Everyone’s heads hung low. All our efforts seemed about to go to waste.
Then, someone unexpected spoke up. “Isn’t there a way to put on the play anyway? We could change the plot a little, or perform part of the story, or...”
It was Korneli Ephme. He was good friends with Yuri Rey, the boy in charge of the light effects, but he had no major role himself. Everyone turned to him, wondering why he, of all people, was so intent on saving the play. Korneli looked down under the weight of their heavy gazes.
“My relative...” he muttered. “I have a relative who works for the Office of Rites, and, um...I’ve asked him to come so many times. He always said no, but he finally agreed to come today...”
I gasped.
I’d almost forgotten. When I’d mentioned Yuri’s mana could enhance ceremonies, Korneli had brought up that relative of his. They didn’t sound close, but he’d still done his best to get him to come. He’d probably had to bow his head again and again to secure this chance. If we canceled, his relative might be angered—or at least unwilling to give Korneli another chance.
Korneli often teased Yuri, so I had doubted their friendship was all that sincere. Yet, clearly, he cared a great deal when his friend’s future was at stake. He’d done everything possible to give Yuri a fighting chance at a career.
It moved me quite a bit.
“Doing only part of the play might be a good idea,” one classmate said. “I was so excited for today that I didn’t sleep a wink last night. I don’t want to give up entirely. Maybe we could explain the situation to the audience and perform a shorter version...”
“But what part? Wouldn’t it be better to wait until next year instead of staging something incomplete?”
“I don’t want to live with this frustration for an entire year! There’s got to be a way. Let’s think together!”
My classmates started arguing. Eventually, their gazes turned to me. More and more, they had begun to see me as the class leader. They were waiting for my opinion.
Thoughts raced through my mind under their desperate gazes.
It’s reckless...and I really don’t want to...
Performing without ever rehearsing was pushing it. I really, really didn’t want to do that. Actually, I’d rather die than do it. Just imagining it made my stomach churn and legs tremble. But there were no other solutions. This was the only way to honor everyone’s efforts.
Even if I made an absolute fool of myself, momentary embarrassment weighed less than the future of my classmates.
But I don’t wannaaaaa!!!
Wait. There’s another reason I have to do it. My brother’s coming to watch!
If the play were canceled, he’d just return to his office and work, as he had every other year. This would be his last festival as a student. I wanted him to experience the academy’s atmosphere at least once. I’d written the script for that very reason.
There is nothing I couldn’t do for his sake. I’m an Alexei fangirl through and through!
“I... I know all of Lady Olga’s lines.” The words had left my mouth before I realized I was speaking. Of course I remembered them—I’d written them. “I’m nowhere near Lady Olga’s level in singing, but I can manage the song, with difficulty.”
My classmates’ eyes fixed on me.
“I’ll be direct... I’m aware the result will be subpar. I haven’t practiced the role, not once. But I can’t bear to let our efforts go to waste, so I...”
The spectators would be expecting a songstress chosen by the God of Music. My performance would disappoint them. Some might laugh behind my back. But I was the lady of a ducal house. Few would dare mock me to my face, so I...
I...
AAAAH!!! I don’t wanna say it, but there’s no other way!
“I, Ekaterina Yulnova, will fill in for Lady Olga. Let us proceed with the play as planned!”
My classmates erupted into cheers at my sacrifice.
The sewing team, armed with cloth rolls and thread in place of swords and shields, took my measurements with astonishing speed, then got to work. While they sewed, I hurried away to practice with Renato.
I spent every spare moment I had staring at the script. I’d written the story and every line myself—though my classmates had contributed many great ideas—but I’d never read the script as an actor. Now I had to think of how to speak the words and how to move as I did.
There was another issue. Unlike Olga, who could never look villainous, I was the villainess. I had no choice but to embrace that and use it to my advantage. A half-baked performance would be the worst outcome.
I ended up following the course of the game...
It wasn’t exactly the same, because I wasn’t playing the protagonist, but I was still in the play.
It’s these things happening over and over again that keeps me on edge. I can’t dismiss my house’s doom as unthinkable. Every time I think fate can’t possibly mirror the game, it proves me wrong!
Despite my silent laments, time flew, and soon it was almost time for the play to start.
The sewing team had done an incredible job; Olga’s costume now fit me perfectly. I removed it and changed back into my uniform. First, I would have to explain the situation to the audience.
I waited in the wings. The curtain was down, the previous class clearing their equipment while my classmates set the stage at lightning speed.
Peeking out from behind the curtain, I saw the auditorium was packed—a full house.
Oh boy. I’m terrified.
They had come to hear Olga. What if they left the moment I explained? Anxiety gnawed at me, and my legs trembled like a fawn’s. It wasn’t like me to shake this much, but the thought of fate’s gears forcing me down the game’s path filled me with dread. An unfamiliar terror had settled in my stomach.
Snap out of it, I told myself. You’ve given speeches against worse odds in your past life!
I remembered being dragged into a huge conference room to explain to furious clients why their system was bugging and how to prevent it from happening again. Their anger had practically conjured a severe typhoon, winds raging at fifty meters per second—the kind that could uproot trees! Yet I’d stood tall against that storm. Compared to that, this was nothing.
Besides, I would see more than just angry faces. My brother and his advisors would be here. Maybe the prince would come too.
“You were very brave.”
The words Mikhail had spoken to me after the monster attack floated through my mind, and my lips lifted into a small smile.
You’ve got to praise me again this time, Prince... I’m counting on you.
Mikhail had always been kind, and he’d helped me through the Lydia and Olga incident. I feared I relied on him too much. It was a little pathetic, really. What was I doing, leaning on a sixteen-year-old who was a walking doom flag to avoid setting off more flags?
No matter what, my brother would be there. If people booed, he would surely rush onto the stage, silence the audience with a glare, and comfort me. He loved me too much not to.
He might even lead me off stage, telling me I didn’t have to subject myself to that. Maybe he’d carry me away like a princess. He loved me a lot, after all.
Oh god. The Alexei of my fantasies is too cool!
He’s tall, so he’d look great onstage... His gorgeous voice carries so well... Ah, I can’t take it anymore. I want to see him onstage!!!
I’d let my thoughts drift far from reality.
Oops. Now is not the time to daydream.
Alexei crashing the play would damage his prestige as a duke. I couldn’t let the nobles of the capital to look down on him.
I have to be okay so he won’t need to rescue me. I have to show him I’m fine.
How could I call myself an Alexei fangirl if I couldn’t manage that much?
I knew I was using fangirl devotion as justification for everything. It was about time someone called me out...but no one could. These little skits only played in my head!
“Lady Ekaterina.”
“Oh, Lady Flora,” I said, coming to my senses.
In her white costume, Flora looked divine, like a true saint. It was a shame her pretty features were clouded by worry.
“Are you all right?” she asked, taking my hands.
“Yes, of course.” Despite what I’d said, Flora could see my trembling legs. “It’s just... This is so sudden, and I’m causing trouble for everyone.”
“How could you say that?” Flora squeezed my hands tight. “We’re all grateful. We rehearsed so much and worked so hard that canceling would have been heartbreaking. Thanks to you, it doesn’t have to be that way. I’m so relieved. Yes, something might go wrong—you haven’t had any time to practice—but none of us will blame you, no matter what. Please, don’t call it ‘causing trouble’ again.”
Flora beamed at me. “If someone else were in your shoes, you would tell them the same, right? You’re always kind to others but harsh on yourself. I wish you’d spare some kindness for yourself from time to time.”
“Ah...” Flora, you’re an angel! “With a best friend as sweet as you, I don’t need to be kind to myself.”
She giggled, her purple eyes gleaming like crystals. “I get the feeling...” She paused to hug me. “Don’t worry. I’m sure it will all work out.”