Chapter 207: Fandom
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 207: Fandom
As Antonel’s song came to an end, the hall erupted in a thunderous wave of applause.
It was at that moment, just as a fuming Constine began stomping toward the Grand Duchess to demand an explanation, that Antonel spoke again.
“Thank you. To be honest, I still find it hard to believe that I am standing here, singing before so many of you.”
Antonel placed a hand over his heart.
“I’ve never confessed this before, but the only reason I am standing on this stage today is entirely thanks to Her Highness the Consort.”
In an instant, every eye in the room shifted toward the Grand Duchess.
Her eyes widened in a look of surprised delight.
“Back when I was nothing more than an unknown singer performing street shows, the very first person to recognize my talent was Her Highness.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd; this was news to them.
“At the time, I was just a country youth wandering around in a tacky green suit,” Antonel said, his voice thick with emotion. “It was a time when even I didn’t believe in myself. I agonized every single day over whether I should just give up and go back to my hometown. But then, Her Highness heard my song. She saw potential in me and gave me the chance to stand on a real stage.”
Someone in the crowd let out a moved sigh.
“Without the Grand Duchess, the opera singer Antonel might never have been born. I would like to take this opportunity to dedicate all my glory to Her Highness!”
“She brought Antonel to us!”
“Her Highness is the benefactor of Blenheim!”
Moved to tears, the noblewomen rose one after another, offering the Grand Duchess a standing ovation.
“I heard Her Highness put an incredible amount of effort into opening the Blois Hotel. Having watched her from a distance, I can say she is someone who devotes herself day and night solely for the glory of Blenheim.”
“Her Highness! Her Highness!”
The crowd began to chant her title in unison.
The Grand Duchess waved her hands as if telling them to stop, but she couldn't hide her joy, her face breaking into a bright smile. Beside her, the Grand Duke watched her with a look of pure satisfaction.
“It is a boundless honor for me to be part of this opening celebration. Today, I shall sing for all the beautiful people gathered in this beautiful place. Blessings upon Blenheim!”
“Blessings upon Blenheim!”
The guests repeated his final words like a toast, clinking their glasses together.
No one spared a glance for the "Saintess," who was currently trembling with suppressed rage.
*
“He really is a magnificent singer,” Dahlia remarked, looking at Lady Gray as they sat at their table listening to Antonel. “Auntie?”
Lady Gray, who had been completely entranced by the singer’s voice, only reacted after her niece gave her a sharp poke in the ribs.
“Yes, he truly is wonderful.”
“He’s even better in an opera,” another lady at the same table chimed in. “I take it you’re from Rondoris?”
The lady looked puzzled, wondering how they hadn't heard of him when Antonel’s popularity in Rondoris was already legendary.
“I haven’t been active in social circles for a while, so…”
As Lady Gray trailed off awkwardly, Dahlia quickly nodded.
“I’ve heard of him. They say he’s even more popular than Cochibiel, right?”
“Oh, the era of Cochibiel is long over,” the lady said with a touch of snobbery.
“Is he really that famous?”
“Indeed. People in Rondoris are even saying that opera is dead without him.”
At Dahlia’s comment, the lady sighed, complaining that it was nearly impossible to get tickets because of all the tourists flocking to Rondoris just to see him.
“Is it really that difficult to get a ticket?” Lady Gray asked with a hint of regret. “I’d like to see him at least once.”
Dahlia’s eyes widened. It had been so long since her aunt had expressed a desire to do anything.
“Auntie, I’ll see if I can find a way to get us seats.”
The Carmania Theater was supposed to be massive; surely there would be two seats left somewhere.
However, the lady sitting next to them was skeptical. She explained that noblewomen were currently competing over how many times they had seen Lady of Revenge, and that without a prior reservation, tickets were impossible to find.
Seeing the disappointment on their faces, the lady thought for a moment before speaking.
“Wait a moment. Let me see if there’s a way.”
The lady stood up and headed toward the front-most table. After a brief conversation with another woman, she returned with her.
“This is Countess Asellino. And this is Lady Gray, who has come from Rondoris.”
Lady Gray greeted her with a start. Countess Asellino? Was she not the woman famous throughout the Empire as the "Dream Chaperone"?
“I heard you wish to obtain tickets for Lady of Revenge?”
“Ah, yes.”
“May I ask why?”
Why? Lady Gray wondered if one needed a specific reason to want to see an opera. She spoke with a slightly embarrassed expression.
“It’s just… hearing that gentleman sing made my heart feel at peace. I heard the opera is even better, so I wished to experience it.”
At those words, the Countess’s face instantly brightened.
“Isn't it? When Master Antonel’s voice soars, it’s so refreshing, yet so full of emotion that it warms the soul.”
When Lady Gray agreed, a soft smile curved the Countess’s lips.
“It won't be easy to get tickets right away. Cancellations pop up occasionally, but the competition for them is fierce.” She paused, lifting her head with a touch of pride. “However, I happen to have a few extra seats in the Royal Room I reserved. I would like to invite Lady Gray and her niece.”
“Oh dear, wouldn't that be an imposition?”
The Countess took Lady Gray’s hand warmly.
“It is a joy for me to have one more person who appreciates Master Antonel’s singing.”
Lady Gray was bewildered. Why would that be a joy for the Countess? Seeing her confusion, the other lady smiled.
“The Countess is a massive fan of Master Antonel.”
“Ah, then perhaps the two of you are…”
Countess Asellino cut her off firmly.
“I am simply a person who loves Master Antonel’s music. There is absolutely no personal relationship between us.”
It seemed she was used to hearing misunderstandings about being a mistress or a lover.
“I apologize. I meant no offense.”
The Countess winked.
“However, providing private patronage or making 'secret proposals' to Master Antonel is strictly forbidden among his fans. I hope you will keep that in mind, My Lady.”
The atmosphere suggested that a wrong answer would lead to a stern lecture, so Lady Gray nodded hurriedly.
“Then, should I look for your maid at the theater tomorrow?”
Lady Gray glanced toward the young noblewoman standing behind the Countess, who looked like an attendant. The Countess shook her head.
“This lady is not mine; she is a lady-in-waiting to Her Highness the Consort.”
“I am Cecilia Terito,” the young woman introduced herself with a sophisticated curtsy.
Perhaps because she served the Grand Duchess, her etiquette was flawless.
“I will inform the staff in advance so that you can be guided to the Royal Room when you arrive at the theater tomorrow,” the Countess added. “Master Antonel’s performance is over, so I must be going. I wish you a good night.”
After a crisp farewell, the Countess turned back to calm the other ladies who were struggling to remain in their seats. She called out in a low voice, “Today is a celebration for the opening, so there is no separate time to greet the actor. Please be patient, even if you are disappointed.”
A few ladies grumbled, but no one dared to argue.
“I suppose one has to be at that level to be a lady-in-waiting to the Grand Duchess,” Dahlia said, watching the attendant follow the Countess with an envious look. “I want to look that elegant too.”
“Indeed. I doubt Her Highness would keep just anyone by her side,” Lady Gray agreed.
Just then—Whiz—Boom!
With a thunderous roar, fireworks exploded in the night sky.
“Wow!”
Everyone’s gaze shifted upward. It was the grand firework display marking the climax of the hotel’s opening ceremony.
Lady Gray looked up at the shimmering sky.
I suppose I’ll be going to the opera tomorrow.
For some reason, she felt a spark of anticipation. She had thought it was no longer possible to find joy in life.
I’m glad I came to Blenheim.
The hot spring hotel, the tasting event, the fireworks, and now Antonel.
It really was a wonderful opening ceremony.
Lady Gray watched the bursting fireworks, feeling a flutter of excitement she hadn't felt in a long time.
*
Constine ripped out her hair ornaments and stormed toward her carriage.
The moment the fireworks ended, she had marched over to the Grand Duchess, trembling with rage, intent on demanding an explanation.
The Grand Duchess had simply smiled with feigned innocence.
“Aren't the fireworks beautiful? The mage at the Grand Duke’s Castle is quite skilled.”
To hell with the fireworks! You should have given me a chance to speak!
But when it came time to actually complain, the words felt pathetic.
“...Honestly, I am quite taken aback,” Constine said, her jaw tight with fury. “To think that after I traveled such a long distance to get here, I wasn't even given the chance to greet the people of the North.”
“Oh my, you didn't get to greet them?”
Despite clearly understanding the point, the Grand Duchess covered her mouth with her hand as if she had no idea.
“I thought you had plenty of conversations with the residents. Was it not enough?”
The Grand Duchess shrugged, suggesting she could arrange another event tomorrow.
“Who would ever refuse a chance to see the Saintess?”
Is she insane? She wants me to do that again?
The moment Constine raised her voice, the Grand Duke’s murderous gaze shifted toward her from behind his wife.
Constine flinched and lowered her eyes.
“I meant a formal opportunity to speak from the podium…”
“Oh, so that’s what you’re disappointed about? What should we do? Should I call everyone back right now?”
The fireworks were already over, and the guests were all departing. Trying to hold back people who were trying to leave just to give a speech would only backfire.
It’s a disaster.
Constine bit her lip hard.