Chapter 30: Chapter 30: A Heart's Dilemma
Chapter 30: A Heart's Dilemma
If their first encounter was a fleeting moment of awe and admiration, then the three years that followed had transformed Lydia Moore's initial admiration into a deep affection, and eventually, into genuine, profound love. It was because of this unwavering devotion that she worked so hard to get into Qingli, just to be a little closer to him. She never dared to hope for anything more; for her, simply watching him from afar and loving him in silence was more than enough.
But she never imagined that one day, she would be his partner, standing next to him, close enough to touch the world he inhabited. It felt like a Cinderella story, finally getting the chance to stand beside the prince and dance with him—a mix of excitement and nervousness. Yet, Lydia worried that he might find her clumsy and unable to keep up with his perfect music. Just as her anxiety reached its peak, the clock on the wall struck eight.
The sound of the door opening behind her startled her, and she spun around so quickly that she nearly knocked over the vase on the windowsill.
Dressed in a black cotton shirt and school uniform trousers, Ethan Knight stepped into the room, the top two buttons of his shirt undone, revealing a glimpse of his pale, flawless skin. His gray tie was loosely knotted, giving him a look that could only be described as more than just "s*xy." Although it was merely the school uniform, on him—with his impeccable build and princely aura—it appeared supremely elegant.
Gone was the boyishness of four years ago; Ethan had shed all traces of youthfulness. His features were sharper, more defined, his presence more commanding, exuding a cool, unapproachable demeanor. His aristocratic good looks were accentuated by the black-framed glasses perched on his nose, giving him a look that was both stylish and forbidding.
His very presence seemed to freeze the air around them, making it hard to breathe. Standing before him, Lydia felt like a clown, awkward and out of place. If it weren't for Professor Ling's insistence on pairing them for this duet, she doubted she would have had the right to stand beside him at all. Lydia lowered her head, too afraid to see the indifference or disdain in his eyes. After all, she was far too ordinary—she had neither the beauty nor the grace of a princess, nor the elegance of a musician. All she had was a face that was easily forgotten and a foolish expression to match.
Ethan's gaze was cold as he glanced at Lydia before walking past her to the piano. He sat down without a word, flipping through the sheet music on the stand, marking a spot with his pen. His long, clean fingers then settled on the piano keys. Without looking at her, he tightened his jaw and spoke in a voice devoid of warmth, "Practice." Ethan, who was used to being alone, was already reluctant to work with someone else, and her dazed behavior only fueled his irritation. He couldn't help but doubt whether she was truly the musical prodigy Professor Ling had claimed her to be.
"Oh, right!" Lydia scolded herself silently for being such an idiot. She quickly took out her violin from its case and rushed over to him, apologizing in a small, trembling voice, "I'm sorry, I'm ready now. We can start." She stole a glance at his face through her lashes, only to find that being this close made her heart pound even more fiercely.
She had never known that a boy could be so "breathtaking" up close. His eyes were dark and deep, with a power that both terrified and entranced her, like a requiem that drew her in, making her want to be closer. His nose was perfectly straight, like Mount Olympus standing tall among the clouds, unreachable. His aristocratic features were enough to make anyone's heart skip a beat.
But the coldness radiating from him, keeping everyone at a distance, made Lydia instinctively step back, as if fearing her ordinariness might sully his noble presence.
Lydia blinked, trying to calm her nerves. She positioned the violin on her left shoulder and asked, "What piece are we practicing today?" As she looked at the violin, its soft glow reminding her of a connection she cherished, her hand holding the bow trembled slightly. Because…even the memory of this violin was tied to Ethan Knight. Four years ago, at that music store on the corner, after he had bought his violin, she had purchased the same model, feeling that sharing the same instrument connected them in some small way. It was a connection that made her happy, though he remained completely unaware and indifferent.
Upon hearing her question, Ethan's gaze grew even colder and more severe. He didn't answer; instead, his fingers danced effortlessly over the piano keys, producing a cascade of light and stirring notes. The music was imbued with such deep emotion that it conjured images of standing in sunlight, gazing over moonlit fields and tree shadows, sipping fine wine with all its delicate, luxurious flavors.
Realizing her slow response had upset him, Lydia quickly recognized the piece as *Liebesfreud* and tried her best to keep up with his rhythm. She wanted so much for her violin to blend seamlessly with his piano, but her trembling fingers occasionally produced discordant notes, ruining the piece's inherent beauty.
Lydia desperately tried to stay calm, to relax, but in Ethan's presence, her usually confident self faltered, making mistake after mistake. She could see the tension growing in his jawline, and she sighed silently in despair.
The ancient music room was filled with an odd mixture of sound, as the sheer white curtains fluttered gently in the breeze. Through the gaps, one could see the boy at the piano, his brow furrowed, his expression cold and princely, while the girl beside him, flushed and anxious from her repeated mistakes, struggled to keep up. On the balcony, large, fragrant lilies bloomed, surrounded by small green leaves and delicate vines, their scent light and clean...
As the piece ended, the curtain of memories—those simple, transparent, and crystal-clear recollections—finally fell. Lydia Moore opened her eyes, lifting the bow from the strings. She saw the approving looks in the professors' eyes, and Julian Reed's gentle smile, filled with warmth.
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