Chapter 12 That evening , Ariana lay in bed aggressively refreshing job boards and submitting applications to dance companies , her laptop casting a blue glow across her determined face in the darkened London bedroom . The application process for elite European ballet companies was far more demanding than American ones . Applications required submission at least three months in advance , followed by a grueling series of auditions and technical assessments spanning weeks . Only after clearing every hurdle could one secure even the most junior position . Despite her legs not being fully rehabilitated , Arlana began what her mother called her application blitz . simultaneously developing a punishing practice regimen in the small dance studio theyd installed in the townhouse basement . Though Luigis systematic revenge had prevented her from joining any professional companies during those three years , dance had remained her secret sanctuary . During those years , whenever he would disappear for business meetings ( which she now understood were rendezvous with Leila ) , she would retreat to a small studio shed rented off campus . There , alone with just mirrors and music , shed maintained her technique through endless repetition of fundamentals . Dance had been her first love before Luigi , before everything . She had allowed that passion to be overshadowed , but never extinguished . Three months later , during her final audition for the National Ballet of England , Ariana pormed with a technical precision and emotional depth that left the judging panel visibly moved . As she completed her variation with a flawless grand jeté into a controlled arabesque , the artistic director exchanged glances with her colleagues they had found their new soloist . When the scores were revealed , she had received straight As across every category a feat accomplished perhaps once or twice a decade . During the feedback session , the senior artistic director studied her with professional curiosity . Collins , your technical abilities are extraordinary , but theres something puzzling in your performance history . Your training is impeccable continuous since childhood without breaks . Yet after your junior year at Boston University , theres a complete absence of competition or performance for three years . Most dancers with your potential would be aggressively building their portfolio during that critical period . What happened ? Arianas grip tightened momentarily on the microphone , but her face remained composed . When she spoke , her voice carried neither bitterness nor regret , just simple fact . 17:22 The Black Swans Final Revenge Pirouette : The 99th Gijk Wa All Alo I got caught up in a toxic relationship that consumed those years , she said . Classic story wrong guy , wrong time . Noting the panels sympathetic expressions , she offered a serene smile . But that chapters closed now . Completely . Trom this point forward , thy career is my only partnership . Dance doesnt lie , manipulate , or betray it just demands everything , which Im more than ready to give . Her matter of fact handling of personal trauma impressed the panel as much as her technical prowess . She wasnt running from her past she had processed it and moved beyond . Arianas meteoric rise within the National Ballet of England became the talk of the dance world . As the only auditionee in five years to receive unanimous top marks , she bypassed the corps de ballet entirely , starting as a soloist . Within a year , she claimed the position of principal dancer , then delivered a debut performance of Giselle that prompted the London Times to declare : Collins doesnt merely dance roles she inhabits them with a vulnerability and authenticity rarely seen on contemporary stages . As the companys reputation soared under its dynamic new artistic director , invitations flooded in from prestigious venues across Europe , Asia , and North America including Bostons historic Wang Theatre . Reviewing the performance calendar in her office , the director regarded Ariana with obvious concern . Familiar with the extraordinary circumstances of her death and rebirth , she had nearly decided Ariana would remain in London during the American tour . Before she could suggest this arrangement , Ariana interrupted : I see that look , Margaret . Im going . The company needs its principal dancer for the American debut . Ariana , the director began carefully , Boston is directly on the itinerary . Your former life the people who think you died its a complication we dont need to face if- for our Ive considered it thoroughly , Ariana replied with the same calm precision that characterized her dancing . Ill perform wearing the Odette mask for each production . Its thematically appropriate modern Swan Lake anyway . For press and interviews , Zoe can represent as first soloist . Ill be temporarily mute doctors orders for vocal rest . The director drummed her manicured nails against the polished desk , weighing the proposal against potential complications . Finally , she nodded . Youve thought this through . We proceed as planned with your modifications . The first stop on the National Ballet of Englands American tour was i Boston . Revenge Pirouette : The 99th 8.7 Chapter 17 Given the companys revolutionary reinterpretation of classical works , tickets sold out within minutes scalpers Immediately listing them at triple face value . The companys cachet had reached such heights that even Luigi Maggiore who had withdrawn from most public appearances received a VIP package from a European investor eager to discuss a potential partnership over the performance , executive assistant , Michael , watched nervously as Luigi stared at the embossed invitation on his desk , mentally cursing the investors catastrophic lack of research . Since that night a year ago when Lella had destroyed Arianas ashes in her final act of cruelty , Luigi had transformed into someone his staff barely recognized . Though Leila now served a lengthy sentence for desecration and the remaining ashes had been recovered and properly interred , Luigi could not bear even the most oblique reference to dance . A German business partner had once arrang a dinner companion for Luigi a former prima ballerina from the Berlin State Ballet thinking it might honor his late wifes memory . That partnership , worth hundreds of millions , had ended before dessert was served . The company was immediately blacklisted from all Maggiore ventures globally , without explanation or recourse . Luigis senior staff assumed he simply despised dance now , avoided the topic as if allergic . But Michael knew the devastating truth . Luigi wasnt angry about dance he was shattered by it . Every mention triggered the nightmares that left him screaming Arianas name at 3 a.m. , the office liquor cabinet perpetually restocked to help him self medicate through the nights . Always the same nightmare flames consuming the woman he had finally recognized as his true love , too late to save her , too late for anything but endless regret . Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. 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