Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

“I tried to arrange it in my own way, aiming to balance melancholy and elegance… What do you think?”

Renat, who had just played the arrangement he’d composed on the piano in the music room, said this as he took his hands off the keys.
Ekaterina responded with a heartfelt round of applause.

“I think it’s wonderful. As expected of you, Lord Renat. I can sense a strong resolve—that even while grieving and suffering for who you are now, there is no other path to take… I believe it’s fitting for a princess of a fallen kingdom. You’ve captured the image perfectly, and this piece is sure to liven up the stage. Lady Olga, Lady Flora, don’t you agree?”

Olga and Flora also nodded with smiles as they clapped.

Ekaterina had completely entrusted Renat with the task of transcribing famous musical numbers and cheering songs into sheet music and arranging them to suit each scene. After all, she didn’t possess any musical talent herself, so there was no way she could do it on her own.

“I’m truly sorry to be asking you to take on so many roles, Lord Renat.”

Renat is not only set to appear on stage as a confidant to Olga, the villainess, and perform during the show, but he’s also composing background music for each scene in addition to arranging this particular piece.
Incidentally, in the Imperial Kingdom, in addition to operas, dance dramas without singing are also popular. They’re thought to be the precursors to ballet.
Having never even seen an opera or a dance drama, Ekaterina was completely reliant on Renat for anything music-related, and it had come to the point where she was effectively entrusting him with the role of musical director for the play.

Come to think of it, what exactly is a “musical director” for a school festival play?

Renat smiled at Ekaterina, who was feeling rather flustered.

“I’m having a great time—every day is filled with music. I’ve always believed I was born for music. But until now, no one would acknowledge that I was living for music. Now, though, everyone around me understands and respects it.”

Wow, just as you’d expect from a genius. Just as you’d expect from a music nut.
Come to think of it, he used to get beaten by his father, didn’t he? His family is aristocratic—and seems to be the muscle-headed type, too. I bet he was constantly told that living for the family was more important than music.
For someone born with talent, being able to express that talent is a source of happiness. If he’s enjoying his current situation, I’m happy for him, too.

“Besides, your song is wonderful again this time. It’s so fresh. To think I’m allowed to arrange this however I like… Your creativity is amazing. Where do you come up with songs like this?”

Ugh!
I’m sorry—I didn’t actually come up with it!

“Well… it’s not really something I came up with. It’s just that a song I heard somewhere stuck in my head. I don’t have any talent like yours, Lord Renat.”

Renat stared intently at Ekaterina as she spoke hesitantly.

“To be honest, I find it really strange. You can’t play an instrument, can you?”

Eek!
Caught red-handed, Ekaterina blushed.

“Yes, that’s right. I’m so embarrassed.”

Music is part of an aristocrat’s education. As the daughter of a duke, she ought to be able to play one or two instruments at a level she could be proud of.
However, since Ekaterina hadn’t received a proper education as a noblewoman, that skill was lacking. Her mother had taught her piano when she was young, but after her grandfather’s death, her grandmother took the piano away, so she never had a chance to improve. Ever since her memories of her past life returned, she’d been studying hard to live up to her status as a duke’s daughter, but this sort of thing isn’t something you can master with a last-minute cram session.
Incidentally, her sewing skills are also lacking.

“But I feel that the melodies you create, no matter how bold they may seem, are backed by meticulous calculation. They’re innovative, yet they remain harmonious from beginning to end without a single misstep. Even I couldn’t reach that level without actually playing them, writing them out on sheet music, and going through trial and error. —That’s why I can’t imagine this was composed by someone who can’t play an instrument.”
“You’re absolutely right! As expected of Lord Renat—you have such keen insight.”

Relieved, Ekaterina said eagerly.
Truly, he’s a genius!

“As you’ve correctly surmised, these are not my compositions. I have no talent for composing whatsoever. Since I couldn’t explain where I heard them or who wrote them, it had unwittingly come to seem as though they were my own… Now that you understand, I feel as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.”

Phew, that’s a relief.
Every time someone called them “Ekaterina’s songs,” I was breaking out in a cold sweat. I kept repeating in my head, “I’m so sorry to the composers, lyricists, and translators from my past lives!” But if I’d just said outright, “These aren’t my songs,” it would’ve led to the question, “Then whose are they?”… so I had no choice but to avoid strongly denying it.
But Renat-kun figured it out on his own—I’m so grateful!
If you can’t play an instrument, you couldn’t have composed this song—that’s a perspective only someone who composes themselves could have.
So even a genius goes through trial and error when composing, huh?

Thinking that, Ekaterina was beaming from ear to ear.
At that, Renat started chuckling.

“You really don’t have any greed, do you? It’s like you’re detached from the real world.”

No, that’s not it!
I’m someone who was completely immersed in the harsh, grueling life of a corporate slave—and died from overwork!

But since she couldn’t exactly shout that out loud, Ekaterina could only stammer, “No, it’s not like that…” while looking flustered.

“If you didn’t compose it, then whose song is it? I know full well that you’d never steal someone else’s work. On the contrary, if you knew the composer, you’d surely be spreading the word about that wonderfully talented person and praising them to the skies—just like you’ve been doing for Olga and me.”

Ah… yeah.
If I knew the composer of this piece personally, I’d definitely praise them with all my might.

“This piece isn’t the kind of thing some random person with no knowledge whatsoever would just happen to come up with. Nor is it the kind of thing passed down through local folklore. To me, this is a very sophisticated piece. I feel it’s meticulously crafted, backed by a wealth of knowledge.”

Mmh.
I think you’re absolutely right. Renat-kun, you’re a master detective!

“I’m thinking that a noble family like the Jurnova family must have all sorts of secrets they can’t afford to let out…”

Oh, he got sidetracked. Even the master detective got lost.
Somehow, I feel like you’re imagining some kind of “dark secret” surrounding the ducal family. Then again, anyone who deduces, “Oh, so you remember being from another world in a past life,” isn’t a master detective—they’re just a weirdo!
No, it’s not some dark ducal secret!
But I can’t say!

“I couldn’t help but ask, but who composed it isn’t really the point. This song is wonderful. It has the power to stir the hearts of those who hear it. That’s all that matters. I’m happy to have been involved in bringing this song to the world.”

You’re such a music nut, Renat-kun… you never waver.
But doesn’t that basically mean we’ve decided to cover up the fact that I wasn’t the one who actually composed this song?
Both Olga-chan and Flora-chan are nodding away with big smiles, too!
Is that okay?!
But in the Imperial Kingdom, even though patents exist, copyright isn’t explicitly codified…

Somehow…
I have this overwhelming feeling that if I don’t do something about this now, I’ll sink into a bottomless swamp, but I don’t know what to do!

Waaah!
I want to see Onii-sama now!