Chapter 291: Rosin-Sealed Letter

The piano, as a musical instrument that requires superb craftsmanship, whose invention remains a mystery.

Many people believe that the piano originated from the Moon Empire—a fallen empire that disappeared thousands of years ago. The historical truth has long been distorted, to the extent that almost anything can be linked to the Moon Empire.

Nobles, who pride themselves on their high status, cannot live without music.

Among musical instruments, the piano is the most cherished by the nobility. Many nobles learn to play the piano from a young age. For instance, Liszt, in his former life, frequently played the piano.

His sister, Lvera, was a skilled pianist, and his cousin, Meopo, was even an avid pianist.

Even some minor nobles would save up to buy a piano as a pastime. Many second sons of noble families, with no hope of inheriting a title and too timid to go to war, would instead devote themselves to mastering the piano, aiming to become pianists.

Becoming a pianist enabled them to continue mingling in high society.

It was not uncommon for famous pianists to win the admiration of noble ladies through their charm.

Renowned piano performers were highly regarded even within the royal court. Those pianists who could compose piano pieces were all regarded as masters, sought after by nobles wherever they went, and received flirtatious glances from high-status ladies.

Liszt enjoyed such treatment when he performed "Für Elise" at Longtaro Castle.

The nobility's obsession with the piano directly gave rise to a group of iron knights who specialized in making pianos. Iron knights are practitioners of combat aura who craft magical weapons and gemstone equipment. They do not go to battle, practice combat skills, or charge into the fray; instead, they focus on crafting weapons, making them high-level blacksmiths.

Iron knights who craft pianos are called Piano Knights.

Only families of the rank of marquis or above have the financial resources to cultivate piano knights capable of making qualified pianos. Each piano is equivalent to a magical weapon.

Even the cheapest piano would cost no less than ten gold coins.

Therefore, many pianists start with second-hand pianos.

Tulip Castle has several pianos, but unfortunately, the Earl did not give any of them to Liszt, so the Liszt who crossed over did not discover the "King of Piano" within himself.

"Perhaps the freeform piano piece I played at Longtaro Castle has already released the King of Piano within me, which triggered this smoke mission?"

He had already adjusted his emotions, accepting whatever comes his way with composure, remaining unperturbed by external matters.

Figuring out how to complete the mission was the most urgent task.

"How should I write to Duniko? As a friend or by using my title? Or should I just scribble something to complete the smoke mission?"

After a moment of contemplation.

He returned to his study, unfurled a thick parchment, picked up a quill, and dipped it in ink: "Dear Duniko..."

"I wonder if you have been practicing 'Für Elise' lately? While returning by ship, I organized the sheet music while navigating the sea's waves. The swaying of the cabin and the roar of the waves often disrupted my grasp of the melody, partially due to the unease of parting."

"Back in the tranquil Flower Town, breathing in the cold air amidst the snow, my mind finally calmed down. Although the sheet music has been sent to Longtaro Castle through Ranieri the butler, to eventually reach your hands, I still tried to replay those tunes."

Writing this, he couldn't help but draw out a thick sheet of paper covered in musical notes.

This was something he recomposed upon returning to Tulip Castle, and after many performances, he finally retrieved the nuances of "Für Elise" from the depths of his memory.

The sheet music intended for Meopo and Duniko was hastily penned during the turbulent sea voyage.

It was not perfect.

When leaving Tulip Castle, he did not choose to send the more perfect version of "Für Elise," likely feeling it unnecessary, as he did not require the identity of a pianist to enhance his noble aura.

Thus, this sheet music was left on his desk, gathering dust.

Looking at the bold and forceful characters above, he was reminded once again of that night's intense and wild passion. Compared to the beauty of the mermaid Acheron, Duniko fell short, but her seductive allure was something that the innocent and pure Acheron lacked. One made you feel that blasphemy was a crime, while the other made you want to commit it.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound of knocking came, and it was Butler Carter. "Master, are you available?"

Bringing his thoughts back, Liszt responded, "Come in."

Carter entered holding a cup of chai latte. "This is the chai latte that Mrs. Mossen just brewed, with a bit of premium honey added. If you like it, I will tell Mrs. Mossen to continue brewing it this way."

"Let me try it first." Liszt picked up the cup and took a sip. The chai latte with honey was undoubtedly more delicious than the previous fresh milk.

This premium honey was scraped from the destroyed poisonous bees' nest on Black Horse Island, amounting to twenty pounds, non-toxic and with a very fragrant and sweet taste.

It was filled into several large jars and labeled "Exclusive for the Master."

As for the bee grubs, after Abi's wife stir-fried them with oil, salt, and seasonings, most of them were consumed by Liszt—a small portion eaten and the majority stored in a gemstone space. Whenever he had time, he would take out a few bee grubs to chew on, feeling delightful.

With the chai latte now in his stomach, the delicious taste stimulated his taste buds, and Liszt couldn't help but finish the rest in one gulp. "Very good, the sweetness is just right, Mr. Carter, please tell Mrs. Mossen to adjust the spoonful according to today's cup."

"Yes, Master." Carter left with the cup.

Liszt continued to immerse himself in writing letters at the desk, his quill pen moving steadily.

"...Now I have completed the details of 'Für Elise.' I believe it should find its place on the piano stand of the most musically adept Miss Duniko, transforming into wonderful notes under your slender ten fingers."

"I believe I have already heard your moving melody, echoing in my ears, as white as moonlight."

"Sincerely,"

"Yours, sincerely, Liszt."

Putting down the quill, he picked up the heavy parchment and shook it to accelerate the drying of the ink. After checking it twice, he felt the wording was adequate, neither deliberately showing distance nor being too eager. It merely stated the reason for writing the letter without suggesting a desire to meet again.

A man could do anything in a moment of passion.

But when reason prevailed, he knew better how to decide, and he couldn't possibly leave the matters of Flower Town behind and travel a great distance to Red Crab Island just to find Duniko for a liaison.

If not for the absurd content of the smoke mission, he might never have contacted Duniko again.

Passion was not love.

As a noble, he had to be able to let go as readily as he could engage.

"I wonder how Duniko will feel after receiving the letter..." Liszt folded the heavy parchment and slipped it into an envelope.

On the envelope, he wrote "To Duniko Hyacinth" and "From, Liszt Tulip."

Then, using a taper, he lit a candle and took a round spoon from the box of resin stored on the desk, scooping a few small chunks of resin to bake over the candle flame.

As the resin softened into liquid, he spread it evenly over the envelope's seal. Just before it set, he took out his private seal, a long rectangular stamp engraved with the name "Lis" in serpent tongue. He pressed it firmly into the resin, leaving a unique mark.

After everything was done, he called for his squire, Knight Philip. "Send this to Tulip Castle first thing tomorrow morning and ask Sir Levis to help me mail it."

"As you wish, Master."