Kapitel 21: Chapter 21: An Unexpected Ally
Chapter 21: An Unexpected Ally
Lydia Moore stood by the window, her eyes fixed intently on the neatly arranged violins hanging on the wall. Her brows furrowed slightly, reflecting her indecision. It was the twenty-third music store she had visited, and with only a week left before starting high school, she still hadn't found the right violin. She had worked countless part-time jobs to save up enough money, and now she was determined not to let her hope slip away. Rebuilding her resolve, Lydia took a deep breath and resumed her search, confident that she would find the perfect violin here.
Time seemed to blur as she scoured the store. Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere of the shop was filled with the delicate, uplifting strains of music. As the melody filled the air, a faint scent of green tea and lavender wafted through the room, subtle yet sweet like jelly. Dust motes floated silently in the sunbeams, finally settling into stillness.
Drawn by the serene yet vibrant music, Lydia turned around. The moment her gaze landed on the boy at the piano, time seemed to come to a halt.
In the midst of the flowing notes, he sat at the piano, dressed in a white linen t-shirt, exuding a careless, princely elegance. His short, jet-black hair, finely shaped brows, straight nose, and sensuous lips all formed a strikingly handsome face. Though he appeared to be only fifteen or sixteen, his sharp features already hinted at an unparalleled maturity and aloofness. Yet, his eyes were cold, devoid of warmth.
Lydia Moore watched his profile in silence, feeling a dizzying sensation from lack of oxygen. She had always thought of the piano as an instrument suited to boys with a gentle, spring-like presence. But he defied her expectations, leaving her completely awestruck. Her hands clenched and unclenched at her sides as she struggled to contain the fluttering in her heart. She was utterly captivated, unable to tear her gaze away from him.
He had an innate, mesmerizing aura, as natural as the fragrance of orchids. Perhaps it was this ethereal charm that had caught her in a moment of stunned admiration, planting the seeds of a faint, inexplicable feeling that began to grow in her heart like delicate white lilies on a green vine.
When the music ended, Ethan Knight's long, slender fingers, with their distinct knuckles, lifted from the black and white keys. He stood and handed a gold-edged card to the still-bewitched store owner, his voice clear and melodious as he spoke, "Vine Tower, West Hill District." Ethan was always particular about his pianos, insisting on personally testing each one before purchasing it. The piano he had just played had a rich tone and well-crafted keys, so he bought it without hesitation.
The plump store owner's eyes crinkled with a smile as he respectfully accepted the gold-embossed card. West Hill District was the city's most expensive neighborhood, so it was no surprise that this young man was so generous, paying without even asking the price. The store owner could only dream of having more customers like him, as he processed the payment with a contented grin.
West Hill District, Vine Tower? Lydia Moore's heart skipped a beat. All this time, they had been separated by less than 500 meters, just one street away. She recalled the luxurious, palace-like European villa with its stunning light-colored decor that she had admired so many times. Every time she passed by, she would stop and gaze up at it, captivated by its intricate design. But she had never known that the prince inside was him. Was this just a coincidence, or a blessing from a guardian angel? A warm, inexplicable feeling of happiness and excitement filled her heart.
Ethan Knight's gaze suddenly, and unexpectedly, landed on Lydia Moore. Her body tensed instantly, and she felt a wave of nervousness wash over her under his scrutiny. Afraid of being noticed, she quickly lowered her head, her hands twisting the hem of her shirt. Her shoes were still smeared with mud and grime.
For the first time in her life, Lydia felt a deep sense of inadequacy. He was strikingly handsome, with a proud and distant air, like a prince from a fairy tale, while she felt as plain as an ugly duckling—perhaps even worse. Even the ugly duckling in the fairy tale wasn't as scruffy as she felt right now. Lydia's thoughts spiraled into self-deprecation, and she didn't even have the courage to look up and meet his eyes. She could only listen as his footsteps slowly approached.
Outside the music store, large silver birch trees bloomed with abundant flowers, their branches extending over the clear glass windows. The pale pink and white blossoms swayed gently in the breeze, and the stone-paved path was strewn with delicate petals, creating a scene that was almost dreamlike in its beauty.
The handsome boy pointed to the white violins on the wall and said something to the store owner. The owner, his smile wide, carefully took down the violin and began to wrap it with meticulous care. The boy turned to leave, his posture straight and his figure tall and lean. He didn't notice the girl watching him as he left, her eyes filled with a mix of nervousness, hope, and perhaps a touch of unintentional disappointment.
Ethan Knight pushed open the door and stepped out of the bright, sunlit music store, disappearing around the corner, where pale pink petals fluttered in the air.
Lydia Moore stared at the empty spot on the wall where the violin had hung, her eyes sparkling with pure, innocent light. Her smile bloomed like a rose. She thought to herself, "I've found the violin I want, just like Cinderella finding her glass slipper, and that glass slipper is tied to her destined prince." Could she dare to believe that the 1% chance of a miracle might actually come true for her?
Large white clouds drifted across the sky, and the summer sun shone warmly and brightly. The flowers bloomed in profusion, their petals fluttering like butterflies, filling the air with a fragrant, sweet sense of hope.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein