Within the Duke’s mansion, there lingered a cold atmosphere for a while, the reason for which remained unknown. This situation became even more intense, especially when the four men gathered. Prodia, too, couldn’t ignore this.

‘What on earth is happening?’

After confiding in each other’s secrets, they thought everything would return to normal. In times like these, the only solution seemed to be rigorous training to divert their attention. Sweating together during training had a way of fostering camaraderie.

However, the proper training was being delayed as the next competition date hadn’t been decided. Despite asking Ed several times about the competition, he seemed absent-minded lately.

Then, one day, Prodia unexpectedly learned about the next schedule from an unusual source.

Inside the study, while Prodia was reading documents, the butler urgently delivered news. One of her disciples had come to the mansion without sending a letter, a very discourteous act. Prodia was slightly taken aback, but she quickly gave instructions.

“Escort him to the reception room. I will be there shortly.”

“Yes, Miss.”

After the butler left, Prodia finished her work and slowly stood up. When she opened the door to the reception room, a young man with an ordinary appearance abruptly stood up and greeted her.

“Teacher!”

“Long time no see… Kaphid.”

He was a disciple, Kaphid, who had received Prodia’s guidance a few years ago and passed the imperial selection exam.

“What brings you here without sending a letter?”

“W-Well, about that…”

Hesitating, he suddenly banged his head on the table.

“I’ve committed a grave mistake. Please, Teacher, forgive me!”

In the midst of this abrupt situation, Prodia was surprised. What could have happened for him to act like this?

Kaphid slowly began to confess his mistake.

“Teacher, do you remember a song you used to hum some time ago? By any chance?”

Humming a song? Even after thinking about it, Prodia couldn’t recall. Seeing her puzzled expression, Kaphid started humming a particular melody.

“La la la la la la la la la! This one.”

Upon hearing that melody, Prodia was astonished.

‘Did I sing this song in this lifetime?’

She couldn’t remember at all. The melody seemed to be completely ingrained in Prodia’s body to the point where she wasn’t even aware of it. This was because the song was the title track of a program she had planned in her previous life.

The title was [Maybe One of Us.]

Since they had to select an idol through a national vote, the title track also had lyrics that targeted the public’s sentiments.

‘Everyone among us must have at least one preference or something like that.’

Memories were flooding back.

Of course, she suffered in hell because of those memories.

However, why was he suddenly talking about this song?
‘Among us, everyone must have at least one preference or something like that.’ Memories are welling up. Of course, due to those memories, I suffered hell, but why on earth is he suddenly talking about this song?

“Teacher, actually… I used that song a bit.”

This doesn’t sound good.

“Where did you use it?”

“Master Jaisang said we needed a song for the opening ceremony stage of the Buma Selection Tournament.”

“…What?”

“I said I composed that song. Teacher, what should I do now?”

Why is he here asking about this? In summary of Kaphid’s explanation, it went like this:

To appease public sentiment, the royal family decided to delay the competition and open the opening ceremony belatedly. The most important stage among them would be a special performance by the participants.

Jaisang, the planner of the competition, was troubled by the sudden preparations for the performance. Then, by chance, Kaphid hummed ‘that song,’ and Jaisang asked who the composer was. Kaphid, on a whim, answered that it was him. A few days later, Jaisang told him to submit the full score and lyrics of the song.

“So, Teacher, about that song, could you please tell me the rest?”

Kaphid’s face, saying this, was a chaotic mix of impudence and earnestness.

Prodia pressed her throbbing head firmly.

My disciple was a thief.

In her heart, she wanted to go to Jaisang right now and reveal everything. However, if the real composer was exposed, it would be inconvenient for Prodia as well.

‘If I personally interfere in the competition, it’s absolutely not allowed.’

Becoming a competition official would prevent her from teaching the participants any longer. Anyone could see that it would be unfair.

What should I do? I don’t want to let it go like this.

At that moment, a crucial fact crossed Prodia’s mind.

‘Right, in this world, composers could have copyrights too.’

If that’s the case, this song should be the same.

Prodia stared intently at Kaphid.

Seeing Kaphid’s reaction, who couldn’t meet her eyes, Prodia was convinced.

Kaphid wasn’t giving this song to Jaisang for free.

She smiled with a smile that seemed to appear and disappear.