Chapter 17 - A haunting yet beautiful melody (1/2)

Muriel was with Princess Arya, as usual, working on some embroidery inside a sitting room, when a faint sound came to them. After a few seconds, as Muriel put her work aside, she realized it was music, piano music.

Princess Arya didn't even look up from her stitches. ”Ah, it seems that my son is feeling strong today.”

”His Highness?” Muriel said as her heart quickened and her ears struggled to understand the melody. It was beautiful, really, almost haunting, but there was something wrong about the notes, something crooked, something ... Muriel didn't know how else to describe the music. Perhaps she could understand it better if she were closer?

Wait?!

Muriel looked towards the room's exit. Some of her hair drooped and loosened from her hairstyle.

”Your Highness, he couldn't be in the music room, could he? He's always in bed.”

”Of course not, Muriel,” the princess said with a tired voice. ”He never leaves his quarters. He's likely sitting at his own piano.”

Muriel turned to look back at the princess, who was still working, and then she frowned. ”This song is very ... complex? Had he played the piano often before his illness?”

”Well ... hmmmm.” Princess Arya's needle paused in the air as a pensive expression came over her. Then she said, ”He hasn't played in a long time, but ... I have heard him play while under his condition.”

Muriel walked up to the door, put her fingers around its ancient dangling handle, and pulled the door open. The music was still weak.

”Ah! I've pricked myself!”