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I immediately shook my head.
“No, don’t be so scared.”
“Huh?”
“My father doesn’t have the disgusting hobby of making young actresses his mistresses just to ruin them.”
Sarah flinched at my blunt words.
“I’m not some lowlife hitting on a girl who could be my daughter.”
Seeing her stunned expression, I turned and walked back to my seat. Unlike before, Sarah followed me and sat down, now looking at me with a suspicious expression.
“You’re not upset, right? Did you want to live a comfortable life as a mistress, and now that I’ve kicked Count Ergetti out, I’ve ruined your plans?”
“Not at all!”
“Yeah, I thought so. I just wanted to help since you seem so tired, so don’t misunderstand me.”
“Then, you didn’t come for another reason?”
“I can tell you this much: I didn’t come for the reason you’re worried about. And if you don’t mind, I want to help you.”
“Help…? What do you mean?”
“I plan to come to your plays regularly. That way, the Diolus family will make sure people know we’re paying attention to you.”
“…”
“Then, all those nobles who’ve been proposing to make you their mistress will just naturally back off, right?”
I shrugged as I said that, and Sarah, who had been quietly listening, asked with a doubtful look.
“Why are you helping me like this?”
“Well, there’s no such thing as free kindness. To be honest, I do want something in return.”
Sarah froze at my words, and I quickly added to reassure her.
“But more than that, I genuinely want you, a genius actress like yourself, to be able to act freely and without any worries.”
“What do you want from me?”
“Well… I’m working on a business and I’d like your help with it. It’s not a demand, and you can refuse if you want. Either way, I’ll keep coming to your plays.”
After hearing my sincere words, Sarah’s guarded expression softened a bit, and she looked at me more calmly.
“Well, what do you think? Want to hear more?”
Later…
As I left the waiting room after finishing the conversation.
Sarah Wigo was suddenly afraid.
The Diolus Duke, Rubet’s father, was waiting for her outside.
“Dad? Why are you waiting here for me?”
The Duke, with a displeased look, narrowed his eyes as he looked at Rubet.
“Walking around alone without a guard? Are you out of your mind?”
“Well, nothing really happens in a crowded theater.”
“Hmph…”
With a frustrated sigh, the Duke pushed Rubet forward.
“Go, quickly.”
Rubet, who was being pushed by her father, waved at Sarah.
“Hey, Sarah! I’ll contact you!”
“Ah! Yes, yes…”
Sarah, still lost in the fact that she forgot to greet the Duke, absentmindedly nodded and waved her hand.
Father and daughter quickly left the theater.
“Sarah, are you okay? Did the Duke come to propose, right?”
A concerned colleague asked as Sarah stared at the backs of father and daughter, still lost in thought. Slowly, Sarah shook her head.
“No…”
Actually, even while listening to Rubet’s proposal, Sarah was still unsure.
“I’m preparing for a business. I’m thinking of running a boutique that sells clothes and accessories for noble girls.”
“Could you be a model for me?”
“Of course, I’ll make sure to pay you fairly. A base contract fee, plus additional payment based on sales. If you agree, when we meet again, I’d like us to sign a contract. I’ll meet all the terms you want.”
The Duke proposed to make Sarah a model for a boutique in exchange for protection from the nobles trying to make her their mistress. Even if she refused, Rubet promised to continue coming to her plays.
The proposal was surprisingly beneficial for Sarah, so she couldn’t help but be suspicious even until the end of the conversation.
But…
‘It’s true.’
Sarah realized, from the earlier interaction, that Rubet wasn’t lying about not being here for some hidden agenda.
From the moment the door opened to when they left together, the Duke only paid attention to his daughter, not even glancing at Sarah.
For a brief moment, Sarah wondered if she had become invisible.
‘Lady Diolus must have been sincere. This is unbelievable.’
She was shocked and overwhelmed with emotions. Sarah held her hands to her chest to calm herself.
“Th-This can’t be a dream, right?”
In fact, today was supposed to be her last stage. Count Nobun Ergetti had threatened her with the destruction of the theater, telling her he couldn’t wait any longer.
Sarah, not wanting to drag others into her problems, had made the decision to leave.
But then, like a miracle, Rubet came to her rescue.
Now, she could continue acting.
She would no longer suffer under the filthy, arrogant nobles and could act freely.
“What’s this? A dream? Huh? Sarah, are you crying? Did Lady Diolus threaten you?”
“…”
Sarah shook her head with teary eyes. Despite the tears, her lips couldn’t stop curving into a smile.
Her heart was overwhelmed, and the tears she shed were a long-awaited release.
Later, in the carriage heading to the restaurant…
On a warm summer day, I remember our first meeting.
With love, Sarah Wigo.
As I stared at the white handkerchief with Sarah’s signature, I smiled mischievously, and Dad asked.
“Is it that good?”
“Of course it is.”
Sarah, fortunately, agreed to be the model for the boutique I’m about to launch, Blanc de Ruby.
‘She seemed a bit skeptical about the terms, but I’m sure we’ll clear up any misunderstandings after a few more meetings…’
I had saved the tragic genius Sarah Wigo and successfully used her popularity.
‘I’ve secured a model for women’s fashion! Now, it’s just time to make money!’
Feeling satisfied as I thought about the money coming my way, I looked out at the city passing by.
The charming buildings gave off a foreign vibe, and I couldn’t help but feel excited.
“Dad, Dad. How much would a house on the outskirts of the city cost?”
“Why are you asking that?”
“If I make enough money, I’m planning to buy a house out there and live independently.”
“What?”
Hearing my dad’s surprised voice, I remembered a bitter memory.
Forty-five. Living my life as the outcast of the Diolus family, waiting for the day I would die.
A heartfelt reflection from Rubet on her 15th birthday.
“Wish it. You know, I wanted to build a small house in a place with fresh air.”
“I’ll build a small house in a nice place.”
“I wanted to have a cat too. One with black fur, yellow fur, and white fur mixed.”
“I’ll have a three-colored cat too.”
Rubet, who only wanted simple happiness, disappeared after saving me, leaving behind her wish.
‘Well, she got to live that way. Build a beautiful house in the woods and have a cat.’
As I thought about her wish, I turned to my dad and asked again.
“How much would a house on the outskirts cost?”
“How old are you that you want to live on your own? You’re not even getting married, and now you want to leave?”
Dad sounded a little angry.
“Why the angry face?”
“Because you’re saying ridiculous things.”
“Can’t I live on my own? Do I need your permission?”
“Of course you do.”
“You’ve never cared about me, even while living under the same roof.”
“…”
Dad fell silent and frowned before sighing deeply.
“Anyway, no. You’re too young. It’s dangerous…”
“It’s a bit strange. I thought you’d be happy if I moved out.”
“Me?”
I looked at Dad in disbelief.
“Yeah. Didn’t you think of me as a disgrace to the family?”
“…”
Dad’s eyes widened, and I got a little emotional but tried to act like it was no big deal.
“I’m like a mutant, right? Born into a family chosen to wield spirits…”
“…”
“But I couldn’t even make a contract with a spirit, so I’m a half-breed.”
I looked out the window, feeling gloomy.
A fat body, a timid and gloomy personality from constant abuse—these were all reasons Rubet had been isolated.
But…
‘The biggest reason why everyone ignored Rubet, both inside and outside, was different.’
Rubet, though a part of the Diolus family, was the only one who couldn’t make a contract with a spirit.
‘Actually, they all just think she couldn’t do it.’
But no matter the circumstances, I don’t think that’s a valid reason for Rubet to have been alone her whole life.
“I’ve always wanted this. To have meals with you, go out, talk about little things…”
“…”
“That’s why I’m happy now. But sometimes, when I remember the expression you made, my heart feels…”
I pressed my chest with my hand to calm the tightness.
“…It hurts.”
Even when talking casually with Dad, sometimes I was caught by a memory.
“Do you remember when I failed the spirit contract?”
I turned back to look at Dad.
“Your face when that happened, I can’t forget it.”
Dad was staring at me with wide eyes, still lost in thought.
“You looked at me like I was a fool, and then you just left me alone.”
I remembered that cold winter, my 15th birthday, when everything had turned to dust.
