"Stop!" Mei shouted at Irene, who was about to stab the dagger. "Don't make such a grim expression. Though he's a despicable scoundrel, he's still your godfather in this role. So you should hesitate with resolve, and when you strike, show the calm, God-like state of liberation. Try again." "Yes!" Irene replied earnestly.
Over half a month had passed since her debut performance in the small town, yet she found herself lingering here, now starring in the second play. The production team was currently rehearsing the third installment, *Witch Diary*. The script alone promised an unparalleled spectacle. This was her first encounter with such a captivating and intricate narrative—shedding the romance between Prince and the princess and the intrigues of court rebels, it celebrated the courage, friendship, and faith of ordinary people and witches. By the time she finished reading the script, she couldn't help but cheer for the characters.
This is also the reason why May claimed to stay temporarily.
But the real reason, she herself does not know.
Eileen thrust the dagger with a violent motion, and Sam, who was playing the role of adoptive father, let out a wretched cry. 'You actually...' He then tilted his head to the side, pretending to gasp for air.
"Pretty much over the top," Mei shook her head. "She stabbed right at your chest. You didn't have time to scream before you could pretend to grab Irene and collapse. That's the classic way someone takes a fatal hit. Did you really not learn anything from your acting class?" Sam's cheeks flushed. "Sorry for the hug." "Try again," she said, expressionless.
However, Irene's performance took May by surprise. She could promptly correct even minor details upon being reminded. Her dedication to the play and natural acting talent were truly exceptional, proving that the title of' the theater's flower' wasn't merely a result of the mutual praise among the underdog performers.
"Great job this time. Let's wrap up today's session." Mei clapped her hands when the scene finally clicked. "Phyllin Hilt should be wrapping up her lesson. You guys head home and get dinner ready—after all, that so-called water..." "Tap water," Erin chuckled, adding.
"Well, the tap water is replenished once before dusk, but if you eat too late, there won't be water for bathing," Mei coughed twice.
"Miss May, it's mainly because Lord Knight is coming to pick you up, right?" Roxia chuckled, covering her mouth. "There's still at least half an hour before dusk." "I heard Lord Carter is Your Royal Highness's confidant, constantly in the castle and by Your Highness's side," Tina exclaimed. "Ah... No wonder you're the brightest star in the West, drawing attention wherever you go." "You've had enough," Erin waved her hand. "Miss May might not even accept Lord Carter." "..." May raised an eyebrow, perhaps because she hadn't been so stern lately. Initially, the two men had dared not even breathe loudly in front of her, but now they were actually daring to tease her. It seemed the rehearsals over the next few days would be tough for them—otherwise, at this level, they truly didn't deserve to share the stage with her. "I'll be leaving now." "Thank you for your guidance!" Erin and the group bowed their heads in respect.
Originally, only drama instructors were entitled to such formalities, but Mei didn't care. She nodded and left the rehearsal room, feeling the scorching air outside envelop her instantly.
After sitting in the shade of a tree in the center of the neighborhood for a while, a tall man approached her quickly.
He is Carter Lannis, the Chief Knight of the Lord of the Border Town.
"Long time no see," he said, patting his head.
"Before long," Mei smiled faintly, "let's go." Ever since his last failed invitation, she hadn't given up but kept visiting him persistently—a stark contrast to his aloof demeanor. Unwittingly, she found herself lingering with him. Though Mei understood his intentions perfectly, the prospect of settling in this unfamiliar land left her feeling both bewildered and apprehensive.
Even when she first decided to meet Fuxiao Chenguang, she had no intention of staying with him here for long.
In the fortress, she was a star-studded actress, but here she was no different from the other crew members, and her fame didn't even match that of Irene, the former teacher of the town.
They walked through the tree-shaded wide streets to the convenience market in the town center.
The town transforms weekly. Last week, the neighborhood was barren, but now it's lush and green. As long as it doesn't rain, construction is a daily routine—whether building roads, houses, or both at the same time. Such a bustling scene is rarely seen even in the capital.
The community convenience market, located to the north of the square, is divided into two sections separated by a plane tree. The right side features a budget-friendly zone designed like a traditional market, open to the street with a wooden canopy overhead. It offers affordable ironware and agricultural products: the former includes farming tools, hammers, drills, and nails, while the latter features eggs, beef, grapes, and other unnamed items. These goods are neatly arranged in categorized stalls, each supervised by a dedicated vendor.
The left side is the boutique section, much smaller in size, surrounded by brick walls that give it the look of a bungalow. The store offers a wide variety of goods, all at relatively high prices, which is why it attracts far fewer customers. On her second day in the town, she was dragged around by Irene for a tour. If Chief Knight hadn't mentioned the rare new product sale that day, she would've preferred to go to the tavern and enjoy a couple of cold beers.
After completing identity verification, the two entered the boutique section. The market operated with a unique approach: its single entrance featured shelves displaying goods for self-service selection. No bargaining was allowed, and no salespeople made aggressive pitches. Prices and product descriptions were written on parchment and displayed on the walls. Customers could simply pick their desired items and pay at the entrance.
Mei noticed about a dozen colored cups still on the first row of shelves, their patterns identical to those she had seen last time. This meant they hadn't sold out in nearly a month. Any regular merchant would have already lost money by now.
"Is this market really run by Your Highness?" she asked.
"Exactly," Carter nodded. "That's why you can find some truly remarkable items." He walked over to the third row of shelves. "Like this one." "This... is the rare new product you mentioned?" Mei followed him to Knight's side. On the shelves stood five or six pale yellow blocks, each about the size of a palm, their purpose initially unclear.
"This is Your Highness's personal creation. The witches—well, I mean the attendants and guards—in the castle are all using it. For bathing, it effortlessly removes stubborn oils, leaving you with a refreshing sensation and a lingering rose fragrance. I swear, there's nothing more divine than this for a shower," Chief Knight declared with conviction.
Mei glanced at the parchment beside her and saw a string of made-up words written on it: soap.