Chapter 38 – You’re already famous.

“Why are you so surprised? All the women who come to the capital on their own to find work from distant lands are similar. Either they’ve been chased out or they’re running away….”

Was that why Betty thought the same of me? While I was lost in thought, Greta spoke as if she understood.

“So that’s why you keep your face and name a secret? Afraid your husband might come after you?”

I nodded reflexively. It was a good excuse she came up with on her own, and it oddly fit my situation.

“Anne, the more reason for you to work hard and earn money. Do you know why everyone wants to buy a house in the capital? It’s so they can register as citizens. You can even abandon your old name and register under a new one. And even if your husband comes and causes trouble, the city will side with you as long as you’re paying taxes.”

Really? Is it that easy to create a new identity? Of course, with the skyrocketing house prices in the capital, it’s not that simple… So that’s how Isabella and Walter established their identities. Since Isabella can’t continue using her original identity badge, it would be good if I could buy a house under my name and create a new identity.

“The capital is out of the question. My husband is in the capital.”

“What? So you were…?”

Greta suddenly wiggled her pinky in front of me. I stared blankly, not understanding what she meant, and Greta, frustrated, spoke.

“Were you a mistress?”

Ah, so that’s what she meant. Let’s go with that. I nodded.

“No wonder your mannerisms and gestures didn’t seem like those of an ordinary commoner.”

I was so surprised by Greta’s sharp observation that I felt a cold sweat coming on despite the chilly weather. My heart started pounding.

“Then let’s earn some money and buy a house in another city. In the spring, the nobles flock to the capital, so if we secure a spot in a high-end club before then, you can earn plenty by fall. Other cities might not be as safe as the capital, though…”

As I listened to Greta, I suddenly felt something strange. Why is she so naturally included in my future plans? Noticing my bewilderment, Greta stopped talking and looked disappointed.

“Are you seriously not going to take me with you? You may not know this, but women who can write and wield a sword like me are extremely rare. I’m very popular as a secret bodyguard for wealthy families.”

“So why are you working as a kitchen assistant now?”

“Because my personality didn’t fit. I just couldn’t stand it.”

Greta frowned and spat on the ground. I instantly understood. I was also initially shocked by Greta’s rough behavior. She probably had to do maid work to be a secret bodyguard in high society, but that didn’t suit her personality. Greta grinned warmly.

“Compared to that, how great would it be to be the bodyguard of a popular singer? Don’t you think? I could glare at guys I don’t like, and if things get out of hand, I could even beat them up.”

Hotels and pubs with big stages and dressing rooms often hire female mercenaries to guard female singers while they change clothes and apply makeup. The “big places” that Bill and Greta talked about were such places, but I was a bit skeptical. Such large venues could attract nobles, and there were rumors that wizards from Laran often visited.

I’m human too. I can’t help but get nervous on a big stage. The more my heart pounds, the more my magic leaks, and I wanted to avoid any risks where I could get caught.

Of course, even if someone sensed magic from me, they wouldn’t automatically realize I was Olivia Keppel… But with the recent implementation of a wizard registration policy or something, I was afraid of being mistaken for a wizard and getting caught, leading to an unavoidable identity check. Who’s working so hard to make my life difficult?

The next day, as soon as I arrived at the opera house, Betty secretly called me over. She kindly took my hand and led me to the dressing room.

There was a waiting room for minor roles, but the dressing room was for the prima donna and other main roles. Since nobles often visited, it was quite elegantly decorated. I looked around curiously, as it was my first time there, and Betty brought out some tea and spoke.

“Isn’t it fascinating? You’ll be coming here often too.”

Even if it was just flattery, I appreciated it. I munched on the guest cookies she offered, wondering what her purpose was. Then, Betty said something that shocked me so much that I dropped my cookie.

“You’re the Red Lips, aren’t you?”

H-how did she know?

“I went to watch the performance. I was jealous because there was talk about a singer who suddenly became famous. Then I saw a woman with a similar build to you, wearing the same bobbed hairstyle, singing. The voice was also similar.”

I was so surprised that I couldn’t say anything. She recognized me just by my voice? Even Walter didn’t recognize me! Betty gave a bitter smile.

“I’m probably the only one who’s noticed so far. But, Anne, why don’t we work together?”

“……”

“You don’t seem to understand how things work around here. If I were you, I would have moved to Central Street as soon as I became famous, but you’re still stuck in the back alleys… I’m still a rookie commercial singer, but I know more than you. I can help you, so why don’t we work together in a big place?”

I’m not sure. I don’t think I need anyone’s help. If I need connections, Bill has already recommended some places. I’ve already saved up 300 leads. If I go down to the countryside, I’d have enough to rent a room, even if I can’t buy a house. In other words, I wasn’t in a hurry for money. As I stayed silent for a while, Betty spoke in an anxious tone.

“T-to be honest, I already told someone that Red Lips is my friend…”

“What? To whom?”

“To the person in charge of performances at Canova Hotel… I’m sorry, really sorry. But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Can you perform with me just this once? How about this: if you help me, I’ll help you in the opera? When ‘The Vanished Duchess’ is completed, I’m likely to get the duchess role. I’ll tell the director to cast you as my maid.”

First she wants to help me; now she wants me to help her. I didn’t believe what Betty was saying. It wasn’t because I disliked or resented her; it’s just that, fundamentally, I don’t trust people. I spoke calmly and firmly.

“I’m sorry, Betty. I have my reasons for working in a small place like this. I don’t have any desire to become more famous, and I’m already satisfied with what I have. So, I’ll have to decline.”

Betty’s face froze in shock, as if she hadn’t expected me to turn her down. I slowly sipped the cold tea, willing to wait until she recovered from her surprise. When she finally snapped out of it, Betty muttered in a dejected tone.

“…I see. But you know, you’re already famous. Just like I recognized you, someone else might too. And I don’t think I can pretend I don’t know you when that time comes.”

“So, you’re saying you’ll keep pretending not to know me for now? Thanks; you’re a good friend.”

I smiled at Betty, who was still at a loss for words, and left the dressing room. Before long, I ran into the annoying chorus members.

“You’re always showing up, even though you don’t have a performance?”

“Trying so hard to get on the director’s good side, but there’s nothing to gain, huh?”

“The director has eyes, you know…”

They laughed among themselves as if they had just heard a hilarious joke. I ignored them and walked past. The reason I kept showing up despite having no performances was that the director sometimes gave me side gigs.

The director had hired me because he liked my voice, but he felt sorry because my appearance didn’t match my voice, making it difficult to cast me in a role. Perhaps because of this, he would often give me small tasks and pay me some extra money.

Objectively speaking, the director is a good person. He has empathy, a sense of responsibility, and even an artistic side, caring about the harmony of even the smallest roles. At least in the past six months since I started working here, I haven’t seen anything shady about him. I can’t understand why people think the way they do. If the director were the type to accept bribes, the opera company would have been filled with untalented people by now.

After finishing a few odd jobs the director had assigned me, I headed back to Red Pub, where Bill works. By the time Greta and I left after the evening performance, everything seemed normal. But I couldn’t shake a sense of unease. Was it because I had a restless dream? If only I could remember what the dream was about, I could be more careful. Lately, I’ve been so tired that even when I dream, I can’t recall them well.

“What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

“…I’m fine.”

“Fine? Your face says otherwise. Where does it hurt?”

“…It’s not that I’m hurt.”

My heart was pounding. I had a strange, ominous feeling. And I’m usually pretty good at sensing things. Sure enough, someone wearing a hooded cloak started walking toward us from the mouth of the alley. Greta stopped and pushed me behind her.

“Hey, ladies. No need to be so wary. I’m not a bad guy…”

The man smiled as he approached us. His face was hidden in the hood, and all I could see was his crooked, yellow teeth, which were enough to make him unlikable.

“I’m just curious about something. Which one of you is Red Lips?”

Greta responded nonchalantly.

“What are you talking about? Our lady is at Red Pub.”

“Really?”

The man chuckled. My heart raced, and I grabbed Greta’s arm tightly. I tried to calm myself, but the unfamiliar situation scared me, and my heart wouldn’t stop pounding. Whether he sensed my magic or not, the man suddenly raised his hands as if surrendering.

“Whoa, whoa, relax. I’m just here to talk. Why are you getting ready to use magic? I just want to know more about Red Lips. I just want to befriend another wizard, that’s all.”

The man seemed to think I was about to attack him. Greta, meanwhile, pulled a knife from somewhere and pointed it at him, saying,

“Hey, pal, it’s best if you just leave. If you want to make friends with me, this isn’t the way to go.”

Greta? What are you saying? I was shocked that Greta was pretending to be me. Fortunately, it seemed my surprised expression was hidden behind Greta’s back. I couldn’t do anything about my pounding heart, so I held my breath. The man dropped his relaxed demeanor and grumbled.

“You haven’t registered yet, which means you’re probably a dark wizard, right? Wouldn’t it be fun if rumors spread that Red Lips is a dark wizard? We’re in the same boat, so let’s help each other out. Don’t be so cold. Okay? I’ll be back.”

I bit my lip. He probably won’t come alone next time. After confirming that the man had left, Greta grabbed my hand and started walking quickly, her face grim.

“We’re done with Red Pub. You can’t work there anymore.”