Chapter 18 The First Stage
There are two things that can be said to have changed Silk’s life. One is when her parents were killed by Primo Zarate.
With the consideration for their citizens, the tax was made low. Because of it, Silk, who had been living a simple life unlike a noble, was fallen into slavery. It couldn’t be said a wealthy life, but to her, it was a very happy life as long she can live with her loving parent.
It was destroyed. Even though small, but she’s a noble daughter, it can be said that fallen into slavery was the moment her life changed.
And the other one is….
「Encountered with you…?」
「What?」
When Silk looks to the one next to her, there’s a man who was turning off the highlights. His name is Alistar. A man who she has been deepening in interactions for some time.
He always carries a black sword that looks bad and has a strange atmosphere, but Silk knows that he is a kind-hearted man after many times get in contact with him. He is a kind man who helps out her practice at a dangerous night.
Thanks to that, she feels that the quality of her performance has improved a lot recently. In fact, Isco, who has seen the performances of the prestigious Royal Capital Theater Troupe, valued it equal to them.
It’s all thanks to Alistar.
A dream from a young age, entering a theater troupe and performing in front of many people. Today is the first step up to those stairs. They are in an orphanage managed by Isco. Today, Silk is performing in front of people for the first time.
The stage is a deserted orphanage that cannot be said magnificent. The audience is not discerning upper-class adults, but children who have never seen theater. There is no stage equipment or costumes.
It’s too poor for a first big moment. A stage that many people don’t like and want to do.
However, Silk had been eagerly waiting for the performance, with her light purple eyes shining brightly. Even on such a shabby stage, it will be the best show for Silk.
That’s because she has been wondering, could she play a theater after fallen into slavery.
And in addition to that….
「…Let’s do our best, Alistar.」
「(…Why me) Yeah.」
It may be because there is a co-actor who plays together, Alistar. So far, she had done everything alone. Because it must not get exposed to Primo, she always doing practice alone.
It’s for the dream. I’ll endure that much.
However…. It didn’t mean that she didn’t feel lonely.
The one appeared in front of her, was a good looking person who could become a leading role even in the Royal Theater Troupe, Alistar. He pushed Silk’s back kindly. He even accompanied her practice acting up to now.
He smiled with a warm smile and persuaded her who was overwhelmed by fear that she might be found by Primo.
Alistar’s influence was so big that she can stand here.
「…Thank you, Alistar. Thanks to you, I’ve come this far.」
「What are you talking about? The play hasn’t started yet, you know? Please let me hear that word after a great success (I wasn’t going to help you that far).」
Silks nod to Alistair who laughs slightly.
Now it’s about time. The preparations are progressing steadily, the voices of lively children can be heard.
The content of the play is a fairy tale that everyone knows. Since the words have been practiced many times with Alistar until now, she remembers them completely without forgetting them.
She puts her hand on her throbbing chest and takes a deep breath.
She’s not very good at expressing emotions and her emotions are not abundant but…. Still, it seems that her mood is rising.
This is the first step to her dream… she will show the play that she practiced in front of others for the first time. Can she attract the children or make it a boring time…? It depends on her ability.
On this opportunity to confirm it, Silk trembling with excitement.
「….Let’s do our best, Alistar.」
「Eh, ah… yeah.」
Is Alistar is also nervous too? His face is stiffening.
It’s a little funny and makes her want to laugh. Luckily it made her nervousness softened.
Now, the performance is near. Silk wraps her body in a comfortable tension….
「(…Are we really doing this? We can still pawn it now….)」
『We have come this far, just give up. Isn’t it good for starting a new life’s gift? You have accompanied her till now, this much is okay, right?』
「(I’m fine with it, but I won’t forgive you for making me experiencing danger.)」
『I said sorry.』
「…………?」
Alistar was started to whispering something when Silk looked sideways.
Is he nervous? If that’s the case, I have to do something to loosen it….
「Well… Silk. Would you accept this?」
「Eh……?」
What pushed out in front of Silk eyes…. it was a beautiful dress.
Alistar’s dead eyes catch her eyes a bit, but she couldn’t notice it because her eyes were snatched by the dress in front of her.
「This is…….」
It is not like the highest grade that royalty or high noble wears. However, for Silk who has fallen to a slave, it has a value where she can’t wear it in her lifetime.
She predicted that it was comparable to her favorite dress she had when she was a noble.
「How do you get this…? Are you rich…?」
「No, that’s not it. I subjugated a monster and earned money (I didn’t expect I charged to a Wyvern… I won’t forgive you.)」
『Are you still complaining about it? But, if it not Wyvern, we have to subjugate monster many times, and you hate it, right? Besides, if I’m here, such a monster won’t be a match for me.』
「(It’s scary even if I don’t lose! I’m an ordinary farmer in the first place! To begin with, why do I have to go that far for Silk…!!)」
Even if his inner thoughts are abusing violently, his expression fixed with a smile… it shows Alistar’s real ability.
「D-doing dangerous thing that far… why…?」
Silk didn’t understand. Why did Alistar doing that far?
She doesn’t know much about monsters because she doesn’t have any experience in combat or battle knowledge. However, the monster called Wyvern is a dangerous monster that you will hear many times because of its strength.
Now… she has no parents and has no one that will save her.
It should be like that but, why would he be kind enough to take such a dangerous thing…?
Alistair smiles gently at her.
「Because this is the first step to your dream.」
「Ah…….」
Thump, Silk felt that she had fallen into something.
「An orphanages that can’t be said as theatre, and the audience are not nobles or upper-class people, but orphans who don’t know about art…. Certainly, it may be a modest stage that an actor from Royal Capital Theater Troupe don’t want to do for their first stage.」
But still….
「This is an important big moment for the actress, Silk that will perform in front of people for the first time. As a co-actor, I think I’ll become a burden so…. at least, if it’s the clothing, then…」
Still, he stood in front of the Wyvern while crying inside, and when he bought the dress he complaining severely. However, Silk could not see through the iron wall of feigning innocent.
She embraced the pure white dress given by Alistar in her chest and cherished it.
That’s by no means top quality. When Silk was a noble, she had a higher quality than this. But still…… this dress….
「Thank, you……!」
She was happier than ever. Silk shed tears that have stopped since her parents were murdered.
I mustn’t let the dress given by Alistar with trouble get dirty.
Still, she couldn’t look directly at his face, Silk can only shed a large drop of tears with her face down.
◆
After that, the play was a big success. It was so wonderful that the children who never seen a theater before, and Isco who had seen Royal Capital Theater Troupe’s play absorbed in it.
The appearance of Alistar and Silk is excellent, and Silk’s acting ability may be great. However, they may not have been fascinated by that alone. The thing that took most of the children and Isco’s eyes was the beautiful silk that put on a pure white dress and performed happily from the bottom of her heart.
The orphanage was in great excitement to Silk’s full bloom smile that would make you happy with just looking at it.
