A hum echoed through the hallways. It reminded Mira of something… but she can’t quite pinpoint it.

Was it a mistake to mess with Lucian directly? Is she going to die now?

The soldiers were walking beside her rather than forcefully taking her, but they seemed uneasy.

The hum grows louder as they approached the louder.

The soldiers glanced at  Mira , a little surprised, but said nothing. They knocked the door.

The hum stopped.

Tinges of honey and lavender dripped down her throat.

“Come in.”

The room was nothing like she had in mind. It was no office – rather a narrow empty table, a piano on the side, and layers of black opaque curtains.

A window seemed to be behind those curtains, but the sunlight was mostly blocked by the curtains – which seem more like veils to the figure moving inside. The only source of light was the tall lamp beside the piano.

The room fell silent for a while.

The shadow behind the curtains shifted and paused.

“Thank you, you may leave.”

“Aye, General.”

W-what is this velvety voice? And did she consumed anything with honey?

“ Mira , is it?”

“OH YES! WAIT HOW DO YOU KNO- UHM – H-hello, I’m  Mira ! I arrived in the city with my parents on vacation, but lost them and have been searching for them for several days. It’s an honor to be invited here, thank you!”

“I’m Lucian, General of the South,” the figure replied, almost melodically. “You’re an unregistered orphan,  Mira ?”

“Y-yes Sir – I find walking almost enjoyable.”

“Hmm? Bashing the piano too?”

 Mira ’s cheeks turned red. Think,  Mira , think!

“I uh I find your lobby very… artistic and elegant. Piano reminds me of my parents, so I really wanted to play.”

“Do you think playing will make them return to you? What if they abandon you on purpose?”

“Then I’ll be happy to just remember them, even if I don’t know how to play.” Mira bit her lip. She would be happy if she knew her father at least thought about her, not only whether she had eaten or not, but what she liked, what she wants, what her day is like.

 Mira  flinched.

She wasn’t sure how – but she was sure of it – behind the opaque covers, the figure smiled.

“Take a seat. Would you like to learn?”

“W-what?”

“Learn the piano. 1 hour every day, with me.”

 Mira ’s brain short-circuited.

“H-hold on – can I ask a question?”

“Ask away.”

“What’s up with the curtains?”

“Well, don’t you want to know? I will reveal myself to you progressively if you stay. So, what would it be, Ms.  Mira ?”

The taste of honey is now vivid in her tounge.

“D-deal. Thank you for the invitation!”

“And thank you for your company.”

So began their lesson.

It wasn’t easy at first. Mira never read musical notes – ever. She never really watched any recitals too. But Lucian’s voice was patient every time – he guided her through every notes and page, asking her for her guesses and thoughts, and correcting her endless mistakes gently.

And it was weird – but he seemed to be able to see her perfectly, where her eyes are looking at, which keys is she pressing, even though she couldn’t see him at all.

Slowly, Mira started memorizing the scales, chords, intervals, and keys, even recognizing new ones. Lucian laughed and applauded.

The next meeting, the office had changed, the curtains replaced with a balcony of flowers facing the waterfall – but how is it even possible? The spatial manipulation? How deep is that waterfall? If she fall, will she di-

“You know, no one have ever thought of that before.”

 Mira  flinched, quickly returning to her piano seat, and almost died, tripping over. A creature almost celestial, his figure basking in light, eyes blindfolded, was sitting next to her.

He quickly caught her and smiled guiltily.

“Sorry, I’m Lucian – in case you didn’t recognize me.”

“H-have you been sitting here all along?”

“Why yes, you walked in right to the balcony without batting an eye at the piano. I’m honored at your appreciation of the new aesthetics though.”

 Mira  blushed hard. She couldn’t tear her eyes off him – his pictures and videos did him no justice, even the handsome actors that her espionage instructors deliberately picked to mimic Lucian as much as possible.

“Staring as widely as such could get you in trouble, you know. And make you lost that pretty mind.”

“OH MY GOSH – I’M SO SORRY!” Mira quickly turned towards the piano. She bit her lip. That blindfold was similar to…

“Are your eyes hurt?”

“Sorry?”

“Injured. I remember an acquaintance of mine had his eyes bleeding and needed to wear a similar blindfold… you should get some rest!”

Lucian’s eyes soften. He smiled.

“I’m ok, thank you your concern. Did that acquaintance of yours ever recovered?”

“He still have a scar, but his eyesight returned, yes.”

Lucian slightly nodded. There was slight solemn over his face before he resumed the lesson.

“Put your emotions more into it, and always keep your hands curled like this, like holding an egg, but also light…”

 Mira  stared in awe. She had heard him hum the tunes before, but hearing him play the piano up close was something else.

“… and… that’s the end. Wanna try?”

“Yes!”

And before long, melodies starting flowing over the room. The minors, the majors. The sun sets and the stars rose to the sky.

“Have you eaten dinner,  Mira ?”

“No, I was about to-“

“Then let’s grab dinner together!”

He turned away quickly and replaced his blindfold with sunglasses and before Mira knew, the two of them, along with an assemble of soldiers, were dining in a fine restaurant.

One thing though – she didn’t really pay attention before, but everyone except for Lucian and her were wearing devices in their ears and never looked at Lucian for more than 3 seconds.

 Mira  stared at her plate. How much does this even cost?? Lucian smiled at her.

“Was the dish to your liking?”

“It’s too much to my liking – oops I mean it’s perfect!”

“A new friend, General?”

“Oh yes, this fine lady’s my piano student. She’s very dear to me.”

W-what-

“Well young lady, don’t hesitate to drop by any time, ok? You’re always welcomed!”

 Mira  was almost sure he’d only say that with Lucian around.

She smiled politely and nodded.

“Thank you!”

 Mira  stared at her reflection. It have almost been a month, and her dad will figure out the lie soon.

“Sir…uhm…” Mira hesitated. She forced a smile. DILVEI IS PRETTY. DILVEI IS COOL.

“I- I’m a huge fan of your wife… do you think you can introduce us sometime?”

The table went silent. Lucian’s eyes flickered. He grinned.

“Meet me in two days.”