XVI - The Grand Concerto

The opera house lightens brightly in the evening sky. Anyone who strolls in front of it could easily see the extravagance it held. Guarded with lots of guards to ensure nobody but tonight's guests can only pass the luxury gate. In front of it stands an enormous statue representing a woman with angelic wings and oversized long clothing around it. Who knows how much that colossal statue costs. Probably billions, no, trillions.

Her car drives around the statue at first, then one of the guards guides her to stop at the front stairs. The luxury car that Motobot made stops entirely. The footman opens the driver's door for her.

She carefully steps onto the ground with her right heels first and accepts the hand offered by the footman to help her rose to her hand. She wore white heels with silver vine leaves lining, a strapless white gown with black leaves lining, long white gloves that covered her arms to her fingers, and a silver piece of long shawl scarf wrapped around her hands and back. To top all of it, some parts of jewelry. The woman styled her hair vintage. She even held a white clutch bag. Flawless, elegant, and enchanting.

"Park the car." The girl says as she gives her car key to the footman.

"Of course, my lady." says the footman.

She gazes at the vast palace. She felt like she hasn't gone to a luxurious party for over a year. It reminds her of the time she accompanies her father to parties. She was always anxious whenever she met people. About what words would come out of their mouth as they laugh, talking about people behind their backs. However, she hopes this one is different from the one she always attends.

She walks to the other footman standing right below the stairs. There's a line of guests waiting for the footman to admit their presence. However, there are few queues, so it should not consume much time. She stood behind the guests, waiting for her turn.

"Next, please."

It's been 10 minutes since she remained upright and finally approached the footman.

"Your invitation, please." The footman commands.

She pulls out the invitation card from her clutch bag and hands it to the footman. He opens the card to see whether it is on the list.

The footman closes the card and says aloud, "Lady Nerissa Dezastaria! No guest. Next, please!"

Admitted! She feels relief to hear that and thanks the footman for accepting her. She starts to climb the stairs while gazing at the palace's grand exterior. Nerissa could quickly listen to the loud noise of the crowd from outside. She also heard the sound of a male soprano singing from hidden speakers.

The doorman opens the massive door for her to enter. They even bowed to her to greet her, and she smiled in response. As she enters, many guests gather in the group and talk while drinking the champagne offered by the butlers. Considering that the opera would begin in 45 minutes, she decided to stroll around the palace.

She starts to climb the grand staircase. She glances at the room filled with luxury accents like chandeliers, sculptures, and paintings. It is the same as the ones she usually attended. Nerissa begins to stroll around the palace's museum. She holds a glass of champagne offered by one of the butlers.

However, there's one colossal painting that catches her eyes. A portrait was presenting a man and woman in yellows dresses. It appears that the man is romantically kissing the woman on her cheek. Nerissa is amazed about it.

"They look cute together." She says as she sips her champagne.

Grandia, disguised as her earring, says, "A quick fact for you, my lady. That is a portrait called The Kiss made by-"

Nerissa cuts off her words and comments, "That's pretty obvious judging from the title."

"Gustav Klimt made it in 1908. This portrait originated from Earth." Grandia completes.

Her eyes widen in disbelief, "From Earth?! How did they even manage to get this?"

"The answer is unknown."

She sips her champagne, "How astonishing."

"I think you should have enough of the champagne, my lady. It would be bad for you and the mission." Grandia advises.

"I planned to."

She continues to stroll around the palace. That is until she discovers an opened colossal door. She peeks at what's inside, and a group of people is having a ball. There are a lot of couples dancing romantically. It upsets her, making her jealous of them and considering that she's on her own, without Kaizo. Nobody accompanied her. It would be nice for her if she and Kaizo had ballroom dancing.

"Ah... Lucky them. Why am I so single here?" She cries on the inside.

"Ladies and gentlemen. The grand opera will begin in 15 minutes. Please proceed to the Auditorium and have your selected seats."

After the staff commenced the announcement, guests started to stroll toward the Auditorium, even though some were still chatting.

"Oh? Already? I feel like I've been wandering for only 15 minutes."

***

When she accessed the Auditorium, it was huge-a five-story auditorium with a giant red curtain on the stage and a stage for the orchestra. The seats are arranged according to their category and were designed for the audience to see and to be seen. There is a heavy bronze and crystal chandelier on the ceiling with ancient paintings around it.

She goes on her way to the third floor because her seat is in room 303. Once she enters the room, there isn't anybody yet.

"Scan the whole guest during the opera, alright, Grandia? I don't want to call odd when I'm talking to myself. Report to me if you find anything interesting." Nerissa commands.

"Understood, my lady."

"Excellent."

She could easily see the whole Auditorium from up there. Some of them are searching for their seats and chatting. Not long later, people are accessing the room she's in right now. A couple and a man. The man seats himself beside Nerissa. The couple has their seats behind Nerissa.

The chandelier started to fade slowly, and the spotlight was focused on the stage. The audience is now in silence. The orchestra band is in position. A female soprano comes out to the scene, and the audience applauds the soprano's presence, including Nerissa.

The soprano starts to sing along with the orchestra. Listening to music like this always makes Nerissa sleepy, like a lullaby. It reminds her of when she always fell asleep during parties with her father. She even got photographed back then, which is very embarrassing.

However, she'll try her best to stay awake. She crosses her legs, and her head rests on her hand.

"Loud voices like this ready do make us sleepy, doesn't it?"

Did someone talk to her? She tilts her head to her left and notices the man has been staring at her. He looks like he's in his late 20s. He has a mustache under his nose and gelled hair, looking like a proper gentleman.

"Pardon?" Nerissa apologizes.

"Judging from your behavior looks like you've attended so many parties. Am I right?"

She lifts her head, "Yes. Back then. It's just that I haven't been to parties like this in a while."

The man chuckles for a bit, "Where are my manners? Sebastian Pellefort." He introduces himself.

"Nerissa Dezastaria." She introduces herself.

"Miss Dezastaria," He says as he gently takes her hand, "Charmed, truly."

It's been a while since her hands haven't been kissed by someone else, except for Kaizo. It feels different if anyone other than her lover does something like that.

"I saw you back then when you were staring at the art in the museum. Did you come here alone?"

"Yes, sir. I am." She answers.

"Oh? And your partner?" He questions.

She smiles, "He's on his duty call, so he couldn't come with me."

"What a shame," He comments.

"I would do the same if I were in his position." She says, "What about you? I don't see yours,"

As she says that, Nerissa accidentally tilted her head to the back. She saw the couple kissing deeply and her man inappropriately grabbing her thighs.

"Goodness," She whispers.

"We just broke up," Sebastian answers her question.

Nerissa goes silent for a while, "How unfortunate. My apologies."

"Don't be."

Sebastian pulls out his cigarette from his pocket. He plans to offer her one.

"Would you like to?" He offers his cigar.

She rejects, "I don't smoke, thank you."

"Mind if I ask, what is your job?" He questions.

"I'm a representative from my kingdom," She answers, "What did you do for yours, sir?"

"I'm an inventor, miss."

"I see... Your works must be famous, isn't it?"

He puffed and said, "You could say that."

"My lady. I just got something interesting. Mr. Dephroh. He was supposed to be the show's director, but his position got exchanged for an unknown reason. He is now on the right wing, room 512. I suggest you confront him." Grandia informs her.

Nerissa stares at the director's room right on the very top, which is on the corner. She does notice an old purple alien alone in the room. It would be an excellent condition for interrogation.

"Mr. Pellefort, I hate to break this great conversation we have. However, I must excuse myself." She apologies.

"Oh. It is a good conversation. Until we meet again, Ms. Dezastaria."

She rose to her feet and did a curtsy for him before she left.

***

She opens the door to Room 512 on the right wing. The old alien is still there. Alone at that point. She decided not to show her face and seated herself right behind him.

"Mr. Dephroh. However, someone ripped your position as the true director of tonight's performance. Care to explain what happened?" Nerissa questions.

She heard him breathing heavily and in fear.

"Are you with TAPOPS?"

She was surprised that he didn't turn to see her face. It looks like he could cooperate very well.

"Yes." She answers.

"Oh, thank you, miss. Please, help me. An unknown man named Alvah threatened me to give him my position for his show. He has a power sphere and uses it to gain a huge amount of money. But he only came alone. I didn't see any guard. Please, you have to help me." He explained and begged her.

"Sir, I will help gain your position if you tell me where the power sphere is."

"Oh. Thank you very much! The power sphere is there on the top of the curtain. There is a room behind the stage where he kept it. Go there."

"You are at most welcome."

***

She's now in front of the operator's room door. She tilts her head to the right and left, checking that no one witnessed her. The hallway is empty now, so it should be safe. She finally enters the door.

However, it is peculiar inside. There's no one there. Monitors are left open. Dephroh said that it was on the top. She climbed the stair and finally made it up there.

She carefully opens the door that leads to the power sphere. She checked the right and left, but nobody. Then, something catches her eyes. A brown and gold power sphere full of wires in a laser cage.

"Musikabot."

She walks closer to the hostage power sphere. She knew there was something odd about this. She couldn't just take this easily.

"Just like this? He said that he had no guards. Is he sure about it?" She asks herself.

"So, that old man told you, huh?"

She quickly turns around to her back. It turns out it is someone she talked to before. The familiar man carefully closes the metal door and smirks.

"Mr. Pellefort?"

He smirks and laughs, "Miss Dezastaria. I couldn't believe you're one of those TAPOPS members."

He pulls out his electric metal sword. The whole room is secured and locked. Nerissa looks at him in shock, and he finally introduces his true self.

"The name's Alvah, Miss Dezastaria. Lovely to finally meet you, dear."