After that, the concert commenced as scheduled.
Discussions about the event gradually spread throughout the entire city of Ragunna.
The previous performance had led many to speculate that the Second Daughter of the Montelli family intended to venture into the music field, attempting to break the long-standing monopoly held by the Order over artistic music.
After all, it wasn't the first time the Montelli family had acted this way, whether in painting or sculpture, they had previously used the banner of art to subtly undermine the Order's prestige.
This time, however, a few perceptive individuals sensed a deeper implication: opportunity, and alignment.
As the Montelli family's influence in Ragunna grew steadily, the Order and the Fisalia family, while not visibly weakened, no longer held their former absolute authority.
Thus, this concert became more than just an artistic event; it transformed into a subtle yet crucial moment for taking sides.
Many were quietly preparing, hoping to use this stage to signal their willingness to cooperate with the Montelli family, expressing their sincerity through applause and their presence.
This didn't come as a surprise to Carlotta.
Although her initial intention hadn't been exactly this, as long as it made the Order uneasy, It was all worthwhile.
Carlotta leaned casually against the sleek black luxury car parked in front of the Masked Reverie, her silhouette almost blending into the night.
Only the occasional sweep of a streetlamp reflected a cold gleam in her eyes. She waited quietly, as if pondering something, or perhaps simply savoring the momentary peace.
Everything was ready.
When the boutique door opened, spilling warm yellow light briefly into the street, she finally looked up.
Ray emerged from the shop. The well-tailored formal wear accentuated his frame, making him appear more upright and striking, a stark contrast to his usual laid-back demeanor.
"Not bad," her voice cut clearly through the quiet night, carrying a hint of faint amusement. "Compared to your usual half-asleep look, this outfit does lend you a decent amount of handsomeness."
Ray's lips curved into a smile, his tone brimming with unshakeable confidence. "What does that have to do with the clothes? I was already handsome."
"I like that utterly baseless confidence of yours," Carlotta chuckled softly, tossing the car keys toward him. They traced a silver arc through the air. "Can you drive?"
"Of course," he caught them firmly. "Why?"
"Then what are you standing around for?" She had already opened the passenger door and slid inside. Shadow outlined her profile, only her eyes strikingly bright. "Surely you don't expect your girlfriend to be the chauffeur? Let's go, time for the theater, the mission is about to begin."
...
...
The streets outside the theater were noticeably more crowded than usual.
Though not yet to the point of jostling shoulders, the air was already thick with a silent buzz.
All the notable factions within Ragunna had, by unspoken agreement, converged here, each harboring their own purposes, all in attendance.
As the core initiator of this concert, Carlotta undoubtedly became the focal point where all gazes converged. Representatives from smaller families continually approached, offering respectful greetings.
Regardless of the calculations hidden behind those smiles, Carlotta accepted them all, she didn't care.
Their presence was an indispensable part of the plan, one that would only propel this grand event forward more smoothly along its predetermined course.
Ray lightly offered his arm for Carlotta to take, effortlessly playing his assigned role.
He responded to each person who approached with impeccable grace, his demeanor natural and composed.
Carlotta cooperated seamlessly, often turning her head with a light laugh to introduce him to others, her words laced with a subtle, barely detectable intimacy.
Deep in a corner, a solitary red spider lily silently bloomed, like a silent observer taking in everything unfolding within the hall.
People gathered here not for the music in their ears.
No one understood this better than Phrolova, each seemingly enthusiastic attendance was drawn here by Carlotta's name, each entwined with its own ambition and calculation.
In the past, she would never have agreed to such a thing, never allowed herself to become a pawn to be used.
But now, after traversing so many storms and tasting all flavors of fortune, being used or not no longer mattered.
She agreed to him, simply for the sake of...
The obsession in her heart.
That was all.
"Miss Phrolova, the performance is about to begin. Would you like your makeup touched up?"
A theater staff member's gentle inquiry came from behind. Phrolova turned around, leaving the past completely behind, and simply shook her head lightly.
"That won't be necessary."
Then, as agreed.
Bring a much-anticipated performance to Ragunna.
...
...
The theater was packed, with almost no empty seats to be found.
Such a spectacle was akin to a world-renowned maestro about to perform here.
Yet the hearts of most present were not truly set on the melody itself.
Carlotta and Ray were escorted to a VIP box on the second floor. From this vantage point, the entire theater's activity was laid out before them.
"Ready?" Carlotta leaned in close, her warm, subtly fragrant breath brushing against his ear, her voice hushed.
"Mm," Ray's gaze swept over Giacomo below, who was laughing and chatting with representatives from a few minor families, clearly preoccupied. "All set."
Carlotta gave a slight nod, her gaze sharp. "Good. Remember, be quick."
The theater lights plunged into darkness, immersing the entire hall in silent blackness.
Then, a beam of cool spotlight fell, and Phrolova walked slowly onto the stage.
In that moment, all eyes, regardless of their underlying thoughts, were involuntarily drawn to her alone.
Although everyone present had their own agendas, no one dared question Carlotta Montelli's taste.
Precisely because of this, they harbored, to varying degrees, a flicker of anticipation: this might truly be a concert unlike any other.
Phrolova, as always, radiated an ethereal, detached aura, utterly out of place with the surrounding world.
She held a violin, gently closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.
When she opened them again, her gaze slowly swept over the audience, finally settling on Ray in the second-floor box.
The next second, the bow descended, and the first note pierced the air.
At first, people didn't pay much attention.
Until that lingering melody quietly seeped into the atmosphere, encircling every ear.
In the darkness, countless eyes involuntarily fixed upon that slender yet powerful figure on stage.
Gazettes grew lost, following the undulating waves of sound as if swept into an impromptu, impassioned elegy, rising and falling with the swirling notes.
Even Carlotta momentarily lost herself in this ocean of melody, forgetting her original purpose.
The entire theater was utterly silent. Everyone held their breath, enthralled by this unexpectedly perfect performance, fearing to miss even a sliver of its brilliance.
While Ray had initially held confidence in Phrolova, her performance now far exceeded anything he'd imagined, only the word "stunning" could describe it.
If he could, he would truly wish to remain seated here, listening to this song she played for "him" to its end.
But not now.
He still had a task to complete.
The lingering notes still coiled around the rafters; the audience remained deeply caught in the music's vortex.
When Carlotta slowly extracted herself from that world constructed of notes and returned to reality, she found the seat beside her already empty,
Only the door behind it was swaying slightly.
.
.
.
.
Bonus Chapter Alert!
If we cross 100 powerstones, there will be a bonus chapter.
Read advance chapters on [email protected]/lost_moon