AVSAIE 38

Chapter 38

****

Somehow, it felt ominous.

The committee members sitting around the conference table stared at the head of the table with thoughtful expressions.

The only one who remained calm, listening quietly to the others' remarks, was the crown prince, who dropped a bombshell at the very end.

"Open up opportunities to everyone... Is that what you mean?"

The voice of the Marquis of Graham, confirming the crown prince's intentions once more, trembled slightly along with his mustache.

"That is correct."

The Crown Prince wanted to abolish the regulations of the Royal Opera House, which had remained unchanged for the past 120 years. At a time when the wave of reform was sweeping across the continent, this was an issue that clearly showed the fate of the aristocratic society.

To be suddenly like this?

It was only natural that the elders' reactions were lukewarm.

"What makes the Royal Opera House special is its long history and tradition. It is a place where artists who have passed rigorous standards compete with their skills. That is why it is valuable."

The Marquis of Graham spoke with a dark expression, objecting to the Crown Prince's opinion. Art was the privilege of the nobility. It was only natural that they needed strict standards for what they enjoyed.

How many nobles would be willing to purchase expensive tickets to watch commoners perform?

"I believe tradition should be preserved as it is, Your Highness."

"The Marquis sometimes misinterprets the nuances."

The Crown Prince's gaze, fixed on the Marquis with a cool smile, was sharp. The conference hall fell silent for a moment.

"This is an official proposal made under the authority of the Royal Visitor, Marquis."

"...".

Arthur had no intention of negotiating with them in the first place.

It was an exercise of power that was close to an unconditional order.

He wanted a quick decision.

Faced with the authority of the Royal Visitor, Marquis Graham looked incredulous. The heavy air characteristic of a stagnant room weighed down on the shoulders of the committee members.

"I too respect tradition, Marquis. I am suggesting expanding the scope of opportunity, not breaking with tradition. Do you not understand the difference?"

Arthur slowly crossed his legs and lit a cigarette. The faces of the senior committee members, including Marquis Graham, were quite a sight to behold.

In contrast to his white hair, the Marquis's face was flushed red as he looked at Princess Charlotte as if she were a savior, while Arthur lit his cigarette with a silver lighter.

Princess Charlotte had been lost in thought and silent throughout the meeting.

The Crown Prince was right.

In this era of crumbling monarchy, it was impossible for a closed-door policy to be maintained forever. The same was true for the membership system, which was strictly limited to the nobility.

However, why did Arthur, who had been completely indifferent to the arts, suddenly...

Princess Charlotte wondered about this throughout the meeting.

"The men are captivated by her singing voice."

Christine Peildon.

Suddenly, Princess Charlotte recalled that Arthur had spent three thousand pounds to acquire that young lady. Additionally, there was a daily newspaper article featuring them leaving the Royal Palace Hotel together after dinner.

She was said to be dressed head to toe in Amarine clothes.

Could it be that an opera singer who was nearly unknown had moved Arthur’s heart, which had been as cold as stone? Was he being used in this way?

As these unpleasant thoughts flashed through her mind, the voice of the Marquis of Graham echoed in her ears.

“Your Highness.”

When Princess Charlotte put aside her thoughts and raised her head again, her gaze collided with Arthur's, who was sitting across from her at the long conference table.  

Leaning back in his chair, Arthur raised his teacup leisurely, exuding the confidence of a victor.  

"What is your opinion, Your Highness?"  

The Marquis of Graham asked with a troubled expression.

Now all eyes were on Princess Charlotte.

Through the slow-rising cigarette smoke, Arthur smiled at her with cold eyes. With no emotion in his face, the same face he had had 20 years ago, Princess Charlotte felt a chill.

***

It was a rare weekend without rehearsals.

Daisy and Christine boarded a carriage bound for the amusement park inside Greenwood Park.

With the mourning period for the former crown prince over, the streets were bustling with excitement as they welcomed the new year. Daisy was excited from the moment she got ready to go out, chattering away as the dazzling winter scenery of the snow-covered city passed by outside the window, but Christine had only one thought in her mind.

Will it work out?

Her eyes, which had absorbed the sunlight and turned a pale green, did not notice the blue dome of the Royal Opera House visible beyond the spokes of the Ferris wheel.

"Singing there was my mother's dream."

She could not forget the expression on her mother's face at that moment. Her mother's hands, which held Christine tightly, were burning hot, as if a fire were burning inside her.

Her mother had to give up her dream because of Christine's unwanted existence.

But she did not demand an unreasonable price to fulfill that dream.

"Your voice is a bit immature. Did you major in vocal music?"

It was clearly an impulsive outburst of jealousy.

For the first time, she wanted to defeat someone. Perhaps, as the Crown pPrince said, she had made a foolish choice driven by such petty emotions.

She wanted to be the protagonist in her life, at least once...

Lost in deep thought, the carriage slowed down and came to a stop. Daisy jumped out of the carriage.

"Daisy!"

Percy, who had been waiting for Daisy a little away from the disembarking passengers, waved his hand and called out Daisy's name loudly.

Daisy, clutching her skirt, ran excitedly toward Percy.

Christine, who was following behind, couldn't help but smile at the sight of Daisy's underwear and stockings exposed. Percy, who was watching his lover run toward him, also burst into laughter at the sight of the mischievous young lady.

Percy hugged Daisy tightly as she jumped into his arms.

Christine stared blankly at the familiar scene. The cold wind that had blown through the bare branches of the park shook Christine's black veil and her dry heart.

"Hello, Christine! "

Percy, who had just finished his happy reunion with his lover, smiled broadly as if he had finally noticed her and greeted her.

"Are you really not coming with us?"

After glancing at the Ferris wheel behind the affectionate couple at Daisy's suggestion, Christine replied clearly, "Yes."

She didn't want to be seen as insensitive.

Daisy leaned in close to Christine and asked,

“Do you have a boyfriend hiding in the music store?”

Christine smiled slightly at Daisy’s playful tone and said goodbye. Daisy and Percy waved their hands, their arms linked.

“See you at the theater tomorrow! If you change your mind, come to the amusement park. We can have lunch together.”

Daisy called out to Christine's receding back.

Christine turned around and waved briefly, then walked straight to the music store a block away.

The wind blowing through her collar felt chilly, as if it were cutting into her skin. Determined not to let the winter wind get the better of her, Christine consciously straightened her hunched shoulders and walked straight ahead.

***

In the quiet space filled with golden dust, a bell chimed. The owner of the music store was absent, and a brown cat curled up on the counter.

"Hello, Sasha."

When she greeted the cat in a low voice, it woke up slightly, ignored her, and curled up again.

Christine quietly made her way past the corner where piano textbooks lined one wall and approached the secluded bookshelf where opera librettos and sheet music were displayed.

A gentle piano piece played softly from the phonograph. The scent of old paper and ink mingled with the music, evoking the illusion of traveling back in time.

Lifting the veil, Christine scanned through the densely packed librettos and sheet music one by one.  

The opera "Mephistopheles."  

The first work staged by the Royal Opera House every spring season.

That was also the reason for her visit today.

Christine passed by one bookshelf after another and stopped in front of the last one. Her eyes scanned the spines of the books from top to bottom, then widened slightly and stopped at the second shelf.

Christine stood on her toes and reached out her hand.

Just a little more...

Just as her fingertips were about to touch the spine of the book, a long shadow fell over her head as if pushing through the transparent sunlight, and a large hand reached out from behind her.

The two hands overlapped, brushing against the tips of Christine's fingers, and lightly pulled out the script for "Mephistopheles."

Startled, Christine reflexively turned around and looked up.

Her eyes met his blue ones.