When Pride Fell At My Toes - Chapter 18



Only Noblemtl

#18. Sponsorship Cancellation
2024.01.18.

The hands of the dancers who were wiping their sweat stopped. Vice-President Sylvia slowly looked around and continued speaking.

“We will announce the performances for this season sequentially. First, the next schedule is the Opera Ball, where we plan to present two group waltzes and pas de deux stages. Then, the next is [La Sylphide], and the auditions will be held early next month. Um, I will post the details on the bulletin board, so please check them separately.”

“Yes!”

“Seeing everyone working hard, I can already look forward to the performance. Then, I hope you all do your best in the remaining afternoon practice.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

As soon as Vice-President Sylvia made a short announcement and headed for the door, voices of anticipation rose from here and there.

Not only was there the fact that they were auditioning for the next performance, but everyone seemed excited to be able to attend the Opera Ball.

It was a gala performance and party where sponsors of the Avaliante Opera Theater were invited, and it was also a place where opera, orchestra, and ballet were performed in order.

Since they might catch the eye of the nobles and local dignitaries who attended the party, some people were more cautious than at other performances.

Emilia left the practice room, leaving behind the dancers who seemed busy talking excitedly. Juliana, like the others, was also excited, so she quietly left and tried to rest in a quiet place, but she ran into Vice Director Sylvia, who was talking to the choreographer in the hallway.

“Oh, Emilia. Do you have a moment?”

Emilia blinked once and slowly approached her. The choreographer greeted her and left first, and Emilia followed Vice Director Sylvia’s slow walk, moving her legs as well.

“It’s not something else, but I have something to say about the corps de ballet. You danced well, as I saw earlier.”

“… … Thank you.”

“But you dance too well, which is the problem.”

“Huh?”

“The point of corps de ballet is to blend in with the surroundings. Even when dancing the same dance or a different dance, no one should stand out. But Emilia stands out too much.” Emilia

’s mouth fell shut at the unexpected remark. When she was attending the art academy, she had only danced in group dances when she was young, and after she became somewhat skilled, she was always in charge of solo parts, so she had not thought to pay attention.

“The advantages of being good at jumping and turning can be detrimental in group dances. You also need to know how to coordinate with the other members.”

“Yes… … I understand.”

“Of course, it would be good to match based on what you are good at, but realistically, that’s difficult, so Emilia has no choice but to match with those around her. So from now on, please audition as a solo.”

Her voice was soft, but her content was firm. It seemed like she really wanted Emilia to do that. Emilia opened her eyes slightly wide and nodded.

“I understand. Thank you for the advice.”

“It’s embarrassing to call it advice. It’s telling you to restrain your original skills.”

Emilia looked up as Vice-President Sylvia stopped in front of the stairs. The ballerina on the stage that she had been watching from afar had gone from being fresh to now shining with maturity right before her eyes.

“Emilia, you can be a little more ambitious. Your talent is more than enough.”

Emilia’s eyes shook for a moment at her confident gaze.

***

This winter felt really long. The feeling that had subtly subsided since her conversation with Vice-President Sylvia yesterday continued until today.

After finishing afternoon practice, the world had become dark early and the fog was thick, making it hard to see ahead. This was unusual in winter, so it was strange.

It was as if the streetlights were the only light in the world, and even the nearby main gate was completely invisible, making it feel like there was no one around. At that moment, deep fatigue appeared on Emilia’s face.

‘Why does time pass so quickly?’

The day she had to dance for Enrico alone came without fail. When I thought about that, instead of wanting to finish practice quickly and go home to rest, I had the absurd thought that I just wished the sun hadn’t set today.

‘Still… … . Today is the day I can hear information.’

That fact was somewhat comforting.

If it weren’t for Enrico’s persistent gaze that examined me from head to toe, I wouldn’t have wanted to go this far… … .

Just standing in front of him made me feel as if I was being stripped naked, and my heart was uncomfortable.

His beautiful face that seemed heartless and his gaze that was so different yet so maddeningly explicit seemed to be looking deep into my inner self, and sometimes I wanted to get out of his sight.

“Haa… … .”

With a deep sigh, pure white breath flowed out and mixed with the fog. Emilia looked around the empty theater with only the night guards on duty, then slowly walked towards the street carriage that Enrico had camouflaged. But soon after, she saw someone approaching quickly from the other side.

When she narrowed her eyes and stopped walking,

“Emilia!”

Uncle Giorgio appeared before her eyes.

It had been quiet for a while, but now he came all the way to the theater at this hour of the night. Emilia frowned.

“… … What’s going on?”

Fortunately, the fog was thick. Emilia quickly scanned the area and dragged Giorgio to a corner, and asked softly.

Fortunately, Giorgio, who had followed along obediently without resisting, suddenly grabbed Emilia’s arms and pushed his greasy face toward her.

“Emilia, cancel the sponsorship right now!”

“Huh? What are you saying all of a sudden?”

“Cut off the sponsorship with the Duke!”

“Quiet! Please, lower your voice.”

Emilia, who was whispering through clenched teeth, looked up and down at Giorgio, who seemed to be anxious for some reason. His

thick body wearing a high-quality fur coat and the shoes he was wearing under his short legs still looked luxurious beyond compare.

The only thing different from usual was that the tip of his mustache, which was usually curled, was slightly down, but it was too good to guess that he was short on money because his shiny face looked too good.

“… Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?”

“You don’t need to know that, just do as I say.”

“Uncle… … . You know very well that it’s hard to do that.”

Emilia swallowed her irritation and called Giorgio with a sigh. The signing was already done. Furthermore, there was even a situation where her parents’ accident might have been someone’s intention, so there was even less reason for her to give up the contract now.

‘Did you get some good connections?’

Whatever the reason, there was no need for her to cater to his whims. Emilia pushed away Giorgio’s hand that was painfully holding her arm.

“Today is the day I have to go to the duke’s residence. If you want to cut off my support, you’ll need to prepare a valid reason. You’ll also need to return what you’ve received.”

The thick fingers that had been trembling and holding his thin arm finally relaxed.

“I can return what I received. So you should speak well!”

“Uncle.”

Emilia took a step back and called him softly. How could I return it? It seemed like he had some kind of trust, but the strange thing was that he wasn’t sure who it was.

“But will he really return what he gave me?”

Giorgio’s bloodshot eyes trembled anxiously.

“Damn it! Why am I doing this because I didn’t know? If you had just acted nice earlier, it would have been easy!” If he

liked it more, he wouldn’t cancel it. Did he know what he was talking about? He usually spouts nonsense, but today he seemed even crazier.

Emilia looked at Giorgio, who was stamping his feet alone, and turned her head. I don’t know where he is and what he’s doing, but I hope he doesn’t drag her into his stupid business.

“… … I’ll go now. “I have to go to the Duke before it’s too late.”

Fortunately, Giorgio didn’t catch her. Emilia sighed at the sound of cursing behind her. Again, white breath mixed into the fog.

***

The day of the third dance was finally the day she could receive her reward.

Emilia quickly erased her tired expression and showed off her best dance on Enrico’s stage. Today was the main solo part of [Stubborn Daughter], and it was also the first day she showed others what she had been practicing alone in the practice room.

Her jade-colored eyes, which had seemed expressionless when she entered the Duke’s residence and had looked lifeless until she went up on stage, changed as soon as the music started. Enrico watched her dance with persistent eyes again today, seeing her smiling happily with eyes that seemed to have truly fallen in love.

“I’ll show you this way.”

After showering and changing clothes, the butler guided her to the dining room. Since it was a day when she had to hear information anyway, Emilia obediently followed.

The mansion was so large that I passed the magnificent chandeliers in each hallway and reached the dining room.

As the door opened, I first saw the magnificent frescoed ceiling, and below that, I saw the intricately patterned gold candelabras lighting up the large table.

Emilia sat down on the chair the butler gave her and quietly looked at Enrico, who was sitting across from her. The jewels in the gold candelabras were shining like stars, making Enrico look even more beautiful today.