That was indeed the case.
Kajen Fels was still the person Mey was familiar with. At least in terms of drama, he had a pure faith. Because of this faith, he did not hide his disappointment in her, nor did he change his words just because he needed her help.
It seemed to be a natural choice for a person who truly loved drama to make room for his troupe in exchange for a perfect performance.
However, she found that she could not easily say yes.
Something seemed to be stopping her.
Mey closed her eyes and faintly heard a girl's voice.
"Mrs. Lannis, please wait for me..."
"This is my token of appreciation. Please accept it..."
Then, someone handed a salted fish to her.
At that moment, Mey suddenly understood what was stopping her.
She opened her eyes and met the drama master's gaze.
This time, she did not try to avoid the question.
There were many ways to evade the question. First, he had to affirm his appreciation for the movie, then use a "but" as a turning point. Then, he could explain the nature of the magic movie and tell Roland that the movie was decided by His Majesty himself. All of these could be considered as a reasonable answer.
Kajen Fels knew little about Neverwinter. He did not know the uniqueness of the Star Flower Troupe, nor did he understand how much His Majesty valued drama. He had been searching in the wrong direction from the beginning. If she could explain it clearly, not only could she reverse the misunderstanding, but she might even be able to redeem Master Kajen's disappointment.
However, Mey knew that it was just another way of avoiding the question.
"Mr. Kajen, is your performance just for His Majesty?"
"For the nobles, ministers, and lords who came to congratulate me," Kajen said with a nod. "Without a suitable audience, no matter how wonderful the performance is, it's meaningless."
Just like gold and jewels, or fine wine and jade cups, every smile and movement of an actor had its own meaning. Only a careful and dedicated appreciator could taste the difference between the excellent and the extreme.
It was reasonable.
"Then forgive me for not being able to promise you," said May sternly, "because what you are putting on is by no means a perfect play."
"Wh... what?" The old man frowned. "You haven't even seen it, so how did you come to such a conclusion?"
"Because no matter how wonderful it is, those people are just watching from the sidelines." She felt a surge of strength in her heart. "They will applaud, praise, talk about it in their leisure time, but that's all. The play is but a small part of their pleasures, and their lives would be the same without it. How can it be called perfect if it is only something that is not necessary? "
Kajen Fels' face darkened. To a creator, a play was like their own child. No one could accept such an evaluation. "I thought you lost your way in the pursuit of fame. I didn't expect you to learn to be arrogant like everyone else. From what you said, could it be that you've seen what a perfect play looks like? "
"I haven't seen it before," Mey said frankly, "but I know what it should look like."
Kajen stared at her, his eyes as sharp as a knife. His years of experience gave him an oppressive feeling, which was enough to make the younger generation of the theater tremble.
Kajen was obviously waiting for her to explain further, which was a very easy answer to her. In other words, no matter what she said, she would not be able to satisfy him.
But Mey did not back down.
She also knew that if she said what she was going to say, she would embark on a completely different path — a path that they had never seen and could not understand. This meant that she would part ways with most of the people in the theater circle. By then, not only would they be disappointed, but they would also lose all their friendships and she would never be able to blend in with them again.
"It's a big price to pay, isn't it?"
She asked herself.
Then another voice answered her.
"But it's worth it." ""
May opened her mouth and said, "A wonderful play should not only be an entertainment, but also an entertainment that only enters the nobles' field of vision when they are free. It can carry more things, and can even change the fate of others —"
"'The Witch Diaries' gave the people a chance to understand the life of witches, so they could remove the stigma that didn't belong to them. 'Dawn' encouraged people to work and say goodbye to poverty, hunger and cold. Many people listened to this call and lived a well-off life. 'New City' made the new immigrants accept the rules of Neverwinter in a direct way, which also made the Black Street Rats have no place to hide. And 'A Hero's Life'... "
She paused and said slowly, "It made a sad little girl cheer up and start a new life. I think there are many people like her who lost their loved ones in the war. No matter how many people have changed because of this, I'm happy to help them through a play."
"What are you trying to say..." Kajen said in a low voice.
"You once told me that the best play is to let the audience immerse themselves in the life of the characters. But now, I want them to see their own future." Mey said bluntly, "Even if the nobles lose their jewelry and jade cups, they can find other substitutes. But my plays can fill the stomachs of most people."
For the first time, Kajen did not respond to this answer.
"I believe the play you've prepared for two years must be wonderful, but 'The Wolf Princess' that the Star Flower Troupe is about to perform is also beyond my imagination. Although it only took a little more than a month to prepare and it's the first time for some of the actors to perform, it's still the best play I've ever seen. " She bowed slightly and said, "If you don't change your mind after watching it, I'll recommend your new play to His Majesty."
After leaving the Whistling Inn, May's whole body felt comfortable, even her footsteps were a lot lighter.
As soon as she walked out of the alley, she saw Carter Lannis waiting for her on the street.
"Why are you here?" Mey asked in surprise.
"Irene said you were picked up by Mr. Kajen's manager. I was a little worried, so I came here." Carter shrugged. "I have to go to the Convenience Market to buy some food for dinner. It's on the way."
"Really?" Mey glanced at him. "You already knew what happened in the inn that day, didn't you?"
"You didn't even eat a bowl of rice that day. It would be strange if I didn't know," Chief Knight said proudly.
"Wait..." She suddenly stopped. "Did you tell City Hall that Kajen Troupe was going to perform?" "Wait..." She stopped abruptly.
"What?" Carter raised his eyebrows. "What are you talking about? Who did I refuse to perform? "
Mey stared at him for a long time before she let out a sigh of relief. "No, nothing..."
"Hey, you're not going to tell me again?"
"It's not important..." She smiled. "By the way, you haven't bought dinner yet, have you?"
"Why? Is there something you want to eat?"
"Well, let's have salted fish tonight."
"Salted fish? I thought you didn't like salted fish... You ate the fish that the girl gave you last time for days... "
"I like it now. Can't I?" Mey interrupted Carter and reached out her right hand. "I'm just asking if you want to go."
"Of course." The Knight took her hand without hesitation. "As long as it's your request, I'll go anywhere."
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