BTPE 13

Episode 13

 

“I just came from watching the sunrise…”

 

Since she hadn’t heard that Autumn was with someone else, he withdrew the foot he had stepped forward.

 

As Randell moved closer, the scent that uniquely belonged to him—a mix of old books and warm coffee—filled the room.

 

“Ah, no. It’s fine. I was just about to ask what the schedule is for today.”

 

“Perfect.”

 

Without much emotion, he turned his back to the two people who looked a bit surprised.

 

“Take your time with breakfast and get ready. I have something to show you today.”

 

 

—

 

“Miss, you need to bundle up tight. Winter in Rosewood is truly cold.”

 

Autumn wrapped herself up in a neat grey shawl and layered scarves.

 

She then followed Randell through a path in the dense forest behind the mansion.

 

After walking for a while, her legs began to ache.

 

‘Just how long are we going to keep walking like this?’

 

Autumn glanced at Randell, slightly tapping her knees as if to hint at her tiredness.

 

“Do you see it?”

 

Just in time, the thick forest path opened up to a wide, open field.

 

As he had said, below them lay a quiet, beautiful lake, and above stretched a vast sky from the hill.

 

At a spot that gave a clear view of the lake, slightly elevated, Randell stopped and began unpacking a large backpack like he was used to this place.

 

“Let’s sit here.”

 

He pulled out a tightly woven picnic mat and laid it on the wild grass.

 

As she knelt and gazed at the wild flowers growing freely, Randell pointed toward the wide lake in the opposite direction.

 

“As you know, the pride of the Rosewood estate is that serene, beautiful lake.”

 

“Oh…”

 

Autumn stood up straight and slowly spun around.

 

From her spot, she could clearly see the boundaries of the surrounding mountains, lake, and sky.

 

Randell sat down first, then patted the spot next to him lightly as if inviting her to join.

 

Quietly, Autumn took her place beside him.

 

“Ah, thank you.”

 

Randell handed her a thermos filled with still-warm tea.

 

“Now then, we’re going to continue the lines we didn’t finish last time.”

 

‘We came all the way here, can’t we rest a little first?’

 

Autumn pouted as she quietly grumbled to herself.

 

“Page thirty-three.”

 

“Ahem. Practicing while looking at such a beautiful view—how cruel.”

 

Autumn muttered softly, but Randell was already speaking the lines of the male lead.

 

“Rosaline, do you believe in fate?”

 

“If you mean a predetermined fate, then no. ‘Fate’ is just a sweet word men use to seduce women. Isn’t that right, Randell?”

 

Clearly trying to avoid practice, Autumn mischievously added his name to the line.

 

But unexpectedly, Randell, without flinching, earnestly asked again,

 

“What about you?”

 

“…Do you believe in fate?”

 

“Do I believe in fate?”

 

She had asked first, but Randell’s sincere expression made her pause.

 

After a moment of contemplation, she finally answered his question.

 

“I don’t believe in it, either.”

 

Clenching her fists tightly, Autumn’s marigold-colored eyes sparkled as she continued.

 

“No, not really. Like Rosaline in the play, I believe we forge our own fate.”

 

“I see.”

 

“It’s always fascinating. Even the role I was cast for in this play—”

 

Randell silently watched her as she continued speaking.

 

She stretched her arms toward the sky and kept going with excitement.

 

“Maybe it’s a good thing this ‘Lady Kiss’ character resembles me. Anyway, I’ve always wanted to meet the playwright!”

 

She felt Randell’s gaze and grew a little self-conscious.

 

“Of course, it’s not like I was dying to meet him or anything!”

 

She quickly corrected herself.

 

“Oh, I mean… remember I told you before? What intrigued me most was the playwright’s identity. Maybe not from the preliminary auditions, but from the day I received the script! He said he wrote the piece inspired by me—how can I not be curious? Come to think of it, I bet the playwright has a high market value! And…”

 

As Autumn babbled on, Randell—who had been silently watching her lips move—finally opened his mouth.

 

“I do believe. In fate.”

 

“…Huh?”

 

His voice softened as he turned his eyes to the air.

 

But his body leaned slightly toward her, and in a near whisper, he continued.

 

“It’s hard not to believe… when you’ve experienced something like fate, not once, but twice.”

 

‘Is he… talking about me?’

 

Despite looking like the kind of man who wouldn’t bleed a drop even if pricked, he had a surprisingly sentimental side.

 

Was this why there were always rumors about him?

 

Suddenly, Autumn realized something.

 

In her mind, she imagined him meeting with the most beautiful, promising actresses, one after another.

 

“Let’s continue the practice.”

 

Still, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of his lingering gaze on her.

 

Autumn picked up the script again and composed her voice.

 

“Ahem… Ah. Why are you never around when I need you?”

 

“Young lady, don’t associate with that man.”

 

Autumn resumed the lines cautiously.

 

“Oh my, why would that be?”

 

“He was born from misfortune—he brings it with him. It’s best to stay away.”

 

As she recited the lines, a sudden strong breeze blew through the meadow.

 

“Uh… what’s the next part…?”

 

—Swooooosh

 

Like moving to a rhythm, the tall grass swayed, and the strand of hair by Autumn’s ear fluttered with the breeze.

 

Then, gently, Randell tucked the pink thread-like strand behind her ear.

 

“Ah.”

 

“It looked uncomfortable.”

 

He quickly drew back his hand.

 

The warmth left by his fingers made her ears flush red with heat.

 

…Too close.

 

His calm but intimate eyes made Autumn shut her eyes tight.

 

“Okay, let’s start again.”

 

Randell slowly continued the lines once more.

 

Time passed.

 

“Oh, it’s just like the next scene.”

 

Suddenly, Autumn realized that the upcoming lines matched this exact setting.

 

She tucked her hair behind her other ear and smiled innocently.

 

“Two people sitting like this on a wide-open hill…”

 

“Exactly.”

 

“Where the male lead shares a slightly secret story.”

 

Autumn’s voice turned conspiratorial.

 

“Hmmm…”

 

Autumn stretched leisurely.

 

With her eyes half-closed, she leaned her head back.

 

“So, how about we have an honest talk too?”

 

—Scoot

 

Autumn’s knee moved a little closer to Randell.

 

Since their return from the capital, some questions had remained unanswered.

 

This was her chance to ask the second thing she had always wondered.

 

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

 

Even if she was the lead actress or his muse, even for a short while—this was excessive.

 

She had only been here for a day and a half, but she felt it clearly.

 

Randell was overly eager to take care of her, as though welcoming a long-lost family member or a very honored guest.

 

She had given him nothing in return. His kindness made her feel a little guilty.

 

“You must have forgotten something.”

 

But then came a question no one—especially not her—expected.

 

“Why did you reject my engagement proposal?”