Episode 8
Oh my gosh.
I can’t believe I’m meeting her in real life — the woman I’ve only seen in newspapers.
“Now we just have the stage and practice room left to see, right? This place is quite big, so it might take a while.”
“Were you following us, Urim?”
His question sounded a little annoyed.
But Christine answered while lightly waving her fan, as if this wasn’t a big deal.
“How could I not be curious when the great Lord Randel is going around everywhere with a lady?”
She folded her fan neatly and looked at Label with a smirk.
“Don’t worry. I’ve finished today’s practice, so I’ll take responsibility and show you around.”
“That’s perfect! Honestly, no one knows this place better than Miss Bridget. You’re in good hands,” said someone cheerfully.
Randel hesitated for a moment but eventually followed the servant who came to guide him.
“I’ll be right back.”
Still looking uneasy, he bowed slightly to Autumn before leaving.
As soon as he was gone—
“What? Is she Lord Randel’s new girl?”
Christine turned her head and asked Autumn.
“Huh? W-what?”
Autumn stepped back in surprise.
“There are only three kinds of people allowed in this practice room,” said Christine with a curious smile, looking Autumn up and down.
“Actors, staff, and…”
She leaned in close, counting on her fingers, then smiled slyly.
“…their secret lovers.”
“So, which one are you?”
The friendly and polite expression she had in front of the troupe leader was completely gone. Christine held up three fingers right in front of Autumn’s face.
“L-lover?”
Autumn shook her head quickly.
“No! Absolutely not!”
She glanced back at Christine, who continued to whisper slyly.
Autumn didn’t feel right answering without Randel’s permission.
“By your clothes… hmm, you don’t look like one of those fancy investors’ type.”
Christine tilted her head.
“Then… are you a newbie?”
Autumn hesitated, then finally nodded.
Christine clapped her hands with a smug smile.
“I knew it! That dress you’re wearing? I wore that on stage just last month.”
To Autumn, who had always dreamed of wearing a stage costume, the outfit felt like an incredible honor.
Christine tapped the beauty mark near her eye with her lacy fan and continued.
“But still… I can’t believe Lord Randel already found someone new besides me. How sad.”
Christine Bridget.
She was from a middle-class background — between nobles and commoners — and was the most famous lead actress in the Austin Theater.
…So it’s really her.
Autumn felt nervous, realizing the woman in front of her was the Christine.
At the same time, she was excited to learn something she’d always been curious about.
So the rumors were true!
Christine and the troupe leader really did have a romantic scandal!
When that gossip first came out, Autumn had felt disappointed — Christine was admired by every aspiring actress. Her romantic partner had never been clearly identified, only rumored to be the wealthy troupe leader.
Autumn had always believed he just bought Christine’s affection.
But now that she’d seen him in person… maybe she could understand why Christine got involved with him after all.
Autumn looked at Christine, someone she’d only seen in magazines and newspapers, with shining eyes.
Suddenly, Christine noticed Autumn staring and sharply pointed it out.
“Oh? Are you checking me out now?”
“Anyway, who are you really?”
Just then, Husson, who had stayed behind, stepped in between them.
“Miss Christine, this person is not suspicious at all. I personally vouch for her in the name of the troupe leader.”
“Ugh, stop nagging.”
Christine pushed him aside.
“The more you say that, the more curious I get. Or maybe… she’s someone really important. Should I start being formal?”
“Miss Christine, please stop! If you keep acting like this, the troupe leader won’t be happy.”
Husson begged while clinging to the edge of her dress.
“Oh, come on. It’s too late for that. Besides, I’m already on his bad side.”
“It’s fine.”
A soft and calm voice interrupted.
Christine looked back at Autumn, a little surprised by her unexpectedly gentle tone.
Christine, if you keep being rude, *I know where to hit you hardest.
Autumn smiled slightly behind her veil.
Seeing this, Husson looked panicked — like, “Why are you acting like this now?”
“Speak informally. I look way younger than you anyway.”
“Sigh… what are you two doing? So childish.”
Christine had debuted earlier than most actresses, so she was a bit older. She hated being compared by age.
Autumn knew all about the gossip in the theater.
“I’m not mocking you — you started using informal speech first.”
“Hmph. You’re cheeky… which makes me even more curious about your face.”
Christine started walking closer.
“W-wait, don’t come any closer! Miss Christine! I’m warning you!”
Husson shouted as Autumn stood still.
But the only reply was the echo of his voice in the large theater.
Christine stood right in front of Autumn, only a veil between them.
“Hmm? You look kind of familiar…”
Before anyone could stop her, Christine boldly pulled Autumn’s veil.
“Miss Christine! That’s really rude! I-I didn’t see anything, I swear!”
Husson’s shout faded into the background.
With just a flick of her hand, Christine made Autumn’s veil fly in the air.
Autumn had tried hard not to look surprised. She kept her face blank, though she was sweating inside.
“How…”
Autumn’s voice trembled slightly as she spoke.
“Did that answer your question?”
Christine’s expression hardened for just a second.
“So that strange name really meant something,” she mumbled.
Christine looked confused — it seemed like Autumn wasn’t who she expected.
She bit her fingernail and glanced sideways at Autumn.
Meanwhile, Autumn was thinking fast.
Earlier, the troupe leader said Christine would take over ‘Rosaline Kiss’ after my performance.
This was the biggest production since the theater’s founding.
The male lead, William Acton, was played by the most popular actor, George Collins.
And Christine had been cast as Rosaline Kiss, the female lead.
But now, Autumn would perform first.
That meant her role, and her performance, mattered — a lot.
So she won’t go around blabbing about me so easily, Autumn thought.
“I’ve never seen you like this before,” Christine finally said. “The troupe leader really brought someone special.”
Then she smirked and held out her hand.
“I’ll be honest. I really hate people like you.”
