“Isn’t it expensive there? Of course, not as much as Versiconer, but still, it’s a middle-class residential area, isn’t it?”

“Well, it just happened that way. The circumstances are a bit complicated.”

Emilia swallowed her last words and vaguely raised the corners of her mouth. She hadn’t sought it out herself.

‘You’ll be staying here from now on.’

It was the house that Enrico Michele had practically forced on her on the day they exchanged contracts.

The contract did mention financial support, but she thought that clause referred to Giorgio Este. She never expected that she would receive support separately. The moment she heard this, Emilia was about to refuse immediately.

With the money she had saved, she could have found a place to live alone in Conilio, a lower-class residential area. It was a bit far from the theater, but it wouldn’t be an impossible distance if she was diligent about moving around. However, Enrico informed her as if he wouldn’t even listen to her words.

‘With that pocket change, you’d end up in Conilio at best. Do you know how far that is from here? Why waste time like that?’

‘I understand that night classes are flexible until the performance. Couldn’t I come straight to the duke’s residence after the afternoon classes end?’

‘You’re wasting time on the road. Why don’t you think about dancing during that time instead?’

Enrico stood up as if there was no room for compromise.

Emilia couldn’t argue further in the face of his cold and overbearing demeanor. After leaving a final warning that he wanted a perfect stage, and if she couldn’t deliver while blaming the environment, she would face the consequences, he left without even saying goodbye.

Afterward, his assistant Fabio appeared and gave her the address to move to. He said he would provide the detailed schedule on the day of the move and wished her good luck with the audition.

‘The duke seems more like a madman than an art lover.’

Emilia frowned as she recalled the events from a few days ago. Although it was a brief encounter, his demeanor of not just revolving around art but obsessively fixating on it to the point of fanaticism was slightly worrying.

She had signed because she was blinded by her parents’ situation, but occasionally he spoke as if he perceived her as an object he owned, making this contract seem potentially more dangerous than she had initially thought.

“Emilia?”

Emilia, who had been staring blankly into space lost in thought, blinked at the voice calling her name.

“Why did you stop talking? What’s the situation?”

Juliana, whose nervous expression had disappeared and was now looking at her with unbridled curiosity, came into view. Emilia lightly brushed her mouth with her hand and turned her head.

“Ah… It’s complicated here, I’ll tell you later.”

“When is later?”

“Let’s think about it after we join the company, for now.”

“Huh? What do you mean… Wait, when did we arrive?”

Juliana, who had been frowning, widened her eyes as she saw the audition hall in front of them. It seemed they had already arrived on the third floor while walking absentmindedly.

Emilia patted Juliana’s shoulder, relieved that she could at least change the subject. Let’s focus on what’s in front of us first, she told herself, pushing away the man who kept coming to mind.

The audition took place in a ballet practice room. Since it was both an audition for new members and for this year’s March production of “The Wayward Daughter,” existing members were also gathered inside.

The new member audition was first, so the faces of the existing members watching from the opposite side were full of interest.

Although there were people who came to audition from other countries, most were from the art academy, so there were quite a few familiar faces, and some were even exchanging greetings.

“Why is she here so early to claim a spot? It’s not like she’s desperate to make an impression.”

A sharp and sensitive voice was heard from behind Emilia, who was calmly staring straight ahead.

“Oh my, she can hear everything.”

“That’s the point, isn’t it? I’m just curious why someone who already has a full member position is here early. It’s not like she’s trying to show off.”

Even without turning around, Emilia knew who it was. Eva Fabera, someone who had constantly provoked her and sent envious glances throughout their time at the art academy, was impossible to mistake.

Emilia didn’t even bother to turn around, finding it not worth responding to. The way Eva was whispering right behind her, ensuring only Emilia could hear, was so transparent it was simply pathetic.

“She didn’t even come to the after-party, thinking she’s so great? Seriously, not even knowing who came…”

What does it matter who came, and what does it have to do with her? It was becoming more irritating how Eva kept bringing her face closer to the back of Emilia’s head. Thinking about moving to another spot, Emilia lightly grabbed Juliana’s arm, who was trembling beside her, as if to calm her down.

“Were you that confident about your performance? But from what I saw, it was quite mediocre.”

“Are you talking about yourself now?”

Finally, Juliana turned around, unable to bear it any longer. Eva twisted her lips as if pleased with the reaction and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“Hmm?”

“Aren’t you a bit out of line to be evaluating others? In my eyes, you’ve always been mediocre.”

“Please, I just didn’t get the lead role because luck wasn’t on my side, but you’ll always be just an extra. Who are you to call who mediocre?”

“Ah, is that so? But that’s exactly what I should be saying to you. I know I have shortcomings. I’m not even angry about it. But comparing yourself to Emilia is a bit much. How can you even try to compare when the skill gap is so huge? You really have no shame.”

“What?!”

As the atmosphere became increasingly heated, attention started to gather. Emilia quickly grabbed Juliana’s wrist, pulling her behind herself, and said,

“Stop it. This is an audition hall.”

Eva’s eyes, already slightly upturned, looked even fiercer due to her bright orange hair pulled tightly back. Emilia’s eyes remained calm as she met Eva’s blue eyes filled with base emotions.

Eva’s eyes flashed with blue flames, perhaps more provoked by Emilia’s lack of emotional response, but it dissipated quickly as she noticed the officials entering the room.

“…Always sticking together like that.”

Eva’s muttering voice was filled with unresolved frustration as she retreated. Juliana rolled her eyes wide, seemingly unable to understand Eva’s behavior of picking fights and then retreating angrily when things didn’t go her way.

“I don’t understand why she keeps picking fights when she never wins.”

“Just ignore her.”

“Ignoring only works for so long. How many times has she openly shown her jealousy towards you and tried to drive a wedge between us? If we leave her alone, she’ll cause a big incident someday.”

Emilia smiled faintly at Juliana, who was fuming as if it were her own problem.

“Thank you. You’re always helping me.”

“It’s not helping. I’m just not as composed as you and can’t control my temper.”

“It’s good that you’re honest with your feelings. I envy that about you.”

“Why are you saying such embarrassing things again.”

Juliana mumbled quietly, looking embarrassed, and glanced at the judges’ table.

“But who came to the after-party that she’s so proud of… I was there too, but… Oh? That person…”

Juliana’s eyes widened as she whispered, trying to change the subject.

“What? Someone you know?”

“He came briefly to the after-party. Oh, it must be the director.”

Emilia looked at the man Juliana was pointing at.

The skinny man, who appeared to be in his fifties, had his black hair slicked back meticulously as if not tolerating even the slightest dishevelment, and his mustache was curled up annoyingly, accentuating his sensitive impression. As he pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and looked around, his gaze stopped on Emilia.

A strange conflict flashed across the director’s face as he looked Emilia up and down as if evaluating an object. His snake-like eyes narrowed as if calculating something, and then his gaze was withdrawn with a hint of regret.

Although Juliana had spoken first, she didn’t add anything more about the director, seemingly focused now. Only a momentary unease that only Emilia, the subject, could notice remained.

‘Is it just my imagination…’

Emilia’s head tilted slightly to the side. Her gaze lingered for a moment on the director’s profile, with his notably protruding nose bridge.

“The judging will be conducted by Director Carlo Visconti, Deputy Director Silvia Petrucci, and Chief Choreographer Chiave della Torre. The masters and coaches will participate as assistant judges, and pianist Tommaso Paola will be accompanying us.”

However, as the judges were introduced one by one, exchanging eye greetings with the audience and taking their seats, Emilia pushed aside her uneasy feelings and focused on the task at hand.

“As stated in the announcement, the results will be notified immediately after the company entrance audition ends. Those who pass can participate in the [The Wayward Daughter] role audition to be held this afternoon, so those interested can stay. However, it’s not mandatory, so you can leave early if you wish, and in that case, you’ll be automatically assigned to the corps de ballet. For any other questions, please inquire at the front desk after the schedule is over, and we’ll provide answers.”

The person in charge of the proceedings left the audition hall immediately after finishing the announcement. The murmuring that had briefly arisen subsided as the man who had been introduced earlier as a coach began calling names in order.

The participants had already been warming up, so those whose names were called took their positions at the barre* prepared in the center, one by one.

*barre: A horizontal bar used for ballet exercises and warm-ups.