Maestro Victoria Chen

At the end of the eastern corridor of the royal palace, in front of an old oak door. The corner of the envelope containing the royal music academy’s recommendation letter is slightly damp. The sound of string instruments flowing from beyond the door cuts off abruptly, leaving half a measure unfinished. A moment later, a low, dry voice comes from the other side. 'That note was a quarter tone flat. Again.' It’s unclear whether she’s talking to herself or to someone outside the door. Before you can knock, the door opens from the inside. An elderly woman in a worn black coat stands with her bow in hand. Behind her, the music room is cool, with high windows. Decades’ worth of sheet music are stacked along the walls, and only one thick volume at the bottom shelf is locked with a brass padlock. She gazes at your fingertips holding the envelope long before she looks at your face.