The Villainess Directs Rofan - Chapter 14

“You heard that, right? With tickets selling this much, it’s only natural that—” 

 

“It’s still an embarrassingly small amount compared to the debt you owe, princess.” 

 

“Not exactly wrong, but what I’m saying is about future potential…” 

 

“Alfredo, bring me the details of the princess’s debts.” 

 

Alfredo immediately handed the Count some paper. 

 

The Count held it out to me once again. 

 

I stared at it for a moment and frowned. 

 

It’s more than I expected…? 

 

Of course. The paper handed to me included not only theater expenses, but also money I’d borrowed for jewelry, fees for the porcelain I’d drunkenly shattered, my lodging costs, meals… 

 

“The cost of the chocolate I ate?”

 

I made a subtle expression, pointing to the bottom line of the ledger, which was becoming increasingly detailed and had strange words written on it. 

 

Honestly, I could accept everything listed above. 

 

I couldn’t believe Louisa had done something like that. Even though I’m not Louisa, it’s only right to pay it back. 

 

But are they telling me the chocolate the maid offered me yesterday, asking if I was tired, actually came with a fee? 

 

What kind of robbery is this? 

 

“Count, were you planning to charge me for things like this too?” 

 

As expected, the ill will Arno Dience has toward Louisa is beyond measure. 

 

I felt a little empty. 

 

But for some reason, the Count coughed awkwardly, avoiding my gaze as if he were a bit embarrassed. 

 

“Ahem… Isn’t it only natural? Money doesn’t come out when you dig the ground, Princess.” 

 

He’s not wrong, but it’s kind of petty.

 

“So, until you pay off this debt, it would be better to focus on the play rather than on something trivial like a breakup.” 

 

“Why is a breakup trivial? A breakup is important too.”

 

The Count continued, ignoring my words. 

 

“Wearing this necklace on stage will be worth 30 million derks. After all, I was planning to increase the investment in White Pyres anyway. Adding another 20 million derks to the investment will bring it to a total of 50 million derks.” 

 

The Count gestured to Alfredo, who brought a pouch of gold coins and placed it in front of me. 

 

“…!” 

 

Fifty million derks. 

 

The money from selling my grandfather’s sword, the very same money I used to buy the emperor’s life, had returned to me right before my eyes. 

 

‘How interesting.’

 

“Is the investment also money that needs to be repaid?”

 

When I asked calmly, the Count nodded. 

 

“Is the 30 million derks my money, and do I also need to repay the 20 million derks of the investment?” 

 

When I asked calmly, the Count nodded. 

 

“However, this will be deducted from the ticket sales. Since the total ticket sales so far amount to 30 million derks, after subtracting the 20 million derks investment, the amount you’ll receive will be 10 million derks.” 

 

It was a quick calculation.

 

30 million derk.

 

I was quite fascinated by that word.

 

Given the era, I don’t know how much it would convert to in Korean currency, but 30 million derks is the amount of money an average commoner would have to work for 10 years to earn. 

 

I earned that money. 

 

By theater. 

 

‘That’s something I couldn’t even dream of in South Korea.’

 

Is there a world where you can become a billionaire through theater? And this is the place?

 

It was a moment when possession was considered a blessing.

 

This was a possibility. From now on, I might not need to rely on the Count, who despises me, and could potentially make a living on my own.

 

I quickly buried my nose in the plate and stuffed my mouth with meat. 

 

“….?”

 

“I have to eat quickly and get going. I need to train the actors.” 

 

The Count looked at me as if he found it a bit absurd. 

 

* * *

 

“….”

 

“….”

 

It’s awkward.

 

I looked out the window and thought.

 

Somehow, only Leo and I were in the carriage together. 

 

We were going downtown to get our stage costumes fitted before going to rehearsal. 

 

The reason I was going with Leo was that I wanted to upgrade Romeo’s costume now that Juliet’s outfit had changed. 

 

‘Because I have money.’

 

There were so many things I wanted to do with this. 

 

Putting money into a play could go on indefinitely.

 

‘Maybe I can put in a little more stage equipment for the next play.’

 

First of all, I wanted to do some stage maintenance, although I couldn’t do it for the time being because there was a performance every day. 

 

‘I thought I was going to die trying to walk on my tiptoes during the blackout because it creaked with every movement.’

 

And most importantly. 

 

I wanted to hire actors who really wanted to be actors and create a theater company.

 

To do that, I had to hold auditions and spend more money than I do now to raise star actors. 

 

‘I have to find a face that will become a star with the method acting style I want.’

 

A play is basically an actor’s art. 

 

If I successfully raise a star actor, a moderately successful piece could become a hit, and a work that was going to fail can make a profit. 

 

Moreover, if I had a few solid supporting actors, I could create more profound works than I currently do. 

 

The current actors were all rookies that Rudy brought in in a hurry. 

 

It was clear that everyone would leave without any regrets after this play ended. 

 

You can tell just from their attitude during practice. 

 

‘If I really want to be picky, Leo Pier is also a newbie.’

 

Leo Pier was originally noticed by Marquis Burbage and became a royal knight. 

 

This would be about a year and a half from now. 

 

To make it more impactful, I was considering several ways to ensure he catches the attention of Marquis Burbage. 

 

‘The problem is that I might have to do the play one more time to do that.’

 

With this kid. 

 

He’s getting away with poor acting because of his looks; he really can’t act at all.

 

“You.”

 

Leo smiled faintly as I opened my mouth to break the awkward silence.

 

“What’s going on? Were we not supposed to keep up this awkward atmosphere?” 

 

“Don’t stutter in your monologue. It’s obvious you didn’t memorize that part properly, so fix your costume and memorize it better. In that part, Romeo should speak as if he’s entranced by love, but you keep rolling your eyes and pausing to think of your lines.” 

 

“Just now… were you thinking about that?”

 

“Then?”

 

“I thought you were reminiscing about our kiss.” 

 

“This spoiled slave…”

 

Kieek.

 

It was then. 

 

The carriage suddenly stopped and the inside of the carriage shook. 

 

My body lost its balance and almost fell toward Leo.

 

Leo quickly grabbed my arm.

 

Nice catch.

 

I felt grateful to him for catching me when I nearly lost my balance.

 

For a brief moment. 

 

Because the moment I thought that, Leo grabbed me and pulled me.

 

“…What are you doing…?” 

 

I was sure I had only fallen slightly, but when Leo grabbed me and pulled me, I was already sitting on his thigh.

 

Leo smiled and whispered.

 

“It would be bad if you pretended to lose your balance and fell on me, Master. It’s dangerous.” 

 

I looked into his golden eyes as he shamelessly spouted nonsense. 

 

In the original, there was no mention of this guy being this crazy.

 

And then, the carriage door opened wide.

 

“Princes, I’m sorry, but there seems to be an issue with the carriage. You’ll have to walk from here…” 

 

The coachman’s eyes widened as he opened the carriage door.

 

At that moment, the coachman was debating whether or not to close the carriage door.

 

A few Duchy citizens, clearly drawn by the sight of Dience’s seal, began whispering among themselves as they noticed me seated on a slave’s lap inside the carriage. 

 

“That woman…”

 

“Isn’t that the woman?” 

 

Yes, it’s me.

 

Louisa Messena.

 

The foolish noblewoman caught in the act of having an affair with a man inside the carriage. 

 

I thought that and gritted my teeth as I tried to get out of the carriage.

 

I quickly tried to enter the costume shop, fearing I might be pelted with stones. 

 

But then.

 

Someone ran up to me.

 

“Excuse me…” 

 

I quickly closed my eyes at the object suddenly thrust in front of me. 

 

That’s right. Am I being stabbed? 

 

After a moment, feeling no pain where it should have been, I slowly opened my eyes. 

 

When I opened my eyes, there was a red rose.

 

“I really… enjoyed the play.”

 

“….”

 

I stared at the flower sticking out like a knife.

 

And I saw the freckled girl holding the flower.

 

“….”

 

The girl’s hands were shaking.

 

You’re giving me this now? 

 

As I frowned, the girl’s face noticeably turned pale. 

 

The girl behind spoke. 

 

She seemed to be around her age, and her friendly tone made her feel like a friend. 

 

“Let’s just go, Elise. There’s a rumor that the princess eats people.” 

 

Did the rumor go that far?

 

That was when I was laughing inwardly.

 

The girl called Elise whispered to her friend in a trembling voice. 

 

“But I’ve never seen the princess eat people. I first saw the princess at a performance. It was so… good.” 

 

The moment I saw her shy smile, I felt strange.

 

I tried my best to defend Louisa Messena while playing Juliet.

 

I hoped that it would make some excuse for her evil deeds.

 

But I never expected anyone to have a ‘good feeling’ for Louisa Messena.

 

That went a bit too far.

 

Because Louisa deserved to be hated. 

 

Everyone thinks that way. 

 

That’s the nature of ‘humans’. 

 

However, there are those who believe not in rumors, but in what they have seen for themselves. 

 

At least this girl in front of me.

 

I stared at the roses for a moment, dumbfounded.

 

“I, I’m sorry if you felt bad…”  

 

Thinking that I was continuously glaring at her, Elise tried to take back the rose. 

 

I quickly picked them up.

 

“Haven’t you heard the rumors?”

 

“Yes?”

 

Elise shrugged her shoulders at my cold voice.

 

“I only collect beautiful things.”

 

“…That, that, that….” 

 

When I looked down at myself, Elise lowered her head. 

 

It seemed she thought the rose she had offered was not beautiful. 

 

I grabbed Elise’s chin. 

 

Then I smiled, lifting one corner of my mouth. 

 

“So if you were going to give me a present, you should have done something like this instead of something so trivial.”

 

I kissed Elise’s cheek briefly. 

 

As soon as I pulled my lips, Elise’s eyes widened.

 

“You’re more beautiful.” 

 

Before I could finish speaking, her face turned bright red, from her cheek to her cheekbone and ear. 

 

Well. I meant it.

 

She has a pretty good face.

 

A typical face of an ordinary commoner. However, with her slightly prominent cheekbones and jaw, she could easily play a unique role if she wore heavier makeup. 

 

While she doesn’t have a face that would instantly make her a leading actress, if she has acting skills, she could perform a wide range of roles. 

 

Moreover, she was saying the right thing with her pretty lips, saying that my play was enjoyable. 

 

By the way…

 

‘Physical contact’.

 

The thing I hated so much is easier than I thought.

 

Could it be because I had just finished kissing Leo?

 

I smiled happily and said to Elise.

 

“If the play is really fun, come audition.”

 

“Audition?”

 

“Yes. I’m thinking of forming a theater company. I’ll give you a special time.” 

 

Though I meant it as a teasing remark, the girl seemed to not understand it. 

 

Thud.

 

I gestured to Leo as I heard the girl collapse behind me. 

 

“Come quickly. We don’t have enough practice time.” 

 

I heard a commotion around me. 

 

About half of it was her cursing at me, while the other half was a dazed voice saying something like this. 

 

“Sister… please take me…” 

 

What do you mean by take me?

 

I didn’t know what she meant, but if I spread rumors about the theater little by little like this, people would start to gather, right? 

 

I was feeling proud, unaware of the disaster that would unfold during the audition later.