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Austin frowned at the news his assistant had delivered him, knowing that Marius and Giann had both been looking forward to Euterpe’s recital. He had managed to get the whole evening off, but it appeared to be all for naught. Due to injury, the recital had been indefinitely cancelled.
Removing his reading glasses, Austin sighed and leaned back in his chair, requesting his assistant begin planning out other possibilities for that evening. He wouldn’t miss out on the time with his boys, especially with Marius already insisting he was making plans to study abroad.
Looking at the event notification (and the personal email to him), the current head of Pax frowned, having hoped that his youngest could have met and made friends with the young musical prodigy. His interest in music was suppressed by his love for art and how many hours there were in a day. But he understood her wish to be alone with family at such a time. Likely, her career was ruined, the poor girl.
“Give what you can to sponsor Euterpe’s recovery and give her my well wishes, please,” He requested as much as he could from his assistant before sighing and moving onto the next email. It would be a long day.
-Many Years Later-
Alice could feel her eyes welling up as she ran her hand over the smooth, flawless porcelain keys of the piano in front of her. A knock at the door to the soundproofed room drew her out of her trance. She spun on the piano bench, trying to wipe away the tears that were threatening to fall, only to have a familiar hand cup her face, forcing her to look up into amethyst eyes full of affection and love. Marius’s thumb softly wiped away the stray falling tear.
“For when you’re ready, my darling muse.”
She sucked in a breath, resting her hand over her boyfriend’s, “What if I’m never ready?”
“Then it’ll be here,” He leaned down to press his forehead to hers, “And if you ever want it gone, just say the word.”
“What did I ever do to deserve you?”
“That’s my line, Alice Euterpe,” Marius leaned up to press a kiss to the crown of her hair, “You’re sweet, passionate, and oh so talented, a shining star, regardless of what you do.”
“Says Mr. Compassionate himself. The world can villainize you as long as everyone else can chase their hearts and passions.”
She could feel Marius flush even if she couldn’t see his face. She glanced over at the piano, feeling the sense of longing settle in her heart.
“…I’m sure one day, you’ll be ready. You’re too passionate about your music to leave it forever.”
“When you say it like that, I can’t help but believe.”
“And maybe, I can finally cash in a rain check.”
“…huh?” Alice looked up in confusion, “What…rain check?”
“Father, Giann and I were supposed to go to a Euterpe recital years ago…but it was cancelled due to the pianist being injured. We were supposed to meet the lovely pianist and everything,” Marius pulled her hand up to his lip, softly kissing every finger, “A few years too late but I wouldn’t trade this for the world.”
“I guess I owe the von Hagens a recital. After we find Giann.”
Alice got pulled into a tight hug and she pretended not to hear the shake in his voice as she hugged him back.
“Y-yeah, after we find Giann.”
They basked in the comfortable silence before a vibrating phone made both jump. Marius laughed as he pulled out his phone, "Artem finished with his client, he'll be over soon...then we should get dinner."
He stood up and held out his hand, "Shall we, my muse?"
Alice smiled, slipping her hand into his and giggling as he once again kissed her hand, "Let's."