MBO - Chapter 69

The next morning at breakfast, Heiner handed her a copy of the sheet music and some clothes. Annette inspected the clothes, which were neatly sewn together, and asked,

“Did you do it yourself?”

“Didn't you do it yourself?”

“...Thank you for your hard work.”

She assumed he'd delegated the task to someone else. It was mind-boggling that he actually did it himself, amidst all this busyness.

Meanwhile, the scissors she used to trim the thread yesterday were nowhere to be found. Only the clothes had returned.

'I borrowed it, so I have to return it.'

But even mentioning it felt a little awkward. She didn't want to bring up past memories here again.

Annette finally gave up on getting the scissors back and opened the sheet music to look through it. The conversation that followed was largely about the cipher.

She rechecked the score and asked him for more details, including the circumstances surrounding its discovery and the existence of other confidential documents related to the code.

Heiner surprisingly answered the questions readily. It was unclear whether it was because her movements were already restricted or because, having come to this point, she had simply decided to trust him.

"In fact, the Armenian liaison plane didn't simply crash; it was shot down by our military. The officer aboard the plane was carrying classified documents, including the operational plan."

"The operational plan? Are those and other confidential documents encrypted as well?"

"It's half true, half false. Thanks to this, the cryptography department is busy day and night."

"Still, I'm really glad we have the upper hand in information. If it's ever decrypted, I can combine it with this encrypted information."

"We're already comparing and contrasting, but there are gaps in the numerical information. That's why I asked if there was a way to hide the numerical code in the score."

"Yes..."

Annette's face clouded slightly. The more she listened, the more burdened she felt. Inversely, her confidence plummeted.

Yesterday was just a lucky day, and she didn't think she could figure anything out anymore.

Of course, Annette was ignorant of cryptography. She also worried about what would happen if she deciphered it incorrectly. This was too confidential for her to handle.

Heiner opened his mouth, perhaps noticing her expression.

“...You don't have to feel compelled to uncover anything. Simply pointing out something suspicious or a different way to think about it is sufficient. Just like Norman's style yesterday.”

He put down his cup and continued speaking absentmindedly.

“Then we will decipher it by considering all possible scenarios, including your opinion.”

His gray eyes stared straight at her, unwavering. His calm, definitive sentences evoked a sense of great trust.

For some reason, at this moment, his position became clear.

Heiner Valdemar, the highest commander of the Padanian army. Born an orphan, he rose to become a close associate of Margrave Dietrich and a key figure in the national reforms as a revolutionary army officer.

A legend who rose to the rank of Army General and Commander-in-Chief at the youngest age. A triumphant general who led the first battle on the mainland, the Winter War, to victory. And the man who holds the power of the Allied Force...

Regardless of her feelings toward him, Heiner Valdemar was a hero in Padania. If he said it would happen, it would.

The problem was herself. Annette hesitated because she still lacked confidence in herself.

“But it’s been so long since I stopped playing the piano... and playing and notating are two completely different fields... it would be better to ask someone more professional than me.”

“You are the most talented pianist I know.”

Annette dismissed his words as empty, as if he were desperate. She said with a faint smile.

“Of course I will do what I can, so you don’t have to say that.”

“You think it’s a lie.”

“You’ve met Felix Kafka, haven’t you? You know what a wonderful pianist he is.”

“If you hadn’t given up the piano, you would have been a much better pianist by the time you were Kafka’s age.”

Heiner's face was calm, and his tone was even, making it hard to believe he was lying. But Annette also knew how adept he was at lying.

She smiled bitterly as she cut the sausage with a knife.

“...I don’t think so. A lot of my fame comes from my father.”

Everything Annette had accomplished in the past had the Marquis's label attached to it.

Since her teenage years, Annette has consistently swept the top prizes in domestic competitions. She has also won third place in international competitions and given solo recitals, earning her the nickname "piano prodigy."

But with the revolution, everything fell apart.

Whether Annette truly achieved these things on her own or not was irrelevant. Even if it were true, it was achieved through the Marquis's wealth and power, so there was nothing to say.

"Well."

Annette's knife paused for a moment at his words that suddenly came out.

“I can’t say that what you’ve enjoyed is deserved, but at least your talent and effort are genuine.”

“...”

"I know how many songs you've memorized. I know you were the only contestant in the competition who never missed a touch. And I know how hard you worked to get there."

Annette slowly raised her head. Heiner continued speaking in a calm tone, as if simply stating the facts.

"I know you were alone in the practice room, struggling and crying. I also know that you had an interest and talent for composing as well as performing, and that you had many unreleased songs."

“...”

"That was your entire world. That's why you were indifferent to the outside world. I've never lived that kind of life, so I can't understand the passion and frustration you felt."

“...”

"But even I know, at least you were excellent in that field. So you're the most talented pianist I know. And you're the best fit for this job."

It was a firm sentence, just like the first time. Without an inch of wavering or hesitation.

Annette remained speechless, her hands trembling as she tried to hide them. A beat later, she opened her lips.

“The composition.”

For some reason, her throat got choked up, and she couldn't speak.

“I didn’t even finish my studies properly.”

“You quit on your own.”

“...Because for a noble woman, playing music seems more noble than composing.”

“As always, it’s the nobles’ wisdom.”

“I didn’t have much talent for composing. That’s one of the reasons I quit.”

"You've never officially announced it. If you had, it would have been different."

Annette stared blankly at him, as if she'd just woken up. A strange feeling struck her. Why was he so certain?

Why was he so sure of something she herself had never been sure of?

From the beginning, Heiner had been interested in her playing. He was also one of the few people to whom Annette showed her own compositions.

But essentially, Heiner never entered her world. There was never any musical exchange between them.

Annette didn't think much of it. Heiner's field was far removed from music to begin with. It was just as difficult for her to relate to his field.

Men often considered women's piano playing a noble hobby. Compared to them, this level of respect and interest alone made her think he was a decent man.

So it was natural that Heiner did not venture deep into her world.

No, maybe it's as if─ trying to keep some distance...

Annette, thinking this far, felt a strange sense of certainty and a bit puzzled. Yes, as if trying to distance himself.

Why?

Heiner knew all her tastes. Not only did he know them, but he had also explored them. It was obvious now. He had to win her heart.

So there was no reason to distance himself from that field. The piano was a huge part of her life. It was also the area where he could most easily delve into her heart.

As always, the easily conceived thoughts didn't lead to any consequences. Their past remained unclear, as if shrouded in a translucent film.

“I entrusted it to you based on my judgment. I thought it was right to entrust it to you.”

A voice that sounded so neat and almost indifferent broke the brief silence.

“So you don’t have to waste time and energy checking whether it is true or not.”

It might sound arrogant. But perhaps because it was the speaker, it felt like he was simply stating facts.

Annette nodded slowly and put the sliced ​​sausage in her mouth. The moment she chewed, a little fat oozed out, giving it a rich, salty flavor.

The first thing she noticed was how delicious the food she was served was. Before she could even chew and swallow everything in her mouth, she stabbed a sausage with her fork and stuffed it into her mouth again.

Her heart kept thumping. It wasn't a pleasant sensation, but it wasn't unpleasant either.

It was so ironic.

The only person who once acknowledged what her everything was was also the one who destroyed it all.

Previous                    Next