chapter 33
At first, Polius was so taken aback that he asked Clara to repeat herself — he had never even considered such an idea.
“Why do you think that?”
“Why else would Lady Clotilde hire the theater troupe members? Everyone said The Thirteenth Knight would never be filmed since the lead actor kept refusing the offer.”
“…”
“Doesn’t it sound strange to say she did it just to get in your way? Unless, of course, she was being considerate — maybe she didn’t want you to take the blame.”
Since the Count of Velderte’s family had managed the theater for a long time, Polius’s decision to suddenly fire all the troupe members and even sell the theater building must have seemed abrupt.
Some might even sneer, saying, ‘Of course, what does a bastard child know about art?’
They all shared the same father, but depending on who their mothers were, people were quick to criticize.
It was a sad fate he had been born into.
But ever since the introduction of image-stones, the Velderte troupe had been in decline. Their deficit had begun to grow rapidly.
So, regretfully, he decided to disband it.
He believed there was no longer any chance of profit in the future.
If only Damian hadn’t persuaded Melanie into starting the image-stone business, those people wouldn’t have lost their jobs.
It couldn’t be helped, but Polius still felt guilty about it.
But now — not the building, not the troupe — Melanie had taken the people?
And right when everyone was talking about The Thirteenth Knight.
Brimming with misplaced confidence, Polius reasoned poorly.
Clara’s right. I was the one who disbanded the troupe — why would Melanie bother cleaning up after me unless she still cared? If it’s not consideration, then what is it?
Recording a play was simple enough — why would she bother rehiring the Velderte troupe just to make a film?
No matter how he looked at it, the only explanation was that she’d done it so he wouldn’t look bad, softening the blow of his having abruptly dismissed everyone.
Of course, in reality, Melanie had done it because she recognized their value — and she had even sent Clara to make sure Polius misunderstood her intentions.
Right, Melanie really did like me. She must’ve started realizing Damian’s only appealing on the surface by now.
Her recent actions had to be proof that she still had feelings for him.
Unconsciously, Polius suppressed the corners of his mouth that threatened to lift.
Then, after lying around all day, he finally stood up and went to his mother, Lady Milla.
“Mother, who do you like better — Josephine or Melanie?”
By then, he was already convinced that Melanie would come back to him.
“I mean, just pick one — who would you rather have as your daughter-in-law?”
Hearing him speak as if he were choosing between a broken engagement and one not yet settled, Lady Milla answered casually.
“Well… Josephine isn’t bad. But Melanie was a better listener. Josephine’s become a bit more mild-mannered lately, but you know she’s not the type to obey others. The moment you scold her even slightly, she pouts and throws a fit…”
They both spoke as if Melanie could be brought back anytime they wished.
“Besides, Josephine’s a marquis’s daughter, sure, but Melanie’s a duke’s daughter. People know Clotilde outranks Ing.”
“Hm.”
“Melanie’s changed a bit lately, but she was always fond of you. I doubt she’s completely turned her back.”
Hearing his mother echo Clara’s words made Polius even more certain.
Once I start the image-stone business, I’ll definitely surpass Melanie. Damian? I only wanted to put him in his place — but it’s a shame about Melanie.
In his memories, Melanie was always the fragile girl — crying, sickly, reaching out for him.
Delicate, pitiable, sometimes frustrating in her dependence.
Polius decided to give her another chance.
His business would succeed anyway, and it was unfortunate that Melanie would have to work in the same industry.
Come to think of it, Melanie’s been meeting with the old Velderte troupe members lately, hasn’t she?
Recalling what Clara had said, he headed for the theater district, where Melanie was likely to be.
He spent some time at a nearby café, and when he finally saw Melanie walking with the Velderte troupe members, he stood up immediately.
Seeing her there, he became certain — she must still have feelings for him.
“Ahem.”
Polius waited for a moment when there were fewer people around, then approached her.
“Melanie, it’s been a while.”
“…I can’t say I’m happy to see you.”
She was startled for only a second, then tried to walk past him without another word.
Polius lifted his lips into a practiced smile and stepped in front of her.
“Wouldn’t it be better if we talked privately? Of course, if you’re fine discussing things in front of everyone, I don’t mind.”
Melanie sighed, then told the others she’d be back after a short conversation.
Polius leisurely followed her a few meters away from the group.
Still, he could feel a few people watching them.
“There are still too many peop—”
He almost suggested they move further away but then had a mischievous thought.
Wouldn’t it be amusing if, right here in front of everyone, Melanie declared she’d leave Damian and return to him?
As he trailed off, Melanie looked at him suspiciously.
“So what is it? If you’re here to beg pathetically, don’t bother.”
“Beg pathetically? That’s harsh, considering our history.”
“Don’t say ‘our’ history. You and I have nothing.”
Her tone was cold, but Polius assumed it was only pride talking.
She took the Velderte troupe, but honestly, that just makes her look cute when she’s pretending to be angry.
Yes, perhaps he had been a little neglectful before.
The deeper the love, the deeper the resentment — that’s all.
“Melanie. I’m thinking of starting an image-stone business.”
He said it calmly, pretending nonchalance while waiting for her astonished reaction.
“What do you think?”
But Melanie replied instantly, without hesitation.
“If you’re here to ask me to clean up your mess, I refuse.”
“What?”
Polius blinked in confusion.
“I just told you I’m starting an image-stone business — why would you respond like that?”
“I’m not sure what kind of reaction you were expecting.”
“I mean, it’s not like this has nothing to do with you! I’m entering your industry!”
Hearing his voice rise, Melanie let out a short laugh.
“Do you really not understand the situation? You think you can actually compete with me? How much do you even know about theater?”
Her words made Polius straighten up, suddenly serious.
“I managed the Velderte troupe for years. I’m on a completely different level from someone like you, who’s probably only watched a few plays.”
“And?”
“But you were smart to record a play with an image-stone. I’ll give you that — you picked a good business idea.”
He adjusted his expression, forcing a soft smile — the same gentle look Melanie had once liked.
“Don’t you want to work with me? Honestly, aren’t you getting tired of Damian by now?”
“So that’s what this is about.”
“If you come to me and ask to be a representative for Black Moon, I won’t even need to start another company.”
By the end of his pitch, Polius had calmed down again, regaining his arrogant composure.
“Well, if we get engaged again, I’ll even bring The Thirteenth Knight with me.”
He was certain Melanie wouldn’t turn him down — even her sharp tone seemed cute to him.
If we compete, we’ll only hurt each other’s profits. Melanie’s not stupid; she knows monopolizing the market’s better for both of us.
After all, the Red Sun project was still in its early stages.
Even if she declined later, he would’ve already benefited.
But instead of accepting right away, Melanie looked at him steadily and said,
“But Lord Damian, the master of the Magic Tower, also grew up in the Velderte family, didn’t he?”
“Ha… You’re comparing me to him? That guy’s an idiot who only knows magic. Do you think he has any artistic sense?”
Polius took her question as a good sign — maybe she was still considering it.
“What gives you that confidence? You don’t seem to have any sense for business.”
But he was wrong.
“No experience, yet you want me to make you a co-director? Lord Damian isn’t just the joint representative — he’s the one with both business sense and the image-stone technology.”
“What did you just say?”
“Honestly, compared to you, who spent most of your time away from the count’s estate because you’re illegitimate, Lord Damian probably saw far more plays growing up.”
