Chapter 57
Sabrina walked out through another backstage exit, glancing apologetically at the curtain.
She felt bad for Claire, but she didn’t think of stepping in.
If anything, it might just make things worse.
“Sorry, Claire. I’ll see you back at the mansion.”
As she moved, someone suddenly blocked her path.
Noticing shiny men’s shoes, Sabrina looked up curiously.
The moment she saw the man’s face behind a black mask, she froze.
Even with a mask, the dark aura around him was unmistakable.
It was the villain of the story—and her employer—the Duke Valerian.
Caught off guard, Sabrina quickly tried to think.
Wait, she was wearing a mask too. Maybe he wouldn’t recognize her if she acted normal.
Trying to walk past him casually, she was stopped again.
“I want to talk to you,” he said.
As if it was obvious she was Sabrina.
“You’ve got the wrong person,” she replied, trying to walk by.
But then—grab—he held her wrist.
Fire flashed in Sabrina’s eyes.
How dare you touch me?!
She was just about to flip him over when a deep voice stopped her.
“Sis! Who is this punk?”
It was one of Hector’s guys—the group in charge of the salon’s security.
Realizing she almost attacked the villain, Sabrina cleared her throat awkwardly.
Meanwhile, the villain frowned at the way the man addressed her.
“Sis?”
“How dare you touch our lady’s delicate wrist and think you’ll get away with it!”
As the man stormed forward, Sabrina panicked and waved her hands.
“No! Don’t!”
“Yes, Sis! He needs to learn what happens to people who mess around in the Clina Salon!”
Thud!
Just then, Max got knocked out by the villain—who had only used the hilt of his sword.
Sigh… I told you not to…
Sabrina clicked her tongue as she looked at the unconscious Max.
No wonder he’s the villain—he didn’t even unsheathe the sword and still took him down in one move.
She realized something else too—he’d really been holding back around her until now.
Seeing Sabrina go quiet like a tense cat, the villain—Theobald—sighed and rubbed his forehead.
“Just a moment.”
Surprisingly, Sabrina nodded obediently.
“Alright. Let’s talk here.”
“Here?”
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
“…No, I guess not.”
They were in a relatively quiet area anyway, and everyone had masks on.
After a moment, Theobald finally spoke.
“Come back to the mansion.”
Just as she expected, Sabrina frowned.
“I thought we already talked about this.”
She tried to pull her hand away, but he quickly continued,
“I won’t say anything about your outings anymore.”
Theobald had figured out why she came to Clina Salon—
She just liked playing that weird drum.
Feeling like he finally understood, he added kindly:
“I won’t interfere with your personal time outside of work.”
“I’ll also increase your salary.”
“…Really?”
“We’ll draw up a new contract with those terms.”
Sabrina almost fell for it, but snapped herself out of it.
Don’t let the sweet offer fool you! If I go back, who knows what might happen?!
She replied sharply.
“Still no.”
“…Why?”
Theobald looked completely baffled.
Sabrina avoided his eyes and said bluntly,
“I already told you—I quit. I’m not going back.”
“But why?”
How do I tell him I’m afraid I’ll literally die if we accidentally sleep together?
She sighed deeply.
“It’s personal.”
The villain looked stunned.
Sabrina finally pulled her wrist away and gave him a warning.
“Just don’t come looking for me again. My guys may not look it, but…”
Her eyes drifted to Max, still out cold on the floor.
“Ahem! Anyway, they’re strong when they gang up. You wouldn’t stand a chance.”
As she turned to leave, Theobald spoke again.
“Two hours.”
She looked back, confused.
“I’ll only ask for 2 hours of your time a day. I won’t interfere with anything else you do.”
Then, he added an even more tempting offer.
“You’ll still get full pay and benefits.”
Sabrina’s invisible tail swayed happily.
“…Just 2 hours?”
“Yes.”
She turned right around, walked up to him, and grinned as she held out her hand like sealing a deal.
“Deal.”
***
Later…
“So… you agreed to work at the villain’s mansion for just 2 hours a day?”
“Yes! Only 2 hours! I’ll still be Claire’s maid too, so don’t worry!”
Not like you ever did much maid work anyway… I thought, but held back.
“And you still get the same benefits and even more pay?”
“Yes! Isn’t it amazing?”
It was obvious she had fallen for the villain’s trap.
Like a hunter who knew her too well luring her in with snacks.
Well… What could happen in 2 hours?
…Or maybe… that’s enough time?
As I worried to myself, Sabrina suddenly changed the subject.
“Did the Crown Prince or the Young Duke recognize the heroine at all?”
Only then did I recall what had happened and let out a deep sigh while glaring at Sabrina.
“Not at all. Why can’t they recognize her even when she’s right in front of them? In the novel, they acted like they fell in love at first sight.”
“Maybe it’s because the first meeting was different…”
Sabrina muttered with a serious look, and Lillianne added,
“Still, if they keep seeing her, their feelings might change. Seeing someone on stage and meeting them in real life are very different experiences.”
Sabrina nodded as if she agreed with Lillianne.
“True. In the novel, they also fell in love during their everyday lives. Meeting outside of a staged setting might actually be better.”
“But how do we make them meet outside?”
Based on what we had seen so far, just assuming the story’s main characters would naturally meet on their own wasn’t working at all.
Then Lillianne spoke in a meaningful tone,
“Claire has to be the bait.”
Huh? Me?
Just as I looked at Lillianne with a helpless expression, someone’s voice suddenly cut in.
“Bait?”
“Ahh!”
“Oh my gosh!”
We, who had been talking in the salon’s waiting room, had to calm our startled hearts as we turned to see Edith, who had joined with an innocent expression.
“What’s this talk about a heroine and hero? Are we doing a play or something?”
Sabrina laughed awkwardly at Edith’s question.
“Yes! A play! We were thinking of doing a performance that combines music and acting!”
“Wow, that sounds so fun!”
As Edith suddenly appeared, Lillianne quickly changed the subject and led her away.
“Perfect timing. I have a dress that was inspired by you. Can I take your measurements?”
“A dress? Sure, I’d love that!”
Watching them disappear excitedly, I thought to myself,
A performance with music and acting…
Not a bad idea.
