Chapter 3

After the first half of the ceremony at the ball ended, elegant music began to play. It was now time for socializing; the ball was truly beginning.

Immediately, Lord Joshua urged me to greet the king.

The Carving territory’s rank, even as a count, is quite high. In practice, it is the same as the royal family. I had to be called immediately, so I had to wait.

While waiting, Prince Oscar approached me.

"What’s with that outfit?"

Starting with that, huh?

"I am a priestess."

"Normally, you’d wear a dress. You’re unmarried, right? Don’t you have one?"

"I don’t have one, and I don’t need one. I don’t attend evening parties, and even if I do attend the royal ball, it will probably be just once more."

Not all priestesses can attend this ball. They can only go when invited. This time, it’s likely to celebrate the official appointment of a priestess at the long-absent Etua Temple. If things go well, it might come around once every four years, but that depends on the situation.

"Why not? If you’re a priestess, you’ll have more opportunities to attend here, especially if you’re at Etua."

"I don’t plan to stay in Etua for long. Besides, I intend to resign as a priestess when the time comes."

"Hmm. So that’s your plan. Then, it’ll be easier for me to manage my work."

Prince Oscar smiled slyly.

"Yes, so please continue to favor me in the future. I will do my best, even though I may cause inconvenience due to my distance."

I bowed deeply with a ladylike gesture.

"Yes, yes, Arietty. Of course! Hey, have you seen the new piece by Letimon? You must have worked on it, right?"

Lady Tiabelze started talking as if she had been waiting for it. She knew I was eager.

"It was just some adjustments. Most of it was done by Lady Cecilia."

"Oh, Cecilia told me! Back then, things were so busy, and she couldn’t focus on the arrangement, so she left it all to you. It really captured the main character’s atmosphere, and it was great! Just that piece alone evoked the whole story!"

I answered briefly, feeling honored.

Because Lord Joshua had returned. He had been chatting with someone else, but he would probably be called to greet the king soon.

Prince Oscar, please don’t look at him like that. It might cause a misunderstanding.

Lord Joshua greeted him politely, but only with the formal response expected of a royal.

Well, these people, I guess, have suffered a lot, being involved in all sorts of things. After all, the talented young people they had nurtured were all pushed off the main stage.

But maybe you could be a bit friendlier? He’s only 20, and it’s just a youthful indiscretion.

But thanks to that, I, who don’t have any outstanding talent, get to benefit from the leftovers. I can still work for a while. I know it won’t last long.

Eventually, the talented people will return.

A songstress is trained not only in singing but in all aspects of music. Therefore, they can play instruments, compose, and arrange music. I take on arranging jobs as a way to earn extra money for the songstresses.

Since I can’t openly earn money, I can’t perform in the city or openly compose popular songs while I’m a songstress.

So, creating arrangements for evening parties and concerts requested by the royal orchestra, or stage music for popular plays, becomes a good way to earn extra money. It’s a job that requires time, mental effort, and even physical stamina, but I quite enjoy it. It improves my skills too.

Not all songstresses do this kind of work. Of course, if their families are wealthy, they don’t need to earn extra money this way.

However, Cecilia, who comes from a ducal family, is a genius composer, and Prince Oscar, who is a relative, understands her talent well.

It’s said that most of the popular music at evening parties now is composed by Prince Oscar and arranged for chamber orchestra by Cecilia.

Cecilia, being from a ducal family, was very busy with social events even while she was a songstress, and I happened to help her because we were good friends.

Thanks to that connection, I can have conversations with Prince Oscar.

I didn’t explain it in such detail, but Lord Joshua’s eyes seemed to say, “Explain it.” So, I replied that I had been greatly helped during my time as a songstress.

I was met with a cold stare.

It feels so stifling.

It’s unreasonable to pry into my personal life and then give me a scary look in return!

I’m used to it, though!