What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 226

#226

Commedia dell’arte (4)

(Act 2, Scene 1)

The winding streets of Chevoym Island.

A winter night where the weather has finally warmed up. Citizens of the Corleone Duchy pair off or gather in small groups to whisper sweet nothings and enjoy music and dance. Magical lights dimly illuminate various spots, creating Chevoym’s unique atmosphere. Here and there, stalls selling arancini [fried rice balls] and lampredotto [a Florentine street food made from the fourth stomach of a cow] stand. The cries of seabirds and faint sounds of the sea can be heard in the distance.

Divine Beast, Leah and Perry de Riester appear.

Leah: Squeak. (In this licentious and beautiful country made of two islands, the youths of Riester have gathered by a twist of fate. The Crown Prince, with his fiery temper and nobility, seeks to rescue a flower-like companion from danger, but feels a familiar water energy beneath the island’s shadow. How amusing, the most delightful harmony unfolds in a land forsaken by the Main God.)

Perry: Squeak. (Here, where Christel de Sarnese and Cedric Riester are about to have their fateful encounter, Prince Yese of Fenetian—homage to the one who inherited the Main God’s will!—faces the crisis of a lifetime. We will now improvise and present this story on stage. If there are any shortcomings, please let us know, and we will present an improved performance next time.)

Leah and Perry quickly exit on Scaramouche’s shoulder.

Cedric: (Aside) I must confirm if it is truly him.

Scaramouche and Cedric hide in the shadows of the alley, eavesdropping on passersby and observing their movements. Stubborn de Riester still struts about in the form of a crow.

Passerby 1: (Excitedly) So, will the signora [Italian for ‘lady’] have a foreigner as her husband? If the blond widower servant attends to him today!

Passerby 2: Maybe! Anyway, it’s definitely true that he’s entering a secret room. —Oh, look over there! (Shakes Passerby 1 and points to the alley entrance) It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a beautiful signora.

The citizens’ gazes focus on a distant spot. A mysterious woman and a more mature woman appear, escorting a luxuriously dressed noblewoman. A buzz spreads.

Passerby 1: Who are you talking about, the signora in the middle?

Passerby 2: She’s lovely too, but I prefer the lady on the right. (Gesturing towards Isabel) Ah! Her light green hair is as beautiful as the newly sprouted buds of early spring, and her dark eyes are as deep as the autumn night sky singing lullabies. How sweet must the voice that flows from those lips be?

Passerby 1: (Snaps his fingers) You only know one thing and not the other. Well, that’s probably why you’re out here killing time without a lover in this season. Look at the lady on the left escorting the noblewoman. (Pulls Passerby 2’s sleeve) Her rare pink hair seems ready to cast a love spell at any moment, and her blue eyes, more mysterious than the Chevoym coast, make you feel like you’ll drown instantly. No one can resist her white skin and lovely lips!

Christel, dressed as a servant, frowns at them. She quickly changes her expression when their eyes meet.

Passerby 1: She smiled at me. Should I talk to her?

Passerby 2: Yeah, why not! No. Maybe this is the best luck we can have today.

Passerby 1: Today? Not this year?

The two passersby giggle and approach Christel and her group. Christel, adjusting Ellen’s disguise as a noblewoman, pretends not to notice.

Christel: Signora, are you cold? Should I put another blanket around you?

Ellen: No, baby. (Slapping her own lips) Oh, that’s not it. (In an awkward tone) Ah, no. Thank you.

Isabel: (Curving her eyes and stroking Ellen’s hand) This is fun, Ollie. I shouldn’t be like this, but… I’m enjoying myself even though we’re on the run in a foreign country. I need to keep my wits about me as the guardian.

Christel: It’s okay. (Pulls up the ether within her and smiles brightly) Even if we each only keep a third of our wits about us, the three of us can still manage one person’s worth, and I’m currently doing the work of three people. (Aside) And the pirate ship we came on seems safe for now.

Passerby 1: Ladies as radiant as stars, good evening.

Christel: Ah, yes.

Christel subtly blocks the two women.

Passerby 2: It’s cold. How about a glass of amaretto [an Italian almond-flavored liqueur] in a warm place?

Christel: No, thank you.

Passerby 1: Ah, signora. You seem to be new to northern Chevoym. (Reaching out to Christel’s cheek) We can guide you to the shortcuts of pleasure and amusement—Ack!

Christel instantly kicks Passerby 1’s hand away. Passerby 1 rolls on the ground, clutching his hand. Nearby citizens scatter in shock.

Passerby 2: Hey! What are you doing!

Christel: (Seriously) Listen when I say no. If I liked it, I would have said so! Why are you trying to touch me, do you want to die?!

Passerby 2: That doesn’t justify this violence… (Huffing) You were the one who smiled first! I will avenge my friend on the spot!

Christel: Bullshit, would you offer condolences if I were crying?!

Passerby 2 grits his teeth and lunges at Ellen and Isabel behind her. Scaramouche appears, cape billowing. Cedric brandishes the Hwaseong’s Hyegom [likely a sword], still in its scabbard, and begins to punish the passersby. Isabel and Ellen are startled, but Christel remains unfazed and protects them. A large crow flies above their heads, creating an ominous atmosphere. Dust rises from the bodies of those being beaten.

Passerby 1: Scaramouche— (Flailing with a pale face) Ugh, ack! Run away! Get out of here!

Passerby 2: Idiot, I’m already running away! Ack! (Simultaneously with Passerby 1) Scaramouche has appeared!

The two men scream and scurry away down the alley. The onlookers have already fled into the buildings and are nowhere to be seen. The divine beasts run to Christel’s feet, expressing their joy. Silence.

Christel: (Hugging the divine beasts tightly) Aww! I could have added another notch to my belt!

Cedric: (Frowning) What?

Ellen: Baby, it’s okay. (Stroking Christel’s back) This place is full of people obsessed with colors, so you can always have another go. (Looks at Scaramouche) By the way, who is this well-built man?

Christel: (In a dispirited tone) He’s the benefactor who blew away our spending money.

Isabel: It’s a bit disappointing, but he came to help us. Let’s thank him.

Isabel comforts Christel and then belatedly notices the divine beasts. She looks back at Scaramouche in surprise. Orange eyes gleam beneath the mask.

Isabel: Good heavens. (Quickly bows) Greetings to Crown Prince Cedric.

Ellen: Huh?!

The nanny, Ellen, is shocked and prostrates herself. Christel pats her to help her up, puts down the divine beasts, and pays her respects. Then, she glances at Cedric with a displeased look.

Cedric: ‘Another notch to my belt’?

Christel: Those kinds of guys. (Lowering her voice) If there’s anyone who hits on us, we take them to a secluded place, rough them up, and steal their wallets. That’s how we bought these clothes and got a decent place to stay.

Silence. Christel quickly adds.

Christel: Only those who touch us without permission or are disgustingly persistent. We politely refused those who were courteous.

Cedric: What brings you to Chevoym?

Christel: Of course, running away from my father. Ah! (Opens her eyes wide and takes a step towards Cedric) That man is using his men to create strange leaflets to slander the Prince. He’s sick, but it seems he’s even using that as a cover. He’s out of his mind. Stubborn is the reason we came here. (Aside) I docked the ship thinking it was Serenité. (Pause) I heard rumors that an Imperial Marquis came as a guest of the Admiral. Could that be the Prince’s group?

Cedric: So that’s how it is.

Cedric extends his arm, and the crow, which had been circling, lands on his forearm. Christel’s mouth drops open.

Christel: Could it be that this guy is…

Stubborn: Peep-bo! (That’s right. I’m glad you’re all together. But what happens from now on is entirely your responsibility, and I don’t really want to care. This body is a free being.)

Christel: Stubborn! Thank you so much for helping us. I’m so glad to see you again! How did you become a crow this time? Your abilities are amazing, really.

Christel, Isabel, and Ellen stroke the crow’s wings and back with delighted faces. Stubborn enjoys the warmth. Christel looks up at the Crown Prince.

Christel: (In a barely audible voice) Your Highness, you didn’t come to chase us, did you…? You came to save the Prince, right? (Aside) What’s with the mask? Why are you so fatal on your own? Well, revealing your face would be even more fatal.

Cedric: Yes. I heard he will soon enter the Admiral’s bedroom.

The three women gape.

Isabel: (Covering her mouth with her hand) Why, why would such a noble person make such a decision?

Cedric: Probably to use the international portal. The Empire currently has all land routes and portals blocked from the south to the capital.

Ellen: Oh my!

Christel: I have so many questions, but I’ll have to ask them later. (With a determined face) Let’s make a plan and move together. If what you say is true, then time is of the essence.

Cedric nods. They exit together.

*

(Act 2, Scene 2)

A few hours later. Admiral Emma Corleone’s bedroom.

The sound of waves can be heard from the steep cliff at the top of the island. Gold candlesticks placed here and there dimly illuminate the dark interior. A man covered in a black veil sits alone on a bed with red curtains. The Admiral approaches him without concealing her presence.

Yese: (Nervously) Th, um. Hmm!

The Admiral chuckles.

Emma: Playing cute, are we? Surely this isn’t your first time.

Yese: Huh? Excuse me, what did you say? (Aside) I can’t hear well.

Emma: I don’t have a habit of repeating myself.

The Admiral roughly pulls back the curtains with her hook hand. The man has his back turned. Emma tries to knock him down.

Yese: (Quickly dodges) Admiral, just a moment! I have a question.

Emma: (Clicks her tongue) How troublesome. Are you the type who needs conversation during the process?

Yese: Yes, it will be a very interesting story. Perhaps you’ll be so curious about the rest of it that you’ll forget about everything else. You might even feel like opening the portal for me.

Emma: (Scoffs) For a servant to think he can satisfy me with just a story. (Lowers her hook and gestures) Silly jokes won’t do. Don’t forget that I command the navy.

The Admiral sits on the bed. She then gulps down the white wine on the side table like water and splits a fig to throw into her mouth. The man continues to speak.

Yese: Of course. (Pause) Then let me ask you one thing. Do you think the Duchy has been abandoned by the Main God?

Emma: What…?

Yese: During my stay here, I asked various people. I was curious about the relationship between the Main God Church and the Duchy. The , which covers world gossip, thoroughly excludes stories about the Duchy, and I’ve never heard Imperial citizens talk about the Duchy. All I’ve read is a brief mention in history books. I thought that was strange. When I came here, I saw that the people of the Duchy were also living their lives diligently… Even though their values and culture are very different, their essence is no different. I wanted to know why they are excluded from the ‘center of the flow.’ I also wanted to know what the people here think about it.

Emma: (Frowning and swallowing the fig) How boring. Let’s just go according to plan.

The Admiral tries to remove the veil. The man evades her reach with nimble movements.

Emma: Are you going to break the deal?

Yese: No. Then let me ask this. If a war breaks out on the continent, what will you do, Admiral?

Emma: (Tilting her head) My leash is held by His Majesty the Emperor, so I will follow his orders if there are any.

Yese: (As if asking something profound) Would Duke Lorenzo also tell you to do so?

The Admiral frowns fiercely. She tears off the man’s veil with lightning speed. The knight, Johann Haynes, reveals himself. Only his mouth is smiling.

Emma: You.

Johann: I’ve been caught. (Removes the red magical ribbon from his mouth) There are many strange things in the world these days. Isn’t that right, Princess? (A voice flows from the ribbon decoration, saying, “Admiral? Are you listening?”)

Just as the Admiral is about to become enraged, the room’s huge window shatters into pieces. The sound of the ocean is deafening, as if the sea is right under their noses. Blackout.

*

-Crash!

-Bang!

“Huh?”

I was startled and ran to the window.

Still clutching Marquis Francois’s latest invention, the magical ribbon.

The Dium siblings, who had been waiting with me, also followed, taking care of the divine beasts.

Thud! Without hesitation, I drew the curtains. My eyes almost popped out at the sight unfolding before me.

“No, we were just going to talk… We were going to resolve it with words?”

From the direction of the Admiral’s bedroom, an unexpected blaze was erupting.