The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1512

"I'm okay with that," Arabella said nonchalantly.

"Then I'll borrow a violin from someone here."

Alma hadn't brought her fiddle today, worried that others might think she had an ulterior motive, so she left it at home on purpose.

"I've got one."

From within the crowd, Eugene's voice emerged. Though he was a whiz at chess, his house had quite a collection of musical instruments.

"Speaking of which, this violin was a gift from Jamie Noelle," Eugene asked someone to hand it over.

Regan, seeing the exquisite and familiar violin, couldn't help but ask, "Is that the one Angus made in 1716, which Jamie Noelle snapped up at a high price? When did she give it to you?"

Eugene looked smug, "A small token like this really shows who's more valued."

"Why did she give you that? Did you coerce or bribe her?" Regan was obviously a bit jealous.

Arabella knew he had a passion for music, yet she gave such a precious thing to Mr. Albright, the chess nut. And she didn't even think of him!

As he wallowed in self-pity, he caught sight of Alma's amused smile and had an epiphany, "I get it now. It must be hers, and you’re just trying to pull one over on me!"

Eugene didn't expect him to see through the ruse and stubbornly retorted, "Can't you just admit Jamie Noelle favors me over you?"

"I'll go first," Alma took the violin, which seemed to bear the traces of Jamie Noelle's touch.

She mustered her courage and stepped onto the stage, brewing her emotions for a moment before pouring them all into The Life.

"With that level of skill, I dare say you won't find a second like her among her peers."

"Indeed, I think Alma's already quite accomplished. Don't be too harsh on her. Why not use this birthday celebration to find her a proper mentor? If Mr. Jarvis is already taken, look to Jamie Noelle."

"Absolutely, Jamie Noelle's performance earlier was breathtaking. If Jamie Noelle would take your Alma as a mentee, then she'd surely become a rising star in the world of violin."

On the stage, Alma played with abandon, her eyes closed.

She expressed everything she'd learned recently through her music - her insights into films, into life, and into humanity.

As the piece concluded, she bowed gracefully, eliciting a thunderous applause.

"It's rare for someone to perform The Life by Mr. Jarvis and Jamie Noelle in public because it's so demanding. One wrong note, and it can turn into a farce."