NOVEL NEXT Chapter 165
Chapter 165. Beggar Siblings – Demonios
“An actress?”
In the dressing room completely surrounded by mirrors, Lena followed the theater owner and asked with wide eyes.
Bretin Sauer responded with a friendly smile.
“Yes. Is it possible for you?”
“Uh, I don’t know? Is this something I can do?”
Lena scratched her head, feeling confused about how to respond, and Xenia, who had followed her in, volunteered to be the guardian.
“Mr. Theater Owner, wait a moment. Lena has never learned to act. And she’s staying here for a while, not here to work.”
“I understand. But there’s a role I wish Lena could take. Xenia, you know? It’s been a long time since our theater performed ‘Demonios.’”
Bretin said calmly.
“It’s a very popular play, and if Lena could take on the role, we could revive it.”
“…Oh, I’ve heard. Since Soirin couldn’t endure the embarrassment of being a child actor, we couldn’t find a suitable replacement…”
“Yes, given the nature of the role, it has to be a girl who looks the part. Don’t you think Lena is perfect?”
“Hmm…”
Xenia looked conflicted. She seemed persuaded by the theater owner’s words and asked me.
“Lena, do you want to try acting? It’s not a difficult role, as you know. The lines are also…”
Her words stopped. She looked at me for a moment and then smiled kindly.
“You don’t know what ‘Demonios’ is, do you?”
“…No.”
Lena quickly added.
“But, I’d like to try!”
Was her voice too loud? The theater owner and Xenia’s gazes were glued to her. Even so, Lena didn’t change her mind.
She was bored to death.
Lena’s routine was monotonous. In fact, there was no routine for her, as she never stepped foot outside the theater.
With her fists tightly clenched, Lena thought of her tedious days.
+ + +
Morning.
Lena’s day began early in the morning. She always wanted to sleep more, but because of Xenia, she couldn’t sleep late.
Xenia, who returned after her early morning exercise, gently shook me and said,
“Lena, wake up. You shouldn’t be lazy.”
Her voice was soft. But there was a compelling force in her words. Lena jumped up, greeted her with a bow, and rubbing her half-closed eyes, she went with Xenia to the shower.
That place was always crowded at this hour. After greeting somewhat shyly among the ladies on the third floor of the theater (being naked, it was quite embarrassing), they all went together to the dining hall for breakfast.
The dining hall was also crowded at this hour.
The actors associated with the theater came early to get free breakfast.
The gangsters from the Rauno family were not there. Being nocturnal, they only came around lunchtime, loitering around the theater.
After breakfast, the day at the Orange Theater began. Once people who crowded the dining hall dispersed for their respective tasks, Lena was left with nothing much to do.
“I’m bored…”
Following Xenia around could only last for a day or two. Lena spent her time seated in the audience or a corner of the stage, but fortunately, it was around this time when there was an arrival, Santian Rauno.
Gratefully.
Tian was an interesting friend. Though younger, let’s just call him a friend.
Every day, he’d come up with interesting games to play.
Lena found Cat’s Cradle the most fun. Playing by interweaving string on our ten fingers, taking turns to form shapes, Lena soon got the hang of it despite her clumsy fingers.
However, Tian seemed to avoid Cat’s Cradle somewhat. With a red face, he’d say, “Let’s do something else.” Presumably because he wasn’t good at it.
When that happened, Tian (cunningly) suggested sports that he excelled in, called Hiberuna or Hirube. Some peculiar physical moves.
That was entertaining too. It was amusing watching Tian’s boasting demeanor, and Lena planned to give him a good thrashing at Hirube someday.
If time remained, we read fairy tales available in the theater. I couldn’t read, but Tian read them aloud for me.
Thanks to him, I learned a few words like ‘happiness,’ ‘princess,’ and some greetings.
Afternoon.
Then it was lunchtime. Regrettably, time for Tian to go.
If Tian occasionally said, “Sorry, I can’t come tomorrow,” Lena felt disappointed.
After he left, Lena would find Xenia to have lunch together.
Xenia was always kind but had a definite stern side.
There was a boundary not easily crossed? Unlike the other ladies who would say, “Oh, how pretty,” and approach freely, Xenia kept her distance.
She was always so immersed in theater. I couldn’t understand it well.
Anyway, afternoon. Still afternoon.
Afternoon!
There was absolutely nothing to do then. Staring blankly at Xenia and other actors rehearsing their play, or following Mr. Ober who would then appear.
I wasn’t following Mr. Ober because he was interesting or anything… It was because he had a lot of food. He would give out sweet snacks like candy and say, “Don’t follow people who give you these.” That was funny.
He thinks I’m a kid. He should say that to a child like Tian.
After that… it’s the afternoon. Still.
Ugh!
Usually, I’d be rummaging through trash bins early in the morning, then passing out and sleeping like a log because of hunger.
I miss the arm pillow my brother used to give me.
Thinking about it, I wondered when my brother would come, if he would come today. I returned to the seats and blankly watched the busy stage, excluding me.
When I do that, I see various people. Like the man with dark gray eyes who seemed to be inspecting the theater or the man chatting with some skinny woman.
“Thank you, Cassia, every time.”
“Don’t call me ‘Ms.’ I fixed all the shoes you gave me. I handed them over to Mr. Ober earlier, so check them yourself… Oh, and about the shop you asked me to find for Sister Seria? A good spot has come up.”
Where have I seen that woman before?
I felt a strange sense of déjà vu. Lena stared at her quietly, and their eyes met, but Cassia just passed by.
Evening.
I’m bored to death. Why is one day so long? ─ Grumbling, dinnertime finally came.
Hoping my brother would come, I quickly ate my meal and sat by the window in Sister Xenia’s room on the third floor, looking outside. When I saw the beautiful buildings of Orville, I saw my brother walking.
But why does he walk like that?
Amusingly, my brother would always enter that alley, take a roundabout way, and come out again. He’d enter the same alley backward and after a few steps, look around.
I couldn’t figure out why he did that, but it gave me plenty of time. I ran down to the curtains in the first-floor hallway to hide and surprise him.
But (really interestingly) my brother never got startled.
Pretending to be surprised, he’d exclaim, “Oh my! Lena, you almost made my heart jump out,” but he hugged me calmly.
Maybe he has eyes on the back of his head.
After spinning me around a few times, he took a seat in the audience with me. Before Sister Xenia came, I quickly recounted the day’s happenings, but, frustratingly, Sister Xenia sometimes took my brother away.
“You’ve arrived. You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”
Each time, I hoped my brother had already eaten.
If he had, he’d say, “Yes, I have.” If not, he’d elegantly take her hand and leave.
Ugh, I resent him.
When my brother started coming only once every few days, this didn’t happen, but it was common at first.
Anyway, he still came back. Saying, “Sleep well. I’ll come again tomorrow,” he’d disappear into the dark night.
Lena ended her day washing up and sleeping with Sister Xenia.
+ + +
“Can I act in a play?”
This isn’t a question.
Though it was a request for permission, there was a certainty in his sister’s bright eyes that her brother would say yes.
“Lena, should we go inside to talk? Excuse us, Xenia.”
“Yes. You know, yesterday~”
Listening to his sister’s chatter, Leo went into Xenia’s room. Being late in the evening, the bedding was already laid out. A lantern, smelling faintly of oil, hung from the ceiling, and a thick book lay open on the round table with potted plants.
A quick glance showed it was a play script. Leo realized this wasn’t a situation for granting or denying permission.
He could turn back if he wanted, but the roles must have already been assigned to the actors. The script distributed, and tasks like costumes, stage, lighting, and promotions would already be in full swing.
Feeling bitter, Leo sat down. The previously present triangular chair was gone, replaced with a low chair.
“What kind of play is it? What role will Lena take?”
“It’s ‘Demonius.’ If you’re not familiar, here’s a summary.”
“I know what it is. So, Lena’s role is…”
Leo sighed.
“It’s the ‘Saint Reina,’ isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s right. But… do you not like her acting?”
“No, I do.”
Xenia stared at him quietly. Even with the lantern, it was too dark to read her expression.
“…Let’s talk for a moment.”
She stood up not long after sitting down. Noticing Lena’s surprise at the serious atmosphere, she said, “Sleep first,” and stepped outside.
She took Leo to the roof. There was a small space suitable for basking in the sun, and Xenia, her black hair swirling in the cool night breeze, spoke.
Her eyes, glinting in the moonlight, sharply pierced Leo.
“Why did you lie?”
“…I’m sorry. I don’t like the idea of my sister going on stage. But she seems excited, and it looks like the preparations have already begun, so I kept quiet. I’ve upset you.”
“……”
A silence passed. Surprised by Leo’s immediate honesty, Xenia stared at him blankly before breaking into laughter.
“An enigma of a person.”
Xenia, who had muttered softly, approached. She dusted off the dirt from Leo’s collar and made eye contact.
“Don’t worry. I know what you’re concerned about. There won’t be any problems for Lena.”
Unwavering black eyes.
It reminded him of Chaeha. For Minseo, it was very difficult to understand, but Chaeha was always confident.
Even in the dirtiest of realities, she would boldly say, “Things will get better someday!” That confidence was reflected in Xenia’s eyes as well.
“So, you are granting permission?”
After a moment of hesitation, Leo nodded. Xenia smiled and grabbed his hand, leading him to the edge of the roof.
She’s being proactive today.
Xenia was the kind of person hard to approach. Kind to those around her, but not revealing her true self. It was the same with Leo.
Though they had shared a few meals under the guise of dates, she would simply smile kindly and never talked about what kind of person she was, what she did, how they would date, or move forward, and she never asked about him either.
The main topics of their conversation were play talk, trivial events of the day, and stories about Lena.
They were somewhat like distant lovers, but Xenia would always pay for the meals and call him again. But this time, she seemed slightly more willing to open up. Leaning against the roof railing, Xenia spoke.
“I don’t understand you.”
Standing next to her, Leo chose to remain silent and listen.
“Where did the courage go after pouring water on me and confessing boldly? It might sound strange, but… you seem very different from then and now.”
“…”
“Honestly, back then…”
Xenia’s words stopped.
She seemed to want to say something but turned to look directly at Leo and then spoke with a slightly angry tone.
“Kiss me.”
Leo hesitated.
It had only been a month since this round began, so Minseo was still on his mind.
He didn’t dislike Xenia, who resembled Chaeha. Seeing his heart race in front of her, it seemed Leo de Yeriel also liked Xenia.
However, he couldn’t bring himself to kiss her. The thought that this woman was here “instead” of Cassia made his heart ache.
The hesitation was brief.
Xenia pushed off the railing and stood up. She grabbed Leo’s collar and kissed him, but it felt stubborn. As if trying to confirm that her choice was not wrong.
A brief kiss. Xenia pulled back her head and, with a wounded expression, glared at Leo.
“You have changed a lot, but… I still don’t dislike you.”
She turned her back on him, regretting her actions.
The beggar who audaciously spilled water on me and confessed, “I think I love you. So please help me.” A man who made absurd confessions and demands at the same time had turned into a silent and troubled man over the weeks.
No doubt, that beggar boy was my destiny…
Xenia disappeared. Left on the roof, Leo touched his lips bewilderedly and had no choice but to return to the castle.
Why did she kiss me?
Puzzled.