Maylily - Chapter 10

“Yes, you seem very kind. But the problem is always men.”

Hugh’s gaze calmly swept down from Maylily’s face to the lace running vertically along the shoulder and waistline of her dress, as if tracing the curves and warning what kind of trouble men could bring her into.

Trapped beneath his leisurely, lingering gaze, Maylily fluttered her eyelashes slightly and opened her mouth.

“I’ll follow your advice, Count. I also want to focus solely on music until I secure my position in the Roden Opera Company. I think maintaining a good reputation will help with my career as well.”

Her soft voice echoed clearly through the night air. Like the sound of lilies of the valley swaying in the breeze, it was quiet yet firm, compelling one to listen closely.

“It’s nice that we understand each other.”

Hugh’s blue-gray eyes shifted from her crimson lips to her water-colored pupils, and he smiled faintly.

“There’s one more thing I’d like your cooperation with.”

“What… is it?”

“I want you to take Cartian language lessons. I’ll cover the costs.”

Opera, as an art form, emphasized the harmony between the linguistic rhythm of the composed language and the musical composition, so performances were generally done in their original language even when crossing borders. Naturally, understanding the language and its culture determined the depth of interpretation and expression.

For this reason, opera singers put great effort into foreign language learning. Especially since a significant number of works were written in Cartian—the home of opera—it was considered a language every singer must master.

So this was a proposal Maylily could hardly refuse, and Hugh had set it as a trap. Maylily, looking down at her hands placed neatly on her knees, pondered briefly before nodding.

“Yes, Count. I’ll work hard!”

“Good. I’ll send the instructor here the evening after tomorrow.”

That instructor was the very man Hugh Skaard had chosen to sleep with Maylily Aile.

***

Michele Baratti had performed on stage for several years in his homeland of Cartia but had never built a particularly successful career as an opera singer.

In his mid-twenties, as his singing career fizzled out, he crossed over to Riverton and began offering Cartian language lessons to opera singers and aspiring singers. Thanks to his background in the same field, eloquence, and handsome looks, he quickly increased his student base and gradually established a stable livelihood.

Outside of lessons, he spent his time indulging in women, alcohol, and pleasure. Everywhere he went, new delights abounded, and whoever he met offered warm hospitality. Women were always drawn to his exotic, wild charm, and his nights were never lonely.

One day, as he was relishing the prime of his life in this foreign land, just like any other day, he had a quick dinner at a restaurant near his home and then dropped by his regular bar to lift his spirits.

[Are you Mr. Michele Baratti?]

[I am.]

A stranger, seemingly a native of Riverton, approached and struck up a conversation, then offered to buy him a drink and led him to a secluded corner. After several rounds under the dim lighting, the man switched to fluent Cartian and made a dirty yet tempting offer.

[On the surface, you’ll be giving Cartian lessons while seducing the woman. The shorter the time it takes, the higher the success bonus we’ll pay. Lesson fees will be paid separately.]

The success bonus the man offered, at its maximum, amounted to three months of Michele’s income. Seducing women was practically his daily routine, and now someone wanted to pay him handsomely for it, so he had no reason to refuse.

However, there were a few things he needed to confirm before accepting the offer.

[I doubt you’re offering that kind of money just to hold her hand. What exactly do you mean by “seduce”?]

[Sexual intercourse.]

[So she’s a virgin, I assume?]

[We’re not certain. That’s why we’re requesting this, to definitively establish that she’s not.]

What was so special about a woman’s virginity, anyway?

In this country, people attached absurdly excessive value to something that couldn’t even be seen or proven. Well, at least it earned him a free drink.

[Is she pretty?]

[She’s beautiful.]

[How much?]

[Undeniably.]

[Her figure?]

[She’s slender.]

[Big breasts?]

[…Probably.]

The man looked uncomfortable at Michele’s blunt questions about the woman’s appearance, but Michele didn’t care. No matter how much money he was offered, he wouldn’t sleep with a woman he wasn’t aroused by.

Michele confirmed that the woman was someone he could touch without trouble and then accepted the proposal. Only then did the man reveal that he was the secretary of Count Everscourt.

He had wondered why so much money was involved over the virginity of a mere commoner. Of course, there was someone filthy rich behind it all.

Letting out a short laugh, Michele drained his glass and lit a cigarette with a match from the table.

[But what makes you trust me with this? What if I shoot my mouth off and drag your esteemed employer into a disgraceful scandal?]

The man gave a dry chuckle as if he had heard the most absurd thing. The corner of his glasses caught the light as his facial muscles twitched slightly.

[If that happens, Mr. Baratti, I’d worry about your own safety first. Count Everscourt isn’t someone whose position would be shaken by a mere scandal, but you’d likely find it very hard to secure work in Riverton. After all, no one wants to hire an employee who blabs their employer’s secrets. Of course, based on what I’ve heard about your reputation, you’re quite discreet, so I trust it won’t come to that.]

It was a convincing answer to why he had been chosen, and a polite threat.

Everything he said made perfect sense, leaving Michele with nothing to rebut. He exhaled smoke with a hollow chuckle.

The man took that as agreement and continued explaining the job. He handed over the initial payment, then gave one last stern warning before leaving.

[Under no circumstances may you use force. You must proceed only with Miss Aile’s voluntary consent.]

So even for something shady, there was a sense of class? Nobles and their pretenses.

Michele scoffed, but he was willing to respect that request. Forcing a woman wasn’t his style, anyway. He was confident he could seduce her without laying a hand on her, as long as he could get her in the mood.

[Hello. I’m Maylily Aile.]

And when he finally met her—a stunningly beautiful face, speaking Cartian with a clumsy but endearing accent—Michele was overwhelmed with the urge to do exactly that.

[Pleased to meet you, Maylily. I’m Michele Baratti. Just call me Michele.]

[Yes, Michele. I look forward to our lessons.]

To the woman who smiled shyly, Michele reached out his hand as if to shake hers. Then, gently pulling her slender hand, he brought it to his lips. The soft quiver of her delicate hand tickled his mouth.

In that moment, he no longer cared about the bonus.

Michele simply wanted to have this woman beneath him as soon as possible.

***

The Cartian tutor arrived at the appointed time promised by Count Everscourt. When the knock sounded and Maylily opened the front door to meet the tutor, she was quite taken aback. She had assumed the tutor would be a woman, but instead stood a well-built young man with bronze skin.

He told me to avoid meeting men. Is this okay because it’s not a personal meeting?

Still, even if it was for lessons, being alone with a man in a private space after work in the evening felt uncomfortable and frightening. If the neighbors saw, it could spark bad rumors.

Perhaps, since she wasn’t a noblewoman, they thought such things didn’t matter…

Pushing aside the confusion that momentarily clouded her thoughts, Maylily forced a calm smile.

[Hello. I’m Maylily Aile.]

When she spoke one of the few phrases she could fully express in Cartian, the man grinned widely. His bright brown eyes shone warmly as they turned toward her.

[Pleased to meet you, Maylily. I’m Michele Baratti. Just call me Michele.]

[Yes, Michele. I look forward to our lessons.]

After the introductions, Michele extended his right hand. Though handshakes between men and women weren’t common in Riverton, Maylily accepted it. If this unfamiliar greeting was part of Cartian culture, she was willing to embrace it.

But in the next moment, contrary to her expectations, warm lips touched the back of her hand. Startled, Maylily instinctively pulled her hand behind her back. Then she quickly realized her rudeness.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I’m just not used to things like this…”

“It’s fine. Shall we go inside and begin the lesson?”

Michele looked entirely unbothered as he stared straight at Maylily’s flushed cheeks.

“Yes, come in.”

Unnerved by that gaze for reasons she couldn’t quite explain, Maylily quickly turned and headed for the sitting room. She made a mental note to brighten the lighting more during their next session.