At the end of Roger’s gaze was a wooden sign with a violin painted on it. It was the only instrument shop in the Hosha village market. All the instruments of my brothers, including the violin beside me now, were purchased there.

“Did you buy the violin you have now from there? It’s quite good.”

“That’s right.”

At my answer, Roger stuck his head out the window. It seemed he told the coachman to stop for a moment.

“Why are we suddenly stopping?”

“Let’s take a look around.”

He instantly went into the instrument shop. My tongue went dry at the sight of his excited back. He had boasted about buying me a gift, but surely he wasn’t going to buy an instrument?

Even the cheapest violin here would be beyond what I could afford with my current money.

‘Roger has a conscience. Surely he wouldn’t ask me to buy it?’

He might ask me to buy it. I entered the shop, kept my distance from Roger, and glanced at the price tags.

The prices were insane.

“Is this violin perhaps an instrument from Hudgers ten years ago?”

A smile bloomed on Roger’s face, who didn’t understand my feelings. Would Roger expect such an expensive instrument from me, who lives without even receiving pocket money at ten years old?

“Young master, you have a good eye. This is the most expensive instrument in our shop, would you like to see it?”

No!

The shop owner, pleased that a customer knowledgeable about violins had come, showed unusual enthusiasm. Sensing danger, I only tried to prevent Roger from playing the violin.

“Ro, Roger.”

“I’ll play a piece for you. What song should I play?”

“…Anything.”

Preferably a farewell song dedicated to my wallet pocket, which might be its last.

As I heaved a deep sigh, Roger tuned it a few times, then played a piece called “And the Podium” that he was teaching me.

Just a moment ago it felt like the sky was falling, but as soon as I heard Roger’s performance, I was immediately immersed. It was the same for Roger who was playing, and the shop owner. Even people passing by the instrument shop stopped their steps for a moment at the clear notes that elicited admiration.

I feel it again, but Roger has a natural talent for the violin.

When Roger plays, it doesn’t feel at all like he’s the same age as me. His mischievous personality, his seemingly sarcastic tone, all disappear from memory, and only Roger’s current appearance is etched in my eyes.

It’s an enviable talent.

“…Hey, how was it?”

“Roger, if you’d just keep your mouth shut and only play the violin, I might have fallen for you.”

“A person can’t be perfect, right? Anyway, you liked it, didn’t you?”

Roger shrugged and handed the instrument to the dazed shop owner.

“You played well. And I’d like to purchase this instrument. My friend here promised to buy it for me today.”

“…!”

Roger pointed at me. Then I remembered the fact I had forgotten. The performance was incredibly good, but buying the instrument was a different matter.

“Hey! Do you have no conscience…!”

“Ah, you mean this violin. As a reward for the excellent performance, I’ll give you a discount…”

“No. I want to buy this bow.”

Roger’s words surprised both me and the shop owner.

“What?”

“This bow. It seems like just an ordinary practice bow, right?”

“Yes… It’s 2 gold coins, but are you really only buying the bow?”

“Next time I’ll come to buy the violin.”

Roger handed the violin back to the owner and kept only the bow in his hand. 2 gold coins wasn’t too burdensome. I hesitantly took out gold coins from my pocket and paid.

“…Here’s 2 gold coins.”

Even if I needed a practice bow, a practice bow would be worthless to Roger who mainly performs… but he smiled like a child, looking at the bow.

“It’s a cheap bow, but I’ll treasure it, Lize. I’ll practice with this every day. Thanks.”

Still, seeing Roger so happy made me glad.

“I’ve been invited to the Grand Duke of Born’s mansion. They want to hear me play. Around this time exactly one month from now, I’ll be performing there.”

Roger’s mouth moved non-stop on the way to Roscove village.

“The Born family… You mean you’ll be performing in front of His Highness Born?”

“Yeah. If the performance there ends successfully, my skills will probably become widely known, don’t you think?”

If it were another child, they would have been trembling with fear… But Roger was already worried about his fame.

“So be good to me, Lize Marsen.”

“I’m always good, aren’t I?”

“What do you… Never mind, let’s stop talking about me and talk about you now.”

“What about me?”

“Why is it impossible to practice violin at the Marsen mansion?”

My mood suddenly sank. Roger, who was observing my expression, hid his previously playful smile.

“Did something happen?”

“It’s nothing. My parents are getting divorced.”

“…That’s not nothing.”

“All the siblings will be going to the Pollong family. Not right away though. We’re staying in temporary lodgings for now because there are still things to do here. So… I probably won’t be going to the Marsen mansion anymore.”

Roger was silent for a moment, then nodded.

“…I see. Then it might be good to take a break from violin lessons for a month. Do as you please.”

“Ah. Just taking a break?”

At my question, Roger’s eyes turned fierce.

“Were you planning to quit practicing?”

“No. I thought it might be difficult to practice since the distance would be greater.”

“Hmph, unfortunately, I have no intention of letting you go. If you get lazy, I’ll whip you anytime.”

“…”

“Why, why are you smiling? Were you really thinking of not coming?”

Roger kept questioning me, anxious that I might never come again. He only stopped his persistent questioning after finding out the exact address of the Pollong family.

The fairly good mood became heavy as soon as we entered Roscove village. Is it because the instrument sound that inevitably reaches our ears as soon as we pass the entrance feels thinner today?

It feels like my body is empty inside.

As I looked around, I noticed ink-black clouds smeared across the sky. Shop owners were putting away items they had displayed outside. Some shops were closing early due to lack of customers.

There were no children on the streets trying to stop people with flower baskets or newspapers. It was quiet, to put it nicely, but the atmosphere was gloomy.

After a few minutes, the carriage stopped, presumably having arrived in front of the Bakus mansion.

“Looks like a guest has already arrived. That carriage looks familiar.”

Roger, who had stepped out first, said. Following him out, I frowned at the sight of a carriage in front of the Bakus mansion.

Ornate golden borders, the overall color was dark wine red, but the door was closer to deep brown. As Roger said, it was a carriage that looked familiar.

“…Delphinium.”

The golden pattern was delphinium. That flower was my father’s favorite. The very familiar carriage was my father’s.

“Lize, what’s wrong?”

Roger asked, seeing me hesitate. Some pressure and anxiety enveloped my body. A strange and unpleasant feeling dominated me.

“Ah, it’s nothing. The carriage is just so luxurious.”

The carriage kept bothering me. I wanted to ask Roger, but he didn’t seem to know the owner of this carriage either. Just in case, I examined the carriage from various angles.

‘No matter how I look at it… it’s the same.’

This carriage in front of me is my father’s carriage.

“…”

If it is indeed my father’s carriage, why has my father come to the Bakus mansion? I hadn’t seen my father for several days, so I had no way of knowing the reason.

“Roger… Is, is your father also in the mansion right now?”

“Father is currently in the capital for a work commission. He probably won’t be coming to the mansion for several days.”

Those words meant that Roger’s father was not currently in that mansion. With an uneasy feeling, I grabbed the hem of Roger’s clothes as he tried to enter the mansion.

“What’s wrong? Lize.”

“No… There’s a guest, won’t we be intruding?”

“It’s not like we’re staying at the mansion, I’m just quickly delivering a letter, right?”

Roger asked as if wondering what the problem was.

“Still.”

“Besides, if that letter is from Mrs. Marsen… no, your mother, it’s even more important. If you’re worried, wait here. I’ll just go in quickly and come right back out.”

As Roger tried to enter the mansion alone, I grabbed his clothes even tighter than before. He frowned slightly, seemingly finding my behavior suspicious.

“…Lize.”

“…”

“Lize!”

Roger waved his hand in front of my face.

“What’s really wrong with you? Are you okay?”

“…I’m fine.”

“If you’re having a hard time, we can skip the violin lesson today.”

“No, no. And I… I’ll go in too.”

Having made up my mind, I moved my feet towards the Bakus mansion. Contrary to my expectations, nothing would be wrong inside the mansion. It would be better to confirm this with my own eyes and be at ease.

Roger carefully opened the door so as not to disturb the guest. Holding tightly onto his arm, I entered the mansion with him and held my breath at the interior, which was quieter than expected.

“What’s this.”

When even the maids were nowhere to be seen, let alone my mother and the guest, Roger also sensed something suspicious and hunched his shoulders. There was a tense atmosphere.

Roger’s other arm grabbed my hand. Roger took the lead and headed towards the reception room.

“Roger, maybe we should just leave…”

“Be quiet, Lize. I hear something.”

We came to the door of the reception room. A dull sound along with a man’s voice could be faintly heard.

“…”

“…”

“Stay back, Lize.”

Roger glanced at me once and then slowly opened the door handle of the room.

“So-something fell.”

Mrs. Bakus’s voice was heard. Roger must have heard it too, as his hunched shoulders relaxed slightly. Just as we were feeling relieved…

“It’s alright. It didn’t break. Look, it’s fine.”

“Bu-but that object is a gift from him…”

“Forget about your husband and focus on me now.”

This is my father’s voice.

After first guessing the situation, I put strength into my hand holding Roger’s, but he didn’t budge.

“…Ro-Roger.”

Roger’s body stiffened, perhaps shocked by my mother’s infidelity. Roger, who couldn’t come to his senses, let go of the door handle he was holding.

The door slowly opened.

“Count! I think someone’s here!”

“What?”

Our eyes met with Mrs. Bakus and the Count embracing each other on the bed.

“…”

“…”

It felt like time had stopped, yet blood seemed to flow backwards. I was certain everyone here felt the same as me.

“Ah!”

My father, who grasped the situation quickest, suddenly pushed away Mrs. Bakus whom he was embracing. The lady also noticed Roger’s stiffened face and her lips trembled.

“Ch-children. This is a misunderstanding…”

“Who are you?”

Roger’s voice was lower than ever before. He looked over my father’s appearance and then opened his eyes wide.

“…What.”

“…”

“…It’s Count, Count Marsen.”

Roger realized it was my father.