Book 9: Chapter 7: The Greatest Play (2/2)
She couldn't see anything as the scene in front of her was covered with smoke. But, when she barely opened her eyes as she coughed, what appeared in her sight was a blue sky.
”……eh?”
”Phew… That's almost got me.”
The voice was so close that it was almost like a whisper. But then, she was realized that she's being carried in Glenn's arm. Moreover, he was carrying her in the air at that.
What is this? What just happened?
”It's dangerous, so please hold me tight, okay?”
”W-What are you…”
”I'm just using a flight spell! Still, they've not told me anything about this kind of play. I wish the director would inform me about this beforehand!”
Apparently, Glenn believed that this whole crisis was part of the play.
There's no way all of this was staged!
The smoke had cleared from the stage, revealing the devastation. The cliff set Eliane had been standing on had crumbled into pieces and was scattered across the stage… but fortunately, the damage had not reached the audience. The paper-made Dark Dragon was also safe.
Looking at this, Elaine secretly patted her chest in relief while Glenn licked his lips.
”Well, let's finish up here.”
”…What? Eh?”
”I'm going to swoop in a bit, so hold on tight!”
As he said this, Glenn's body began to dive all the way down toward the stage. Eliane was in a panic and clung to Glenn's neck. She was unwilling to cling to such a man, but she had no choice because she could not maintain a stable position unless she did so.
”‘This is the end, Black Dragon!'”
Ralph's sword pierced the dragon's forehead.
The people who had been moving the paper-made dragon shouted its dying cry before withdrawing backstage.
”‘Thus, the Hero King Ralph slew the Dark Dragon and brought freedom to the land that had been dominated by it.'”
As soon as the student acting as the narrator read it out, the audience erupted in excitement.
None of the history books mention that the Hero King Ralph used flight magic. Nevertheless, Glenn's flying magic had a great impact on the play.
The applause directed at the stage was nothing compared to the first half. Everyone was absorbed in the stage and gave out cheers.
Eliane let out a sigh. Then remembered she still had some line remained.
In the last scene, Amelia would have given Ralph a compliment and a kiss on the cheek.
The idea of giving a kiss to a man who was not Felix, even if it was an act, was unpleasant enough for her. Still, she had to do her part.
Eliane shoved her rising anger and displeasure to the bottom of her stomach and put a beautiful smile on her face.
”‘O, King Ralph who blessed by the spirits, let me give you…”
Still being held in Glenn's arm, Eliane tried to kiss him on the cheek. Of course, she was planned to stop in midway before it touch.
But when Eliane's lips almost reached his cheek, Glenn quickly tilted his head away from Eliane.
Then Glenn whispered quietly in the ear of the stunned Eliane.
”You know, you have to save that thing for someone you love.”
Eliane turned her head down, her white cheeks quickly turning rosy.
To the audience, it looked as if Eliane had turned over in embarrassment. In fact, her body was trembling slightly. However, what was swirling inside Eliane was not embarrassment. It was pure anger.
…you… you… you dare to decline the kiss which I unwillingly give when you're just a substitute!?
Her seething anger seemed to crackle in the back of her head.
You brought humiliation to me. I won't forgive you. I'll never forgive you, Glenn Dudley.
In the midst of the loud cheers, Eliane was quietly igniting the dark flames of her anger.