Three months later.
An operetta performance took place at the castle. The operetta was an opera with a lighter music and subject matter, and it was all the rage in the kingdom. This was the first time it took place at the royal castle.
The official reason was that it was the princess’ third birthday, but many knew that it was because the empress enjoyed the shows and the emperor wanted to make her happy.
The performance took place at the large hall where the ball took place many years ago. The emperor, empress, and the princess took seats at the front and center. The stage was decorated with beautiful gold and purple curtains. The performers waited nearby nervously; this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to perform at the royal castle of the biggest kingdom on this land.
The lights were still off when a woman walked to the center of the stage. She took a deep breath. Her name was Amarince and she was the most popular female singer in the continent. The rumor had it that she has been bathing in milk and drinking egg yolks to prepare for this performance.
These rumors were mostly true. Amarince bet everything on this performance. She was determined.
‘I can do this! If I do this right, I can finally become the best female singer in the world!’
Her rival, Yurain, will no longer be her rival after this!
Amarince took a step and started singing. “Oh, my love Amalio-!”
Her voice was perfection.
Bright lights shone on the stage and the rhythm of the beautiful music resonated throughout the hall.
Bina looked at the pamphlet again. Today, the popular composer Christian Boceti’s new music would be introduced for the first time. Everyone listened with excitement.
Lucretius looked at his daughter, who was sleeping soundly on his lap. He smiled. Beatrice was only three, so obviously, a long show such as this would be too much for her. He was just glad that she fell asleep rather than whine.
He turned to see his wife, who was sitting next to him. Bina was staring at the stage intensely with excitement and pleasure.
‘I wish she would look at me like that.’
This expensive show that gathered all the best actors, musicians, and producers from all over the world was all for his wife. The rumor was completely true.
For the past 50 years, no artistic shows had been performed in the castle. Lucretius’ grandfather Emperor Kentius loved art and ordered several performances to occur every year during his reign, but the former emperor, Lucretius’ father, hated things like that.
Lucretius was very different from his father, but in this, they were similar. Lucretius had no interest in art; he planned this show only for Bina.
‘How ironic.’
He grinned. When he announced his plan, people praised him for resembling the great Emperor Kentius. He supposed that was a good thing. With this show, he managed to make his wife happy, and also appear to be a sophisticated emperor.
‘I guess it’s worth sitting through such a boring show.’
***
“Oh-oh! My love-!”
The singer was reaching her highest note. The show was entering its climax.
Amarince had an amazing vocal volume; her voice easily filled the entire hall.
Bina exclaimed.
“[What a singer! She isn’t even using a microphone…]”
Lucretius heard Bina murmur quietly in Korean. He had heard of this magical item called microphone before. Bina explained that it was something that made one’s voice louder.
Lucretius was paying attention only to his wife. He was bored with the show and his wife was definitely more interesting. Looking at Bina enjoying herself made him smile as well.
‘I’m glad we went on that secret date.’
To Samantha and Sir Clark’s shock, the emperor and the empress sometimes went on a date outside of the castle. It was on one of these secret dates where Bina found out about operetta. They happened to watch a show, and Bina fell in love with it.
She said to Lucretius afterward, “This is like a [musical]! I always wanted to watch one when I went to university… I can’t believe I get to see one like this!”
Lucretius couldn’t understand exactly what she meant by this, but it sounded like watching shows like this cost a lot of money in her old world and she couldn’t afford it.
Lucretius asked curiously at the time, “Huh? But didn’t you say your family was powerful? Your family served many generations of kings and your mother was a direct descendant of a royal family? Then how come you didn’t have the money to watch a show?”
Bina answered awkwardly, “Oh, my grandfather lost a lot of his wealth because of a big war. He lost a lot of his [real estate]… I mean lands. He, in fact, had to move to a different city. Haha.”
Lucretius nodded as he thought he asked an unnecessarily sensitive question, “I’m sorry I asked. It must bring you back a painful memory.”
Bina tried to convince Lucretius this was no big deal; she regretted lying to him, but at this point, she had no choice but to continue to make up even more lies. All Lucretius felt was sadness for her supposed hardships from her old life though.
Just then.
“I am here, my love Duline-!”
The main male character, who was playing Amalio, sang beautifully in his baritone voice. Bina turned to the singer with an impressed look. Lucretius saw this and thought in determination and jealousy.
‘I better make sure the next shows only have female singers.’
***
The female character Duline refused the greedy Duke’s proposal and she ended up with the male character Amalio, who came back from the war as a hero. They sang together at the end, and the curtain closed.
“…”
The hall became silent and everyone waited to see what the royal family does.
Then suddenly, an applause from the royal seat came!
Clap clap clap!
The ladies all turned to see Bina clapping.
“Oh my, the empress herself…!”
“Her highness is giving a standing ovation!”
No royal family in history had ever given a standing ovation, as they always had to appear grave and regal. Yet here she was, the current empress smiling brightly and clapping. Suddenly, the emperor also stood up and follow suit. He started to clap alongside his wife, and soon a deafening applause filled the entire hall.
The performers and all of the stage personnel bowed deeply in tears. They were truly honored.
“Hmm?”
Beatrice woke up and when she saw her parents clapping, she started to do the same. She was so adorable, making people smile.
Among the crowd was one man who was staring at the royal family intensely.
It was Roberto des Lonensia.
