Chapter 30: Musical Encounter I

"What is this?" Harmony looked at the ticket Larissa was handing her.

She had come to have a rest, the only time she could find a breather in her hectic schedule.

"A ticket to Mister Murphy's competition this coming weekend. The others are inviting you; it seems that Miss Falcon and Miss Oscar wished to speak with you," Larissa explained.

"You are their messenger now?" Harmony checked the details on the ticket.

Larissa squinted her eyes, "You are becoming more and more brazen by the day."

Harmony shrugged before putting the ticket back on her table.

"I have something on that day."

"Very well," Larissa replied, easily acknowledging her answer.

"And if not for my nephew, I wouldn't even be doing such menial thing as being a messenger," she added.

"You are spoiling him with that character of his," Harmony couldn't help but comment.

Not that she liked poking her nose in other people's business, but she was involved in this kind of character of Luca.

"He is just a busybody; forgive him for that," Larissa commented.

"I stand by my words: his kindness may not hurt him, but it might hurt the people around him," Harmony reminded her again.

Larissa sighed; Harmony was clearly not enjoying the attention that Luca was giving her.

"Though…"

Larissa looked back at her when she continued.

"…his kindness shows that you have a warm family."

Larissa did not expect that.

"Which is a good thing. In high society, such a family is a treasure."

"Is your family…" Larissa trailed off.

"Look at me talking," Harmony shook her head.

"My family is tight, Miss Larissa. Don't think too much. I apologize for speaking some nonsense."

She turned her back.

"And the heater is not doing its work," Harmony added as she walked toward an empty bed.

"This is not your personal sleeping area. Be glad I am allowing you to come here."

"Thank you."

"Wha—"

Larissa rolled her eyes but also took the remote to increase the temperature in the room.

Winter had come, and snow was already falling from time to time; luckily, there were no snowstorms yet. Or else it would become even more difficult to move around. Especially for Harmony. Larissa noticed that she easily got cold and that a warm temperature to her was still cold for Harmony.

"How did you survive your first and second year with such a condition?" she couldn't help but ask.

"I survived," Harmony replied, hugging the blanket closer to her body.

Larissa could only shake her head. This girl is difficult to talk to, and they barely had any long conversations since she started staying here. But just like a while ago, she would sometimes speak such meaningful words—something Larissa knew she could not pry into.

"Don't worry; once winter ends, I won't be disturbing you anymore."

Larissa turned to her, but Harmony already had her eyes closed.

'I did not ask that to kick you out,' Larissa thought but chose to stay quiet.

The more days passed, the more she noticed how Harmony became more and more pale. That is why she was letting this young lady sleep here during the break.

She needed that rest.

That weekend, when the group met up, Luca could only shake his head toward Kathrine and Beatrice. The two smiled in defeat.

"We have already expected it. Let's go; you two still need to prepare," Beatrice said.

They all went their way.

"By the way, you have already seen her in person; what do you think of her?" Justin asked Luca, clearly referring to his competitor, when there were only the two of them in the waiting area.

The princess of the Morgrave Family was in a different waiting area.

Luca thought for a bit, "I only saw her from a distance, brushing past her during events from time to time. But all I could think of was the same description as what was well-known of her. She was like a doll; she is indeed beautiful, but I think she is older than us, based on how she looks."

Wynter Morgrave was well known in high society, especially in City S, the main and biggest city of their country. She exuded a quiet confidence paired with a sharp intellect.

Her piercing eyes revealed a depth of thought, often seeming to survey the world with detached curiosity. She excelled in music, skillfully playing the violin, but she could also play other instruments, bringing back one award after another.

Also known for her intellect surpassing many in different quiz competitions and the like.

Though capable of engaging in thoughtful conversations, her smiles were reserved, appearing more as polite gestures than expressions of warmth. This created an air of aloofness around her; while others may find her intriguing, she often feels slightly out of reach.

She faced social interactions with a measured charm, yet there was a noticeable distance.

"Come to think of it, there was also barely any personal information about her out there," Justin tried to look into it.

"Their family was the same. The whole family barely had any personal information," Luca shrugged.

"Anyway, have you listened to her playing the violin?" Justin asked this time.

Luca shook his head, "No."

Justin started shaking his leg while looking over his piece.

Luca chuckled, "Calm down. Just play to your heart's content. I know this competition is important, but if you become too nervous because of who you are up against, you may fail more. Plus, she is not perfect; she does not always win in the competitions she joins."

"But how about you? Are you fine with your face? Some people from City S will be coming as well."

"I can change my hairstyle and make a few tweaks here and there, and no one will notice that I was there. And currently, I look different from how I usually look," Luca reassured him.

There was a small change that he made because that particular characteristic was well-known in City S and by many others.

Then he proceeded to fix his look. Not that he was worried about being known.

It was not a secret that he studied in this city, and he did not care if his schoolmates were to know his identity. He wouldn't be affected in any way, except for the fact that more people would approach him with the intention of becoming close to his family.

"Sir Murphy, please stand by."

Justin took a deep breath, "Let's go."