Emilia’s pupils shook violently with shock. The part she had been most worried about had come out so suddenly. This was exactly why she had tried to hide it. The rumors, which had been swelling beneath the surface, finally burst through with more and more bubbles rising to the top.
“Come on—that’s a bit much. No matter what, criticizing someone’s skill like that—ugh!”
“E-Emilia?”
The people who were slowly opening the door were startled when they finally noticed Emilia inside. Emilia took a deep breath.
“Did… did you hear that?”
“……Of course. Just look at her face.”
“Haah…….”
One of them scratched his head in frustration, while more dancers gradually arrived for work. As they passed by the dressing room, they noticed the unusual scene at the practice room entrance and began to gather, one by one.
“What’s going on? Why are you all standing there?”
“Aren’t you going to get changed?”
“Ah, well…….”
“How far has the rumor spread?”
Emilia spoke calmly. There was no point in pretending not to know—the rumor had already spread and wouldn’t disappear just because she ignored it. The others exchanged glances before finally deciding to speak up.
“Everyone in the theater knows. The Sub Director tried to keep it quiet at first, but it was already too late to control it.”
“Yeah. We only found out late because people wouldn’t stop talking about it.”
One of them widened their eyes, shrugged, and spoke up.
“Emilia, now that things have come to this, can’t you just be honest with us?”
“Yeah. Do you actually know Duke Michele?”
As the heavy, burdensome gazes bore down on her, Emilia slowly opened her mouth.
“……And if I do? What difference does it make now?”
Even if Enrico had helped remove the director, that had only happened because the director had exposed his own corruption. In terms of skill, auditions, or anything else, she could confidently say she had never relied on him for help.
But now, people were tearing down her abilities as if all her efforts meant nothing. She couldn’t stand it.
“Wait, then—are you being sponsored by the duke?”
“Not in the way you’re thinking. You all know better than anyone how hard I worked.”
She subtly addressed the concerns they had raised earlier about the lead role selection. Some nodded in agreement, but not everyone seemed to share the same opinion.
“But Christina worked just as hard, didn’t she?”
“Hey, why bring her up all of a sudden?”
“Come on, it’s true. She’s acting like she was the only one who worked hard, but Christina trained so much she even got the nickname ‘practice addict.'”
“That’s true. But in the end, Emilia still took the lead role from her.”
Emilia clenched her fists and took a deep breath.
“So what you’re saying is, I don’t deserve the lead role? Are you questioning the fairness of the audition process?”
“No, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Emilia, I get that you’re in a tough spot, but talent is subjective. Do you really have to take it so personally?”
“Exactly. You’re acting like your skills are completely overwhelming. Isn’t it fair to have some doubts? You got the lead role the same year you joined—of course people are going to wonder.”
The other person reacted defensively, as if they were needlessly pricked, while Emilia let out a deep sigh.
People began arguing loudly—some defended the idea that one’s skills shouldn’t be downplayed, while others spouted nonsense like, “Who knows if she got some extra points for knowing Duke Michele, since she’s really involved with him?”
Before she knew it, Juliana had moved beside her, grabbing Emilia’s arm and pulling her back.
“Enough, everyone! If you really doubt the audition process and its results, why don’t you just ask directly?”
“Ha! And if what we suspect is true, do you think they’d admit it?”
“Why are you assuming it’s true in the first place?”
“What’s going on here?”
The chaotic practice room fell silent in an instant. The crowd parted, and the sound of heels clicking against the floor echoed as Sub Director Sylvia entered.
“……I overheard most of it. It seems we need to address this properly.”
With a cold expression, Sylvia scanned the room. Everyone fell silent.
For a brief moment, Emilia and Sylvia’s gazes met in midair.
* * *
The stage, with its crimson curtains drawn back, lay empty as if waiting for its master. Enrico sat in a chair at the front of the stage, lazily exhaling white smoke as he rested his head against the backrest. Ash crumbled and fell from the cigarette precariously balanced between his fingers.
“It has been confirmed that rumors have already spread throughout the Avalliantee Opera House. Moreover, the news has reached the ears of the social elite, so it is expected to circulate further in high society soon,” Fabio reported to Enrico, bowing his head slightly.
Enrico, who had been staring into space while taking a deep drag from his cigarette, tilted his head slightly as if gauging something.
“I’m surprised it hasn’t spread completely yet. Did the Crown Prince intervene?”
“Yes. Surprisingly, His Highness seems to be trying to suppress the rumors. However, the issue now is that speculation has arisen about whether Lady Emilia has some connection to him as well. There are testimonies stating that His Highness did not leave immediately after the incident but instead carefully observed the situation. This has led to rumors that they knew each other in the past.”
“…It must be Alessandro’s doing.”
A displeased frown formed around Enrico’s eyes. The slight curl of his lips suggested he found the situation absurd. It had been quiet for a while, but now Alessandro had found the perfect moment to interfere.
‘He already possesses more than he deserves, yet he still craves more.’
The image of Alessandro gazing at Emilia with greedy eyes was vivid in his mind. Though Alessandro had quickly concealed it, the disgusting desire he displayed at the masquerade ball had been too intense to ignore.
Desire… Was he in any position to criticize such a thing?
Enrico bit down on his cigarette, and the sensation of his lips brushing against his skin brought back memories of what had happened recently.
It was the first time. The first time something had ignited such heat in his mind. He wanted to keep touching her, to intertwine with her more deeply. The overwhelming desire, so intense that it could strip away all reason, felt dangerous—so dangerous that even if it dragged him into the abyss, he might not notice.
Would this relentless curiosity fade if he simply claimed her body? Even with their contract, as Emilia had said, she was only his on stage. Yet, when he was with her, even in utter silence, it felt strangely fine. But just because it felt fine didn’t mean he had no reason to accept everything.
If she kept rejecting him, was there a need to coax her anymore? In the end, she had nothing, no choice but to cling to him.
Would this thirst disappear if he fully possessed her?
Enrico felt his mouth dry up again, though perhaps it was just the cigarette. Snuffing it out, he reached for the glass of water beside him.
“Shall I bring some wine?”
Fabio, watching him with an unfamiliar expression, asked cautiously. Enrico waved his hand dismissively and set the glass down.
Since that kiss with Emilia, he hadn’t craved wine. The scent and taste that lingered from her kept resurfacing in his mind. He didn’t want to stir up unnecessary turmoil within himself.
‘Just thinking about it irritates me.’
Why did he have to be so considerate of her situation? As a royal, he had always taken what he wanted. She was no exception. And yet, why did it not feel like she was entirely his? Why was he the one who had to make the first move?
He wasn’t the one who should be feeling desperate, so why did he keep acting like he was? Emilia, who came when called and left when dismissed—if he was fine with sharing quiet moments with her, he could simply summon her. If he liked her lips, he could take them.
And yet, the one who had so much to lose, Emilia, continued to reject him beyond her means.
Enrico found himself unable to understand his own emotions. Was this what she meant by affection? No, that couldn’t be it. Was it just possessiveness over her body? If so, then why did he also want to claim her heart?
Even amidst his tangled thoughts, one thing was clear—he wanted to see her.
‘…If things have escalated this much, she should have come to me for help first. Why am I always the one seeking her out?’
Clicking his tongue in frustration, Enrico closed his eyes tightly.
Just then, Fabio turned toward an approaching subordinate. After a brief exchange, Fabio spun around and lowered his head toward Enrico.
“At this moment, His Highness the Crown Prince is on his way to Lady Emilia’s residence.”
Enrico’s eyes shot open.
* * *
Emilia sat on the carriage seat, staring straight ahead. Since she was unable to practice, she had no choice but to accept Sub Director Sylvia’s suggestion to return home early and focus on her treatment. However, she couldn’t help but feel upset.
Sylvia’s arrival temporarily calmed the commotion. She stated that any doubts about the lead role selection went against her belief in running a transparent ballet company. She assured everyone that she would soon gather the relevant personnel to disclose the selection process and scores, urging them to refrain from making unfounded speculations.
What hurt Emilia the most was not those speculations but seeing Juliana’s worried expression as she looked at her, only to eventually avert her gaze. More than anything, she felt deeply sorry for not telling Juliana from the start.
The carriage began to slow down, and the sound of the horses coming to a stop could be heard. Emilia tightly shut her eyes for a moment before opening them again.
“Let’s focus on the treatment for now. Resting for too long won’t be good either.”
Determined to apply the medicine given by the doctor as soon as she got back, Emilia reached out to open the carriage door—only to flinch when it was opened first. As the door slowly swung open, Alessandro came into view.
TL/N: NOOOOO, UGH, I HATE THIS PIECE OF SHT WHY IS HE FREAKING HERE? I’M SO FRUSTRATED RN!!!!!!
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Lmfao i missed the funny translator as much as i missed this work