Chapter 283: Awe!
The snow in Brambleford had gradually melted, and a trace of warmth spread under the midday sun.
At the Eastern Market, crowds of people surrounded the stage, layer upon layer, watching the play. Waves of cheers erupted from time to time.
When the villain chief appeared, the audience gritted their teeth in anger, wishing they could rush the stage and beat him to death.
In this drama, they saw a reflection of their own past, how they, too, had once been oppressed by powerful landlords and forced to sell their sons and daughters.
"Kill him! Kill him!"
As the play reached its climax, the crowd shouted loudly. The thunderous voices made Simon’s eardrums buzz.
Thomas and William, like the rest of the crowd, mirrored the emotions of the plot, at times joyful, at times sorrowful, and at times furious.
When the play ended and the village chief was beaten to death, a huge cheer erupted throughout the Eastern Market.
"That felt so good! That bastard finally got what he deserved!"
"Ah, it’s good to be in Brambleford. No one else would dare put on such a performance; only our prince is so magnanimous!"
"Exactly! The village chief was a powerful landlord. In the past, no one dared to perform this kind of story in public. We have to thank His Highness. If he hadn’t driven out the landlords from the six cities, we’d all still be living like the poor family!
"You’re right! This play is great. They deserve a reward!"
Saying that, a commoner reached into his sleeve and threw three copper coins onto the stage.
As soon as those coins hit, it was like rain; the audience began showering the stage with copper coins. The three performers on stage froze in shock.
They had performed in Brambleford before, but never had they seen such generosity. In the past, earning thirty coins in a day was already considered good.
Yet in just a moment, the stage floor was covered in coins. Within a short while, they had collected over a thousand coins.
The people at the front who had tipped them left, and those in the back stepped forward and also threw coins onto the stage.
"You performed really well! This was way better than those old plays!"
"Your Highness, may I give them a reward too?" Thomas asked.
Simon was momentarily stunned, then smiled and nodded.
William teased. "Hey, did you fall for that little actress? She is quite pretty."
Thomas’ usually blank expression turned red. He quickly defended. "Don’t say nonsense like that; you’ll ruin her reputation."
William scoffed. "She’s just a performer. What reputation is there to ruin?"
Thomas glared sharply at William, who instantly fell silent.
Simon watched the two brothers banter with great interest. The girl playing the main actress was indeed charming. Falling for the heroine of a stage play was common even in modern times.
Thomas seemed to be the Eldorian Empire’s version of a fanboy. But unlike the modern world, performers in this era held very low social status, even lower than craftsmen.
That was why William had spoken so bluntly.
Simon watched as Thomas placed his copper coins on the stage, sneaking a shy glance at the girl. Both Simon and William chuckled quietly.
Still, jokes aside, Simon felt it was time to speak with the troupe. He said. "William, have the troupe come to the castle. I want to meet them."
"Yes, Your Highness," William replied.
After returning Simon to the castle, Thomas and William went back toward the Eastern Market.
On the way, Thomas asked anxiously. "Why is His Highness summoning the troupe? Did the play upset him?"
"When did you get so slow? The play was written by His Highness. Why would he be upset?"
"Exactly because it was his creation! Maybe they didn’t perform it well enough." Thomas replied.
William sighed, hands on his hips. "Erm... Thomas, don’t tell me you’re really into that girl? What business is it of yours what His Highness wants with the troupe? Just carry out the order."
Rebuked, Thomas could only nod.
At the Eastern Market, the troupe was counting the day’s earnings. The young woman who played the main actress had already changed out of costume and into a plain hemp dress. She spoke to a frail, middle-aged man who was gleefully stacking copper coins.
"Father, how much did we make?"
The man, Christopher Sloan, squinted his narrow eyes into a line and smiled. "You’re called Marylyn, and the girl in the play is also Marylyn. Looks like fate wanted you to play this role. We’ve struck gold today, three thousand copper coins! That’s three caps of silver!"
The others in the troupe were overjoyed. Earning three caps in one day? That meant they could make over a hundred caps in a month!
They had once lived on the brink of starvation, but now they were living a dream.
"It’s all thanks to Miss Ysabeau. If she hadn’t taught me, we wouldn’t be here. Father, how about I buy something to give Miss Ysabeau tonight, as a small token of thanks?"
"Hmm, you’re right. We should show our gratitude."
At that moment, the man who played the chief said. "Miss Ysabeau is from Prince Simon’s castle. What could she possibly need? Let’s not make fools of ourselves. Let’s just divide the money."
"Darwin, that’s not right. Whether she needs it or not is her business. Showing gratitude is ours. How can we act like we have no sense of decency?"
"Decency? We’re barely surviving. Let’s just split the money." Darwin replied, his triangular eyes glaring.
Just then, Thomas and William entered the backstage area.
"Christopher Sloan, His Highness Prince Simon requests your presence!" William announced.
"Prince Simon?" Christopher blinked in disbelief. "And you are?"
"We are personal guards to Prince Simon. Please come with us." Thomas explained.
As he spoke, Thomas glanced at Marylyn. His gaze softened; he had been moved by her performance, and now he felt like she was the very character from the play.
Pale-faced, Christopher nervously scooped up some coins. "Sirs, why does His Highness wish to see us?"
William said firmly. "You’ll know once you get to the castle. Keep your money. We don’t accept bribes at Prince Simon’s castle."
"Father, let’s listen to the gentlemen." Said Marylyn gracefully. "With Ysabeau there, they won’t mistreat us."
Christopher, still pale, nodded. Darwin, however, looked like he’d seen a ghost.
"This way, please."
William gestured forward and led the group toward the castle. The troupe hurriedly packed up and followed.
Upon arriving at Prince Simon’s castle, William led them into the main hall. When Christopher saw the man seated in the center, he froze.
He was certain he had seen that face earlier among the crowd watching the play.
And now, worry filled his heart.