Emilia didn’t seem to have major complaints about the number of ballet performances either, only showing interest in the compensation.

“I’ll provide that as a service first. However, just doing ballet isn’t enough, you need to satisfy me.”

“But isn’t that too vague? Your perspective could change depending on your mood, Duke, and people’s preferences can change too.”

“That’s why I wrote that I’ll sponsor you for a year. If I change my mind and stop watching, I’ll keep providing evidence.”

“If you don’t tell me first that you’ve changed your mind, wouldn’t that become my fault?”

His smile slowly faded as he watched Emilia, who seemed cautious at first but increasingly spoke boldly.

“I’m not an idle person. Rest assured, I’ll discard you immediately when you’re no longer needed.”

After all, I have no interest in counterfeits.

Seeing his demeanor change suddenly, she hesitated before slowly nodding. Then, biting her lower lip gently, she looked down at the contract again.

Her deliberation wasn’t long. Seeming to have made up her mind, she placed the paper on the table and carefully picked up the pen beside it. After all, no matter how many times she looked, the contents of the contract seemed favorable to her if anything, with no particularly unfavorable terms, and since her main goal was to know the truth, there seemed no need to hesitate further.

Enrico Michele quietly appreciated the sight of her signing. While he would provide an environment without lack for Emilia during her ballet, he wouldn’t fully hand over what goes to that man who claimed to be her uncle, Giorgio Este.

It was also a good card to use if Emilia Este became lazy, and since Giorgio, who had ambitions unsuited to his status, was unlikely to remain idle, it seemed good to hold the leash to send Giorgio into the abyss the moment he tried to climb up.

The sound of the pen tip moving across the paper ceased. Emilia’s long eyelashes cast a somewhat gloomy shadow as she quietly looked down at the completed signature, holding the pen tip slightly aloft.

“…Now tell me.”

At last, as if darkness was lifting, her beryl eyes were revealed. Her appearance, sitting with her back straight, was nothing short of dignified, with no trace of the pitiful look from before.

A fragment of truth. The words that followed half a beat late were merely a movement of her lips, without making a sound, but it was impossible not to know what she was saying. Enrico smiled as he pulled the paper towards himself. Then, looking down at the signed contract, he spoke in a low voice.

“I hear the carriage parts were deliberately missing. And the coachman was found dead outside the carriage.”

The small hand resting on the table clenched tightly. Enrico’s gaze turned to her hand.

“They say it overturned when the wheel came off. I wonder if he was thrown out then?”

Her fist was visibly trembling from the force she was exerting. His smooth brow furrowed in displeasure.

“Well. I hear he was found quite far away for that to be the case.”

Enrico naturally covered the back of her hand. Startled, Emilia looked down at her hand to see his long fingers intertwining with hers, as if coaxing her clenched fist to relax.

The man’s hand, exuding an atmosphere as cool as an autumn breeze, was surprisingly warm. And the skin that seemed like it would be soft had calluses, suggesting he wasn’t just someone who sat around appreciating art.

“That’s all for today.”

Emilia, who had been staring blankly at his hand, suddenly raised her head.

“What? What about the evidence?”

“I was planning to show you the evidence next time.”

“Next time? That’s absurd. How can I believe mere circumstantial words? If something that was concluded as an accident at the time is suddenly said to be otherwise now, how am I supposed to believe it?”

“That’s your problem.”

“…Pardon?”

“I haven’t gained anything from the contract yet. I’ve dealt with that character who claims to be your uncle, and even given you a hint about the baronial couple’s affair that you hadn’t even thought of.”

That, that… Though she wanted to refute something urgently, no words came to mind. Emilia muttered the same thing several times before finally clamping her mouth shut, her chin trembling.

Enrico, who had been quietly looking down at her, slowly raised the soft hand he was still holding.

“The investigation wasn’t properly conducted in the first place. The initial records were discarded and it was simply concluded as an accidental death.”

“Why…”

“That’s what I have to uncover from now on. And your role is to provide eye candy for me as I do so.”

Emilia’s eyes, which had been fixated on Enrico as if oblivious to her captured hand, belatedly sought her hand. Reflexively, she tensed and tried to pull her hand back. However, his hand holding her fingertips didn’t allow it, gripping firmly.

Their gazes met in mid-air. Enrico slowly erased his smile and turned Emilia’s hand over.

“So now, just take good care of your body so you don’t become useless.”

As he gently opened her clenched hand and slowly released it, Emilia naturally lowered her gaze. She saw her palm with clear nail marks.

“I don’t like flawed things, you see.”

The Kingdom of Treano had long been a country that actively supported various artistic fields such as fine arts and music. As a result, talented individuals naturally gathered there, and it became known as the country of arts in other nations, becoming famous as a cultural tourist destination.

In the center of the city filled with beautiful buildings, there was the huge Promessa Square in front of the train station and the connecting Violice Street.

The kingdom called it a cultural street and provided many attractions, especially the Avaliante Opera House, which boasted a long history led by its resident opera company and orchestra.

Emilia carefully looked around the Avaliante Opera House, which she was visiting for the second time to audition. The golden lobby that seemed to have absorbed gold like a sponge, and the splendid chandeliers scattered light everywhere.

Different from the elegant scene where moonlight and sunset would illuminate through the large windows like lighting when the sun set, the daytime scene with crystals sparkling in the sunlight was brilliant.

It felt strange that she had performed her graduation recital here, as if it had happened long ago even though it was just a few days ago.

‘There are fewer people than I expected.’

In the quiet interior, only those presumed to be staff were busily moving about.

Originally, they would have held a small graduation performance in the theater within the arts academy, but since last year, with increased support for ballet, the arts academy was able to perform here for the first time.

A singing voice could be heard from afar. Whether they were rehearsing on stage, the tremendous volume echoed down the corridor.

Emilia, who had been focusing on that sound for a moment, suddenly turned her head at the touch of someone grabbing one of her arms.

“Oh no, what should I do.”

Juliana stopped abruptly, covering her mouth with one hand. Just a while ago, she had excitedly left the dormitory saying she was finally going to the audition today, but her face now was completely different from that.

Seeing her struggling to breathe, apparently very nervous, Emilia turned her body to face her and gently stroked her forearm.

“Are you very nervous?”

“Yes… My heart feels like it’s going to burst thinking that the audition room is just a little way ahead.”

Seeing Juliana’s face, which had turned pale, Emilia slightly lowered the ends of her eyebrows. She was worried that Juliana might freeze up from nervousness.

“Should we go out again? Let’s rest outside for a bit before coming back in.”

“…No. I need to warm up too.”

“But still-”

“Let’s just talk about something else. Maybe chattering will help me relax.”

“…Alright.”

Emilia gave Juliana’s arms a final stroke before turning. Then she slowly walked, matching Juliana’s pace as she moved forward, holding onto one of Emilia’s arms.

“Isn’t the audition schedule too tight? I thought it would be held in the middle of the month, but it’s right after the new year.”

“I know. I heard they’re increasing the number of performances this year, so maybe that’s why they’re recruiting early. They only did two last year, right?”

“They only did two last year?”

“Yes. ‘The Stubborn Daughter’ and ‘Giselle’, just those two.”

“Ah! Right, that’s true. But a week of practice is too harsh. Maybe it’s possible for a genius like you, but for average people like me, oh my…”

Juliana’s face seemed to have regained some life, looking better than before. Emilia slightly narrowed her brows as she glanced at her.

“What are you saying? Your dance is so beautiful.”

“I know. But I also know it’s not as good as yours. I know you practice hard too, but… Oh, by the way, what are you going to do about the dormitory? You’re guaranteed to be a regular member anyway, so shouldn’t you find a place to live first?”

“Well, yeah…”

Emilia vaguely trailed off and turned her head forward. She could feel Juliana’s gaze poking at her cheek.

“Do you want to stay at my house for a while? It might be cramped, but my family will understand.”

“No, it’s okay. Actually, I found a place on the day I returned after submitting the application. Thanks for offering though.”

“Really? Where?”

“…In the Inizio area.”