This story is inspired by the BL manhwa solo for two.
Disclaimer
Okay , so i am not a professional ballet dancer. I’ve never worn pointe shoes (they genuinely look painful, respect to all the dancers out there😔🙏), and I’ve never even ever tried it. But I am interested in ballet—I’ve read, watched, and absorbed a lot about it because it’s beautiful. That said, if I get something wrong (and I probably will here and there), feel free to correct me.
I’ve also tried to stay close to the world of 1860s London, but I’ve definitely taken creative liberties. Some things are historically accurate, some are not. For example, Théo, the main character, is a male dancer who performs en pointe, which was extremely rare back then (and mostly for women). But Théo is special. He breaks the mold. That’s kind of the point.
Most of the ballets in the story are made up by me, partly because there aren’t many fully documented ones from the 1800s that blend ballet and opera the way I wanted them to (maybe there are but i couldn't find one that fit perfectly). Some performances in this story are purely ballet, others mix elements of opera, it’s a fictional theater world, so I’m making it work in my own random way.
I chose to set the story in London, even though ballet was much bigger in France and Russia at the time, simply because I know more about Victorian England. And let’s be real, London lowkey has the perfect vibes.
Also, I know a little about the Russian Imperial military in 1860. I’m cooked 😔.
If you happen to be someone with alot of knowledge about the Russian army during that period… Please look away. Shield your eyes. Forgive me. I'm trying my best.
I promise.
I'll be doing some light research along the way, and I’m trying not to completely invent nonsense.
But at least the end of the day, this book is fiction. That means I get to make things up, bend history a little, and mess with gender roles because why not?. That’s what I love about writing i can make up whatever I want.
So thanks for being here. I hope you enjoy the story
— Kuroha
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Belladonna
RomanceLondon, 1860. Behind the velvet curtains of the Belladonna Opera, beauty is everything, and everything has a price. Théo Maren is Belladonna's crown jewel. A male ballet dancer in a world that wants him quiet, pretty, and obedient. Admired for his g...
