SHC41_CHAPTER 41The White Pig Goes to a Concert

 

Chapter 41: The White Pig Goes to a Concert

After finishing my usual singing session with the Princess, Regulus was set to spend the afternoon in an outdoor swordsmanship lesson with Genzo-san and Utsunomiya-san. Apparently, just like when I went to the capital last time, they’d take him out of the estate to keep him occupied again.

“Aniiue, I’m off!”

“Okay, have a good time. Be sure to listen to Genzo-san and Utsunomiya-san. No doing anything dangerous, okay?”

“Ai, Aniiue too—take care!”

His “sa-shi-su-se-so” sounds still came out as “sha-shi-shu-she-sho,” but he could now speak in longer sentences. That’s growth!

“Genzo-san, Utsunomiya-san, please take care of Regulus.”

“Got it, we’re honored to look after ‘im.”

“Leave him to me, young master!”

The two of them took Regulus’s small hands and bowed, then walked toward the wooded hill behind the estate.

As I watched them go, a breeze brushed past, and I felt a presence appear behind me.

Turning around, I saw Romonov-sensei standing there.

“Ah, has Regulus left already?”

“Yes. He said he’s going to do his best.”

“Good. Then let’s get going too, shall we?”

“I’m in your care!”

We held hands, and at once I felt that familiar sensation—weightlessness, followed by the drop.

Every time I feel it, I instinctively close my eyes. It’s a shame—I’ve never seen what the world looks like during teleportation.

My feet touched something solid.

“We’ve arrived. You can open your eyes now.”

“Okay.”

I slowly opened my eyes to find myself standing on beautiful hardwood flooring. As my gaze lifted, I saw shelves full of neatly arranged books, a glossy wooden desk, and scattered sheets of music.

We were in Viktor-san’s study on the second floor.

Calm, measured footsteps stopped in front of the door.

“Hey, A-tan! Alyosha too. Welcome back—it’s been two weeks!”

“Long time no see, Viktor-san. I’m glad you’re doing well.”

“Pardon the intrusion, Vitya.”

His long lashes fluttered as he blinked, and his gentle green eyes gleamed. Viktor-san opened the door and welcomed us with a warm hug.

“From the very next day, Maria started coming diligently for voice lessons, just like you taught her.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. She even asked me to help her warm up before today’s performance.”

“Then maybe I can greet her at that time.”

“Exactly. I also have your invitation with me—I’ll hand it over then.”

“Thank you so much.”

We moved to the living room on the first floor and had tea while catching up. I remembered the sorbet I'd brought and took it from my waist pouch, carefully wrapped by Rottenmeier-san.

“This is a gift. Some frozen treats for you—please enjoy them with your tea.”

“Thank you! I’ll try some right away.”

He unwrapped it to reveal a delicate glass dish containing a scoop of soft pink sorbet.

Romonov-sensei looked into the distance for some reason, but Viktor, unaware, scooped some with the silver spoon.

As the chilled peach-flavored treat touched his lips, his eyes widened in surprise.

“Whoa... the peach inside!”

“Sweet, right?”

“Yeah, it’s delicious! Are peaches a specialty where you live?”

“No, these were a gift.”

I shook my head, and Viktor kept eating with a soft “Hmm” and “Ohh.” As he polished off the last bite and gave a satisfied smile, Romonov-sensei finally spoke.

“So when does the rehearsal begin?”

“Well, the performance is in the evening, so not long now. Maria’s waiting for you backstage, so let’s head over.”

After cleaning up and getting ready, the three of us stepped out together, with me sandwiched between the adults like before.

The National Theatre stood a bit closer to the royal palace than the temple we visited for the joint divine rites.

The mid-afternoon market was bustling, and posters lined the streets. One showed a lady’s face who looked a lot like Maria-san.

As I stared at it, Viktor-san chuckled.

“Today’s Maria’s grand debut.”

“Debut?”

“Yep—her official introduction as a court singer. She used to sing for the Second Prince, but now she’ll be recognized as one of the Empire’s leading divas.”

Even if I didn’t quite get it, it was clear Maria had a powerful patron.

As we drew closer to the theatre—and thus, to the imperial residence—the roads became neater, lined with cypress trees, and the buildings turned grand and stately. Imposing mansions with white walls and conical roofs stood side by side, practically shouting “We’re noble estates!”

As I idly looked around, Viktor-san hesitated.

“Uh, A-tan… about this street…”

“Yes? I know I shouldn’t stare too much at noble houses. I’m being careful.”

“Ah, well… the Kikunoi family estate is on this street too.”

“What?!”

I flinched, but then thought—of course they’d have an estate here. The real question was whether my parents were in it.

Not that I couldn’t face them… I just really didn’t want to. It wouldn’t be fun for either side.

As I furrowed my brow, Romonov-sensei reached over and gently tugged my cheek.

“Alyosha told me, so I checked. Seems your parents don’t care much about the arts. They won’t be attending today’s concert.”

“Oh…”

“Probably don’t want to be seen as Second Prince supporters.”

So there really was a factional struggle between the First and Second Princes.

“Then maybe it’s bad if I show up?”

“No, you’re fine.”

“Yeah, you’re with me and Alyosha. And we’ve always declared ourselves neutral—since our predecessors’ time.”

Both Romonov-sensei and Viktor-san hold temporary titles of Imperial Knights, and their influence is nothing to scoff at. Viktor-san is even known as one of the top ten mages in the world.

In the cutthroat world of noble politics, it seems neutrality was their shield and sword.

By moving with such neutral, respected figures, I wouldn’t be seen as having any hidden ties to my family. Rather, it’d help distance me from them.

Politics really are scary.

As we strolled hand-in-hand, a massive building came into view.

If the divine rites temple resembled the Parthenon, this one looked like the Palais Garnier in Paris.

The theater’s facade featured grand statues of women riding winged horses. On its dome sat the imperial symbols: a qilin and a phoenix, both shining brilliantly in the sunlight.

The east and west pavilions held luxurious private rooms. West was for royals and nobles, east for commoners.

Passing through the majestic entrance, we were greeted by a massive staircase covered in rich red carpet, flanked by marble balustrades, and branching into left and right sections.

The upper floor’s pillars were carved with phoenixes and qilins, the velvet wallpaper was gorgeous, and the ceiling depicted dancing celestial maidens.

Eventually, the horseshoe-shaped seating area would come into view—but first, we were headed to the dome-topped cupola, where Maria’s dressing room was.

Stairs. There were numerous stairs to climb.

By the time we reached the top, I was gasping for breath. The adults clapped.

“Even adults would find that tough. You did great!”

“Good job, A-tan!”

“...Th-thank... you... very... much...”

I’m never climbing those again!

After several deep breaths, I finally calmed down. The room’s floral designs were soothing, and I began to admire the artwork…

Then suddenly, we heard glass shatter, followed by a woman’s scream.

The sharp urgency in the sound made us tense. Romonov-sensei and Viktor exchanged glances, and the next thing I knew, I was scooped up into Romonov-sensei’s arms.

We dashed toward the source of the noise.

Inside the room, we found two women—one was Maria-san, dressed in an ornate gown, clawing at her throat in agony. The other, likely her maid, was supporting her and crying out:

“Is there a doctor?!” Anyone!?”

“She drank a bottle of water and suddenly started choking!”

This… this was definitely an incident!

Eun: Surprise b!tches.JK. Here's another chapter.  

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