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And so, a tumultuous period began.
Though it was mainly Olga and Renat who were caught up in the turmoil.

The song Ekaterina sang for them in an empty classroom after school was selected by Renat.

“It’s dignified and wonderful. One of the charms of ‘Let It Go’ is its diverse changes as it modulates repeatedly, but with how accustomed to leisure classical music Their Majesties are, such an experimental song might leave them bewildered. Meanwhile, this piece is fresh without being too avant-garde, so I think Their Majesties will be able to enjoy it without reservation and appreciate it. Your talent is multifaceted, Lady Jurnova; I need to work harder too.”

Needless to say, Ekaterina screamed inwardly, “It’s not my talent! I’m sorry!”

Come to think of it, it’s a mystery why Renat gets to decide on these things… but judging by the flow of the moment and how much Olga seems to rely on him, it feels like Renat has effectively become Olga’s producer. Well, given his talent and the knowledge he’s gained about the Empire’s music scene and Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Dowager’s musical tastes through his relationship with Lydia, he is certainly the best person for the job.

Olga was delighted, too. She immediately started humming the song, and her complexion even brightened a little.

“What gentle, soothing lyrics. Yet there’s also a dignified quality to them that gives me courage. It feels fresher and more wonderful than any of the popular songs I’ve heard at the Temple of Music… I’m so happy to be able to sing it!”

In my past life in Japan, I’m pretty sure it was a long-running hit that had been sung for nearly twenty years… Plus, the song was apparently composed about a hundred years ago and is still loved all over the world…
But a hundred years ago in my past life would be the future from the perspective of this world and this era… No wonder it feels new…

Ekaterina murmured to herself. Back in high school, the choir advisor had raved about this song, making her and her club members sing it endlessly and lecturing them on its history. Thanks to that, Ekaterina remembered the full chorus perfectly. She’d assumed it was a German song or something, but apparently the composer was British.
It’s a song that requires a wide vocal range and falsetto for a solo, but that’s no problem for Olga. Ekaterina was barely able to sing it.

“Let’s practice together when Lady Lydia isn’t around.”

Renat is forced to accompany Lydia’s lessons every day, but that’s only during her self-practice sessions at the academy or the marquis’s mansion. Apparently, during her formal lessons with a vocal coach, a professional pianist accompanies her, so Renat is off the hook. Since Lydia will surely rush to her teacher’s side to practice even after school on weekdays in preparation for her performance before Their Majesties, he says his free time will increase significantly.

“I’ll be the one to make your singing voice the most beautiful and radiant!”

It seems a producer and a drill sergeant have been born.

.

Mikhail immediately wrote a letter to his grandfather, the former Emperor Valentin, and secured permission for a visit. Having lived in a villa on the outskirts of the imperial capital since his abdication, the former Emperor, now living in seclusion far from power, likely has more than enough time on his hands.
It seems he only touched on the matter of wanting to receive words of praise from Olga in order to stop the revision of Seleznyov’s domain laws in a roundabout way, but the other person is, after all, a former emperor. His intentions seem to have been conveyed quite clearly.
And former Emperor Valentin sent a reply that subtly conveyed his approval.

Mikhail showed Ekaterina the reply from the former emperor. She felt a shiver run through her at the sight of His Majesty’s handwritten reply—was it because she had become so steeped in a class-based society, or was it a sensation rooted in my past life as a commoner?
The former emperor’s handwriting was so beautiful it was mesmerizing, and the phrasing of his indirect consent had a certain artistic quality to it. However, there was one sentence that caught Ekaterina’s attention even more.

*“Though I am practically a hermit, the name of young lady Jurnova, your companion, has even frequently reached me of late. I hear she is making a name for herself in a manner reminiscent of my brother-in-law, Sergei. I look forward to seeing her soon. And my grandson, Mikhail, and I, along with my songstress, eagerly await the day we may see you in good health.”*

Words about me have reached His Majesty the former Emperor…? What did he hear…? This is so scary!
But it warmed my heart to see he still addresses Her Majesty the Empress Dowager as “my songstress.” Even now, as they spend their twilight years together, the couple who married for love remain so affectionate.

“See? He is a kind person. And since you’re Duke Sergei’s granddaughter, he holds you in special regard. You have nothing to worry about.”

Mikhail smiled, but Ekaterina was still nervous overall, and her smile looked forced.

.

Despite that, Ekaterina devoted all her energy to supporting Olga.
First, she wrote a letter to Madam Didonat, their vocal coach, asking her to come to the Jurnova residence every weekend leading up to the performance to give Olga lessons.

*“His Imperial Highness Prince Mikhail has instructed us to present Lady Olga’s singing to Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Dowager. Accordingly, we would be grateful if you could come to our residence to instruct Lady Olga for as much time as possible. The House of Jurnova will fully compensate you for any losses incurred by declining other lessons. However, we ask that you keep this matter confidential until it is resolved.”*

I know I wrote this myself, but reading a text filled with such royal characters makes my head spin a bit.
I entrusted the letter to Mina to deliver, and apparently, Madam Didonat read it on the spot and made an immediate decision.

*“What an honor it is to be involved in such a distinction for Lady Olga. I wish to do my utmost to be of service, both for Lady Olga and for your noble family.”*

Madam Didonat usually has quite a strong handwriting, but the characters in this reply seemed to tremble slightly. If Olga were to receive praise from Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, it would be an honor for Madam Didonat as her teacher as well.

Ekaterina also negotiated with the academy and obtained permission to use the auditorium every day after school. Since Ekaterina was to perform a song for Their Majesties, permission was granted immediately upon explaining that it was for practice.
The reason they chose the auditorium instead of the music room was to ensure that others would not see Olga practicing, rather than Ekaterina. The auditorium was unnecessarily spacious—it was large enough to host the entrance ceremony—but it had an orchestra pit and a piano.

The very next day, Renat brought over the sheet music he had transcribed. He had even arranged it to suit Olga. Apparently, it took him until morning to arrange it all in his head without any instruments. During class that day, he was practically fast asleep.
Since Olga could play the piano, she could also read sheet music. Now she was able to practice on her own even when Renat and Madam Didonat were absent.
Thinking about what else she could do, Ekaterina made some honey-ginger syrup—good for the throat—with Flora and brought it to Olga, brewed herbal tea with thyme leaves (which she’d heard were also good for the throat), and advised olga to keep the humidity as high as possible to protect her throat. If Renat was Olga’s drill sergeant, Ekaterina was turning into her manager or personal assistant.

“I can’t possibly ask of you to do all these things for me, Lady Ekaterina…”

At first, Olga shrunk back in embarrassment, but Ekaterina just laughed it off.

“I’m the one who’s benefiting here. Being together like this, I get to listen to your lovely singing voice to my heart’s content.”

Ekaterina truly loved Olga’s singing voice, without any hint of flattery.
Besides, being like this reminds her of the crunch time during club activities in her past life, and it’s actually kind of fun.
If possible, she wants Olga to relax and enjoy singing too. In a similar line of thought, even if Her Majesty the Empress Dowager didn’t give Olga her approval, Ekaterina would still suggest Olga to become a singer, with the Jurnova family sponsoring her.

“Thank you so much for being so kind to me. I’ll do my best to live up to your generosity, Lady Ekaterina!”

It backfired completely!
Or so she thought, but Olga’s face lit up.

“Somehow, I’m starting to feel like receiving praise from Her Majesty the Empress Dowager isn’t just a dream. If that happens, I’m sure Grandma will be so happy.”

Apparently, Olga’s grandmother was a huge fan of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.

Supposedly, the popularity of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager was immense in the Seleznyov region. Especially among the older generation, she is revered by people of all social classes as a source of local pride and the heroine of a dreamlike romance. Among them, Olga’s grandmother was said to be a particularly ardent fan.

“Once, when she overheard some people on the street talking about Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, Grandma actually ran back to them and asked, ‘Is what you just said true?’ Even though they were complete strangers. And if she ever heard anyone speaking ill of her, she’d start crying and say, ‘She’s not that kind of person at all.’”

That really is quite something.

“My grandmother loved music, too. She was a wonderful singer… I take after her. I’m sure she’s watching over me, cheering me on, and looking forward to it all very much.”

Apparently, Olga’s grandmother passed away two years ago.

“I see. So your beautiful voice is a gift from your grandmother. Lady Olga.”

She must have been a sweet, petite grandmother, just like Olga.
What a difference from mine.
Ekaterina found herself thinking that, and smiled.

.

On the weekend, they welcomed Madam Didonat for a lesson at the duke’s residence. The focus was primarily on technical instruction.
With Marina’s arrangement, she arrived with Olga riding the Krymov family carriage. Flora remained at the academy to work on creating Olga’s alibi such as cleaning Lydia’s room and other chores.

“Listening to such lovely music while enjoying delicious tea and sweets—it’s absolutely wonderful!”

Marina’s words were meant to be considerate toward Olga, but they also seemed to reflect her true feelings.
However, Mikhail had also arrived incognito, so Marina found herself unable to swallow the sweets she had been looking forward to. In the presence of the handsome prince, a young lady’s heart trumps her appetite. She had her five-layered mask perfectly in place.
Leaving Marina—who was fully immersed in her role as a sparkling young lady of high social standing, just like when she first enrolled—to her own devices, Ekaterina welcomed Mikhail.

“Welcome, Lord Mikhail. Please make yourself at home. Thank you so much for coming despite your busy schedule.”

The fact that her way of welcoming him involved piling sweets in front of him might have been a bit of a typical Osaka auntie vibe.
Mikhail laughed.

“Since I’ve always helped myself with your lunch, I guess I’ve come to be seen as someone who’s always starving.”
“You’re at a growing age, after all, so please eat as much as you like.”

At that moment, Ekaterina had a brilliant idea.

“To thank you for your trouble, I’ll make whatever you like for lunch next week. Please tell me what you’d like to eat.”

Mikhail’s eyes widened.

“You’re going to make my favorite food?”
“Yes. However, as it is my brother’s lunch, it can’t be something that he dislikes.”

I’m a bonafide brocon, I can’t compromise on that point.
Hearing Ekaterina’s words, Mikhail nodded as if to say, “I knew it,” looking rather relieved.
Then, after listening to Olga’s song, he let out a sigh of admiration and clapped vigorously.

“I can’t wait to let Grandfather and Grandmother hear this. I’m looking forward to seeing their happy faces.”

.

Renat told me that Lydia was also working hard on her lessons day and night.

“However, the young lady is a bit frustrated. It seems her father, the Marquis of Seleznyov, isn’t very enthusiastic about it.”
“Oh dear, why?”
“I’m not sure, but perhaps he’s not feeling well. Apparently, he’s been drinking less wine lately… But more likely, he might have received word from Jurmagna. They’re aiming to install their own daughter, Lady Elizabeth, as Empress, so his daughter is a thorn in their side.”
“That might very well be the case.”

The young lady—who was likely an even greater thorn in Jurmagna’s side than Lydia—nodded nonchalantly.

.

Those days passed in the blink of an eye, and finally, the day arrived for them to pay a visit to Their Majesties.