The melody intensified, the symphony orchestra reaching crescendo as Iris’ crystal clear voice effortlessly reached the high notes.

Beautiful.

The piano was no longer mournful, but hopeful instead.

“Now I sing this song

A song entirely mine

A song only I can sing

I found my voice

I found myself

I once again found the essence of my dream”

Heat spread through the audience’s veins. It sounded so nice. It would surely feel great if they could once again find the passion to chase after their dreams. They clutched their hands to their chests, feeling their racing hearts as they focused and listened to the song.

Iris sang with all her might, as if singing for her life. She threw her head back as her pounding fingers gradually slowed and softened, gently caressing the piano keys like a mother to her infant child. Her voice also softened, almost turning into a whisper as she sang the last notes of the song.

“I’m a black star with no light

But so what? I’ll glow again

My dream glows bright in my heart

I’m a black star that’ll light up, you’ll see”

Iris closed her eyes as the music stopped, gasping; her face filled with emotions.

The song finally ended.

Silence.

One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.

Booming sound of loud applause! Cheering! Whistling! Screaming! Crying!

It was deafening.

“Iris! Iris! Iris!”

It was unknown who started it, but soon the entire audience was chanting her name. They all stood up, clapping their hands as hard as they could. Many were in tears.

Iris shuddered as the loud applause washed heavily over her. In her previous life, she was almost always alone. Sure, she had bodyguards and servants but they were too well-trained. They weren’t allowed to befriend her or they would be severely punished.

Her father and older brother, as the leader and heir to their family organization, were always out working and travelling somewhere in the world. Her mother was an emotionless robot whose sole purpose was to dedicate her life and talents to the family organization.

She also had a dream then: a dream to live her life freely, to share her music to the world. To stand onstage and listen to an audience clap and cheer for her. To leave her mark in the world, to prove that she existed.

However, her identity in her previous life never permitted her to be the centre of attention. She was fated to live in the darkest shadows of the Underworld.

But now, in this second life, she finally had a taste of living her dream! An intense, foreign emotion welled and rose from deep within her, spilling out of her eyes without her control.

She stood shakily and walked to the front of the stage. Tears flowed nonstop down her face, but she still looked beautiful. She swept her eyes across everyone in the audience.

She raised both of her arms high up in the air; a gesture of triumph. A big smile lit her face. Utter delight and excitement.

After a few moments, she gave the audience a deep, elegant curtsy bow. Her body so low that it almost touched the floor, showing them the depth of her gratitude.

The applause and cheers grew even louder. Everyone in the audience felt honoured to be on the receiving end of such a beautiful and elegant curtsy bow.

“Iris! Iris! Iris! Iris!”

Iris stood up, touching her chest with both hands, nodding her head and mouthing the words “thank you”.

Then she turned around and repeated the deep curtsy bow to the symphony orchestra who performed with her. The orchestra musicians, in turn, bowed deeply to her.

She stood up and clapped her hands to the orchestra’s direction, gesturing for the audience to give them much-deserved applause as well.

“Iris! Iris! Iris! Iris! Iris!”