Chapter 27 – Alexandrina (1)

A theatre... to be honest, I didn't have particularly good memories of it.

Theatre culture was a minority in Korea, so I didn't actively seek it out, and once, as a child, I went to see what I thought was a theatrical version of a favourite cartoon only to find it was an amateur children's musical, which was very disappointing.

If anything, I was more familiar with movies.

Anyway, the reason I mention this, is because there was a grand theatre right in front of me.

"Wow."

[Savoy Theatre].

I marvelled once at the building that harmoniously combined Renaissance and Victorian styles, something rare even in 21st century Korea, and again at the banner in front of it.

"Renting a theatre for a charity performance... that's a good idea."

"Haha, right, author?"

I nodded at Bentley's words.

Despite everything, theatre in this era was the best-selling multimedia and the most attention-grabbing exhibition performance.

I felt a growing fondness for theatre that I hadn't had before.

What surprised me was that Bentley had rented a theatre right in the heart of the West End.

"Even if it's just for one day... this isn't an ordinary theatre, is it?"

"Haha, exactly. This theatre has broken several box office records."

Savoy Theatre.

As the name suggests, it was a building that had once belonged to a member of the Savoy royal family and was later purchased and turned into a theatre. It was one of the largest theatres of this era, and its reputation was immense.

"But how did you..."

"Well."

Bentley glanced around for a moment. Then he leaned in and whispered in my ear.

"The resident playwrights went on strike."

"Oh."

"And the subsequent scripts from other writers were all failures..."

In short, he bought a fallen giant at a low point.

Well, that's a skill too.

I nodded with a hollow laugh.

"Well, as long as the funds are raised."

"Haha, right, author."

"But Bentley, what performance is on today?"

"Ah, I haven't explained."

I saw Bentley pull something out from his coat.

It was a mask, with luxurious feathers, long strings at the back for tying, and two holes in the middle...

A mask?

"Author, then I leave it to you."

"... Leave what?"

"I believe in you!"

"No, wait! What am I supposed to do!?"

Ignoring my cries, Bentley pushed me into the theatre.

And then.

[······And Peter looked back at the forest once more.]

Here, he paused to catch his breath.

[The forest was as it always was.]

The sound of wind played ominously from the gramophone. Simultaneously, the gasps of the audience, holding their breath, brushed past my ears.

I slowly moved on to the next line.

[It was peaceful and beautiful... but Peter thought.]

The male actor opened his wistful eyes and gazed deeply at the pointillist painting of the dark forest.

The bright lights in the darkness highlighted only the two of them.

Looking at that, I uttered the final line.

[This summer will be an even crueller summer than the last.]

At that moment, the curtain fell.

The applause started sporadically, then soon shook the entire stage.

Clap clap clap clap-!!

Bravo─!

Thunderous applause erupted.

Then, as the curtain rose again, the actors came out and bowed.

Taking advantage of the applause pouring onto them, I slipped behind the scenes.

Escaping from the stage filled with shouts, screams, and whistles, I removed my mask and revealed my identity.

"Haa..."

Ugh, I was nervous.

I must be more of an introvert than an extrovert. The stage is definitely not my thing.

Even in college, I tried my best to take classes that didn't require group presentations.

Thinking that, I sighed and completely exited the stage.

Then, as if he had been waiting, Bentley, the president, approached and handed me a water bottle.

"Good job, author!"

"Bentley, is this what you call a 'bit of inconvenience'?"

"Haha, but wasn't it a success!?"

Of course, it was a success. We surpassed our goal amount by 280% in one go.

I sighed deeply and took the chilled tea Bentley offered. The tart and slightly bitter taste filled my mouth.

Ugh. Sour, very sour.

What I had just done was none other than... a 'reading session.'

A reading session. Simply put, an event where one reads a book.

In fact, this was an event often held by authors in Western literature, especially in literary circles, rather than web novel circles.

An author reads their book aloud and shares the feelings they had while writing it with the audience.

Though some may not know it, this is actually a long-standing promotional method in the world of books.

In this era, one of the main sources of income for authors was reading sessions. Charles Dickens, for instance, travelled around the UK, holding public reading sessions passionately, until he died from overwork.

Even in modern literary circles, it happens occasionally. They invite authors of original films or famous overseas authors.

But as always with literary circles, it's not very well-known. Especially during the time when COVID-19 swept the world, a reading 'session'?

The health authority would reprimand anyone trying to disrupt a public event.

Anyway, it was an event far removed from me, a web novel author, and that didn't change much in this era.

I maintained a mysterious persona for marketing purposes.

So, I had been avoiding reading sessions, but Bentley seemed to think it was a waste.

─Author, just once! Just do it once! With your popularity, we can easily raise enough money to build another school!

Hence, to raise funds, we planned this special reading session.

Of course, to keep my identity hidden, it was designed like a performance.

The spotlight highlighted the actors performing in sync with the reading, making it feel like a piece of expressive art... but I wasn't sure if this was okay.

Regardless, Bentley seemed satisfied as he nodded and said,

"As I felt from the first time I met you... you have a talent for this. Your diction is clear, and your calm tone, without exaggeration, somehow draws people in, making you a great bard."

"... No need for such flattery."

The first time he mentioned was probably when I told stories to Magie and Monty.

I did have some experience reading to the kids, but compared to professional narrators or voice actors, I was undoubtedly lacking.

Yet, seeing Bentley flatter me despite that, he must have felt some guilt for dragging me into this.

Or maybe... could it be he was taking revenge for that near fire incident at the publishing house last time?

"No, I'm serious. I really thought your voice would suit your writing the best, that's why I insisted. Look, even the audience is cheering."

Seeing my sullen gaze, Bentley hurriedly offered an excuse.

Well, whatever his intentions, what could be done? It was already over.

"Fine. Let's leave it at that. Give me another cup of tea. My throat is quite dry."

"Understood! Please wait a moment!!"

With that, Bentley rushed off.

Clicking my tongue, I looked for a suitable place to sit.

Ugh, my mouth is really dry.

Doing this repeatedly is how people die of overwork.

'By the way, where was the break room?'

I looked around, trying to find a suitable place to rest until Bentley returned.

At that moment, my vision went dark.

"Oops."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you there."

Unable to avoid the large figure that suddenly blocked my path, I bumped into him directly. I quickly stepped back, bowed my head, and apologised hastily.

I wasn't exactly small, but this person was much larger and more robust.

Out of curiosity, I examined the person standing before me.

He wore a dark navy jacket with a crown and gold laurel-wreathed anchor insignia below it. He looked every bit like a British naval officer.

Next to him stood a short, plump lady in a modest pink dress, who appeared to be his mother.

Were they attendees of this reading session?

"Oh, it's alright. No need to worry."

While I was thinking that, the officer smiled warmly and replied with extraordinary politeness.

What's this? Why is he so polite?

There's a saying that excessive kindness can feel unsettling, and that's exactly how I felt.

As I stood there bewildered, the lady beside him approached me.

Then she spoke.

"Young man."

"Yes?"

"I am looking for somewhere... could you perhaps guide me?"

"Well, I'm not sure."

What's this? Why is she grabbing my arm? I tried to pull my arm away, feeling a strange unease.

But... it was odd. Though it was just an elderly lady holding my arm, it felt as if it was stuck in a crevice between rocks and wouldn't budge.

"I'm not very familiar with this area..."

"You will guide me? Well, thank you."

Wait, what? How is this old lady so strong?

Before I knew it, I was being dragged away by her.

"Hey, hold on!"

Though I protested, the lady didn't respond and pulled my arm firmly.

She was an unusually strong old lady.

Of course, if I used all my strength, I could probably break free, but her fearless demeanour had a peculiar charisma that made it hard to resist.

As I was hesitantly dragged along, the elderly lady pulled me outside the building.

At the same time, the officer suddenly shoved me from behind, and before I knew it, I found myself in a small but not too small space... what is this, a box?

No, with cushioned seats and ornate windows, it wasn't just a box.

Judging by the look... a carriage?

As if to confirm my thoughts, the lady who followed me into the carriage sat on the plush seat and spoke.

"Let's go."

"Yes, madam."

The sound of the horse neighing and hooves striking the road snapped me back to reality.

In disbelief, I shouted at the elderly lady.

"Hey, madam. What on earth is this...!"

"Alexandrina."

At that moment, her plump face somehow seemed as imposing as a giant's.

"Please call me that."