Vellandelle practiced until the afternoon.
Although Rosasys was reluctant, she had to leave early to work, so she said her goodbyes ahead of time.
“Elder Sister, I’m off to work at the cake shop. Make sure to rest early. See you at dinner!”
“Mm, see you at dinner.”
Vellandelle smiled as she watched Rosasys leave, noticing how the girl kept glancing back—she really didn’t want to part.
“I’ll play for you every day from now on!”
“Mm, I want to listen to Elder Sister’s piano every day too!”
“……”
The music room fell silent.
The morning light had long since faded with time, and large shadows now draped over Vellandelle.
The room glowed with a warm yellow hue.
She could practice here endlessly, partly for the prize money, but also to recall the past.
When Vellandelle’s fingers gently touched the piano keys, memories always came flooding back.
Her memories of her previous life were hazy, so she didn’t understand how someone who lost both parents at a young age could have mastered the piano so well.
When Rosasys sat beside her, fragmented memories would surface in Vellandelle’s mind.
A woman sat beside her then as well, chin resting patiently in her hand as she watched. Her figure overlapped constantly with Rosasys’s.
A shadow cloaked that woman’s body, and Vellandelle still couldn’t make out who she was.
Yet the feeling of someone watching her with chin in hand seemed oddly familiar.
It seemed there was someone in this world who liked to watch her just like that.
Who was it again?
***
The piano’s melody rippled, drawing more memories forth.
In the midst of such silence, an uninvited guest appeared.
“My dear, long time no see.”
Veiled and adorned with Succubus horns, dressed in flowing black, the intruder was—
Herself?
No, Vellandelle quickly realized it was the one who had called herself Vellanna in her mind before.
Vellandelle kept playing, ignoring her completely.
She thought Vellanna was just a hallucination born from loneliness during childhood.
Since her younger self had created her out of solitude and the Vellanna hadn’t appeared during her time after crossing over, there was no reason for her to show up now.
“My dear, why so cold? I love you so much.”
Vellanna moved closer, resting her head on Vellandelle’s shoulder, her arms encircling her neck.
Though the gesture was big, it felt as light as a feather upon Vellandelle.
Ignoring Vellanna, Vellandelle continued playing.
“My dear, you play so beautifully. I want to hear you every day.”
“But when did you learn piano?”
“My dear, please don’t ignore me. I really love you, love you so much, so very much…”
Vellanna’s embrace tightened, her whispered words growing urgent.
Unable to hold back, Vellandelle shook her head and sighed.
To calm her mind, she played Sacred Play Secret Place.
As the melody soared, she felt as if her soul was being cleansed.
“Gracefully sneaking up on me, they just want to tear my feathers, the golden light of the setting sun, let me be a hypocrite again……”
As Vellandelle sang softly, Vellanna smiled faintly and hummed along, her body gradually turning transparent until she slowly vanished.
Strangely, this world did have English, originating from an ancient nation called “Viter.” Over time, many countries inherited it, and even now, many tongues still resembled English.
Just as Vellandelle was lost in her reverie—
The sound of a violin rose and swelled, the two melodies resonating and intertwining perfectly.
“I will be gone before long……”
Though she didn’t know who it was, the violin matched her song flawlessly.
She was genuinely grateful and seized the moment to continue singing.
“We’ll be all right, don’t look so sad……”
“I feel so good, but I’m worn out……”
“……”
Vellandelle even felt the violin’s tone was more perfect than the original recording.
Silver hair fluttered nearby.
Suppressing her curiosity, Vellandelle pressed on with her singing and playing.
The piano and violin blended seamlessly.
The final note fell like a dewdrop, gently echoing in the silent music room.
Her fingers still caressed the keys, reluctant to break the beautiful harmony.
Slowly, she lifted her head and looked toward the door.
There stood a tall woman, silver hair cascading like a waterfall down to her waist, shimmering faintly in the dim light.
She held a delicate violin, the bow resting lightly against the strings.
Her icy blue eyes were filled with clear curiosity and admiration as they fixed on Vellandelle.
“Karlenasha of Winter.”
Vellandelle whispered the name, surprised. She hadn’t expected to meet such a legendary figure so casually.
Karlenasha gave a slight nod, the corners of her lips curling into an almost imperceptible smile.
“Your music… is very special.”
She stepped into the room, her skirt swaying gently with each step.
“I’ve never heard such a melody or language before.”
Karlenasha lightly stroked the violin, which dissolved into a wisp of icy blue mist and vanished from her hand.
Vellandelle’s heart skipped a beat, but she kept calm.
“It’s a work by a master.”
“Which master? You just used Viter Language, but I have every Viter piece memorized. There’s no way I haven’t heard such a unique composition.”
A hint of amusement flashed in Karlenasha’s eyes.
“Besides, where did you learn ancient Viter Language so authentically?”
Vellandelle was at a loss for words. She had no explanation.
Karlenasha didn’t press further but moved closer to the piano. Her slender fingers brushed over the polished lid.
“No need to be nervous. Everyone has their secrets. What intrigues me more is… the pure sorrow and hope woven into your music. It’s truly unique.”
She suddenly leaned closer, silver strands nearly brushing Vellandelle’s cheek.
At this close range, Vellandelle could see the subtle vertical slit in her pupils.
“Do you know?”
Karlenasha’s voice dropped to a whisper.
“I can sense the ripples of time, and you… dear Junior, are like a stone thrown into the lake of time, creating uniquely distinct waves.”
Vellandelle held her breath.
This Senior was more dangerous than she’d imagined.
Could she really tell that Vellandelle was a traveler from another world?
“You shouldn’t even exist on this board.”
Karlenasha smiled enigmatically.
“Tomorrow’s match…”
She straightened, abruptly changing the topic.
“I’m looking forward to your performance. But…”
A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes.
“If you win,” Karlenasha’s fingertips lightly grazed Vellandelle’s cheek, the icy touch causing her to shiver involuntarily.
“Perhaps I’ll give you a special reward.”
Her fingers slid down, tracing Vellandelle’s neck, then unexpectedly turned upward, resting on the spot where Succubus horns would be.
It was as if she had some power, directly touching Vellandelle’s horns.
Vellandelle gasped quietly—her horns were among her most sensitive spots.
“How cute.”
Karlenasha chuckled softly, fingers stroking Vellandelle’s head.
“I haven’t seen a pureblood Succubus in a long time. I couldn’t help myself.”
Vellandelle tried to retreat.
This woman was too dangerous!
She seemed to see through her identity entirely.
But to her shock, she found herself rooted to the piano bench, unable to move. Karlenasha’s aura was like invisible ice, freezing her in place.
“Don’t be nervous, little Junior.”
Karlenasha leaned down, silver hair falling and brushing Vellandelle’s shoulder.
“I’m just very interested in you…”
She lifted Vellandelle’s chin, forcing her to look into those vertical pupils.
“An existence that shouldn’t be here, yet here you are.”
Vellandelle struggled to speak.
“I don’t understand what you mean, Senior.”
“Don’t understand?”
Karlenasha’s smile deepened.
She suddenly leaned close again, her nose nearly touching Vellandelle’s.
The breath she exhaled smelled of fresh snow.
Vellandelle’s heart pounded wildly.
Just as she felt lost, Karlenasha straightened up, and all the oppressive pressure vanished instantly.
“See you tomorrow, my adorable little mystery.”
She turned toward the door, her skirt tracing a graceful arc.
“Remember, I’ll be watching from the audience. Don’t disappoint me.”
The door closed softly behind her.
Only then did Vellandelle realize she’d been holding her breath.
She gasped, fingers pressing the keys instinctively, producing a discordant note.
“That woman…”
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