Chapter 73 Amelia's Second Identity Emerges
Amelia was stunned when she saw an email from Osborne. It had been months since she last heard from him. She clicked it open.
"Hey Rosy, it's been a while since I got any new compositions from you. What’s going on?"
"I've been taking those pills you sent for almost two months now, and I feel so much better. I'd love to thank you in person if that's possible."
"Got some exciting news: I saw a video online of a young girl in Celestria playing my piece 'Summer Forest' at a party. She was amazing."
"I'm planning to find this girl, so I've decided to make River City in Celestria my next stop."
"I remember you're in Celestria too. Can we meet up?"
"Her playing reminded me of the recordings you sent. She made me think of you."
"I've been looking forward to meeting you. Hope to hear from you soon."
After reading the email, Amelia sat back and thought about the past year.
About a year ago, when she was still known as Rosy, she met Osborne.
Osborne had just turned fifty-eight and was dealing with severe insomnia and anxiety, making it impossible for him to compose. Still, he held himself to high standards and insisted on creating music every day.
He had his assistant, Soren, reach out online for original piano compositions, hoping someone else's work might inspire him. If he found something he liked, it would be featured on his new album as a special track.
For both professional and amateur pianists, having their work featured on an album by a world-class pianist like Osborne was the ultimate honor.
Thousands of people from around the world submitted their compositions to Osborne's email, and Amelia was one of them.
Her piece, "Daytime Fireworks," struck a chord with Osborne.
When the album was released, the name Rosy became famous overnight because the piece was so captivating.
It wasn't the complexity of its structure or harmony that made it special; it was the raw power it conveyed.
The beginning was assertive and controlled, the middle section accelerated with playful energy, and the final part plunged into a long, winding descent before ending decisively and upliftingly.
As soon as the piece was released, people began to analyze it, suggesting that "Daytime Fireworks" symbolized the chaos of war.
From the first note, listeners were transported to a new world, as if they were in the midst of a battlefield.
The intense melody felt like the roar of artillery, and the sudden shifts evoked the aftermath of war, strewn with ruins. The final resolute notes brought a sense of hope, symbolizing a longing for peace.
Everyone's mood and circumstances influenced their interpretation of the music.
But regardless of whether Rosy intended to metaphorically depict a brutal war, everyone felt the relentless, inspiring energy in "Daytime Fireworks."
Calling it "stunning" would be an understatement.
The piece had become widely popular, and people were still curious about who Rosy really was.
Even Osborne himself knew nothing about her beyond her name and email address—no details about her real name, age, identity, or even gender.
He only knew from their email exchanges that she was from Celestria.
Amelia was a bit taken aback by Osborne's email.
What a coincidence.
She admired Osborne deeply, so when Rachel had set her up to perform unexpectedly that night, the first piece that came to mind was "Summer Forest."
She hadn't expected the video to catch Osborne's attention.
Osborne had expressed his desire to meet her numerous times over the past year. He even mentioned that if she ever visited Novaria, he would personally pick her up at the airport.
Such regard was unimaginable to others, akin to an ancient emperor personally welcoming a commoner at the city gates.
Osborne, a musical genius, saw her as a fellow prodigy. His admiration transcended age, status, or gender.
He wanted to meet her and hear her play live.
She hadn't agreed before because she had been living in seclusion in the mountains, avoiding contact with the outside world.
But now that she had a new body, there was no reason not to meet.
So Amelia replied: "Hey Osborne, just saw your email. Funny thing—the girl in the video is actually me."
It was 2 AM in Celestria, 7 PM in Novaria, and Osborne was having dinner.
He knew it was nighttime in Celestria when he sent the email, so he hadn't expected a reply.
When he received a notification and saw it was from Rosy, he was instantly thrilled.
Reading the content, he was so excited that he dropped his fork onto the plate.
"Is this for real?"
"Rosy, are you really the girl in the video?"
Osborne had been learning Celestria's language since he was young, so he was quite proficient in both speaking and writing it. He had always communicated with Amelia in Celestria's language.
Amelia replied: "Yep, my real name is Amelia, and I'm seventeen years old."
"Osborne, if you come to River City, you can call my number."
Amelia typed in a few digits.
"I can help you arrange a hotel and travel itinerary and show you around to enjoy Celestria's cuisine."
Seeing Amelia's response, Osborne was ecstatic.
He had never been so excited about a trip!
"I'm still in shock and excitement."
"Rosy, or should I call you Amelia, Soren will handle the hotel and travel plans, but I'm really looking forward to having dinner with you."
"Let's meet in River City, Celestria!"
Just as he imagined, Rosy was indeed a genius—a musical prodigy!
After replying to the email, Osborne immediately messaged Soren to reschedule his flight to River City from next week to tomorrow.
He couldn't wait to meet this girl named Amelia.
After finishing her conversation with Osborne, Amelia closed her laptop.
She glanced back and saw Michael on the bed, his brow furrowed and sweat forming on his forehead, seemingly in the grip of a terrible nightmare.
Amelia quickly went over and lay back down, wrapping her arms around the tall, trembling Michael.
She wiped the sweat from his forehead, kissed his brow, and gently patted his back to soothe him.
What was Michael afraid of?
What kind of nightmare was he experiencing?
Amelia had no intention of prying into others' privacy, but Michael was no longer a stranger to her.
So she closed her eyes and placed her palm over Michael's temple.