I Was The Perfect Queen But He Forgot My Name Chapter 21
I hadn’t brought my harp.
My original plan had been to let Stella win the red plum tree and deal with Celeste’s hints herself.
But the situation had changed.
If I didn’t help the hostess save face, Cedar Ridge would be remembered for it. And if a group of heirs educated at the Royal Academy lost to an unprepared Iris, the media would have a field day.
I rose to my feet.
“My harp is being serviced. But there’s one in the stage display. I can try that.”
It was a prop instrument from the charity troupe, its tone merely average, but usable.
The Royal Academy prioritized piano and strings. The harp was often treated as a beautiful but impractical performance instrument.
I had always liked it anyway.
Years ago, Julian had taken me to a music shop to cheer me up. I had thought one harp was so beautiful that I chose to study it for years because of that alone.
A few months ago, that harp had been auctioned off, too.
I tested a few strings, then began to play.
The room slowly fell silent.
The music was like moonlight spilling into an empty mountain valley, red plum blossoms hidden in the dark, their fragrance a faint trace in the air.
When the final note faded, no one spoke.
A moment later, applause erupted.
Celeste announced me the winner, but instead of giving me the entire tree, she personally cut the most beautiful branch from it.
“By today’s tradition, the winner may give the flower to anyone present.”
Smiling, she asked, “Who would Genevieve like to give it to?”