Chapter 95

Narae Art High School.

A school mainly attended by students who aspire to be celebrities or are already involved in the entertainment industry, where numerous connections to the entertainment world exist everywhere.

This fall festival is also a significant link to the entertainment industry.

The booths operated in the morning are not much different from those of other high schools, but the class performances held in the afternoon attract considerable attention, with industry professionals coming to watch.

“Wasn’t it called the gateway for newcomers?”

The gateway for newcomers.

Another name for this fall festival.

Many people sought to confirm whether the fresh sprouts could potentially become stars. If deemed “valuable,” casting attempts would take place behind the scenes.

This applies to several students who have already proven their talent or abilities. There were times when students who had already secured some fame received even more attention due to the fall festival performances.

“Well… that requires standing out, though.”

Both Lee Geon-yeol and Lee Jun, who had been in the entertainment industry for a long time, knew well how fierce the industry could be. They already understood that very few would garner attention during this fall festival performance.

Ultimately, what matters is how much one can stand out.

Only those who, with skills and passion that are prominent compared to other students, can draw the eyes of the industry professionals would gain recognition.

Strictly speaking, the aim of Lee Geon-yeol and Lee Jun was not casting but merely enjoying Ha Eun’s musical performance. However, it was unavoidable that they would evaluate the performance level of the Narae Art High School students as established entertainers before being friends of Ha Eun.

Is this what they call a professional habit?

“…I’m really concerned about not taking my mouth off the mic while breathing.”

“Damn it, you’re making me anxious too.”

Thus, while watching the performances with a focus on relatively detailed aspects, they finally adjusted their posture at the voice of the host announcing that Ha Eun’s “[Will It Fall, Together]” performance was about to begin.

At the same time, Lee Jun took out the gimbal camera.

“Hmm, how should I shoot it to spread the word that it’s well taken…”

“Yoonseob told you just to shoot and not think about it.”

“A zoom might be okay, right?”

“Don’t get scolded again and just shoot.”

Some scenes in this musical performance featuring Ha Eun were scheduled to be included in the broadcast of the [Infinite Challenge Music Show]. Of course, every other student besides Ha Eun would be mosaiced.

The footage captured by Lee Jun’s gimbal camera was merely video material to introduce the singer Pinocchio, and the agreed part with Narae Art High School was only brief video material.

In any case, the auditorium’s lights, which had dimmed for a moment, began to gradually turn back on.

“Oh? It’s starting!”

Now, they only had to enjoy it.

***

“Your Majesty.”

The call of Kyle, who had just found the Ariadne Empress, emanated from the auditorium’s speakers.

A voice utterly devoid of emotion.

He waited silently until the Empress answered.

Gradually, the noble figure began to turn toward Kyle.

For a brief moment, joy flickered in her eyes upon recognizing Kyle.

“…I cannot avoid your gaze, whether in childhood or now.”

“The night air is chilly. Let us return to the palace.”

“Your nagging is just like when we were young.”

The footsteps continued.

The shadow drew closer.

When they were close enough to touch, the fine fabric adorning the sleeves of her dress fell over Kyle’s shoulder.

“I wish to walk with you for a moment. Is that alright?”

With a weak smile, she requested a brief companionship.

Kyle nodded in response.

Then, stories of the Empress’s past began to unfold.

From her childhood, which held no significant misfortune, to the tale of her sudden rise to the Empress’s throne following the unexpected death of the previous Emperor. The growing sense of powerlessness and despair during the process of becoming a mere puppet for the nobles was also conveyed to the audience.

“If I say it was unavoidable, it would be an excuse. After all, it’s unchanging that I prioritized my own safety over the people’s.”

A bitter voice.

A gaze filled with barely any vitality.

Kyle, who knew he should console the Empress, ultimately remained silent, absorbing her quiet lament with his eyes and ears.

Thus, the heavy tale continued in her calm voice.

Then, at the moment when their slow steps suddenly came to a halt.

“Kyle.”

A voice mixed with longing slipped from the Empress, who was gazing up at the dark night sky.

The auditorium lights, which had begun to dim one by one, highlighted her presence.

“Do not abandon me. You are the only one who remembers me before I was a puppet.”

With eyes slightly glistening, Kyle vowed to follow her with his usual calm voice.

Only then did the Empress smile faintly.

After that, the lights illuminating the Empress were turned off, signaling the scene’s end.

Shortly after, the lights began to brighten again, accompanied by the singing voices of the people.

The numerous corrupt acts committed by the nobles who hid in the shadow of the Empress were transformed into accusations against her. The suffering, despair, and resentment of the starving people poured down in the form of songs directed solely at the Empress.

– I can’t live like this anymore.

– If this continues, I’ll really starve to death!

– The Empress is a tyrant. A tyrant who will go down in history…!

The pitiful figures of the people filled the vast stage. The emotions reflected in their twisted expressions were also far from happiness or peace.

As the lines full of animosity toward the Empress echoed until the very end, after another blackout, the audience was met with the sight of the Empress reciting her sorrowful song mixed with the people’s rage.

Gone was even the faint smile, replaced by a dark expression.

Only Kyle stood by her side.

“It’s just a song. They are voices filled solely with deceit, so do not worry.”

A voice that conveyed sorrow toward the Empress.

Kyle then asked the Empress not to harm herself.

However.

“…No, they are sincere,” the Empress directly denied Kyle’s words, slowly shaking her frail head.

“They believe that I am the root of all misfortunes. Even until their last breath, they will truly despise me.”

She declared that even the newborns and the deceased elders would harbor hatred towards her.

The haunting melody of the Empress poured from the auditorium’s speakers.

As the audience watched the Empress, who had completely cast aside all hope, they held their breaths. The trembling voice that seemed about to break and her powerless gestures clearly revealed the distressed heart of the Empress.

‘Indeed…things are different.’

Most of the audience knew that the person portraying the Empress was Ha Eun. They believed without a doubt that the excellent acting skills displayed by Ha Eun in the past would emanate through her performance in “[Will It Fall, Together].”

The audience’s faith in Ha Eun was still preserved.

Those who remembered Ha Eun as the singer Pinocchio were in awe of her significantly improved singing abilities and focused more on her singing than her acting.

However, as time flowed on.

– Find the Empress─!

– That wicked woman must disappear from this world!

– Let’s drive out the tyrant!!

When the people finally started their rebellion and advanced toward the palace, it was precisely at the moment when the Empress faced the people’s outcries more vividly than ever.

“I too, like them, just wanted to live. Why… has it come to this…?”

She was immersed in everything that appeared on stage, struggling to catch her breath.

The emotions conveyed until now felt different, deepening slowly but surely in clarity.

“…Flee, Your Majesty. I will buy you time, no matter what.”

A uniform stained with blood.

Arms full of scratches.

The Empress rose from her collapsed form, driven by the anger of the people against the one person who had been her ally for the first time and the last.

And so, she walked and walked.

“Y-Your Majesty…?”

At that moment, Kyle and the Empress were close enough to hear each other’s breaths.

– Swish─.

The long sword that Kyle had drawn was taken up by the Empress with her delicate hands.

In an instant, the tip of the sword, forcibly grasped in Kyle’s two hands, was aimed at the Empress right after.

“Use your sword to behead me and raise it high to become a hero for everyone. That is… the only way for you to survive.”

A calm voice.

Trembling hands.

As the two opposing forms intertwined, the Empress’s last wish was revealed.

Thus, the Empress, who wanted to do the last thing she could for the person who remained by her side until the end, forced the sword closer to her white neck.

At that moment, when the sharp blade touched the Empress’s neck.

– Whoosh─!

In a flash, Kyle, having mustered his strength, shoved the Empress away, and the long sword flew far away.

With eyes wide and filled with panic, the Empress spoke.

“D-Don’t, Kyle. If you don’t kill me, you will die too!”

Having given up everything, including her life, the Empress pleaded like this, desperately asking Kyle to live.

She implored that at least Kyle should survive.

Yet.

“…Let’s flee, Your Majesty. To a faraway place where no one can find us.”

Kyle, who refused to leave the Empress to the very end, said.

“You will be chased for a lifetime.”

Can we truly escape?

What Kyle saw in Ha Eun was somewhat different.

No, it was unfamiliar.

“Why are you shouldering a crime that is not yours…? Why?”

Don’t abandon me.

A type of acting gradually began to unveil itself, one that felt somehow alien.

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