Chapter 35
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Merry Christmas!
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Whoa.
Beneath the brilliant sunlight of a clear winter sky, an amazing sight unfolded.
The white snow that had fallen steadily all night blanketed the entire neighborhood.
The snow that started coming down on Christmas Eve had everyone buzzing with excitement.
The troupe members, fresh from finishing the show together, told me that a snowy Christmas is called a White Christmas.
Whew, believe it or not, this was already my fifth Christmas.
Id heard the term on TV before, but I reacted with exaggerated enthusiasm.
The RUN cast and crew were all riding high after a wildly successful opening night, after all.
No way was I going to rain on their parade.
Last nights premiere of RUN had gone not just as expected, but even better.
Every single actor shone on stage, and the audiences reaction was electric.
Even Jessica was beaming with satisfaction, so there was no need to say more about the shows quality.
Late that night after the performance, I came home andwith Uncles helpchecked out the new articles featuring my name.
The critics were unanimous in their praise.
Sure, there were still some snide comments with twisted views of me, but I didnt care.
At least the faces of the audience members leaving after seeing the play last night were full of delight.
Those expressions lingered in my mind, putting me in a great mood.
So pwetty.
The snow from last nights blizzard hadnt melted at all and was piled up everywhere.
I woke up and stood by the window with Mom, admiring the world turned white.
Siu, wanna go out and play in the snow?
Mom asked, noticing my sparkling eyes.
Snow play!
What a sweet-sounding idea.
Imagine going outside, building a big snowman, and having a snowball fight with Momhow fun would that be?
Ever since getting this young body, just looking at the white snow made my heart race with excitement.
I felt like diving right in and burying myself in it.
It reminded me of our Sebastian from back when I was Noah at Battenberg Castle.
The pup Oliver and I had raised so carefully from when it was just a little puppy.
It was a Papillon, the kind every noble house kept back then.
Sebastian was usually so gentle and smart, but he went absolutely wild at the sight of snow and bolted outside.
Which meant I had to roll around in the snow with him.
After I got locked in the tower and Oliver was chased away, I wonder if Sebastian was okay.
I hope he didnt get abandoned along with me.
No, no.
Sorry, Sebastian, but I decided not to dwell on gloomy thoughts anymore.
Mom was already giving me a puzzled look.
Umm. No. Ill play in the snow later. Cant catch a cold during the run.
Since my face had stiffened anyway, I said it in a deliberately serious tone.
Wed only just finished opening night.
Today was Christmas Monday, a day off from shows, but times like this called for top-notch condition management.
If I, the lead, caught a cold, Id be letting everyone down.
Moms eyes widened in slight surprise at my mature words.
Aww, our Sius all grown up now?
Yup!
I struck a heroic pose, hands on my hips.
Mom, ever the cool one, scooped me up in a big hug.
But she kept glancing toward that room over there... What was up?
Curious, I turned to follow her gaze.
Oh, ack! Siu, ready for breakfast?
Huh? Uh-huh. But wheres Daddy?
The chicken shop didnt open till around noon, so the family always had breakfast together.
Except for Uncle, who slept super late.
Huh? Oh... Daddy had some work today and went out. Lets eat first, just us. Wanna wash up?
Huh? Uh-huh.
I followed Mom into the bathroom.
I scrubbed my face vigorouslysplish-splashand came out to sit at the table.
As always, crispy toast and milk for breakfast. Then suddenly, the front door burst open.
Huh?
I looked up, mouth stuffed full of toast.
And there...
Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!
Stood a jolly Santa letting out a hearty laugh.
Well... more precisely, Dad standing there awkwardly in a Santa suit.
He had on a fluffy white beard that didnt suit him one bit and a bright red Santa hat.
Hed clearly done his researchthe suit was stuffed with padding to give him a big belly.
Santaer, Dadwith a sack of gifts slung over his shoulder, boomed cheerfully.
Santa Grandpas here! Ho ho ho!
Waaah! Siu, Santa Grandpa came to our house!
Mom suddenly jumped up, clapping and beaming.
Oh ho.
From her reaction, it looked like theyd planned this surprise just for me.
Ho ho ho! I heard theres a very good boy in this house. Gotta give presents to good boys.
Santa set down the sack from his back, delivering his super awkward lines.
He rummaged inside and pulled out a big box.
How could I not recognize my own dad from those cringey lines?
Sigh, Dad.
Acting isnt done like that, you know.
But I couldnt ignore their sweet gesture.
I widened my eyes on purpose, tumbled off the chair, and ran to Santa.
Waaah! Santa Gwampa! You came to give Siu a pwesent?
I greeted him extra excitedly, even more hyped than usual.
Sigh, they put in all this effortsurely as their son, I had to at least pretend to be fooled?
With the acting chops that had Jessica Brown totally hooked, I decided to fool Dad today.
Ho, ho, ho! Of course, of course! Word even reached Santa Village that Siu was super good for Mommy and Daddy all year! Here, take this.
Waaah, gotta open it!
Dad was getting into it now, delivering his lines with real confidence.
Much more natural than before.
I stifled a laugh as I took the box he handed me.
Whoa, its bigger than I thought.
Getting a gift right after waking up? Way more fun than expected.
This time, no acting neededI was genuinely thrilled as I tore off the wrapping.
Wooow...
Inside the box were two neatly placed hand puppets.
A cute frog and a tiger.
I slipped them on right away.
Folding and unfolding my hands made their mouths flap like they were talking.
Woooow! Look, Mommy! The tigers talking!
Hee hee, Siu loves them, huh?
Yup! Thank you, Santa Gwampa!
I jumped up and bowed to Dadno, Santa.
Ho, ho, ho. Like your present?
Yesh! Santa Gwampa wocks! Thank you, thank you!
I used the puppets on my hands to thank Santa.
They even had thumbs and pinkies for arm movements.
The puppets bowed politely at the waist.
Santa watched, chuckling happilyho ho ho.
Id wondered what gift hed pick, but hand puppet theater set? Never saw that coming.
You could tell hed put thought into it for his almost-six-year-old aspiring actor son.
Honestly, I was touched.
I got all excited and put on an impromptu show for Mom and Dad with the puppets.
The living room erupted in cheers, and Uncle shuffled out from the small room where hed been sleeping.
Huh? Bro-in-lawer, I mean, Santa Grandpas already here?
Ugh, what time did you crash last night?
Hey, Im up, arent I? Anyway, Siu! Uncle got your Christmas present too!
Really? Waaah!
I ran to Uncle, still wearing the puppets.
Mmm, the fabrics so softI could wear these all day.
Uncle rummaged back in his room and came out with a big box.
Ta-da! Siu, you like this?
Waaah!
I plopped down and stared at Uncles gift with wide, eager eyes.
It was a mini car assembly set.
Two little cars and tracks to make them race on.
Thank you, Uncle!
I thanked him with the puppets, of course.
Then Uncle sidled up and whispered to me.
Ahem, and later come to the small room. Uncle got a box of Mayer chocolates.
Mayer...! Yup, thank you, Unca!
Mayer chocolates were the ones I got hooked on when someone from the troupe shared them as snacks.
Sweeter, softer, melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness like no other!
Not cheap, and Mom wouldnt let me have too many cause of cavities.
Uncle, youve outdone yourselfthis is the best thing youve done lately.
I was so thrilled I threw my arms around his neck.
Whatd you say? Whys Siu hugging you like that?
I hardly ever hugged anyone but Mom, so she eyed us suspiciously.
Me and Uncle froze in place.
Come on, sis! Cant a couple of troupe buddies share a secret?
Hmm...
Mom kept eyeing us suspiciously but eventually let it go.
There were still more events to come.
Alright, shall we cut the cake?
Breakfast cake?
Its Christmas! Gotta eat it together before Santa Grandpa goes.
Ho, ho, ho.
I couldnt believe this lively atmosphere.
Back in 17th-century England when I was Noah, Christmas celebrations like this werent allowed.
Customs had people celebrating around this time, but our castle never threw a big party.
The English Parliament banned commemorating Christmas or singing carols during this period.
But servants threw secret parties, and nobles held gatherings under other pretexts.
I couldnt join those festive crowds.
After being locked in that remote tower, I had to listen to the noise and smell the food all alone.
Even if I hadnt been confined, with the people I wanted to be with gone, I probably wouldnt have gone anyway.
But now was totally different.
The carols Id heard since babyhood and the Christmas vibe had me buzzing naturally.
It was one of the happiest days of the year for me, no exaggeration.
Even if it was chicken instead of goose, and fake Santa instead of real.
Alright, lets blow out the candles!
Merry Christmas!
Still, Christmas with my loved ones was way better.
Fuuu!
I blew out the candles on the cake in one go, and everyone clapped and cheered.
As we were about to cut it, Mom pulled an envelope from behind and handed it to me.
This is Mommys Christmas present.
Huh?
I tore it openinside was a ticket to the Shakespeare musical A Midsummer Nights Dream.
The tickets that sold out in seconds when they went on saleimpossible to get!
My eyes went wide as I checked it.
Mommy! Thank you!
I threw myself into her arms.
As I snuggled in, a trembling voice came from behind.
You... prepared that behind my back?
There was a hint of betrayal in his tone.
Oh no, Dad.
How could you drop the act midway?
As his senior in acting, I decided to give him some tension.
Santa Gwampa, do you know Mommy?
I turned to Santa and asked.
Santa panicked hard, stumbling over his words.
Siu, Santa Grandpa knows everything.
Huh, so cool!
Ho, ho, ho! Thats right! I know everything!
I flashed a big smile at awkwardly grinning Dad.
Sigh, Ill protect Dads acting till the very end.