Maria's eyes sparkled.
"This is my first time sitting in a family-designated box seat. Where do we enter?"
"It's over that way…"
As I explained, I could feel Rick glancing in our direction.
For some reason, it felt like he was looking at me rather than Maria.
When I turned to check, he quickly averted his gaze the moment our eyes met.
What's with him? Is he being openly hostile toward me now?
'Considering his grudge against the Redfield family, even hearing the words 'Redfield family box seat' must make him sick.'
But honestly, that grudge should be directed at the decision-makers from previous generations, not me, you jerk.
I deliberately gave him a bright smile and spoke up.
"I hope you also enjoy the performance, Mr. Rick."
"…Well, I hope you enjoy it too."
For someone who'd greeted us so smoothly earlier, Rick now replied rather stiffly, then tipped his hat slightly to hide his face and entered the theater.
I handed a small allowance to the maid who had accompanied us.
"The general seating seems to have some space. If you're interested, feel free to watch. We'll probably stop by a tea house later, so take your time."
"Thank you, my lady!"
After sending her off, we entered the theater.
It was my first time sitting in a box seat as well.
But Maria seemed so tense that I acted as though I came to places like this often, taking the lead.
Her stiff shoulders only relaxed after she finally sat down, letting out a sigh of relief.
"Dory, do you come to the opera often?"
"Not really. But this time, circumstances left me no choice."
"Circumstances?"
I explained the situation surrounding the concert—leaving out the messy details involving Percival and his lover—and mentioned how the Crown Princess had graciously intervened to help us.
Maria smiled as if bestowing her own blessing.
"I can help with the music part, you know. I used to assist the choir at the Meyer estate's chapel, so I know a bit about music."
"I'd appreciate the help!"
"But why didn't my uncle's household get an invitation to the charity concert? If I'd known, I would've joined."
'Probably because you're too stunning.'
I recalled how Percival and his partner had practically treated Maria as a natural-disaster-level beauty and gave a bitter smile.
"The organizer changed from the Crown Princess to the Second Prince, so it must've been overlooked. Don't worry too much about it."
"That makes sense. Thanks."
The lights dimmed, signaling the play was about to start.
The play was a modern drama by the standards of this era.
The story followed a flirtatious count who mocked true love. While helping with his friend's wedding, he got entangled in all sorts of trouble. Eventually, he came to realize the value of pure love and returned to the woman who had always loved him.
It was such a predictable story. And honestly, it was a bit annoying how the male lead got to live however he wanted and still came out on top.
But… it was fun.
The cheerful melodies, the straightforward good-versus-evil narrative, and the portrayal of people's simple joys and happiness—it was charming even to a 21st-century audience.
…For a moment, I even thought, 'Love really is a wonderful thing.'
As soon as the play ended, a wave of applause erupted from the audience. Maria even stood up to clap.
"Did you enjoy it?"
"Yes, I really did!"
Her answer, delivered without even turning around, felt completely genuine.
It wasn't even a play I had created, yet I felt oddly proud.
We didn't leave our seats until the curtain call was completely over. As we exited the theater, Maria asked, "Shall we grab some tea before heading home?"
"Of course, I was planning on it. What about Mr. Rick?"
"He must've left already. He said he really just wanted to see the opera and would head home afterward."
"Hmm…"
Rick Rey. He wasn't a foolish character, so why did he act so ridiculously clueless around his unrequited love?
Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, Maria seemed too swept up in the bliss of early-stage romance to bother analyzing another man's behavior or pick up on any hints.
"Arthur… Oh! Lord Arthur sent me a letter recently! I just had to tell someone about how excited it made me."
"It's hard to imagine the young duke carefully writing a letter with those huge hands of his."
"Right? Haha! He must not be used to writing letters because there were so many faint pencil marks left behind."
"He really put a lot of effort into it…"
"Huh?"
As we approached the front of the theater, where people were gathering like at a meeting spot, I spotted a familiar face.
It was Rick Rey.
Of course. Like you'd pass up the chance to see Maria's face one more time.
"Rick, did you enjoy the opera? According to Maria, you 'really' wanted to see this one."
"Haha! Yes, I 'really, really' wanted to see it."
Rick forced a smile.
Hey, I can see your lips trembling.
But I don't care about your desperate acting.
"By the way, did you see my maid? She seemed so interested in the posters that I thought she'd stay to watch the opera too."
Did she just run off somewhere?
Rick replied, "If you mean the maid with black hair, yes, she went inside to watch the opera. When it ended, her eyes were sparkling like she'd woken from a wonderful dream."
I'm glad she enjoyed it. But where is she now?
The theater had emptied out, and the lobby was deserted, save for a few staff closing up. Rick added, "You're heading for tea with Maria, aren't you? Don't worry about the maid."
That comment only made me 'more' worried. Then his next words made my mind freeze for a moment.
"Some man outside the theater said, 'Hey, pretty lady, want to grab tea with me?' and she happily followed him. I'm sure she's having fun."
"…What?"
"Why are you so shocked? I didn't say she was kidnapped."
'Technically, sure.'
"What did the man look like? Was he an adult?"
"Of course he was an adult. Looked about thirty."
"My maid is eighteen!"
"…That's an adult."
Legally, yes! But if the guy's thirty, that's a whole different problem!
"Which way did they go?"
"Over that way, I think. Toward the street with the cheap tea shops."
I followed Rick's gaze to a part of town where the skyline noticeably dipped, leading to less polished streets beyond the theater.
"Maria, I'm sorry, but I need to check if my maid is okay."
I hurried toward the alley, and Maria immediately nodded and followed. Rick trailed behind us, grumbling the whole way.
"I've seen landlords meddle in their servants' romances, but a lady doing it is a first. Aren't you worried she'll end up resenting you?"
"Romance is free. I don't interfere as long as it's with a decent person."
"And how do you know this man isn't decent when you haven't even seen him?"
"Because no decent adult asks someone twelve years younger to grab tea with them."
"So you're saying you're going to cause a scene?"
Rick scoffed, then added, "…Though, I'll admit, he seemed a bit sketchy."
"And you just let her go with him knowing that?"
"Well, her eyes were sparkling so much. That sweet opera must've sent her into dreamland."
I could understand that. The opera earlier had been enough to make 'me' think, even for a moment, "I want to experience love too."
If someone whispered sweet words to her while she was caught up in that mood, it's not surprising she'd feel flustered.
Rick continued, "People whose heads are full of romance won't listen to reason anyway. They'll only learn the hard way through their own mistakes."
"That might be true."
"Then do you really need to go after her? If you interrupt now, she'll just end up resenting you."
"…Rick, I may be wrong, but it feels like you're not actually worried about me."
"What?"
"It seems more like you're annoyed that I might stop her from learning the hard way."
Rick's face showed a flicker of surprise before he covered it with his hand, as if trying to physically check his own expression.
"…Surely not."
"That's how it feels to me. But of course, if you deny it, I can't say anything more."
"Ha! Then let me reframe the question. Don't 'you' think she abandoned her duty? Isn't it wrong for someone to forget why they're here and run off like a fool?"
"People can't live by duty alone. Nor should they. Of course, completely shirking responsibility isn't good either, but—"
The alley grew darker as we walked. Inside some of the shops, I could see people drinking during the day, their gazes sharp and unwelcome. Maria gripped my sleeve tightly in unease. I patted her hand and turned back to Rick.
"I just hope that those who muster the courage to be honest about their feelings don't end up unhappy."
It was a comment made partly with Maria in mind.
After all, despite her struggles and fears about loving Arthur, she had chosen to move forward with him. She would be happy—she had to be.
Rick's face twisted slightly, as if unsettled by my words. He seemed on the verge of arguing.
"Dreaming of romance when you're in no position to pursue it is just foolish—"
But his voice was abruptly drowned out by a sharp cry.
"No! I don't like this!"
It was my maid!