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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Rumors
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The Etoile Marquisate. That was the only connection—that they were seen coming and going from the Etoile estate.
“Lady Marso Etoile is different from the rumors.”
When the actors asked about Marso, Lidro would tell them how beautiful and kind she was.
Of course, people didn't believe him easily. Rumors only spread that he was blinded by love, that he seemed to have fallen for Marso.
In truth, that wasn't wrong. Lidro had fallen for Marso, who had watched his performance with her full attention at the Etoile mansion.
She was the first person to watch his acting seriously and sincerely praise his performance instead of his looks.
Marso had even given him the opportunity to improve his acting.
Lidro knew instinctively.
It would be impossible to meet another person in his life like Marso, someone so free of greed who saw him for who he was.
He had met countless women while struggling as an actor. No one had ever looked at him with eyes as devoid of desire and greed as Marso's. She was the first.
Of course, he knew his place. He didn't even hope for marriage with her.
Lidro had been cast as the male lead in a new play. After successfully performing this role, he planned to ask Marso to take him as her lover.
It was awkward to say it himself, but he had outstanding looks and a good voice. He thought Marso would have no reason to refuse him.
Meanwhile, after the play ended that day, Pitol began writing a new script using the material and inspiration Marso had given him.
He slept only two or three hours a night while writing every day, but Pitol was happy.
Because Marso Etoile had gifted him with material that would usher in a new era!
A playwright's profession is, by nature, a lonely one.
Pitol had been agonizing over what kind of script to write, and Marso understood that well.
She was incredibly kind, even providing new ideas and suggesting how to write them. Pitol liked her ideas too. They were brilliant!
And so, the first draft of the script was taking shape.
A masterpiece blending a secret birth, a love quadrangle beyond a mere triangle, the long-awaited world of in-laws, and revenge...
Pitol could dare to say, based on the draft alone, that this work would be a success.
This play would bring a fresh wind to the current theater scene.
Marso's proposal, started for the sake of seclusion, was effectively making her name known.
***
Before meeting Darcy again, I had successfully recorded a total of three plays. It was a shame there were no close-ups since I recorded from a distance, but it wasn't as if people's expressions were invisible.
However, it was a shame that Pitol hadn't finished the sensational drama yet.
*The draft is excellent, though.*
Looking over the script Pitol brought by today made me even more excited. Like a true playwright, Pitol had arranged the elements I mentioned perfectly.
It was a drama that mixed frustrating moments with satisfying resolutions. A work with a devilish charm would be born—one that infuriated you, yet you couldn't stop watching.
“Today, I'll really be able to watch it like a movie.”
I was sitting in the drawing room, waiting for Darcy to arrive again. Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
The servant who entered handed me an envelope, saying Lidro had insisted he deliver it, and then left.
“What's this?”
A pleasant scent wafted from the envelope. It was almost time for Darcy to arrive, so it would be better to read it later. An image of Lidro's face floated softly in my mind.
Lidro's acting improved day by day. His increasingly delicate emotional performances were superb.
I never knew monitoring was so important for actors. It was rewarding to lend them the recorder, as their immersion improved.
It was also good for me to see the changes in their acting. It felt new, watching from the perspective of a producer rather than an audience member.
“What's that?”
Just as I was about to place the envelope on the table, Darcy's voice reached me.
Startled, I lifted my head and saw Darcy, legs crossed, waving a hand. His sparkling eyes curved beautifully from between his silver hair.
“Hello, Darcy. It's been a while.”
Instead of answering his question, I changed the subject. Darcy's eyes narrowed.
He leaned his head toward me. His face, up close, was as precise and beautiful as a divine sculpture.
“I'm quick on the uptake, so changing the subject like that doesn't work on me. So, what is it?”
Was it because of his soft voice? My ears tingled.
“It's a letter from an actor. I lent him the recorder.”
“Recorder?”
“That's the name I gave the magic tool you made for me. The actors wanted to use it. Your magic tool must be truly amazing.”
“That's strange. You said only you would use it. What happened to your grand ambition of creating your own movie theater?”
“Well, I don't use it all day long...? I'm still going to make the theater. It's just that I'm mostly in the theater at night, so I lend it out.”
Darcy crossed his arms and narrowed his brow. His bangs fell slightly, half-covering his right eye.
His inscrutable face seemed displeased about something. It was similar to the expression he'd worn when we last met. Was there something in my words that could have offended him?
“This is troublesome. My abilities aren't supposed to be known to everyone.”
His low voice flowed past my ear. I hesitated before asking.
“…? You said you were a merchant. Wouldn't it be better if everyone knew? Besides, I didn't say you made it. I just said I commissioned and had it produced.”
“It's a joke. I'm allowed to make jokes, aren't I?”
Darcy retorted with a laugh. But I couldn't easily believe him. Darcy was intuitive.
When he spoke like this, there was a valid reason. Even if it was a reason valid only to him.
As I blinked and stared at him, Darcy took something out from within his coat.
“Here, I've perfectly crafted the magic tool you commissioned this time. If you attach this to the spot where the magic tool called the recorder projects its screen, the screen will get much bigger.”
The round magic tool Darcy handed me was like a lens. The rim was tinged with purple, but the center was as transparent as glass.
It was always fascinating to see a magic tool created by the combination of modern civilization's power and this man's genius.
*I just described it.*
Just how much of a genius was he to be able to whip things up without me even explaining the principles behind the objects I wanted?
I didn't know why his existence wasn't mentioned in the book. If someone like him existed, he would have surely gotten involved with the main characters somehow.
…Unless he died.
It was a chilling assumption. I stared blankly at Darcy for a moment before shaking my head.
No, let's not think strange thoughts. He said he was a merchant. Not all merchants get involved with every noble, so that must be it.
Ryan might have blocked any male merchants from approaching Reshuan out of jealousy.
I changed the subject.
“Darcy, I'd like to commission another identical recorder.”
“Why? Isn't one enough?”
“I want to leave the recorder for the actors at the theater permanently and make another one for the movie theater. It's not like I'm short on money. The money….”
“There's something I genuinely want to ask you.”
Just as I was about to tell him to name his price, Darcy suddenly spoke. What was it?
Darcy asked, his expression slightly grim.
“Why bother?”
“…What?”
When I asked dumbly, Darcy narrowed his brow and spoke in a low voice.
“Why do you go out of your way to take care of people like that? The actors will manage on their own. You can just use the recorder however you want.”
“It's my choice to help.”
“Don't do stupid things.”
His assertive eyes shone blue.
“Do you think doing that will make their hostility toward you disappear? They're just pretending it's gone….”
I knew he was saying it out of concern for me, but it was a topic I had already considered.
I cut him off and said calmly.
“I know.”
“…”
“But the world isn't only filled with people like that.”
I decided to live as I pleased. Since I chose not to care about the opinions of others, I'll help if I want to help.
As long as what they say doesn't reach my ears, it doesn't matter.
And helping them isn't going to cause any problems for me financially.
It seemed to be an unexpected answer. Darcy pressed his lips together and blinked.
“Besides, I don't get hurt by people I have no expectations for in the first place.”
He rested his chin on his hand and frowned slightly.
“You don't have expectations for them?”
“No.”
Looking at Darcy, who was staring at me with an unreadable expression, I slowly continued.
“This is also something for my own life.”
“Helping them is?”
“When I help, they thank me, and I get to watch all the performances they've recorded. Helping the actors is more beneficial for me.”
“Ah.”
Darcy nodded at my words.
He must have been keeping in mind what I said last time about being tired of people. Knowing he was saying it for my sake, I felt quite all right.
He seems fierce on the outside, but he's soft on the inside. He might be a decent person.
Presently, Darcy casually posed a question.
“Do you know about the rumors going around these days?”
As if there were only one or two. I feel like I don't really need to know. I thought for a moment.
“Do I need to know?”
“It wouldn't hurt to know.”
*Ugh, I'm not keen on it.* I asked seriously.
“Can't I live without knowing?”
“Just listen. It's about the people frequenting your mansion, so it won't disappear easily.”
About the theater troupe? I didn't think any bad rumors would be circulating… I eventually agreed.
“An actor named Lidro has started to openly take your side. He never responded to any nobles' advances before, so now that he's doing this, the rumors are spreading like wildfire.”
“Hmm.”
It seems he was quite moved that I sincerely supported his acting.
I'm glad my sincerity got through, but...
“For example, the story that you've taken him as your lover.”
