Episode 761: The Mystery Man
Emma appeared as if she had stepped out of a painting. Her intricate bun and simple attire, devoid of fancy hairpins, reflected the humble elegance of her character, Lucia. The yellow dress she wore held deep significance, representing the warmth and recognition she once received from the king in her original time period. Though she never saw the king again after her time-traveling journey, she continued wearing warm colors as a tribute.
Despite enduring hardships, Lucia grew strong enough to care for the neglected prince in her new era. Prince William, in return, worked tirelessly to ascend the throne, determined to prevent Emma’s exile. As Emma read through the script, her heart ached for the main characters.
The makeup artist sighed in satisfaction as she finished Emma’s makeup. "People will go wild when they see these photos. You look perfect!" she exclaimed. Emma, curious about her co-star, asked about the male lead, but none of the staff had any information. Even the costume fitting team had not met him. This secrecy intrigued Emma. Perhaps only the director knew the truth.
Emma completed two more costume fittings and a photo shoot before heading back to observe some supporting character scenes. She felt reassured that Erik had assembled a team of skilled actors. Despite the tight schedule, the cast’s dedication, coupled with Michael’s meticulous directing, kept everyone focused.
Speculation ran rampant among the crew regarding the mystery male lead’s identity, but Michael remained tight-lipped. Meanwhile, as soon as Emma’s promotional photos were released, her fan base exploded with excitement. Even fans of The Search were eager to see her in action.
Online, debates emerged comparing Emma to Alena from The Realm. Critics noted that while Emma had regained her pre-pregnancy figure, Alena’s makeup in The Realm had been overdone, making her look older than intended. Fans debated their performances and appearances, some defending Alena, while others claimed Emma’s piercing gaze made her the stronger actor.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding Emma’s casting, many were disappointed over the uncertainty of the male lead. Rumors swirled that Austin Hall had secured the role. His likable personality and charisma made him a fan favorite, but some felt he didn’t fit the character’s aesthetic. Emma found him pleasant but didn’t share enough common interests to have many conversations.
Whenever approached about the role, Austin teased, "Why do you keep asking? Am I not handsome enough?" His playful demeanor only fueled speculation. The production team seemed to be using the mystery to generate buzz.
Meanwhile, Alena’s assistant attempted to comfort her. "Once they reveal Austin as the lead, people will be disappointed, and the hype will die down." However, this prediction was proven wrong when Austin himself denied the role, igniting even more curiosity.
Episode 762: Mystery Solved
Emma, like everyone else, was eager to meet the male lead but chose to stay patient. She knew their first scene together was inevitable. The crew, puzzled by Emma’s lack of an assistant or manager, wondered how she handled everything alone.
One day, Gloria, the staff member in charge of distributing meals, noticed Emma always picking up her own lunch. Concerned, she brought Emma’s meal to her. "You shouldn’t have to do everything alone," she said. "Other big shots have assistants and bodyguards."
Emma smiled at Gloria’s kindness but assured her she was fine. Having dealt with drama involving assistants and managers at Kaleidoscope, she preferred handling things independently.
Their conversation was abruptly cut short by a shriek from the set. "The male lead is here!" an assistant whispered excitedly.
"Did you see who it was?" a supporting actor asked.
"No, but we’ll find out this afternoon."
That afternoon, Emma and the male lead were scheduled to film their first scene together. The entire crew gathered, eager to uncover the mystery. Meanwhile, Emma reviewed her script, knowing the upcoming scene was a pivotal moment in Lucia and William’s relationship.
Before meeting the mystery actor, Emma filmed a scene with Austin. His character, Archie, was Lucia’s sidekick. Though seen as a servant by others, Archie was actually a prince from another kingdom who had secretly aided Lucia for years. His character provided comic relief, and Austin’s natural humor made the dynamic fun to watch.
While waiting for the male lead, Austin joked, "I can’t believe there’s an actor better looking and more talented than me!"
Laughter erupted but was quickly silenced as a tall figure stepped onto the set. Jaws dropped. Emma turned and gasped, dropping her script.
She had suspected Erik, but he had been so secretive. Now, standing before her in royal attire, Erik exuded the presence of a true king. Even Austin had to admit Erik looked the part.
"Did you know about this?" Austin asked.
Emma shook her head. "I’m finding out with you."
"Are you happy?" Erik spread his arms for her to inspect his costume.
Emma smiled. "I can’t believe you kept this secret from me. But the costume looks great on you."
The crew murmured in agreement. Austin forced a smile. "Let me know if you need help learning how to act."
Concerned whispers filled the air. Would Erik, with no acting experience, be able to handle such a significant role? As Kaleidoscope’s CEO and the project’s main investor, failure wasn’t an option.
Erik raised an eyebrow. "Do you plan to teach me?"
Emma giggled but refocused on the script. She couldn’t let her husband’s presence distract her from work. In the upcoming scene, William had discovered Archie’s true identity and removed him, believing it was in Lucia’s best interest. Though Lucia understood his reasoning, she disapproved of his methods, leading to an intense confrontation.
Austin silently watched Erik and Emma prepare. William was a complex character, even for an experienced actor. "Did Michael take this risk just to throw off the competition?" Austin wondered.
The crew held their breath as Erik prepared for his first scene. The mystery was solved, but whether Erik could truly embody William remained the biggest question of all.
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