Chapter 43
For now, the safest move is to recruit Reuke into the Forest Troupe. If Reuke joins the Forest Troupe with her current fame, both the troupe and Reuke can grow together, and it would make it much easier for me to produce.
“First, as we discussed earlier, I think it’s possible to work with the Shacht Troupe as well. But Katia isn’t someone you can trust…”
“You mean you want her to join the Forest Troupe?”
I nodded.
“I don’t know exactly if it was Katia’s doing… but first, you know the schemer role? That person hurt their leg. We need a replacement.”
“But to do that, we have to tell Katia.”
Reuke looked troubled. I knew Katia hadn’t treated Reuke badly—otherwise, her expression would have been sour long ago. After joining the Shacht Troupe, Reuke had been cheerful and diligent every day, which I was grateful for.
“You can’t just suddenly appear on stage and blindside her. She trusted that I could handle the stage, and she celebrated when I removed my mask and the audience cheered… just like you did.”
I know. Being a bad person doesn’t automatically mean doing bad things. Circumstances make people act that way. But that doesn’t mean it’s acceptable, or that I can just let it slide. Just because Katia deserves some retaliation doesn’t mean Reuke should betray me. I don’t think that’s acceptable either.
“But you won’t be able to get permission.”
“I know. Still, I have to tell her.”
But if Reuke goes, she might not come back. What if Katia gets angry and traps her? If our actor’s injury was Katia’s intention, she wouldn’t let Reuke leave easily.
“I know what you’re worried about. What if we call Katia out?”
“Will she come?”
“If I say I have something to tell her.”
In Reuke’s eyes, I saw strong determination as she said this.
“Is Katia someone you can really trust, from working with her?”
“No. She’s mean. But not to me.”
“Don’t trust her too much.”
Reuke didn’t answer that; she just smiled faintly.
“Shacht Troupe will probably come out in the end. So, should we take responsibility till the end? Don’t just free her from Burtington—make me the Empire’s most popular person.”
“That was the plan anyway.”
Burtington will probably attend the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet. If Reuke can perform on stage, this is the perfect opportunity to cement her position.
But solving the Katia problem comes first. I handed Reuke the pendant I had received from Leon.
“What’s this?”
“For self-defense. If you strike it three times quickly and throw it, it will explode.”
“Let’s hope I never have to use it. Probably won’t.”
“Be careful.”
“Hahaha, I’ll tell you later how I roasted Katia.”
Reuke tied her hair up high and began packing the luggage to go to the mansion with me.
“You leave first. I’ll come after talking to Katia.”
The next day, I followed the servant Leon had sent to his mansion. I had told the servant to bring Reuke in the evening. I also explained the situation, so the servant promised to keep watch from a distance.
As troupe members gradually gathered at the mansion, it quickly became lively. The atmosphere was bright, but I was anxious, worrying about Reuke.
“Wow, the Grand Duke invited all the guests himself? And so many! Ah! Miss, we met a few times before, but I didn’t get a chance to greet you properly. Make yourself at home.”
The first to welcome us was a middle-aged female chef. She had a warm, hearty appearance and a strong presence.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Melias Warren, and these are Alex, Anna, Zion, Neil, Kuma, and Jin.”
I pointed to each and introduced them.
“Oh my, you all look ready to eat well. Great! Today I’ll prepare a wonderful feast!”
Maids and servants helped carry the troupe’s luggage to their rooms. Before everyone dispersed, I called them briefly.
“About the substitute we talked about yesterday…”
“Ah, yes!”
Zion looked at me with wide eyes, curious.
“Unni wants to do it. But she has something to settle first, so she’ll come in the evening.”
“That’s good! Of course!”
“I was already worried about her being in Shacht!”
Seeing the troupe happy, I couldn’t talk about other worries. For now, all I could do was hope Reuke returned safely. Not that I was doing nothing—just not interfering openly.
“I’ll guide you to your rooms for now.”
“Oh, I can carry the bags.”
“Nonsense. You can’t treat guests like that in your own home.”
Anna and Alex looked at the servants in surprise. Of course, I had also struggled when I first served here after being possessed.
After unpacking a little, everyone went to their respective rooms. I followed a maid to a room on the second floor.
“This is your first time staying here, right?”
“Yes.”
“You seem close to the Grand Duke, so I’ve always been curious.”
“Well… I’m sort of like his subordinate.”
Strictly speaking, it’s more like a client and an outsourced producer, but I didn’t think the maid would understand that.
“Still, the Grand Duke doesn’t trust many people. Sir Omiros, maybe?”
“Omiros…?”
“The one always by his side.”
“Ah!”
He’s the one who always chatters at the Grand Duke and gets embarrassed. Huh, so he interacts with more people than I thought.
“Is the Grand Duke close with those he works with?”
“Kind of? You know he’s not the type to befriend people. But he’s a good person.”
Not very intimate but still has a good reputation. At least he’s a good employer. That’s enough to guide future interactions. But that’s after the banquet is safely over.
“I’ll call you when dinner is ready. If you’re bored, you can gather in the parlor. Enjoy your time!”
The maid left with a bright smile. I considered changing and going to the parlor, but decided to stay in my room, too anxious about Reuke. I didn’t want to worry anyone else, so I paced alone.
Then, someone knocked violently on the door.
“Unni!?”
I opened it, and it wasn’t Reuke but a maid.
“Miss, she’s here! But she wants to speak to everyone.”
I followed the maid to the parlor.
“Unni!”
I ran to Reuke and hugged her tightly.
“What did she say? Was everything okay?”
“No problem. But Katia said she’s letting me go because of me. No more mercy than that.”
“Huh, more here?”
“Yes, more here.”
Reuke glanced at each troupe member sitting around.
“From now on, I’m really going to be petty. Keep that in mind.”
Tension spread across their faces.
“But the Grand Duke is here too, so that’s why we’re gathered.”
Even if it’s not about scheming, in terms of physical protection, Leon is very reliable. No one would doubt him in that respect.
“By the way, where is the Grand Duke?”
Even though guests had arrived, he was nowhere to be seen.
“Guests, dinner is ready!”
Even at dinner, the Grand Duke did not appear.
“But where is he?”
“He’s in his room. He doesn’t really like meeting people.”
The maid serving food smiled.
“Can I try to see him later?”
“Yes, you can try!”
The answer wasn’t very confident. Usually, meetings are for business. But now that I was at his home, it felt strange not to see him. After dinner, I was guided to the Grand Duke’s office, partly to thank him on behalf of the troupe.
“I’m here to see Your Highness.”
“Yes.”
The maid knocked on the door.
“Miss Warren is here.”
“Let her in.”
The Grand Duke looked slightly tired. Since I usually spoke with him in the parlor, this was my first time in his office. The space was large and dark, giving me a subtle sense of intimidation.
“What brings you here?”
“I wanted to greet you… and also thank you.”
“You don’t need to say it.”
It seemed he wasn’t comfortable with personal interactions. But his slightly tired look caught my attention.
“Are you alright?”
“What do you mean?”
He didn’t seem like he wanted to answer, but I asked again, despite knowing it might be rude.
“Just wondering if you’re unwell.”
“If a superior I’m not close to meddles, it would be uncomfortable.”
“Oh, it’s just a greeting.”
“You don’t need to worry about me.”
Stiff as ever. I didn’t say more and quietly closed the door.
“Anyway, thank you.”
“It’s my job to take care of things. Go now.”
“Yes, yes.”
Though his words were firm, it was obvious he wasn’t used to concern, which made me smile. Perhaps he just didn’t know what to do, so he dismissed me.
‘Clumsy, but considerate… kind of cute?’
This could be a good selling point if handled well. Being close to the Grand Duke lets you see that charm, but I’m not sure how to show it to others. Plus, I haven’t decided whether we’ll actually go to the North together.
“Wait, fondness? Hmm… did I ever have any feelings for him…?”
Any feelings that developed from spending time together can’t really be marketed. I’m not sure. For now, I need to focus on the current play.
“Your Highness, is all this really necessary…”
“People have to be alive to prepare.”
The Grand Duke had placed wards throughout the mansion. Although he had stronger magic than most, creating wards consumed a lot of energy. Just as you notice footsteps better when paying attention, wards similarly drain the caster’s energy.
“You seem particularly fond of that girl.”
“I told you many times, I’m doing this to survive.”
“Even after surrounding yourself with guards?”
“If a guard dies, I have to replace them anyway.”
Omiros said nothing further and simply smiled as he left the Grand Duke’s office. Katia’s declaration of petty vengeance was already in motion even before Reuke arrived. Three assassins had already been caught in the wards.
‘He can’t bear losing people, so he brings them in.’
Omiros quietly shook his head.
