When Pride Falls at Your Feet (19 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 52

The order proceeded one by one, and finally the lead role applicants waited to be called. Amid this, Emilia glanced sideways at the dancer who had been fidgeting restlessly beside her since earlier.

It was Christina Pirdana—whose deep wine-colored hair and amber eyes gave her a vivid appearance, yet whose presence felt oddly faint. Emilia had heard other dancers say she was hardworking, and now she seemed clearly the type who got extremely nervous.

Still, Christina had become this year’s principal ballerina and was cast for the first time in the lead role of [La Sylphide]. Since Emilia herself would be performing on stage the same day, she felt somewhat eager. Lately, during rehearsals, Christina seemed to subtly avoid her, which was disappointing—but Emilia understood, as their characters never actually met.

“Christina Pirdana.”

Finally, when Christina’s turn came, a loud sigh of deep breathing could be heard. Raising her hand, she stepped into the center and began dancing to the piano music.

‘Did she get too nervous?’

She danced well, yet something felt slightly lacking. Perhaps the tempo seemed a bit too quick. Just as Emilia tilted her head slightly, the chief choreographer—who occasionally offered corrections mid-audition—spoke up.

“You’re going too fast. Focus on the music!”

At those words, Christina blinked rapidly. Watching her take another deep breath and persist in her dance, clearly trying to stay calm, the chief choreographer’s brow furrowed.

Currently, the skill levels among the company’s dancers were uneven, so there were only one or two dancers truly fit for lead roles.

Since major productions required rotating two or three lead dancers over the lengthy performance period, the remaining lead spot was typically contested among upper-mid tier dancers—and Christina was precisely the one chosen from that competition.

Though Christina had never once performed as a first soloist in her seven years with the company, she was given this opportunity primarily due to her diligence. Yet, every time she performed, the disappointed reactions were unavoidable.

Soon after, Emilia deliberately avoided looking at Christina as she returned to her seat with a suddenly pale face. If others found it regrettable, how much more so must Christina herself feel? She surely knew her own abilities better than anyone and must be bitterly disappointed.

Before long, it was Emilia’s turn. She stepped into the center and captivated the judges with the routine she had meticulously prepared. The stark contrast to Christina’s performance just moments earlier stirred murmurs among the onlookers.

“Isn’t she going to steal the lead role at this rate?”

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