Chapter 54
Chapter 54
Translator: Penny
Chapter 54
What did I eat wrong?
Or, did I not eat what I should have?
That was Ha-eun's first thought upon hearing Da-yeon's sudden declaration of a slap.
Because, this time, she couldn't even begin to guess the reason.
"...Did I do something wrong?"
"No, I don't think Lee Ha-eun, you did anything wrong?"
"??"
She knows that Da-yeon isn't exactly the affectionate type.
She also knew that she was unreserved in expressing her feelings and thoughts towards Ha-eun.
Nevertheless, the reason she hadn't ignored or avoided Da-yeon's feelings or thoughts was because she hadn't done anything particularly wrong.
For the past 11 years of sticking with Da-yeon, she had simply thought that she just needed to wait until Da-yeon's mood improved.
In fact, things had always worked out somehow as time passed.
However, this was the first time she had tried to translate her feelings or thoughts into action.
Moreover, she couldn't even guess where those feelings or thoughts came from.
The expression on that familiar face was also quite different from when she was angry or sulky.
It was like she was being careful about something.
Since she had known Min Da-yeon, Ha-eun had almost never encountered Da-yeon's cautious expression, and one assumption flashed through Ha-eun's mind.
At the same time, the words "no way" also came to mind, but everyone has their secrets.
"...Are you perhaps into that kind of thing?"
Just in case, she moved a little closer to Da-yeon and whispered courageously.
Da-yeon's face flushed instantly.
"W-What are you talking about, you crazy bitch!!"
As expected, a shriek.
Despite Ha-eun's consideration in whispering, she screamed loud enough to shake the entire hallway.
Within a few seconds, the surrounding gazes were focused on Da-yeon.
Eventually, Da-yeon, whose ears had turned red, made a run for it.
'...Did she really eat something wrong?'
Ha-eun's question about Da-yeon remained unresolved.
However, even for Ha-eun, who had a calm personality, getting slapped out of the blue was a bit much.
She decided to wait for a time when no one was around and talk to Da-yeon again.
No matter how eager Da-yeon was to pick on Ha-eun, she wouldn't have slapped her for no reason.
However, Da-yeon started avoiding Ha-eun.
For an entire week.
As a result, they couldn't have a proper conversation until Friday.
The '1' next to the last chat message sent to Da-yeon was still not deleted.
However, as Ha-eun, who had been cast as a proper lead in Moonlight Pierced by Clouds, couldn't keep focusing on Da-yeon's issues.
She decided to resolve Da-yeon's issues again starting Monday, and for now, she would focus only on the first script reading scheduled for around noon on Saturday.
As time passed.
About an hour before the first script reading of Moonlight Pierced by Clouds was scheduled to begin.
"Oh, what's this? I thought I was the first one here."
"Ah... hello. Nice to meet you."
She greeted the actors and staff who began to arrive one by one, starting with a middle-aged actor who was scheduled to appear in a minor role.
One way or another, there was no better first impression than greeting politely.
However, contrary to Ha-eun's intention to greet even the last person to arrive.
Another lead actor she was meeting for the first time today.
In other words, 'Yoo Sung-jae', the actor who played the male lead, 'Crown Prince Lee Hyun', approached Ha-eun in a friendly tone.
"I'm older than you, but Ha-eun is much more senior in terms of experience. Please feel comfortable with me."
In the end, she had no choice but to stop giving polite greetings and sit next to Yoo Sung-jae.
This was because if Ha-eun, the senior, kept standing, Yoo Sung-jae, the junior, would be in an awkward position in many ways.
The conversation that followed was mainly about the original novel of Moonlight Pierced by Clouds.
Like Ha-eun in the past, Yoo Sung-jae had also read the original novel several times, so there were no obstacles in the conversation.
"Which scene did Ha-eun like the most? I liked the scene where Yeongwol reappears in a completely different form."
"Hmm... The scene where the two people are talking with a door between them."
"You're talking about the mid-episode, right? Where Crown Prince Lee Hyun revealed his true feelings for the first time."
"Yes."
"Certainly, that scene also had a great lingering feeling."
As they continued to talk about Moonlight Pierced by Clouds, it was almost time for the script reading to begin.
All the actors and staff who were scheduled to attend the script reading were also sitting in their respective seats.
"Yes, hello. I'm Jin Gyu-seong, the director of Moonlight Pierced by Clouds."
The script reading was started with a greeting from the director, Jin Gyu-seong.
A brief comment about being in charge of directing Moonlight Pierced by Clouds was soon added.
It was after that that Yoo Sung-jae, who was sitting right next to Ha-eun, stood up from his seat.
"I'm Yoo Sung-jae, playing the role of Crown Prince Lee Hyun. I will try my best to show you a great performance."
A subtle smile.
A bright voice.
Decisively, his handsome face, which could not be called ugly even as a euphemism, drew applause.
As Yoo Sung-jae sat back down, many eyes were focused on Ha-eun.
It was perhaps natural that there was anticipation mixed in with those gazes.
Ha-eun had mainly insisted on supporting or minor roles.
Nevertheless, Ha-eun's unique scene-stealing talent was still there, and she had extracted at least two or three highlights from each work she appeared in.
So, in Moonlight Pierced by Clouds, where she was participating as a proper lead, there was no choice but to expect what she would show.
Ha-eun's audition video was also somewhat spread.
Ha-eun herself had never seen the video, but it was enough to raise expectations for Ha-eun even further.
And so, eventually.
"I'm Lee Ha-eun, playing the role of Yeongwol. ...I'll do my best."
Ha-eun, who seemed a little nervous, also stood up from her seat and greeted the surrounding actors and staff, just as Yoo Sung-jae had done earlier.
Applause of a similar magnitude to the applause that had been poured on Yoo Sung-jae a little while ago followed.
Even after Ha-eun sat back down, the greeting time did not end.
However, because she was a little thirsty.
She took advantage of the gap just after the greeting of a minor actress had just ended and picked up a bottle of water that was placed right in front of her.
Just as she was about to take a sip of the lukewarm water.
"...I'm Min Da-yeon, playing the role of Queen Yun."
"Cough!"
At the same time as the identity of the person who had been wearing a black baseball cap for quite some time was revealed, she choked.
Yoo Sung-jae, who was flustered, gave Ha-eun a worried look, asking if she was okay.
However, at this moment, no matter what Yoo Sung-jae said, she couldn't understand a single word properly.
This was because Queen Yun was the one who tormented Ha-eun's Yeongwol.
In addition, the fact that Da-yeon, of all people, was playing the role of Queen Yun.
It was enough to make Ha-eun worry about what would happen on the set of Moonlight Pierced by Clouds.
Ha-eun's eyes, which had been slightly widened before she knew it.
She was even feeling a slight sense of betrayal towards Da-yeon.
However, no matter what state Ha-eun was in, this was a place for the script reading of Moonlight Pierced by Clouds.
"Then, let's start with [S#13. Three People Confronting in the Crown Prince's Palace]."
She had to somehow calm her slightly tingling throat and shift her gaze to the script.
Even so, the reason why she couldn't help but be conscious of Da-yeon over there was because Queen Yun also appeared in the scene of the three people confronting in the Crown Prince's Palace that Jin Gyu-seong had just mentioned.
Queen Yun, who had newly ascended to the position of queen in place of Crown Prince Lee Hyun's biological mother, who had died several years ago, and Crown Prince Lee Hyun, who subtly checked such Queen Yun.
And, the royal guard Yeongwol, who silently stood by Crown Prince Lee Hyun's side.
Queen Yun was also checking Crown Prince Lee Hyun, so sharp lines had no choice but to come and go in this scene of the three people confronting in the Crown Prince's Palace.
For example.
｢To visit the Crown Prince's Palace in broad daylight like this. It seems that Her Majesty the Queen is quite free?｣
Yoo Sung-jae's line, mocking that the king is lying in bed, but the queen, who should be assisting such a king, is leisurely strolling around the palace.
｢I can't stop worrying about the weak Crown Prince. If you are not with a eunuch, you can't even think about going outside the Crown Prince's Palace.｣
Da-yeon's line, mixed with ridicule towards the Crown Prince, who always brings Yeongwol with him despite being old enough to take on the regency.
However, there was a line that was sharper than any other line.
｢You are a subject, so how can you always accept the Crown Prince's childishness? Even a small sparrow no longer brings food to its fully grown chicks.｣
A line targeting Yeongwol, who never leaves Crown Prince Lee Hyun's side at any time.
Da-yeon's gaze, which was staring at Ha-eun from over there, was also terribly fierce.
'...As expected.'
From the perspective of Jin Gyu-seong, who had pushed Da-yeon into the role of Queen Yun, Da-yeon's acting was satisfactory.
Unlike the other actors who performed 'old-fashioned' acting.
Acting full of wariness, acknowledging Yeongwol as well as Crown Prince Lee Hyun as Queen Yun's enemy.
Of course, other actors could have done acting that was wary of Yeongwol if they wanted to.
However, as a result, Da-yeon was the only one among the many actors who showed acting that was wary of Yeongwol.
｢I am just a mere wolf, Your Majesty the Queen.
I will only bare my teeth to the enemies of His Highness the Crown Prince, so please don't worry.｣
The sight of Ha-eun's acting that followed immediately colliding head-on with Da-yeon's acting made him wear a satisfied expression once again.
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny