Chapter 91: Music and Kidnappings? (1)

The first day of the festival may have been a bit embarrassing for Adrien but it had ended on a relatively good note. After Mikyle’s enthusiastic show of appreciation for the painting, the two of them had met up with Adrien’s parents and brothers, Prince Nathaniel and Lady Silva, and the Queen Regent and the Queen Consort to attend one of the many plays that was being held.

It was finally the second day of the festival and the day when the music performances were being held. Adrien stood behind the curtain wearing a tailored made suit that Mikyle had gifted him. Because he was a first year student, he was assigned to perform in the first block with the other first years.

Each group stepped up onto the stage one by one. Adrien wanted to listen to their performances but was unable to hear them clearly from backstage. It was probably a good thing that he couldn’t hear. It probably would have made him even more nervous if he could have heard them.

Soon, it was his turn to go up. He clutched the violin in his hand and took a deep breath before walking out onto the stage. Adrien was nervous because the song he had chosen would have sounded better on either the piano or with more stringed instruments then just him on the violin.

Adrien walked to the center of the blinding stage, resisting the urge to cover his eyes, and lifted the violin up into position. Closing his eyes, he swiftly moved his hand across the strings.

The song he had chosen was an uplifting pop song by a British singer and songwriter. It had been a popular song that had played on occasion in a few restaurants. It was also a song that his second sister had been obsessed with for a small period of time. Adrien chose that song because he felt like it could fit into the original Adrien’s life. That it could have been just one of many songs that could have been of help to the young Adrien.

He stayed in the A minor range as the notes flowed out, ringing up and down as if the violin was laughing. The uplifting and boisterous sound was clearly audible even on the violin. Though Adrien had to admit that the deeper tones of a cello would have complimented the piece perfectly.

Adrien continued to play, wincing internally at how empty and lacking the song felt. Maybe he really should have tried to find partners for this, or maybe at least have chosen to play the piano instead of the violin.

Before long, the performance ended. Adrien bowed to the audience before exiting off the stage.

"Don’t be nervous. That was a lovely song."

Adrien looked over to find one of his classmates who had yet to perform. "Thank you. But how were you able to hear from back here?"

The girl tilted her head, a playful smile on her thin lips. "I used the wind to increase the sound," she said, pointing to her ears where Adrien could see faint yellow tornadoes swirling around her ear.

Adrien was genuinely impressed. The girl appeared to be a first year like him, so he was surprised to find someone who could control their mana so adeptly.

"Good luck on your performance," Adrien told her with a smile, realizing too late that some people didn’t like well wishes right before a big performance.

The girl beamed despite Adrien’s worries. "Thank you!"

Adrien left after that and found Mikyle sitting among the audience. He slid into the empty seat beside him. Mikyle instantly took Adrien’s hand in his and gave it a light squeeze. Feeling the warmth of Mikyle’s hand, the previous worries that had filled him melted away.

After the final performance of the first half of the day, a small two hour break was announced. Adrien and Mikyle walked around the stalls that had been set up outside. The earlier performance was far from Adrien’s mind as the two of them walked the streets which had been completely transformed.

In the distance near the training fields that had been turned into a temporary colosseum, faint sounds of people shouting and metal clashing against metal could be heard. "Are you sure you don’t need to practice?"

"I’m sure. Practicing the day before a match will only harm the body."

The two of them continued walking, and for some reason,Mikyle had an odd obsession with feeding him. Adrien had tried to take the food from Mikyle on several occasions only to be given a look from him.

Before heading back to watch the final performances, they stopped by to watch the Alchemy students show off their potions and magical devices, which Mikyle showed a great interest in. He even stopped to talk to a few students and asked them more in depth questions. Adrien was honestly reminded of a high-school science fair with how everything was set up, though he admitted that a few of the pieces once explained seemed like they could come in handy or even be used to create something even better.

They made their way back to the performance hall. There were more people sitting in the audience than there were before the break. He noticed that Prince Nathaniel and the two Queens were perched in the balcony seats up above.

Adrien leaned over to whisper to Mikyle as they slid into two empty seats. "Why aren’t we sitting with your family?"

Mikyle looked at him out of the corner of his eye, his lips lifting up into a smirk. "I don’t want to share you, and I know that I’ll have to if we go up there."

Lady Silva and the Ceciles sisters were the one of the last groups to perform.

Aisley walks out and takes a seat at the piano, her pink gown sparkling underneath the stage lights. Lady Silva made her way to the other side of the piano where she stood with her violin case, her violet dress a similar light shade as Aisley’s. Lady Silva lowered the case gently onto the floor by her feet and then took out the violin with adept hands. Aefre was the next to walk out onto the stage, a mic in her hand. Aefre took her spot at the center of the stage, her blue and white ruffled dress capturing the eyes of those in the audience.

They certainly know how to dress to impress, Adrien thought to himself, watching as the girls owned the stage just from their presence alone.