Children of the Rune – Winterer - Chapter 383

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 153.
May Your Final Performance
Be Your Greatest (28)
4. The Wrong Target
I used to be a foolish girl. Everyone called me that, so I became a foolish girl. I know what foolishness is. People taught me. And listening to them, I realized I truly was a fool. I like being a fool. Because fools are forgiven for anything they do. So please call me a foolish girl too, sir. Don’t ask me my name.
Act Two Climax. In truth, Marie had not departed with the Countess of Bandeville. This time, she remained disguised as a servant of Morbihan Castle. On the dawn of the day Maximilien announced his engagement to Princess Albertine, unable to sleep, he paced by the window. In the garden, he encounters Marie once more, calling to him through song.
This may not be a rose garden,
But there are primroses and silver grass,
And a Priest to absolve us both of sin
Chirps away in his tuxedo,
And though not a single silver coin remains,
I stand upon your land.
The play races toward its finale, and Maximilien and Marie finally reconcile. Yet Maximilien hesitates to propose to her outright. He knows that without silver, her parents would never consent. Then Marie speaks.
Maximilien, you are terribly ignorant of continental affairs. Well, living as you do, trapped on that rocky island, how could you possibly know how the world turns? Tell me—who is the Duke of Troyes Duchy now?
The title of Duke of Troyes Duchy has been held for three months now by Marie de Trois, an only daughter. Her father, who was once Duke of Troyes, is no longer of this world. Had he lived, Marie could never have conceived such a bold plan or journeyed to Morbiane Island. Therefore, the marriage is her own choice.
Marie de Trois speaks.
Though silver may no longer flow from your rocky island, contrary to your belief, it remains quite useful. For you command the waters of this entire region. The Duchess of Troyes intends to establish a fleet here, conducting commerce with passing vessels and collecting tolls. As you know, the Northern Orlanne Coast is nothing but rocky cliffs, and there are scarcely any harbors where ships bound for Anomarad can dock. Until now, it seems you prevented other vessels from anchoring, fearing they might steal the silver from the coast. But now there is no silver, is there? Once Morbihan opens its harbor, countless ships will flock here.
The wedding is prepared. Princess Albertine creates a commotion by presenting a well-dried giant centipede as a wedding gift, and the ceremony begins amid the arrival of numerous guests.
Joshua appeared in the costume Riche had created for him. It was a garment the audience members who had watched yesterday’s performance had never seen before. A white jacket that suited his slender frame perfectly, adorned with rose patterns, and at the cuffs of the long sleeves covering the backs of his hands, his skin was revealed through delicately embroidered roses.
As the young Count, his eyes shadowed in blue, his cheeks gleaming pale, his expression still arrogant, took his first step, sighs of longing escaped from those who forgot they were watching a play. The marriage vows, the blessings of the people, flower girls leading the way with baskets overflowing with petals—and following behind them, Joshua walked forward, holding Ines’s hand. The orchestra swelled as the finale was about to begin.
The finale followed a format where actors playing various roles came out, offered words of congratulation for the marriage, then performed a brief song and dance. Maximilien de Morbiane and Marie de Trois, the protagonists and the couple being married, were staged to appear last and take their bows.
As the actors sang in turn, the backdrop was drawn away, leaving only a translucent milky-white curtain hanging. Behind that curtain, Joshua slowly revealed himself, standing before the audience as only a silhouette until his turn came. Then Joshua parted the translucent curtain and appeared on stage to sing one song, after which Ines would soon ascend the stage via the left staircase. When Joshua and Ines’s song ended, both actors would disappear below the stage as the curtain fell.
The first to appear was Mrs. Molte, who played the Countess of Bandeville. She opened her mouth with dignified composure.
“Well, I knew this would happen all along. Two people must suit each other well, after all. Since when, you ask? Why, from the moment I set foot on Morbiane Island with the Duchess of Troyes! My eye for these things never fails!”
Originally, she was meant to transition directly into song after this. But Mrs. Molte continued speaking as if nothing were amiss.
“I must give the couple a wedding gift, but they’re people who lack for nothing, so I had to think carefully. And after much deliberation, I reached a conclusion. My wedding gift! Once the couple opens Morbain Harbor, I shall play the crucial role of being their first customer! Of course, I’ll expect a tax exemption, yes?”
People began to laugh sporadically. Mrs. Molte continued.
“But I’m curious about something. The couple’s territories are separated by the sea—so where exactly should they set up their newlywed home? On Morbiane Island? Or in Troyes? Which do you think would be better?”
Mrs. Molte even prompted the audience for responses. Those who had seen the previous performance were somewhat bewildered, but since so much had already changed, they could only assume this was how it was meant to be.
“Ah, Morbiane Island wins by an overwhelming margin! Perhaps because it’s the more familiar place? Well then, I suppose I must tell them to take their honeymoon to Troyes!”
Laughter rippled through the audience once more. Eventually, Mrs. Molte, having run out of things to say, began to sing. But the song was extraordinarily slow. By the time she finished, it seemed it would take twice as long as yesterday.
The others who followed were no different. Meanwhile, the backdrop was drawn away, and as Joshua’s profile appeared behind the translucent curtain, the excited audience erupted in applause. Thus the finale proceeded, taking more than three times as long as yesterday.
Joshua was not on stage.
A figure approached Riche, who stood beside the waiting room. She turned in surprise, startled by the tension, and Giovann Hantke abruptly thrust a heavy pouch into her hands.
“Oh my?”
Riche recognized Giovann’s face, though she had never had any real conversation with him. Of course, the same was true from his side. Yet he smiled as if they were old acquaintances and spoke.
“Give this to that bespectacled friend of yours.”
“What is this?”
“Open it and you’ll see.”
While Riche stood bewildered by his strange manner of speaking, Giovann waved his hand and vanished. Once he was gone, Riche slightly opened the pouch and peered inside. And she could not help but cry out once more.
“Oh my!”
The pocket contained nothing but gold ingots. Why was that person giving gold to Maximian?
Overwhelmed by the sheer amount of gold, I clutched the pocket tightly and bolted out in a panic—only to have Strauss appear before me. Why was he here when he should have been conducting the orchestra?
Strauss smiled broadly and spoke.
“The carriage is waiting at the back entrance.”
With only those words, he too vanished. My eyes widened as I turned back toward the stage. There I saw Morris Duarte performing a piano solo, desperately playing an improvisation and even adding awkward movements to buy time. It reminded me of how Mrs. Molte had done the same thing just moments before. Amaryllis Crown, who had led the ballet company in their bows, was no different. The ballerinas’ slow, agonizing dance was almost unbearable to watch.
Could it be… these people…?
At that moment, Maximian appeared behind me.
“Let’s go.”
I saw Maximian supporting Joshua, who hung limply as if unconscious, and I turned back to the stage once more.
“Joshua? What happened to him?”
Maximian shrugged.
“He made it through to the ending. That should be enough.”
That wasn’t what I was asking about.
“Then what about that person?”
I pointed toward the stage, at the figure standing behind the translucent curtain. Joshua was here with us, so who was that person standing there?
“I don’t know. A stand-in actor, maybe. We don’t have time. Let’s go.”
I was pulled along by Maximian for a few steps. Then I looked around once more and realized something crucial.
I wrenched my hand from Maximian’s grasp.
“I just remembered something I absolutely have to do. Strauss said the carriage is waiting at the back entrance. Oh, and take this pocket. That man in charge of choreography—what was his name? Hantke, yes, Hantke said to give it to you. You’re heading to the harbor, right? I’ll catch up soon. I’ll be right there!”
Maximian reached out again, but I was already running down the corridor. He shouted after me.
“Where are you going in this dangerous situation?! We don’t even know where he is! Joshua isn’t the only one in danger!”
I called back over my shoulder.
“By that logic, staying far away from Joshua would be the safest thing to do, wouldn’t it?”
There was merit to my argument. Maximian hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided that getting the most vulnerable Joshua out of the theater was the priority. Even as he reasoned this way, an uneasy feeling lingered in the back of his mind—but there was no way to chase after two places at once. He tied the mouth of the pocket containing the gold securely and fastened it firmly inside his coat, then made his way to the back entrance through a route he’d already memorized.
When Maximian reached the back entrance, he tried to look outside before leaving. But then he heard someone rushing toward him from behind with tremendous force. When he spun around, he saw a familiar face.
“Leave this to me!”
Before Maximian could stop him, Captain Kalaimon threw open the door and was immediately attacked simultaneously by three men who had been waiting. He laughed loudly.
“Hahahaha! Three of you? You’re underestimating me!”
Captain Kalaimon was indeed a legendary harbor ruffian from his glory days. He brushed aside the clumsy attacks of three men with his bare hands, and without even drawing a sword, he neatly stacked all three of them on the left side of the door. Seeing Maximian carrying Joshua on his back, he smiled knowingly, as if nothing unusual was happening.
“Well then, farewell.”
Maximian answered absently.
“Ah, thank you.”
Of course, that wasn’t the end of it.
“Wait, but how did you—?”
“Miss Jusitangue, with such a pretty name, asked me earnestly. Well, off you go! Since you’re leaving anyway, I’ll say this—you’ve been a truly useful friend! If we plan any new performances, I’ll contact you again!”
“….”
Children of Rune – Winterer
Author: Jeon Min-hee
Publisher: 14 Months Publishing
The copyright of this book belongs to the author and 14 Months Publishing.
To reuse all or part of the contents of this book, written consent from both parties is required.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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