“Are… are you mentioning the character Harry in the Rising Star project?” Grace asked.
“M’m.” Tobby nodded. “He auditioned when you were on a three-day leave last week. But the list of actors who will play the Rising Star characters hasn't been officially announced to the entire team yet. That's why I thought they told you beforehand.”
Blinking a couple of times, Grace shook her head. “I haven't heard anything. This article just happened to pop up in my browser ad.”
“It seems you're also a fan of that model.” He muttered, then continued, “By the way, Mary said the actors will start their first meeting tomorrow.”
"Here?" Grace's eyes
Grace could only remain stunned. How was it possible to run into Adro today? She had heard that voice actors usually left right after their meetings. So why was Adro still here, even queuing for lunch in the cafeteria?"Oh, hi," Grace replied after being nudged by Maureen."Hey, can you two be quicker?" Said the person behind them."Yep. Sorry," Grace responded, hastily scooping up her food."Do you two know each other?" Steve asked, looking at Grace and Adro alternately as they stood on his left and right.Without answering, Adro just gazed at Grace. He didn't want to make any statements that might disadvantage her, so he preferred to let her lead the story."Oh, we… we're old friends," Grace answered, suppressing her nervousness by keeping her eyes focused on the food she was taking with a bit of hesitation."You and Adro? Friends? Why didn't you ever tell me?" Maureen questioned."It's been a long time," Grace answere
Adro returned Grace's smile. After working together for several days, Grace was finally willing to look at his face for more than ten seconds. "My career is going well.""I’m happy for you. I see you're doing a lot of commercials and films. Congratulations," Grace said."You noticed?" Adro's smile widened, and his shoulders lifted.Clearing her throat, Grace shrugged. "Of course. You keep appearing on TV and the internet.""Oh, that's true. Haha..." Adro scratched the back of his head."By the way, about that incident, I truly apologize." Adro continued. "All this time, I've been introspecting myself. I realized that I was way out of line with you. I shouldn't have forced my feelings on you like that."Sighing deeply, Grace responded, "I also apologize for being so rough to you, but I still believe it was the best decision for both of us. I hope we can now put the past behind us."Adro nodded. "I agree. We're both professional w
"You... that bastard," Sean hissed before giving a cynical chuckle. "What wrong have I done to meet you here?" "I come here with my friends," Adro explained, then shook his head briefly before glancing at the woman in Sean's embrace and returning his focus to him. "Running into you here, there's something I want to talk about." Chuckling, Sean replied with a disdainful tone, "Do you think I'm willing to waste my time on trash like you?" "Should I beg?" Adro asked, not at all provoked by Sean's insults. Seeing Adro's face and his hurried demeanor as if something crucial was at stake, Sean clicked his tongue before turning to his girlfriend. "Babe, can you go back to the table alone? There's something I need to discuss with him." "Just don't take too long, okay?" the black-haired girl replied before leaving them. Outside the club's back door, Adro faced Sean, who stared at him in disgust. "Why did you break up with Grace? Were you just playing with her?" Opening his folded arms,
Coldness crept up Grace’s spine. She could only hang her face, staring at the floor."You are a liar."Adro's words felt like a knife stabbing Grace's heart. However, her body remained stiff."From the beginning, I knew you were a liar. You always said you're fine when you're not; you always covered up how people treat you unfairly; and worse, you also concealed your feelings with lies. But why did I still fall for it?"Holding back her tears, Grace made a sound from her dry mouth: "I'm sorry. I...”"I don't need your apologies." Adro replied in firm intonation, "I need you to be honest. What's the point of apologizing for your lies if you'll lie ag
Compared to facing rejection when expressing his feelings, for Adro, it was even more challenging when he had to restrain his feelings.It's hard to believe that all this time, Adro's feelings were not unrequited. When he couldn't hold back from making Grace his own, it turned out that she was desperately holding back her feelings to protect the heart of a woman she didn't even know."Oh my God, Grace, I can't even distinguish between kindness and naivety because of you," Adro said while stroking her hair. "All this time, you held back your feelings when you knew that I loved you. How could you manage to do that?"Although Adro's embrace felt like heaven, Grace pulled her body away. She wiped her tears and spoke, "Now I've explained it to you. No more lies, and nothing is hidden from you. I hope you understand why we can't be together.""No," Adro replied, keeping both of Grace's arms within his grasp. "Instead, because I already know the truth, I'm more
Grace's eyes briefly widened as the elevator doors closed. She glanced at Adro, who still wore a faint smile. "Did I really look so out of place?"Adro shrugged his shoulders. "I just sensed you looked a bit tense, yet I wanted you to feel comfortable coming here."Blushing, Grace cleared her throat and replied, "Well… This is such a luxurious building."Adro nodded. "I know. But it doesn't feel as comfortable as being in your home.""Nonsense," Grace scoffed. "How could anyone feel uncomfortable in such a penthouse? Not just anyone can live in a penthouse.""I was born and grew up in a palace that was much more luxurious and grand than this, yet I never
Grace's eyes widened as she discovered Adro was peacefully sleeping beside her, holding her close. Adro’s bare upper body prompted Grace to sit up and check her body under the thick blanket. A long sigh escaped as she found herself still clothed. Assisted by the moonlight streaming through the nearby large window, Grace realized they were on a spacious bed. Meanwhile, almost the entire room remained dark. 'How did I end up here? I don't remember anything.' Grace thought. "Grace, what's wrong?" Startled by the heavy, raspy voice, Grace turned to find Adro opening his sleepy eyes. His crystal blue irises seemed to glow in the darkness from reflecting the light beamed in from the window. "Why am I here, Adro?" Grace asked. "Hm?" Adro furrowed his brow. "You fell asleep, so I carried you to bed. You drank too much beer." "We... slept together?" Grace hesitated. Rising to his seat, Adro replied, "I don't see anyone else here but us." Grace fell silent, her face a little lower. The
"Whose son?" Keneth furrowed his brow. Then, he clicked the speaker menu on the screen on the car dashboard.Listening in on Keneth's brief conversation, Adro and Grace fell silent while exchanging glances."She said Adro was a woman’s son who disappeared in a car accident six years ago. She kept pleading with us to meet Adro after seeing him on TV." The woman on the phone explained."Does she have any proof? What's her name again?" Keneth asked."Eve Marviez. She has photos with Adro, and I believe you should see them. Now, Eve has no immediate family and is somewhat ill.""That's impossible. I don't have family here." Adro said to Keneth.
"Princess Grace Menken will not be a queen," Adro stated, causing everyone to turn to him. "I, Adro Alymer Groendez, will renounce my position as the crown prince of this kingdom." "What did you say?" King Groendez stared at Adro with wide eyes. "You can't do that. Since birth, you have been destined to be the future king." "I apologize, Father, but I refuse that destiny," Adro replied. "What's your reason? Now you can marry the woman you desire. This kingdom is free from monsters and witches. There's no reason for you to refuse to become the future king." "There is," Adro replied. "I have found a life that makes me happy, and that life is in a world where I am stranded. I returned to this world only to save this kingdom and bid farewell to my family, not to return to my old life as a prince." "Adro," the Queen looked at her eldest son with teary eyes. "I apologize for my decision that has disappointed this kingdom, but I wish to get your understanding. I relinquish my heir title
"It's damp and smelly here. Are you sure you're okay?" Adro asked.Grace sighed. "This is the third time you've asked the same thing, Adro. I'm fine. Don't worry.""Alright," Adro replied, then reached for Grace's hand and held it tightly. "But you have to stay close and not let go of my hand."Then, they walked through the hallway, which led to the underground prison specifically designed to confine dangerous criminals."I can't believe that after entering the death cave, fighting various monsters, and defeating the Magical Stone spirit, you're still being overprotective of me," Grace said, feeling Adro's grip tighten."I don't care how strong you are now. You're my woman; I'm responsible for your safety," Adro replied, then sighed. "Your severely injured leg is enough.""Alright, I understand. Thank you for worrying about me," Grace said, embracing his arm.Arriving at the underground chamber, they encountered three iron doors
The darkness enveloping Grace slowly faded. She fell onto both knees and faintly saw the Magical Stone kneeling, still in the same spot.Grace squinted her eyes and furrowed her brow. If she heard correctly, didn’t that monster say that she would walk on her stomach and her head would remain bowed? But why was her perspective still the same as before?"Y-you..." The Magical Stone stammered. The red light shining around his hands, which were covering his stab wound, slowly dimmed. "How... how is this possible?"Shifting her gaze from the pensive Magical Stone, Grace raised her hand and found she still had her human form. "I... haven't changed?""It's impossible!" The Magical Stone exclaimed. "I cursed you. No one in this world can escape my curse after touching me!"The old man's words brought a s
Not only would Grace transform into a hideous monster, but she might also lose half of her sanity, leaving her constantly craving human flesh. She would be separated from Adro and everyone she knew to live as the slave of the half-monster man until the end of her days.Grace didn't want her tears to fall. She didn't want the Magical Stone to see her weakness. She had come this far, overcoming all obstacles that drained her strength and emotions.'Since I was a kid, I've always been Grace the loser. But can a loser walk this far? Can a loser face kings, future in-laws who hate her, and even monsters?’“You don't know how strong you are, Grace!” She gritted.Clamping her jaw, she nodded. "I agree.""Naive. With a weak body like that, the words coming out of your mouth sound as if you're a great knight. But don't you know that I can hear the quickening of your heartbeat?" The Magical Stone said. Then he dug into his large ears before pulling out a strand of hair that turned into a massiv
A small gust of cold wind sent shivers down Grace's skin. Despite the fact that the underground air was cold from the start, she felt as though the dark tunnel ahead held something sinister waiting for them.Damian turned to Grace. "I think I should check inside.""We're on the same page. I will go too." Grace nodded. "But what about the others?""We just need to climb up that plant to get to Jocelyn, but I'm afraid she might not be able to continue the journey further," Damian said."I don't mind going in without an escort. I have a feeling there's something in there." Grace whispered.Damian nodded once, then looked upwards. "Elvaro!""Yes, Your Highness?""We've found a way here. We're going to check it out, so you all wait there.""Damian," Jocelyn's weak voice sounded."Jocelyn, stay there and don't move much. Elvaro and Kederic will protect you. I'll try to return as soon as possible. But if we're not back in about
Damian grimaced as Jocelyn poured water over the burns on his back and limbs."This is the medicine Lady Camelia gave me before I left. I hope it can alleviate Prince Damian's injuries." Grace handed a small black bottle to Jocelyn."The spring we found doesn't lead to anything. That means King Absolen mentioned another spring," Damian spoke."Thank you for saving us. You are badly injured.” Grace said."My task is to protect you. And I might have turned into ashes by now if you people hadn't helped me," Damian chuckled."That's not funny," Jocelyn muttered, wiping away her tears that started flowing again. She lowered her face as Damian sat up."Sorry for making you worry. Thank you for treating me," he said, wiping away her tears, then stood up with his sword. "I will check the conditions outside.""You need to rest, Damian. Elvaro and Kederic have gone out to find torchwood." Jocelyn stood up as well."There are other
In that area with rocky dry soil, carnivorous plants thrived alongside giant bushes, forming a small forest.Through the cracks in the ground, gas appeared several times. Damian noticed it when they were surrounded by the plants. During the fight, he kept looking for the nearest gap to the plant's growth center and studied the moments when the gas spurted.Damian knew this was a daring move. He might have to risk his life if he made even a slight mistake, but he had seen who Grace Menken was. Unexpectedly, she had a great leadership spirit. When facing people, she seemed weak, but when on a mission like this, she could make quick and courageous decisions. If he died here, he was sure she could lead the others out.According to his calculations, Damian threw the still-burning torch right into a hole near the entrance to the giant bush forest. Just as the torch entered
"Grace." Jocelyn gazed at her, pulling out her arrow with trembling hands."We need to run from here," Grace whispered, preparing her sword. "On the count of three, shoot the one blocking our way, and run."Jocelyn nodded; meanwhile, the snakes hissed louder and crawled closer."One.""Two."Grace tightened her grip on the sword, taking a deep breath. "Three!"Jocelyn's arrow flew, striking the snake standing in front of them right in the neck. This angered the other snakes to attack them.One of the nearest snakes moved to strike Grace, but she swung her sword as quickly as possible, injuring it. Before the other snakes could reach them, they ran as fast as they could."Oh... darn it..." Grace huffed in her run.Jocelyn looked back, only to find the snakes were almost catching up to them. At the same time, her untrained legs began to give in."Hold on!" Grace shouted, reading Jocelyn's condition.Seeing on
The group entered the forest with minimal lighting to avoid attracting attention. Grace rode a horse alongside Damian.After ensuring they were far enough from the palace, Damian raised one hand, signaling the group to stop. "Open the baggage carriage!"Damian jumped off of his horse, followed by Grace. He climbed onto the small carriage and opened a food box placed on the top stack."Are you okay?" Damian asked while pulling out a girl dressed as a boy."Jocelyn, are you alright?" Grace joined.Catching her breath, Jocelyn nodded. "I'm fine. Thank you.""Princess Jocelyn? How did you end up in there?" A guard asked.Damian carried Joclyn down from the carriage. "Stretch your legs first. It must feel stiff after bending for so long." The