When Pride Fell At My Toes - Chapter 38



Only Noblemtl

#38. Another sponsorship
2024.02.07.

I almost sighed for a moment. The only person who would send such a message was Enrico Michele. I don’t know what he’s doing since he didn’t say anything when he went on stage at the Duke’s house last time.

Is he just being lingering, or is he just good at making people feel better? Anyway, Emilia took a seat on the other side of the bouquet, thankful that it didn’t have a name on it.

“Isn’t it just meant to be given to a ballerina who danced hard?”

“Then just to all of us?”

“Oh, really? Well, if it was sent to an individual, they would have written their name. And who would give such a fancy bouquet to a troupe that isn’t even the main character?”

“Then it’s not like this is the wrong place? Is this the right dressing room?”

“Yes, I asked them to deliver it to the troupe.”

The person in charge said goodbye and left. The dancers gathered around the basket, laughing excitedly, and smelled the flowers. Since she had never received such a flower basket before, she simply reacted with curiosity.

“Isn’t there someone among us who has a sponsor?”

“Huh? Is there?”

“But why hide it? It doesn’t matter unless they’re an insider.”

Even though it was just a casual conversation, Emilia felt a pang inside. She pretended not to hear and approached the makeup artist, waiting for her turn next to him, trying hard to pass the flower basket over with blurry eyes.

One by one, the makeup was finished, and the dancers gradually stretched their bodies and looked out the window at the darkening sky. Some people leaned over the window and looked outside, listening to the commotion on the first floor.

Emilia glanced at the audience gathered in the Avaliante Opera Theater with its bright lights on, and then moved to the back of the stage.

The dancers in charge of important roles were receiving final instruction from the chief choreographer and tying their toe shoe laces tightly. Emilia looked at their backs strangely and then blended in with the corps de ballet.

As she rubbed rosin on her toe shoes to prevent slipping and rubbed it on the floor, the orchestra’s performance echoed through the theater.

Finally, the curtain rose on the stage.

***

Since she wasn’t the main character, she didn’t get much attention. As she had been advised by Vice-President Sylvia, she was careful not to stand out and match the rhythm with the ballerinas around her. Jumping

a little lower than her usual jumps, and spinning a little slower than her usual turns. Emilia had to be much more careful than when she danced solo to blend in with her surroundings. The splendid lights illuminated the main characters in the center.

Emilia acted as a perfect supporting role behind them, but she couldn’t help feeling empty, even in the position she had chosen.

After the regrettable performance, the dancers, just like Emily, were standing in the hallway and dressing room, filled with relief and regret. They greeted those who came to encourage and congratulate each other.

Acquaintances and high-ranking nobles often came to visit, but the noisy atmosphere suddenly became quiet when someone appeared at the entrance.

Emilia, who was talking to Juliana in the unusual atmosphere, looked at the visitor.

‘… … Why is His Highness the Crown Prince here?’

It was Alessandro Treano who had come to the back of the stage. He might have come to find someone else, but somehow his eyes, which were circling around, seemed to be looking for her.

As soon as she had that thought, their eyes met. Seeing his face with the corners of her mouth going up, Emilia became certain and turned around without even having time to think it was rude.

“Emilia? Where are you going all of a sudden?”

“Oh, I’ll go upstairs.”

Juliana nodded with a bewildered expression, saying she understood. Emilia quickly moved toward the emergency stairs.

Just in case, Emilia went up one floor and looked around. The staff was busy cleaning up the stage, and the dancers were gathered at the back of the stage, so there was no one on the emergency stairs. Emilia took a deep breath and sat down on the stairs.

‘Why did you come all the way here?’

He was clearly holding a bouquet of flowers. Could it be that he had brought it to give to himself? To him, who was not an important character but one of the military personnel?

It was the perfect behavior for gossip. Alessandro appeared in such an awkward manner that it made her reevaluate Enrico, who had anonymously sent a flower basket.

Emilia wiped away the cold sweat and tightly tied the shawl she had been wearing.

‘But when should I leave? Should I just go to the changing room and change my clothes?’

After thinking for a moment, she thought it would be better to go home quickly, so she got up and headed to the third floor. And just as she was about to open the door, the door opened from the inside first.

“Ah. You were here after all.”

It was Alessandro again. Emilia quickly looked behind him.

“No one is there. I guess you left because of the gaze.”

“… … Could you come over here for a moment?”

“Yes.”

Alessandro, who entered through the emergency stairs, lowered his eyebrows as if he was embarrassed.

“Did I cause you trouble?”

“I’m sorry. After all, dancers often get into unwanted misunderstandings when they’re with high-ranking people.”

“Oh, maybe it’s a sponsor?”

“Yes.”

Alessandro stared down at the bouquet he was holding, then let it hang down.

“I understand that you want to hide it for now. I’ll take this back.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“But I have a question.”

Instead of answering, Emilia stared at Alessandro.

“Why aren’t you the leading role?”

“… … Yes?”

“I don’t know much about ballet, but I can tell that your skills are far superior. You’re the one who draws attention more than the leading role.”

If that were true, she had ruined today’s performance. Even though she had tried to coordinate her breathing and control her movements, did she stand out? Emilia blinked with a bewildered face.

“Was there anything unfair in the process of selecting the main role?”

“No. I applied for military service and auditioned.”

“Why? Are you hinting at me from above?”

“Yes?”

“If that’s the case, I will sponsor you. If you had the skills, anyone would line up to sponsor you, but wouldn’t it look different if I, a member of the royal family, did it? And if there’s any injustice, I think it would be good to take it out now.”

Emilia was dumbfounded as she watched him grow furious. She couldn’t say anything about the fact that she was already receiving sponsorship from Enrico. Emilia took a step back with an ambiguous expression as she watched Alessandro, who was actively taking a step closer.

“I apologize to you many times today. I want to slowly rise up with my skills. I will gratefully accept your sponsorship.”

“Ah… … . That’s too bad.”

Alessandro really looked disappointed. He lowered his head and smiled bitterly before looking at her again.

“I think I overreacted. Of course, you can go up on your own, so I can’t strongly recommend it.”

He smiled awkwardly, then slowly took a step back and bowed politely.

“Then I’ll give you this flower next time you play the lead role.”

It was such a neat greeting that the awkwardness she had felt because of his sudden visit was quickly forgotten. Emilia also bowed slightly to show her respect.

She pushed aside her worries that he might come back tomorrow.

***

The performance continued smoothly.

The problem was that the worries she had inadvertently overlooked on the first day of the performance had become reality. Enrico and Alessandro visited the theater every day Emilia went on stage. They didn’t send a flower basket or show up with a bouquet of flowers like on the first day, but their presence itself was burdensome.

Many people began to pay attention to their visit to the theater.

The newspaper briefly reported on the successful ballet performance, and the crown prince visiting the dressing room was the main focus.

Who on earth did she go to and who was the proud ballerina who boldly refused the crown prince who turned away without even giving her the bouquet she had brought? They were busy digging around, wondering.

“Who did His Majesty the Crown Prince come to see?”

“Since he left right away, didn’t he come to the wrong place?”

“With that bouquet? Oh… …”

The center of attention among the dancers was definitely Alessandro. Fortunately, thanks to Alessandro’s eccentric behavior, Enrico was less likely to receive attention.

Emilia was more tired from the rumors than from standing on stage. She wanted the performance to end quickly.

She was already worried about the important role she had next.

The performance schedule was very busy. She performed four consecutive performances, took a week off, and then performed four more consecutive performances, for a total of eight performances. She did a general introduction in the morning and practiced on days when there were no performances. The three weeks filled with ballet passed quickly.