Chapter 3.12

Edgar waited for Natalie, but she didn’t return. Reflecting on his prank, which had gone too far, Edgar noticed Natalie’s gaze moving past him, directed elsewhere.

Following her intense gaze, Edgar saw her gentleman. The ‘gentleman with a charming smile,’ Mr. Salinger, was walking toward Edgar.

“Edgar, I didn’t expect to see you here. I don’t usually take this path. The area around the roses is always crowded. The other path is quieter and better for reflection.”

Quiet reflection. It was a fitting hobby for a proper gentleman. Unlike Edgar, who didn’t favor gloomy contemplation or quiet places.

Leonard gestured toward the rose garden with the tip of his cane.

“The scent of roses is wonderful, isn’t it? On sunny days, this area is full of couples. It’s relatively quiet today, though.”

Leonard’s words overlapped with what Natalie had said earlier.

“The scent is wonderful.”

It was as if their minds were in sync, saying the exact same thing.

What if Natalie had been walking this path with Leonard instead of me? Would she have smiled shyly while talking about the scent of roses? Without running away, would she have happily connected with someone who understood her?

Edgar dismissed the unwelcome thoughts that dampened his mood. He quickly regained his habitual smile.

“Yes, the scent is lovely.”

“Isn’t it? It’s a surprise to run into you here. For some reason, I felt drawn to this path today.”

“Perhaps it was fate to meet me.”

Edgar quipped lightheartedly. Leonard responded with a polite chuckle.

“Perhaps.”

Edgar’s smile faded unconsciously in front of Leonard’s ‘charming’ smile that Natalie admired.  

He knew Natalie, who stood under the shade of the tree, was also looking at Leonard. He could already imagine what expression Natalie might have as she gazed at her unrequited love.  

Would her smile have spread? Would she have fallen in love once again? Would she be smiling as if just looking at him made her happy, as she had done in the theater?  

Edgar gently bit the corner of his lip.  

Destiny and love—the words Natalie adored—were lies to Edgar. Fated love was a trick, like Santa Claus deceiving children.  

To Edgar, destiny was nothing more than handing Natalie a ticket to the box seat across from her and lying that it was fate.  

Yet, Natalie’s gentleman had miraculously found his way to the rose garden by sheer ‘destiny.’  

Edgar turned around. Natalie stood under the shade of the tree, her gaze still fixed on Leonard, just as he had expected.  

The wind blew, carrying the scent of roses. The fragrance, which he hadn’t noticed before, now became vivid, stealing his smile.  

“Am I interrupting something?”  

Leonard’s voice broke the silence. Edgar withdrew his gaze from Natalie and turned to Leonard.  

Leonard was looking at the shade of the tree where Natalie stood.  

“Were you taking a walk with Miss Maron?”  

Leonard asked again. Edgar reminded himself of the role he had to play—a fake lover who would help Leonard become Natalie’s husband.  

“Yes.”  

Leonard squinted, as if hearing a joke he didn’t understand.  

“I didn’t know you were so close to Miss Maron.”  

“Well… we’re not particularly close yet.”  

Edgar forced a bright smile that contrasted with his inner turmoil.  

“She’s my lover.”  

“…Since when?”  

“Since today.”  

With a light response, Edgar faithfully played the role of ‘Miss Maron’s charming lover,’ meant to unsettle the calm heart of the ‘gentlemanly Mr. Salinger.’  

Leonard frowned and silently stared at Edgar, seeming unsure of what to ask next.  

Edgar kindly placed a hand on Leonard’s shoulder, where his composure had begun to crack.  

“Well, I must be off now. My lover is waiting for me. Enjoy your quiet time for reflection. I’ll make sure Miss Maron and I have a good time.”  

Edgar left Leonard with a clear impression: ‘Miss Maron is no longer interested in you. She has found a new lover.’  

However, the fact that all his words—his repeated claims of ‘my lover’—were nothing but a lie felt like a sharp thorn piercing a corner of his heart.  

Edgar headed toward Natalie. With broad strides, he stepped into the shade without hesitation, startling Natalie, who looked up in surprise.  

Even though there was no room to retreat further, Natalie tried to step back, but Edgar grabbed her hand.  

Natalie, conscious of Leonard, tried to pull her hand away, but Edgar didn’t let go. Holding her hand firmly, he walked in the opposite direction of Leonard.  

Natalie attempted to glance back, seemingly concerned about Leonard. Edgar felt as though he had become the villain who separates lovers.  

“Don’t look back.”  

Edgar pulled Natalie closer to him. Their shoulders brushed against each other in the narrowed space. Edgar followed her green eyes, which refused to look at him, until their gazes finally met.  

“We’re lovers, aren’t we?”  

Edgar forced a soft smile, lifting the corners of his lips gently.  

However, the moment Natalie looked at him, the moment her gaze—always so generously directed toward Leonard—briefly turned to him, his act crumbled.  

“If you look back now, that’s cheating.”  

The sharp jealousy in his voice made it sound cutting. The line between acting and sincerity blurred.  

Natalie didn’t look back anymore.  

The scent of roses faded as the wind carried it away. The laughter of children and the cheerful voices of people passed by.  

Leaving the rose garden behind, they reached the bridge over the lake. Edgar’s hair became increasingly disheveled as he walked, unaware of how his pace quickened.  

“Could you… slow down a little?”  

Natalie’s voice, mixed with labored breaths, brought Edgar to a halt. Natalie finally leaned against the railing of the bridge to catch her breath.  

Edgar released her hand and looked down at the water below. His disheveled blonde hair reflected on the surface. The summer sunlight fragmented the rippling water, making it shimmer.  

As the unsightly face in the fractured sunlight began to fade, Edgar swept his hair back. However, his already tousled hair couldn’t be fixed, and strands fell across his face.  

“I didn’t look back.”  

Natalie spoke. Edgar turned to her. The young lady, who had been catching her breath from being dragged along, had now calmed down and was smiling gently.  

“I didn’t cheat.”  

Natalie looked Edgar straight in the eye. She raised her hand toward his face, gently tucking his stray hair behind his ear. Her touch was as delicate as handling fragile glasswork.  

Natalie revealed a shy smile, proud of her courage. She had shown such innocent kindness to a man she didn’t even like.  

Edgar found himself unable to remind himself that her gaze, her touch, and her smile meant nothing to him. With no way to escape the pouring sunlight, a smile spread across his face.  

***

As their steps matched each other’s pace, walking side by side no longer felt burdensome. 

By the time they reached the fountain, where streams of water sparkled under the summer sun, the two were discussing the Flavium Theater’s opening anniversary.  

It was customary to invite important guests and host a special performance on the theater’s opening day. This year, the responsibility had been entrusted to Edgar.  

The more successful the commemorative performance, the more attention the Flavium Theater would receive. The more people eager to be invited, the higher the theater’s reputation would soar. It was an event of significant importance in many ways.  

“I’m looking for a way to embody the theater’s belief that the audience is the protagonist. I want it to be a unique performance that only the Flavium Theater can deliver.”  

“You’ve been given an important task.”  

“The responsibility is immense.”  

“Now I understand. Mr. Wharton, you don’t just sit idly by after all.”  

“So, until now, you thought I did nothing?”  

At Edgar’s playful remark, Natalie’s eyes widened. 

Had my true thoughts slipped out unintentionally? 

She avoided his gaze, looking into the air.  

“It’s not that I doubted you, Mr. Wharton, but I didn’t know exactly what you did.”  

Natalie pondered for a moment before coming to a sudden stop, turning to face Edgar.  

“What about a masquerade ball?”  

Her eyes sparkled under the midday sun. Natalie continued to elaborate on the idea that had just struck her.  

“The audience could come dressed as the roles they desire. Everyone would become a protagonist, indistinguishable from the actors. And the performances could take place among the audience—it would be so fun! The entire theater, not just the stage, would become the stage.”  

As she spoke, Natalie’s face grew increasingly animated. Edgar carefully considered her excited words.  

“The audience truly would become the protagonists.”  

“That’s right!” 

Natalie exclaimed. Edgar gazed at her intently, waiting for his response.  

“To be honest… it’s a really great idea.”  

Hearing Edgar’s reply, Natalie’s smile shone with transparent pride.  

Edgar regarded Natalie, standing amidst the mist of the fountain, where a small rainbow had formed. She seemed like part of a picturesque scene, dazzling and vibrant without any pretense. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.  

The sunlight created a faintly glowing half-circle of flowers near the water. Natalie looked up at Edgar with eyes that sparkled like an excited child’s.