Chapter 65
“Requiem of the End”:
[Potion That Lets You Hear the Other Person’s Thoughts for 30 Minutes]
A strawberry-flavored potion that, once consumed by the other person, allows you to hear their thoughts for 30 minutes from the moment it passes their throat.
It feels as though they are actually speaking aloud, so be careful not to respond unconsciously. If suspicion arises, the effect will be nullified.
“I didn’t know it was being held at the opera house.”
Today was the day of the competition for a child from the orphanage named Emily.
Nox said he was going to support her, so I personally prepared a bouquet and came with him.
I’d been neglecting Nox lately, so I couldn’t miss this opportunity.
No matter what it took, I was determined to spend time with him until late today.
Fueled by a burning determination, I arrived at the opera house with Nox.
“There are so many people here!”
For a competition of teenagers, it was quite large in scale and surprisingly packed with an audience—most of whom were nobles.
And not just any nobles, but ones who looked quite wealthy, dressed impeccably from head to toe.
“Most of them are here to scout a child to sponsor.”
“Then the competitors are mostly commoners?”
“Yes. Or impoverished nobles.”
As Nox calmly read through the pamphlet, I sat beside him on a crimson velvet chair, letting my gaze wander around the opera house.
Back when my mother made tremendous efforts to instill proper refinement in me—so I could one day be a suitable mother-in-law to the Duke of Ortiz—I had accompanied her here a few times.
Our family, being a count’s house with wealth to spare, had never used any seat other than the box seats.
I recalled the private lounge behind the curtains, the champagne and wine set out inside, the light refreshments, and the plush, cozy sofa that always lulled the countess—who had no interest in performances—to sleep.
“Money. You need money. As much as possible.”
Once again, I arrived at this very clear conclusion.
As I wistfully looked up at the box seats, imagining the delightful desserts they must be enjoying, Nox whispered quietly,
“There she is.”
The fifth contestant—Emily—walked onto the stage in a beautiful dress.
After bowing, she sat at the black grand piano placed center stage.
I quickly flipped open the pamphlet to check what piece she’d be playing.
A heavy, minor key piano piece titled “Requiem of the End,” meant to bring eternal rest to the dead.
It was a piece requiring daring technical skills, but Emily was playing it masterfully.
I didn’t know much about music, but even I was instinctively awed by the performance.
“She practiced hard. Next year, when she turns eighteen, Emily has to leave the orphanage. She needs a sponsor to support her education.”
“Education? Where?”
“The Imperial Academy of Arts. Winning a prize in this competition gives her an admission advantage.”
Despite her talent, it was still difficult?
I’d heard only geniuses made it into the Imperial Academy—looks like that was true.
To someone like me, who had zero talent in music, art, or literature, it felt like another world entirely.
“She’s staying calm and playing flawlessly. I’m sure she’ll do well.”
“I hope so.”
“Ahem, ahem.”
Perhaps we were whispering too much—someone behind us gave a pointed cough.
We both shrank slightly and exchanged brief, silent laughter as our eyes met.
Gesturing with our eyes that we should focus on Emily’s performance, we turned back toward the stage.
The competition ended.
Emily didn’t win the grand prize, but she did get the gold.
I had waited nervously for her name to be called, and when it finally was, I was so happy that I screamed strangely and threw my arms around Nox.
He stood stiffly, completely flustered, not knowing what to do—but he didn’t hide his joy either. Eventually, a soft smile crept onto his lips.
“Shall we go meet Emily now?”
“Oh, yes. Just a moment.”
Quickly stepping back from him, I looked around for the bouquet I had tossed aside in my excitement. I gathered it up and carefully rearranged it.
Nox had been watching me quietly, but when our eyes met, he turned away.
Was it just me, or did he seem a little off?
He was walking stiffly—like a wooden puppet.
What’s up with him?
Curious, I followed after him.
The crowd was dense, and I was afraid I’d lose sight of him.
“Emily!”
“Nox oppa!”
As soon as Emily saw Nox, she came running over.
She stopped right in front of him and gave him a big, cheerful smile.
I stood a few steps away, watching them talk.
I had never seen him so relaxed—so gentle.
It was a stark contrast to the usual sharp and composed aura he carried.
“Young Lady.”
“Oh, yes.”
Seemed like their conversation was over—Nox called out to me, so I quickly approached, wearing the most gracious smile I could muster.
“This is Lady Sienna Hargreaves.”
“Congratulations on your gold medal. That was a truly beautiful performance.”
“Thank you.”
I offered the bouquet, and Emily gave a polite curtsy as she accepted it.
“But oppa, where’s Lily unni?”
“Not sure. I didn’t see her.”
“Really? She said she’d definitely come…”
Emily immediately looked disappointed, scuffing the floor with the tip of her shoe.
Apparently, she and Lily were quite close—Nox had volunteered at the orphanage a few times, after all.
“You must be close with Lily?”
“Yes. She gave me this dress for the competition. She even picked the design with Nox oppa.”
“Oh…”
So the three of them even went to the boutique together?
Probably ate together too. Had tea. All that.
That’s why you shouldn’t leave your seat unattended. I might end up paying dearly for having been too preoccupied with all those incidents lately.
“Emily.”
A familiar, soft voice.
I instinctively turned my head—and there she was, Lily, walking toward us gracefully.
“Lily unni!”
Emily abandoned our conversation and rushed over to her.
Lily welcomed her with open arms, holding Emily’s hand as they walked back over to us.
“Oh my, Sienna. I didn’t expect you here. Did you come with Nox?”
“Yes. We watched Emily’s performance together.”
“That’s great, Emily. Sienna is soon to be a royal princess—getting close to her will surely benefit you.”
Did she really have to say that right in front of Nox?
Well, considering how indifferent Demian had been lately, Lily must’ve been desperate.
I no longer fell for Lily’s kind and gentle smile. I returned it with one of my own, just as sweet.
“And you must be busy too, Lily. Everyone’s saying good news about you and Duke Ortiz is just around the corner.”
I deliberately said something to get under her skin as well.
For a moment, something cold flickered across Lily’s face, and we stood there with seemingly warm smiles, eyes locked.
The tension between us was so thick that Emily, sensing something off, let go of Lily’s arm and cautiously moved closer to Nox.
“Shall we head back? You must be tired, Emily. It’s best to rest now.”
Thankfully, Nox stepped in with perfect timing.
As if nothing had happened, Lily and I turned our heads away from each other.
“Already? I promised Emily I’d buy her anything she wanted if she won today.”
“Uh, um… Lily unni, is that really okay?”
Emily glanced between us and asked hesitantly.
“Of course. That’s why I came.”
Lily smiled brightly, and Emily smiled along.
But perhaps the chill she’d briefly sensed in Lily had unsettled her—because she clung tightly to Nox’s arm.
“Then Nox oppa should come too.”
“What?”
“Come with us. Please? I won today, so you have to do what I say.”
Nox turned to me at once.
He looked troubled, hesitating for a second, then finally opened his mouth as if making a big decision.
“Young Lady, would you—”
“No!”
Before I realized it, Emily shouted—startling even herself as she quickly covered her mouth.
