The Regressed Maid Becomes A Prima Donna - Chapter 7

Gilbert Klein was in a bad mood.

 

The second son of the most prestigious family in the Kingdom, Duke of Klein, was never the one to step into such a noisy and messy bar.

 

The reason why he chose such a place among many capital restaurants was purely due to the unilateral opinion of the party.

 

“Stop making a face. It’s a place where I even got recommendations from the inn.”

 

The man sitting across from him smiled and said.

 

“I don’t know why they refuse hotels and even eat at places like this.”

 

“How does the young master know the situation of the common people?”

 

Gilbert raised one eyebrow at the words. Despite the cold response, the man giggled and put his arm on the back of the chair.

 

“Do you like the food?”

 

“It’s a mess.”

 

As if waiting, Gilbert silently put down the fork he was holding. Then he lifted the glass that was placed next to him, but after drinking even that, he put it down again.

 

“The alcohol is cheap.”

 

“I’d rather have a beer in a place like this.”

 

Gilbert let out a small sigh and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

 

Then, he loosened his upright posture and changed the topic.

 

“I heard that this tour was also successful.”

 

“It’s Lady Delia’s last performance, and it’s hard to fail.”

 

“The timing had come right. The main soprano position in the theatre is empty, so let’s pick a new one at this time.”

 

“Yes, yes. If the investor wants to.”

 

The man shook his hand and trembled. In response, Gilbert called his name quite seriously.

 

“Nick. I’m asking the chief’s opinion now.”

 

The man called Nick looked no different from the others sitting here on the outside.

 

The brown hair, shaggy enough to cover the neck, was roughly tied only at the end, and the comfortable shirt and leather pants were also excessively informal compared to Gilbert’s luxurious suit.

 

He was able to talk to the young master without hesitation because he was Nick Delgado, the chief of the exclusive theatre company of the upcoming Klein theatre.

 

In addition, the Delgado theatre was a theatre that Gilbert Klein had invested in since its establishment, so the two were in a partnership.

 

He glistened his blue eyes at the word ‘chief.’ Gilbert added.

 

“Isn’t there something you’ve seen and heard while travelling around?”

 

“Yes. I’ve been watching and listening to the play for a while, to the point where I don’t want to watch it.”

 

“Was there a theatre comparable to Diena in there?”

 

“No way.”

 

Nick gently gave Gilbert the answer he wanted, resting his chin on the table and staring at him lazily.

 

“You must be under a lot of pressure while the entire music industry is paying attention. It’s a building of unprecedented size.”

 

“What’s the pressure?”

 

Gilbert smirked. And there was a moment of silence between the two. It was Gilbert who soon opened his mouth again.

 

“Everyone tries to copy Diena.”

 

“It’s the indicator of music.”

 

“In other words, I’m trying to copy Diena even though I didn’t have as much audience as Diena. So what’s the point of doing better than Diena?”

 

The city of art, Diena, had all the answers. All the history of art in this Kingdom was centred around Diena.

 

Countless artists came out of Diena, and all the artists tried to go to Diena.

 

Those who didn’t know music just bought tickets favourably when they came to Diena, so local theatres had no choice but to make money like that.

 

Also, the proud music critics of Diena refused to recognize music other than Diena.

 

As a result, most theatres mimicked Diena’s method even for their favourable reviews.

 

Gilbert hardened his slightly softened expression again.

 

“High-quality music is not necessarily great music. In the first place, even high-quality music is close to an illusion.”

 

“Because you’ve always had a bad relationship with critics.”

 

Nick was well aware of the temper of his old friend Gilbert.

 

So even when Gilbert first quit his long-standing sponsorship job and said he would start his own business, Nick didn’t say much.

 

Even if his business was to build a huge theatre in the middle of the capital, Belfern, Nick listened to him quietly.

 

There was a reason for being a friend, but also because Nick himself was the biggest beneficiary of his bold and extraordinary mindset.

 

It was to Nick’s advantage in some way to keep quiet. In the art world, topicality was always important, and Gilbert always drove a topic.

 

On that basis, Nick had considerable confidence in his partner.

 

“Diena’s critics are of no help. The important thing is the audience in Belfern. Nick, we need a different soprano to get their attention.”

 

“I know. I told you last time. That means it’s impossible with a soprano of our troupe, including Lady Delia.”

 

“It means we need a new face.”

 

It was then. The murmur that filled the store suddenly subsided. Everyone turned their heads toward the front, that is, towards the stage prepared in front of them.

 

Gilbert and Nick also turned their attention to a singer standing on stage.

 

The long dress made of black silk and the contrasting white skin were reflected in the ceiling lights and dazzling.

 

Softly wavy red hair naturally flowed over the face and shoulders, swaying finely under the waist.

 

Her face looked somewhat stiff, but the makeup that emphasized her eyes matched her very well, and she was attractive enough to catch attention again even if she passed by at first glance.

 

Everyone was waiting for her to open her mouth. While paying attention to the beautiful face, the piano melody was heard quietly in his ears.

 

“How about a face like that?”

 

“What?”

 

Gilbert finally came to his senses, turned his head slightly and asked again. But his eyes were still fixed on the red-haired singer.

 

“If the way you’re talking about attracting the attention of the Belfern nobles is a flashy and intuitive element.”

 

Instead of the difficult and esoteric Diena way.

 

Nick’s voice was half playful, but Gilbert did not laugh at his jokes.

 

“I wouldn’t have gone through this if it was just a face.”

 

She sang pretty well, but that was not it.

 

The shape of raising the high note in the chorus seemed like a person who knew how to sing properly, but even that was meaningless.

 

The genre was completely different in the first place.

 

“It would be a good sight to have the noble people sit in the theatre and have commoners sing along, but let’s leave it as the last option.”

 

“It’s too bad.”

 

Nick sighed and sat up. Gilbert turned his head back to Nick.

 

“Did the innkeeper recommend a singer?”

 

“You listen to the same song all month long. Sometimes you have to listen to something else to make your brain work better.”

 

As Gilbert listened to him, he habitually raised his glass, but he recalled the terrible smell he had just tasted and put it back down.

 

“I won’t object to the song, but next time it would be nice to visit a place where proper food is served.”

 

“But I thought it was pretty good.”

 

“Your tongue seems numb.”

 

“Not the food. I mean the singer.”

 

Nick felt sorry for him. To this, Gilbert answered, pushing the glass farther away.

 

“Find talent to your heart’s content in the upcoming audition.”

 

When he had finished speaking, the song had just ended, and loud applause broke out.

 

Unlike when she was on stage, Gilbert stood up after looking at the back of the singer, who was going down after greeting, in a dull manner.

 

“If you’re done, let’s go.”

 

Noticing that his patience had somewhat bottomed out, Nick rose up after him without much discontent.

 

***

 

“You’re taking a break from work?”

 

“Yes. About a month.”

 

The dressmaker’s shop, which safely completed the busiest debut season of the year, was quiet. Mrs Sierra, who was working on a dress for a mannequin, looked up.

 

I felt stabbed for no reason, so I quickly.

 

“I said it wouldn’t interfere with my work, but I’m sorry.”

 

About a week after Gilbert Klein appeared at the bar, an article was posted in the newspaper advertisement section stating that an audition would be held at the Klein theatre.

 

The audition was to select only one soprano, and the successful candidate was said to be a member of the Delgado theatre, which was exclusive to the Klein theatre, and to play the main role in the first performance to commemorate the opening of the theatre.

 

“But I’ll pay the rent properly even when I’m not working.”

 

“That’s enough. You’re going to audition?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Mrs Sierra, who didn’t say anything even when she made me a stage costume, looked at me with a suspicious look this time.

 

“Are you confident?”

 

“No.”

 

I answered with a straight smile. Mrs Sierra tried to look dumbfounded, but when she saw my smiling face, she waved her hand.

 

“I picked you because I thought you would do a good job, but I’m in trouble if you act this way. If you’re going to do it moderately and come back, stop it now. I heard that the tavern is pretty good now.”

 

She said it coldly, but I could tell that she was worried about me now.

 

We had only been together for a few months, but I had now figured out what kind of person she was. She was a brusque but affectionate person.

 

Mrs Sierra, who had never had a child, and we lived together and formed a strange relationship with a moderate sense of distance.

 

Sometimes I thought it would have been nice if my mother had told me this.

 

If my mother was worried when I decided to do something, but pushed my back at the same time.

 

“I’ll do my best.”

 

Of course, we knew that my chances of passing this audition were slim.

 

The reason for going to the Klein theatre was just a long dream. I decided not to dwell on it further.

 

Just because there was a theatre in front of me.

 

Just because I will get a chance to see him on stage.

 

And if I were to go on stage there, if I were to sing in front of Gilbert Klein one more time, I wanted to sing it properly this time.

 

In my own way.

 

Sing the song he wanted to hear. Then, at least once, he might listen to me sing.

 

After getting Mrs Sierra’s permission, I immediately left the house.

 

***

 

That day, when asked how I could become a soprano, Miya thought for a moment before asking.

 

“Why is that?”

 

“I think that’s right for me. This place, I don’t think this is my stage. I’m not sure…”

 

I spoke in gibberish, still unable to organize my thoughts.

 

Miya, who was staring at me like that, picked up a piece of paper that was randomly rolling around in the dressing room and handed it to me with something to write on it. There was an address written on it.

 

“Come here when the time is right.”

 

“Where is this place?”

 

“My house.”

 

Miya grumbled and left the waiting room, saying that if it was someone else, she wouldn’t even bother.

 

***

 

The address on the note was quite far from the main street where Mrs Sierra’s dressmaker’s shop was located.

 

Arriving in front of a house located at the end of a row of quiet houses away from the hustle and bustle of the main street, I took a small deep breath.

 

And as soon as I carefully knocked on the door, Miya appeared from the inside.

 

“Come in. You’re later than I expected.”

***