Chapter 9

  You'll Never Walk Alone

  When Dan realized it was just music, he wiped his sweat and sighed in relief.

  But then, when he turned to his side…

  He saw Nora, hand cupped over her mouth… was she smiling?

  Nora? Smiling?

  Two words that didn’t belong together.

  And it seemed Nora herself had just realized what she’d done. The princess quickly composed herself, sitting upright again, just a little flustered.

  “That was the orchestra, Mr. Fury.”

  “Were you just laughing at me?”

  “That sound was from an instrument called a Tuba.”

  “Don’t change the subject.”

  “They use music to build atmosphere.”

  “Hey, not buying it!”

  But… Nora? Smiling?

  No one would believe it. Not even her own royal guards, or The Raven for that matter.

  It was like witnessing a phenomenon no one would believe if he told them—no proof, no chance.

  And Nora? She acted like nothing happened. Like she hadn't let anything slip.

  Still… maybe it was a sign. A sign that Fury might be the person she felt most at ease with—Nora, of all people.

  “Don’t let it happen again.”

  Dan brushed a grape stem off his shirt.

  “Does Diablo not have music, Mr. Fury?”

  “No.”

  “Then how do people there unwind?”

  “...You don’t want to know.”

  “Hmm?”

  “Anyway, what’s this play about? What book is it from?”

  “It’s called Belladonna, Mr. Fury.”

  “Belladonna?”

  “It’s a classic by a Luminus author—written over a hundred years ago.”

  “So you already know the whole story then?”

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  “Of course, Mr. Fury. I’ve read the original several times.”

  “Then how is this fun if you already know everything?”

  “The fun is in the interpretation. The story stays the same, but how the actors perform can shift the tone in any direction.”

  “You mean, the same story could be told as a comedy… or something totally tragic?”

  “Sometimes they even change the ending for surprise value.”

  “Seen it a lot, then?”

  “I don’t really like it, but at royal events I have to watch them from time to time.”

  “So what’s this story actually about?”

  “Just wait, Mr. Fury—look, the first scene’s starting.”

  “Huh? But I need to know what’s going on first. How else am I supposed to appreciate the interpretation like you said?”

  Nora smiled gently at his innocence.

  “Belladonna is originally a tragedy. It’s about a noble girl named Belladonna and her teacher.”

  While Nora explained, Dan focused on the actors playing out the opening act.

  “A tragedy how?”

  “Belladonna was a reclusive, melancholic girl from a high-class family who was sent to a noble academy. Her life changed when a young teacher transferred in. Over time, she fell in love with him.”

  “Because he was handsome?”

  “That, and he helped her resolve many personal struggles. They went through a lot together. Belladonna began to see the world in color again and… she started falling for him.”

  “Sounds sweet. Where’s the tragedy?”

  “Her family wouldn’t accept it. And in Luminus, student-teacher relationships are a huge scandal. In the end, her fiancé and others conspired to ruin the teacher. He was dragged to trial, lost everything, and eventually took his own life in prison.”

  “Are you sure this could be made into a comedy?”

  “The act we’re watching now is probably the most famous one, Mr. Fury. It’s the confession scene.”

  On stage, the two characters sat beneath a grand tree. Belladonna turned to the teacher.

  “Professor! I have something I must tell you!”

  “What is it, Belladonna?”

  As expected from theater, everything was exaggerated and dramatic. Belladonna stood, pacing the edge of the stage, then spun around.

  “Don’t you feel it? All the time we’ve spent together—I’ve felt free. You’re the only one who makes me feel at peace… more than my own family! Why? Why must it be you that I feel this way about?”

  The actor playing the professor stood and mirrored her motion to the stage’s edge.

  “Belladonna! What are you saying!?”

  “I love you! I’ve fallen in love with you!”

  (The music swells)

  And then, background actors rushed out as the tone shifted into a full-blown musical.

  Nora peeked at Dan—he was fully locked in. Typical for a war-born demon general. He looked too serious for someone just watching a play.

  But that only made her feel better about doing this for him.

  She turned back to the stage. But then—

  Dan’s voice cut in from beside her.

  “You know, the girl playing Belladonna… kind of dresses like you.”

  Though the actress had shoulder-length hair, her black dress and somber aura were unmistakably similar to Nora.

  “Belladonna wears black to show her inner darkness, Mr. Fury. After this act, she starts wearing brighter colors to show she’s become free.”

  Nora blinked—eyes widening, heart freezing.

  She suddenly noticed something strange—an eerie resemblance between the stage and her own life.

  Knowing the script, and seeing her current reality, it felt… oddly familiar.

  And the next line from the teacher onstage sealed it—

  “Belladonna! No! I have a fiancée already!”

  “And I can’t lie to my feelings anymore either!”

  “Huh? The teacher was married?”

  Dan turned to Nora and saw her staring blankly at the stage, as if lost.

  “Nora?”

  “!”

  She snapped out of it.

  “Y-Yes?”

  “The performance that good?”

  “No, it’s nothing.”

  —

  Time passed, and the play came to an end. The cast and orchestra bowed to thunderous applause.

  Nora stood and clapped, then glanced over—Dan had pulled out a small notebook and was jotting something down.

  Maybe it was a new idea for rebranding the nation.

  After the play, they were walking down the street again. It was now 3 p.m.

  “How was it, Mr. Fury?”

  “Pretty eye-opening. There’s a lot I don’t know about this world.”

  Eventually, they reached the shop. Dan handed over his receipt and received the refrigerator he’d wanted.

  It wasn’t too big—he figured he could carry it and still see where he was going.

  Nora helped with three or four other items, and they started heading home.

  But suddenly, Dan bumped into someone.

  “Ah—!”

  “Pardon me!”

  A girl’s voice, French-accented.

  Rafinya Saint-Pauli.

  Both sides widened their eyes.

  “You…”

  Rafinya looked at Dan, then glanced to his side.

  And in an instant—she realized.

  Nora.

  …These two…