Chapter 4 – The Skill Of Making A Move (Part 1)

“How long do I have to wait?”

Edwin was undoubtedly more nervous than he had ever been in his twenty-six years of life.

Philip, who had been standing by the door watching his master’s behavior with a look of disdain, answered.

“Please, take it easy. It hasn’t even been five minutes yet.”

“Is there still plenty of time before it starts?”

‘That question again.’

Philip swallowed a sigh and nodded.

“Yes, you could even walk there.”

“…….”

“So, please… sit down.”

Philip grabbed Edwin’s arm and made him sit down. However, when Edwin got up again shortly after, Philip rubbed his forehead.

“Your Grace, please….”

“…Do women usually take this long to get ready?”

When Edwin asked, Philip pushed up the shirt arm band around his bicep and replied.

“It depends on the person… but if Madam heard you, she’d give you a good smack.”

Edwin let out a small laugh at Philip’s remark.

“Ah.”

Shaking his head, Philip continued.

“Anyway, Lorraine isn’t taking that long. She’s actually quite average.”

“…….”

‘Is this average?’

Edwin’s expression seemed to say just that. Philip sighed loudly, as if for Edwin to hear.

“And besides, you could process a few more reports during this time.”

Philip seized the moment to point at the pile of documents stacked in one corner of the study. Edwin jumped up and said,

“I have to go.”

“Your Grace!”

Philip shouted, utterly astonished.

‘Why does it always end like this?’

He wanted to punch his past self, who thought he would never be surprised by his master’s antics again.

At that moment.

Knock- knock-. 

Someone knocked on the parlor door a couple of times. Both men turned their gaze simultaneously toward the sound.

There stood Lorraine, leaning against the doorframe with a disapproving look on her face.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Her voice was as harsh as ever, despite her having grown into a perfectly refined lady.

“You’ll be in big trouble if you act like this after you get married. Understand?”

Her eyes were filled with disdain, as if she had heard the entire argument between the two.

“You’re not a child. Can’t you wait a little longer?”

There was no room for excuses.

Edwin averted his gaze and pursed his lips at Lorraine’s scolding.

“Are you going to rush your wife like this when she’s getting ready too?”

Lorraine casually mentioned Edwin’s future marriage. Edwin’s face darkened with displeasure.

“…There won’t be any need to go out, so what’s the point?”

“Pardon?”

Even at Lorraine’s question, Edwin stood up. Philip quickly fetched his jacket.

Edwin put on the jacket and perfectly adjusted his cravat before asking,

“So, are you ready?”

‘I definitely said something….’

Lorraine couldn’t understand why he was upset.

She hid her curiosity and nodded reluctantly.

“…Yes, well….”

“Then let’s go.”

Edwin naturally extended his hand to Lorraine. She cautiously took his hand.

But there was no longer any awkwardness.

“Have a good trip, Your Grace. Take care, Lorraine.”

Philip smiled as he saw them off.

***

The founding emperor chose to establish a theater troupe to calm the chaotic atmosphere of the newly formed nation.

「Investing in culture and the arts will always pay off, no matter the timing.」

Despite his advisors’ opposition, he gave full support to the theater troupe. And his prediction was spot on. With the imperial family’s full backing, the national theater troupe consistently produced outstanding actors beloved by the empire’s people.

As they followed Wilson, who introduced himself as Alethea’s manager, to the dressing room, Lorraine asked,

“I heard that Her Ladyship is a patron here… so Your Grace, you must have seen Alethea perform as well.”

Edwin didn’t need to ask to know that her question came from pure curiosity. Lorraine’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Ignoring her eager gaze, he replied indifferently,

“I’ve never seen her. And I don’t want to.”

“How can you say that?”

Lorraine looked genuinely baffled. She kept pressing, as if she herself felt wronged.

“Really? How can you not have seen Alethea Doyle…? Really… how…?”

“I never had a reason to. My mother handles all matters related to the theater.”

His indifferent tone made Lorraine click her tongue in disbelief.

“Really….”

As they reached the dressing room, Wilson cleared his throat and knocked twice.

“Lea, are you ready? We have guests.”

The response came quickly. Alethea’s cheerful voice was clearly heard through the door.

“Yes, come in.”

When Wilson carefully opened the door, the room lit up instantly. Unlike the dim hallway, every light in the dressing room was on.

“Oh…?”

Alethea, with a wig cap on and only half of her face made up according to the play’s requirements, widened her eyes.

Her green eyes, reminiscent of fresh foliage, sparkled with interest.

“Didn’t you say the Duchess was coming, Mr. Wilson?”

Wilson sighed softly and replied,

“I told you yesterday that Her Ladyship couldn’t make it and would be sending her son instead.”

“Oh my.”

Alethea covered her mouth and blinked. Her half-applied false eyelashes fluttered with each blink. However, only Lorraine failed to recognize that her natural demeanor was part of her acting.

With a blush on her face, Lorraine cautiously approached and handed Alethea a bouquet. It was a masterpiece meticulously crafted by the gardener of House Duncan.

“Miss Doyle, I’m a fan.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Receiving the bouquet, she displayed perfect fan service, befitting a true actress.

“I won’t continue pretending to be someone else forever.”

She hummed softly and kissed the back of Lorraine’s hand. It was a gesture as courteous as a knight.

Even after the kiss, she didn’t let go of Lorraine’s hand.

Instead, she looked at Lorraine with a meaningful smile.

“I hope to see you often from now on.”

Alethea’s eyes softened, and she gave a radiant smile.

Lorraine, staring blankly at her face, gently clasped the hand that Alethea had let go of and brought it to her chest.

“Am I in love?”

Edwin was the one who found her muttering absurd.

‘Such an obvious trick….’

But he couldn’t show his displeasure, so he let out a sigh to calm his frustration.

At that moment, Lorraine carefully tugged at his sleeve and asked,

“Is my heart really beating?”

Alethea looked at her with an affectionate gaze.

On the other hand, Edwin, with a mischievous expression, pulled his sleeve from her grip and replied mercilessly,

“People die if their hearts don’t beat.”

Lorraine didn’t seem to mind his cold response. She shyly spoke up.

“Could I please shake hands with you? And maybe get an autograph…?”

Alethea nodded enthusiastically.

“Of course. We can even hug.”

She even took it a step further.

“Eek!”

Lorraine squealed briefly as she was pulled into Alethea’s embrace. Though Lorraine was taller than average, she was no match for Alethea, who was tall enough to play male roles.

‘Excuse me, there’s someone here.’

Edwin, now completely ignored, looked at the two with a cold expression.

The only one who noticed his discomfort was Alethea’s manager, Wilson. He gently tugged on Alethea’s robe, trying to separate her from Lorraine.

“Lea, that’s enough now….”

At that moment, someone knocked on the dressing room door.

“Lea, can I come in for a moment?”

The voice sounded somewhat familiar.

Seizing the opportunity, Edwin and Wilson separated the two. Lorraine couldn’t hide her disappointment, while Alethea took a moment to check her reflection in the mirror.

She quickly tidied up her appearance and answered.

“Oh, yes.”

The door opened, and a man with perfectly slicked-back honey-colored hair walked in.

“Lea, earlier….”

He was Ulysses Devane, Alethea’s co-star, with makeup just as thick as hers.

“Oh… there are guests. Should I come back later?”

“No, these guests were just about to leave.”

As she said, it was time for them to return to their seats.

“I think we could be good friends.”

Alethea smiled and handed a signed paper to Lorraine.