After everyone had gone some distance and the scrutinizing gazes around them had subsided considerably, Draco finally moved closer to Hermione's side.
"So protective of me? I saw what she was doing just now. My wife can be quite fierce when she gets angry!"
"I have no choice but to do this!" Hermione said without changing her expression. "To prevent some people from getting involved in inappropriate relationships."
Draco chuckled, then whispered in Hermione's ear, "What flower could be more beautiful and charming than our Miss Hermione?"
These words instantly shattered Hermione's composure. Her face turned completely red, and she hissed in a low voice, "Shut up!"
"Okay!" Draco, still smiling.
At this point, the captain and several senior crew members politely greeted the important guests at the main table and then gradually left to have dinner in the officers' mess, which had been prepared especially for them.
The reception in the main banquet hall was not over yet; it maintained a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, with music playing and the aroma of fine wine wafting through the air.
There were still subtle glances around them, occasionally stealing a look at the striking young couple.
But after Hermione's statement and Draco's indulgent attitude, no one dared to be so tactless as to disturb them.
At that moment, the waiter stopped a step away from Draco and Hermione and reminded them, "Sir, Madam, dinner in the main dining room will begin soon. Please feel free to move in and dine at any time."
Draco nodded in response.
He then turned and gently placed his hand on Hermione's lower back. "Let's go, Mrs. Malfoy, it's time to enjoy tonight's main course."
Hermione's ears burned again, and she simply hummed in agreement.
The two walked side by side, with the guests in the hall casting respectful, curious, or envious glances behind them.
The main restaurant is decorated in a more formal and elegant style.
Inside the main dining room, hundreds of candles burn quietly on intricately carved candlesticks, emitting a warm and soft glow that envelops the entire space in a tranquil golden halo.
The two were led to a seat in the restaurant with a great view.
The waiters served appetizers, main courses, and delicate desserts one after another in an orderly manner.
The two enjoyed dinner to soothing music and in hushed conversation, occasionally exchanging a glance or a comment.
They were about 70-80% full, enjoying the food without feeling guilty, and they put down their knives and forks at the same time.
Draco wiped his mouth and looked at Hermione: "Full?"
"Mmm, it's delicious." Hermione nodded.
"How about we go somewhere else to digest our food?" Draco suggested.
"Good."
The two got up and left the main restaurant.
I strolled slowly down the carpeted corridor into the softly lit piano bar.
The soft, soothing piano music flowed out like a stream.
Stepping inside, the atmosphere is quiet and romantic.
Dark wood walls, soft leather sofas, small round tables, and a bartender quietly wiping glasses behind the bar.
In the center, in front of a black grand piano, a young pianist is playing intently with his eyes closed.
The guests sat in twos and threes, chatting quietly or listening attentively, while others watched the occasional navigation lights flashing by outside the window.
The two found a corner sofa by the window and sat down.
Hermione relaxed on the sofa, listening to the beautiful piano music, feeling her mind and body soothed.
However, this tranquility lasted less than five minutes.
At first, Draco sat obediently, his fingers tapping lightly on his knees in time with the piano melody.
But as the piece ended and the pianist prepared to play the next one, Draco sat up straight, staring intently at the grand piano that gleamed elegantly under the lights.
"Let's go!" he suddenly grabbed Hermione's wrist and said.
Let's request a song!
"Everyone else is listening to the music quietly!" Hermione tried to dissuade them.
"I'm just trying to cultivate my mind and elevate the artistic level of our trip! Let's play a nice song to take the atmosphere to the next level!" Draco gently pulled Hermione upstairs.
As they spoke, they had already walked to the piano.
The pianist stopped playing when he saw guests arriving.
Draco casually pointed to a famous classical romance piece, "Liebestraum," in the open songbook.
"This one!"
The pianist glanced at the piece, his expression slightly subtle as he thought to himself that this piece was no simple task, but he still nodded humbly and prepared to adjust his state and begin playing.
"Wait!" Draco suddenly spoke again, stopping the pianist's fingers from falling. "Let me try."
Upon hearing this, not only were the pianist and Hermione stunned, but even the guests at the nearby tables looked over in surprise.
To perform personally? In this setting?
The pianist tactfully stood aside.
Draco then sat down at the piano.
With his back straight, expression focused, and hands hovering above the piano keys, his profile was clearly defined in the dim light.
Then he gently moved his fingers, as if he were about to play a world-renowned masterpiece that would amaze the entire audience.
All eyes in the room were once again drawn to him.
Most of the guests wore expressions of curiosity, anticipation, and excitement—a rare sight indeed!
Perhaps he's a hidden musical genius!
But there was one person who didn't think that way.
Hermione, standing to the side, weakly supported her forehead with one hand, feeling her temples begin to throb.
So embarrassing, so incredibly embarrassing I wanted to dig my toes into the ground!
She could even feel her cheeks burning.
Does this guy even know what "keeping a low profile" means?
At this moment, Hermione desperately wished she could use Disillusionment Charm, or that a crack would suddenly appear in the deck so she could crawl inside.
But what can be done about him?
I chose this young master, so I'll spoil him even if it makes me cry.
Draco took a deep breath and raised his hand to play.
"Thump! Clang! Bang! Crash! Crack--!"
It wasn't the melodious and romantic tune I had imagined, but rather... a series of stumbling, intermittent, and seemingly tearing notes apart and fighting each other—a cacophony of ear-piercing noise!
The playing was completely chaotic.
The high notes sound like a rooster crowing with its neck being choked, while the low notes are muffled like a boulder rolling down.
The pacing was a complete mess, fluctuating wildly between fast and slow, with breaks in what should have been a smooth flow and haphazard pauses.
Even more outrageous, halfway through the piece, he seemed to have completely forgotten the score, and his fingers randomly pressed, pounded, and scraped the black and white keys, producing all sorts of discordant notes.
He turned a beautiful, romantic song, "Liebestraum," into a disaster scene where "ten Troll were fighting in the kitchen, knocking over cauldrons, pots, and pans."
Hermione: "..."
She felt as if her toes had carved out a model of the Hogwarts Express from the thick carpet.
That's terrifying!
This is downright auditory murder!
She didn't dare look at the expressions on the faces of those around her.
However, when Hermione mustered her courage and secretly glanced around the room, she witnessed a scene that shattered her worldview.