The Male Lead Knelt Before Me - Chapter 81

Caleb was fully aware of the actor’s image.

Even before Enosh, Edmund already informed Caleb the rumor circulating about Elena.

Even his own members were once active about the same rumor.

And how intimidated Elena was because of that.

Caleb recalled Elena hesitatingly asking whether he was fine with her being a former actor.

Caleb, on the other hand, asked Elena whether she was ashamed of her job as an actor.

So, what was Elena’s answer?

Elena ultimately spoke with conviction, even when she hesitated.

Elena stated at the time that she enjoys her work as an actor. Elena’s eyes, which twinkled like stars, were still vivid in Caleb’s mind.

Even so, prejudice and perception of a person who genuinely enjoys her profession were so poor.

“As your highness stated, I am aware of a number of actors that do so. I also know what their perception is like. But we’re also responsible for what happened to them.”

“What type of responsibility are you referring to?”

“Actors were not perceived in this way only a generation ago.”

Caleb remembered a piece of information he had heard as a child.

The perception of “actors” was not like this when the prior Emperor, not the current Emperor, took power.

Rather, they were revered as artists, and they were frequently invited to play at the Imperial Palace.

Even high-ranking aristocracy regarded seeing plays as a virtue.

The former Emperor also fell in love with the actor who he watched in a play, making her his empress, and giving birth to the current emperor.

The current emperor, on the other hand, despised the play.

He stopped funding the theatrical company and forbade the play from being performed in the Imperial Palace.

Caleb was talking about this.

Wasn’t the imperial family responsible for the theatrical company’s ecology?

“Duke, that’s such a sarcastic term. You would not have been able to avoid His Majesty’s fury if he had heard it, Duke.”

Enosh frowned.

Even though she was a commoner, an actor who the former Emperor fell in love with climbed fast to the position of Empress and gave birth to the present Emperor.

If this were a fairytale, the ending would almost certainly be happy.

However, the reality was rather different.

The empress, a former actor, was ostracized by aristocratic society, and her son, the current emperor, was frequently mentioned by other royal bloodlines, and his existence was even disputed.

As a child, emotions accumulated from his mother’s origin led to resentment against innocent theater companies and actors.

The anger’s repercussions have lingered to this day.

If the current Emperor found out what Caleb had said, he was bound to be furious.

“I apologized.”

Caleb immediately recognized his mistake, but he had no regrets about what he had stated individually.

It was an unchangeable reality that the imperial family was the one who pushed the actors to their breaking point.

“In any case, not all actors act in accordance with that notion. There are certainly people who are proud of their work as actors and perform it faithfully.”

“Duke, are you saying that the Lady is part of such a people? Even though there are already rumors saying that she is a yobu.”

“I’m not sure if the rumor is genuine or not. As your Highness stated, it’s possible. But.”

Caleb added, his voice firm.

“It doesn’t matter to me. Even in the past, it didn’t matter. It’s sufficient for me to pass judgment on them based on what I’ve seen.”

“Did you ever consider, Duke, that the Lady could just be playing you?”

“No.”

It was a quick response.

Enosh was at a loss for words.

Such a deep belief.

“… it’s just like you, Duke.”

Enosh only said the term after a long period of thought.

“Anyway, aside from the Duke’s thoughts, I have stated this. Count Van Der no longer wants the Lady to be a member of the Royal Knights.”

“……”

“There is still time, but I’d want you to enable me to transfer the Lady’s jurisdiction to Count Van Der, as her guardian.”

Caleb was adamant about not saying yes. Yet, he couldn’t think of any other reason to decline.

“Just let me know if you need someone to cover the Lady’s absence. I’ll inform Count Van der and send someone out.”

“I’m not in need of anyone else.”

“Is that so? I’m convinced there’s no need for it because the Royal Knights’ administration has been well-managed under the Duke’s leadership thus far. Then I’ll get going. Keep up the good work.”

Enosh moved quickly and pretended to be tactless.

Enosh was afraid that Caleb would cling to him.

Caleb, fortunately for him, did not cling to Enosh.

* * * * *

“Miss Lena, I’m relieved to know you’re safe. It’s said that you died and came back to life.”

“I know…… I really died and came back to life.”

I forced myself to laugh at Count Van Der.

The maid informed me that the Count had arrived while I was recuperating during the weekend.

That’s exactly what I heard as I walked into the parlor room where she was waiting.

“Did everything go smoothly on the way back?”

“Yes, there wasn’t any problem.”

“That’s great news. Have you ever told the Duke that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Didn’t I tell you?”

Count Van der put a stop to her speech and pursed her lips.

But simply by looking at her mouth, I could tell what she was trying to say.

‘Magic Sentence.’

My face became warped all of a sudden.

When I remembered the time when I spit out those words, I felt so ashamed that I wanted to kick my blanket.

“I didn’t do it. I didn’t say that.”

“What was the Duke’s reaction?”

“What type of reaction would he have had if I had just said it?”

Only the atmosphere got awkward.

“You must have said it.”

Oh, my goodness.

I bit my tongue late.

Without recognizing it, I was duped by her words.

“No, I didn’t do that. I didn’t say anything.”

“All right, I’m going to believe you.”

She doesn’t seem to believe me at all.

But, because I didn’t want to explain what had happened, I just laughed.

“Did you also inquire about being the Duke’s partner for the birthday banquet?”

“I was unable to ask. As you are aware, I was unable to speak due to an accident. But there are about two weeks left before the birthday banquet, so shouldn’t I ask in the meantime?”

“I see, but there’s probably no chance of that. Miss Lena’s last day at the Royal Knights is next Monday.”

“What? However, I had assumed that the contract would expire before the birthday banquet……”

“His Highness must have changed his mind. He instructed me to maintain Miss Lena as my aide until the birthday banquet and then return you to the theatrical company at the end of the contract period.”

Count Van Der added that courteous tone gently.

“By the way, the Duke has also consented for Miss Lena to transfer to my department, so there’s no need for you to be concerned.”

* * * * *

I boarded a carriage and drove to Natalie’s house when the count returned.

In my hand was a basket of holy water.

Because Natalie had been wounded as a result of my activities, I decided to bless her with holy water.

The fact that it was an unexpected, unannounced visit concerned me, but it didn’t matter because I was only going to give holy water, right?

Dame Seria is on sick leave, so she’ll be at home, I heard.

I looked out the window as I smoothed the holy water in the basket.

A conversation I had a while ago with the Count lingered in my head.

The fact that my last visit to the Royal Knight’s templar will be next Monday, and that Caleb has agreed to my departure.

‘When did they exchange this topic?’

The carriage came near Natalie’s house as I was deep in contemplation.

I exited the carriage carrying a basket of holy water, and my escort, Dame Rutger, followed me out.

Mila greeted me warmly.

Mila still welcomed me despite the fact that her sister had been hurt as a result of my presence.

Natalie was somewhat aback by my unexpected arrival, but she quickly welcomed me.

I reached out to Natalie with a holy water basket.

“Take it, Dame Seria.”

“May I inquire as to what it is?”

“It’s holy water. It can be used as a treatment. It’s a high-quality holy water, so if you pour it into the wound, the wound will heal neatly.”

“I appreciate your kindness.”

“It’s completely free. By the way, Dame Seria, how long do you plan to be on vacation?”

“I guess I’ll take a week off.”

“Well, then, it’s probably best if I say my farewell now.”

“What type of farewell are you referring to……”

Natalie snooped her head, as if she was perplexed by what I said.

“Well, I don’t think I’ll have to go to the Knights anymore next Monday.”

“Could you go into more information regarding the story?”

“There’s nothing like a detailed story. I was only temporary from the beginning. Originally, the period was a little longer, but it happened somehow.”

“Is the Commander aware of this?”

“That is what I heard.”

“……That’s a pity.”

It was a word that came out of nowhere after a little pause.

“To be honest, I anticipated you would stay longer, Lady. I even thought you would become permanently our member, not temporarily.”

I laughed uncomfortably.

I couldn’t say I hadn’t expected it from the start, in fact, saying it that way would have been difficult.

Natalie inquired about my future plans, and I informed her that I intend to work in the Imperial administration for a short time before returning to the theatrical company.

“May I see Mila and Dame Seria from time to time after my return?”

“Lady, you’re always welcome.”

When I asked after a little hesitation, Natalie readily answered.

Natalie told me to have dinner together, but I didn’t feel too good so I promised her next time.

And I told Natalie that if the holy water I brought remained, she should bring it to Ryan, Herschel’s cousin, so that when Herschel returned to the capital, it may help to treat his wounds a bit.

* * * * *

Every final meeting is usually overly emotional.

My nose was teary for no apparent reason as I headed to the Royal Knights.

It was a familiar route, but it had an unique feel about it.

‘At first, I quickly wanted to go back to the theater after the contract period passed.’

But now I felt a little depressed at the prospect of leaving this work. That wasn’t to say I didn’t want to return to the theater.

Caleb was there when I opened the office door.

After a momentary pause, I could barely open my mouth.

“……Good morning, Lord Egon.”

“Good morning.”

A tense mood persisted.

Without having to ask, I was able to figure it out.

Caleb actually agreed.

As a result, it is my last day with the Knights.

“Elena.”

“Yes.”

“Starting tomorrow, you must work to the imperial administration rather than here.”

“I see.”

I wasn’t surprised since I already knew.

“Did you already know that?”

“I heard it over the weekend from the Count.”

After a little pause, Caleb inquired.

“Would you want to go to the training field later and bid the members farewell?”

“No, I’ll simply bid Lord Vessel farewell and leave quietly.”

I shook my head.

Even though I got along well with the other members, we weren’t particularly close.

We weren’t going to see each other anyway after this, and it’s not like we were going to have a farewell party, so the atmosphere was certain it would be unpleasant.