The Freak Show Foreman

However, no matter how impressive their performances were, the essence of the cabaret was the revue.

The costumes of the actors were revealing, and the dances and songs were quite suggestive. While they didn’t directly offer their bodies for sale in the establishment, it was common for the staff to engage intimately with the patrons.

It was only natural that minors were not allowed entry.

Ella already knew about this.

No one could have expected a 16-year-old girl to be appointed as the deputy ringmaster, after all.

"Isn’t it too much?" She exclaimed after hearing Wonderstein’s explanation.

Even though she had worked hard for a month in preparation, she couldn’t even attend the opening ceremony.

All because of her young age.

"No one could have imagined such a corrupt director," Ella continued.

Wonderstein chuckled at Ella’s complaints.

His laughter seemed particularly mocking today.

She had worked so hard for a month, nurturing the roses, only for someone else to reap the rewards. Watching from the sideliners felt frustrating.

The Rose Windmill Cabaret was famous for its performance.

Ella really wanted to see it.

But now, if they heard a 16-year-old was the deputy ringmaster, they would probably find it amusing. Maybe she should have just lied about her age and added a few years.

No, everyone at the Rose Windmill already knew her face and name, didn’t they?

Oh, how frustrating. Truly frustrating.

She grumbled to herself for a while.

But this was an issue that couldn’t be changed, no matter how much she complained. It was a rule of the theatre.

Maya accepted it more calmly than Ella.

"It can’t be helped," she said in her usual indifferent tone.

There was no sign of disappointment on the surface.

However, it was only a façade.

Maya was actually feeling quite disappointed, a fact that only Wonderstein could discern through her subtle changes in expression.

Today, her frustration was more noticeable than usual.

Ella had sharp observational skills. Her ability to read emotions was extraordinary.

She had even noticed when the three of them secretly switched positions during practice.

It took a few days, but she had become skilled at reading Maya’s emotions, even when Maya tried to appear emotionless.

Today, Ella found Maya more irritating than ever.

It seemed that Ella had developed a sense of respect, admiration, and intimacy for Wonderstein, all while not knowing his true identity.

A foolish girl who, in exchange for the slight favours he had shown her, mistakenly believed she understood him.

That was Ella’s first impression of Maya.

She still felt that way.

But something had changed in Maya.

Wonderstein noticed it.

When their benefactor, Anais Vergsong, descended with her bodyguards, Wonderstein couldn’t help but think, "Oh no."

The once prestigious garden had turned into a playground.

Yurakne had mentioned earlier that most of the plants here were rare and expensive flowers.

"The damages they caused were all costs that Vergsong Merchant Guild would have to compensate for."

He couldn’t even begin to imagine how much it would cost to restore the garden they had destroyed today.

She was the one who often nagged him about budget issues.

How much would she pester him about this incident?

Her sharp voice had already reached his ears.

"Sir."

"Miss Anais."

Both Wonderstein and Ella were prepared to hear a scolding.

But what came out of Anais’s mouth was not reprimand.

"I heard a loud noise, are you okay?"

It was clearly a mixture of concern and consolation.

She faintly smiled and looked around the garden.

"Are the members unharmed?"

"Yes, everyone is safe."

"Thank goodness."

At this point, even Ella, who was standing by, could sense that something was off about the atmosphere.

Vergsong’s young miss had feelings for Wonderstein, that much she knew.

But this gentle attitude was unlike her usual style, where she expressed her interest in a sharp and candid manner.

Why is she suddenly acting like this?

Yurakne, and now Miss Anais.

People can change suddenly, they say.

Ah, could it be…

Only Yurakne seemed to understand Anais’s psychology in this situation.

She couldn’t deny the fact that Anais’s heart might be swelling with triumph.

Tomorrow might be their last meeting.

So, I won’t interfere.

Anais smiled broadly, whether she knew the gaze of those looking at her or not.

"Did you handle the theatre business well?"

"Yes, a couple of our members couldn’t enter because they’re not of age yet. So, Miss Anais and I will go."

"A date for the two of us. That’s nice."

So, they walked to the other side of the garden, talking about preparations for tomorrow’s event.

Yurakne watched their backs for a moment and then spoke to Ella.

"But what about you tomorrow? Will you be at the hotel?"

"No, I think I might go to the square for other events or sightseeing."

However, Yurakne didn’t take her words at face value.

She knew when Ella wore that mischievous smile.

"You plan to go inside, don’t you?"

"Yes. I’ve become friendly with some of the Rose Wind employees over the past few weeks."

"When did that happen?"

"We’ve been meeting discreetly and hanging out. If I ask, they’ll let me in through the back door. It’s a shame I won’t be able to see it from the VIP section, but I can’t help it."

"Are you going alone?"

"If I ask, maybe one or two more can come. Yurakne, would you like to come?"

"No, I’m fine. The reason I asked is…"

"Oh! Then I guess I’ll have to go alone! Since I don’t have anyone else to take care of!"

Ella shouted as if she was telling everyone.

Maya, who had been sketching, stopped her hands.

***

The police officers in Luz were patrolling the streets today, tense all day.

It was the opening day of the Circus Grand Prix.

The entire city had been suffering from the chaos during the festival preparations.

Everyone was afraid of what kind of hellish scene would unfold on the day of the festival.

In preparation for any unforeseen circumstances, all the cavalry of the mounted police was mobilized.

The first firework went up just as the sun was disappearing behind the western building rooftop.

The city’s streetlights came on.

Simultaneously, the door at the back of the cabaret opened, and dozens of acrobats began their march.

All of the acrobats were dressed in vibrant colours.

The colour red was emphasized, perhaps in reverence to the name "Rose."

Trumpets, trombones, and other brass instruments played as they marched to the beat of the drums.

The crowd clapped and danced to the music.

But the real excitement began afterward.

The highly skilled dancers from the Rose Windmill Cabaret appeared.

Their shoulders and chests were boldly exposed.

Whenever their long legs swayed beneath their skirts, heads turned in all directions.

In terms of beauty and physique, not a single person fell short.

The dancers performed their dances with passionate movements.

With each sway of their bodies, their skirts fluttered, releasing a dazzling array of colours.

The stage on which the dancers performed had wheels attached to it.

Horses led the way.

The mounted police of Luz willingly cooperated.

Even in the midst of chaos, the horses remained calm.

Strictly speaking, the mounted police were not city guards but part of the military.

The horses were trained not to be afraid even in the midst of turmoil.

The cabaret’s march started from the back of the Rose Windmill and passed through the square, in front of the city hall, and back to the main entrance of the windmill.

The second firework went up, and the orchestra on the central stage began to play.

At the same time, people streamed into the square.

Once the festival started, the police officers’ tension quickly eased.

Contrary to their concerns, the festival proceeded very smoothly.

It was not quiet by any means.

Even now, in front of the Rose Windmill Cabaret, the street was bustling like a marketplace.

The crowds watching the performances were fascinated.

Fireworks of various sizes shot up here and there, and laughter never ceased.

Around the cabaret, in the tents on the streets, acrobats not participating in the Grand Prix showed off their skills.

They, who had been the primary concern of the police, surprisingly never once crossed the line.

A clown distributing balloons to the families in the crowd passed over the mounted police officers.

One acrobat skillfully guided the audience to clear a path for the police officers.

A few times, Carletto, the familiar tightrope walker, was dragged over to exchange light-hearted jokes with the female officer. She responded with a smile to his jests, and the audience responded with laughter and applause.

Sergeant Sabo of the mounted police finally realized what was going on.

They were craving the admiration, cheers, compliments, and applause of the people.

So they did nothing to endanger, anger, or offend anyone.

Outside the stage, we might not know, but on stage, they were consummate professionals.

"May the glory of the circus be with you."

If Sister Anne heard this, she would have sounded the bells.

Well, who cares? It’s a great day.

With these thoughts, Sabo continued to patrol. Somewhere, a rose drifted through the air and naturally stuck to his horse’s mane.

A fairy-like acrobat in a jester costume, leaping lightly over the tents, winked at him.

As he circled back around the cabaret, he saw carriages lined up in front of the main gate.

Most of them belonged to noble families or companies.

They were the sponsors of the Circus Grand Prix.

Many were foreign nobles he had never heard of, but there were also well-known figures from Charlotia.

The carriage that had just stopped in front of the cabaret was different.

"Anais Vergsong, a member of the Merchant Guild."

"More precisely, it’s the Vergsong Family’s carriage. There are no ’1844 and following’. Go from underneath."

Five people got out of the carriage.

The woman with green hair and a slender figure was Anais Vergsong herself.

Behind her stood a bodyguard, and the two girls appeared who appeared to be the members of the circus.

And next to them stood a man in black attire with blonde hair.

He was the infamous Frank Wonderstein.

Today, he was the man Sabo was targeting.

He gripped his riot baton tightly.