She could hear the things she didn’t want to hear ringing in her ears. Emilia wondered if she should leave, gesturing to block Juliana who seemed to find the topic interesting and was trying to look at her.

But a concubine. It hit home that the perception of sponsorship in the ballet world had hit rock bottom.

Although the Treano Kingdom had monogamy, there was no particular punishment for infidelity, so they would commit adultery more comfortably. She knew herself that there were quite a few nobles who were married but kept lovers and lived promiscuously.

Still, she didn’t know they went around directly looking for sponsors… She thought it was serious.

“But that was just Clarice being lucky. Most of them play around and then blatantly dump you when they get tired of you.”

“That’s true… Especially, the greater the reward, the greater the price seems to be. There was a kid who, in need of money, hastily accepted a sponsorship without even checking. Well, that person turned out to be a tremendous pervert. The mental shock was so great that she still can’t leave the house.”

Perhaps because she was thinking about Enrico’s sponsorship a little while ago. Their words were too clear to her. Although she had written a contract in her own way, she now knew well that he was arbitrary, so she was secretly worried about what more demands he would make later.

Of course, she tried to brush it off, but the sudden anxiety seemed unavoidable.

Their conversation was cut off as they finally focused on stretching, but Emilia’s insides were murmuring.

‘…Will he really be satisfied with just dancing? What should I do if he demands something strange?’

Enrico, who had narrowed the distance close enough for his breath to brush, dominated her mind once again. It could be that his purpose was really dancing for now, but the meaning might change someday. To those high and mighty, a contract would be just a piece of paper that could be torn up.

‘There’s no point in worrying like this. Let’s just do what’s in front of us for now.’

Emilia slowly rotated her ankle, trying hard to swallow a sigh. Fortunately, she saw the practice coach coming in. The first real day at the ballet company had dawned.

Emilia’s commute to the ballet company was to be done by a carriage sent by Enrico, disguised as a street carriage.

Although it was only the third day since she had come to the ballet company, Juliana knew Emilia’s habit of practicing an hour or two earlier than others or until the very end from the art school days, so she had already left the practice room.

It was a relief that she didn’t ask to go together, as it would have been difficult to make excuses.

Emilia finished practice earlier than usual and left the theater. Through the carriage window, the rapidly changing scenery showed the dusk slowly descending upon the earth.

‘It’s finally today.’

Emilia’s face had the same tension as when she was about to step on stage. There was no time to be lost in thought. The carriage quickly arrived at the ducal residence, and Emilia was guided not to the central mansion but to a building on the left.

“The stage costume has been prepared in the room. This girl will assist the young lady with her adornment.”

“Adornment?”

“Yes. You can think of it as performing a ballet as you normally do. His Excellency the Duke does not tolerate any dishevelment, so please prepare yourself in perfect condition.”

The butler bowed politely and opened the wooden door engraved with delicate patterns. The room was filled with splendor. Next to the dazzling chandelier and the gold-colored hangers was a huge mirror with an equally gold frame.

Emilia unconsciously opened her mouth as she looked at the clothes hanging on the hangers and the numerous ballet costumes worn by various mannequins. Not even noticing the sound of the door closing behind her, she simply walked slowly into the room as if drawn.

“Is there a costume that matches the piece you have prepared? If by any chance there isn’t, please do tell me.”

There’s no way there wouldn’t be. The room seemed to have an even more diverse collection of ballet costumes than the theater’s prop room. Could it be that he collected all these costumes just to watch a stage performance three times a week? It seemed like he was a person crazy about art, but Emilia thought that perhaps Enrico was beyond her imagination.

‘…This is the room of someone who collects just to watch dancing? Really?’

Seeing Emilia shaking her head with a blank expression, the maid stood close to the hangers.

“Then please tell me the costume, and I will help you prepare.”

“Yes…”

The story of sponsorship she had heard at the ballet company a few days ago casually crossed her mind. Wouldn’t he demand something other than dancing? A sense of unease arose from deep within her heart due to his tendency that showed excessive possessiveness beyond obsession.

Strength was put into the hand holding the costume. Emilia closed her eyes tightly and then opened them.

There’s no point in worrying about it here. Emilia quickly chose a costume without hesitation. After changing into the ballet attire and putting on makeup, Emilia’s appearance became even more beautiful as she adorned herself with more care than the year-end performance.

With her hair neatly tied up, a top that fully showed her curves, and a skirt made of several layers of fluttering tulle, she had returned to the appearance of the fairy when she first met Enrico at the Avaliante Theater.

Emilia, with her makeup and floral crown, finally put on her toe shoes and left the room. As if waiting, she followed the butler who was leading the way, walking down the corridor cast in an orange light. Passing by the huge painting that filled one side of the wall and the sculptures so delicate that they seemed impossible to have been made by human hands, a pair of golden doors appeared.

“Please go in.”

“…Yes.”

Emilia’s chest swelled up greatly and then subsided. She stared at the door that opened wide as if opening Pandora’s box.

What filled Emilia’s sight, who had been secretly worried that she might be guided to a bedroom after being dressed up like this, was a theater mixed with red curtains and gold.

Yes, this was so similar that it could be said to be a small-scale version of the stage at the Avaliante Opera House.

“From now on, I’d like you to appear from the back of the stage, not the entrance,”

Emilia, who was taking cautious steps while glancing around as if hesitating, suddenly looked straight ahead at the low voice that came out of nowhere. The back of a large chair placed in front of the stage was visible. Enrico slowly stood up from the chair where even the top of his head was not visible.

At that moment, everything seemed to move in slow motion. Beneath the hair that seemed to hold the night sky, thick eyebrows were revealed, and a straight, high nose bridge turned to face her. The amethyst-like eyes that matched the splendid interior met her gaze.

“I’d like you to finish warming up your body backstage before coming out too.”

Although he was wearing only a dark purple vest, unlike before, he had buttoned up the top of his shirt and even wore a black tie. Somehow, his attire seemed formal, giving her a strange feeling.

It didn’t feel like he was going to sleep or do something sinister, but his attitude of putting his heart and soul into watching ballet made her skin crawl a little.

He seemed like a person who sincerely believed that there was nothing else to deal with in this world but art. So it made her realize anew how important this contract was to him.

“Are you thinking of doing Sylphide?”

Enrico turned the chair and approached her. As if observing a purchased item, he thoroughly scanned her from head to toe with an intense gaze.

“Looking at you up close…”

His hand reached out towards Emilia’s round shoulders. As if wary of the unfamiliar sensation that would touch her skin, she slightly shrugged her shoulders, but he paid no mind and rather slowly moved his hand as if following the lines of her body. While keeping a slight distance so as not to touch her.

It was a strange feeling. Clearly, his hand was hovering in the air, but strangely, it felt like he was directly touching her. Her body stiffened as if she had turned into a plaster statue. Emilia blinked her fluttering eyelashes and barely let out a trembling breath.

“Not bad. Rather, it’s quite good.”

He twisted the corners of his mouth as if satisfied.

“We’ve run into each other in the hallway before, haven’t we?”

“…Do you remember?”

“No. Fabio told me.”

He casually replied in a sweet voice while slightly touching the fluttering fabric on her shoulders.

“Why didn’t you catch my eye back then?”

The familiar discomfort. Emilia showed an uncomfortable expression as she saw his languid, lowered gaze sweep over her body and rise back up again.

At her gesture of slightly stepping back, he made a pleased sound in his throat. Emilia bit her lower lip at the sight of him smiling as if he was simply intrigued, as if he was already enjoying himself.

Enrico’s hand naturally took hold of her fingertips lightly. Emilia, who flinched and tried to pull her body back, instinctively relaxed at his firm grip as if telling her to stay still. Then, as if escorting her, he led her to the front of the chair and released her hand while pushing her towards the passage leading to the stage.

For a moment, she stopped in place blankly and blinked her eyes at him as he sat down on the red velvet chair as if nothing had happened. The gentle atmosphere from a little while ago was gone, and Enrico was staring at her with the eyes of a predator in an instant.

“Now, dance for me.”