NOVEL NEXT Chapter 111
Lark turned back to the stage, feeling utterly drained of energy.
The play proceeded smoothly. The male and female protagonists, who had first met at a masquerade ball, fell for each other as if by fate. It felt like…
‘It’s somewhat like our story.’
That’s what he thought. Everything, even the circumstances that prevented them from being together as lovers.
“Oh, Romeo… Romeo!”
As Juliet’s balcony soliloquy began with Rubette standing on the balcony, everyone held their breath and watched her.
“Why must your name be Romeo of all things?”
Her whispered cry directed towards the empty space was overwhelmingly poignant. Eyes that seemed on the verge of tears and a trembling voice as if about to burst into sobs any moment.
“Romeo, cast aside your name and take me instead!”
As she turned to face the audience, clutching her chest, Lark, locking eyes with her, found himself lost in thought.
‘…I want that very much.’
No, wait. That’s a line spoken to Romeo, not me. Lark shook his head and looked back at Rubette on the stage. He was genuinely surprised.
‘I knew she was skilled at acting, but…’
Hadn’t he felt her mesmerizing talent for acting since they filmed the incriminating video for Lisbeth?
Glancing around, it seemed he wasn’t the only one astounded.
The emperor, the empress, Lady Endelturn, and even the audience who couldn’t tear their gaze away from the stage, all wore expressions of awe… The Roland Theater actors, especially the actress playing Juliet, were truly exceptional. They held everyone’s attention without fail.
“Juliet…! My beloved Juliet, why are you still so beautiful?”
As the male lead who played Romeo’s cry echoed, embracing the cold body of Rubette, the audience collectively gasped in shock.
“Oh, dear. She’s not really dead, isn’t she…” the overly immersed empress clutched her chest with trembling hands and muttered.
Juliet, who had been forced into a marriage with another man against her will by her family, had resorted to faking her death to avoid an arranged marriage. She had only taken a potion to simulate death…
“I will stay here with you. I will never leave your side. This place, here, will be my eternal sanctuary with you…”
Regrettably, Romeo, thinking Juliet was truly dead, eventually drank poison.
And he collapsed, succumbing to death.
Belatedly, Juliet woke up, holding her deceased lover in her arms.
“Why…”
Juliet’s eyes, holding an empty vial, were vacant. As her empty gaze wandered aimlessly, a collective hush spread through the audience, stifling their gasps.
“Please leave even a drop so I can follow you…” Juliet, holding Romeo in her arms, gazed at him vacantly. “Could there be even a trace of poison left on these lips for me?” She kissed him briefly.
While everyone struggled to hold back tears, Lark, immersed in the moment, momentarily furrowed his brow.
‘… Is that an actual kiss?’
Swish—
However, before he could ponder further, he was astonished by Juliet’s next act.
Juliet, retrieving a dagger from Romeo’s embrace, opened the sheath, causing the deeply engrossed audience to murmur.
“No, no… I can’t watch this. Goodness…” The soft-tempered empress buried her face in her hands.
“Oh, dear dagger. Put an end to all this tragedy and allow us to finally become one through death… Take me to the side of the one who loves me.”
With a face of resignation…
“Make me die.”
…and determined gaze, the exquisite tragedy flowed over her beautiful face.
“Oh, merciful God.” Juliet’s dagger plunged deep into her chest. “… Forgive us.”
“Gasp.”
“Ugh…”
Juliet collapsed onto Romeo’s lifeless body.
Spontaneous gasps erupted.
Lark, caught in the moment as if the air had thickened, involuntarily clenched his fists. Turning to his side, he saw the emperor, also shivering slightly, clearing his throat.
Clap—
Suddenly, the stage went dark. In an instant, the emperor rose to his feet.
Surprised, Lark looked up at him.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap…! A thunderous applause filled the silent hall.
“Ahh!”
“Perfect…!”
Starting with him, the entire audience rose to their feet, showering applause and cheers. It was a profoundly moving moment filled with jubilation.
***
After the play had ended, I left the post-show responsibilities to the theater actors and hurried toward the dressing room. I hadn’t even had the chance to do a curtain call, and as I rushed to get changed and come back out, I was taken aback by an unexpected situation.
‘What’s going on here?’
I had thought that Lark’s family had already left for the imperial palace, but instead, they had arranged carriages and were all standing there, waiting for me.
I was surprised, but I quickly composed myself and greeted them.
“Your Imperial Majesty, the grand and radiant Sun of the Empire, and the serene Moon, Her Majesty the Empress, I am Rubetria Diollus.” And to Lady Endelturn, who stood beside the emperor, “To the former 9th empress, it’s an honor to meet you, Your Ladyship.”
“It’s good to see you,” she replied.
I felt nervous as I faced the emperor, who stood behind Lady Endelturn. I had tried to come up with some explanation for my unexpected appearance on stage…
“Princess, it was a magnificent performance. I am still captivated by it.”
Strangely, the emperor didn’t seem surprised, upset, or annoyed. He appeared pleased for some reason.
He handed me a bouquet of flowers and said, “I heard you have a strong interest in cultural development. Even so, for a young noblewoman to step onto the stage herself and change the public’s perception of actors, it must have been a challenging decision. You are quite impressive.”
…What is he talking about?
I hesitated, but Lark, standing behind the emperor, sent me a reassuring signal with a determined look in his eyes.
Oh, it seemed he had already handled the situation, and there was no need for me to explain.
‘Yes, indeed, my perfect business partner!’
Starting to build rapport without having done anything, I smiled discreetly. “I am deeply honored by your kind words. I was worried you might be upset, but I’m grateful that you view it so positively.”
“Oh my… You’re so beautiful, both in words and deeds. Your acting was truly impressive. I lost count of how many times I cried,” the empress said with slightly reddened eyes.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Oh, before we depart, may I present a gift?” I asked.
“Hmm?”
I made a slight gesture, and one of the waiting guards extended two brooch boxes. Brooches in the shape of roses adorned with crimson rubies.
I personally pinned one to the front of the empress’s dress, saying, “A splendid and beautiful rose befits the Queen of Flowers for the most serene lady in the empire.”
“Oh my.” Smiling brightly as she admired the brooch that perfectly complemented her splendid dress, the empress said, “Thank you. It’s so beautiful.”
“And…” I took out an elegant flower-shaped brooch from the other box and pinned it onto Lady Endelturn. “This is a brooch crafted in the shape of an Atarax flower. The Atarax blooms all year round but has a different appearance each season, with the most beautiful form before it withers in early winter.”
“For me too?”
“Yes, my lady. The Atarax is beautiful in spring, summer, and autumn, but its appearance just before it withers in early winter is said to be the most beautiful. I thought it would suit you perfectly. Please accept it.”
“…” Lady Endelturn, who had been looking at me with a peculiar expression, covered her mouth and smiled, seemingly delighted. “Thank you very much.”
“It’s truly an honor to meet you,” I said.
“Mine as well.”
The emperor, observing us with satisfaction, finally spoke, “Now, let’s head to the palace. We have prepared to welcome our esteemed guest.”
***
In the luxurious palace dining hall, the emperor and empress sat at the head of the table, with Lady Endelturn by my side, and Lark across from us.
The palace chefs diligently served the dishes.
“By the way, a while ago, we sent a message from the palace to the Diollus family. I wonder when we might expect a response?” the emperor asked with a warm smile.
The message sent earlier was undoubtedly referring to the marriage proposal, in other words, when the wedding might take place.
I was about to give the prepared response to the expected question, but Lark was quicker. “I personally visited Duke Diollus to apologize and told him there was no need to respond to the proposal. There won’t be a reply coming.”
I remained stiff, and Lady Endelturn, seated beside me, looked perplexed, tilting her head.
The emperor glared at Lark with a stern expression.
Without even looking in the emperor’s direction, Lark continued, “Before the amendment to the marriage law, I have no intention of sending a proposal to any place, Your Majesty.”
“Prince.”
“What is all this about?” Lady Endelturn asked awkwardly, and the empress intervened, gently holding the emperor’s arm.
“Dear, we’re in the presence of important guests. We can discuss this later.”
“…”
“…”
The emperor seemed reluctant to speak, but his piercing gaze at Lark remained. And Lark was not an ordinary young man, nonchalantly sitting as if he knew nothing.
‘Is this what they call the fight of the dragon and the tiger?’
The standoff between the two wealthy men seemed like neither would yield an inch, resembling a pair of fierce beasts in a face-off. Behind them, it felt as though a dragon and a tiger roared.
“By the way, when is Madame Ruby expected, Your Highness? We’ve all been waiting…” the empress asked, clearly annoyed by the late arrival of the last guest, who hadn’t sent word.
With the atmosphere already tense, it was my moment to shine. I exchanged a quick glance with Lark, and I sat down awkwardly, offering, “Um, there’s something I’d like to say…”
“Oh, are you not the shop owner?” Lady Endelturn suddenly gently squeezed my hand and asked.
“…?”
“?”
The emperor and empress both looked puzzled at me and Lady Endelturn.
“Ah…”
“I had a hunch when I watched you perform on stage, but seeing you up close, I’m sure of it,” Lady Endelturn added with a playful chuckle. “You have a lovely voice, and your warm demeanor gave it away.”
“What are you talking about, Mother?” the emperor asked, narrowing his eyes.
With puzzled looks from the emperor and empress, and a satisfied smile from Lady Endelturn, all their attention turned to me.
I glanced at Lark on the other side, and as his encouraging eyes met mine, I awkwardly smiled and began to speak, “Yes…” And then, I confessed, “I am, I am indeed Madame Ruby…”
As expected, the emperor and empress’s eyes widened in surprise.
“What did you say?”
Princess Rubetria Diollus, the lead actress in the play “Romeo and Juliet”, is also the owner of <Blanc de Ruby>?
???
It seemed as if question marks were flowing above their heads.