"I curse a demon take you as his bride, Vivia!"
It was the harshest curse Audreya could have flung at Vivia. Though the era of the horrific interracial war between the humans and demons had ended five centuries ago, the remnant embers of hatred still burned in people's hearts, so much so that death was considered mercy compared to crossing paths with the repulsive demons.
Vivia barely flinched, considering that this was probably the hundredth time Audreya had thrown the same curse upon her. It was practically a ritual by this point.
She yawned. "And as always, unless you've magically learned to transport me to the Demon Realm, the curse is pretty much pointless."
"Don't change the subject!"
"You started it."
"Because you snatched my spot of being the lead performer today!" Audreya's voice sharpened. "Have you already grown old to become senile?"
"No, I haven't become senile yet. Don't you see my admirers lining outside just to get a glimpse of me?"
Audreya sneered. "Are they really your admirers since they're expecting me to be the lead performer today? Are you so terrified of me earning the Maestro title that you'll stoop so low?"
"Hah! As if you'd win it with a broken toe anyway," she snorted.
"Oh, so is this your way of saving my face?"
"Yes."
Her expression darkened.
"It'd be a shame to lose my long-time rival over a silly stubbornness to dance despite a broken toe that hurt like hell. I'm not only saving your face but your entire career here so a word of gratitude would be nice~"
"You-!"
A threatening shadow loomed behind them. "That's enough now."
Vivia calmly turned to face the imposing figure of the Revel Master who owned the Town Hall's entertainment group.
"Yes, Sir Walterce?"
"What, 'Yes, Sir Walterce?'" The fifty-two years old grey-haired Revel Master smacked her head with a roll of papers. "Why are you slacking around!?"
"Ow! Blame Audreya since she is wasting my time," Vivia rubbed her head.
"Sir, this is completely unfair! I've barely hurt my toe, so I can still dance!" Audreya expressed her protest.
Walterce glared. "Barely? One spin and you will probably snap it clean off and you say you can dance? I should be angry at you instead! How did this even happen? I had to change my performance plan because of you."
"I just got into some accident at home."
Vivia narrowed her eyes. "What kind of an accident?"
"None of your business, Vivia."
"Your expression changed there."
She gritted her teeth. "Isn't it because of you?"
"I'm not the cause of your broken toe."
"Enough," Walterce raised his hand. "There is no debate about this. Audreya is in no condition to dance, so Vivia will take her place."
"But-"
"And no, this won't decide the Maestro title so be rest assured, Audreya."
The door creaked open, revealing Walterce's assistant, Raffert. He was the perfect definition of grace and elegance despite the glaze of fatigue shining in his brown eyes.
"Is everybody ready? The stage is all set, ladies."
"Raffert!!" Vivia beamed. "Is the crowd cheering for me~?"
"Yes, yes. Everybody is holding their breaths for you."
Walterce spat fire. "You're my assistant Raff so don't indulge anybody, especially this brat!"
"Apologies, Master," he bowed slightly.
Backstage, Vivia slightly peeked at the assembled crowd through the slit between the curtains.
"As always, the Town Hall is full. All thanks in anticipation to my dance, huh?"
She flipped her hair in pride and drooled at the thought of all the gold coins coming to her as her hard earned payment.
The fraternal twin pair of musicians who were polishing their Lute and Vielle respectively, snorted at Vivia's claim.
"They're not here for your dance but for our music."
"We are the strongest duo of this group, after all. Vivia can barely keep up with the pace of our music."
Vivia sneered. "Is that a challenge?"
"The one you always lose," the sister retorted.
"I don't think you remember the resounding claps after my performance. You're too young to be having hearing problems."
"Hah! Those claps are for Audreya, not you."
Lightning crackled between Vivia and the twins.
Vivia turned with a smirk, her kirtle swirling as she stepped into the light.
"Well then, watch closely now. I'll throw away your doubts once and for all - for I'll become the Maestro one day!"
—
The curtains parted. The crowd roared. Excitement brimmed in the air as everybody was ready to watch a delightful performance.
On Raffert's signal, the twins' first score sprang to life that moved Vivia's feet in a perfect rhythm. Her flowing kirtle and surcoat swayed with each elegant step. The jovial melodies of lute and vielle filled the air as she glided in smooth, circular swirls. Her hands gracefully moved with precision, matching her gaze and smile creating the perfect blend of elegance.
With another twirl, her eyes darted to search for a familiar woman in a brown hood who stood at the far end as usual, watching her performance.
She is here too!
Vivia's smile bloomed in delight, the joy seeping into her dance steps. The cheers grew louder and louder. Then things started to go wrong.
Vivia's smile slightly cracked as she felt something prickling from inside her poulaine shoes.
Something is hurting-
The sharp object pierced deeper into her skin that threatened to falter her in her steps, but she prevailed. The audience didn't notice anything off, but Audreya standing at the far side of the backstage threw a confused look.
Vivia's breath hitched as pain shot up in her left foot. Blood slicked the inside of her shoes.
What's wrong with my shoes!?
Despite the searing pain, Vivia refused to give up and let herself get embarrassed on the stage. Her smile remained intact and so did her fluid turns.
I'm a dancer.
Another stab brought a tremble to her lips.
My dance brings joy to everybody.
Blood pooled in her shoes.
I won't let anything ruin my performance and the smiles of all the people here.
Vivia twirled beautifully, earning appreciative gasps from everybody.
That is my promise, Master-
An arrow tore through the air and pierced Vivia's chest, bringing the cheers to an absolute silence.
She didn't understand what happened, but she instinctively felt that she stood at death's door. Her mind went blank and her heart struggled to beat. The world blurred and blackened before her. The voices faded away into nothingness and her eyes gently closed themselves.
Everybody stood shaken to their core, too stunned to speak as she collapsed.
Vivia Mariel was dead.