Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

The day after the dinner with the painter.

“Thank you so much for inviting us, Lady Ekaterina!”

A bright, cheerful voice echoed through the Duke of Jurnova’s mansion.
Stepping down from the carriage that had come to pick them up at the Magic Academy dormitory were Flora, Marina, and Olga.

“Welcome to my home.”

Ekaterina greeted them with a smile befitting a hostess, but soon began chatting and laughing with her three classmates.

“Let’s have some tea first. Please make yourselves comfortable. I’ve prepared two kinds of rose cookies—one made by a chef from our estate and one from the imperial capital. Which rose do you prefer? You’ve tried both, haven’t you, Lady Flora?”
“Yes. The rose cookies from the Jurnova estate look just like real roses—they’re truly lovely. As for the Imperial Capital’s cookies, I think they taste delicious.”
“I can’t wait! As expected, Jurnova’s hospitality is so elegant!”

Marina was all excited. While she certainly had a young lady’s delight in the rose-themed treats, it was becoming increasingly clear that her appetite outweighed her sense of romance.
Sipping the tea Mina had brewed for us in the small (by ducal standards) parlor, we all debated quite seriously which rose cookies were superior. Then Ekaterina spoke up.

“It should be about time for our vocal teacher to arrive. Her name is Madam Didonat, and I hear she used to be a singer who performed at the National Theater. I’ve only met her once myself, but she has a reputation for being an excellent teacher. Please join me for the lesson today.”
“I-I’d be delighted to!”

Olga said in a high-pitched voice.

“But is that really all right, for someone like me… Lady Lydia also takes lessons from a singer who used to star in operas at the National Theater. Since National Theater singers are considered the finest in the Empire… I always thought that lessons from someone like that were only for people of high status, like you, Lady Ekaterina, or those who are incredibly wealthy…”
“Lady Olga.”

Smiling, Ekaterina took Olga’s hand.

“You’re simply joining me for my lessons, so there’s no reason for it to be a problem. I would very much like you to take lessons from me, Lady Olga. You have such wonderful talent; I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Besides, I just want to hear your singing voice, polished even further.”

It’s a class-based society, and since the restrictions based on social standing are apparently even stricter in the Seleznyov domain where Olga grew up, it’s no wonder she’s feeling intimidated.
But to be honest, that last part is the real reason. There aren’t many people who can hit a falsetto like Olga! I seriously love it!

“Besides, there’s something that’s been on my mind. That song passed down through Lady Olga’s family—it should have been sung by everyone at the academy and celebrated, but I was the one who stopped it, wasn’t I? I’m so sorry for depriving it of the recognition it deserved. Please accept my hospitality as a way for me to put my mind at ease. I won’t interfere with the Seleznyov family’s policies or do anything to trouble Lady Olga, but here in my home, you can sing without a care in the world. I truly hope you’ll be able to enjoy singing freely, Lady Olga.”

That’s right. Although I had taken care to ensure that the song “Moonlight Flower and Warrior Butterfly” weren’t sung at the academy for Olga’s sake, I later found myself wondering if that had really been the best course of action. Driven by her past-life instincts, Ekaterina couldn’t help but feel a nagging unease.
Then, when she finally got the vocal lessons she’d been begging Aleksei for, it hit her like a bolt of lightning during her first lesson. If she sang at the academy, there was a high chance Lydia would find out, but if she sang at the Duke of Jurnova’s residence, she wouldn’t be discovered.

Plus, doing it here is basically killing two birds with one stone!

“After the lesson, please do come and look at my grandmother’s dresses again. There were so many at the estate, so I brought them back with me. Let’s all four of us try them on together—I’m sure it will be fun.”
“Oh, how lovely! We had such a wonderful time the other day. It was the first time I’d ever seen so many dresses lined up like that.”

It was Marina who let out that excited cry. Realizing she was stepping in to help dispel Olga’s hesitation, Ekaterina smiled back.

“I’m sure there will be something that suits both of you perfectly.”

Marina has many friends, and Olga didn’t go home for summer break but stayed in the dorm, where she became close with other students who also stayed behind. Ekaterina planned to ask them to get in touch with any of those students who might be looking for a dress.
Time to dispel that old hag’s curse.

.

“Ladies, I look forward to working with you today.”

Said Madam Didonat, the voice teacher, with a smile.
She had the look of an ageless beauty, though she was apparently in her late forties. Her silver hair had a slight reddish tint, and her eyes were gray. She had already retired from singing to devote herself to teaching, but her well-postured figure exuded a powerful aura. Since she was a mezzo-soprano, she likely didn’t often star in operas, but precisely because of that, she was a technical virtuoso; her solid skills and knowledge likely made her an excellent teacher.

“Let’s start with some vocal exercises.”

At her words, the four of them joined their voices for the exercises. It was a simple task, but recalling her club activities from her past life, Ekaterina thoroughly enjoyed it.
However, even at this early stage, Madam Didonat’s gaze had already turned toward Olga, and she seemed to be genuinely surprised. This meant that the beauty of her voice, its projection, and her pitch were so outstanding that those in the know could immediately recognize it.

Fufufu, so you’ve noticed!

Deep down, Ekaterina felt a strange sense of smug satisfaction.

After that, to assess their abilities, each of the four sang a song. Ekaterina had already sung when she first met the madam, but perhaps this was to ensure fairness. At Ekaterina’s request, Olga sang “Moonlight Flower and Warrior Butterfly.”

“All of you have your own strengths. As a teacher, I’m truly looking forward to this.”

The madam said this with a twinkle in her eye, and it didn’t seem like mere flattery.

“Especially you, Lady Olga. Your voice is already wonderful, but if you pay attention to your posture, it will improve even further. I’ll teach you vibrato; if you add that to your beautiful high notes, it will move listeners to tears right from the very beginning. You still have plenty of room to grow.”

Yesss!
The other three smiled and cheered on Olga, who was covering her mouth in excitement.
Madam Didonat chuckled softly.

“Usually, when I teach a group of young ladies, I try not to single out any one of them for praise. It might make the others feel left out. However, with you young ladies, such consideration is unnecessary. You are truly good friends. …But Lady Olga, since I have such high expectations for you, I may end up teaching you rather strictly. Please learn with a broad and strong heart.”
“……”

Um, Olga-chan.
Good luck!