When Pride Fell At My Toes - Chapter 8



Only Krnovel

#08. So that it doesn’t become useless
2024.01.08.

Emilia didn’t seem to have any major complaints about the number of ballet sessions, and she was only interested in 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? Depending on the Duke’s mood, my perspective can change, and people’s tastes can change.”

“That’s why I wrote that I would support you for a year. If I change my mind and stop watching, I’ll continue to provide evidence.”

“If you don’t tell me first that you’ve changed your mind, isn’t it my fault?”

At first, he seemed to be cautious, but as he gradually spoke more brazenly, Emilia’s smile slowly disappeared.

“I’m not a person with nothing to do. Don’t worry, I’ll throw it away as soon as I no longer need it.”

Because I don’t care about fakes.

She hesitated at his sudden change in mood, then nodded slowly. Then she bit her lower lip and looked down at the contract again.

The thought didn’t last long. She put the paper down on the table as if she had made up her mind and carefully grabbed the pen next to her. Even if she looked at it several times, if the contents of the contract were favorable to her, it was favorable. There didn’t seem to be any particularly unfavorable contents, and since her main purpose was to know the truth in the first place, there seemed to be no need to hesitate any longer

. Enrico Michele quietly watched her sign. He would provide Emilia with an environment where she would have no shortages while she was doing ballet, but he wouldn’t completely let her go to that man, Giorgio Este, who was her uncle.

It was a good way to use Emilia Este if she became lazy, and since Giorgio, who had greed that didn’t fit the subject, wouldn’t be there for her, it seemed good to hold the leash to send him to the abyss the moment he tried to climb up.

The sound of the pen tip moving on the paper stopped. Emilia’s long eyelashes, who were quietly looking down at the completed signature with the pen tip slightly in the air, created a somewhat gloomy shadow.

“… … Now tell me.”

Soon, as if the darkness had cleared, her jade-colored eyes were revealed. Her pitiful appearance was nowhere to be found, and her back straightened, her appearance was utterly resolute.

A fragment of truth. The words that followed a half beat later were merely lips moving, not spoken aloud, but I couldn’t help but know what she was saying. Enrico smiled and brought the paper in front of me. Then, looking down at the signed contract, he spoke softly.

“They say the carriage parts were intentionally missing. And the coachman was dead outside the carriage.”

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

“They say the wheels came off and it overturned, but did it bounce off at that time?”

He could see her fist trembling slightly because she had used too much force. His smooth eyebrows furrowed as if in displeasure.

“Well. They say it was quite a distance away.”

Enrico naturally wrapped his hand around the back of her hand. Emilia looked down at her hand, and a long finger entered the gap as if to release her clenched fist.

The man’s hand, which gave off a refreshing atmosphere like the autumn breeze, was unexpectedly warm. And his skin, which seemed soft, was covered in calluses, suggesting that he wasn’t someone who just sat around admiring art.

“That’s it for today.”

Emilia, who had been blankly looking down at his hand, suddenly raised her head.

“Huh? What about the evidence?”

“I was going to show you the evidence next time?”

“Next time? That’s ridiculous. How can you believe a situation that’s just words? How can you believe me now when something that was clearly an accident at the time is suddenly saying it’s not true?”

“That’s your situation.”

“… … Huh?”

“I haven’t gotten anything from the contract yet. I took care of your uncle, the author, and even gave you a hint about the viscount couple that I hadn’t even thought about.”

That, that’s… … . In her haste, she wanted to refute him, but nothing came to mind. Emilia muttered the same thing over and over again, and eventually shut her mouth tightly, her chin trembling. Enrico

, who had been quietly looking down at her, slowly lifted the round hand he was still holding.

“The investigation wasn’t done properly in the first place. The initial records were destroyed, and it was simply concluded as an accidental death.”

“Why… …”

“It’s my job to reveal that from now on. And it’s your job to make me look good.”

Emilia’s eyes, which had been staring at Enrico as if they didn’t even care about the hand she was holding, belatedly found her hand. She flinched, reflexively pulling her hand back. His hand, which was holding her fingertips, held them firmly as if it wouldn’t allow it.

Their eyes met in the air. Enrico slowly erased his smile and turned over Emilia’s hand that he was holding.

“So now, just take care of yourself so you don’t become useless.”

Emilia naturally lowered her eyes at his actions of slowly releasing her clenched, delicate hands. She could see the clear nail marks on her palms.

“I don’t like things that are flawed.”

***

The Kingdom of Treano had been actively supporting various artistic fields such as art and music for a long time. As a result, talented people naturally gathered there, and it became famous as a cultural tourist destination as it was called the land of art in other countries.

In the center of the city, filled with beautiful buildings, was the large Promessa Square in front of the train station and the Violice Street connected to it.

The kingdom called it a cultural street and offered many things to see, and among them, the Avaliante Opera Theater boasted a long history, led by the exclusive opera company and orchestra.

Emilia took a good look around the Avaliante Opera Theater, which was the second place she had come to audition. The golden lobby, which seemed to have absorbed gold like a sponge, and the gorgeous chandeliers scattered light everywhere.

Unlike the elegant scene where the moonlight and sunset poured through the large windows after sunset, illuminating the view like lights, the scene at noon when the crystals reflected in the sunlight sparkled was splendid.

It was only a few days ago that I had my graduation performance here, but it strangely felt like it had happened a long time ago.

‘There are fewer people than I thought.’

Only those who were presumed to be related were busily moving around the quiet interior.

Normally, the graduation performance would be held in a small theater inside the arts center, not here, but since there were many applications for ballet last year, the arts center was performing here for the first time. A

singing voice could be heard from afar. The tremendous volume of the voices resonated through the hallway, as if they were rehearsing on stage.

Emilia, who had been concentrating on the sound for a moment, suddenly turned her head when a hand grabbed her arm.

“Huh, what should I do?”

She saw Juliana stop abruptly and cover her mouth with one hand. Just a moment ago, she had excitedly left the dormitory, saying she was finally going to audition today, but her face was completely different from that.

Seeing her struggling to catch her breath as if she was really nervous, Emilia turned around and gently stroked her forearm.

“Are you really nervous?”

“Yeah… … . Just thinking about the audition venue coming up soon makes my heart feel like it’s going to burst.”

Looking at Juliana’s face, which had become pale, Emilia lowered her eyebrows slightly. She was worried that her body would stiffen up from the nervousness.

“Should we go out again? Let’s rest outside and then come back.”

“… … No. I need to warm up my body.”

“Still-.”

“Let’s just talk about something else. If we keep talking, I might loosen up.”

“… … Okay.”

Emilia stroked both arms one last time and turned around. Then she slowly walked along, matching Juliana’s pace as she grabbed her arm.

“Isn’t the audition schedule too tight? “ I thought you’d do it in the middle of the year, but you’re doing it right after the new year?”

“That’s right. I heard you’re increasing the number of performances this year, so I think that’s why you’re trying to select early. You only did two last year , right?” “You only did two last year?” “Yeah. I did two, Stubborn Daughter and Giselle.” “Oh! That’s right, that’s right. But practicing for a week is too much. Only a genius like you can do it, not an ordinary kid like me, ugh… … .” Juliana’s face became more lively than before, as if she was in a better mood. Emilia narrowed her brows and glanced at her. “What are you talking about? Your dancing is so beautiful.” “I know. But I know that I’m not as good as you. I know that you practice so hard, but… … Oh, and by the way, what are you going to do about the dorm? Since you’re guaranteed to be a regular member anyway, don’t you have to find a place to live first?” “Right, well… … .” Emilia trailed off vaguely and turned her head straight ahead. I felt Juliana’s gaze poking my cheek. “Would you like to stay at my house for a while? It might be cramped, but I’m sure my family will understand.” “No. Actually, I found a place to live the day I submitted my application and came back. Thanks for the recommendation.” “Really? Where?” “… … In Inizio’s direction.”