They don't want me to try anymore.

The theater troupe leader didn't even look at your script before sending you out.

[At the entrance of the theater, the still-attractive wife of the troupe leader couldn't stand it anymore and whispered to you, "It's because your clothes are old-fashioned, your accent is strange, your gifts are expensive but vulgar, and you're completely unknown in the area."]

She also stated that she would persuade her husband to give you another chance, provided you were willing to make some sacrifices.

Uh……

As Richard watched the text flash by, he quickly realized that it was extremely difficult for an outsider to pursue his dream in the entertainment industry in Vanderbilt.

You politely declined the commander's wife's "kind offer".

In the following days, you went around promoting your work, but to no avail.

At this moment, you suddenly hear about a female theater troupe leader.

[Her name is Nina. She recently acquired a small, nearly bankrupt theater company, which offended Philip, the head of another large local theater company, and she is currently facing suppression.]

This Nina...

It has character art!

Richard perked up.

In my field of vision, there was a graceful young lady of about 18 or 9 years old. Her smooth, sapphire-colored hair was tied back, and her milk-white skin glowed in the sunlight. Her gentle features, rare among Caucasians, were smiling, revealing a touch of intellectual beauty amidst her youthful vitality.

She wore an elaborate and exquisite long dress, held a book in her hands, and had a piano behind her. She looked like someone from a wealthy and noble family, well-educated and reasonable...

Need I say more about what happens next?

I'll stick with XP, that's for now!

Because they were afraid of offending Philip, a bigwig in the industry, local playwrights refused to provide Nina with scripts.

Just when she was at her wit's end, you came to her and presented her with a copy of Romeo and Juliet that had been revised countless times.

After reading your work, Nina was overjoyed and warmly grasped your hand, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon embracing a petal for the first time.

Chapter Seventeen: Is it abnormal to want to marry a princess?

News of your collaboration with Nina spread quickly.

[You, who were originally unknown, suddenly became a minor "hit" in the circle—people from other theater troupes were discussing how you would fail, how you would embarrass yourself, and how you would flee the land of art in a sorry state, like countless other newcomers.]

[The theater director Philip, who had been suppressing Nina, even disdainfully declared: You're nothing but an arrogant, nouveau riche country bumpkin, only fit to lick his boots.]

No one has any expectations of you; they're all waiting to see you fail.

[Except for Miss Nina]

She provided you with manpower, funding, trust, and every kind of support you could think of.

[And you are determined not to let her down, and strive to perfect your drama.]

The second weekend of July is the Florence Festival in Vandan. Legend has it that the first emperor of Vandan received the blessing of the Rose Fairy on this day, and people of later generations have indulged in revelry on this day to commemorate it.

Your play also chose to open on the night of the festival; now it's time to reveal everything.

Even though all that flashed before his eyes were monotonous words, Richard couldn't help but hold his breath.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Shakespeare's abilities, but he also knew that whether a work could become popular depended not only on the quality of the work itself, but also on the era and environment.

The Romeo and Juliet of the past might not be able to attract people in this magical world, even though the story itself has been localized.

If he fails, it means that his path as a plagiarist is no longer viable, making it difficult to salvage his position...

[Ding ding dong]

[As the cathedral bells chime uniquely during the Florence Festival, your drama begins.]

However, there were only eight audience members, half of whom were dozing off, and the other half were there to find material to mock you.

The performance ended quickly, and there was no positive response.

Some even criticized your play in tasteless tabloids, calling it a piece of defense devoid of any aesthetic appeal.

The entire troupe was disheartened, and many were discussing alternative paths after the troupe disbanded.

Richard sighed.

Sure enough, when the environment changes, some things become hard to adapt to.

but.

It's too early to admit defeat!

Nina, like you, didn't give up either.

She continues to pay everyone's salary, believes in your talent, and encourages you to persevere.

what……

If only I had a beautiful boss like that in my past life!

Richard's spirits lifted, and he immediately had an idea.

Because of Philip's suppression, local newspapers and commentators refused to promote Nina. If she had to rely solely on her own persistence, in this pre-internet era, it would be difficult to know how long it would take to turn things around through word of mouth.

But what if we do the opposite?

Black and red are still red!

Despite Nina's inability to understand and even suspicion that you might have some indecent fetishes, she ultimately used some funds to bribe various newspapers that had previously ignored you, thanks to your persistence.

Newspapers are reluctant to offend anyone by praising you, but they'd be happy to take your money to criticize you.

Soon, your play received an overwhelming amount of criticism, far exceeding the norm. And with your deliberate prompting, the criticism became increasingly exaggerated, almost portraying your play as the worst in history, the enemy of art, a stinking ball of cockroaches.

Ordinary people outside the circle gradually became curious.

That evening, the theater was unexpectedly crowded—they wanted to see just how bad the worst in history really was.

Ten minutes later they realized... they'd been tricked.

This is the best show they've seen all year!

Many audience members wept in the theater, and some even demanded that the ending be changed so that Romeo and Juliet could be reunited.

[As it turns out, genuine love will always be captivating.]

You succeeded.

[For a time, tickets for "Romeo and Juliet" were in high demand and the show became a sensation throughout Van Damme, with everyone talking about it on the streets.]

call……

Seeing the results, Richard relaxed.

What happened next was quite natural.

Richard adapted and staged all the famous works he had read in his previous life, such as "The Merchant of Venice," "King Lear," and "A Doll's House."

[A series of wildly popular plays have made you a top figure in the Van Dan theater world, with people saying you are a favorite of the goddess of art, a once-in-a-millennium genius.]

Nina made a fortune from this, but she didn't seem to care much about the profits, distributing most of the money to the troupe, especially you.

Philip, who used to mock you, can't eat anymore—watching you make money hurts him more than when he loses it himself.

One night, you suddenly receive an invitation from Philip, who says he's willing to pay you five times the amount...

Oh?

Don't you need me to lick your boots?

Richard sneered at the offer from his former enemy and flatly refused.

How could I betray Nina after how she treated me?

For no other reason than that Nina has a character illustration, I cannot betray her!

Half a month later, someone, appearing as a shadow, breaks into your room at night and stabs you in the chest with a dagger.

[At only the Iron rank, you are no match for this person.]

Good grief, they're playing dirty tricks!

We're not going to lose like this, are we...?

[At a critical moment, Blue Light shines]

Nina appeared at the window and used her Silver Rank magic to kill the assassin.

The following morning, Philip was swiftly arrested on charges of hiring a hitman.

After everything settled down, Nina confessed to you that she wasn't some rich girl from out of town, but rather the third princess of Vanderbilt, Alice Murat.

Although she was a member of the royal family, she always disliked politics and loved art, which is why she concealed her identity, left the palace, and ventured into the arts.

She assures you that she will be your support from now on, that no one will interfere with your creative work, and that you will no longer be troubled by money.

Ok……

With Elsa's example as a precedent, Richard wasn't too surprised at this moment, after all, he had long realized that Nina's background was not simple.

But she's actually a princess?

I've become a scholar being kept by a princess? Well...