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I had heard that one is invited to the Garden of the God of Music only after offering a musical performance on the stage of the Temple of Music.
And yet, why did the God of Music appear during this performance at the imperial villa?

*——I found a beautiful song, a beautiful melody, resonating by your side. That is why I came.*

Judging by those words, it must have been because Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, who possesses the God of Music’s blessing, was present. It means that the music Her Majesty hears also reaches the God of Music.

Perhaps Lydia knew this. That is why, whenever she had the chance to have Her Majesty the Empress Dowager listen to her songs, she devoted every spare moment to her lessons, striving to perfect her performance. To borrow Renat’s words, she did so with a fierce, almost demonic intensity.
Especially this time, since she viewed it as a contest against me, she likely put even more effort into it than usual, believing that if she could receive the God of Music’s summons right then and there, it would be a perfect victory.

And then the God of Music descended. When he floated down right beside her, she must have rejoiced, thinking her long-held wish had finally come true—that she had finally achieved it.

And yet, this ending…

Lydia, who possessed a stronger sense of pride as a high-ranking noblewoman than anyone I’ve ever met, and who had always behaved in a manner befitting her station, now lies collapsed on the stage, weeping uncontrollably.

I wonder what the “right” thing for a duchess’s daughter to do is in a situation like this.
Gently pretend not to notice?
Mutter something like, “Poor Lady Seleznyov…” and shed a few tears?

Well, whatever I’m doing is definitely the wrong response.
So I’m running over!

“Lady Seleznyov!”

Ekaterina rushed over to Lydia on the stage.

Oh, I ran out of the VIP section without saying a word to Their Majesties or the Crown Prince. I’m making an even bigger mistake here.
But, but, I just couldn’t help it!

If I just left her to deal with a setback like this, she’d never recover! She might even end up becoming a shut-in!
Actually, that reminds me of a high school baseball player who was aiming for Koshien. He was winning through the ninth inning of the prefectural finals, but then he turned a walk-off hit into an error, lost the game, and ended up becoming a shut-in… I can’t help but see that in Lydia’s situation.
It’s probably just as shocking. Of course she’d fall apart. It’s only natural she’d be sobbing uncontrollably, unable to get back up.

Can you really compare a high school baseball player to a marquis’ daughter?
But they’re both in the same boat—their dreams, which they’ve been single-mindedly pursuing since childhood, have been shattered!

…I kind of feel responsible.
Then again, I did set this stage up to stop the domain law revision that Lydia proposed, so I do think it’s her own fault for trying to do something so unreasonable!
But thanks to my status, I was able to pull off a strategy that was way too easy. It ended up feeling like I was showing off a bit too much, and I think I ended up cornering her in various meanings. I didn’t really realize myself just how powerful the title of “Lady of Jurnova” actually was.
And on top of that, I never imagined things would turn out like this. The moment the God of Music appeared in the VIP section and descended right in front of Lydia and me—that false hope was probably the hardest blow of all.
My soul was just rare because it came from another world. But to think that, because of that, Lydia completely convinced herself it was a welcome for her… I’m sorry. It’s not like I did anything wrong, but I just feel bad.

And even with all those responsibilities aside, there’s a much simpler reason:
I just can’t leave a crying girl alone!

So, when Ekaterina reached Lydia, she wrapped her arms around the girl’s body—who was face-down on the stage, sobbing—and pulled her close.

“Lady Seleznyov!”

But Lydia screamed something and tried to push Ekaterina away.
Undeterred, Ekaterina put all her strength into her arms and held Lydia tight. It might hurt her. But when the heart hurts so much, sometimes physical pain is necessary.
Then, right by her ear, she shouted with all her might.

“It’s just not the right time yet!”

Lydia’s body trembled.

“Your time will come eventually! It just wasn’t the right time now!”

I’m sorry, but honestly, I don’t know if that will happen. Whether the God of Music will call you is something only the God of Music knows.
But I can say this without a doubt.

“Your singing was beautiful! I could really feel how seriously and wholeheartedly you’ve dedicated yourself to it all this time.”

Lydia’s singing was truly on a high level. Even I—who had been irritated by her bringing up her mother earlier—was completely won over and moved.
In my past life, I loved singing, but when something happened and the choir club was disbanded, my friends and I simply celebrated by going out for sweets. While Lydia must have practiced every single day without fail. That is truly amazing.
She must truly love singing. She must have sung innocently ever since she was a young child who knew nothing of the world. Even after the burdens of her family and social status were added, she must have kept singing.

“You have worked so hard all this time. That is why your singing is so beautiful. I could feel that.”

There are many aspects of Lydia’s way of thinking and doing things that I can’t quite agree with.
But her dedication is admirable. That much is certain.

“You will grow even more. Your time will come once you’re able to bloom into an even grander flower. I have no doubt about it.”

Koshien is limited to three years, but the challenge to answer the call of the God of Music is something you can pursue your whole life.
You don’t realize just how young you are, or how full of promise your future is, do you? That’s just how high school students are.
I still haven’t quite adjusted to this world’s values, but I do understand that Lydia’s “justice”—questioning her status in front of Their Majesties—was too extreme. A high schooler’s sense of justice is pure because they’re ignorant. She’ll change as she encounters various people and experiences setbacks.
You’re still so immature. But that just means you have plenty of room to grow in the future!

But Lydia is still sobbing and trying to pull herself away from Ekaterina’s arms.
Ahh, nothing I (her perceived enemy) say is getting through to her! After all, I’m the one who cornered her! What should I do?!
Tell me, passionate person from my past life—!

Just as a flustered Ekaterina was about to summon a flip calendar in her mind…

“Lydia.”

A quiet voice spoke.

Ekaterina and Lydia both looked up with a start. Standing beside them was the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager smiled at Lydia.

“Lydia… if you have tasted failure today, consider it a blessing.”
“Your Majesty…?”

Lydia stared in astonishment.

“When I was first summoned, the God of Music said to me: ‘Your song is beautiful because of your suffering…’ Lydia, you have never known failure. You have known only a perfect world where your efforts are rewarded and you are respected. At your young age, you can sing a perfect song. Yet perfection is not the best.”

The faint smile that flitted across the Empress Dowager’s lips at that moment seemed self-deprecating.

“…What is the best song? That is something I, too, am still pursuing; it is not something I can speak of with any authority. But I do understand this: perfection alone is not the best. If, today, you have come to know failure and experienced anguish, then perhaps you can set out on a journey from perfection. A journey in search of the best song—a journey whose destination no one knows… Whether you choose to embark on it or not is up to you.”

Lydia was speechless.

Still, her tears had stopped, and Ekaterina gently patted her on the head.
This is it—it’s your chance to grow.
Hang in there.

Lydia, with her head bowed in deep thought, didn’t seem to notice Ekaterina patting her.
But then, she suddenly realized.

“Kyah?!”

She let out a little scream and jumped back with a *pyon!*. Her face bright red, she gaped at Ekaterina, staring intently, seemingly in a state of panic.

“……”

Uh, sorry. I guess being petted on the head by your perceived enemy is a bit much, huh?
But you didn’t have to leap back like that. Like a frog.

Actually, you leaped quite far back, you’ve got some serious core strength. I guess singing really does build up your muscles in subtle ways.

The Empress Dowager chuckled softly.

“Your dress is dirty, Lydia. See that you are changed.”

As she spoke, a maid who appeared to be the Empress Dowager’s lady-in-waiting stepped forward and curtsied.
She then took Lydia’s hand to help her stand, guided her, and led her away.

“Let’s return to our seats, Ekaterina.”

Saying this, the Empress Dowager extended her hand to Ekaterina.
Ekaterina’s eyes widened in surprise, but she timidly placed her hand in the Empress Dowager’s and stood up.