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Chapter – 05
An impossibly beautiful voice filled the air.
The witch’s aria, explaining how the little mermaid could be saved, was so hauntingly sung that it gave him goosebumps.
Shouldn’t that actress be the heroine instead of Anima?
he thought to himself. He decided to remember the singer’s name after the show—she would be perfect to invite to one of those social gatherings that sometimes featured guest performers. With a voice like that, anyone would be impressed.
Keeping his promise to Anima, Radius stood for the ovation.
At intermission, he had been the only one on his feet, looking rather foolish, but by the end of the performance, several others joined in.
Their eyes met across the stage. Radius mouthed,
“Not bad, huh?”
Anima, seemingly understanding, gave a faint smile and bowed alongside her fellow cast members.
After the audience had dispersed, Radius stopped by Anima’s dressing room, holding a bouquet Lux had prepared.
“Hey there, Miss Actress.”
“What the—how did you even get in here?”
“Oh, come on. I’m Radius Lorvaker. Your cousin. You think family needs a pass to visit? Here—Lux asked me to deliver this.”
He handed her the bouquet of red roses.
“Where’s Lux?”
“She had something to do.”
“Really?”
“Well, it’s not easy for a noble lady in a gown to be wandering around backstage, is it?”
“True enough.”
Anima had already wiped off her stage makeup.
“Wow, you look completely different offstage.”
“Well, as long as I looked beautiful on stage, that’s what matters. My dear cousin tends to be brutally honest, after all.”
“Ah, you weren’t that pretty on stage either. It’s just that you sang well enough to make it work.”
“Do you want to die?”
“Eek! Scary. I’d better run for it!”
Radius joked as he opened the dressing room door—only for it to bump into someone.
“Oh! I’m so sorry.”
“No, it’s my fault—I should’ve been paying attention.”
The woman outside clutched the long fabric of her elaborate costume shyly.
“What did you just do?”
Anima shoved Radius aside and stepped into the hallway.
“Oh? Mina.”
“Ah, senior.”
the woman said softly.
“What’s this guy’s problem? Did he bother you?”
“No, not at all. The door just opened suddenly and we brushed into each other.”
“You’re not hurt?”
“Really, it was nothing. I’m fine.”
“That’s good. You did great today.”
“You were amazing, senior.”
“Everyone worked hard. You’re heading to return your costume, right?”
“Yes, then I’ll…”
She bowed and disappeared down the hall, arms full of costume fabric.
“The witch?”
Radius asked, and Anima glanced at him.
“Yeah. That was Wilhelmina Martínez, the one who played the witch.”
“She was incredible. Her singing and acting—both perfect. I couldn’t see her face properly because of that veil or whatever it was, but she seemed delicate, small-faced?”
“Yeah, she’s talented. Young, too. But it’ll be hard for her to ever land a leading role.”
“What? Why? She was better than you.”
“Shut it, Radius. I’m really good, okay?”
“You’re decent, but she’s better. So why can’t she be the lead?”
“She doesn’t have a sponsor.”
Radius stared at her, stunned.
“What?”
“That role she played wasn’t even hers originally. The original actress got sick from drinking too much and didn’t show up, so Mina filled in. The drunk one’s reputation is pretty much ruined now, so Mina will probably keep the witch role for a while.”
“Uh-huh…”
“But not for long.”
“Why not?”
“You saw the performance yourself. Tell me, if a supporting actress outshines the lead—what would you do?”
“I’d make her the lead, obviously. You’ve got to sell tickets. I’d put her front and center.”
“Musicals don’t work like that here. The scene’s still unstable—musicals aren’t well-known yet, so finding investors is tough, while production costs are high. That’s why the lead roles go to actresses with powerful patrons.”
“…So your uncle sponsors you, and others have similar backers? But audiences aren’t stupid. You’re good, sure, but she’s clearly better.”
“If a girl like that disappears, then my talent looks brighter, doesn’t it?”
“What?”
“You haven’t seen the other leading actresses, have you? Some are worse than me but still get the main parts. As long as they’ve got the right backer, can act okay, sing okay, and look pretty with a good figure, they’ll get cast.”
“…”
Radius stared blankly at her.
“I told you, the musical scene’s shaky. Just hiring a great singer doesn’t guarantee box office success. Ticket prices are high—too high for commoners, not quite noble entertainment like opera either.”
“…”
“Anyway, you don’t need to worry about this world. Unless you’re planning to sponsor that girl, just forget her.”
Radius felt uneasy, but decided it wasn’t his business and said nothing more.
“Oh, and don’t just leave. Wait for me and drive me home. That’s why you stayed, isn’t it?”
“If my uncle and aunt weren’t off traveling, I wouldn’t be stuck waiting for you.”
“Hmph. Then wait quietly, will you?”
Anima spoke curtly and went back inside the dressing room.
After that, Anima continued to work hard to build her career as a musical actress.
Radius, though impressed by the witch’s performance, didn’t think much more of her. With only that brief impression, he soon forgot—barely remembering the singer’s face or even her name.
It wasn’t until much later that she reappeared in his memory—at the birthday party of his business partner, Jack Smith’s, daughter.
Jack Smith was an executive at one of the pharmaceutical companies under Rammus’s conglomerate, and a brilliant researcher.
He had developed various medicines, from fever reducers to blood coagulants, though he himself was born a commoner.
Jack was a quiet man—likely due to his research background—but his wife was the complete opposite: a socialite who loved hosting parties.
The particular event Radius attended was the seventh birthday of the couple’s only daughter, born after seven years of marriage.
“You’ll inherit this side of the business anyway, so it’s good for you to get acquainted. Jack’s wife is a vain woman—she’ll be thrilled to see a young nobleman attending her daughter’s party.”
Rammus, having only two daughters uninterested in the family business, was grooming his nephew Radius to take over.
So the birthday party was, in essence, part of Radius’s training.
“Oh my, I’m Suzanna Smith! I never dreamed someone from House Lorvaker would grace our humble party!”
Jack’s wife exclaimed dramatically as she welcomed him.
“Happy birthday to your daughter.”
Had Jack not recently developed a profitable heart medication, Radius probably wouldn’t have bothered to attend at all.
“My, you’re so handsome. No offense, but are you sure you’re related to Mr. Rammus? You hardly look alike!”
“Hahaha. If you look closely, you’ll find a few similarities.”
“Come, come inside!”
The house was opulent—befitting a celebrated scientist—and crowded with guests.
Ironically, despite being a child’s birthday party, nearly all the attendees were adults.
“Our Paula’s still in her fairy-tale phase,” Suzanna said brightly. “Her dream is to marry a prince!”
