Luxury Cruise Ship Party
Lux’s Side
As I walked down the hallway of the luxury cruise ship, holding hands with Elina-san, we approached the entrance to a space at the far end of the corridor, and I began to hear the voices of many people coming from within.
“It looks like we’re about to reach the party venue where everyone is gathered, so we might want to let go of each other’s hands now.”
“Y-Yeah, I guess so. It does feel a little bit like a waste, though…”
“Huh? Did you say something?”
“Nothing at all! You’re right, it would be bad if people saw us and got the wrong idea!”
After that exchange, Elina-san and I slowly let go of each other’s hands.
Then, as we continued walking side by side, we arrived at the party venue where many nobles had gathered.
“…”
I had thought the ballroom where the royal exchange was held had been spacious, but this place was on a completely different level. The number of people wasn’t that different compared to the royal exchange, but from the atmosphere each individual gave off, it was obvious that the people gathered here were of a much higher standing.
“Wow, as expected from something called a luxury cruise ship party. The guest list really is luxurious too.”
“Elina-san, I still…”
“Lux! This cruise ship is about to set sail, and I’ve been asked to play the piano as a signal for both the departure and the start of the luxury cruise ship party, so come with me!”
“Huh!? Y-Yes!”
I almost said something timid, but if we had to go right now, then there was no time to talk about that. So I followed along as Elina-san led me to the large piano set up in the venue.
When we arrived at the piano’s location, there were already many people standing at a short distance from it.
I looked at Elina-san’s back as she made her way toward the piano, thinking I’d stand with the others and watch her play from there…
“Lux, over here!”
Saying that, Elina-san grabbed my wrist and brought me right in front of the piano, then sat down on the bench.
“Huh…? Everyone else is keeping their distance. Is it really okay for me to be this close, right next to you…?”
“Yes, in fact… I kind of want you to watch me from even closer, Lux.”
“…Elina-san?”
When I called her name to try to gauge her expression after she said something in a small voice, Elina-san said, “Nothing at all!” and began preparing to play the piano.
Then I started to hear people nearby talking.
“To think she would play the piano…”
“Yes, on a luxury cruise ship… Elizalina-sama, huh.”
I thought I heard the name of the Second Princess, Elizalina-sama, in that conversation just now. Could she be somewhere on this ship?
Come to think of it, that’s right! Feliciana-sama should be somewhere here too!
I really wanted to look for the two of them, but for now, I decided to focus on watching Elina-san as she played the piano, since she was the one who invited me to this luxury cruise ship party.
Just as I made that decision, it seemed the ship had set sail, and at the same time, Elina-san finished preparing to play. I sat right beside her to watch her perform.
“…”
Then, the moment Elina-san began playing the piano, all the voices, footsteps, clinking of dishes, and other sounds disappeared. In that space, only the beautiful sound of her piano echoed.
It was such a beautiful tone… so much so that I felt like I could keep listening forever.
And her posture and the movements of her fingers were so beautiful that I couldn’t help but be captivated.
After Elina-san finished the piece, the venue was filled with thunderous applause. Of course, I joined in from right beside her and applauded as well.
“Lux! What did you think of my piano playing?”
“It was a truly beautiful sound… Out of all the piano performances I’ve heard, it was the most beautiful. I could listen to it forever.”
“…! If Lux says that, then I’ll play as many songs as you want!”
Elina-san said this with a very happy and cheerful voice, and just as she turned to face the piano again to begin playing another piece… it happened.
“Good evening, Lux-kun.”
When I turned around, there she was. Dressed in a beautiful, pure white dress that seemed to glow with a sense of clarity, stood the Third Princess, Feliciana-sama.