“I heard some strange words from the audience just now.”

They were in the wing, backstage.  The community band had just finished the first part without incident and the second was about to begin.

Avril tilted her head at Samuel’s puzzled voice. Dylan was currently in the audience, entertaining the guests of honor. Hence, Avril was managing the program.

“What kind of words might they be?”

“That Duke Dylan Lancester is crazy about his wife.”

“Muu…!?”

While Avril’s face reddened at those unexpected words, Samuel calmly continued.

 “When at places like this concert, the music being performed tends to be the focus for most of the audience. Today, however, feels a bit strange. It’s unusual to see them gossiping and murmuring so noisily.”

“I, the host, am inexperienced and nothing more than incompetent. I have no excuses.”

I must not have been able to produce the fitting atmosphere of a proper salon concert.

Avril lowered her head at this all-too-reasonable point, but Samuel shook his head, saying “That’s not the case.”

“Those who come to places like this ought to be, in most cases, people accustomed to behaving in society or people fond of music. The ones Lady Avril and I invited are mainly those kinds of people. For those people to be murmuring so noisily, I believe it may be because the impact they received prior to the performance was too great.”

“…The social-world power structure surrounding the Duke of Lancester and the former Lord Duke’s appearance were so disruptive that they surpassed the performance…”

“It’s unfortunate, but that’s how it is.”

The ends of Samuel’s eyebrows lowered as he looked around. Around him, music-loving children from throughout the territory were waiting their turn with tense expressions.

There were children around ten years old like Samuel to young ladies and young gentlemen of fourteen or fifteen years old. The appearance of the latter, with their debuts in high society coming up, were not very different from adults in appearance. All of them were holding their instruments and fidgeting.

That they will end up performing in this unsettled atmosphere, I give my apologies.

In the program for that day, the first part was to be performed by a local orchestra; the second part by children; an ensemble performance had been inserted for the third part; and the fourth part was to be the final given by an orchestra invited from the royal capital.

The first part had just concluded, and the curtain was closing for the preparation of the second part. The program hadn’t had any issues during rehearsal, yet for a problem to occur on the audience’s side was completely unexpected.

“But it’s alright. We’ll also be working hard.”

Avril felt a bit relieved by his reassuring, calm smile. She then asked a question.

“By the way, what happened to your lucky charm sheet music, Samuel?”

“I’ve also grown up. With the experience I’ve gained, I’ve become able to perform even without them.”

“Oh, my!”

“I always keep the sheet music in my bag, but I don’t use it.”

With those words, he showed her the colorful sheet music he kept in the bag next to him. It, with the meticulous notes written into it, seemed to reflect Samuel’s daily efforts. Once, Samuel needed sheet music to perform in salon concerts. Even though he’d memorized his pieces, his mind would blank from nervousness.

Setting aside the current issue, Avril was moved by the fact that, before she knew it, he had overcome his weakness.

“I often listen to performances at the duke’s mansion, but it has been a long time since I last heard Samuel perform in a grand hall. I have been looking forward to it all this time.”

“I also want Lady Avril to see my growth.”

“Yes, and more than anything, I’m also looking forward to the results of everyone’s practice.”

Avril smiled upon seeing the children behind Samuel who were unable to hide their nervousness. She wanted this music festival to stay in their hearts and memories.

If that were to happen, the Duke of Lancester’s territory would surely prosper even more…!

“Samuel is truly enthusiastic about practice. It’s to the extent that even I, his older brother, end up doubting whether we have the same blood flowing within us.”

Avril’s thoughts were brought to a halt by the soft, sweet, and cool voice. Upon turning around, she saw the man who escaped earlier.

“So you can make such a baffled expression as well. You’re becoming more and more charming.”

“This area is off-limits to everyone other than the parties concerned. Please return to your seat.”

As Avril directed her gaze straight at Fernand Brandner, who for some reason had slipped into the stage wing, he smiled and addressed Samuel.

“Is Lady Avril treating you well?”

“Yes, Elder Brother. However, Elder Brother should not address her as ‘Lady Avril.’ Please correct yourself.”

“Even though Samuel calls her that? Am I not allowed?”

Samuel answered with a composed expression.

“Yes. I’m a child, and also because I am Lady Avril’s friend, I was permitted.”

“A friend…”

Fernand’s deep purple eyes turned toward Avril. His thoroughly interested gaze made Avril feel uncomfortable.

Why is he involving himself with me so much? To have purposely come here from audience seats without a specific purpose is impossible.

Meanwhile, the preparations for the second part were completed. Samuel and the others would soon be going up onto the stage, and only Avril and Fernand would remain there.

As the host, Avril felt regretful at having to send them off in such an atmosphere, but more than that, remembering how Dylan told her not to be alone with that man had her tense up.

“I—”

“I came to take a look as the audience didn’t appear to be settling down, but I am glad I did.”

“Lord Dylan?!”

Dylan was there behind Avril.

He was supposed to be listening to the performance together with the invited guests at the seats of honor, but he seemed to have come after having felt the same sort of discomfort as Samuel.

He wasn’t concealing his disgust toward Fernand who was there for some reason.

“Fernand Brandner. Have you already forgotten our conversation from earlier? If you don’t want your mother to hear of this, return to your seat.”

Fernand’s affable smile twisted at the blunt and straightforward insult.

“Your Grace, is it not you yourself who is being quite overprotective with how you respond toward just a sole man who is making advances on your wife? A music festival is being hosted by the Duke of Lanchester today. Rather than being in a place like this, why don’t you return to the audience seats.”

“…The reason I came here was not so I could keep you in check.”

Despite sounding as though he were a bother, Dylan put his arm around Avril’s shoulders and pulled her to his chest. Avril, having returned to a sensible distance from Fernand, felt relieved, and looked up at Dylan.

“The audience looks… unsettled? Samuel was saying the same as well.”

“It’s our fault it turned out like this. I came here thinking we’d do something about it.”

“Lord Dylan?”

Just what does he mean by ‘do something?’ Avril tilted her head, but she was about to understand the answer right away.

“This is a music festival. Wouldn’t something like this be appropriate?”

With those words, he went out, together with Chris, onto the stage that had just finished being prepared.

Lord Dylan…?!

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