It was dimly lit beneath the stage. Lucian felt the children smiling beside him and, curious, gazed in their direction. The three were whispering conspiratorially, their faces alight with secretive smiles. Occasionally, they muffled soft giggles with their hands.
Roxanne, beside them, watched the children with a gentle smile. It was a tender moment. However, when her eyes met Lucian's, her smile faltered ever so slightly. She lowered her gaze, composed herself, and turned her head, presenting only her profile.
Lucian's gaze darkened, his brows furrowed. He, too, looked away. They were the last to perform.
As the second-to-last performance ended, Lucian and Roxanne guided the children backstage to prepare. They'd anticipated some nervousness—it was the children's first time on stage—but, unexpectedly, the three were buzzing with excitement. Huge grins spread across their faces, their eyes shining with delight, much to Roxanne's relief.
After the host's introduction, Roxanne led them onstage. The first few scenes were flawless, exactly as rehearsed. The children showed no sign of stage fright; indeed, they were far more confident than the other performers. Roxanne could even hear the audience's gasps.
When Estella's turn came, the crowd erupted in applause the moment her childish voice rang out with her first line. Everyone knew of Estella's condition; she was known as "Little Mute" outside the theater. Hearing her speak so fluently, filled them with surprise and joy. The memory of their first meeting flooded Roxanne's mind—a shy Estella, unwilling to speak a single word. Now, watching the tiny silhouette onstage, Roxanne's heart swelled with emotion and pride.
Soon, it was time for the scene where the princess pricked her finger and fell asleep. The curtains rose to reveal Roxanne lying still on an exquisitely crafted wooden bed. Her long hair, freed from its tiara, cascaded around her, her perfect profile visible to the audience. The stage lights softened the scene, creating a sense of serenity. The warm light highlighted her fair skin, giving it a faint glow. Under the spotlight, she truly looked like a fairytale princess—a gentle princess asleep.
The curtains rose again, revealing Lucian and Estella. The crowd watched as they faced each other. Lucian, tall and long-legged in his form-fitting knight's costume, held a sparkling sword, exuding nobility. Estella glared menacingly, poised to attack. They feigned a fight, exchanging mock blows before Estella fell, defeated. Lucian then strode backstage.
The curtains closed, then reopened to show only the prince and the sleeping princess. The audience fell silent, captivated by the breathtaking scene. They hardly dared to move, fearing to break the spell. The prince stood by the bed, gazing lovingly at the sleeping princess. Holding his sword in one hand, he used the other to support the headboard, slowly leaning in.
The distance between their profiles narrowed, the audience holding its breath, eyes brimming with anticipation. Roxanne, lying still, felt Lucian's breath nearing her face. Despite rehearsing the scene twice, her heart raced. She sensed Lucian hadn't turned away as planned. Roxanne's brows twitched, but mindful of the audience, she forced herself to remain calm, resisting the urge to open her eyes. In the next second, she felt something warm and gentle on her lips.