(Caption) The Maid Violinist

He had loved playing the violin since childhood, but his family was too poor to afford one of his own. He could only practice in secret, borrowing an old violin whenever no one was watching. Despite his skill, he never had the chance to perform. One day, he overheard that many musical performances would be held at the theater, but only nobles and their servants were allowed to enter. After much deliberation, he decided to disguise himself as a maid and slip inside, hoping to let more people hear his music.

Standing before a worn brass mirror, he took a deep breath and began his transformation. To blend into the theater without arousing suspicion, he needed to appear flawless—like a real maid.

He first smoothed out his hair, trying to tame the unruly strands. From an old market, he had bought a deep blue wig, which he carefully placed on his head, adjusting the strands to make it look as natural as possible. Next, he tied a white ribbon at the back of his head, forming a neat knot. A few hairpins secured the sideburns, helping to conceal his natural hairline. He checked himself in the mirror multiple times, making small adjustments until he was satisfied.

Next came the makeup. His facial features were rather sharp and masculine—not particularly feminine. He used a powder puff to apply a light layer of face powder, making his complexion appear smooth and delicate. Then, he carefully shaped his eyebrows with charcoal, making them thinner and more arched. Lastly, he dabbed a hint of pale pink rouge onto his lips, giving himself the soft, youthful appearance of a maid.

Finding the right outfit had taken quite some time. He slipped into a black long-sleeved dress with white lace trimmings at the collar and cuffs. Though secondhand, the dress was clean and well-kept. Over it, he tied a white apron with layered ruffles, adding an air of elegance to the ensemble.

Then, he took out a pair of white thigh-high stockings, carefully pulling them on and adjusting them to fit smoothly without wrinkles. The silky texture accentuated the length of his legs. Next, he put on a pair of black heeled Mary Jane shoes, fastening the straps securely before taking a few cautious steps to get used to the unfamiliar height. He deliberately lightened his footsteps, refining his movements to resemble those of a proper maid.

Examining himself in the mirror, he saw how the deep blue hair contrasted with his pale complexion, while the pristine stockings and black high heels completed the look seamlessly. His gaze grew more determined as he adjusted his posture, ensuring that his movements matched those of a graceful young girl.

As night fell, she walked steadily toward the theater. The crowd bustled around her, and she blended in effortlessly, successfully entering the nobles' audience seats. She waited patiently, calculating the perfect moment. When the final performance concluded, she gathered her courage, stepped onto the stage, and lifted the violin. A flowing melody filled the air.

The room gradually fell silent, and every gaze was drawn to her.

When the performance ended, applause erupted. Her heart pounded, but she remained composed. The nobles praised her violin skills, some even inquiring about her identity. Lowering her head, she softly claimed to be a mere maid from a noble household who practiced in her spare time.

Unexpectedly, one noble immediately offered to hire her as a personal maid to perform music in his home every day.

She hesitated for a moment before finally nodding in agreement.

Originally, she had only wanted people to hear her music. She had never imagined that this disguise would become the key to chasing her dreams. She knew the path ahead would not be easy, but she had already taken the first step.