Descending Into A Novel-Chapter 72:Rayleigh Von Mez (2)

"Mom! Mom! I beat Magister Percival in chess! They say he’s the best when it comes to chess right? Does that make me the best in chess now?"

Running into his mother’s private chambers, he stopped when he saw her playing the piano. A beautiful melody that seemed to express so many different emotions coming from the piano.

He walked as quietly as he could—tip-toeing and holding his breath, afraid he might disturb his mother’s playing, and because he wanted to listen to it.

Her fingers danced across the piano, skillfully pressing note after note in perfect harmony. Creating a rich and mellow tune.

Finally, after another few minutes. She stopped, causing Raymond to jump slightly as he was broken out of his daydreaming from the sudden lack of music.

She calmly smiled at him, "Congratulations son, but simply beating Magister Percival doesn’t make you the best at chess."

"Why not?"

"Because there is always someone else that could be better then you. Have you won against everyone in the world? Until then, you should never consider yourself to be the number one."

He nodded, listening to every one of his mother’s words. Before quickly remembering what he wanted to ask.

"Mom, you know how to play the piano?"

"Indeed. I know how to play most instruments, I used to be the most famous musician in the empire. I would travel to different cities, performing in public and private for anyone who wanted to listen."

"Why did you stop? I also want to travel with you!"

She didn’t reply, only giving off a melancholic smile as she reminisced on her past.

"Can you teach me?"

She smiled, brushing a few strands of her long white hair away from her face before picking up Rayleigh under his arms and seating him on her lap. Positioning her hands over his as she explained each and every key on the piano.

Once he memorized it all, she extended Rayleigh’s index fingers. Moving them so that he would press down on each key slowly and methodically.

Rayleigh quickly picked it up, his straightened index fingers pushing each key with the help of his mother’s guidance.

Soft sounds came from the piano as the mother and son pair practiced together. Each mistake quickly corrected by her.

By the end of the song, Rayleigh turned slightly. Looking upwards at his mom.

"That was so easy!"

She gave off a small laugh, a twinkle in her eyes as she replied.

"Then, can you try to do this?"

She set Rayleigh’s hands onto his lap, putting her own fingers onto the piano as she took a deep breath.

The room went quiet, only the subtle sounds of their breathing as the only noise inside.

Soon, her fingers danced upon the piano, long notes, creating a slightly dark atmosphere with it’s slow frequency.

Her posture relaxed slightly, the song reaching a low pitch before abruptly stopping. The quiet lasting for only a moment before her skillful playing continued.

Rayleigh watched in awe at his mother’s skills. She was fully absorbed in her own music. Her eyes focused as the music turned warmer.

He struggled to keep up with her fingers, each movement smooth and effortless. The tone of the music gradually shifting from it’s dark tone at the start to the current joyful melody.

It was like she and the piano were one, she was so in sync with each key that Rayleigh could only watch, starstruck.

With a final dramatic flair of her wrist—the tune suddenly erupted. Like a field of flowers blooming all at once, the pay off from the building up as Rayleigh’s ears were blessed with a sound that seemed otherworldly.

Even as the song ended, faint remnants of it still lingered in his ears. The sudden silence making his thoughts seem so loud.

"I want to learn that song! I want to learn that song!"

She ruffled his hair, causing him to pout slightly as a few strands got into his eyes.

"It’s too difficult, I’ll teach you in the future when you’re ready and you still want to. Is that okay?"

"Okay!"

She chuckled, playing with his hair as the two of them enjoyed each other’s company.

Compared to the young and innocent Rayleigh however, her eyes held a much more complicated look.

"Your hair is getting long, do you want me to cut it for you?"

Rayleigh looked at his own hair for a bit, seeing it almost reach his shoulders. He nodded.

"How do you want me to do it? Do you want it to be like William’s?"

Rayleigh thought for a bit, holding his chin in his hands. A habit he learned from his teachers as they frequently did the same

"Hmm...can I have it like yours?"

She brought out a personal mirror, looking at her own hair which was styled by her ladies-in-waiting.

William simply had his hair cut short. With his frequent training, his hair would frequently become messy. Rayleigh would usually have the same but it seemed he hadn’t gotten it cut in a while.

While she currently had her white hair styled in a high pony tail with a ribbon. A style wholly unsuitable for a prince.

"Oh dear, mommy’s hairstyle won’t look very good on you though?"

"But I want it like yours!", he protested. Causing her to smile again at his antics.

Taking off the ribbon holding her hair in place, she shook her head slightly. Letting her long hair fall naturally and freely.

Grabbing Rayleigh’s hair at the back, she tied a small ponytail. Creating an appearance similar to William’s—from the front, he would appear to have simple short, messy hair.

Only from the back and sides, would you be able to see a thin ponytail that went directly downwards. With only the thickness of a few fingers. Reaching until his upper back.

"How about this?"

Using her mirror, she showed it off to Rayleigh. Letting him see her work.

"I like it! I want it like this!"

He looked at himself with the mirror, satisfied upon seeing his appearance.

"Mom. How come I’ve never seen you play before?"

"...because...I do not have any reason to play anymore."

"But you’re so good at it! I want to listen to you play more! Has William heard you play before?"

" Then...Ill play it for you and William. But you have to promise me to be good okay? Don’t think I don’t know you’ve been sneaking around in the palace at night."

"Hehehe that tickles!"

Rayleigh tried to worm his way out of her grasp, but it was to no avail. He could only sit on her lap and giggle as she poked his sides.

Seeing her son panting, a big goofy smile on his face. She felt her own love for him flare up once more. Enveloping him in a hug. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

To think, that just a few years ago. She had no desire to have children. At the time, she had been focused purely on her pursuit of becoming the best musician in the empire. Learning from masters, practicing for hours and hours on end all by herself.

Despite being from one of the most influential duchy’s, she had denied the life of comfort it had. Choosing to travel around the empire which had only just barely recovered from war.

Her skill with her instruments had brought her massive fame. In every city and town, she would perform openly. Using different instruments depending on the occasion.

Eventually however, her family had enough. Forcefully bringing her back to the capital of the Virex Empire and...

Forcefully wedding her to the emperor.

It was a loveless marriage. One she had no say in, speaking up only caused her to be reprimanded harshly.

Such a marriage was purely for political reasons. The emperor needed an heir, her family wanted to cement their power.

In the end, they chose to marry her off to him. She had been absent from the political scene and wouldn’t bring any trouble. In the eyes of both parties, it was a win-win agreement. Not even caring about her opinion.

Even when she gave birth to William. She had hated it. Despising the emperor and her own son. Even briefly contemplating running away.

But slowly, she had come to terms with it. Most importantly however, she had come to love her children.

How could she not? Both William and Rayleigh were simply the best sons she could ever ask for. They were so sweet, kind and caring. They treated each other well and they were such good-natured children.

She didn’t know whether she would have been able to withstand life in the palace without them. Everyday, she was stuck inside. Only able to wander the gardens and the long halls that seemed to stretch on forever.

She had forgotten what the sea smelt like, the feeling of wind blowing through her hair, the midnight rays of the moon which dyed everything in its silver light.

But, if she had a choice. To go back to that life of traveling, or to stay with everything as is. She would pick the latter each time—without any hesitation.

Because she may have lost many things which were precious to her. But now, she had discovered something that was even more valuable.

And she wouldn’t give it up for anything.

Such was the life of Lucille Seraphine de Valois.

Youngest daughter of the de Valois duchy family. The White Songstress. The Empress Consort of the Virex Empire.

And loving mother of two.