When Pride Fell At My Toes - Chapter 10



Only Krnovel

#10. The Spring that Trying to Swallow Flowers
2024.01.10.

As all the participants took their seats, the piano accompaniment began to flow. As the coach standing in front gestured and gave instructions, the participants all took the *plie pose, the first of the bar practice sequence, and then continued with the basic movements.

Emilia did not neglect any movements and took the poses diligently. Although they were doing it to practice certain steps and poses, she knew that they were doing it to thoroughly examine those poses, so she couldn’t let her guard down for even a moment. Her tense body melted and her limbs began to heat up.

“Number 17, your lines are pretty.”

“Ah- I’m Emilia Este. I graduated at the top of my class at the Arts Academy last year. Since I have the benefit of joining the regular group, it was optional to participate in the morning audition, but I came here.”

“As expected… … . All the movements were flawless. Your poses were good, and your body line was just right.”

“Yes. The basics are solid, but when I saw her during her graduation performance, she was definitely capable of high jumps and turns.”

Chief choreographer Kiabe narrowed his eyes as he recalled that time. That day, Emilia Este did not act as a fairy, but rather showed movements that seemed like a real fairy had appeared.

Her hands that seemed to flutter in the wind and her angles as she lifted her legs back with her back straight were so amazing that it would not be an exaggeration to say that they resembled a painting.

Even now, she was peerless as she lifted her legs higher than other dancers. Her movements, which looked pitiful on the outside but solid and flexible on the inside, made me think that she might be able to incorporate various movements that she had been holding back because of the dancers’ skills into the choreography.

“I regret not seeing it in person because of what happened that day, when the choreographer praised

her so much.” “Haha, I’m worried that I might be raising my expectations too much.”

“Um- You don’t have to. “There are many dancers with good flexibility, but it’s rare to find one with such strength, so my eyes keep going.”

Vice-President Sylvia’s eyes were cold, but the evaluation coming out of her mouth was gentle. Chief Choreographer Kiabe, who was next to her, nodded in agreement, not taking his gaze off her for even a moment.

“How about we move on to the next contestant? Except for number 17, their skills are similar, so I think we should compare them with other movements.”

“Sure.”

“Wait a minute. I don’t know if number 17 is that outstanding, but the rest are all similar. That’s too hasty a judgment.”

Director Carlo glared at Vice-President Sylvia as if he was disdainful.

“I guess you don’t know much because it’s your first time in this situation, but you should evaluate this more seriously. You shouldn’t judge with preconceptions.”

“… … It’s too bad that it seemed like a hasty judgment.”

“It’s too bad. I know that the vice-principal has achieved great success as a ballerina, but dancing yourself and evaluating others are different. We also play a role in seeing their potential and bringing them up. Tsk, anyway, think of it as experience and learn from it, so just follow what I do well.”

If you think about it that way, she has never danced before. She just worked at the opera house since its beginnings and was highly evaluated for it, so she was given the position of the director. Vice-principal Sylvia’s eyes, suppressing her feelings that she couldn’t express, sank coldly.

The coach quickly approached the contestants as if he was avoiding the situation and gave them instructions for the next round. The hot air filled the room, but a strange chill settled around the judges.

In the meantime, Emilia’s gaze briefly touched the director and then left. A sparkle flashed across her calm jade-colored eyes.

***

After the audition, the judges instructed them to wait a moment, as they would announce the successful candidates after discussion. Seeing the judges move to another room, Emilia went to the dressing room first, and came out into the hallway, wearing a thick shawl to keep herself warm.

“Emilia!”

Emilia turned her head at the voice calling her as if she had been waiting for it. Then, she saw a man standing far behind her. For a moment, Emilia tilted her head, wondering who it was, and opened her mouth slightly when she saw the face of the man approaching her quickly.

“… … Antonio.”

It was Antonio Chiavelli, who had been her partner the year before last. He was a skilled ballet dancer who had taken the lead role in the year-end performance of “Giselle” the year he joined the Avaliante Ballet.

Antonio approached her with a warm smile, still the same boyish face he had when he saw her at the academy.

“You’re finally seeing me. I waved at you earlier.”

“Oh, really? I guess you didn’t see me because you were concentrating.”

“Yeah. I think so. You’re still doing well, aren’t you?”

“Thank you.”

“The judges couldn’t take their eyes off you. “I was surprised to see you jump, and I was surprised too. You jumped as if you were flying more easily than two years ago.”

Antonio praised you with an excited face. Emilia nodded once again to express her gratitude at those sincere words, and looked around. As she walked down the hallway with him, she noticed that she was quite far from the audition venue.

“But shouldn’t we be waiting for the role audition?”

“They said they’ll start after the announcement of the successful candidates. I think they called us in the morning on purpose to observe.”

“Ahh… … .”

She nodded indifferently and stopped walking. Antonio, who had stopped following Emilia, noticed that her gaze was turned toward the changing room and smirked.

“Does it bother you?”

“Yes. I think I feel more comfortable waiting in front.”

“Okay, let’s go back. But what do you plan on auditioning for the role? Lead role? I think you could be the first soloist right away.”

“No. I think it would be good to just be the second soloist for now.”

“Second? Why? I’ll apply for the lead role right away.”

Emilia shook her head indifferently at Antonio, who responded as if he was more disappointed.

“I don’t think so yet.”

She made up her mind to refrain from acting too conspicuously since she was linked to Enrico Michele. Enrico Michele may be good at keeping his mouth shut, but if the sponsorship contract was known, it would definitely be distorted and spread in this world where low-level gossip is rampant.

There are people who foolishly think that sponsorship of ballerinas is prostitution. It was clear that people would unconditionally prejudice her ballet in the future.

She gave up her shame when she signed the contract. But she didn’t want to be an embarrassing daughter in front of her deceased parents. Also, if Giorgio heard the rumor, he might get impatient and urge her to marry Enrico.

Of course, she knew that she couldn’t hide this fact for the rest of her life. It was just delaying time, but she just wanted to hide it until then.

However, even if her relationship with him was revealed, she would never regret signing the contract because she had already made up her mind for the truth. After all, her parents were the most important.

‘They say the carriage parts were intentionally missing. And the coachman was dead outside the carriage.’

What on earth happened to her parents? Was this really an intentional accident? If so, who would do something like this?

Emilia’s fingers clenched and tightened. Her fist, which had become so pale that blood could not flow through it, trembled with excessive force. She still did not completely believe his words.

How could she believe something that was just a statement without evidence? However, if this were true, it was an inevitable reality that Enrico was needed to reveal the truth.

‘I am not a person who is free. Don’t worry, I will throw you away as soon as I no longer need you.’

Enrico’s words sounded vivid as if he was whispering in her ear. The softly twisted lips, the warm but affectionately curved eyes. Even his face, which was as strange as if he was reproducing the scene from that day, was vivid in her eyes.

“… … Leah.”

“… … .”

“Emilia?”

“Ah.”

Emilia’s eyes, which had been blankly relaxed, came into focus. She blinked once, and her feet, which had stopped, came into view.

“Are you okay?”

She must have been lost in thought again. Since she had been in this state recently, Emilia seemed used to it and her face was calm.

“… … Yes. I’m okay.”

“Your face seems a little pale. Are you sick or something?”

“No. I guess I was just a little tense.”

Antonio licked his lips with concern at her strangely firm answer.

“I’ll go now.”

“Huh? Okay… … .”

But before that, Emilia stepped forward as if to cut him off. Hearing her quickly walking away, he heard a bewildered voice behind him, but he didn’t look back.

Emilia’s face was slightly stiff. The pointe shoes she was wearing felt strangely heavy.