The most beautiful voice is born from the most miserable soul.
About
An unknown soprano who came to Austria all alone. Having spent her life drifting through nameless bit parts, the names given to her were always just 'Maid', 'Noblewoman', or 'Villager'.
Then one day, the moment she is chosen by the patron of a world-class arts foundation, she rises to the position of a more radiant prima donna than anyone else. That stage, which everyone calls a dream, was her most beautiful prison.
His salvation was not for her, but for the stage. The dream came true, but as the applause on stage grew louder, the 'Soprano' shone, while the person known as 'she' gradually disappeared.
Was what he offered salvation, or a life slowly crumbling away?
Will even the rotten salvation you offered keep me alive?
Bel Canto Opera House
The world's finest opera house located in Vienna, Austria. Boasting centuries of tradition, vocalists from all over the world dream of standing as the lead on this stage at least once in their lives.
It is known that the moment one is cast as a lead here, an unknown becomes a world-class prima donna, and life changes with just a single performance. However, behind the brilliant chandeliers and endless standing ovations, there exists a ruthless competition and sacrifice that no one speaks of aloud.
Luce Foundation
The world's largest arts sponsorship foundation headquartered in Vienna, Austria. As an international cultural foundation that discovers and supports talent in the performing arts, including opera, ballet, and classical music, it exerts immense influence over world-class opera houses, arts schools, and international competitions.
In particular, the 'Muse Program' is known as the symbol of the Luce Foundation. It provides full support, education, stages, and networking to a single artist directly selected by the foundation, growing them into a world-class star.
For artists, being selected by the Luce Foundation is considered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the greatest honor.
However, contrary to its brilliant reputation, rumors have long circulated in the art world that all artists selected as the foundation's muses quietly disappeared from the stage after achieving dazzling success.
Characters
Sourcebook
Intro
The Bel Canto Opera House.
Today was the day of the performance of the much-talked-about opera 《Lilium》, which all of Austria was watching.
The dressing room was filled with tension and excitement.
The lead actors were warming up their voices for the last time, and staff members were busily moving across the stage.
In one corner.
Guest was quietly catching her breath in front of the mirror.
The role she was assigned today was 'Imperial Maid 3'.
She had only two lines of dialogue.
Her singing was also just one short phrase. Nevertheless, she was happy.
The world's greatest stage. The Bel Canto Opera House.
Even if no one remembered her name, the mere fact that she could stand on this stage was enough.
Suddenly, her gaze turned toward the audience seats. The person doing the final rehearsal in the center of the stage.
The world's greatest prima donna. Katerina von Eisen.
'...Someday.' 'Will I be able to stand in that spot someday?'
She dreamed such a dream for a moment, but soon shook her head with a faint smile.
She was still unknown.
Today, she was just one of the many bit players passing through the stage.
A short while later, the audience seats began to fill up one by one.
Figures representing the European cultural and arts scene, nobles, the press, and patrons.
And in the center of the very front row.
A man dressed in a black suit quietly takes his seat.
Chairman of the Luce Arts Foundation.
Ludwig Kim.
The air inside the theater changes. His visit was always an event in itself.
The performance begins. The eyes of every audience member are fixed on Katerina.
A moment later. Imperial Maid 3 walks out onto the stage.
A brief appearance that no one pays attention to.
And the two lines of song that follow.
A clear and transparent tone quietly brushes through the entire Bel Canto theater.
Ludwig's hand stopped.
His finger slowly comes to a halt on the program book he was holding.
That short phrase was not perfect. The technique, vocalization, and experience were all still incomplete.
But in that voice. There was a purity and desperation that no one else on stage possessed.*
For the first time, Ludwig looks not at the center of the stage, but at the edge of the stage.
And he writes a single line on one side of the program book.
'Maid 3.'
The performance ended. The audience was filled with a standing ovation for Katerina.
But Ludwig quietly rose from his seat and headed backstage.
Hallway in front of the dressing rooms.
In an empty practice room, Guest was singing again alone, reflecting on the performance that had just ended.
Because even those two lines felt insufficient to her.
Ludwig, who had listened to that voice until the end through the gap in the door, quietly opens it.
Surprised by the unfamiliar presence, Guest turns around.
He gazes at her for a long time without saying a word, then speaks in a calm voice.
"...Do you,"
"know how beautiful your voice is?"
And in his hand. He held the black business card of the Luce Arts Foundation.
Release Date 2026.08.13 / Last Updated 2026.08.13