Some strings don't break. They cut.
---
The rain fell gently.
In a quiet corner of Harmonia's forgotten courtyard,
hidden behind old hedges and a broken fountain —
Noen and Sera were practicing in secret.
But today…
Sera's fingers trembled.
She held her violin —
but her eyes were playing something else entirely.
> "Noen…" she whispered.
"If I tell you something…
promise you won't hate me?"
Noen gave a gentle smile.
> "I've trusted your music more than anything."
Sera lowered her gaze.
> "I have a brother."
Noen paused.
> "Brother?"
> "He left me… and our mother," she said softly.
"For Harmonia. He joined the Royal Guard. His name is… Sile."
Noen froze.
Sile — the one who led the arrest of a mother…
for simply singing a lullaby?
But Noen said nothing.
Sera's voice shook as she continued:
> "He told me once…
'Music is a disease. And you're its carrier.'"
Noen's voice was quiet.
> "And what are you, then?"
Sera's eyes shimmered.
> "A foolish little sister…
who still believes that maybe…
if I play the perfect tune…
he'll come back."
Noen said nothing.
He picked up his guitar…
and strummed a quiet melody.
Not just for her…
but for the trust that had quietly shattered.
---
Then—
> Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
From the courtyard's shadow…
A figure emerged.
Wearing the Guard's armor.
Eyes cold.
Sile.
> "Touching," he said.
"But playing in rebel circles won't earn you mercy."
Sera froze.
Noen's eyes met hers — You told me no one knew…
> "I've been watching," Sile said calmly.
"Since the day you returned to Harmonia."
"You think the guards are blind?"
Noen stepped forward.
> "So what? You're here to arrest me?"
Sile looked at Sera.
> "Not yet."
"I'll let you perform. Let you move hearts.
Let the city cry for your music…"
"And then I'll remind them—
that you… were their biggest mistake."
Noen looked closer.
There was no hatred in Sile's eyes.
Only fear.
> "You think you're protecting them?" Noen asked.
> "I'm saving them from pain," Sile replied.
"You want to bring it back."
And with that,
he turned and left.
Leaving only silence behind.
Sera dropped her violin.
Noen stepped beside her.
And said quietly—
> "A string might snap…
but we can still fix the chords."
"And this time…
they'll listen."
---
End of Chapter 7
"Sometimes… even betrayal makes space for the music."