Maylily - Chapter 81

“So the Count of Everscourt’s sponsored singer changed in the meantime?”

“I don’t think so. He probably judged it would be too much to put a rookie singer with such a short career on this stage. It’s a large-scale event with even foreign dignitaries attending, isn’t it?”

“He’s cold without exception, even to his own singer. It would’ve been a good chance for that woman to make her face known.”

“I was curious how extraordinary the talent of the singer who captivated Hugh Skaard would be. What a shame.”

The singer who stepped onto the stage to perform the congratulatory number was a famous soprano who had been active for years as a prima donna in the Roden Opera Company. Those who had expected Hugh Skaard’s singer to appear showed a subtle sense of disappointment.

“Maybe we worried too much.”

Covering her mouth with a fan as she gauged the reactions around them, the Marchioness of Cheshire whispered low to Vivian standing beside her.

“Even if that woman is an unknown singer, if she’s a member of the Roden Opera Company, she must have top-level skill. If she couldn’t stand here because she was pushed out by another singer, doesn’t that mean Hugh’s favor is only that much?”

A sponsored singer’s fame was directly connected to the sponsor’s artistic achievement. For that reason, nobles would invite their sponsored singers to perform at their social events, or introduce them to upper-class figures who could help their activities. The more they cherished the singer, the more actively they did it. That was only natural.

From that perspective, the Marchioness’s opinion seemed plausible.

“That could be.”

Vivian gave a small nod, her gaze shifting to Hugh standing in the center of the hall.

Dressed formally in a suit, he stood straight and spoke with the gentlemen. The movements of his lips, carrying a faint smile, his light nods of acknowledgment, and the way he tilted his champagne glass to his lips at the right time, all held a restrained elegance.

As always, Hugh Skaard, standing before the public, was a gentleman and noble with perfect dignity. Over his neat face, where not even a speck of desire could be found, the image of the man’s back heading into the forest every night overlapped.

What expression do you wear when you’re on that path?

Maylily Aile knows the answer to that question, one that would probably remain unsolved to Vivian forever. Vivian hid the jealousy that thought ignited behind a faint smile and looked back at her mother.

“Or it might be the exact opposite.”

“The exact opposite? What do you mean?”

“Some jewels are so precious that it feels wasteful to let even others’ eyes touch them.”

Vivian wanted to find out which side Hugh’s heart was on.

And if her guess was right, she wanted to drag the jewel Hugh cherished so much out of the forest and put it before everyone. As much as Maylily Aile made her feel jealousy and anger, she wanted Hugh’s mood to be ruined too.

Around the time the soprano’s second song began, a strange smile rose at the corner of Vivian’s lips as she sank into thought.

“I’ll go see Lady Deborah for a moment, Mother.”

When she looked around carefully, she spotted Deborah watching the performance not far away. Vivian took two champagne glasses, one in each hand, from a nearby table and approached her.

“With such a beautiful song added, the party’s dignity feels even more alive.”

Deborah accepted the champagne glass Vivian held out and agreed with a faint smile.

“Not just the singing skill, but even the song selection that fits the atmosphere, I like it very much.”

“Yes. A thought just occurred to me, but how about holding a short performance at the Count of Everscourt’s birthday party too? If you allow it, Lady Deborah, I’d like to prepare it.”

“There’s no reason it can’t be done, but… I hope you don’t feel burdened by your role already, Vivian.”

“Rather than burden, I’d call it motivation to participate as the Count’s fiancée. And if I can help you as well, Lady Deborah, it’ll be a great joy.”

Deborah looked at Vivian, who stated her intent so confidently, with pleased eyes.

“If that’s what you want, I’ll gladly permit it. I’m looking forward to the party I’ll hold with you.”

“Thank you, Lady Deborah.”

After smiling brightly and drinking her champagne, Vivian’s gaze reached Hugh’s face, which was still radiant and unfazed.

Whether he could maintain that loftiness even at his own birthday party was something that sounded quite fun to find out.

***

Maylily, sitting in front of the piano, let out a shallow sigh and folded the newspaper she’d finished reading. On the front page of the newspaper Alice brought, there was an article about the opening ceremony of the Skaard Hotel Lurollei branch held the day before yesterday.

It said the event was held successfully, and the new hotel was receiving great praise and anticipation for introducing several innovations in facilities and operations.

Considering the devotion and effort the Count of Everscourt poured into it for years, it was an achievement she should congratulate him with a happy heart. But one line in the article left Maylily feeling heavy.

At the event that day, the famous Roden Opera Company soprano Scarlett Elder performed a congratulatory number to great acclaim….

There’s no rule that a sponsored singer must stand at an event hosted by their patron, but…. She couldn’t shake the feeling that, as a singer, she wasn’t acknowledged by the Count, her patron.

“I’ve never seen a singer who sings as beautifully as you.”

“You’re someone with the talent to shine in a much higher place.”

Were those words all lies too?

The kindness the Count showed Maylily was closer to mercy toward a subordinate existence than respect toward an equal person. Like the attitude of an owner finding the dog they keep cute.

That was why, even more, she wanted her dreams and talent to be acknowledged by him. Even if she looked shabby, she wanted him to recognize that she had a side that shone like a jewel.

The man who came to see her every day had not even the slightest interest in what she wanted him to look at most.

She tried to continue singing the song she’d just practiced, but her heart was unsettled and she couldn’t focus. Maylily quietly closed the piano cover and stood.

“I’m going for a walk by the sea.”

“Should I go with you?”

“You’re busy, so it’s fine. I’m used to the path now.”

Maylily went out into the corridor, told Alice, who was cleaning the glass window, where she was going, and went outside.

While she stayed in Prowden, her range of movement generally didn’t go beyond this forest and the beach behind it. She had gone out beyond the forest a couple of times with Alice, but after the Count’s guests increased, she stayed inside to avoid drawing their eyes.

Living like a bird trapped in a cage felt suffocating and uncomfortable at times, but she tried not to think deeply about the situation. Busy with preparing for the autumn season day after day, she only hoped the day she would leave this place would come quickly.

“Ah, it’s so refreshing!”

It was when she came back up after going down the hill path to the clear seaside, taking in the breeze for a short while. On the path leading back into the forest, a familiar woman in elaborate attire was standing there.

Vivian Cheshire.

The name Alice had told her when she visited the annex last time came to mind. She’d also heard she was the young lady of the Cheshire marquessate and Patrick Cheshire’s younger sister.

“We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

A confident, sharp voice echoed as it rode the sea breeze.

“Hello.”

Vivian slowly rolled only her eyes, scanning Maylily up and down, then opened her mouth again.

“Vivian Cheshire. Hugh’s longtime friend.”

Judging by the way she called the Count by name, they seemed quite close. The fact that she’d come into the annex alone, too. Somehow, Maylily shrank back a little.

“…It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“How’s life in the annex?”

“Count of Everscourt and Lady Deborah take such careful care of me, so I’m staying comfortably.”

“I came because I have a request.”

“…To me, you mean?”

Vivian spoke in a commanding tone to Maylily, who blinked with a bewildered expression.

“Next weekend, at Hugh’s birthday party, I want you to perform a congratulatory piece.”

“I haven’t heard anything yet….”

“I already got permission from Lady Deborah. You’re Hugh’s sponsored singer, so shouldn’t you naturally brighten his party?”

When Maylily hesitated at the sudden proposal, Vivian added as if urging her on, “Because he sponsors an unknown singer like you, all sorts of scandals have been following Hugh lately. If you prove your talent in front of everyone gathered there, the suspicions about Hugh’s purpose in sponsoring you will be resolved too.”

So in the end, did everyone look at this relationship with the same eyes? She felt as if she were stripped bare. But because of that, to escape that feeling, she thought she should accept Vivian’s proposal.

Maylily wanted to prove that, before she was anything else, she was a singer. More than anyone else, to the Count, by letting him properly hear her song.

“Alright. I’ll do it.”

“Good choice.”

At Maylily’s resolute answer, Vivian lifted the corner of her mouth a little. It was a smile that looked cold because it carried almost no emotion.

“Keep my proposal a secret. I want to surprise everyone. Especially Hugh, the main character.”

There was no disagreement with wanting to surprise the Count of Everscourt. Maylily nodded without hesitation.

“Yes, I will.”