Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 84

“What?” Stella was genuinely shocked by the unexpected words.

 

Violet spoke with a haughty expression. “I’m saying my son is the one truly destined to be the future emperor. In other words…” She whispered coldly. “If this plan fails, I won’t let you off.”

 

Stella felt chills run down her spine. “O-Of course!”

 

In truth, the claim that the Unicorn listened to Claude was a complete lie. However, it could be ‘made to look that way’.

 

“I’ll lure the Unicorn to the outer palace opera house. In return, you make sure the Unicorn goes on a rampage. Make it so Marchioness Gent can never recover. And above all…” Violet stared coldly at Stella. “Create an opportunity so everyone can see the Unicorn following my son! Without fail!”

 

* * *

It was at the sanctuary.

 

“Epirosa, just as you suggested, I asked His Majesty, and I’ve been entrusted with the opera.” Marchioness Gent spoke as she gazed at sleeping Mom.

 

“Thank you for always granting my requests.”

 

“No need to thank me. This also serves to diminish the influence of Duchess Clementi.” Marchioness Gent stroked Mom’s hair as she spoke. “So, what opera do you think would be good to stage? Didn’t you say you had something in mind?”

 

“Yes. I think we should stage the opera The Heroic Epic of Baldonov.”

 

“The Heroic Epic of Baldonov?” Marchioness Gent rolled her eyes upward, as if recalling the story.

 

The Heroic Epic of Baldonov. It was an opera adaptation of the life story of Baldonov, a figure from mythology.

 

Baldonov was the eldest son of a king, but he was driven out due to the schemes of his half-brother. He then endured countless trials sent by the gods. After overcoming them, Baldonov returned to the kingdom and defeated his half-brother, who had imprisoned their father and tried to seize the throne. In the end, Baldonov reconciled with his father and ascended the throne.

 

A smile spread across Marchioness Gent’s lips. “It sounds just like the story of Crown Prince Ludwig and Duke Clementi.” Her face was filled with satisfaction. If this opera were performed before the emperor, he would surely take something meaningful from it.

 

I cautiously added another comment. “However, I’d like to change just one thing from the original story.”

 

“Change it? What would you change?”

 

“I’d like to change Baldonov, who is originally a man, to be changed into a woman.”

 

Marchioness Gent’s mouth fell open. Never before had a heroic epic of the empire featured a female protagonist. In other words, my proposal was unconventional. I thought it would be understandable if she rejected it outright. But…

 

“That’s a refreshing idea. I like it.” Marchioness Gent nodded readily.

 

I was taken aback. “You’ll really change it?”

 

“Wasn’t your goal from the beginning to put an opera on stage where Baldonov is a woman?” Marchioness Gent said playfully. She had hit the mark.

 

At its core, The Heroic Epic of Baldonov naturally brought Ludwig and Claude to mind. And if Baldonov were made into a woman, it could also make Grandpa think of Mom. A female Baldonov would look just like Mom, misunderstood by Grandpa and driven out by her siblings’ schemes. If Grandpa saw the female Baldonov returning, reconciling with her father, and becoming the rightful heir, his heart might be moved.

 

“Baldonov will become a female hero, just as you wish. Is there anything else you need?”

 

Encouraged, I answered immediately. “I’d like to adapt the story a bit more. And compose new songs as well.”

 

“Then we’ll need to hire an excellent composer.” Marchioness Gent smiled. “And who should play Baldonov? Ideally, someone with a similar height and build to your mother would be best.”

 

“I know someone like that.” I said as if I had been waiting for this moment.

 

“You little schemer, you’ve planned everything, and now you’re baiting me, huh? Go on, tell me. I’m curious.” Marchioness Gent said with an intrigued expression.

 

“Jayna Simmons from the Puti Theater.”

 

But upon hearing my answer, Marchioness Gent’s expression darkened. “Jayna Simmons does have a similar build to your mother, and even her hair color is strikingly alike, but does it have to be her?” Her concern was understandable.

 

The Puti Theater was past its prime. Jayna Simmons, too, was once a trendsetter, but now she was an actress left behind by history. Back when tragic operas were in vogue, she had been the greatest soprano. But as trends shifted toward entertainment and spectacle, everything changed. Though she sang beautifully, every song she performed carried sorrow, and Jayna Simmons’s popularity plummeted overnight.

 

Still, I wasn’t worried. Jayna Simmons was perfect for the role of the female Baldonov.

 

I handed the paper I had brought to Marchioness Gent.

 

“What is this?”

 

“I wrote lyrics for a new song to use in the opera.”

 

Marchioness Gent’s face brightened as she read the lyrics written on the paper. “So that’s why you wanted to cast Jayna Simmons!”

 

* * *

“That’s unfortunate. Jayna’s schedule is already completely full, so she can’t perform in another opera.” James Puti, the owner of Puti Theater, said arrogantly.

 

Marchioness Gent let out a scoffing laugh. “Everyone knows your theater is practically deserted, so what’s this nonsense about completely full?”

 

“Ah, I told you, it’s a confidential schedule.”

 

I silently stared at James, who puffed out his already protruding belly and acted all high and mighty. He knows we absolutely need Jayna Simmons, and he’s playing hard to get.

 

Marchioness Gent had sent an employee first. But James Puti wanted the marchioness to come in person. It was an unreasonable demand. And yet, when that unreasonable demand was met, he seemed convinced he had the upper hand.

 

I could see right through the merchant’s intentions. He’s quite sharp when it comes to money. This, from a man who ran a grand theater passed down for three generations into the ground.

 

“If you can pay 100,00 Sobrang, I might be able to adjust her schedule.” As expected, he threw out a figure that would make anyone gasp.

 

Marchioness Gent was aghast. 100,000 Sobrang was enough to buy fertile land on the outskirts of the capital.

 

“100,000 Sobrang?! You should be grateful for even 1,000! How much are you planning to pocket here?”

 

“If you can’t pay, there’s nothing we can do. Isn’t that right, Lady?” James Puti looked at me and smirked. It felt like he was mocking me.

 

But I didn’t waver. Because I knew exactly why James Puti was acting this way. I did my research on what kind of person he is. There was actually nothing to investigate. The rumors about him racking up an enormous gambling debt were already widespread.

 

“I’ll pay the money.”

 

At my words, both Marchioness Gent and James Puti’s eyes widened simultaneously.

 

“Epirosa! You can’t!”

 

“Lady, you’ve made a wise decision!”

 

I flashed a bright smile at the two people shouting for entirely different reasons. “Not to cast Jayna Simmons, but to buy the Puti Theater.”

 

The two, who had been shouting, froze as if they had turned into statues.

 

With a smile on my face, I looked down at the empty seats. Dust had gathered. It was clear that no audience had been here for a long time. The stage was also broken in several places. Since no one came to watch the plays, they had given up on performances, and without ticket sales, there was no money for repairs. This place was clearly a declining theater. Who would spend money on a theater like this?

 

“I’ll offer 500,000 Sobrang.”

 

That would be me.

 

“500,000 Sobrang…!” James Puti’s eyes grew so wide they looked like they might pop out. But soon, he put on the mask of a businessman. “This is a historic theater passed down through three generations of the Puti family! I can’t sell it for a mere 500,000 Sobrang!”

 

“How unfortunate. 500,000 isn’t exactly pocket change. Still, who knows if anyone else will ever appear willingly to buy this theater, even at a bargain price.”

 

James Puti’s eyes wavered at my words.

 

“The current Puti Theater isn’t a ‘historic’ theater anymore. It’s simply an ‘old and decaying’ one.”

 

“W-What did you just say?!” James Puti shouted, but paid him no mind.

 

“I’m giving you a chance to escape this collapsing theater. This is your last chance. If you want to escape, take the 500,000 Sobrang. If you’d rather turn this theater into your grace, then refuse.”