“Oh, we didn’t used to exchange such formal greetings, did we?”
“Well, I was much younger back then. It’s late, but I appreciate your understanding, even though I must have been quite rude when I was younger.”
“It’s sad to hear such words after meeting again after so long. You were so affectionate back then, calling yourself rude is unreasonable.”
Alessandro responded warmly, as if not minding the years that had passed. Emilia blinked her eyes once and looked down at his unabashed demeanor.
She had only met him once before, ten years ago. At that time, her father had business in Desiro and came to the capital for the first time, and she happened to meet Alessandro then.
Even though she knew he was the crown prince in her young mind, she didn’t feel awkward and just spent time with him, laughing comfortably.
They met three or four more times while she was in Desiro, but their connection naturally ended when Emilia returned to Vacolta.
Of course, he had visited the Academy once, but she had only seen him from a distance. Back then, she only knew that Alessandro had come as a representative of the kingdom for something to do with the Academy, and it was a memory that was quickly forgotten.
“……I’m just grateful you remembered me.”
“Well, perhaps it’s because it’s been so long since we met. I remember us speaking so freely when we were young.”
“Ah… I was so young back then. I didn’t know any better.”
Emilia blushed slightly and lowered her head in embarrassment, and Alessandro’s mouth fell limply. He pursed his lips for a moment, as if a little disappointed, and then carefully opened his mouth.
“Speaking of which, I heard about the news of Viscount and Viscountess Este. I’m sorry I couldn’t visit back then.”
“No, thank you for your concern.”
Alessandro stared at Emilia, who had her eyes modestly downcast, and then looked up at the theater building with an embarrassed smile.
“But may I ask what you’re doing here? I’m also curious if you’re living in Desiro.”
“Yes, I’m currently a member of the Avalliantee Opera House ballet company and I’m living in Desiro.”
Emilia replied a beat late and looked up at Alessandro. She was looking over the exterior of the theater when she saw him turn his head abruptly with a surprised look on his face.
“You’re a ballerina?”
“Yes.”
What kind of reaction will he have? Will he despise her for being a noble who exposes her body cheaply and dances in front of many people? She didn’t really care if he did, but she still didn’t want her colleagues to find out about her origins, especially since she was around the theater.
Alessandro’s gray-tinged violet eyes widened and then softened again.
“That’s wonderful. Didn’t you like to dance ballet when you were young?”
Emilia barely managed to spit out the words, her lips trembling.
“That, how did you…….”
“Thanks to my memories.”
“……I didn’t know you would remember even our conversations.”
“I guess I had a lot of fun meeting you. I guess it shows how much I remember.”
Emilia was taken aback by his pure admiration, which didn’t seem to contain any sarcasm. His eyes sparkled with curiosity, but there was no sign of displeasure in them, and he still only showed a welcoming expression.
“Ah, I forgot to tell you why I’m here. The kingdom is also paying attention to the growth of the ballet company this year, so I came here to discuss it in detail. I think ballet has endless potential for development, and it would be a great force for art and culture if we could properly introduce it to our kingdom.”
“Ah……. It’s true that ballet hasn’t been around for very long.”
“Yes. However, please keep my visit here a secret. I came out through the emergency exit because I wanted to come and go quietly.”
Alessandro’s smile was carefree, unlike his glamorous appearance. He was so different from Enrico, who seemed to naturally reign supreme from above, as if he was noble to the core.
‘How can they be so different when they have the same blood?’
The two were compared even more since they were not that far apart in age. Enrico was Alessandro’s uncle. Does the position of uncle make a person a bit more authoritative?
Emilia stared at Alessandro with a strange feeling and then took a step back.
“I won’t tell anyone.”
“Thank you.”
Alessandro let out a sigh as if he had just been relieved and tilted his head slightly, a gentle smile on his lips.
“I’ll see you again if I have the chance. Well, I’ll be going now.”
“It was an honor to meet you.”
Emilia bowed her knees slightly and then Alessandro put his hand on his left chest and bowed his head slightly in courtesy.
They had met briefly when they were children, but it had been warm. Still, she thought he would change as he grew up, but he seemed to be the same as he was then. What was even more surprising was that he seemed to remember more than she did.
Was it because she had treated him casually that he had been drawn to her? Looking back, Alessandro used to go to the forest alone often and didn’t seem to like running into people very much.
She remembered that when she had followed her father to the palace and accidentally met him, it was in a corner of the garden, and at first he didn’t answer much, but they got closer as she kept talking to him.
‘Come to think of it, I guess I said a lot back then. I wonder if he knows about ballet…’
Emilia watched Alessandro’s retreating back and then turned her head from facing him. She hurried towards the emergency exit and rubbed one cheek lightly. She felt like her cheek was numb from standing outside for a while.
* * *
In the space where silence flowed, only the sound of footsteps could be heard from time to time.
Enrico’s back, putting his hands in his pockets, exuded an air of leisure as he entered the path marked as an art gallery. Moreover, wearing an ivory-colored vest under a beige jacket, his appearance looked even more noble.
On the snow-white walls, various paintings were framed in gold frames. Unlike the diverse landscapes in the paintings, the style was the same, but there were also works that showed a different style from time to time.
Enrico stopped in front of a painting. The painting, which depicted a blackened earth under a sunset that seemed to be burning, felt more alive due to the bold brushstrokes. Enrico’s eyes narrowed.
“This one.”
The hesitation was short. He nodded to the art gallery director who was waiting quietly behind him.
“Yes. There are not many paintings by this artist. Would you like to see the new sculptures that will arrive tomorrow morning first?”
“Hmm, is he dead too?”
“Yes? Yes. I heard he passed away half a year ago.”
He smiled obliquely. He continued on his way, still staring at the painting. As the director said, there were not many works, so soon the painting in front of him was the last one.
A painting that was all white foam and water trails that rose when the waves crashed. Enrico had the feeling that this painting somehow resembled the artist’s last appearance.
“True art is quite interesting. It has no value when you’re alive, but it is only recognized when you’re dead.”
There was an interest that could not be hidden in his languid voice. Although there were many nobles who painted pictures as the times changed, artists who were born into poor families were still often mistreated and starved when they were alive.
And the paintings they painted were recognized as having immense value from then on, and their prices were high, so only the remaining ones were able to eat their fill.
Enrico stroked the area around his chin with his left hand and stared into the void.
Lake-like deep and serene emerald eyes, soft white hands, hem fluttering along the ends of her feet. Finally, the delicate body was wrapped in a seductive and strong atmosphere that seemed to be glazed over. One by one, the things that surrounded her like a perfect work of art were engraved in his retina.
So is that why he is more interested in Emilia? She seems like her value will drop the moment she dies.
A spark flashed in Enrico’s eyes. However, it was a demanding work of art that had to be managed with the utmost care more than anything else during her lifetime, as even one of the originals would be lost and would not show its current appearance.
‘Is it the third stage now? You must be looking forward to the reward.’
Enrico continued walking, recalling the long, deer-like neck and the neat-looking empty earlobes. After a while, as he walked past the long corridor towards the entrance of the art gallery, he noticed Fabio waiting against the wall with someone.
Perhaps the conversation was over, as the other person greeted him and left, and Fabio quickly approached Enrico as soon as he saw him.
“Have you seen everything?”
He carefully draped Enrico’s coat, which he had been carrying on his arm, over his broad shoulders.
“Yes. I don’t think I need to go anywhere else.”
“I’ll have the carriage ready right away.”
Fabio gestured to the art gallery staff and followed close behind Enrico.
“The person I met earlier is from the royal duty department. I heard that the banquet announcement came down this morning.”
“For what?”
“They invited the princess of the Kingdom of Carnforth. The reason is said to be for trade and harmony between the two countries.”
“I can guess who has that useless idea. The crown prince?”
“Yes.”
* * * *
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