"Sure. Now that I think about it, the problem may have been that I stayed at the mansion after the accident. I was frustrated because I remembered the last time and there was no progress. I have to thank Lady Aileen for recommending it."
The Viscountess looked at me with concern and helped me straighten up.
As Aileen's recklessness had prevented her from paying any attention to me over the past few days, there was a hint of regret in the way she looked at me.
"Aunt, it's time to leave."
Aileen, who was pouting, got into the carriage with her arms around the Viscountess.
She naturally took the seat next to me, and even today she was wearing a pink dress with short sleeves, like something a child would wear.
"Miss, please come up."
Billy, the coachman, spoke carefully to me.
The Viscount had two coachmen in its employ: Marco, who had discovered me, and Billy, who had now spoken to me.
These days, Billy was mainly driving the carriage in place of Marco, who was on probation for driving the carriage roughly at night.
"Thank you as always."
As he helped me into the carriage and greeted him, the young coachman's face turned slightly red.
I felt Aileen's eyes glance at him.
"You seem to be quite friendly with the employees? The last time I went to the room, you were having a friendly conversation with the maid who was serving you."
"That's right. You remember."
When I smiled and said yes to her words, Aileen added in a thoughtful tone.
"If you keep too close a distance from the user, bad rumors may arise. You better be careful."
"I will. Thanks for the advice, Aileen."
Madam Mancini opened her eyes slightly in surprise and asked Aileen.
"Are you two close enough to go in and out of each other's rooms?"
I must have been aware of her 'subtle aversion' to me, so I seemed surprised that she even knew about stopping by my room and chatting with the maid.
I nodded before Aileen could answer.
"I'm trying to invite you to go see a play. "I was surprised, but I was ad they came first."
"I know, right. "It would have been nice if Isabella had stopped by my room."
"..."
Even though we were staying in the mansion together, she and I were guests.
In order to go in and out of each other's rooms, rather than the drawing room, you had to send attendants in a formal manner and ask about your intentions first. I guess she wanted to give the impression that I was overtly wary of her.
Madam Mancini, who was stricter about etiquette than anyone else, turned her head without saying a word. Aileen still wrapped her arms around her, but judging by her sunken expression, she seemed quite disappointed.
Fortunately, the carriage stopped before the mood subsided.
"We have arrived at the theater, Ma'am."
As Billy opened the door, a large circular building surrounded by bright lights came into view.
***
When we presented our pre-purchased tickets, the guide guided us to a seat with a direct view of the stage.
On both sides, there was a light partition cloth wrapped around it to reduce the attention of others.
"oh my God. It must have been quite expensive to reserve this seat, so you put a lot of thought into it."
"It's no big deal. Actually, I was saving up my pocket money because I wanted to go there after hearing from a friend that the stage here was great, but no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't muster the courage to do it on my own."
"Of course. No decent lady should come to a place like this alone."
"Because if my aunt is here, she can protect me!"
Madam Mancini's face relaxed at Eileen's words.
It can't be said that she was immature, but she certainly had the resources to appease Madam Mancini.
So Alfred must have brought her too.
"Save your pocket money?"
The Viscountess may not know the financial status of the Vernon family, but it was difficult for me to hold back my laughter, having already heard about it from Eric.
She can't afford to be so generous as to buy three VIP tickets to the theater.
Alfred must have saved it.
"Ah, I guess the play is about to start."
Her words with sparkling eyes drew attention to the stage in front. A beautiful actress with light brown hair and a bewitching look greeted me.
The appearance of an actor with an attractive aura was met with applause.
"Hmm."
"What's wrong with you, Ma'am?"
"Is it because I sat in the middle seat? It almost feels like she's smiling at us.”
Aileen spoke in a voice full of charm as Madam Mancini tilted her head as if wondering.
"I think this is a good place. She wants to smile at her audience who paid a high price to see her."
I looked down at the actress who had just started the play without saying a word.
Every time her bright red lips opened and poured out provocative lines, sounds of intake of breath could be heard from the side.
"Right. Oh my God. Merilda, how could you do this to me!"
The name of the play was simple.
(Foolish Woman)
It was a play based on the story of Merilda, a famously evil woman.
Merilda, who was born into a poor and ugly family, always dreamed of becoming a noble noblewoman.
One day, she accidentally picks up the ID card of a noble lady from a carriage that had been in an accident.
She took advantage of her to go to a foreign country and started pretending to be a poor noble daughter who lost her entire family in a strange kingdom.
Thanks to her excellent imitation, people began to believe her words.
After meeting a great guardian and becoming engaged to a nobleman, she forgot her past as a commoner.
"Right. Now my life is full of happiness!"
Just when she was satisfied with the fake life she had chosen by abandoning her entire family, a real 'noble lady' appeared.
The name is exactly as written on the lost ID card.
While trying to eliminate the 'real' using her wealth, she falls into the trap she had set and her entire plot is discovered.
"Oh my God!"
"It's a curse."
"How can a commoner impersonate a nobleman!"
The play ended with Merilda being executed by angry nobles.
Laughter and applause erupted from everyone here and there.
In the midst of it all, I just watched the final stage with a faint smile on my face.
***
After saying goodbye on stage, the actress raised her head and opened her mouth with a bewitching smile.
"We have prepared a small banquet for all of you who came to the theater today. Ladies and gentlemen, if you have time, please enjoy the courtesy I have prepared for you."
The audience, who were already excited by the exciting ending of the play, responded enthusiastically to the unexpected event.
The actress, who played two roles, finished speaking and slowly approached us.
She held out the 'Stella's Rose' she was holding in her hand.
Bright red lips opened and a captivating voice engulfed my ears.
"I offer this rose to a noble lady."
She gave me a rose in a white muslin dress, bowed gracefully, and left.
"Oh my God-"
"Stella's rose."
"Who is it?"
"I envy you!"
Amidst the whispering sounds, I turned my head to the sound of breathing in and out.
Aileen was looking at me in disbelief.
"Ah...."
I looked down at the rose I was holding in my hand and hesitantly held it out to her.
"If you want, I can give it to you as a gift."
Her face was contorted as if she had been insulted, and she tried to smile.
"It's okay. I do not need it."
I lowered my eyes as if I was regretful.
Yes, roses, it wasn't that important in the first place.
For her, who wants to receive people's attention more than anything, the important thing is that the only rose the actress gave was delivered to me.
Madam Mancini, who was looking at her completely white, opened her mouth as if to comfort her.
"Now that the play is over, let's go back."
"If you enjoyed it, that's enough."
Quite a few people got up from their seats with happy faces and headed in the opposite direction of the exit.
Just by looking at each of them whispering glances in our direction, it was clear what they were talking about.
Aileen, who seemed to be listening to the whispers around her, crossed her arms.
The voice was higher than usual.
"Can't we attend the banquet too?"
"Baby, Aileen. It's nice to enjoy the stage, but the banquet... It's not even an official position. It's a comfortable place to hang out with actors."
Madam Mancini shook her head in embarrassment, but Aileen did not give up easily.
"Aunt. It would be so unfortunate if things went back like this."
Madam Mancini looked at me with tears in her eyes.
I handed the rose in my hand to Madam Mancini and she smiled and nodded.
"I like it too. Maybe it's because I don't remember going to the theater, but there are a lot of things that are exciting and fun."
"It could really be the first time. Does it feel familiar?"
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