Chapter 427: Escape from Matsutake Castle

"Hello, Lvera and Liszt."

Angela Sapphire smiled with an air of nobility, exuding the grace of a well-bred lady. She was about twenty-one years old, with fair skin, a beautiful appearance, and a plump figure. Though not strikingly beautiful, she matched Liszt's aesthetic preferences quite well.

Her tone and demeanor perfectly matched her elegant behavior.

It was hard to believe this was the same socialite known for her openness—or rather, her libertine reputation. Of course, judging by appearances is not right, and Liszt did not reveal any of his thoughts.

After greeting the many noble ladies, he sat down next to Aunt Melinda, not wanting to be the center of social interaction. He spoke little, allowing his sister Lvera to quickly engage with the ladies. He only had a brief chat with Meopo.

His cousin was excited, his eyes frequently darting towards Angela as he spoke.

He eagerly joined the conversation.

Soon, several noble ladies began discussing the piano—essentially the most common topic among them.

Meopo immediately declared that his favorite piece was "Euryale by the Water."

This didn't resonate, but Salando Dahua Huilan countered, "My favorite is 'Für Elise,' simple and pure, like the first time you meet someone you like, filled with faint joy and excitement."

"Did you know, I was the one who popularized this piano piece," Meopo interjected. "I sent it to Master Hannibal, whose disciples later performed it everywhere, making 'Für Elise' famous nationwide. But can you guess where this piece originated?"

"Where did it come from?" Salando eagerly asked.

"There's a touching love story behind it, but let Liszt share it with you. The original and the revised pieces both originated from him!"

All eyes immediately turned to Liszt.

This left Liszt speechless; he didn't want to steal the spotlight or create any lasting memories with the ladies on this trip.

"It's simply a commemoration of siblings in love who were forced to part. I happened to hear it and recorded it," he briefly answered.

Lvera, however, remarked, "Liszt has an exceptional talent for the piano. I've heard him play a piece he composed about the city in the sky... Liszt, why not play it for us again?" As she spoke, she gave him a puzzling look, likely meaning, "With so many noble ladies here, why not take one home? I can only do so much."

This left Liszt both amused and exasperated.

Then, Meopo, Glashütte, and Salando all urged him to play his composed piano piece. Liszt wanted to decline, but even the princess chimed in, "Liszt, may I have the honor of hearing you play this piece?"

Reluctantly, he walked to the piano and sat down.

His fingers lightly touched the keys as he briefly narrated a story, "I've heard of a city in the sky, rich, peaceful, and happy. A child named Sheeta holding a flying stone descended from the sky, and a serf named Pazu wanted to prove the existence of the city in the sky..."

While adapting to the new piano, he finished the story, "To prevent the city in the sky from falling into the hands of evil magicians, Sheeta and Pazu chanted a spell, causing the city to disintegrate and collapse... Although the city in the sky was ultimately destroyed, having pursued, having a brave heart, and a beautiful process, everything was enough."

"This piece is called 'With You.'"

After finishing the story, Liszt pressed the keys with both hands and began to play the piano piece he was all too familiar with.

...

As the piece ended.

The noble ladies nearly clapped their hands off.

"It's so beautiful, I felt as if I was in the sky, flying with the clouds."

"It made me feel a peace and clarity in my heart like never before."

"Ah, I have already fallen in love with this piano piece, just like I fell in love with 'Für Elise'!"

Even Meopo couldn't help but clap and praise: "Liszt, if you switch to being a pianist, you could surely achieve the accomplishments of Master Czerny!"

"It was just a momentary feeling, that I turned into a piano piece."

But no matter how modest he was, at the dinner in the Longtaro Castle, he had already become the center of attention. The noble ladies would always pretend to chat with him, casually asking about his personal details, and even dropping hints—for example, three noblewomen directly invited him, hoping he could teach them to play 'With You'.

Private lessons.

What might happen in private was anyone's guess.

Liszt politely declined, citing a lack of time.

"I admit I envy your talent, Liszt. If I could compose a piece as moving as 'With You' or 'Für Elise', I wouldn't need to work so hard to pursue Angela; she would throw herself into my arms." Meopo kept chattering as they walked.

They left after the dinner. With the wedding still a day away, it wasn't appropriate to stay overnight at the Longtaro Castle, so they had to return to the Longtaro Castle for the night.

They avoided staying the night.

"You could have chosen a lady to bring back to the Longtaro Castle with you, I'm sure she wouldn't refuse," Lvera said.

"Sorry, sister, I'm currently focused on my cultivation and don't want to be disturbed by these distractions," Liszt unbuttoned his collar, "Instead, you should pay more attention to seizing your own opportunities, there are sure to be many eligible noblemen arriving this time."

"I can handle my own affairs, I have my own selection criteria."

Liszt shrugged; he wasn't keen on playing matchmaker anyway.

He wandered around the Longtaro Castle, which, compared to the quiet of previous visits, was now as busy as a marketplace, with countless servants busily moving about, setting up for the wedding the day after.

He didn't find the Count, but he did find Levis.

"Brother, father went to see grandfather, do you know what they talked about? I saw that the palace servants and internal affairs officials haven't left?"

"Actually, it's a misunderstanding. These servants and internal affairs officials are a wedding gift from the Duke to the princess. They will join the Longtaro Castle to take care of the princess's daily life and be under the supervision of the castle's housekeeper," Levis shook his head, "The Duke spoils the princess too much."

"Perhaps."

"You also need to prepare. You, me, Rolly, and three other young nobles will form Meopo's groomsmen. We need to participate in the wedding rehearsal tomorrow, so rest early today."

"Do we need to wear strange clothes?" Book friends, hurry up and follow!