Chapter 11: The Banquet Night: Part 2
༺❀༻The Banquet Night༺❀༻
SOPHIA'S POV
Sophia, you're dead.
I bit my lip as I caught the duke's angry gaze.
You're in trouble again, Sophia! What kind of nonsense have you done now?
"But I beheld with mine own eyes that this servant was holding the plate and, in an instant, it was suddenly dropped," the man, now standing before me, said.
"I apologize, but I am the one at fault for causing the plate to fall," I defended.
"I see it now. This servant must have instructed you to move the food, and thus you handed it to him, did you not?"
Ugh! What kind of assumption is he talking about? So annoying!
"You're mistaken, I voluntarily offered her the food."
"Voluntarily, or were you compelled? This servant has taken advantage of your kindness, young lady! You ought not to be so easily influenced by the words of servants such as she, for you are yet unfamiliar with the nature of such people, especially given that you are a foreigner." I raised a brow at what he said.
He's not just condescending, but also has such a sharp tongue! Should I pull on his long beard?!
"And you, servant, come here so that I may punish you for your insolence!"
My eyes widened as he walked towards Lea, seemingly about to grab her, but fortunately, I quickly intervened. "My lord, I don't know what kind of laws exist in this country before I arrived, but it's clear that violence is not the answer to correct a small mistake that could be overlooked," I said seriously.
"Violence? I understand. I apologize for my hasty actions. However, now that you mention the law, I must inform you that the laws in this country differ from those in your homeland. Could you kindly enlighten me as to what kind of law governs your country?"
"Ha?"
How did we end up sharing each other's country's laws? Ugh. I'm going insane.
I looked at the Duke, hoping for some help, but he just stared at me with that 'I don't care' look.
Seriously? Isn't he going to help me? My gosh!
I just bit my lip when I saw that nearly everyone in the room was seriously staring at me.
Come on, Sophia, get out of this mess. You're so foolish!
Okay, Law. Waaah! Laws?! Oh perfect! I don't know anything about laws!
"I-in the country I came from, there's a famous line of law that everyone follows. Would you like me to say it in my language?" I swallowed nervously.
"Well then, I would be most delighted to hear a foreign tongue."
They all agreed, and my mouth hung open.
Ha. This old geezer.
I took a deep breath and opened my mouth.
"Aisssh shibal!" [Ah, damn it.]
"Ha, geuttaemyeon, na yeogi inneun geongang, gaseum moji motgessda. Maeil jeongchireul gongbuhago olbareun siktak yejeoreul baewugo isseoya haeyo—seuppuni se gajina isseoyo! Geurigo dwaejigoni, sayonghaneun beobi machi susukkeggi gatayo! Geurigo wae nan koseuset eul ibeoya haeyo? Sumeul mot swigetseoyo! A, nae insaeng jinjja eongmang-ieyo. Geu chagauun namja! Wae nahante geunyang ingancheoreom malhaji ango geureohke meolliseo daeohaneun geoyeyo? Nahante nomu chagawo, geureonde dareun saram-hante neun gwie seo gwie kkaji utgo isseoyo. Geurigo oneul bam! Geunyang meokgo sipeosseoyo. Daeche mwoga munje-yeyo? Wae ireohke bokjaphage meogeul su eomneun geojyo?"
[Ha, for almost all the time I've been here, I can barely breathe. Every day, I have to study politics and learn proper table manners—there are like three different spoons to use! And then there's the pork, but it's almost like the proper way to eat it is a mystery! And why on earth do I need to wear a corset? I can't breathe! Ugh, my life is a mess. And that cold guy! Why can't he just talk to me like a normal human being instead of being so distant? He's so cold toward me, but then he's grinning from ear to ear at someone else. And tonight! We just wanted to eat. What's the problem? Can't we just have a meal without all this nonsense?]
"YAHHH SSIBAL, IJE MALHAE, GAESEKKI!" [YAHHH DAMN. SPEAK TO ME NOW!]
After my long rant, silence filled the hall.
Damn, that's refreshing. All of my pent-up emotions just came out. Now, speak to me now that you're the one who can't understand what I've said.
I flinched as the hall erupted in applause, with some even standing.
Wow, almost escaped my mouth.
"Good heavens, you speak of the law from your homeland with such passion and emotion. Might we perhaps learn what it entails?"
I cringed at what I heard.
"Uh, it's about humanity, fair treatment, and human rights?" I awkwardly said when all I was really talking about was my nonsense rant.
"I have but one final request. Might I have the honor of kissing your hand?"
"Uh, I guess?"
These guys are really fans of kissing hands, aren't they?
Okay, this is my chance. I was about to extend my hand but quickly withdrew it.
"But under one condition, Marquis." I just heard them call him Marquis.
"Quick! I'm ready to offer you the boundless heavens and the stars scattered across the sky, all for the enchanting woman before me."
I just grimaced at his corny words. "Could you please overlook the disturbance that happened tonight?" I asked, my voice soft but earnest, hoping to ease the tension in the air.
"Who am I to deny the plea of such a captivating lady before me? I am but a humble servant to the charm of your radiant and graceful smile, and so, your wish shall be fulfilled, my lady," he said, then kissed the back of my hand.
Ugh. I'm cringing.
As the old official kissed my hand, I signaled Lea to leave.
"I am grateful that no harm befell us, and it is thanks to your younger sister, Duke Raphael von Veldt. Now, my longing to know the name of the noble-hearted lady standing before us has only deepened," the Prime Minister, the man with Princess Anastasia, said with a smile.
Ugh, aren't they going to sit me down yet?
I just smiled at him, then looked at the Duke. As before, his expression was blank again.
This person is so heartless. It's infuriating!
And what should I say? The Duke and I didn't even discuss how I should introduce myself.
Ugh, whatever!
"Good evening, everyone. I am Sophia Shaina Von Veldt."
I paused for a moment. I just realized I had used the Duke's last name.
I secretly smiled lol.
"I am from a country in the East..."
Should I mention I graduated? But what course should I say I took? I can't say I majored in History, or they'll quiz me. Gosh! I don't even know their history, let alone the history of their ancestors.
Ah, I know!
"I graduated in K-pop." I said confidently.
"K-pop?" he repeated.
"I mean, I majored in Music?"
"Music? In that case, are you proficient in playing any instrument?"
He asked again, and I almost felt the urge to bang my head against the nearest wall in frustration.
Looks like this might be the end of my life, Lord. :)
"Yes," I replied with a grimace.
"If that be so, might you favor us with a melody upon any instrument of your acquaintance?"
I felt as if my soul had ascended to the heavens.
I stole another glance at the Duke, but he merely watched me, his gaze steady and unreadable—almost as if he were intrigued by what I would do next.
"If that is your wish, Marquis, be my guest," I replied, my smile polite but detached.
"What instrument do you desire to play?" the Marquis asked, his tone carrying an aristocratic indifference.
"Piano, Marquis," I answered, my gaze lingering on the elegant instrument displayed not far from where I was standing.
"Indeed? No offense intended, but I am acquainted with few who possess the skill to master the piano. Only a select few within our circle partake in an orchestra," he remarked with a hint of derision.
I simply smiled again, my thoughts drifting to my own skill. "Perhaps I can give it a try?"
When I sat down in front of the piano and my fingers touched the keys, it was as if I felt a sudden familiarity. It almost felt like I wasn't in their time anymore but back in Korea, in my room, playing my piano.
As I casually pressed random keys, letting the sounds fill the air, I was suddenly surrounded by laughter. I didn't let it distract me, though, because I was lost in the music. Each note I played felt nostalgic, as if I were in the same room with Beethoven, Liszt, and Chopin. It was overwhelming, and I could feel my emotions rising.
As a piano enthusiast, you might not fully grasp the pure ecstasy I was experiencing in that moment.
The laughter still echoed around me as I began playing Liebestraum No. 3 by Franz Liszt.
As I pressed each key of the song, the noise around me slowly faded away. When I glanced up, I almost smirked. Everyone looked so amused, their jaws nearly dropping to the floor. I'm a 21st-century girl, right? I won't let them embarrass me.
While continuing to play the piano, I slowly glanced at the Duke, but I quickly looked away when I saw him staring at me.
Bathump. Bathump.
I almost missed a key when my heart started pounding again.
Oh, my heart! Calm down! Remember, he didn't help you. Stop it! Okay?!
By the time I was halfway through the song, I couldn't resist stealing another glance at him. This time, I noticed a change in his expression. He wasn't looking at me anymore.
It was Princess Anastasia.
Wow. The audacity! He even made me the background music for their flirting.
I hadn't finished Liebestraum No. 3 when I shifted keys and dove into Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, 3rd movement. It was a shift from the romantic, heart-racing piece to something darker and more intense.
I was fully immersed, each keypress sending an adrenaline rush through me as the notes of the Moonlight Sonata flowed. Then, I noticed something—almost everyone who had been watching me was now standing.
Whoa. What just happened?
It hit me then—Beethoven was a legend in their time, and Moonlight Sonata was one of his most challenging pieces.
As I finished Beethoven's piece, the entire room fell into silence. The stillness was deafening until someone clapped. That clap was followed by another, then another, until everyone around me was clapping.
"Bravo! Bravo, young lady! Truly, you are the Duke's sister! Bravo! You are a prodigy!" the Marquis proclaimed with great delight.
Whatever. I just smiled at him, then turned to face the Prime Minister.
"My lord, now that I grant your wish, can I make a request?"
"After the performance you have displayed this evening, one request seems but a trifle. Speak your desire, and I shall grant it to the utmost of my capabilities."
I couldn't help but smirk at his words.
"I would like to sit beside my brother, where Princess Anastasia is seated. Would you grant me that?"
There was an awkward silence after I said that. I secretly rejoiced when I saw Princess Anastasia raise an eyebrow.
Taste your own medicine, bitch!
It was clear from the Prime Minister's face that he was hesitant, but he smiled and nodded. "Your wish shall be fulfilled, young lady."
He gestured for Princess Anastasia to stand up, and she did. She was about to leave when the Duke suddenly grabbed her arm. "There is no need for you to do that, Princess Anastasia," the Duke said to her.
"Lady Sophia's request is but a trifling one in comparison to the demands we have made. Pray, Duke, grant it."She smiled sweetly and walked toward my seat.
Aww, Romeo and Juliet, is that you guys?
I rolled my eyes. It's just a seat change, and they're acting all dramatic. These people are ridiculous! So annoying!
Finally, when Princess Anastasia was standing in front of me to swap seats, I noticed her arching an eyebrow. I just smiled at her. She's really good at playing the fake nice game.I stepped toward the seat beside the Duke. When I got close to him, I smiled at him, but his face was blank again.
Tsss. Babe, why so cold?
"Now that all is in order, shall we proceed with the repast?" the Duke asked. The corner of my lips twitched.
Well, I'm not done yet.
Just as everyone was about to sit down, I suddenly stood up, making them all look at me again. "My brother, I apologize, but I believe I've lost my appetite. May I retire to my room?"
I noticed the Duke's jaw tense at what I said. Well, it's part of my plan. Since they triggered my inner bitch.
"Then, if that be the case, you are free to retire to your chambers," he said calmly, though his irritation was clear on his face.
Before I turned around, I glanced at Princess Anastasia, who was frowning. She must be wondering why I swapped seats just to leave. I smiled at them all before I turned and walked out. As I did, I let my lips curl into a smirk.
Well played, Sophia.
Once I was out of the palace, I took a deep breath of fresh air. "Gosh! Finally, some fresh air."
The breeze felt so good at that moment, so different from the air from the time I came from. As I breathed in the air, I stared up at the moon. I remembered it was a full moon the night before I arrived in this time. Well, I guess it has nothing to do with how I ended up here.
I wonder how Dad is doing. Has he started looking for me? I'm sure he's worried by now.
"What are you doing here, young lady?"
"Ahhhh gecko!" I suddenly grabbed my chest when I heard a voice behind me.
"Deputy?" I turned to see him smiling softly.
"My apologies, young lady. Did I startle you?"
"No, I'm just a bit shocked." I smiled awkwardly
"So, What is a fair young lady such as yourself doing alone in the dark, gazing at the moonlight?"
"Ha ha, I'm just getting some fresh air," I answered, avoiding his gaze.
A brief silence enveloped us before I heard him speak again. "Young lady," he said, catching my attention.
"I have never heard such mastery of the piano. In all my years, I can count on one hand the number of concerts I've attended, yet tonight... I am rendered speechless. I nearly lost my seat in awe," He said, clearly amazed, his eyes gleaming with so much amusement.
Aww, compared to the Duke, Friedrich is so adorable. He's kind and warm-hearted.
"Really? Thank you so much!" I responded with a laugh, I was blushing at his compliment.
"I was unaware of your skill. It is a rarity to come across someone capable of playing such a masterpiece."
"Ah, that's nothing, I just learned it from YouTube." I laughed. Well, I studied professionally from ages 3 to 10, but after that, I continued learning through YouTube.
"YouTube?" he asked again.
"Never mind, but I can play a piece for you next time," I smiled.
"Will you?" His eyes widened in excitement. He's like a kid.
"Of course."
"One more, young lady. Can I call you Lady Sophia from now on?" he asked, a shy smile spreading across his face.
Aww, he's really adorable.
"Of course, Friedrich," I said, my voice softening. "It would be an honor."
When he heard his name, he smiled even more. Aww, he's so handsome. I just realized it now. His brown eyes and almost ash-blonde hair perfectly suit him.
"The air grows cold, Lady Sophia. Do you not feel the chill?"
"Yeah, now that you mention it."
"If you wish to head inside, allow me the honor of escorting you," he said, his tone gentle and sincere, his smile still lingering.
I nodded in agreement. I was about to follow him when he suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me to the side of a tree. He covered my mouth with his hand.
Wait, what's he doing?
I was about to panic when he signaled me to be quiet. After I calmed down, he immediately let go of me.
What's going on?
I was curious and glanced over his shoulder to see what he was watching. At first, I couldn't make out who the two figures were under the large tree, kissing. But when the moonlight hit them, I immediately looked away.
It couldn't be...
Could it be...
Princess Anastasia and the Duke?