As Scarlett began to scold him while running to catch up for how he had gotten separated from them, Caelum, not listening as she dragged him forward, started to wonder whether he should doubt the fortune teller or believe her because he had begun to suspect she was a fake.
While pondering why, if it were real, as he said in his heart, fate would be so cruel to him—he hadn't offended anyone and had already died once—he wondered, why? Was it nothing more than an ominous divination? he wondered.
While he and Scarlett started running, he finally accepted that dwelling on it wouldn't help, so he decided to push the thought aside.
By the time he noticed where they were, his legs were already sore, and he was about to sit on the ground to catch his breath.
Suddenly, he heard Scarlett shouting not to dirty his clothes—they were already stained—and he shouldn't make it worse.
She took a white cloth from her bag and began wiping him off.
He then asked her, "Where are we?"
She looked at him with a furious expression before replying,
"Look forward."
Caelum immediately replied, "Look forward?" With a confused expression, he followed her instructions.
Then, a large wrought-iron gate came into view, which, according to him, stood nearly three times the height of a man.
Every black iron bar of the gate ended in a gilded spearhead, while intricate vines, roses, and musical notes twisted through the metalwork. At the center of each gate was what appeared to be a crowned black eagle with wings spread wide over a shield, flanked by two golden lions holding swords.
Admiring it, Caelum asked Scarlett, "What is that?" While pointing toward the crest on the iron gate, she happily replied, "That's the crest of the Slomire Empire." She continued, " You're finally cleaned up; let's just head inside," as they approached the gates.
They were stopped by four men dressed in "dark blue wool uniforms" with black top hats, each holding a large, shiny metal object, each with a polished firearm holstered at his side.
One of them quickly asked, "State your name and household." Scarlett responded, "We are from the Ashbourne household."
The man replied swiftly, "Ah, yes, you're Miss Scarlett. Correct." Scarlett confirmed, "I am." The man continued, "Your madam informed me to let you through; she said anyone who mentions her household with the name Scarlett, with a young boy in tow, I should let them through.
"She has already paid for both of your tickets, so I was instructed to allow entry."
The moment Caelum heard that, he told the guards that those were some very precise orders and asked the man how he could be so sure that they were the people he was supposed to let through.
The man laughed, saying, "You're really smart, but yes, you're correct." So I requested a picture of both of you from the madam to be sure.
He pulled out a photograph of the two of them.
After looking at it, Caelum said, "Sorry for doubting you, officer."
The man replied, "Don't worry about it. The event is attended by high-ranking nobles. I can't let anyone in without some form of identification."
Scarlett, annoyed by the rude questions Caelum just asked, pressed her hands on his head and apologized to the officer. The man laughed, saying, "Don't worry, the kid's really smart for his age." She thanked him and continued to drag Caelum inside. As the man said, "Enjoy your time here."
While they kept moving, the breathtaking sight of the building came into view:
An enormous Renaissance-style building made of pale limestone.
Graceful arched windows stretched across its façade between rows of carved columns, while statues of legendary composers, singers, and muses watched over the grand staircase leading to three towering bronze doors.
A green copper roof topped the structure, and colorful banners fluttered from its balconies. As crystal lamps lined the entrance, welcoming nobles and musicians alike.
Scarlett, seeing her young master's face, immediately said, "Welcome to the Vienna Opera House, or the (Wiener Opéra Impériale); that's the actual name of the building, young Master."
Caelum, who hadn't heard the last part, asked her calmly, "What did you call it again?" She replied, "I said Wiener Opéra Impériale."
"Any problem, Young Master?"
Caelum replied, "Nothing," as he began to think there was no way that was the actual name of the building, because it sounded like French, a language he wasn't sure existed here, and he began to wonder.
Why am I hearing a French name in another world? French? That was unmistakably French. First tarot cards... now a French name? Just how many traces of Earth exist in this world?
As he began to rub his temple, he said under his breath, "Maybe it's just a coincidence—a very small coincidence."
While Scarlett noticed him rubbing his temples vigorously, she placed her hands on his shoulders and asked what he was thinking about.
He replied, "Nothing," while changing the subject, "Why don't we just enter the main hall?" Scarlett said, "Alright, but I must warn you—the madam is quite angry and may yell and scold you, so better prepare yourself."
Caelum, shivering, replied, "Yeah, I'm prepared," as they moved in.
They approached the building's entrance, where a security guard greeted them immediately.
The bronze doors swung open; Caelum instinctively held his breath.
The lively sounds of the city faded behind him, replaced by a refined silence broken only by soft conversations, the gentle tapping of polished shoes on marble, and the distant tuning of violins somewhere beyond the walls.
Towering marble columns reached up to an elaborately painted ceiling, where angels, muses, and golden clouds seemed to watch over every visitor.
Massive crystal chandeliers hung overhead, casting warm light across polished floors that reflected the gowns and uniforms of passing nobles.
Caelum, with his jaws agape, could only describe this place as "luxurious." The security guard at the door gave a slight laugh, saying, "First time?" Caelum replied, "Yes, sir." The man removed his top hat while saying, "Enjoy the show," and then shut the door behind them.
As Caelum moved through the hall with Scarlett, he began to observe.
The grand hall was bustling with elegantly dressed guests.
Noble ladies in flowing gowns conversed behind delicate lace fans, while gentlemen in finely tailored coats exchanged bows and handshakes.
As uniformed ushers moved gracefully through the crowd, guiding visitors to their seats, servants hurried past carrying cloaks, opera glasses, and silver trays filled with refreshments.
From beyond the velvet curtains, the soft sounds of violins, cellos, and flutes tuning in preparation for the performance drifted through the air. As a bell chimed softly overhead, conversations quieted, and the crowd gradually made its way into the auditorium.
As Caelum walked through the hall with Scarlett, he began to notice the large theater ahead. Rich scarlet
Curtains framed the stage, where dozens of musicians sat with their instruments.
In front of them was a large stage
Beyond the orchestra, a magnificent stage was framed by rich scarlet curtains at its back, hosting multiple performers playing music. He tried to spot Mr. Leonard, darted his eyes repeatedly across the stage until he finally saw a large violin case near the front, with Mr. Leonard seated with the first violin section.
Caelum waved his hand to get his attention. Mr. Leonard, who was tuning his violin, noticed the motion and looked up. Recognizing Caelum as the young master of the Ashbourne family, he tipped his hat toward him. Caelum saw this and waved him back.
Mr. Leonard, thinking Caelum had gotten lost somewhere, was relieved to see him in the arms of his maid. He finally breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the young man had gone missing, and was almost ready to abandon his performance to go look for him.
Thankfully, he told himself, he was fine as he continued tuning his instrument.
While Caelum was about to follow Scarlett up the stairs to where his mother was sitting.
As Scarlett held Caelum's hand, they ascended a wide staircase lined with crimson carpet toward the Imperial Gallery, where the empire's nobles watched performances from private balconies overlooking the stage.
From above, the opera house looked even grander. Crystal chandeliers bathed the hall in warm golden light, while rows of crimson-and-gold private boxes curved around the auditorium like a horseshoe.
Caelum's eyes wandered from one balcony to another. Noble ladies in elegant gowns chatted behind lace fans, occasionally laughing softly.
Elderly lords spoke in hushed voices while younger nobles greeted one another with polite bows.
Servants quietly moved through the gallery carrying silver trays, refilling glasses, and collecting opera cloaks without disturbing the conversations.
Children no older than Caelum leaned over the balcony railings, pointing excitedly at the orchestra before being gently pulled back by their parents.
Standing on the tips of his toes, Caelum searched through the sea of unfamiliar faces.
Where's Mother...?
Just as he began to wonder if they had entered the wrong gallery, Scarlett smiled and pointed toward one of the private boxes overlooking the stage.
"There she is, Young Master."
As they tried to approach her, a man wearing a black tailcoat with a white shirt and white bow tie bumped into them. The man had a young blond girl accompanying him. He quickly apologized to Scarlett for what happened, explaining that his young mistress wasn't feeling well and was rushing.
Scarlett, pressing further, accepted his apology. Meanwhile, Caelum, noticing the shy girl trying to approach her, saw that the girl quickly hid behind the man's back.
Not wanting to pressure her further, Caelum stood back up and waved her down.
When they finally reached where his mother had been seated, she immediately put down her opera glasses and asked Caelum in a serious tone, "Where have you been?" while instructing him to kneel under the seat beside her.
Without another word, Caelum lowered himself onto both knees beside his seat.
The polished wooden floor was far less comfortable than he expected, and the curious glances from nearby nobles only made the punishment feel more embarrassing.
While his knees were aching from the accumulated strain of all the long walks, he could only lower his head and silently accept it.
"Where were you? Do you have any idea how worried we were?
Do you know how much I spent just to find you? " Caelum tried to explain himself as Diana began to laugh at him. His mother looked at her sternly, causing her to fall silent. Diana then took out a cookie and started eating nervously.
While Mother was pressing further, Caelum realized arguing or trying to explain himself wouldn't help.
Caelum inwardly sighed; being scolded like a child stung his pride, but in this body, arguing would only make things worse.
So, Caelum immediately bowed his head and apologized.
Mother, still furious, told him to kneel for the next thirty minutes.
Scarlett tried to beg on his behalf, but his mother responded coldly, "Do you want to join him?" in an enraged tone. Scarlett immediately replied, "If it would spare the young Master, then yes."
After what felt like an eternity, Mother eventually clicked her tongue and instructed Caelum to go and thank Scarlett.
If not for her, he would have spent the entire opera kneeling while saying. "It's a four-hour performance, so be grateful."
Caelum immediately stood up, thanked Scarlett, and hugged her. Suddenly, a young man wearing a white suit and a red-blue tailcoat with a long cane approached her and asked in a polite manner, "Excuse me, Miss, is the seat in front of you taken?"
Mother replied softly.
"Of course not. Please, go ahead and sit," as the man took off his top hat and sat down and asked, "Pardon me, Madam. I arrived rather late. Might I ask which performance is scheduled for this evening?"
Mother turned her head, thinking,
"Ah, yes. It's the ballet."
The moment Caelum heard that, he said internally, Of course, another French word. How many things in this world have real-world equivalents?
He sighed as he continued, First Vienna. Then the Wiener Opéra Impériale. Just how many things from Earth existed in this world?
Mother and the man continued to chat. He asked, "Madam, perhaps you are aware of what the play is going to be about?" She responded, "I do not."
Just then, three clear chimes echoed throughout the opera house.
The lingering conversations faded almost instantly as every noble returned to their seat. One by one, the crystal chandeliers dimmed until only a warm glow illuminated the crimson stage curtains.
Below, the orchestra fell silent after their final notes of tuning.
Moments later, a distinguished man in a black tailcoat stepped onto the conductor's podium.
The audience greeted him with warm applause as he bowed gracefully before turning toward the musicians.
Raising his baton, he waited for a heartbeat of perfect silence. Then, with a single decisive motion, the first notes of the overture swept through the hall, filling every corner of the grand opera house as the crimson curtains slowly began to rise.