Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Are You Not Here?
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"Ughhh... It's cold."
I snapped about five photos myself before plopping down next to Eloise by the brazier to warm up. Shooting in spring clothes during winter is tough, as expected.
"H-Hello...?"
"Hey, hello."
Eloise Whitmore had this super cool vibe, making it hard to strike up a conversation. Sure, I might look like a kid now, but I'm actually an adult. I had no clue what kids her age liked. I racked my brain over how to break the ice.
-Beep!
"Hm? What's up, Dangdang?"
-Beep...!
Dangdang hopped off my head onto the grass-covered ground, tail perked up, growling at Eloise.
"Ack, what's wrong...?! Come here, quick...!"
"Hmph."
No matter how much I'd called Eloise my rival or whatever in jest, that was just kidding around. I didn't really see her as a rival anyway. Being so openly wary right in front of her was amateur hour.
Eloise stared at me and Dangdang from the side. Once I put Dangdang back on my head, she spoke up again.
"What is that thing?"
"Oh, this one...? This is Dangdang... my pet robot...?"
"Yeah? Where'd you get it?"
"Didn't buy it... I guess I made it...?"
"You can do that too?"
"Well... uh, actually, I'm an Awakened. It's like my awakening ability...?"
"Ah... okay."
Eloise reacted with zero interest, casually dragging her chair farther away. Even with the toasty brazier right there, she went out of her way to move. No mistaking it—she was showing some deliberate distaste...
'Tch, whatever. Does she think I'm gonna knock her out or something?'
I'm a good Awakened, not a villain. I don't hurt nice people. Dangdang patted my forehead with its short front paws from atop my head, then hopped down to my lap, yapping away.
-Beep...!
"Hm? What?"
-Beep, beep-beep...!
"Mana? From where?"
The message popped up on Dangdang's screen saying mana had been detected. Not sure if it was because it was dog-shaped, but Dangdang was super sensitive to mana. When I asked where, it sneakily turned its head and glanced at Eloise.
"Gasp... Eloise is Awakened too...?"
-Shake shake
"What...? But it detected mana...?"
-Nod nod
I picked up Dangdang and whispered. Mana was detected from Eloise, but she herself wasn't Awakened? What did that mean?
"Then what... uh, no idea."
I sipped the hot chocolate from the staff while waiting a bit, and Eleanor came over, nodding.
"Eve, you're not too cold, right?"
"Oh, no! I'm fine by the fire."
"Heehee, good. The photos came out beautifully. Schedule's loose today, so no more outfit changes. Shall we head to the changing room?"
"Sure? Okay, let's change."
Changing was done in a makeshift dressing room nearby—curtains on a circular metal frame, with heaters around for warmth. Ophelia helped me change, then the stylists handled the detailed styling.
"Oh, Ophelia. Mind if I check Eve's hair real quick? It's so fine yet thick—might need new gear tomorrow for proper styling."
"If it's alright, I'd be happy to assist."
"That okay?"
But my hair was pro-stylist level tricky. Done right, it shone; done wrong, it poofed like a mutt's. Ophelia's skills were top-tier stylist quality.
"Princess, I'll help you change."
"Sure."
The contract apparently specified Ophelia could act as guardian and provide assistance. Eloise didn't bring parents? No one looked like a guardian; staff just rotated helping her.
"Ophelia, I took good photos, right?"
"Yes, though insufficient to fully capture Your Highness's charm. Still, excellent results."
"Heehee."
That wrapped today's schedule. We toured the set for about three hours? No fittings planned, but they had me try on outfits last-minute, so it ran long. Took Eleanor's car straight to the hotel.
One hour there, three hours shooting, one hour back—five hours total for what felt like nothing.
Left around 11 a.m., now just past 4 p.m.
"Takes longer than expected."
"Usually starts at 9, but we were late today~"
"Ah, got it."
I only had five outfits anyway, and a week's plenty of time. Crew rests when idle, grinds when busy—no weekends. Models same deal.
"Great work today! Rest up, see you tomorrow~"
"Yes! You too, Eleanor!"
"Safe travels home."
Back at Claridges, stripped down, and rolled around in the warm fluffy bed. Ophelia said Suri and Minium were chilling fine, tinkering away. Asked if they wanted to see London—they said call if danger strikes.
Are these really machines...? Do machines like rest?
"Oh right, Ophelia. About Eloise."
"Yes, what happened?"
"I told her I'm Awakened while chatting, and she seemed kinda put off. Like, she dragged her chair away to put distance between us."
Eloise seemed repulsed when I revealed I was Awakened. Winter shoot in spring clothes was cold, but she picked up her chair to scoot away.
"Is that so."
"Maybe she's jealous of me...?! My skills too outstanding?!"
"Unlikely."
"Aww."
Nothing I can do... Kids that age get jealous sometimes, right? Though if asked what about my performance today warranted envy... hm.
No clue.
Eloise didn't bring mom or dad? She's a kid too—don't parents help? Thinking about it, that time they'd be at work. No manager either?
"Looks good on you? These clothes suit you great."
"Hm."
Next day, 10 a.m. Prepped from 9, brunch in the car en route, quick start to shooting. Sun stronger than yesterday, temps up 3 degrees—warmer.
Eloise finished her early morning shoot, then mine began.
"Eve. Poses feel stiff—try bolder."
"R-Really?"
Creative mode director Charles Montagu—silver-haired grandpa—came close, demonstrating poses himself.
"Like this."
"Okay, I'll try!"
Grandpa striking poses was kinda funny. But his serious face made it work—no laughs otherwise.
Couldn't keep Dangdang on my head forever during shots. Stylists fussed over every hair; even light Dangdang rolling around would flatten the volume.
-Click!
"Good. Done."
"Huuu... Colllld."
OK sign dropped, I sizzled by the brazier. Dangdang chewed what looked like dog gum, parked by the heater, watching me work.
But hey, multitasking. Bought wireless earbuds, fused 'em to Dangdang, enabled real-time translation. Even off my head, it'd translate.
"You like playing alone while Princess works?"
-Nod nod
"You do? You little...!"
During my breaks, Eloise shot. Rarely did Charles demo poses for her—just "try this?" and yep, pro-level. High skill vibe?
Shutter faster than mine, poses switching in a flash.
"Hm, she's good... Can I beat her?"
-Beep...
"Don't even dream? Gimme that dog gum! I'm eating it."
Eloise worked yesterday, today too—started before I arrived, kept going after I left for hotel. Not tired?
No Eleanor today—unknown driver. Ophelia suddenly buddying with stylists, chatting away.
Mostly them probing pro Ophelia for techniques.
"Guess I'll check my phone."
"Whoa..."
Awakening Gallery finally had a new awakening cert poster. But poor censorship on the test paper photo—bump opacity, and name plus home address popped up. Disaster.
Our newbie Active Hunter Gallery hopeful, B-Rank Bruiser Dual Blades Guy (real name: Ahn Dae-ho)'s post hit best-of, roasting ensued.
Fun Gallery chatter—I couldn't miss out.
Thread overheated, mod Hustar declared control.
Lunch hit amid the fun Awakening Gallery scrolling; everyone broke for rest. Eloise sat by the brazier too.
"Ah, good work."
"Yeah."
Cold, stiff reply. Does Eloise hate Awakened? Gallery would change her mind.
"Eloise, not tired?"
"Nah."
"You do tons—how many outfits?"
"Rude to ask."
"Oh, sorry."
Taboo question? Newbie me didn't know...
I deflated a bit; she glanced over, muttered quietly.
"12 fits."
"Huh?"
"12 outfits."
"Gasp, that's a lot... Must be rough."
12 outfits? 1,200 shots? Pro, blasts through 'em.
Eloise grabbed food from staff, ate a bit. I got leg massage from Ophelia, full lunch rest. She really solo?
No way...
'She's not an orphan, right...?'
Kid alone on set bugged me.