When Pride Falls at Your Feet (19 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 11
The piercingly bright noon light had gently faded away. The audition, which had taken a short lunch break after the results were posted, was now resuming.
“Phew… My heart’s racing again.”
“Why don’t you drink some water?”
Since the role auditions were being held jointly for both existing and new members, they proceeded quickly, with the judges who had observed the earlier evaluations seated inside. The sound of pointe shoes tapping against the wooden floor blended seamlessly with the piano accompaniment, filling the room completely.
Emilia gently patted Giuliana’s back as Giuliana took a deep breath, her face tense with nerves. Though Giuliana had been overjoyed upon seeing her name on the list of accepted permanent members, the tension that had briefly loosened returned even worse for the afternoon’s role auditions.
“You’ll be fine if you just do exactly as you practiced.”
She whispered softly and handed over the water bottle she’d kept beside her. At that moment, the piano stopped playing, and the judges moved to the side.
“Good job. We’ll proceed immediately with the next candidate! Giuliana Perilli, Mandra Are…”
Giuliana, reaching out with trembling hands, jumped to her feet as her name was called. Emilia watched her walk away, sending her a worried glance—only to hear a cold voice from behind.
“Honestly, how can someone so nervous possibly dance ballet? Her talent is so-so at best, yet she’s lucky.”
It was Eva Paveria. Having secured a spot among the twelve permanent members, she wore a deeply offended expression at having to share this stage with Giuliana.
“Could ‘so-so’ possibly be referring to you?”
Emilia murmured flatly.
“What? What did you just say?”
“If you didn’t hear it, then forget it.”
“Wait… Are you seriously asking because you genuinely didn’t hear me?”
The agitated whisper drew glances from others waiting nearby. They clearly disliked the interruption—watching others perform was crucial, and this noise broke their concentration. Even Eva, shameless as she was, found those stares hard to bear and clamped her mouth shut, glaring at Emilia.
Emilia, ignoring Eva’s glare entirely, kept her eyes fixed on Giuliana as she diligently took her test. When the assigned choreography ended, Giuliana began mimicking the routine demonstrated by the Chief Choreographer—and not a trace of nervousness remained on her face. A faint smile tugged at the corners of Emilia’s finely shaped lips.
Soon, the piano accompaniment stopped again, and the next names were called.
“Eva Paveria, Emilia Este, Monica Bert…”
Emilia exchanged a brief glance with Giuliana, who was returning with sweat on her brow, then calmly walked to her assigned spot. Watching her, Eva’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.
She had assumed Emilia would surely audition for a lead role—so why had she applied for the corps de ballet instead? Though new members could join role auditions, only existing members and former principals were eligible for lead roles, and Eva’s sea-blue eyes were now clouded with envy and irritation.
“Begin.”
After a brief pause, the piano began to play. At the Chief Choreographer’s signal, both Eva and Emilia started dancing—and their faces immediately lit up with genuine smiles. Moving with playful delight, as if truly immersed in the scene, Emilia’s motions were exceptionally light and graceful.
The movements weren’t extremely difficult, but neither were they easy. The judges watched intently as every fingertip and toe moved precisely in rhythm, nodding as they jotted down their thoughts on the papers before them.
The Chief Choreographer, who had been standing to demonstrate and instruct the choreography, stepped toward the Deputy Director and murmured quietly.
“Unexpected. I thought she’d audition for a lead role.”
“Same here. She’s clearly very skilled. However…”
“She stands out too much.”
Both of their gazes were fixed on Emilia. Every one of her movements was flawless—so naturally compelling that eyes were drawn to her involuntarily. Her focus, spacing, and transitions all met with approval. As Emilia spun with fluid elegance, more and more onlookers turned their attention to her.
“Her airtime seems unusually long, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah. But she’s still perfectly on beat.”
“She really looks light on her feet. Must have great elasticity.”
Even the auditionees, momentarily forgetting they were in a test themselves, whispered in admiration. They had all practiced the same routine, yet somehow Emilia’s performance felt entirely different.
It was as if Emilia had become the undisputed lead while everyone else faded into supporting roles—so much so that the very atmosphere made her fellow dancers acutely aware of it.
Eventually, Eva’s bright smile as she danced began to stiffen slightly. Though her pride stung, she’d dreaded this very scenario—which was why she’d hoped not to audition alongside Emilia. Of all the rotten luck, they’d ended up in the same group. It was obvious Emilia had planned this specifically to steal the spotlight.
‘Insufferable girl…’
Yet regardless of Eva’s seething thoughts, the piano continued to play, and the eyes fixed on Emilia refused to look away.
“Should we perhaps ask her to audition for a lead role instead?”
“That would—”
“What are you talking about?”
The Director, who had been silently listening to the Deputy Director and Chief Choreographer, cut in with clear disapproval.
“If she applied for this part, that’s final. No exceptions should be made.”
“Director, I’ve made such suggestions before.”
“But it’s still an uncommon situation, isn’t it?”
“That’s true, but—”
“Precisely why I say we must be strict from this year onward. Given the significant investment the ballet company has received, I won’t tolerate any discord.”
The Chief Choreographer clicked his tongue regretfully at the Director’s firm words. The Deputy Director, stroking his mustache defiantly, met the Director’s gaze for a moment before turning away. Meanwhile, Emilia continued dancing—her expression unwavering despite likely being out of breath—and her movements remained as beautiful as ever.
[This is the timeline separator]Stepping down from the carriage, Emilia felt the evening wind slap her cheeks with a chilly bite. She had rushed here to inspect the house Enrico had practically dumped on her before clearing out her dormitory belongings. Before her stood a newly built-looking mansion, its walls neatly constructed from ivory bricks.
Though single-storied, the mansion appeared larger than expected, and Emilia frowned slightly in dismay.
‘It’s good that there aren’t many houses nearby since it’s a bit remote…’
Still, it felt burdensome. All she truly sought in return was the truth—and yet receiving such material support made her feel even more acutely bound by this patronage.
“Have you arrived? I assumed you wouldn’t want me to fetch you, so I’ve been waiting here.”
A streetlamp positioned near the mansion cast another shadow. Emilia, who had been staring blankly at the exterior without stepping inside, widened her eyes as Counselor Fabio suddenly appeared before her.
Counselor Fabio removed his hat, bowed politely, then gestured respectfully toward the side of the mansion.
“Duke Michele wishes to see you. Your carriage has been parked over there.”
“…Right now?”
“Yes. He said he’d like to finalize exactly when the arrangement will begin right after you inspect the house.”
That was something they could’ve settled on the day they signed the contract. Though she did have to visit Enrico’s mansion frequently anyway due to the agreement, she disliked these sudden, unannounced visits.
‘While I’m here to settle things, I should ask him to refrain from dropping by so unexpectedly.’
With a sigh, Emilia turned around.
“Won’t you inspect the interior?”
“I only came to confirm what kind of place it is—so I don’t need to see inside.”
“I see. We’ve prepared everything already so you won’t lack anything, but please let me know if you need anything specific.”
Counselor Fabio’s polished words only deepened the furrow in Emilia’s brow. It felt as though unwanted debts kept piling up despite her wishes.
[This is the timeline separator]Emilia was led to the dining room. The otherwise empty table was spread with an array of dishes.
A golden-brown baked salmon pie, thick cuts of meat with excellent marbling, and a fresh salad featuring white asparagus—all laid out in such generous quantities that it seemed as if more guests might arrive at any moment.
“What are you doing just standing there?”
Startled by the sudden whisper in her ear, Emilia whirled around, covering one ear. She hadn’t sensed anyone approaching, yet Enrico was already standing right behind her, looking down at her.
As Emilia instinctively stepped back in surprise, a gentle hand caught her elbow. Seeing her wide eyes flicker between his face and his hand, Enrico’s slightly downturned eyes curved into a faint, knowing smile.
“Were you waiting for me to seat you?”
“You misunderstand. I was simply—since I didn’t see Your Grace—”
“Oh, no? Then I’ll pretend I wanted to seat you myself.”
Without the slightest regard for Emilia’s will, Enrico cut her off mid-sentence and slid his hand from her elbow down to her wrist. His large, vein-traced hand enveloped her small, delicate one.
Emilia flinched and tried to pull away—but before she could, he tightened his grip and gently drew her toward him. She stopped just shy of pressing her nose against his broad chest.
The top button of his shirt was casually undone, revealing bare skin beneath. The rich, soft scent of his body overwhelmed her senses for a moment, leaving her momentarily dazed.
Utterly confused and deeply flustered, she stood frozen—until his other hand settled softly on her shoulder and, with languid precision, guided her around as if winding a doll’s key.
Emilia snapped back to her senses. Disliking the unnecessary contact, she twisted her shoulders—but he placed her into the chair as indifferently as one might handle a wriggling ant.
“Your Grace!”
Male lead first thought she played hard to get, only to realize she
really disliked him
Short intro:
What she can’t stand the most is the streets full of effeminate men, especially that so-called top beauty whom she avoids at all costs.
Shen Yaoxing looks at Jiang Mingyue, who keeps approaching her with coy shyness.
Shen Yaoxing: Bro, don’t be like this, I’m really about to throw up!
She fears nothing in heaven or earth, except for him getting close to her.
*
At first he thought she was just using the trick of feigning indifference to attract his attention. Later, he learned that she truly despised him.
This dealt a heavy blow to Jiang Mingyue, and he vowed to make her, like everyone else, fall at his feet in worship!
***
Synopsis:
Before transmigrating, Shen Yaoxing only wanted to find a reliable man to spend her life with. Who knew that after transmigrating, she would become a reliable woman herself…
A forced misandrist, highly skilled, and reliable female lead
vs.
An initially aloof and arrogant, later morbid, obsessed male lead
_____
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