Enlightened Empire

Chapter 269

When Ulan arrived at the address Sami had given her, her coworker was already waiting at the entrance. Though of course it wasn't the front entrance. The theater's service door was hidden behind the building, inside a small back alley. Even so, Sami welcomed her with all the enthusiasm of a grand ceremony.

“Welcome to the Raven Theater,” he said with a goofy grin on his face. He stepped to the side and held the small door open for Ulan. “Here, come in.”

“Are you sure this is it?” she asked in suspicion. On her way here, she had walked past the front entrance as well, and it had looked not one bit more luxurious than the back. There were no decorations and no expensive materials used on the facade. The only unique part about the building's outside was its round shape. Everything else seemed to be plain.

“Of course I am,” he said and pushed her inside. Even within the building, the construction was simple, with almost no excessive luxury in sight. Though there were still expensive oil lamps hung up everywhere, which spread a warm glow and turned the entire building's night into day. Also, a mild smell of pine hung in the air, one that returned bad memories to her.

“It looks like a simple design, rather than the fancy theater you described.”

In truth, she was a bit disappointed. While she had sworn to leave the life of a performer behind, she would still be happy to see those in her old profession succeed. When Sami had first told her about the theater, she had felt a strange excitement as a result.

A special building only for performers meant that they were valued, that they were a real part of the city, rather than rabble that was welcome one day and the target of sharp stones the next. The rustic building dashed her high hopes, though that didn't impact Sami's rare enthusiasm.

“It's built for normal people, not for nobles,” he argued while he led them to the front entrance from inside. “Of course it would be a bit simpler than the great halls of the lords. Sanyia may be different than the rest of the empire, but the commoners still need to observe the common practices of Medala. They can't just show off their wealth and upstage the great masters, now can they?”

By now they had reached the foyer, where the guests would be greeted for today. When Ulan saw the grand foyer, a building with ceilings as high as those of her family's old mansion in Arguna, she changed her opinion somewhat. It changed even more when they had to interrupt their talk to greet the first guests.

Sami would check their invitations and take their coats, while Ulan would usher them inside to their seats. On her way, she saw many of them show off their great status and wealth in various ways, something she was completely unaccustomed to among commoners. Though their dress and demeanor was still far more muted than those of the great lords and they still limited their dress code to commoner colors, this sort of display was far more excessive than she had ever seen in Arguna.

After a busy hour or so, all guests had entered and Ulan's shock had settled somewhat. Yet at the same time, her interest had been piqued. After all, she had ushered in far more people than a single hall should be able to hold. Though she was curious, she wouldn't just burst into the room without permission. Thus, she caught back up with Sami in the front of the house. By now, no more guests were in sight, so she could ask as many questions as she wanted.

“Say,” she opened, “for its intended purpose, it's still a pretty large building, don't you think? And the people coming in are showing off a lot of wealth. Won't the lords be jealous of this size alone?”

“For what the theater is trying to do, I don't think it could be any smaller. I mean, it needs to hide all the commoners from the eyes of the nobles, doesn't it? In here, the normal people can enjoy themselves without fear of persecution. That's why everything is built so it won't be in the way of the rich people. The outer facade is simple but the inside is nice and large. Good work on the wood as well, if you want to hear my professional opinion. It's even a bit too fancy for normal people, which is why today, we're mostly welcoming important figures of the city. Though that isn't a surprise either, neither the important guests nor the theater's fancy build. After all, it was designed by a real noble lady, at least that's what the rumors say.”

“I thought the building was owned by Boss Ekkoko?” She leaned onto the counter, which brought her face closer towards Sami. With amusement, she watched her colleague's face heat up. He really was a simple guy, even though he tried to present himself as a great thinker. The simple guy looked to the side and coughed to regain some composure, before he answered her.

“I think the boss struck some kind of deal with the lady, but I don't know the details. Though I was around when the boss got a letter from some fancy warrior servant, so I know that the idea first came from Lady Sumaci herself.”

At this point, Sami's words were tinged in reverence.

“Lady Sumaci? Who's that?” she asked in a curious tone. Who was this famous lady that she could make the always cynical Sami seem so star-struck?

“She's a noble lady who lives in Rapra Castle, so you know she's a big deal. I never met her myself, but she's supposed to be a celestial beauty, and a real princess from the Verdant Isles. It's said that she spends a lot of her time with the commoners in the main city, for whatever reason. And she's very generous too. Sometimes she even travels in disguise, so there is a good chance she's tasted one of my drinks once. Isn't that incredible?”

“Excuse us.”

Shocked by the sudden voice, both Ulan and Sami stiffened and turned like lightning. At this point, the performance in the theater was about to begin and all guests were already seated. They hadn't expected anyone else to arrive at this late point, so they had been caught off guard.

Before them stood a young couple, with a chubby man in front. His hair was shoulder-length, with a headband holding it together and pulling it behind his neck. With a crooked grin and one eyebrow raised, he stared at them as if he knew exactly what they were doing, but also as if he didn't care either way.

Besides him stood a young lady, far more refined than any commoner Ulan had ever seen, though she was a bit delicate by Medalan standards of beauty, she was by no means haggard. Maybe they were the young miss and master from some famous merchant's house, but something was strange about them. While they wore the clothes of wealthy commoners, they carried them much better than most.

“Has the play already started? We're not late, are we?” the man asked after he had given the two a bit of time to regain their presence.

“Ah no, you are just on time, master.” Sami answered in the same polite tone he had used all evening. “May this servant please see master's invitation and take his coat?”

“We don't have coats, as you can see. And I'm sure there is still plenty of time,” the pretty young lady besides the man said. With no concern for her image, she leaned on the counter just like Ulan had done earlier. “While we wait, please tell us more about this magical, beautiful, and generous Lady Sumaci.”

“Are you trying to hold everything up here? I don't think we have time for that,” the sighing young man said.

“Maybe you do not, great teacher, but I certainly do.” The girl looked back at her companion with a sly grin. More and more, the young man began to look like her chaperon, rather than her partner.

“Look, lady.” The chubby man sighed again. “You wanted to go here, I'm just along for the ride. I know cultural development is important too, and I'm very glad that the people of the city are enjoying themselves. But I have work to do, and no time for fun. Papers are piling up on my desk as we speak, so could we at least get inside before the play starts? Pretty please? Later, you can find people that will praise you all you want. Just do it on your own time, not on mine.”

Confused by the guest's strange outburst, Ulan stood aside and practiced her smile. Conversely, the young lady didn't seem to mind her chaperon's harsh words too much. Unperturbed, she continued to bicker.

“Fine, but I expect you to fake enjoyment even if you're bored later.”

“Don't worry, I'm a fantastic actor,” the young man argued back.

After Sami had handled the invitations to the background noise of the two guests, Ulan ushered them into the hall. When she checked their seating numbers on the invitation, she was surprised to see that they lead her to one of the boxes on the top floor. However, when she looked at the smooth skin and well-groomed appearance of the guests, she understood that they had to be important people. With such extraordinary status, it was no wonder they were so leisurely.

“Oh, are you captivated by my beauty?” the woman asked Ulan with a teasing expression. Clearly, Ulan had stared at her for too long.

“Young miss is very attractive,” she answered in a non-committal manner.

“Why thank you,” the woman said and glanced over to her male companion. After she had given him a poisonous look that was only answered with a shrug from the man, she turned back to Ulan with a happy face that was as fake as Ulan's smile.

“You're a real beauty yourself.” She put a finger on her chin and pretended to think. “Say, real beauty. I think you should be an actress. Don't you think so too? Then, everyone could appreciate your looks, and you would gain the adoration of the crowd.”

Reminded of her time in Arguna, Ulan's smile dimmed a bit. “Surely young miss jests. Even if this servant was as attractive as young miss says, a beauty should get married to a proper man, not waste her years in such a vulgar profession. After all, we need to raise families and guarantee a strong generation to follow ours. That is what our ancestors would want.”

“Haah. See, that's what I have to deal with. Every day with this nonsense.” After one more sigh, the chubby man complained to the woman, before he turned to Ulan, a frown on his face.

“What makes you think that entertainers are vulgar, or that working in a theater is a waste of time? Just because some dead old guy said so a century or three ago? Who gives a shit what the Ancestral Hall thinks, or anyone else for that matter? Honestly, you, along with everyone in this city, should just form your own opinions for once. That way, we can get on with this whole progress thing and don't have to worry so much about putting a foot wrong in the magical bread eating ritual. If you want my honest advice, just don't mind so much what the old people say, especially in recent times. The world is moving fast these days, and these old guys aren't always right about everything.” And with those words, the two disappeared into their own boxes, leaving a stunned Ulan behind.

When she returned to Sami, Ulan was still lost in thought. The young man's words had been harsh, but they had hit her very heart. After all, she had been a performer herself. To her, the thoughts of the chubby guest were what she had wished for all her life. Back before the elders had decided that performance was indecent, her family had found much success, and much repute. She as well had found many admirers.

However, the elders had ruined everything. Yes, when things had been good, everyone had respected her and her family. Yet with a single edict from the Ancestral Hall, her entire life had been ruined. It wasn't only her, but so many more she had met in her travels.

Even though she knew that many of her old friends and acquaintances still respected Ulan and her family after the edict, they nonetheless distanced themselves, only because the old men in the palace considered it 'proper behavior'. She wished to live in a place where the people would decide their likes and dislikes for themselves, rather than based on some ancient moral code. It was a beautiful dream.

However, she wasn't willing to trust Saniya and more than she trusted Arguna. Never would she return to her old life as a singer and make herself so vulnerable again, only to have her entire life upended by some faceless figure's decision. She had heard that the king here had as much power as the Hall did in Arguna, maybe even more. If the king decided that theater was improper today, this entire place would be torn down tomorrow, of that she had no doubt. So what point was there in wasting time on these idle thoughts?

“Hey, Ulan?” Louder than usual, Sami's words appeared in Ulan's ears together with his frown in front of her eyes.

“Ah, yes. Of course,” she answered, flustered that she had been so immersed into her own spinning mind.

“'Of course' what?” Sami sighed as his frown deepened. “Ever since you came back, you've just been standing here and daydreaming. You haven't answered anything I've said either, almost like someone stole your soul. Is everything okay?”

“Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for worrying about me.” A smile bloomed on her face, this time a genuine one. She hadn't had someone worry about her well-being like this ever since her family had left for Porcero. For a moment, Sami looked stunned as he blushed as usual, before he looked for a different topic.

“I've closed off the doors, so no more guests will be coming in from now on. Since we're done with our work, we can go take a look at the performers too. We should go before we miss too much of the opening act.”

“Yes, we should.” Despite everything, she was still interested in what the performers of Saniya had to offer. Even more, she was interested in Sami's sincerity. In a chipper mood, she grabbed the clumsy craftsman's arm and strutted into the side entrance for the theater.

When they entered the hall, she realized for the first time just how large and luxurious the building truly was. The giant room was built in a circular form, only cut off at its very tip, where the stage was set. Countless people stood on the ground floor and stared up at the elevated stage before them. Along the edges of the hall were more expensive seats, placed in tiers leading up like an ancient arena.

Finally, above the seats were several balconies from which one could view the proceedings as well, the most expensive and most exclusive seats in the house. Wherever she looked, Ulan could see nothing but people. Earlier, she had shown many guests the way, but she had never realized just how many had truly been crammed into this single room. If she hadn't known any better, she would have thought that the entire city had assembled in this one place.

Her mind aflutter, she took a seat in a small, uncomfortable chair at the very back of the room, along the wall. Back here, there were a handful seats for the workers of the theater to supervise the proceedings. Once she sat besides Sami, the play started.

The performance transfixed her right away. Although the ancient story of the Wilted Flower was something she had seen countless times before, and this interpretation wasn't the most inspirational, the performers showed their art on a stage far greater than anything Ulan had ever seen. With wonder, she also watched the audience below the stage, and especially their reactions to the proceedings.

Commoners from all walks of life – rich and poor, educated and brutish – sat or stood together and enjoyed the production up top. Some would throw things on stage, be they curses or coins. Others would laugh at the comical numbers, or they would admire the beauty and talent of the artists in silence.

Although the play seemed quaint by Ulan's standards, it was held in the most dazzling atmosphere she had ever seen. Not even Arguna could produce a room like this, not with the city's oppressive laws in full effect.

Here however, everything seemed possible. From the poor folk in the stands at the bottom of the stage to the rich merchants and wealthy craftsmen in the private boxes up top, in this moment no one gave a hoot what any king or ancestor thought. All they did was follow their own hearts, and enjoy the show. Just like Ulan. Inspired, she stared at the distant figures on the stage, and planned her future once again.