Hell's Actor-Chapter 241: Fortuitous

"I recently saw a movie."

Averie had uttered those words without a second thought, without a care in the world. There was no particular reason behind it. It’s just that he found it rather easy to speak his mind in front of the good director.

’What kind of movie?’ Director Groux wanted to ask.

But he decided otherwise.

He didn’t want to ruin the chirping of the birds, which almost sounded like a fairytale song, with his hoarse voice.

And he didn’t think Averie was the kind of man who would remember the names of the films he saw.

The sun rose amid frigid winds that endlessly blew tea steam in his direction.

"There was an actor..." Averie trailed off, staring into space.

He recalled the moving pictures.

"He was of a different ethnicity than the character he portrayed."

That detail had been stuck in his head.

"Vastly different." He chewed on those words. "They had to apply so much makeup that it almost seemed ridiculous."

His index finger traced the teacup’s curves, as if to thaw his frozen thoughts.

"I don’t usually watch actor interviews unless they concern an old classic, but I watched one yesterday. That actor seemed to relish the idea of playing a different culture. And oddly enough, I understood."

There was a brief pause as if he was trying to catch a drifting thought.

"It’s not often you get to break free from these constraints. Despite the potential backlash, even an image-conscious actor may wish to gamble in this situation. If I had the chance, I too would have taken up that role."

’For shits and giggles,’ he refrained from adding.

"I wonder if that’s why I took on the role of The Lady. You see it in theater plays, but the chance to play another gender is extremely rare in films."

His index finger halted.

"Thank you," Averie said, "for creating The Lady."

He took in the fresh air with his eyes closed.

"And for letting me play her."

As the memory grew distant, the good director focused his eyes back on the big screen.

It was the next day when Charles found himself back at The Mistress. Les Vigne wasn’t in the mood to chat, thanks to his bustling business.

Despite the rush, he didn’t forget to hand Charles a cheap piece of paper with an address jotted down hurriedly.

"The Luca Estate," he explained while serving a customer. "The whole family wants their picture taken."

Family pictures were often a long affair, or so Charles had heard. But the rich paid well.

"I recommended you," Les added proudly.

Charles offered an awkward smile. It was slightly off-putting, and he had no idea why he had offered it.

With a quick breakfast, Charles found himself back on the dark streets of The City.

Scenes with the Luca family progressed smoothly, throughout which Charles’s body language appeared impatient. He was out of it for large parts of it, although the family didn’t notice.

With a frown, he tapped his feet rhythmically—a rhythm neither pleasant nor energetic.

It was the head attendant of the house who paid him while he was taking his leave. It felt somewhat undignified.

The scene cut to Marianne, who was tending to the sculptures of the De Roschillian estate’s garden.

The camera focused over her shoulder and on the window of the estate in the distance. The sharply-dressed figure of Jacquet could be seen with the receiver of a polished antique telephone held up to his ear.

The scene cut to him, looking out the window at his sister.

"So?"

His hoarse voice was low as he took a drag of his cigar.

"He is a brilliant at his craft," the voice from the receiver claimed. "Photography, what a funny little passion for such a young lad."

Jacquet blew out a cloud of smoke. "It’s more than passion; it’s his profession, Mr. Luca."

His gaze betrayed no emotion. He felt none. It was business as usual.

"Rather worrisome, wouldn’t you say?" Mr. Luca cautiously probed, expecting fancy words full of nothing.

"He doesn’t require much; he comes from the outside."

"Oh, my..."

"My sister is rather taken with him, so what fault can I find? Even if we do not approve, her happiness comes first."

Those words hid venom.

He was the one who had put the idea of a family photo in Mr. Luca’s mind. He had even provided information regarding where he could find one.

And those efforts, he knew, would be worth it. Mr. Luca had the loosest lips, after all. Within hours, every word of their conversation would be circulating within the high society.

A man from the outside. A photographer. De Roschillian’s groom-to-be.

That set of words may sound like nothing more than gossip, but to the gentlemen and ladies of high society, such details determined one’s future and standing.

Jacquet took another drag of his cigar. There was something deeply disturbing about the calmness with which he continued the conversation.

"Say, I was wondering..." he deliberately drifted off.

It drew the listener’s attention. Mr. Luca was no different. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Yes?"

"You wouldn’t happen to be terribly busy this weekend, would you?"

"Well," — Mr. Luca cleared his throat self-importantly — "I do have some minor plans, but they can be cancelled."

"How fortuitous."

Jacquet looked out the window. His sister was still tending to the statues.

"How about discussing business while my sister and her soon-to-be groom enjoy the races. She prefers the closest seats, but I do own a box with a rather pleasant view."

There was little to discuss—perhaps they could plan a hunt together, but that was all. He didn’t care much for his company. All he wanted was for Mr. Luca to know where the couple could be found.

Like wild animals, he knew, they would be observed by the noble ladies. Despite all the riches in the world, this was the most exciting of their pastimes.

What could possibly be more worthwhile than observing the mating calls between a noble woman and an outsider?