Maylily - Chapter 14

The path from the entrance of Roden Opera House to the hall where the patronage party was being held was adorned with colorful spring flowers and a splendid ensemble of various lights.

As Hugh stepped onto the red carpet laid out on that path, the murmurings that floated amid the faint music seeping from the already-begun party grew louder.

“Isn’t that Lord Everscourt?”

“Yes. Since he hadn’t shown up since the last royal ball, there were rumors he’d gone abroad again. It seems he really is spending this social season in Roden.”

“Could he be looking for a wife this spring?”

“He’s at the age where he should start thinking about an heir, so it would make sense. But it’s surprising that Lord Everscourt came here alone.”

“Indeed. He’s known for his clean reputation, so I thought he wasn’t interested in this sort of thing…”

Not only the ladies whispering behind half-covered fans, but even the gentlemen gathered in small groups all turned their attention to Hugh. It was a widely accepted notion that men attending a patronage party unaccompanied were either seeking a partner for the night or looking for a mistress under the pretense of sponsorship, so it was obvious how Hugh would appear in their eyes.

Amid the pouring glances of suspicion, Hugh walked with such aloof composure that he seemed indifferent. The thoughts of others, which had not even the slightest impact on him, were of no concern to him.

“Welcome, Count Everscourt. It is a great honor to have you take time for the Roden Opera Company.”

As Hugh entered the hall, Martin Fritz rushed over like a bolt and greeted him with excessive obsequiousness.

Responding with a faint smile and a slight nod, Hugh took a champagne glass from a tray held by a passing attendant. As the sweet aroma rose with small bubbles, his eyes leisurely scanned the interior of the hall.

Under the bright lights cast by three chandeliers adorning the dome ceiling painted with murals, a soprano and tenor, having just finished their duet, were descending the stage to applause from the audience.

It was only when the stage was completely cleared that Michele Baratti, standing among the crowd beyond, caught Hugh’s eye. Even though he wore an evening coat of the same color as everyone else, his sun-kissed skin and handsome face made him stand out at once.

It was none other than Hugh who had ensured Michele’s attendance at the event. It was a calculated move to create a natural opportunity for Maylily and Michele to interact in a new environment. It would be even better if he could witness their interaction firsthand and gauge the progress of things.

Thus, he had asked Martin to add Michele Baratti to the guest list, and Martin had agreed without protest, even though it was clear he wouldn’t have been thrilled to include someone who was neither a noble nor a potential patron.

Perhaps thanks to the connections he had built in Riverton’s social and artistic circles as a Cartian language teacher, Michele blended smoothly with the other attendees. His attractive appearance, cheerful personality, and intriguing background surely played a significant role in winning people’s favor.

Hopefully, those charms would soon be displayed to Maylily as well.

“Maylily has been excluded from today’s performance, just as you instructed, Count.”

Reading Hugh’s expression as he continued explaining the program schedule, Martin quietly added in a low voice, assuming Hugh was looking for Maylily.

Hearing her name brush past his ear, Hugh finally emerged from his thoughts and turned his gaze to Martin.

“Where is Maylily now?”

“Well, she insisted on helping with the event…”

Martin hesitated with a troubled look before continuing.

“The new members were assigned to help with the event, and she said that being left out alone would be unfair and raise suspicions. She insisted on helping with the champagne preparations. It wasn’t wrong, so I let her do as she wished.”

Since it was better for Maylily’s presence to remain as inconspicuous as possible until things were resolved, it had worked out rather well.

“Well done.”

“If Maylily takes on a leading role next season, then even without a public patron, no one will question her appearance on the sponsorship stage.”

So if that was Martin Fritz’s way of asking for money in exchange for a major role, he was barking up the wrong tree.

Maylily was a woman who would be discarded once her usefulness ended.

A sponsorship relationship that would last only one season, or two at most. Hugh had no intention of considering her position in the opera company after it ended.

When that time came, would Maylily walk her path again with the same dignified face she had when refusing the sponsorship? Or would she kneel once more, tearfully begging for mercy?

While leisurely twirling the stem of his champagne glass, imagining Maylily’s face at the end of this relationship, she appeared in the hall, pushing a trolley filled with champagne glasses.

***

“Hey, he’s here, he’s here. Count Everscourt!”

As Kate burst into the prep room at the back of the hall where the sponsorship party was in full swing, making a fuss, everyone’s attention turned.

Maylily, who had been pouring champagne into a row of empty glasses, flinched at the name that suddenly struck her eardrums, but focused on her task as if she hadn’t heard.

“Is he really as handsome as in the pictures?”

“‘Handsome’ doesn’t even begin to cover it. A man with both power and wealth practically glows. Ugh, I’m still seeing stars.”

“You drama queen.”

Vanessa, who gave a prim rebuke, was met with Kate’s firmly wagging index finger.

“You can judge if I’m being dramatic after you see him.”

“Then shall we go have a look?”

“Me too, me too! I’m coming!”

The bustling troupe members abandoned their tasks and rushed out in a crowd. Left alone in the suddenly silent prep room, Maylily quietly exhaled and relaxed her tension. She had known Count Everscourt was a famous figure, but she hadn’t expected the other members to be this interested.

If their sponsorship relationship had been known, she would’ve been the subject of endless gossip.

Though she was glad it had remained a secret, she also felt a bit guilty for deceiving everyone.

“Come on, let’s get to work!”

Giving her cheeks a light slap to shake off idle thoughts, Maylily began loading the trolley with glasses filled with golden champagne.

In today’s party, the famous members including soloists were performing on stage, while the rest were mobilized for miscellaneous tasks in place of hired staff to save on budget.

Maylily and a few others, who fell into the latter group, were tasked with supplying champagne to the hall without issue. At the moment, Maylily was the only one left in the prep room, diligently fulfilling her duty.

“All done.”

After a long while, Maylily straightened her back and gave it a light pat before carefully wheeling the trolley out into the corridor.

At the end of the corridor, the troupe members who had rushed out earlier were blocking the passage, peeking into the hall. They were so absorbed they didn’t even notice Maylily approaching from behind.

“But who are those women next to the Count? Are they with him?”

“No, I’m pretty sure I saw him come in alone.”

“Then is he really here to find a singer to sponsor from among us?”

“From among us? Dream on. We’re just the ones stuck pouring champagne in the prep room.”

“I’m a legitimate member of the Roden Opera Company too, you know!”

“Even if it’s not a sponsorship, I’d be happy to be entangled just once with such a noble and handsome man.”

“Gosh, listen to you. Someone might actually hear that.”

“What’s so wrong with that? You know what would really be terrible? If a pot-bellied, bald guy with zero interest in music became my sponsor. Ugh, I imagined it. That’s horrifying. Ugh.”

Kate pulled a disgusted face like she’d just bitten into a sour apricot. As the others burst into stifled giggles of agreement—

“Um…”

A faint voice from behind made Vanessa turn around, still smiling.

“Excuse me, coming through.”

Seeing Maylily gripping the trolley handles with both hands, Vanessa’s smile vanished in an instant.

Just as she was about to nitpick about why the glasses were so full, a mischievous idea popped into her head. With a little luck, she might even be able to figure out who Maylily’s sponsor was.

“You’re heading into the hall?” Vanessa asked, relaxing her stiff expression.

“Yes.”

“I’ll help you.”

Vanessa, who usually looked for any excuse to give Maylily a hard time, suddenly offering to help startled not only Maylily but also the other troupe members, who widened their eyes in surprise. But when they saw Vanessa wink, a strange smile spread across their faces.

Unaware of this, Maylily pushed the trolley between them. Vanessa quickly followed behind.