The Male Lead Knelt Before Me
Chapter 148 (Side Story) - Vol. 19: By Your Side

Translator: Missme

Editor: Missme

“Did you enjoy your time at the theater?”

“Yes, but it turns out our stage in the Imperial Palace had a bigger impact than I expected. I was surprised by the number of applications we received.”

Initially, very few people volunteered to be an actor.

No one had initially embraced the opportunity to become an actor, as evident from the limited interest in joining our theater.

Despite being the sole theater in the capital, we functioned as a small, exclusive ensemble.

“This reflects the deep interest everyone has in theater, and it seems like it will thrive in the future, doesn’t it? It’s a positive change.”

“Yes, it is a positive change.”

In the long term, it certainly appeared that way. It was a promising sign, to say the least.

In the short term, we knew we had to put in a lot of hard work.

After dismissing all the guards, we strolled through the streets together.

We hadn’t specifically chosen a destination; the act of walking through the city together held significance in itself.

This was understandable given how preoccupied we had been with wedding preparations in recent weeks.

Furthermore, Caleb had to manage his responsibilities as a knight, a duke, and tasks related to the palace.

The situation arose due to the absence of the crown prince, leading the emperor to delegate all ensuing duties to Caleb.

‘In terms of priority, I am currently the most likely heir to the throne…’

However, I have already declined the throne.

I lack the capacity to handle the responsibilities as the crown princess.

While I do have memories of receiving an heir training at one point to lead the baron family, there is a significant difference between running a minor noble house and governing an empire.

‘Additionally, those memories are already several years old.’

This is why Caleb, my fiancé who had already established himself as a duke, had temporarily taken on the role.

We had been so busy that today was the first opportunity for both of us to have some leisure time since the morning.

“Come to think of it, when I went to the palace earlier, I ran into Marchioness Vessel.”

“Is it because of Lord Vessel? Or is it because of our wedding?”

I asked, recalling that Marchioness Vessel was not only Lord Vessel’s mother but also the favorite maid of honor of the Empress.

“It’s because of our wedding.”

Oh, I had hoped it wasn’t the latter.

The Empress had taken a keen interest in our wedding preparations and had been quite enthusiastic about offering her suggestions, or rather, her help.

Of course, I was grateful for Marchioness Vessel’s dedication; she had always been supportive.

However, I had hoped for a bit of relaxation today, and it seemed that wasn’t going to happen.

“Does she…… have something to tell me?”

“No, nothing like that.”

I quickly relaxed at his response.

“She simply requested me to ask you if you have a mind to meet about a certain merchant.”

“What kind of merchant?”

“I did ask about it, but she didn’t seem inclined to provide detailed information. Apparently, the merchant himself is an eccentric character who always brings a lot of interesting items. And he’s someone who has been coming since long before……”

“Did she really just say that?”

“Yes, she only mentioned that you would be very interested in the items he brings.”

I was intrigued.

Why would I be so interested?

Was it related to the play script?

But if it were the script, there wouldn’t be a need for such secrecy, and it wasn’t particularly unusual.

“What would you do?”

“I’m curious, so I think I should meet him once. I’ll send someone separately to Marchioness Vessel.”

After saying that, I pondered Caleb’s words.

Marchioness Vessel was trustworthy, but the mysterious merchant she mentioned had piqued my curiosity…… though it didn’t last long.

As Caleb and I wandered through the city without a specific purpose, we stumbled upon a script shop we had never seen before.

“I didn’t know such a place existed. It looks new. When did it open?”

“It’s a new script shop that appeared around last week, as far as I know.”

That’s why I have a feeling I’ve never seen this store before because it was just opened.

“Would you like to go inside?”

“Well, maybe we can just take a quick look and then leave?”

After some internal debate, I eventually succumbed to temptation and stepped into the script shop.

Of course, there might not be many interesting scripts after collecting them diligently for over a year……

“Thank you, sir!”

As I heard the greetings from the script shop’s owner and stepped outside, I had two quite hefty scripts in my hands.

Perhaps it would have been better if I had just bought these.

But then again, this wasn’t the end. There were more scripts I had promised to buy next month.

Haha, strange, right?

Why did I buy so many?

There should have been a few scripts I wanted to buy or scripts I hadn’t seen before, right?

“I’m sorry. I spent too long looking around and ended up buying a lot.”

“No need to apologize. As long as you enjoyed yourself.”

Still……

“More than that, they might be heavy, so give them here. I’ll carry them for you.”

“They’re not that heavy.”

If these weren’t heavy, then what was heavy?

It was when Caleb turned to carry the scripts in the opposite direction that he pulled me toward him with a quick motion.

“Whoa! Move, move!”

Huh?

Just as I was about to turn my head at the rather abrupt noise, Caleb wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close.

Simultaneously, it seemed like someone flew past us and crashed into the wall behind us with a loud thud.

Yikes, that must hurt, right?

I wasn’t the only one thinking that; everyone stopped walking and stood still, looking at the person who had fallen.

Now around eighteen or so, the brown-haired boy with a somewhat youthful face, unlike what I had expected, didn’t get up immediately, even after several seconds had passed.

Is he alive?

I think we should take him to the medical facility at least.

However, extending a helping hand immediately proved to be difficult.

Due to the many past unfavorable experiences, I hadn’t had many opportunities to extend pure goodwill.

If there were a clear responsibility on my part, I would have gladly helped, but since that wasn’t the case…

Caleb, who had released his grip on me, asked as he approached the boy.

“I think we should move this boy to a nearby medical facility. Is that okay with you?”

“Oh, yes, please do.”

Come to think of it, I have Caleb by my side now.

Even if his approach was intentionally unkind, just the fact that Caleb was there made me feel much safer.

I nodded my head, and Caleb went over to the boy to check his condition.

However, it seemed the boy was still unconscious, as Caleb soon lifted him up.

Since the medical facility was quite near, we quickly transferred the boy.

After examining the boy lying on the bed, the nurse said.

“We’ll have to wait and see once he regains consciousness, but you don’t need to worry too much.”

“That’s a relief. Then we’ll be on our way.”

“Ngghhh……”

I was about to leave with Caleb when the boy groaned softly and opened his eyes.

Thanks to that, we had no choice but to hesitate.

In the meantime, the nurse asked the boy if he was okay.

“Is this a medical facility?”

“Yes, it’s a medical facility. You were brought here because you tumbled down the hill and crashed into a wall as if you were flying. These people brought you here.”

The nurse glanced at us and the boy naturally looked at us as well.

After taking a look at Caleb and then at me, the boy’s eyes widened.

“Woah… You’re so pretty.”

For a moment, I was surprised by the unexpected admiration in his eyes, but before I could ask, Caleb stepped forward and asked the boy.

“How is your body?”

“Oh, I’m fine! Thank you.”

The boy greeted us with a belated realization, his face filled with confusion.

“I must have been quite heavy……”

“It’s okay.”

Caleb cut off the conversation neatly.

The boy felt embarrassed by the straightforward response that only spoke the truth, without even a hint of denial, and nervously scratched his neck.

Hmm, I understand that feeling.

“So, about the incident…”

“I only did it out of goodwill, so you don’t have to thank me.”

“Well, I see. Anyway, thank you both.”

“You’re welcome.”

At that moment, Caleb softened a bit due to the boy’s camaraderie and polite manners.

When the boy looked at me again, his eyes appeared slightly dazed. As if he was saying, “Woah, you’re really pretty!’

Despite the blatantly obvious gaze, there was no ill intention behind it. It was a pure admiration shining in the boy’s eyes.

AS I was feeling a bit embarrassed by his innocence, Caleb wrapped his arm around me.

“Caleb?”

“It seems like everything’s okay, so how about we leave now?”

“Sure.”

There was really no reason to stay any longer.

As we were about to walk away, there was a sudden exclamation.

“Huh? Wait a minute! Ahhh!”

“Oh my, patient!”

Clang!

We turned around at the loud sound and saw the boy who had been on the bed moments ago, now clutching his stomach and rolling on the floor.

Startled, we stopped in our tracks as the boy suddenly stood up and walked towards us.

“Um, excuse me! I’m sorry, but can I see the books you’re holding in your arms? There are two with red and yellow covers!”

Normally, we might have refused.

However, seeing the boy reaching out to his hands in the midst of his embarrassment, we nodded our heads.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you!”

The boy cheerfully exclaimed and took the scripts Caleb had been carrying.

Watching him intently flipping through the scripts, the memories of the stack of audition forms at the theater came to mind.

“Is he an aspiring actor?”

Usually, normal people would have difficulty reading the scripts, but seeing him so engrossed in reading, it made me think otherwise.

As I was curiously observing him, thinking he might be an aspiring actor, the boy, who had finished reading the scripts to the end, closed the script and looked at me.

“Could you possibly sell these scripts to me?”

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