Ch. 27
After a satisfying brunch, Selene sat beside her grandmother near the front, right across from Adrian's grandmother, who was glowing with joy as guests greeted her with gifts and laughter.
"Granny Vale really knows how to throw a party," Selene muttered, eyeing the ice sculpture shaped like a swan.
"This thing probably costs more than my car."
Her grandmother chuckled softly.
"Behave, dear. You're representing our family."
Before Selene could reply, the lights dimmed slightly and the emcee's voice echoed across the hall.
"Now, to honor Mrs. Vale's 70th birthday, one of her grandchildren will perform a short piece on the guqin."
Soft applause followed as a young woman in a silk dress walked gracefully toward the small stage. Her posture was impeccable, her fingers poised above the strings of the elegant instrument.
"Oh wow... I didn't know they had live performances." Selene tilted her head.
The moment the first note resonated, the hall fell silent.
The melody was delicate, ancient like the whisper of wind through bamboo forests.
Even Selene, who usually preferred piano or violin, couldn't help but feel mesmerized.
But halfway through the performance, her grandmother leaned slightly closer and whispered with a sly smile,
"Your mother used to play that piece far better."
Selene blinked. "Huh?"
Her grandmother's eyes softened, gaze distant as if recalling a memory long buried.
"Yes, your mother played the guqin too. When she was your age, she could make an entire audience cry with just one song."
Selene froze, fork halfway to her mouth.
(Yes, she's eating again.)
"Wait— my mom?"
Her grandmother nodded.
"Didn't she ever tell you?"
Selene shook her head subtly, mind spinning.
The novel never mentioned this. The old Selene never said anything about her mother's music.
So, she was... talented?
Her heart twisted a little.
Maybe, there's more to this family than I thought.
The performance ended with polite applause, though Selene could feel her grandmother's smug little smile beside her.
"See?" her grandmother whispered again.
"Even Mrs. Vale's guests were only clapping out of courtesy."
Selene fought back a laugh.
"Grandma, you're so savage."
"It's not savage, dear. It's called honesty— Valen style." Her grandmother lifted her chin proudly.
Selene nearly snorted, covering her mouth with a napkin.
"You're unbelievable."
From across the table, Ethan noticed the two Valen women giggling and leaned toward Adrian.
"See that? Even the scary Valens have soft sides."
Adrian glanced subtly at them at Selene's bright smile, the way her eyes lit up when her grandmother teased her and his lips curved just barely.
"She's... different lately," he murmured almost to himself.
"Different how?" Ethan grinned.
Adrian's gaze lingered on Selene a little too long before he looked away.
"Forget it."
As the applause for the guqin performance faded, Mrs. Vale smiled graciously and looked around the table.
"Thank you, dear. That was lovely," she said to her granddaughter before turning her eyes toward Selene.
"Now... what about you, young lady? Do you play any instruments, perhaps?"
"M-me?" Selene froze, spoon midair.
"Oh, perfect question, Clarisse! You know, Selene used to love music as a child!" Her grandma immediately perked up, almost too eagerly.
Selene's eyes widened.
"Wait, what— Grandma!"
Mrs. Vale chuckled, intrigued.
"Is that so? Then why not play something for us, dear? Consider it a little birthday gift for me."
The nearby guests turned their attention toward her, faces bright with curiosity. Some even murmured softly apparently, the Valen girl was about to perform, even compared to her mother who used to play guqin. Selene forced a small smile, the kind that said, please, no more attention.
"Oh, no, I didn't bring anything—"
But Mrs. Vale waved a hand elegantly.
"Nonsense. We have plenty of instruments here. Just tell us what you prefer. Piano? Guitar? Or Violin, perhaps?"
Beside her, Selene's grandmother whispered, eyes sparkling,
"Come now, Selene. Don't be shy. You loved performing before, remember? You were always so good with melodies."
Performing? Me? Selene almost wanted to laugh.
Ah, the real Selene...yes she's been musically gifted... great.
She looked around everyone was waiting, eyes expectant, polite but eager. She had no escape.
Alright, fine. she thought, sighing inwardly. It's just one song... and maybe it'll kill the boredom.
"Violin," she said finally, smiling sweetly. "If it's alright?"
"Of course, of course!" Mrs. Vale clapped her hands once, and within minutes, a butler appeared with a glossy brown violin resting carefully in its case.
Selene stood up, smoothing her yellow dress, and walked gracefully toward the small stage. She could feel dozens of eyes on her. One of those are Adrian's calm, unreadable gaze among them, and Ethan's curious and excited grin beside him.
When she reached the center, she took a slow breath.
It's been so long too since I touched Violin, she thought, running her fingers along the strings.
Well... at least in my old world.
Yes, aside from playing piano, Yuna also has a hobby playing Violin.
And thank god, because the original Selene also know how to play this instrument.
A faint smirk tugged at her lips.
"Fine..."
She positioned the bow, choosing a piece that once challenged her back then a complex, emotional arrangement from her old life, something that built up slowly before blooming into a storm of notes.
The first tone sang out soft, haunting, delicate. Then the melody began to rise, faster, brighter, spinning through the air like sunlight breaking through clouds.
Gasps filled the hall. Even those who didn't understand music could tell this wasn't an ordinary performance. It was too sharp, too passionate, too... alive.
Adrian found himself watching her closely, jaw tightening ever so slightly.
Ethan muttered beside him, "Man... didn't know she could play like that."
Selene finished with one final pull of the bow, the note lingering pure and clear before fading into silence. For a heartbeat, no one moved. Then the applause came, loud and thunderous.
Selene lowered her violin, smiling a little awkwardly.
"Uh... thank you?"
Mrs. Vale was delighted.
"My, my! What a marvelous surprise! You truly have a gift, dear."
Her grandmother beamed with pride.
"Didn't I tell you? My granddaughter never fails to amaze."
Selene chuckled softly, cheeks warming.
Guess I'm really full of surprises today.
As she returned to her seat, she noticed Adrian still watching her unreadable, but there was something new in his eyes.
The party soon carried on, chatter and laughter blending with the faint hum of background music.
The spotlight on Selene had dimmed, but a few guests still approached her to compliment her performance.
She smiled politely at each one, thanking them though inside, she just wanted a glass of cold juice and five minutes of silence.
"Grandma, I'll just get some air," she murmured.
"Alright, dear," her grandma said, her eyes still glimmering with pride.
"Don't wander too far."
Selene slipped out through the side door leading to the balcony. The evening breeze brushed against her face, cool and comforting after the sea of polite smiles inside. She leaned against the marble railing, letting out a soft sigh.
So much for a quiet weekend. Guess performing at a rich grandma's birthday party wasn't on my to-do list.
The sound of footsteps made her turn. Adrian stepped out, tall and composed, his expression unreadable as usual.
"Oh, it's you," Selene said, trying to sound casual.
"Don't tell me you're here to drag me back for another performance."
Adrian shook his head slightly.
"No. I just wanted to say..." He paused, searching for the right words.
"You played beautifully. I didn't expect that from you."
"What's that supposed to mean? You expected me to screech like a dying cat?" Selene blinked, raising a brow.
The corner of Adrian's lips twitched, almost a smile.
"No. I just didn't know you had that kind of passion in you."
"Passion?" she repeated, a bit teasingly. "It's called hobbies, actually."
He let out a quiet chuckle rare, low, and short.
"I see"
Selene rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile that crept out.
"That's your way of complimenting people? You should teach that to Ethan, he might actually sound sincere next time."
Before Adrian could reply, Mrs. Vale's voice echoed faintly from inside the hall, calling Adrian's name. He straightened up immediately.
"I should go back," he said, then looked at her again, eyes soft but unreadable.
"Thank you... for performing. My grandmother was really happy."
"Small thing," Selene said lightly.
"Tell her she's welcome and that next time, I'm charging a performance fee."
That finally drew a small laugh out of him, low and genuine.
"I'll keep that in mind."
As he walked back inside, Selene stared at his retreating figure, still hearing the faint echo of that rare laugh.
Then she frowned.
"Wait..." she murmured, tapping her chin. "Why do I feel like this isn't the first time he said thank you to me like that?"
Her thoughts tangled for a moment, the faintest sense of déjà vu.
"Ugh, never mind." She sighed, turning back to the night sky.
"If this keeps up, I'll end up starring in Love Illusion season two without consent."
She laughed at her own sarcasm, shaking her head completely unaware that from the hall window, Adrian was still watching her quietly, a small, thoughtful smile tugging at his lips.