When Pride Falls at Your Feet (19 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 8

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Emilia also did not seem to have much complaint about the number of ballet performances, showing interest only in the compensation.

“I’ll provide that as a service first. However, it’s not enough to just do ballet; you have to satisfy me.”

“But isn’t that too vague? Your perspective might change depending on Your Grace’s mood, and people’s tastes can change.”

“That’s why it’s written that I’ll provide sponsorship for one year. If I lose interest and stop watching, you just have to keep providing evidence.”

“If you don’t tell me first that you’ve lost interest, wouldn’t that make it my fault?”

At first she seemed to be gauging the situation cautiously, but as she gradually began speaking more boldly, his slow smile faded.

“I’m not a man with free time. The moment you become unnecessary, I’ll discard you, so rest assured.”

He had no interest in fakes.

At the sudden shift in atmosphere, she hesitated before slowly nodding. Then, biting her lower lip, she looked down at the contract again.

Her hesitation did not last long. As though having made up her mind, she placed the paper on the table and carefully picked up the pen beside it. No matter how many times she read it, the terms written in the contract were advantageous to her, if anything, and there seemed to be no particularly disadvantageous clauses; since her main goal was to learn the truth anyway, there was no need to hesitate further.

Enrico Michele quietly admired the sight of her signing. While Emilia performed ballet, he would provide an environment with no shortcomings, but he had no intention of completely handing her over to that man she called her uncle, Giorgio Este.

Emilia Este could also serve as a useful card to exploit if she became complacent, and since Giorgio, who harbored ambitions beyond his station, would never stay quiet, it seemed wise to hold the leash that could send Giorgio plummeting into the abyss the moment he tried to climb.

The sound of the pen tip moving across the paper stopped. Emilia, holding the pen tip slightly aloft, quietly gazed down at the completed signature; her long eyelashes cast a somewhat somber shadow.

“…Now please tell me.”

Soon, as if the darkness had lifted, her jade-green eyes were revealed. The pitiful appearance from before had vanished entirely; with her back straight, she looked utterly composed.

The fragment of truth. The words that followed half a beat late merely moved her lips without sound, yet it was impossible not to know what she was saying. Enrico pulled the paper toward himself with a smile playing on his lips. Then, looking down at the signed contract, he spoke in a low voice.

“I heard that a part of the carriage was deliberately missing. And the coachman was found dead outside the carriage.”

The small hand resting on the table slowly clenched into a fist. Enrico’s gaze turned to her hand.

“They said the wheel came off and it overturned, so perhaps he was thrown out at that time.”

Her fist trembled faintly from the force she was exerting. His previously smooth brow furrowed in displeasure.

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

Enrico naturally covered the back of her hand with his. Startled, Emilia looked down at her hand; into her view came his long fingers slipping through the gaps as if gently prying open her clenched fist.

The man’s hand, which gave off a chill like an autumn breeze, was unexpectedly warm. And the skin that seemed it would be soft was calloused, suggesting he was not merely someone who sat and appreciated works of art.

“That’s enough for today.”

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

“Yes? 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? It was clearly concluded as an accident back then, so how am I supposed to believe it when you suddenly say now that it wasn’t?”

“That’s your problem.”

“…Pardon?”

“I haven’t received anything yet from this contract. I even took care of that uncle of yours and gave you information about the viscount couple that you hadn’t even thought of.”

That, that… In her urgency, she wanted to retort something, but no words came to mind. Emilia repeated the same words several times under her breath before finally clamping her mouth shut, her chin trembling.

Enrico, quietly looking down at her, slowly lifted the soft hand he was still holding.

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

“Why on earth…”

“That’s what I have to uncover from now on. And your role is to be the eye candy for someone like me.”

As if oblivious to her captured hand, Emilia had been staring solely at Enrico; only belatedly did her eyes find her hand. She flinched, instinctively trying to pull away, but his hand holding her fingertips gently yet firmly refused to let go.

Their gazes collided in midair. Enrico slowly erased his smile and turned over the hand of Emilia he was holding.

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

As he slowly unfolded her delicate clenched hand and released it, Emilia naturally lowered her gaze. The palm clearly marked with nail indentations came into view.

“I dislike defective things, after all.”

[This is the timeline separator]

The Treano Kingdom had long been a country that actively supported various fields of art, such as painting and music. Naturally, talented individuals gathered there, and as it came to be called the land of arts by other nations, it became famous as a cultural tourism destination.

In the center of the city filled with beautiful architecture stood the enormous Promessa Square in front of the train station and the Violiche Street that connected to it.

The kingdom designated that area as a single cultural street and offered many attractions, and among them, the Avaliante Opera Theater, led by its resident opera company and orchestra, boasted a long history.

Emilia leisurely looked around the Avaliante Opera Theater, which she was visiting for the second time to audition. The lobby, golden as if it had absorbed gold like a sponge, and the gorgeous chandeliers scattered light in all directions.

Unlike the elegant sight at sunset when moonlight and dusk poured through the large windows to illuminate the view like lighting, the midday scene where crystals sparkled under the sunlight was brilliant.

To think she had held her graduation performance here—it had only been a few days ago, yet it strangely felt like something from long ago.

‘There are fewer people than I expected.’

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

Trending

Originally, graduation performances were supposed to be held modestly at the theater inside the academy, but since last year, with increased support for ballet, the academy was performing here for the first time.

From afar, singing could be heard. Perhaps a rehearsal was taking place on stage; an enormous vocal volume echoed through the corridor.

Momentarily focusing on the sound, Emilia suddenly turned her head at the touch of a hand grabbing one of her arms.

“Oh no, what do I do.”

She saw Giuliana freeze in place, covering her mouth with one hand. Just earlier, she had excitedly left the dormitory saying she was finally going to the audition today, but her current expression was completely different.

Seeing Giuliana barely catching her breath as if extremely nervous, Emilia turned her body fully to face her and gently stroked one of her forearms.

“Are you very nervous?”

“Yeah… The moment I think that just a little further is the audition hall, my heart feels like it’s going to burst.”

Seeing Giuliana’s face turn pale, Emilia slightly lowered the ends of her eyebrows. She worried that tension might stiffen her body.

“Shall we go back out? Let’s rest outside for a bit and come back in.”

“…No. I need to warm up anyway.”

“Still—”

“Let’s just talk about something else. If we chatter about random things, the tension might ease.”

“…Alright.”

Emilia gave both of her arms one last gentle stroke before turning around. Then, matching the pace of Giuliana who was holding one of her arms and walking forward, she walked slowly.

“Isn’t the audition schedule too tight? I thought it would be around mid-month, but they’re doing it right after the new year.”

“Right? I heard they’re increasing performances this year, so maybe that’s why they want to select early. Last year they only did two.”

“They only did two last year?”

“Yeah. The stubborn daughter and Giselle, just those two.”

“Ah! Right, that’s true. But a week of practice is still too intense. Only a genius like you could do it; ordinary people like me, ugh…”

Perhaps feeling better, Giuliana’s face now had more life than before. Emilia slightly narrowed her brow and glanced at her.

“What are you talking about? Your dancing is so beautiful.”

“I know. But I also know it’s not as good as yours. I know you practice just as hard… Ah, speaking of which, what are you going to do about the dormitory? You’re basically guaranteed to become a full member, so don’t you need to find a place to live first?”

“Well, something like that…”

Emilia trailed off ambiguously and turned her head forward. She could feel Giuliana’s gaze pricking her cheek.

“Want to stay at my house for the time being? It’ll be cramped, but my family will understand.”

“No, it’s fine. Actually, on the day I submitted the application and came back, I found a place. Thanks for the offer.”

“Really? Where?”

“…In the Inicio district.”

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