Chapter 36
The First Day the Theater Reopened
More people came than I expected. Perhaps because the theater had been closed for a while, it wasn’t completely full. But as Reuke had said, the Forest Troupe clearly had a loyal fanbase. I could see familiar faces bringing new audience members along.
When the play ended, I stood at the merchandise counter for the first time in a while, loudly calling out announcements. Anna and Alex were beside me.
“Portraits, quill sets, stamps—come take a look!”
“Ah, are the actors helping because it’s been a while?”
An audience member buying goods asked, noticing Anna and Alex standing there.
“Yes! We wanted to see!”
“Well… something like that.”
The two of them weren’t there because many people were buying merchandise—they just wanted to hear the audience’s voices. The other troupe members also helped at the counter.
“Two portraits, and one quill set and stamp, please.”
“Yes! That’ll be three silver coins!”
“Do you know how long we waited? Honestly, when the new play came out and then suddenly you took a break, we were so surprised!”
Anna smoothly replied to the customer.
“Sorry! There wasn’t any problem, we were just being greedy.”
“Ha ha, that’s the craftsmanship spirit that makes the Forest Troupe so great. If you ever take a long break next time, please let us know in advance!”
“Yes, of course! Still, thank you for liking us, remembering us, and coming back!”
Anna grabbed the customer’s hand and shook it. The customer seemed a bit embarrassed but also pleased.
The customer left the theater with a bright smile. That kind of hospitality is always impressive. Even the troupe members who had been hesitant at first gradually approached the counter and spoke with the audience.
“Um, did you enjoy the play?”
“Of course! I’ve liked the actors for a long time!”
“Really!? I only had a few lines!”
“They may be few, but they’re always memorable! Please be the lead next time!”
“Director! Did you hear that?”
Even though the merchandise sold out quickly, neither the audience nor the actors wanted to leave. Actors with minor roles felt their hearts swell realizing someone liked them. Watching that made me smile repeatedly.
“Everyone, it must feel disappointing to come to the theater after so long, right?”
I shouted loudly to the audience who hadn’t moved yet.
“Yes, it does!”
At that moment, it almost felt like the counter had become another stage. I said to Alex,
“How about we set aside a special audience meet-and-greet time? After the play, we can take questions too.”
“Ah… that could work. Sounds good.”
“Did you hear that?! Next play, we’ll have a time after the show to take audience questions and hear impressions! It’s a shame we can’t today, but please come back next time!”
“Sounds great!”
Even so, both sides lingered for a long while out of reluctance before finally leaving the theater.
“If things go like this… we seem to have a huge advantage.”
“Ha ha. But our audience isn’t the only audience.”
We had received incredible support. It boosted our spirits and confidence. But the general public isn’t all our fans. Relying only on core fans won’t fill the seats.
“So, what should we do?”
“We’ll have to collaborate with other troupes. Alex, do you know any troupes to interact with? Friends from other troupes…”
Alex paused, looking puzzled, then shook his head.
“Normally… actors train within a troupe before becoming actors. But we started as puppeteers and then formed our troupe…”
But despite Alex’s words, Anna raised her hand energetically.
“I have lots of friends!”
“Me too!”
John followed, raising his hand as well. I handed them letters I had prepared in advance.
“Ha, at least you two have friends, that’s a relief. Now, here’s the mission. Spread these letters as much as possible!”
After giving the letters to the two, I had to wait for their replies. Meanwhile, the first performance day of the Katia Troupe was approaching. It was also Reuke’s first stage.
The First Performance of the Katia Troupe
The first day of the Katia Troupe’s performance was the day the “enemy” made their first move—but also the day my beloved Reuke’s first stage would be.
Reuke, naturally, had left early in the morning. Since it was Reuke’s first performance, I planned to dress up just as elaborately as I did for the founding ceremony and watch the play.
“Where are you going?”
My aunt, who hadn’t come upstairs lately, stopped me as I tried to leave. She seemed rather anxious since the last founding ceremony. I looked her squarely in the eyes and said,
“Oh, it’s Reuke’s first play today. Didn’t you know?”
“That… she’s really going on stage? Acting?”
“Yes.”
I answered as if it were obvious.
“You’re going to watch too, right? You’ll need to get ready quickly if you don’t want to be late.”
“Ah, yes… that… no, never mind.”
My aunt seemed unsure whether to stop me further or not. She had already confirmed whose troupe the Schacht Troupe belonged to.
“So, you’re joining the Schacht Troupe… Who would’ve thought this day would come!”
I deliberately emphasized “Schacht Troupe,” leaving my panicking aunt behind as I walked out.
“To Tresen Street. You know where Katia’s new theater is, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
There were too many people on Tresen Street, so I had to get off nearby. Judging by the outfits, there was a wide variety of people. It felt like a theater for nobles, but perhaps because it was free, many modestly dressed commoners were there too.
“The theater is really big.”
“To think the Schacht Count would form a troupe… I wonder what grand spectacle they’ll show.”
“If tickets were sold, people like us wouldn’t even stand a chance, right?”
“Exactly.”
I just wanted to see what it was like.
“I was invited here.”
I showed my invitation to the usher at the theater entrance. Not all seats were freely open to the public. Nobles with invitations took the front, central, or box seats, while commoners sat further back. Even in other large theaters with paid performances, wealthy nobles generally got the best seats, but such blatant discrimination even in a free show felt off.
“Yes, I’ll guide you to your seat!”
The usher led me to the very front seat, my name even written on it. They wanted me to see clearly. I couldn’t miss Reuke’s performance, no matter what.
Soon, the noisy atmosphere settled, and the lights went out. People looked around in surprise. Theaters in this world usually used candlelight. But now, lighting…? When the lights came on, the audience gasped.
“They’re using magical crystal lights…?”
“How much money do they have?”
Magical crystals. Alex had mentioned it once—if you had enough money, you could try using magical crystal lighting.
When the stage lights came on, the protagonist appeared—a blond man. Anyone could tell he was a crown prince. Hopefully, they hadn’t copied our play. Anxiety surged, but… luckily, that wasn’t the case.
The first scene showed the handsome prince happily spending time with his family.
“Born a prince, yet without strife, with a harmonious family and a peaceful kingdom… who could be happier than I?”
From the prince’s first line, I could already sense the coming tragedy. His family’s harmony and the country’s peace would soon be lost.
‘Interesting…? Tragedy? But when will Reuke appear? A minor role?’
Watching quietly, I realized the prince’s world was full of lies. What seemed harmonious was not; the king and queen had mistresses, and the kingdom was threatened by corrupt officials. The prince was in anguish, unable to act, surrounded by people scheming against him.
‘They’re surprisingly focused on the narrative.’
I was amazed not only by the content but also by the staging. I had expected lavish visual effects, but aside from the costumes and the magical crystal lights, there were almost none.
‘They could’ve used the crystal lights more creatively… but I guess they lack experience.’
Though there were minor regrets, the narrative-focused direction reminded me of the Forest Troupe’s style. It was frustrating, but engrossing.
When it became clear that all the prince’s happiness was a façade, a sinister figure appeared before him—a tall, black-clad demon with a masked face, moving gracefully. Its eerie presence immediately drew my attention.
“Do you wish to know the truth?”
I couldn’t help but gasp.
Reuke?! Is that Reuke right now?! Taking the pretty one, hiding her face…!
But… somehow, it felt right.
