Although there was the unusual event of the royal family attending the premiere in person, the first performance by the troupe 'Solace' was not very well received.
As the Emperor had mentioned, criticism poured in, especially from the nobles who valued legitimacy and social conventions.
A love that overcomes differences in ‘status’.
The extremely groundbreaking material and provocative content ultimately ended in tragedy for the two main characters.
“That’s what vulgar melodrama is like.”
“Well, I guess they say it’s a theater company that deals with the common people.”
“The problem is, aren’t you going to watch such plays and have hopes of rising in social status...?”
Although there were continued looks of concern and criticism, it was clear why they did not raise their voices in opposition.
The Prince himself donated money to renovate the theater company's building, and after personally visiting the theater company, he praised its founding principles and even rewarded it.
Besides, even though everyone was uncomfortable with it, the play was definitely fun.
A fateful love that must be hidden, the reality that stands in the way of the two people, and various other stimulating elements made people immerse themselves in the play.
Unlike the sophisticated performances they usually enjoy listening to or the operas they see at concerts.
Everyone pretended not to know, but they kept glancing at [Extreme Solace] one by one.
Their interests were clear.
'What will the next play be about?'
“You have to row when the water comes in.”
"Hmm?"
“Let’s upload a new show quickly. We can’t just perform the same thing every day.”
Dorothea, who was listening to Revan's passionate speech, put down the fan she was holding.
As soon as they put on a proper show, people started flocking and money started coming in.
It was different from the time when Revan just randomly caught people's attention and became obsessed with a few pennies.
Before the theater could properly open, Dorothea had to hire people, spend money, and train the Solace Troupe members harshly.
At that time, everyone had committed sins, so they tried hard to follow along, but when they actually felt people's reactions, everyone's attitude changed.
To put on a proper 'performance', they voluntarily practiced and studied the role.
“Huh? Are you listening? I said we’re going to upload another performance.”
Revan's eyes were filled with greed as he was unable to come to his senses due to the amount of money he had held for the first time in his life.
Dorothea, who was already looking into his clouded eyes, threw the folded fan. The fan hit Revan right between the eyebrows and fell to the floor with a dull sound.
“I said so. The show will be taken down after at least the story has been widely known to everyone in the Empire.”
“But...!”
“Before looking for a new play, let’s first improve the quality of the performance. We’ll have several children play the main roles and take turns directing the play with a slightly different feel.”
Revan's face was filled with discontent.
Has he forgotten the past when he used to eat bread that was worse than that garbage?
Humans easily forget the past and are so caught up in the present that they cannot see the future.
She calmly faced a 'friend' who was not a 'close friend' in a very familiar situation that she had experienced one day.
He flinched and averted his eyes.
“No, just. Isn’t it good to make a lot of money? For Young Lady too.”
“I don’t have a lot of money.”
Well, she can say such things because she is the Marquis's precious granddaughter.
Dorothea, who had been staring blankly at Revan, who was still grumbling and unable to hide his resentment, stood up.
“Don’t get hurt by wanting more. You have to learn to be content with what you have now.”
“Yes, yes. Who do you want me to ask? I will take care of it.”
Although he pretended to be gentle, Dorothea could not have failed to notice the greed gleaming in his eyes.
She stared into his clouded eyes, clouded with greed, and pretended not to notice him as she walked away.
Mine, who had been waiting at the door, came over and grabbed Dorothea's hand tightly.
“...”
Although she had never been treated kindly or said a single warm word to her, the child seemed to instinctively know 'how' Dorothea had found and freed Fatima.
While they were walking around the theater, holding hands like ferns, the child took something out of her clothes and handed it to Dorothea.
"This."
The sweet smell of slightly melted chocolate wafted in the air because it had been kept carefully in her arms.
Although it was only the size of a finger joint, it was a luxurious snack for the kids at the theater.
“Who gave this to you?”
Did the nobleman who visited the theater do the child a favor?
In response to Dorothea's question, Mine rummaged through her clothes again and then handed her a gold-plated button.
Even though it was an item that could be sold for quite a high price, there was not an inch of hesitation in reaching out to Dorothea.
Dorothea opened the wrapper of the chocolate she was holding as if she was bartering and put it into the child's mouth.
A smile spread across Mine's face, making her cheeks hollow.
“The pattern looks quite familiar.”
The button rolling around in her palm had the emblem of a noble family engraved on it.
Dorothea's eyes narrowed as she realized she had seen it in Fatima's memories.
“Count Germain.”
Did he stop by the theater?
“Hmm.”
Revan, who seemed particularly excited.
The chaotic atmosphere of the theater.
Even the cufflinks are engraved with Count Germain's emblem.
If he had simply come and gone as an audience member, it might not matter much, but Count Germain has a very close connection to the play 'Fatima'.
Fatima and Count Germain's spirits are already dead, but their stories will live and breathe forever on stage.
“Is it because you don’t like it that much that you came running like this?”
But when faced with the death of his son, he didn't even show himself because he was too embarrassed to show up.
Dorothea smiled as she watched Mine's busy gestures.
“He decided to come back?”
“...”
Dorothea glanced at the principal's office where Revan was, watching the child nodding her head up and down vigorously.
She hasn't said a word about it for the past few days.
Perhaps the reason she treated her in such an exaggerated manner was because she wanted to hide the fact that Count Germain had come.
“It seems like Revan is thinking something else.”
Dorothea's hand gently stroked the child's hair.
“That’s a bit difficult.”
Maybe he didn't like working under a mere noblewoman.
Or maybe he's just blinded by the opportunity to make more money.
“Either way, it’s a bit annoying.”
Dorothea's eyes, drawn on the line, turned to Mine.
“So when is the promised date?”
Mine faithfully told her everything she had seen and heard.
Marilyn Lehr was in a very difficult situation.
From hunting to working in the costume shop.
It didn't take long for the nobles' interest in the Marquis of Highclere to reach Marilyn.
Even just because she monopolized the attention at the hunting festival and got the most prey, she was secretly being watched over by the young ladies she usually hung out with.
'Too much flashiness is worse than being bland.'
It would be better if they were actually close friends.
'I remember there was no debt left between us.'
A slow voice played automatically in her memory.
Unlike Valerie, who spoke to her occasionally during the carriage ride to the mansion, Dorothea did not say a single word to her.
As she recalled the indifferent eyes that had been gazing at her like the scenery outside a window, a tingle came to her heart.
“I don’t know why Miss Marilyn is here.”
She raised her head at the mocking voice and a familiar face came into view.
The voice of her evil cousin, who kept nagging at me about everything, continued.
“That’s right. It would have been better to go to the ‘theater’ with Young Lady Dorothea.”
The laughter continued.
Although they were covering the corners of their lips, they didn't seem to have any intention of hiding their smiles.
Marilyn turned her head away, pretending not to notice the lame joke directed at her.
'Even if I say no, there's no way you'll believe me.'
Marilyn knew that consistently ignoring someone was less provocative than loudly denying it.
Actually, she thought about it.
She thought she would rather go to the Marquis, kneel down, and beg him to accept her.
At least Dorothea in the dressing room didn't show any ill feelings towards her.
But...
'His Highness the Seventh Prince will be different.'
Didn't she insult the imperial necklace? And it wasn't just some expensive piece of jewelry, it was something that had been passed down to him by His Highness the Crown Prince's biological mother.
She became even more reluctant after learning that their relationship wasn't that simple.
If she stays by Dorothea's side, she'll naturally encounter the Seventh Prince more often. If she acts like an eyesore to him, she might really get her head cut off.
“Oh my, over there...”
“It’s Prince Dane.”
He was the heir apparent of the Marquis of Highclere, and the one who made her the flower of the hunting party.
Marilyn felt the gazes she had tried to ignore turning back to her.
'I've been thinking about this since last time, but maybe that person was my enemy in a past life.'
Because he always ends up messing things up at the most crucial moments or putting her in a really awkward situation.
The gazes of several of the young ladies changed. One of them, whose gaze was closer to curiosity than mocking Marilyn, approached her and asked.
A quick glance at the face showed that at least she wasn't one of the people who had been laughing at Marilyn.
“It is rare for Prince Dane to attend a music appreciation event like this. Is it because of his friendship with Miss Marilyn?”
“The appreciation meeting is open to anyone, and I didn’t know that Prince Dane was attending.”
If I had known he was coming, I wouldn't have come.
As the Emperor had mentioned, criticism poured in, especially from the nobles who valued legitimacy and social conventions.
A love that overcomes differences in ‘status’.
The extremely groundbreaking material and provocative content ultimately ended in tragedy for the two main characters.
“That’s what vulgar melodrama is like.”
“Well, I guess they say it’s a theater company that deals with the common people.”
“The problem is, aren’t you going to watch such plays and have hopes of rising in social status...?”
Although there were continued looks of concern and criticism, it was clear why they did not raise their voices in opposition.
The Prince himself donated money to renovate the theater company's building, and after personally visiting the theater company, he praised its founding principles and even rewarded it.
Besides, even though everyone was uncomfortable with it, the play was definitely fun.
A fateful love that must be hidden, the reality that stands in the way of the two people, and various other stimulating elements made people immerse themselves in the play.
Unlike the sophisticated performances they usually enjoy listening to or the operas they see at concerts.
Everyone pretended not to know, but they kept glancing at [Extreme Solace] one by one.
'What will the next play be about?'
***
“You have to row when the water comes in.”
"Hmm?"
“Let’s upload a new show quickly. We can’t just perform the same thing every day.”
Dorothea, who was listening to Revan's passionate speech, put down the fan she was holding.
As soon as they put on a proper show, people started flocking and money started coming in.
It was different from the time when Revan just randomly caught people's attention and became obsessed with a few pennies.
Before the theater could properly open, Dorothea had to hire people, spend money, and train the Solace Troupe members harshly.
At that time, everyone had committed sins, so they tried hard to follow along, but when they actually felt people's reactions, everyone's attitude changed.
To put on a proper 'performance', they voluntarily practiced and studied the role.
“Huh? Are you listening? I said we’re going to upload another performance.”
Revan's eyes were filled with greed as he was unable to come to his senses due to the amount of money he had held for the first time in his life.
Dorothea, who was already looking into his clouded eyes, threw the folded fan. The fan hit Revan right between the eyebrows and fell to the floor with a dull sound.
“I said so. The show will be taken down after at least the story has been widely known to everyone in the Empire.”
“But...!”
“Before looking for a new play, let’s first improve the quality of the performance. We’ll have several children play the main roles and take turns directing the play with a slightly different feel.”
Revan's face was filled with discontent.
Has he forgotten the past when he used to eat bread that was worse than that garbage?
Humans easily forget the past and are so caught up in the present that they cannot see the future.
She calmly faced a 'friend' who was not a 'close friend' in a very familiar situation that she had experienced one day.
He flinched and averted his eyes.
“No, just. Isn’t it good to make a lot of money? For Young Lady too.”
“I don’t have a lot of money.”
Well, she can say such things because she is the Marquis's precious granddaughter.
Dorothea, who had been staring blankly at Revan, who was still grumbling and unable to hide his resentment, stood up.
“Don’t get hurt by wanting more. You have to learn to be content with what you have now.”
“Yes, yes. Who do you want me to ask? I will take care of it.”
Although he pretended to be gentle, Dorothea could not have failed to notice the greed gleaming in his eyes.
She stared into his clouded eyes, clouded with greed, and pretended not to notice him as she walked away.
Mine, who had been waiting at the door, came over and grabbed Dorothea's hand tightly.
“...”
Although she had never been treated kindly or said a single warm word to her, the child seemed to instinctively know 'how' Dorothea had found and freed Fatima.
While they were walking around the theater, holding hands like ferns, the child took something out of her clothes and handed it to Dorothea.
"This."
The sweet smell of slightly melted chocolate wafted in the air because it had been kept carefully in her arms.
Although it was only the size of a finger joint, it was a luxurious snack for the kids at the theater.
“Who gave this to you?”
Did the nobleman who visited the theater do the child a favor?
In response to Dorothea's question, Mine rummaged through her clothes again and then handed her a gold-plated button.
Even though it was an item that could be sold for quite a high price, there was not an inch of hesitation in reaching out to Dorothea.
Dorothea opened the wrapper of the chocolate she was holding as if she was bartering and put it into the child's mouth.
A smile spread across Mine's face, making her cheeks hollow.
“The pattern looks quite familiar.”
The button rolling around in her palm had the emblem of a noble family engraved on it.
Dorothea's eyes narrowed as she realized she had seen it in Fatima's memories.
“Count Germain.”
Did he stop by the theater?
“Hmm.”
Revan, who seemed particularly excited.
The chaotic atmosphere of the theater.
Even the cufflinks are engraved with Count Germain's emblem.
If he had simply come and gone as an audience member, it might not matter much, but Count Germain has a very close connection to the play 'Fatima'.
Fatima and Count Germain's spirits are already dead, but their stories will live and breathe forever on stage.
“Is it because you don’t like it that much that you came running like this?”
But when faced with the death of his son, he didn't even show himself because he was too embarrassed to show up.
Dorothea smiled as she watched Mine's busy gestures.
“He decided to come back?”
“...”
Dorothea glanced at the principal's office where Revan was, watching the child nodding her head up and down vigorously.
She hasn't said a word about it for the past few days.
Perhaps the reason she treated her in such an exaggerated manner was because she wanted to hide the fact that Count Germain had come.
“It seems like Revan is thinking something else.”
Dorothea's hand gently stroked the child's hair.
“That’s a bit difficult.”
Maybe he didn't like working under a mere noblewoman.
Or maybe he's just blinded by the opportunity to make more money.
“Either way, it’s a bit annoying.”
Dorothea's eyes, drawn on the line, turned to Mine.
“So when is the promised date?”
Mine faithfully told her everything she had seen and heard.
***
Marilyn Lehr was in a very difficult situation.
From hunting to working in the costume shop.
It didn't take long for the nobles' interest in the Marquis of Highclere to reach Marilyn.
Even just because she monopolized the attention at the hunting festival and got the most prey, she was secretly being watched over by the young ladies she usually hung out with.
'Too much flashiness is worse than being bland.'
It would be better if they were actually close friends.
'I remember there was no debt left between us.'
A slow voice played automatically in her memory.
Unlike Valerie, who spoke to her occasionally during the carriage ride to the mansion, Dorothea did not say a single word to her.
As she recalled the indifferent eyes that had been gazing at her like the scenery outside a window, a tingle came to her heart.
“I don’t know why Miss Marilyn is here.”
She raised her head at the mocking voice and a familiar face came into view.
The voice of her evil cousin, who kept nagging at me about everything, continued.
“That’s right. It would have been better to go to the ‘theater’ with Young Lady Dorothea.”
The laughter continued.
Although they were covering the corners of their lips, they didn't seem to have any intention of hiding their smiles.
Marilyn turned her head away, pretending not to notice the lame joke directed at her.
'Even if I say no, there's no way you'll believe me.'
Marilyn knew that consistently ignoring someone was less provocative than loudly denying it.
Actually, she thought about it.
She thought she would rather go to the Marquis, kneel down, and beg him to accept her.
At least Dorothea in the dressing room didn't show any ill feelings towards her.
But...
'His Highness the Seventh Prince will be different.'
Didn't she insult the imperial necklace? And it wasn't just some expensive piece of jewelry, it was something that had been passed down to him by His Highness the Crown Prince's biological mother.
She became even more reluctant after learning that their relationship wasn't that simple.
If she stays by Dorothea's side, she'll naturally encounter the Seventh Prince more often. If she acts like an eyesore to him, she might really get her head cut off.
“Oh my, over there...”
“It’s Prince Dane.”
He was the heir apparent of the Marquis of Highclere, and the one who made her the flower of the hunting party.
Marilyn felt the gazes she had tried to ignore turning back to her.
'I've been thinking about this since last time, but maybe that person was my enemy in a past life.'
Because he always ends up messing things up at the most crucial moments or putting her in a really awkward situation.
The gazes of several of the young ladies changed. One of them, whose gaze was closer to curiosity than mocking Marilyn, approached her and asked.
A quick glance at the face showed that at least she wasn't one of the people who had been laughing at Marilyn.
“It is rare for Prince Dane to attend a music appreciation event like this. Is it because of his friendship with Miss Marilyn?”
“The appreciation meeting is open to anyone, and I didn’t know that Prince Dane was attending.”
If I had known he was coming, I wouldn't have come.
The Lady, who had asked Marilyn's question, tilted her head and muttered.
“Most of the young ladies who attended this appreciation event have a negative view of the ‘theater.’ They all say that Miss Marilyn came here because of Miss Dorothea’s request.”
Was this indeed the reason he had been sending her such unpleasant glances?
Marilyn, feeling tired, blinked and glanced at Dane, who seemed to have noticed her and was trying to approach her.
'It's better this way.'
Marilyn was sick of the false rumors surrounding her, and she hated dealing with people whose attitudes changed so drastically.
“I don’t really agree with Miss Dorothea’s decision to establish a theater company and take part in its overall management.”
Dane's steps stopped.
“There must have been other ways for Miss Dorothea to support the business, aside from running it herself. In addition, the play that was put on the stage was too popular, so there was room for criticism. It could even instill prejudice against the nobles.”
"Oh."
“Even considering Ms. Dorothea’s position, I don’t think it was a good idea to reveal her connection with the troupe. It would make people think about her past.”
The surrounding ladies kept their mouths shut as if embarrassed by her blunt words.
As their eyes looked back and forth busily as if trying to figure out what she meant, Dane, who had stopped walking, slowly approached and stood in front of Marilyn.
'Huh?'
She opened her eyes wide in bewilderment as she met eyes filled with kindness contrary to her expectations.
Dane coughed a few times and greeted her politely.
“You have been honored, Lady Baron Lehr.”
“....”
Dane smiled as Marilyn flinched at the friendly voice and fell silent.
“What you just said was truly an incredibly wonderful statement. Young Lady is a true friend of Thea.”
“Did you hear what I just said?”
“A true friend is someone who speaks the truth without hesitation to a loved one who is going down the wrong path. Even if it means risking the trouble of being hated.”
The moment they heard Dane's words, a light of enlightenment appeared on the faces of the nobles nearby.
Everyone nodded their heads, seemingly convinced of Marilyn's hesitant attitude.
Marilyn's mind went blank as she became Dorothea Highclere's best friend, full of true friendship to the point where she didn't even spare a single word of criticism.
Dane held out his hand.
“I will take you to the mansion. Please allow me to show this much consideration to my cousin’s close friend.”
Marilyn, who had been staring blankly at him at his polite suggestion, slowly nodded with a resigned expression.
The knot was now so twisted that she could no longer untie it.
“Most of the young ladies who attended this appreciation event have a negative view of the ‘theater.’ They all say that Miss Marilyn came here because of Miss Dorothea’s request.”
Was this indeed the reason he had been sending her such unpleasant glances?
Marilyn, feeling tired, blinked and glanced at Dane, who seemed to have noticed her and was trying to approach her.
'It's better this way.'
Marilyn was sick of the false rumors surrounding her, and she hated dealing with people whose attitudes changed so drastically.
“I don’t really agree with Miss Dorothea’s decision to establish a theater company and take part in its overall management.”
Dane's steps stopped.
“There must have been other ways for Miss Dorothea to support the business, aside from running it herself. In addition, the play that was put on the stage was too popular, so there was room for criticism. It could even instill prejudice against the nobles.”
"Oh."
“Even considering Ms. Dorothea’s position, I don’t think it was a good idea to reveal her connection with the troupe. It would make people think about her past.”
The surrounding ladies kept their mouths shut as if embarrassed by her blunt words.
As their eyes looked back and forth busily as if trying to figure out what she meant, Dane, who had stopped walking, slowly approached and stood in front of Marilyn.
'Huh?'
She opened her eyes wide in bewilderment as she met eyes filled with kindness contrary to her expectations.
Dane coughed a few times and greeted her politely.
“You have been honored, Lady Baron Lehr.”
“....”
Dane smiled as Marilyn flinched at the friendly voice and fell silent.
“What you just said was truly an incredibly wonderful statement. Young Lady is a true friend of Thea.”
“Did you hear what I just said?”
“A true friend is someone who speaks the truth without hesitation to a loved one who is going down the wrong path. Even if it means risking the trouble of being hated.”
The moment they heard Dane's words, a light of enlightenment appeared on the faces of the nobles nearby.
Everyone nodded their heads, seemingly convinced of Marilyn's hesitant attitude.
Marilyn's mind went blank as she became Dorothea Highclere's best friend, full of true friendship to the point where she didn't even spare a single word of criticism.
Dane held out his hand.
“I will take you to the mansion. Please allow me to show this much consideration to my cousin’s close friend.”
Marilyn, who had been staring blankly at him at his polite suggestion, slowly nodded with a resigned expression.
The knot was now so twisted that she could no longer untie it.
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