. Now I’m here, you see, to congratulate the great success achieved by my music consultant."

"I appreciate it very much, Your Grace." Lucien grinned.

"Well… Besides saying congratulations to you tonight," Natasha smiled, "I also want to invite you to visit Cartier Palace with me. I’m leaving tomorrow. Silvia and her father will go as well."

Cartier Palace belonged to House Violet, sitting on the broad land owned by the family in the suburb of Aalto.

"Sorry, Your Grace. I’m afraid I can’t make it," replied Lucien. Then, he told Natasha his plan of leaving.

Natasha looked quite excited, "What an enviable trip! I wish I could travel around as well!"

After a brief exchange with Lucien about the unique features of different countries on the continent, Natasha switched the topic and asked Lucien, looking a bit embarrassed, "Lucien… did you complete the melody that you were playing the other night… the melody that you were playing in the moonlight? I want to play it for Silvia…"

"I only finished the first movement…" Lucien was a bit hesitant, "I’m thinking about naming it Moonlight Sonata."

"Can I listen to it?" requested Natasha eagerly.

"Sure." Lucien sat down in front of his piano, Lucien placed his hands on the keyboard again.

The introduction was slow and peaceful, picturing a glittering lake at a moonlit night. The soft breeze rippled the water like a pair of young lady’s hands.

A mixed feelings of joy and sorrow rose in Natasha’s heart. Everything under the moonlight depicted in the sonata was as beautiful as a dream.

The first movement was rather short, only about a few minutes. Natasha’s nodded and looked at Lucien with approval, "Adagio as the first movement, impressive! I’m sure Silvia would love it!"

Then she slightly leaned forward, "What do you think I should say to Silvia after playing the first movement of Moonlight Sonata for her?"

"Remember me whenever you see the moon*." Somehow Lucien blurted out.

"Wow…" Natasha looked very impressed. "That’s really something."

Then, the princess stood up and said to him, "I’m glad to have you as my music consultant and friend, Lucien. I’m not sure when you’re coming back, but I’m sure we’ll see each other again sooner or later."

Lucien sighed in his heart but did not say anything special, "It’s my great pleasure to be your friend. Please take care, Your Grace."

After Natasha and Camil left, Lucien continued to wait for Rhine.

About ten minutes later, Rhine finally showed up at the front gate of Lucien’s house. Lucien went downstairs to open the door for him.

"Wanna go out and take a walk under the moonlight, Lucien?"

Rhine still dressed in black and red tonight.