In the Place where the Golden Rose Was Broken - Chapter 3
“What do you have to be sorry for? I’m just surprised. How should I put it, you always seem somewhat indifferent even when you’re the star on stage. Despite practicing so intensely.”
Tony continued speaking cheerfully while examining Karen’s reflection in the mirror.
“Well, I suppose you’d need to dress up a bit more to play the role of a seductive spy.”
Today’s performance was based on the story of Mata Hari, a dancer and spy from India, so Karen was wearing a glamorous Indian-style costume. Given the character’s nature, it would be good to make the makeup as heavy as possible.
“Hmm… But you know, Karen.”
“Yes…?”
“Is your lover coming to the performance today by any chance?”
Nevertheless, he couldn’t help but ask this question. Having observed Karen for a long time, there was only one explanation for her making a request she had never made before.
“Am I right? Your lover is coming, isn’t he?”
“No, Tony, you know that. I have no intention of seeing anyone.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Why don’t you just date someone? Because you don’t see anyone, the higher-ups are more…”
Tony, who had been speaking without much thought, suddenly realized his mistake and shut his mouth tightly.
Most dancers had sponsors.
It was a nice way of saying sponsorship, but in reality, they were mistresses of businessmen or nobles.
Dancers offered them thrilling nights with their beauty, and in return, they sponsored the dancers.
This form of sponsorship was prevalent in the capital, and it was actively encouraged within the ballet company. The higher-ups, wanting to build connections with the nobles, were acting as a kind of matchmaker.
Karen had also received offers for sponsorship. It was natural, given that she was the most eye-catching protagonist on stage.
It wasn’t for nothing that she held the title of étoile among dozens of dancers in the ballet company.
Karen Chaner was uniquely beautiful.
Whether it was her appearance or her dance.
With each step she took in her ballet shoes, flowers bloomed, night fell, and butterflies flew.
Beautiful flowers tend to attract many insects.
There were many powerful men who desired Karen. But she had never worn the black choker that signified a ballerina receiving someone’s sponsorship.
Despite being the most prominent dancer in the capital, there wasn’t even a hint of her meeting men, let alone scandals, which made the advances of the powerful towards her even more persistent and tenacious.
But that was the fault of the beast-like men trying to take a woman by force, not Karen’s fault.
Tony wanted to bite his tongue for saying something that seemed to blame her, contrary to his intention.
“It’s okay, Karen.”
As if she had seen right through Tony’s thoughts, Karen smiled gently and looked at his face reflected in the mirror.
“I know you’re always worried about me.”
“I’m sorry…”
“I know you didn’t mean it in a bad way. So don’t be sorry about anything.”
The woman who usually smiled awkwardly out of politeness when complimented on her beauty was now smiling more naturally than ever to comfort the other person. Almost like her facial expressions on stage.
Tony often found Karen fascinating at times like this. Sometimes she seemed to lack social skills, not mingling with people, but at times like this, she seemed to understand the other person’s inner thoughts better than anyone. Despite working together for a long time, Tony still felt he knew very little about Karen.
“I’ll touch up your makeup right away!”
Tony busily tried to bring the eyeshadow palette to change the atmosphere.
Knock knock knock knock─
Just then, someone knocked on the waiting room door very urgently.
“Come in.”
No sooner had Karen’s voice fallen than the person who opened the door and entered was none other than Director Mark.
“Director…?”
“Are you all ready?”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
Looking at the clock, there wasn’t much time left. Regrettably, there wouldn’t be time to touch up the eye makeup.
“It’s chaos outside right now.”
“What’s going on?”
This time, it was Tony who answered Director Mark’s words, not Karen. Karen was busy applying lipstick, making her lips even redder as a consolation.
“Duke Cloen has arrived!”
However, at Director Mark’s next words, Karen’s hand, which had been applying lipstick, froze in place.
“Thanks to that, it’s absolute chaos outside. Our swans are all excited, thinking they might be able to catch a new sponsor.”
Tony made a fuss beside her, but Director Mark’s gaze was fixed on Karen. A few days ago, he had been concerned when Karen showed interest in Arcturus Cloen in the newspaper article during practice.
The head of a noble family known for its deep history and prestige, a wealthy businessman said to be amassing all the money there is, and Karen who had never shown interest in anyone. But if it’s Arcturus Cloen, wouldn’t it be different for her?
Apart from his wealth and power, his appearance alone was enough to steal women’s hearts.
If she were to meet a powerful man, wouldn’t she want one with good looks too?
“Karen, could it be that you also…”
“There’s not much time left.”
But then, was it a misunderstanding that Karen seemed interested in Arcturus Cloen?
“I should go backstage now.”
Karen made no mention of Arcturus Cloen.
‘Right. It’s not like I’ve only known her for a year or two…’
He had known her for a full 5 years.
Although Arcturus Cloen’s fame began much earlier than that, Karen had never shown interest in that man.
No, Karen had never even glanced at any man.
Director Mark nodded, feeling a strange sense of relief at Karen’s seemingly unchanged demeanor.
“Thank you for today too, Tony.”
Karen, greeting Tony as always, stepped into the waiting area backstage.
Now, there would be only a few minutes left until she had to go on stage.
Karen prepared for the upcoming performance by rotating her ankles and neck.
There were many people besides the dancers backstage. People setting up the stage, orchestra members, and even staff managing the lighting…
“Is it my imagination, or do you seem more nervous than usual today?”
To have the leisure to pick a fight with her before such a stage where so many people are waiting…
Karen swallowed a sigh as she looked at Alice, who was glaring at her with arms crossed.
Originally, before Karen joined the Swan Ballet Company, Alice was the one expected to be the next étoile. But now, having been overshadowed by Karen for years without getting the lead role on stage, she had her own valid reasons to dislike Karen.
“Even you, who always acted so high and mighty, want to catch Duke Cloen’s eye now that he’s here, right?”
“……”
“And you always acted like you were different from us.”
First of all, Karen had never acted differently from the other dancers. She had never looked down on colleagues who received sponsorship from powerful people. She respected their choices. However, as much as she respected her colleagues, they didn’t seem to have any intention of respecting her.
Seeing how they nitpicked at every little thing.
Karen had no intention of explaining herself to Alice or trying to convince her.
“Alice. You always try to belittle me, but…”
Director Mark, who was nearby, suddenly signaled to Karen.
The lights dimmed, and soft music began to play. It was time to go on stage.
“The truth is, I know you admire me.”
She knew that this kind of annoying attitude would hurt Alice, who envied and was jealous of her, more than any biting sarcasm.
Karen didn’t bother to look back at Alice’s face. Her made up face was surely red with anger, so there was no need to turn around.
Karen climbed the stairs to go on stage.
What was important to Karen now was not Alice, who was drowning in her inferiority complex.
More than anything else, this stage was what mattered most.
***
“I’m so excited to see a performance after such a long time.”
The old man with wrinkled hands held his grandson’s hand as he sat down next to him, chuckling with a kind face. It was Jude Cullen, the founder of ‘Arcturus’, the representative of the arms industry, and Arcturus Cloen’s maternal grandfather.
Originally, Arcturus had planned to watch this performance with only his grandfather.
“Don’t you think so, Caetro?”
If he had known that his grandfather would bring his half-brother and his fiancée, making it a family outing, he would never have come to see this performance in the first place.
“I’m sorry, Grandfather. Actually, Sierra and I have been to several performances already.”
“Haha, that’s right. I forgot that you young ones are at an age to be busy running around, unlike this old man.”
To Arcturus, Caetro might be a half-blood brother, but to his grandfather, Caetro was a complete stranger. From Jude Cullen’s perspective, Caetro was a child his son-in-law had with another woman, leaving his daughter behind.
Yet, he took in even this grandson who shared not a drop of blood with him. After losing both his daughter and son-in-law, he decided to embrace Caetro, who still needed an adult’s protection, with love.
As a result, they were able to maintain the appearance of a harmonious and close-knit family.
