Chapter 127: The Real Owner
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 127: The Real Owner
‘This person is...!’
The moment I saw that tacky green suit, I knew exactly who he was.
“A-Antonel, at your service.”
The actor who had stepped out of the entrance stammered his name awkwardly.
“Antonel?”
“I... I perform the opening act.”
Alcent, who had been raising his voice just a moment ago, looked sheepish as he finally recognized the man.
“Ah, it was you.”
When I saw him on stage, he had seemed so full of confidence. But now, despite not being small in stature, Antonel stood with his shoulders hunched, looking like a young man who had been thoroughly intimidated.
“I was very moved by your singing,” I said, greeting him warmly.
In truth, I was much happier to meet him than I was to meet Cochibiel.
“Th-thank you!”
The back of Antonel’s neck turned beet-red in an instant. His clothes might have been outdated, but his shy face looked younger than I had expected.
“I mean it. Yours was my favorite performance today.”
As I showed interest, Alcent quickly introduced me.
“This is Her Highness the Grand Duchess. Greet her properly.”
Antonel’s eyes went wide, and he hurriedly threw himself to the floor.
“I... I greet Her Highness the Grand Duchess!”
He clearly had no idea how to behave around nobility. Alcent, looking embarrassed himself, whispered a sharp rebuke, telling him there was no need to prostrate himself as he pulled Antonel back to his feet.
Standing behind me, Cecilia let out a muffled giggle. I gave my lady-in-waiting a pointed look before turning back to Antonel.
“But why are you in a place like this?”
Even in the dim light, I could see dust motes dancing in the air. They called it a prop room, but it was hardly a fit place for a person to stay.
“I... I was just taking a short break.”
“In here?”
Antonel offered an awkward smile instead of an answer, and I could guess the general situation.
Is the hazing among actors that bad?
Perhaps an unknown actor like him wasn't even allowed in the dressing rooms. Even so, a prop room was a bit much. The dust alone felt like it would ruin his throat.
However, fearing that meddling might only cause more trouble for Antonel, I simply nodded.
“I see. I enjoyed the show.”
“It is an honor, Your Highness!”
Antonel bowed several times, the tips of his ears still flushed.
“How can an actor be that shy?” Cecilia clicked her tongue as we walked away.
Compared to Cochibiel’s slick fan service earlier, the contrast was indeed stark.
“He looks like he’s straight from the countryside...” Alcent added, clicking his tongue at Cecilia. He mentioned that many like him eventually give up and return to their hometowns.
For some reason, it weighed on my mind. Seeing him so diminished in an unfamiliar environment reminded me of how I felt when I first arrived here.
I hope things work out for him.
Sending a silent cheer to the unknown singer, I returned to the Royal Room. The second act was well underway.
“...Maybe I drank too much.”
The Marchioness, who had been knocking back champagne throughout the performance, stood up with a flushed face. Her steps were unsteady; she was clearly quite drunk. Raphael, on the other hand, had drifted off to dreamland a long time ago.
“I’ll escort the Marchioness to the powder room,” Cecilia whispered, catching my eye. She helped the Marchioness out of the room.
Ugh, when is this going to end?
I was shifting in my seat, growing restless, when a tall staff member entered the Royal Room.
“No more champagne for me,” I said, intending to decline as he moved to refill my glass.
“How are you enjoying the performance?” he asked in a mellow voice.
He surely knew I was the Grand Duchess. The casual way he struck up a conversation was so unusual that I looked up at him—and found myself freezing mid-motion.
...Wow, he’s handsome.
That was my first impression of him. Even though the light from the stage only cast a faint silhouette, his sharp, clear features were impossible to hide.
The staff member gave a soft smile and asked again.
“Are you having a good time?”
“...I’m watching.”
“It doesn't look like it.”
Well, look at this guy.
The man showed no sign of being intimidated by me. He had a relaxed air about him, like someone who had never been rejected in his life. No matter how I looked at it, he didn't seem like an ordinary employee. Perhaps the troupe leader had dressed up a good-looking actor as a staff member to gauge my reaction.
“And why do you think that?”
“What part of it is not to your liking?” the man asked, lightly ignoring my question. “The music? The stage? The actors?”
A well-shaped eyebrow arched upward.
“But surely, this is the best orchestra in Rondoris right now? A lot of money was poured into the stage production as well. Or perhaps you don't like Cochibiel? I’ve yet to meet a noble lady who didn't adore him...”
“Then I suppose I’m not a noble lady.”
Since he wasn't even trying to act like a proper servant, I decided to be honest with my critique.
“You want to know why I don't like it? The play is a mess.”
“A mess... you say?”
The man’s brow furrowed as if he were the one who had written the play himself.
“In what way?”
“You’re awfully curious for a staff member.”
I turned my head away, signaling that I had no intention of saying more. At that moment, he leaned toward me. His vibrant blonde hair spilled forward gracefully.
“Don't be like that. Please, tell me.”
Since he’d already been caught not being a real employee, he wore a nonchalant smile as if he were determined to get an answer. He seemed very accustomed to using his looks to get his way.
Hmph. That face won't work on me.
After all, I was someone who looked at Loik’s face every single day.
“If you’re that curious, tell the troupe leader to come and ask me himself. Don't try to feel me out like this.”
On stage, Cochibiel had just been shot and was singing a mournful aria as he collapsed.
“For your information, I just missed an important scene because of you.”
Just then, Norton, perhaps sensing that the staff member had been inside too long, poked his head in. Seeing the silhouette leaning over me in a disrespectful manner, he raised his voice.
“You! What do you think you’re doing?”
“I was just leaving.”
With a formal smile, the man gave me a slight bow before heading out.
“You weren't even watching the performance anyway.”
The nerve of him.
After Norton made sure everything was fine and left, I watched the rest of the show feeling slightly annoyed. The performance, which felt like it would never end, finally concluded with the heroine taking her own life after being unable to bear the grief of Cochibiel’s death.
“Your Highness, the troupe leader has requested a brief audience before you depart,” Alcent asked cautiously.
I looked back to see the Marchioness clinging to a knight, completely wasted, and Raphael asleep in the arms of another knight. Cecilia, who had been dealing with the Marchioness the whole time, looked utterly exhausted.
“Should I tell him to schedule it for another time?”
Why was the leader suddenly asking for a meeting? Was he going to apologize for sending that man to test me?
It was a sudden request, but I was curious about the identity of that strangely aristocratic "staff member," so I granted the meeting. I told Cecilia to take the Marchioness and Raphael back first, then headed to the VIP room with Alcent.
When we arrived, Samuel was standing there, looking incredibly restless.
“Why are you standing out here?”
Upon seeing me, Samuel awkwardly fidgeted with his hands.
“I... I have a confession to make to Your Highness.”
“A confession?”
After a long hesitation, he squeezed his eyes shut and spoke.
“In truth, I am not the leader of the Cariso Troupe.”
Alcent, standing beside me, looked shocked. As if wanting to get this over with as quickly as possible, Samuel rushed through his explanation.
“I didn't mean to deceive you. Strictly speaking, I am the troupe’s representative.”
“You mean there is another leader?”
“The leader does not wish to reveal his identity, so I handle all public-facing roles in his stead.”
Unlike Alcent, who couldn't hide his displeasure, I found myself growing more curious.
“So, the one who called for me is the ‘real’ leader?”
Samuel bowed his head. “He said he wished to meet Your Highness today, no matter what...”
“How dare he, in front of—”
As Alcent tried to step forward, Samuel raised a hand to stop him.
“He... he wishes for a private audience with Her Highness.”
Norton, who had been standing quietly behind me, stepped up immediately.
“I cannot allow Her Highness to be in a room alone with someone whose identity is unknown.”
“Reveal the identity of the real leader,” I said, looking at Samuel. “Then I shall meet him.”
“That is something you should hear directly from him...”
“I don't particularly enjoy surprises.” I narrowed my eyes on purpose. “I need to know what kind of status he holds that requires me to endure such rudeness to meet him. If you don't tell me the truth now, I’m leaving.”
Seeing me turn to walk away, Samuel’s hands twitched in desperation.
“Then... I will tell only Your Highness.”
I stopped, pretending to be swayed, and Samuel leaned in to whisper.
Damn it. I should have known.
Having heard the answer, I turned back to Norton with a sigh.
“Norton, wait here.”
“I cannot, Your Highness,” he muttered with a troubled expression. “I haven't even checked the room...”
“I’ll scream if anything happens.”
Norton’s lips thinned, but he eventually yielded to my command and stepped back. I nodded to indicate I was going in, and Samuel opened the door for me.
“I will be right outside,” Norton said, his voice laced with concern.
I stepped into the room, and the door clicked shut behind me.
Someone was standing by the balcony, their back to me. The blonde hair reaching down to his shoulders looked familiar.
Then, the man slowly turned around. Upon seeing me, his eyes crinkled into a soft, radiant smile.
It was the staff member who had barged into the Royal Room.
I recalled the identity Samuel had just whispered to me.
‘It is Prince Lucion of Rondoris.’
Princess Pelianes’s younger brother was standing right before my eyes.