“Elena. Can you hand me the newspaper?”
The members who were following along without a word were equally bewildered.
Elena approached Ariana, making the sound of her heels.
“What, Sister? You were in a place like this? I’ve been looking for you for a long time.”
“Why?”
Elena let out a hollow laugh at her calm question.
“Why?”
Elena glared at the maids following her with annoyance.
“They can’t even get my water temperature right. I told them to bring me lukewarm water, but they brought me warm water, and my vocal cords almost got damaged.”
“You’re not even complaining about food, you’re past the age to complain about water.”
Elena doubted her own ears at the calm voice.
“...What?”
“It’s not nice to see you being too picky.”
“What? Oh, how ridiculous. Am I being picky about taking care of myself?!”
As their voices grew louder in absurdity, the orchestra members glanced at the two with puzzled faces.
Elena cleared her throat and hurriedly controlled her expression.
Then she whispered loud enough for Ariana to hear.
“What’s wrong these days? Do you know that you’ve changed, Sister?”
“Me?”
“Yes! The Marquis also said that Sister seemed different from before. Do you know why the Marquis liked Sister? It was because you were quiet and seemed like you would be good at helping out. Today, when you act more like a sister than you should, the Marquis definitely won’t like it-.”
“Ugh, damn it.”
At that moment, Edward appeared, touching his forehead.
His face was flushed and he smelled of alcohol. He was even holding a half-finished bottle in one hand.
The orchestra members looked at each other.
'Count, he doesn't look so good.'
'Oh... Who will be the sacrificial lamb today?'
Elena wrinkled her nose at the strong smell of alcohol.
"Brother. How much did you drink?"
"Damn it. Because of that damn Rainer."
"Huh?"
Elena looked around, startled by the word 'Rainer.'
If Marquis Rainer was someone who had invested a large amount of money in the Lopez Opera House, he wasn't as much as Lucas.
"Oh, Brother. Watch what you say."
Edward rubbed his forehead and swallowed the curse. He had been drinking hard liquor all night, so he was in a terrible state.
'If only that damned bastard hadn't scratched my insides.'
Edward blew on the bottle again to forget his terrible hangover.
The members were taken aback by his open drinking, but they didn't find it strange.
They just exchanged glances and sighed.
'Today is just the beginning...'
'Will I be able to return before the sun sets?'
Edward had a bad habit that would pop out whenever he blew his whistle.
That was...
"What are you guys doing! Start playing. Until I tell you to stop!"
The members each picked up their instruments with pale, dead faces.
'It's begun.'
'The hellish roundabout.'
It was the beginning of a nightmare-like rehearsal that would never end until Edward's mood miraculously improved or he collapsed.
Edward was the tyrant of this small orchestra. There was only one reason for this.
'Hold on... Hold on.'
'But you write one good song.'
'Geniuses are naturally eccentric.'
Even though Edward Lopez's personality was somewhat eccentric, no one could deny that the music he poured out was excellent.
Everyone agreed that this song, 'The Adulteress's Aria', had a somewhat absurd title, but the quality of the song was amazing.
This opera would definitely be a success. If that happens, the fame of the orchestra members will naturally rise.
So, even if he is dirty and deadly, they have no choice but to stick with him.
The performance continued. Elena shook her head and left the stage.
The faces of the members who continued to play became pale.
Among them, Ruben's face was the palest.
'The back of my hand hurts... '
Ruben Oliver. 18 years old. The youngest violinist of the Lopez Orchestra.
That morning, Ruben was making porridge for his mother when he got hit in the hand by a cupboard that had collapsed. He knew it had rusted during the previous rainy season, but he hesitated because of the repair costs, and that’s when it happened. He thought it was okay, but his hand hurt every time he drew his bow. Ruben bit his lip.
“I can’t get caught.”
The opera was only a month away. Edward wouldn’t wait for his hand to heal. He’d just fire him.
The violin was the only asset his mother, a fallen aristocrat, had left him. The orchestra member’s salary wasn’t that high, but it was better than working a day job.
“I can’t get caught. I can’t get fired.”
He thought about his mother’s medicine. This month’s rent. The interest for three months in arrears...
Ruben repeated that thought every time the pain grew.
But at the same time, another thought grew bigger.
“What if I keep playing like this and my injury gets worse?”
'I heard that a certain pianist retired because the wound on his finger kept getting worse...'
'It's okay, it wasn't a big deal... I can just go to the doctor right after the performance.'
'But when will this rehearsal end? It will end, right...?'
These thoughts were becoming more and more complicated.
"Damn, no, no. I don't like it."
Edward, who had been gulping down his drink, suddenly stood up and swung in the direction of the violinists.
"The violins are too loud. It's annoying! I thought it was strange to use the violins this much from the beginning."
I calmly instructed while sipping my coffee.
The quick-witted maid handed the newspaper to Elena instead.
“...”
The moment I found the headline, my fingers twitched subtly.
I stared blankly at the photo of Dante with his hot lover, then put it away as if I knew I would not be able to see it soon.
“She’s a cheap woman, after all.”
Elena glanced at the newspaper that had come closer to her because of that and wrinkled her nose again. Then she snorted and picked up her teacup.
“He’ll play with her for a night, or at best, a few days, and then throw it away. I hope she's not dreaming that she’ll be able to marry His Excellency the Duke just because she just earned the title of lover.”
Then you’re just too pitiful.
Elena chuckled as she brought the teacup to her lips.
“The newspaper company, too.”
“...”
“Why are they making such a fuss over a girl who’s just a one-night stand? That poor girl is the only one who’s going to get screwed. Does she think she's going to be some kind of official... What, why are you laughing?”
Suddenly, Elena looked back at Ariana and frowned.
The strangely curved corners of Ariana's mouth, as she tilted her coffee cup, bothered her.
“Um, just. Because it’s delicious.”
Ariana closed her eyes and smiled.
“Coffee.”
...What’s so funny about that dirty-colored drink?
It must be a bluff. Elena scoffed and turned her head, but Ariana got up from her seat.
“You should get up too. Today’s the day of rehearsal.”
“That’s right. You’re going to go, right?”
Of course, you should.
Elena got up from her seat without even hearing the answer.
Elena always took Ariana with her not only on the day of the performance but also during rehearsals.
'She's not very pretty, but still...'
The quick-witted maid handed the newspaper to Elena instead.
“...”
The moment I found the headline, my fingers twitched subtly.
I stared blankly at the photo of Dante with his hot lover, then put it away as if I knew I would not be able to see it soon.
“She’s a cheap woman, after all.”
Elena glanced at the newspaper that had come closer to her because of that and wrinkled her nose again. Then she snorted and picked up her teacup.
“He’ll play with her for a night, or at best, a few days, and then throw it away. I hope she's not dreaming that she’ll be able to marry His Excellency the Duke just because she just earned the title of lover.”
Then you’re just too pitiful.
Elena chuckled as she brought the teacup to her lips.
“The newspaper company, too.”
“...”
“Why are they making such a fuss over a girl who’s just a one-night stand? That poor girl is the only one who’s going to get screwed. Does she think she's going to be some kind of official... What, why are you laughing?”
Suddenly, Elena looked back at Ariana and frowned.
The strangely curved corners of Ariana's mouth, as she tilted her coffee cup, bothered her.
“Um, just. Because it’s delicious.”
Ariana closed her eyes and smiled.
“Coffee.”
...What’s so funny about that dirty-colored drink?
It must be a bluff. Elena scoffed and turned her head, but Ariana got up from her seat.
“You should get up too. Today’s the day of rehearsal.”
“That’s right. You’re going to go, right?”
Of course, you should.
Elena got up from her seat without even hearing the answer.
Elena always took Ariana with her not only on the day of the performance but also during rehearsals.
'She's not very pretty, but still...'
She was very good at taking care of herself.
Taking care of her condition meticulously, managing the music scores, etc.
If Ariana wasn't there, there would be a lot of problems in the rehearsals. Although Elena herself has never admitted it.
Before leaving the restaurant, Elena absentmindedly glanced at the annoying newspaper and frowned.
"Wait, what's this?"
The name printed in the corner was familiar.
Rosalyn Tenor, a successful singer debut!
Rosalyn? Rosalyn Tenor...
'Isn't that idiot's girlfriend, Mark?'
It was about a week ago. She remembered hearing a song sung by some country girl on the street and her mood suddenly changed.
It was outrageous to see a cheapskate on the street singing an aria that she had never heard before, even though she paid a fair price for it.
So, to make sure she never did something so impudent again, Elena played a little trick. She tricked that girl’s idiot lover into crashing the stage without permission.
If she were a seasoned singer, she could have just found another accompanist, but there was no way a country bumpkin and a clumsy rookie would have such connections.
Elena thought she would never see her again.
‘But you debuted? And in Paradise?’
Oh, really.
The newspaper was crumpled terribly in Elena’s hands.
It was a day when everything really got on her nerves.
“Oh my, Miss.”
The maid exclaimed, swiping the brush over her clear skin.
“You are dazzlingly beautiful today, too.”
Elena smiled as she looked at herself in the mirror. Her perfectly groomed, glossy blonde hair. Her skin looked like carved jade, and her lips dyed rosy.
Even though today’s schedule was all about rehearsal, she couldn’t neglect her duties as a leader.
“Hmm... Shall we get moving?”
Elena slowly got up.
She knew she was a little late, but that didn’t matter. The main character usually appeared last.
“Come this way, Elena. Everyone is waiting.”
Elena shook her head slightly as she climbed onto the stage. Her platinum hair fluttered effectively.
However, she didn’t hear the greetings and compliments that should have been pouring in.
‘...What is it?’
Elena slightly looked away and slowly frowned.
Another woman with platinum hair was already monopolizing the attention on stage.
“The cello, a little further this way.”
“Ah... Yes.”
“Viola 9, the strings seem to be a bit damaged.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“Is the piano tuned?”
“It’s done now!”
The identity of the woman who was meddling and running around the stage was Ariana.
Elena glared at her back in shock.
Who are you to be stirring up the stage? As if you were the main character.
Taking care of her condition meticulously, managing the music scores, etc.
If Ariana wasn't there, there would be a lot of problems in the rehearsals. Although Elena herself has never admitted it.
Before leaving the restaurant, Elena absentmindedly glanced at the annoying newspaper and frowned.
"Wait, what's this?"
The name printed in the corner was familiar.
Rosalyn Tenor, a successful singer debut!
Rosalyn? Rosalyn Tenor...
'Isn't that idiot's girlfriend, Mark?'
It was about a week ago. She remembered hearing a song sung by some country girl on the street and her mood suddenly changed.
It was outrageous to see a cheapskate on the street singing an aria that she had never heard before, even though she paid a fair price for it.
So, to make sure she never did something so impudent again, Elena played a little trick. She tricked that girl’s idiot lover into crashing the stage without permission.
If she were a seasoned singer, she could have just found another accompanist, but there was no way a country bumpkin and a clumsy rookie would have such connections.
Elena thought she would never see her again.
‘But you debuted? And in Paradise?’
Oh, really.
The newspaper was crumpled terribly in Elena’s hands.
It was a day when everything really got on her nerves.
***
“Oh my, Miss.”
The maid exclaimed, swiping the brush over her clear skin.
“You are dazzlingly beautiful today, too.”
Elena smiled as she looked at herself in the mirror. Her perfectly groomed, glossy blonde hair. Her skin looked like carved jade, and her lips dyed rosy.
Even though today’s schedule was all about rehearsal, she couldn’t neglect her duties as a leader.
“Hmm... Shall we get moving?”
Elena slowly got up.
She knew she was a little late, but that didn’t matter. The main character usually appeared last.
“Come this way, Elena. Everyone is waiting.”
Elena shook her head slightly as she climbed onto the stage. Her platinum hair fluttered effectively.
However, she didn’t hear the greetings and compliments that should have been pouring in.
‘...What is it?’
Elena slightly looked away and slowly frowned.
Another woman with platinum hair was already monopolizing the attention on stage.
“The cello, a little further this way.”
“Ah... Yes.”
“Viola 9, the strings seem to be a bit damaged.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“Is the piano tuned?”
“It’s done now!”
The identity of the woman who was meddling and running around the stage was Ariana.
Elena glared at her back in shock.
Who are you to be stirring up the stage? As if you were the main character.
The members who were following along without a word were equally bewildered.
Elena approached Ariana, making the sound of her heels.
“What, Sister? You were in a place like this? I’ve been looking for you for a long time.”
“Why?”
Elena let out a hollow laugh at her calm question.
“Why?”
Elena glared at the maids following her with annoyance.
“They can’t even get my water temperature right. I told them to bring me lukewarm water, but they brought me warm water, and my vocal cords almost got damaged.”
“You’re not even complaining about food, you’re past the age to complain about water.”
Elena doubted her own ears at the calm voice.
“...What?”
“It’s not nice to see you being too picky.”
“What? Oh, how ridiculous. Am I being picky about taking care of myself?!”
As their voices grew louder in absurdity, the orchestra members glanced at the two with puzzled faces.
Elena cleared her throat and hurriedly controlled her expression.
Then she whispered loud enough for Ariana to hear.
“What’s wrong these days? Do you know that you’ve changed, Sister?”
“Me?”
“Yes! The Marquis also said that Sister seemed different from before. Do you know why the Marquis liked Sister? It was because you were quiet and seemed like you would be good at helping out. Today, when you act more like a sister than you should, the Marquis definitely won’t like it-.”
“Ugh, damn it.”
At that moment, Edward appeared, touching his forehead.
His face was flushed and he smelled of alcohol. He was even holding a half-finished bottle in one hand.
The orchestra members looked at each other.
'Count, he doesn't look so good.'
'Oh... Who will be the sacrificial lamb today?'
Elena wrinkled her nose at the strong smell of alcohol.
"Brother. How much did you drink?"
"Damn it. Because of that damn Rainer."
"Huh?"
Elena looked around, startled by the word 'Rainer.'
If Marquis Rainer was someone who had invested a large amount of money in the Lopez Opera House, he wasn't as much as Lucas.
"Oh, Brother. Watch what you say."
Edward rubbed his forehead and swallowed the curse. He had been drinking hard liquor all night, so he was in a terrible state.
'If only that damned bastard hadn't scratched my insides.'
Edward blew on the bottle again to forget his terrible hangover.
The members were taken aback by his open drinking, but they didn't find it strange.
They just exchanged glances and sighed.
'Today is just the beginning...'
'Will I be able to return before the sun sets?'
Edward had a bad habit that would pop out whenever he blew his whistle.
That was...
"What are you guys doing! Start playing. Until I tell you to stop!"
The members each picked up their instruments with pale, dead faces.
'It's begun.'
'The hellish roundabout.'
It was the beginning of a nightmare-like rehearsal that would never end until Edward's mood miraculously improved or he collapsed.
Edward was the tyrant of this small orchestra. There was only one reason for this.
'Hold on... Hold on.'
'But you write one good song.'
'Geniuses are naturally eccentric.'
Even though Edward Lopez's personality was somewhat eccentric, no one could deny that the music he poured out was excellent.
Everyone agreed that this song, 'The Adulteress's Aria', had a somewhat absurd title, but the quality of the song was amazing.
This opera would definitely be a success. If that happens, the fame of the orchestra members will naturally rise.
So, even if he is dirty and deadly, they have no choice but to stick with him.
The performance continued. Elena shook her head and left the stage.
The faces of the members who continued to play became pale.
Among them, Ruben's face was the palest.
'The back of my hand hurts... '
Ruben Oliver. 18 years old. The youngest violinist of the Lopez Orchestra.
That morning, Ruben was making porridge for his mother when he got hit in the hand by a cupboard that had collapsed. He knew it had rusted during the previous rainy season, but he hesitated because of the repair costs, and that’s when it happened. He thought it was okay, but his hand hurt every time he drew his bow. Ruben bit his lip.
“I can’t get caught.”
The opera was only a month away. Edward wouldn’t wait for his hand to heal. He’d just fire him.
The violin was the only asset his mother, a fallen aristocrat, had left him. The orchestra member’s salary wasn’t that high, but it was better than working a day job.
“I can’t get caught. I can’t get fired.”
He thought about his mother’s medicine. This month’s rent. The interest for three months in arrears...
Ruben repeated that thought every time the pain grew.
But at the same time, another thought grew bigger.
“What if I keep playing like this and my injury gets worse?”
'I heard that a certain pianist retired because the wound on his finger kept getting worse...'
'It's okay, it wasn't a big deal... I can just go to the doctor right after the performance.'
'But when will this rehearsal end? It will end, right...?'
These thoughts were becoming more and more complicated.
"Damn, no, no. I don't like it."
Edward, who had been gulping down his drink, suddenly stood up and swung in the direction of the violinists.
"The violins are too loud. It's annoying! I thought it was strange to use the violins this much from the beginning."
It was Ariana's decision to make the violins stand out so much in this song.
Edward's inferiority complex, which had been brooding over the humiliation of being ignored by Reiner, exploded darkly in his dark eyes.
"I guess I should do it my way. What's with that score that little girl just scribbled around like that... I'll rip it all up and change it to fit my level. Hey, 4th and 5th violins!”
“Yes?”
“Huh?”
Reuben looked up in surprise.
“You’re fired.”
“Huh?!”
Reuben jumped up from his seat, startled.
“Ah, Count. What do you mean?!”
“This piece doesn’t need this many violins. I concluded that, so you should know that.”
“Ha, but!”
Edward glared.
“What? Are you dissatisfied?”
Edward got up and began to stroll over, holding a half-drinkable bottle of liquor in his hand.
“A mere employee to his employer... No. A commoner would dare to speak up to a noble?”
“I, I, that... Huh?”
Ruben doubted his eyes for a moment.
Edward seemed not to notice the dark shadow behind him.
‘Lady Elena...?’
No, she had platinum hair, but the atmosphere was completely different.
A woman with a calm air like a daffodil walked behind Edward and raised her arm high.
‘...Huh?’
'Really?'
It was a moment when several other members also noticed the change and opened their eyes wide.
"Don't you know how scary the crime of insulting a noble is? Where the hell is that little brat holding his head up so high- ugh!"
Crunch.
Edward's neck snapped forward with a firm voice.
"..."
"..."
Silence fell on the stage where the sounds of instruments were abundant.
Everyone stopped moving.
In a world where time seemed to have stopped, only Ariana slowly walked out.
Holding a flute that shone white in one hand.
Edward's inferiority complex, which had been brooding over the humiliation of being ignored by Reiner, exploded darkly in his dark eyes.
"I guess I should do it my way. What's with that score that little girl just scribbled around like that... I'll rip it all up and change it to fit my level. Hey, 4th and 5th violins!”
“Yes?”
“Huh?”
Reuben looked up in surprise.
“You’re fired.”
“Huh?!”
Reuben jumped up from his seat, startled.
“Ah, Count. What do you mean?!”
“This piece doesn’t need this many violins. I concluded that, so you should know that.”
“Ha, but!”
Edward glared.
“What? Are you dissatisfied?”
Edward got up and began to stroll over, holding a half-drinkable bottle of liquor in his hand.
“A mere employee to his employer... No. A commoner would dare to speak up to a noble?”
“I, I, that... Huh?”
Ruben doubted his eyes for a moment.
Edward seemed not to notice the dark shadow behind him.
‘Lady Elena...?’
No, she had platinum hair, but the atmosphere was completely different.
A woman with a calm air like a daffodil walked behind Edward and raised her arm high.
‘...Huh?’
'Really?'
It was a moment when several other members also noticed the change and opened their eyes wide.
"Don't you know how scary the crime of insulting a noble is? Where the hell is that little brat holding his head up so high- ugh!"
Crunch.
Edward's neck snapped forward with a firm voice.
"..."
"..."
Silence fell on the stage where the sounds of instruments were abundant.
Everyone stopped moving.
In a world where time seemed to have stopped, only Ariana slowly walked out.
Holding a flute that shone white in one hand.
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