Initially, the melody Nathan played seemed calm and familiar, a gentle stream flowing softly, quiet and serene. Its tranquility settled like a peaceful image in Clara's mind, lulling her senses. However, as the music continued, Nathan's rhythm changed subtly.
The soft, steady stream began to twist and turn, as if encountering rocks and winding through a rugged path. The tune gained layers, reflecting a playful, spirited nature. The once-simple flow now held a lively complexity, like rivulets diverging, rejoining, and joyfully racing forward. Clara found herself drawn into the narrative of the piece.
"What...what melody is this?" she whispered, her voice thick with awe.
Clara's pride took a hit, though she couldn't deny the piece's brilliance. Every note pulled her deeper, depicting a story woven from the very sounds Nathan conjured. Even as a seasoned musician, she hadn't heard anything with this depth and vibrance.
Nathan continued to play, and the music shifted once more. The stream was no longer a trickling brook—it had grown into a river. The melody swelled, painting a powerful picture of a mighty river, vast and steady, flowing toward a distant horizon. There was a haunting silence within its depths, an undertone of solitude and purpose. Clara closed her eyes, fully immersed, envisioning a river pressing on, unwavering yet solitary, silent in its strength.
Clara's initial disbelief turned to wonder as she listened to this third transformation. Her chest rose and fell with the music's every swell, and she found herself entirely entranced by Nathan's performance.
As the song continued, it took on a new tone, even grander than before. The river seemed to journey into a valley flanked by towering, ancient mountains, and Clara saw them in her mind's eye—tall, resolute, unchanging. The tune evoked a sense of eternity, as if these mountains had always stood here, silent witnesses to the passage of time, with the river flowing steadfast beside them.
Clara inhaled sharply, unable to contain her admiration. The music's imagery left her speechless, and she felt an indescribable yearning. This piece was unlike any other she had encountered—a connection between mountain and river, a serenity that surpassed time itself.
"This... this melody... it's beyond beautiful," she murmured, scarcely aware of her own words.
But then, as quickly as it had started, the music ceased.
Clara snapped back to reality, jolted by the abrupt silence. She looked up, almost breathless, meeting Nathan's gaze with a rare vulnerability. She spoke before thinking. "Why did you stop?"
Nathan gave her a small, knowing smile, clearly amused by her disappointment. Before he could respond, Clara caught herself, feeling her composure falter. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Lila's astonished expression.
"M-Miss..." Lila was at a loss for words.
While not versed in music, Lila didn't need expertise to appreciate what she had just heard. It had a depth that even she could feel. She had always considered Clara's music unmatched, but now...
Clara exhaled slowly, her pride giving way to grudging admiration. In the face of such a masterpiece, false praise was meaningless.
"I admit defeat," Clara said quietly, a slight bitterness in her voice. Before such a timeless piece, any other tune would pale in comparison.
"Then you'll keep your promise?" Nathan asked, though there was a hint of playfulness in his tone.
Without hesitation, Clara nodded. "Lila, remove the curtain."
Lila pursed her lips, clearly reluctant, but complied, pulling the curtain aside.
As the barrier dropped, Nathan finally took in Clara's full presence, and despite his mental preparation, he was struck momentarily speechless.
Though he had known of her beauty, he hadn't expected this. Clara's features seemed almost otherworldly, each part in perfect harmony, making her presence luminous. He now understood why so many men risked their lives to catch even a glimpse of her.
"The more beautiful she is," he mused, "the greater the power of the man behind her must be."
Meanwhile, Clara found herself gazing at Nathan, her own heart stirred in a way she hadn't anticipated.
"This man," she thought to herself, hiding a small smile, "this man... he's the one."
For the first time, their eyes met fully, and they both couldn't help but smile, as if understanding something unspoken.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。