CH 168

「Next, we’ll move to the scene with Prince Malik and Euthyllis~ Yua, come forward!」

「Ah, yes.」

With that, Yua trotted to the center of the stage.

「Hmm……」

It would be difficult to get training under the tutelage of Yua’s father-c̲u̲m̲-master. This meant there was no other choice than to steal the technique from Yua and learn it herself. Inglis couldn’t wait to have a serious fight with Yua once again. The play felt so far ahead.

「Yo, Inglis. Senior Yua sure said some crazy stuff, didn’t she……」

「You heard? She said she forgot the face of her father!」

「Yeah, terrific!」

「Yup……」

「I worried if she even could memorize her script, but…」

「……unexpectedly, she memorized them perfectly!」

Yua didn’t have the script in her hand as she practiced her scene with Prince Malik, however, she correctly recited the lines seemingly from her own memory. Her acting, too, was surprisingly well-performed, and Inglis didn’t feel particularly uneasy watching her. Ian playing Prince Malik was just as excellent, so much so that it was Inglis who had to be careful not to trip their feet.

「Say, Inglis…」

「Hm, what is it?」

「It’s about Ian, but don’t tell Pullum or anyone else I’m saying this, got it? Don’t you feel like something’s off about him?」

「……I do think he’s quite get-together, though? Is there something bothering you?」

「Yeah……I thought I knew him inside out since we grew up together and all. Knowing his personality, if he said that his territory got destroyed and even the Royal Capital was badly damaged, then I thought he would’ve stayed and helped with the reconstruction. And yet, what, he joined a traveling troupe and came all the way here all by himself……No, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, kay? I’m just saying it doesn’t sit right with me……」

「Perhaps there is something he can’t tell you. It’s better to leave it be and not pry into it, you know? Otherwise, it’ll only hurt him further. I think that just do nothing and wait until he’s ready to talk is also a form of consideration.」

「……You’re right. Got that.」

Lahti nodded at Inglis’ words.

That’s surely a better way to do it! He readily accepted Inglis’ suggestion.

「Next, let us practice Mariabelle’s dancing scene! Inglis, come here! Rafinha and the other two too~」

「Yes.」

Inglis took her place in the center of the stage as Leone and Liselotte, who had been observing from the side, walked up.

「Eh? Where’s Rani?」

「She hasn’t returned for a while now… She said she had an important business.」

「She said she would be right back, then she scuffled away. Have you not heard anything from her?」

「Ah, don’t tell me……!」

At the same time Inglis raised her voice…

「Aym whaack~~」

Rafinha returned with both of her cheeks puffed like a squirrel. It was obvious what she had been up to.

「Aa, dhank ghutnesh Ay wadhe if im daim (Aah, thank goodness, I made it in time)」

「Rani……You went to grab a bite for yourself, I see!」

It was close to noon, the time for the troupe staff members to prepare lunch. It seemed that Rafinha couldn’t wait any longer and snuck out to eat. How unfair. Inglis had been enduring herself since she knew it was time for her tummy to grumble.

「Heye. Nyauw we ayye akwompwish (Here. Now we’re accomplices).」

Nom

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Rafinha stuffed the ham sandwich in her hand to Inglis’ mouth.

「Shyeesh. Kwan vwi hyelved (Geez. Can’t be helped.)」

「Hohohou. Young ones need to eat a lot~ Please eat well and give a good performance, you two.」

However, even towards Inglis and Rafinha, Count Weissmall was forbearing.

「……Count Weissmall sure is magnanimous, isn’t he?」

「Agreed. It is as though he never gets angry. Perhaps, he is even more steadfast than the Principal…」

Leone and Liselotte whispered to each other. Principal Miliera was also soft-spoken, gentle, and kind. However, there are limits to things, and sometimes, Inglis and her group stepped beyond those limits. Seeing how collected the Count was even when Inglis and Rafinha ate during the practice, perhaps he wouldn’t even be angry when he was supposed to be!

「Houhou. You see, I believe that each person has their own way to develop that is best suited for him or her.」

As he apparently overheard them, Count Weissmall joined Leone and Liselotte’s whispering conversation.

「They who grow by being scolded, they who grow by being praised… there are various types of people. While those two, they grow by feeding them. As long as you fill their stomach, they will show you a good performance, so it’s worth feeding them.」

「……Just like animals.」

「I-, I suppose……They’re like wild beasts being tamed by a beastmaster.」

「Sounds about right.」

「I know I’m not supposed to laugh, but……」

Finding that statement funny, Leone and Liselotte giggled with each other.

「Mn……okay!」

「We’re sorry for the delay, let’s start.」

Both Inglis and Rafinha had stopped their chewing.

「I see, I see. Well then, girls, please show me a beautiful dance~」

Urged by the Count, Inglis and the other three lined up. Inglis stood in the front while the three lined up behind her, making a formation. Then, matching to the rhythm of Count Weissmall’s claps, they performed the choreography they had been taught. It had only been a few days since they started practicing, but their choreography was perfect.

「By golly, you girls are marvelous! It’s like goddesses have descended from the high heaven! Keep it up~!」

The Count cheered excitedly.

「Fufu. It doesn’t feel too bad being praised like that, huh.」

「You’re right.」

「It’s a bit embarrassing, but it might be a good breather.」

「Agreed. Since we’re all here anyway, let us have some fun.」

Even while they danced, they had enough leeway to whisper to each other like so.

None of them were particularly knowledgeable about dances, but they were all students of the Knight Academy, where they received daily exceptional training without fail.

When it came to physical abilities, not only Inglis, but everyone in her group was far above the average people. They had reached a level where they could overtake the regular Weissmall Troupe performers in no time at all.

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From their fingertips to their toes, the four of them moved flexibly and uniformly. Their hair swayed and their dresses fluttered from the intensity of their movements, so impactful they could hear the rustles of their clothes.

At the last bit, Inglis stepped forward by herself, and after a series of furious foot taps ended with a flamboyant pose, a trickle of sweat dripped down from her cheek and fell to the floor. It was quite the ardent motion.

「And done! Boy oh boy, you are all superb~! There’s nothing else that needs to be said for this scene!」

「Really, everyone’s so pretty! I kind of yearn for all of you!」

Count Weissmall nodded in satisfaction, while Pullum, who was observing, was gleaming.

「You better not think of joining them, okay? You’ll just end up dragging them down.」

「Muu. Okay, I know I’m not as cute as Inglis and everyone else!」

「I’m not even saying that, though? I’m just saying people have different strengths and weaknesses.」

Whilst Inglis listened to the familiar give-and-take, a sound of applause was heard in another direction.

「How wonderful! I expect no less from Miss Inglissss!!」

「Ah, Mister Redas!」

Before she noticed it, Redas had already seated in the audience seat and was applauding wildly with his face drowned in tears. Not only that, there were several other Knights of the Imperial Guard Order with him today.

「That was hella beautiful……!」

「Yeah, a different kind of beauty from the last time we saw her! I couldn’t help but stare.」

「And the other girls are cute as well, we sure saw something great!」

The Knights seemed to fancy Inglis and the other’s dancing very much. However, that was not what was important. Amidst the Knights who were still clapping hands…

「Umu. What a wonderful show of art, I cannot wait for the play to take place. I’m sure the people of the Royal Capital will be moved and return to their previous daily lives with this.」

「……! Your Majesty!」

Even King Charleas was all smiles and applauding.

「Ah, it’s really him, here of all places!」

「Eeh?! His Majesty saw us?!」

「M-, my goodness!」

Rafinha, Leone, and Liselotte were also surprised.

「Hou Hou! If it isn’t His Majesty the King! Thank you for the visit! Please, do come and watch the show! I’m sure I will be able to show you our masterpiece!」

「Umu. I shall. It seems I was right to give you the permission to use the Royal Grand Theatre.」

Saying so, King Charleas nodded his head.

「Th-, the King of this country will be coming to see……O-, oh no!」

Ian’s face turned pale, as his nervousness seemed to go through the roof all at once.

And Yua was…