Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: The Flower's Choice
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"It's true. I'm someone with big ambitions. Just trust me and follow along."
I bowed my head and then lifted it.
"Yes. Yes. I'll follow only you, Princess."
"Good attitude, my lord."
We faced each other and smiled.
That was when the director poked my back.
"Oof, the mood is great."
I jumped right up.
"Ah, Director."
"Let's start shooting. Specially today, Mr. Sa-hyeok is here too."
I politely bowed and straightened.
"Hello. Nice to see you again. I'm Cha Dowon."
Our Sa-hyeok still didn't return my greeting.
I grinned as wide as possible, like a total jerk.
'You really look pathetic, top star.'
Because of Sa-hyeok's attitude, the set's atmosphere was stiffening.
Then A-yeon grabbed my hand tight.
"Oppa, let's get to work quick."
"Huh? Yeah."
I followed A-yeon, pretending I couldn't resist.
As we crossed the grassy field, I heard nearby actors whispering.
'One of the lead actor's jobs is to keep the set's vibe smooth, right?'
Talk about throwing sand in the rice, our Sa-hyeok.
'But what to do about it.'
Laughter bubbled up on its own. My motivation was overflowing.
"Standby!"
I lay down on the grass and closed my eyes.
"Action!"
The director's voice echoing at just the right time was lovely.
I closed my eyes as I'd simulated.
Soon a soft touch brushed my eyelids.
I opened my eyes and smiled at the world's cutest sight.
"Princess, even if we're betrothed, how can you do this?"
"Isn't my lord already mine? Does one kiss wear you out?"
I laughed and patted my arm.
A-yeon lay with her head on it.
"Do you know the saying 'boys and girls shouldn't sit together past seven'? If those above find out, you'll get punished."
"If they punish you, I'll protect you."
A-yeon and I faced each other and smiled.
The director called out right away.
"Cut! Perfect!"
A-yeon and I rushed to the monitor.
I examined the screen closely.
The director said,
"Keep it up just like this. It's great."
The scene was excellent.
A-yeon and I high-fived.
"Prepare the next scene."
"Yes. A-yeon, let's go."
"Yeah!"
As we held hands to change costumes, a supporting actor gave me a thumbs-up.
"You act so well? You two are adorable."
"Thank you."
Then suddenly Sa-hyeok popped out and sneered.
"Child actors have it easy. Just be cute."
Wow.
What was that? A jab?
'Pathetically childish.'
Is he really an adult?
I seriously scanned him up and down.
How old was Sa-hyeok now? Late twenties?
'An adult picking fights with elementary and middle school kids.'
That was impressive in its own way.
"Tsk tsk tsk."
A-yeon clucked her tongue first.
"Oppa, ignore him."
"Huh?"
"He's so childish."
Exactly.
Pfft—
It wasn't me laughing.
A supporting actor watching us covered their mouth and laughed.
Sa-hyeok's voice must've been loud, because the laughter spread.
Oh no. Total embarrassment.
Pretending I couldn't resist A-yeon, I let her pull me away.
My princess dragged me off boldly and drove the nail in one more time.
"What kind of person is that immature!"
Tell me about it.
The situation turned hilariously.
Looking around, even the assistant director was laughing.
'What is this?'
Nose picked without lifting a finger?
I smiled brightly.
Just enjoy it. Sa-hyeok, watch. I didn't do anything?
***
Top star Mr. Sa-hyeok said child actors just need to be cute, but that was very wrong.
'Someone who personally graces a set without a schedule—didn't read the script?'
Unfortunately, in 'The Flower's Choice,' the child actors had some intense scenes.
And today was the day to shoot one.
"Dowon, you okay? Not tired?"
I'd dashed to one event at lunch and arrived at set.
As I changed into costume, I told my manager,
"I'm fine."
"How can you not eat?"
"It's okay. I'll eat in bits."
The stamina boosted by cheat was super useful.
As I finished prep and stepped out, A-yeon grabbed my hand.
"Oppa! You're here now?"
"Yeah. How was today?"
A-yeon didn't answer and nodded toward Sa-hyeok.
I smiled and bowed to him.
"Hello."
He still didn't respond.
'Whatever, not my problem anymore.'
Sa-hyeok's reputation was tanking by the day.
From staff to actors, everyone worried for me.
I recalled today's scenes.
Pretty emotional ones.
"Today I lose my princess."
"Yeah! We're breaking up today."
Thanks to that, my nicely dressed hanbok was covered in soot today.
Even bloodstains on mine.
I crouched to meet A-yeon's eyes.
"Please take care of me, Princess."
"Just trust me, my lord."
Soon the call to start shooting came.
I quietly lay prone on the leaf-strewn ground.
Beside me were corpses of reed-wounded people scattered.
'Well, mannequins, but.'
This was the scene desperately crawling through the slaughter.
Waiting quietly, I felt top star Sa-hyeok's gaze.
'Yeah, watch.'
Not something you see every day.
Soon the director's shout came.
"Standby! Action!"
I desperately crawled up the leaf pile.
"P-Princess...."
Frantically clawing earth, passing corpses.
At the end, finally my princess.
"Ah, no."
The princess's shoulder was soaked in blood.
I grabbed her hand.
"No, Princess."
With dirt-covered hand, I touched her face.
"You promised to marry me. You can't go like this."
My lips trembled.
Rough breaths scattered my lines.
"Rise. I can't lose you here, Princess."
I deliberately unfocused my eyes.
"You said when spring comes, we'd see flowers, summer the stream. Princess. My lady. Wake up. With this servant...."
No matter how I shook, A-yeon didn't rise.
I hugged my princess tight.
Then the nearby servant grabbed my shoulder.
"Young master! The Wangcheon army approaches."
"What does it matter!"
"If Wangcheon comes, they'll take your life too. Young master, get up. No, I'll carry you. We must go somewhere safe."
"I'm not going anywhere!"
But the servant forcibly pulled me from the princess.
And dragged me off.
"Let go! Yeom-ah! I'll die with the princess!"
"The living must live! Young master!"
I reached my arm toward A-yeon.
How long was I dragged?
Soon the awaited sound came.
"Cut!"
I got up.
Brushed off leaves, walked to monitor.
Director made space for me.
A-yeon was already there.
"Good. Very good."
Passing Sa-hyeok, I said,
"Director, can we do one more? Isn't it too quick to pass on first take?"
Half-joking, so director laughed out loud.
"That's why we're passing—it's that good. Thanks to Dowon and A-yeon, shoots are great lately. Next scene?"
Staff answered for me.
"The wedding."
"Whoa, long wait then."
I smirked and monitored.
Director was right. Flawless.
"Ah, Dowon, you'll wait more then."
"Yes. Anything I can help with?"
Director laughed again.
"Where am I gonna use the hottest idol right now?"
"Grab a mic?"
"Pfft!"
Of course, director wouldn't ask that.
I grinned brightly at Sa-hyeok behind.
'See that, punk?'
This is how you smooth the set vibe, top star.
"Alright, wrap. A-yeon done? Good work."
My princess bowed and rose.
"Good work."
A-yeon naturally took my hand.
I smiled and took her to her mom.
'Anyway, no A-yeon now?'
Wedding would wait a bit.
As I stretched and thought to review script again,
A somewhat familiar voice came.
"Arrogant little shit. Fuck."
I didn't turn.
"Hey!"
Someone yelled.
Only then I turned.
Top star Sa-hyeok, makeup done, glaring at me again.
I looked around.
No staff or managers.
'Just us?'
Knowing no one, he smirked nastily.
"Ah, sunbae-nim."
I smiled brightly and greeted.
"Why are you in a corner? Not watching next shoot?"
"Next is lead crying her eyes out. Why watch?"
"Ah, no need for that scene. My bad."
He glared mercilessly.
"Hey! Don't get cocky."
I looked around and said,
"You're talking to me, right?"
"You little fuck, so cheeky!"
Childish.
"Sunbae-nim, you can't complain just 'cause I do well what you can't."
His face twisted madly.
Honestly, that suited him best of all Sa-hyeok looks I'd seen.
"Too bad. If I were two years older, lead role would've changed."
"Hey!"
I beamed at him.
What humiliation to give top star Sa-hyeok to boast for generations.
'Provocation landed well....'
Now what to serve for him to step in shit.
'He watched my acting all along.'
Why?
'Maybe can't grasp acting direction?'
If lead's stuck.
Suddenly good idea.
'Next is wedding, right?'
Per script, adults take over after this.
He trembled his fist like to hit me.
What to do, our Sa-hyeok.
'Might be slow burn, but effective?'
I smiled brighter and yelled,
"Manager hyung! Here!"
Manager searching for me dashed over.
"You crazy ambitious kid. Why hole up in a corner! Huh? Mr. Sa-hyeok?"
Manager shoved me behind him.
"What you wanna say to my kid?"
I quietly schooled my face.
Made uneasy expression, Sa-hyeok glared huffing.
With manager there maybe okay, but sensing my worry, one or two actors followed.
Feeling eyes, Sa-hyeok kicked ground and yelled.
"Fuck!"
Wow.
He turned and stalked off.
I awkwardly smiled at concerned actors.
"Hey, what happened."
"Dowon, you okay?"
So many good people.
"Yes. I'm fine."
"Why's he like that."
"Be careful. Manager, don't leave him alone. Trouble."
I bowed to them.
Manager dragged me whispering,
"Dowon, watch out for Sa-hyeok for real."
"I'm being careful."
"More careful."
I blinked.
Manager looked oddly anxious.
"Something up?"
"Well, uh. That scandal of yours."
Mood soured instantly, I gritted teeth.
"Ah, that."
"Yeah. With Minje. Seems Sa-hyeok led it."
Wow.
"Not targeting Kang Minje, but me?"
"Seems so."
"Why? Images different, ages too. Fans don't overlap?"
"Boss is digging now."
I pictured our round-eyed clear president.
"Boss handles that."
"That guy's old dream was detective."
Totally unnecessary info I didn't care about.
Manager cleared throat.
"Anyway, be careful. Who knows what else."
"No clue why."
"Showbiz full of grudges, accidents not even your fault."
I shrugged.
Whatever grudge Sa-hyeok held, not my business.
'Making him step in shit matters.'
Laughter came naturally.
"Hey, anyway eat something."
"I'm good."
Then.
"Cha Dowon-ssi! Get ready!"
Time to spread the shit already.