When Pride Fell At My Toes - Chapter 11



Only Krnovel

#11. The Return of the Clockwork
2024.01.11.

The bright noon light was fading away. The auditions, which had a short lunch break after the announcement of successful applicants, were resuming.

“Whew- I’m nervous again.”

“Just drink some water.”

Since the role auditions were being conducted by both existing and new members, they proceeded quickly, and there were those who had been judging earlier. The sound of pointe shoes hitting the wooden floor and the sound of the piano accompaniment filled the room.

Emilia gently patted Juliana’s back as she took a deep breath with a nervous face. Juliana was overjoyed to be included on the list of successful applicants for the regular group, but the tension that had been relieved became even more serious during the role auditions that followed in the afternoon.

“Just do as you practiced.”

She whispered softly and handed her the water jug ​​that she had kept next to her. At that moment, the piano sound stopped and the people who had been judging moved to the side.

“You worked hard. We’ll move on to the next round right away! Juliana Perilli, Mandra Are… … .”

Juliana, who had been stretching out her trembling hands, suddenly got up from her seat when her names were called one by one. She looked at Juliana’s back as she walked away, sending worried glances, wondering if she was okay, when she heard a cold voice behind her.

“Oh my, what kind of ballet are you going to do when you’re so nervous? You have no talent and you’re lucky.”

It was Eva Faberia. She was one of the 12 regular members, and she looked very embarrassed that she and Juliana were in this place together.

“Is Gomango comparing you to someone?”

Emilia whispered calmly.

“What? What did you just say?”

“If you didn’t hear it, that’s fine.”

“This… … . Are you really asking because you didn’t hear it?”

The people waiting nearby looked up at the excited whispers. It was important to watch how other people dance, but they were full of displeasure at the sound that broke their concentration. Even the most shameless Eva found those stares hard to bear, so she glared at Emilia and kept her mouth shut.

Emilia stared at Juliana, who was diligently taking the test, regardless of whether Eva was looking or not. There was no sign of tension on Juliana’s face as she followed the choreography shown by the chief choreographer after the designated choreography was over. The corners of Emilia’s delicate lips rose faintly.

Soon, the piano accompaniment stopped again and the next turn was called.

“Eva Faberia, Emilia Este, Monica Bert…”

Emilia made eye contact with Juliana, who was coming in while wiping away sweat, and calmly walked to her designated seat. Eva’s brow furrowed slightly as she watched her.

She seemed to wonder why she had applied for the corps de ballet when she had naturally thought she would audition for the lead role. Even though new members could participate in the role audition, only existing members and top players could participate in the main role audition, so Eva’s bright blue eyes were stained with jealousy and irritation.

“Let’s start.”

After a while, the sound of a piano flowed out. Eva and Emilia began to dance to the head choreographer’s signal, and smiles immediately appeared on their faces. Her movements were very lively, as if she was really enjoying this situation, just like people in a play.

There weren’t any particularly difficult movements, but it wasn’t easy either. The judges, who were seriously watching her every fingertip and toe turn to the beat, nodded and wrote their thoughts on the paper in front of them. The

head choreographer, who was standing there giving instructions while showing the choreography, approached the vice-president and muttered quietly.

“That’s unexpected. I thought you were going to audition for the main role.”

“That’s right. You’re definitely good. However… … .”

“You’re too flashy.”

The two men’s eyes were turned to Emilia. There was nothing wrong with her every move, enough to naturally draw attention. Her gaze was also good, and even the intervals between movements were satisfactory. Emilia’s graceful rotation drew people’s attention one by one.

“Isn’t the air time really long?”

“Yeah. But it’s not like the beat

is off either.” “Your body looks really light. You must have good elasticity.”

I could even hear the contestants mumbling softly, as if they had momentarily forgotten that it was an audition. It was clearly a dance they had practiced, but it felt different.

It seemed as if Emilia was the main character and the people dancing with her were supporting actors, and all the attention and lights were gradually pouring down on her. Even the people dancing with her could feel that air.

In the end, Eva’s lips, who had been smiling brightly and dancing, hardened slightly. Her pride was hurt, but she didn’t want to audition with them, so she didn’t want to do it, but why did they have to do it in the same order? It was clear that she had expected to be the center of attention and had done this.

‘Abominable… … .’

Despite Eva’s burning heart, the piano performance continued, and the eyes focused on Emilia did not leave.

“Should I ask you to take the test as the main character?”

“I-.”

“What do you mean?”

Then, the director who had been quietly listening to the conversation between the vice director and the chief choreographer cut off the conversation as if he was displeased.

“If I applied, then that’s the end of it. I don’t want any exceptions.”

“Director. I’ve recommended this before.”

“It’s unusual, isn’t it?”

“That’s true, but…” “That’s true, but…”

“So let’s be thorough starting this year. Since we’re receiving such a large investment from the ballet company, we won’t tolerate any dissonance.”

The chief choreographer licked his lips as if he was disappointed at the director’s resolute words. The vice director turned his head to face the director who was looking down at him, stroking his mustache as if it was nothing. Emilia’s dance, her expression unwavering despite her shortness of breath, was still beautiful.

***

As she got out of the carriage, the wind that blew as the sun set hit her cheeks coldly. Before unpacking her luggage from the dormitory, she ran to check the house that Enrico had given her as if he was handing it over. It was a mansion that looked to have been built not long ago, neatly stacked with ivory bricks.

Emilia frowned somewhat awkwardly at the exterior of the mansion that looked wider than she thought, even though it was only one story.

‘It’s a bit out of the way, so it’s nice that there are no mansions nearby, but… . . ‘

It was still burdensome. The only thing she wanted in return was the truth, but since she was receiving such material support, she felt more strongly that she was tied to sponsorship.

“Are you here? I thought you wouldn’t want me to pick you up, so I was waiting here.”

The streetlights placed in front of the mansion cast another shadow. Emilia, who had been just looking at the exterior of the mansion without even thinking about going in, suddenly opened her eyes wide when she saw Assistant Fabio appearing in front of her.

Assistant Fabio took off his hat, politely greeted her, and politely pointed to the side of the mansion.

“Duke Michele would like to see you. I’ve parked the carriage over there.”

“…” … Right now?”

“Yes. He told me to coordinate exactly when to start the transaction as soon as I check the mansion.”

Shouldn’t he have done that on the day the contract was signed? Even though he had to visit Enrico’s mansion often because of the contract anyway, he didn’t want to come by so suddenly.

‘While I’m here to coordinate, I should tell him to refrain from coming by so suddenly.’

Emilia sighed and turned her back.

“Do you not need to check the interior?”

“I just came to check out what kind of place it is, so you don’t need to see the interior.”

“I see. I’ve prepared everything so that you don’t need anything separately, but if you need anything, please let me know.”

Emilia’s brow furrowed further at Assistant Fabio’s smooth words. It felt like the debts she didn’t want to pay were just piling up.

***

Emilia was guided to the dining room. A variety of foods were laid out on the empty table.

The table was filled with a large quantity of food, including a salmon pie baked in a golden brown, thick meat that looked meaty, and a fresh salad with white asparagus, so much so that it seemed as if more guests were coming.

“Why are you doing this?”

Emilia suddenly heard a whisper in her ear and turned around, covering one ear. She hadn’t felt anyone’s presence, but Enrico was standing right behind her, looking down at her.

A gentle hand grabbed Emilia’s elbow as she hesitated with a surprised expression. Enrico’s slightly downturned eyes narrowed as he watched her fluttering her eyelashes and looking at his face and hands in turn.

“Are you waiting for me to sit you down?”

“Don’t misunderstand. I just want the Duke to be away—.”

“Oh, no. Then I’ll just sit you down.”

Enrico cut off Emilia’s words and slid the hand that was holding her elbow away, as if he had no interest in Emilia’s wishes in the first place. A small, round hand was grabbed by a large hand with bulging veins.

Emilia tried to pull her hand away. However, before that, his hand slowly tightened and pulled her toward his body. She stopped just before her nose touched his wide chest.

The top button of his shirt, which was not tied, was loose, revealing her skin. Her mind was momentarily confused by his heavy yet soft body.

What on earth is this? His other hand was placed on her shoulder, which was extremely flustered, and soon, as if turning a doll’s clockwork, his languid hand changed the direction.

Emilia’s dazed mind returned for a moment. At her gesture of twisting her shoulder as if she was uncomfortable with the unnecessary contact, he sat her down on the chair without any reaction, as if he was dealing with a wriggling ant.

“Your Majesty!”