“What? Why?”

“Those are works from a few years ago…! Looking at them now, they are full of shortcomings. Please dispose of them immediately when I return. Please!”

“What? But…”

Ariana’s eyes slightly widened in shock.

“I have often found solace in looking at that catalog. Especially in ‘Girl Holding a Dandelion Seed’, the girl’s heart, unable to hold onto or let go of what will soon scatter, is poignantly revealed. Whenever I feel lonely because of things I cannot have, I often look into it. Then somehow, I feel comforted by the girl in the painting…”

Watching Ariana trail off in embarrassment, Katarina swallowed slightly.

The empty feeling due to yearning for what one cannot have.

That was the very imagery she intended when painting ‘Girl Holding a Dandelion Seed’.

‘…This must be a ploy too.’

Katarina felt her mouth go completely dry.

Even in the imperial social circles, there were occasionally those who praised Katarina’s painting skills, but no one mentioned specific titles and appreciations in such detail.

‘She’s a formidable schemer. I shouldn’t have underestimated her.’

Acknowledging her mistake, Katarina composed herself.

She must not forget the purpose of her visit here.

“Hmph! I acknowledge your keen eye. But even if you praise my paintings, I will not leave without saying what needs to be said. Listen well, Miss Ariana.”

Katarina spoke in a stern voice, putting strength in her eyes.

“Do not let Lord Dante get embroiled in scandal any further. For people of high status like us, honor is akin to life itself.”

Ariana quietly lowered her eyes. As if she had lost face.

It was unexpected. Katarina thought Ariana would fiercely object when this topic was brought up.

Hiding such thoughts, Katarina continued sharply.

“Lord Dante has reasons to reject my affections. If I were to be tied to Lord Dante… the political landscape of the empire would become too complicated. I am aware of that too.”

If she, the imperial princess, were to marry Dante, he would rapidly rise as a powerful contender for the throne.

Pushing her affections would change too many things.

She knew. She knew, but…

It was then that Katarina lightly bit her lower lip.

The violin performance that had been sweetly enveloping her ears began to intensify.

Unconsciously glancing at the violinist, Katarina blurted out.

“What on earth is this music?”

“Ah, is it perhaps bothering you? I will tell them to stop playing-”

“No, that’s not it.”

Katarina hastily added.

“I was just asking what music it is.”

“Ah… Actually.”

Ariana spoke as if embarrassed, lightly lowering her eyelashes.

“It is music inspired by the piece Your Highness submitted to the National Foundation Festival last year.”

“…Pardon?”

“‘The Two Faces of Joy’. You captured the day and night of the same amusement park on one canvas. The crowded scene during the day, the desolate scene without a soul at night… The section just before you asked about the music was expressing the sunset when the two time periods intersect. The most bustling with the crowd leaving the amusement park, while simultaneously anticipating the imminent loneliness…”

As the explanation flowed in a cautious voice, Katarina covered her mouth with a fan.

‘She grasped it this well? My intention…’

When people saw her works, they usually praised the technique or the colors.

Those were the most noticeable parts, and most just aimed to score points with the princess by quickly complimenting.

But to be able to explain the painting’s intention in such detail meant looking at the painting for a long time.

With sincerity, affection, and time invested attentively.

Katarina spoke, lightly gripping the hem of her dress.

“How do you know so much about this music?”

Ariana replied with a breezy smile. As if it were the easiest answer in the world.

“Because I composed it.”

“…”

Katarina’s eyes instantly widened.

“You made this song? What do you mean… A woman, composed music?”

“Yes.”

Ariana lightly nodded.

“Just as a woman painted a picture.”

“…”

Katarina was completely at a loss for words.

After a moment, she carefully asked, catching her breath.

“Is it true that you made this music after seeing my painting?”

“Yes. It was the most impressive piece I saw at last year’s National Foundation Festival.”

“…”

Katarina’s eyes lost focus and trembled finely.

After rapidly blinking her eyelashes, Katarina abruptly stood up from her seat.

“Then, upon hearing the news of my arrival, you deliberately had that cute-looking violinist play that music?”

Pointing at Ruben, the shouting princess fanned herself as if astounded.

“You perfectly set the stage to win my favor! My, my. I’m really speechless…!”

‘A schemer. An incredible schemer!’

Even though it was no exaggeration to say Katarina had been thrown into high society since birth, a schemer of this level was a first for her too.

She had a premonition that if she continued to face this master, she would not only fail to get what she wanted but also lose something important.

“I will take my leave for today!”

Shouting only those words, Katarina hastily exited the VIP room.

Watching the back view that was somehow flustered even while keeping etiquette, Ariana silently smiled.

‘Still the same.’

Although it was their first encounter in this life, they had met a few times before she died.

Princess Katarina was the biggest fan of the Lopez Opera House, to be precise, the music composed by Ariana.

Until she was pushed to marry a foreign royal and leave the empire.

‘With this, she won’t try to interfere with me for the time being.’

Katarina had a side that couldn’t be harsh to someone she took a liking to, even once.

Katarina was right.

It was true that Ariana had set the stage to win her favor.

‘Thinking that way, I do feel a bit sorry, but…’

However, it was no lie that she liked Katarina’s paintings.

It was also true that she composed this music inspired by ‘The Two Faces of Joy’.

Watching the princess’ carriage rapidly leave the estate, Ariana smiled bitterly.

A day passed, and then another.

Finally, the day of the St. Benedicto’s Festival commemorative opera arrived.

Elena hummed as she looked at herself in the mirror.

The face carefully dolled up by the maids was as beautiful as a blooming flower.

No, even flowers would wilt beside this beauty.

The wind was pleasantly cool and the sky was cloudless.

It was a perfect day in every way.

‘When my sister ruined the wedding, I thought something terrible had happened.’

On the contrary, that incident drew attention and created the miracle of all seats being sold out.

A complete sellout.

It was a feat never achieved before.

With a large sum of money coming in at once, the estate was filled with laughter these past few days.

Edward bought the most expensive ready-made clothes from the Veloce boutique, and Elena also bought many dresses and jewelry.

‘It’s strange. How come things are going so well as soon as my sister disappears?’

Elena muttered in an amazed voice.

“Perhaps my sister was like a goddess of misfortune to us.”

Why, don’t they say such beings exist?

A being that, upon entering a store, abruptly cuts off customers and brings misfortune to not only themselves but also those around them no matter what they do.

To the Lopez estate, Ariana was precisely such a being.

‘With such a sister gone, what’s the big deal…’

Elena pouted, thinking of Lucas.

Lucas was apparently making every effort to contact Ariana.

As if he had dropped a treasure that must not be lost on the street.

‘That noble Lord is abandoning his pride to such an extent… It hurts.’

Elena slightly wrinkled the bridge of her nose.

Of course, it wasn’t that she didn’t understand.

From Lucas’ perspective, it was as if his fiancée had been stolen right before his eyes, so it was understandable for him to feel betrayed.

‘I should comfort him.’

After successfully finishing today’s performance, Lucas would also realize.

Who the real treasure of the Lopez Opera House was. Who he really needed to pay attention to and pour his devotion into.

‘After that, I will…’

I will become the Duchess of Fedegrin.

The mistress of the prestigious Fedegrin duchy.

That shining position rightfully belonged to herself, who was dozens of times more glamorous than Ariana.

Elena smiled, her eyes shining.

Rather, it was fortunate.

With Ariana gone, everything seemed to be flowing naturally as it should.

“With you, even hell would be willing, mmm…”

As she hummed the aria she would sing today, the servants brushing Elena’s hair showered her with praise.

“Truly a heavenly voice.”

“After today, everyone will know. Who the most beautiful and outstanding soprano in this empire is!”

“You guys, really.”

Elena, in a good mood, flicked a silver coin to each servant.

“Oh my, thank you!”

“Really, not only your face but your heart is like an angel too!”

Elena smiled contentedly, looking at herself in the mirror.

“Please maintain decorum!”

“The line is this way!”

A swarm of people crowded in front of the Lopez Opera House.

Flustered by the unprecedented situation, the staff responded to the guests, sweating profusely.

Watching that lively scene through the window, Edward bit his lip.

‘Damn it. The guests are arriving.’

It was only natural.

Less than thirty minutes remained until the performance began.

‘Damn it, but why…’

Biting the inside of his mouth until it bled, Edward barged into the waiting room.

“Still no news!”

A few servants lowered their heads with anxious faces in the empty waiting room.

“Yes, yes. Not yet…”

“Damn it all!”

Edward punched the wall.

Today was the long-awaited day of the St. Benedicto’s Festival commemorative opera.

On this day that should have been filled with excitement, an absurd and unthinkable situation was unfolding.

“Why the hell is there no sign of the orchestra!”