57 No Acting Skills
— Just Memories
After the roles were assigned, the Noia mini-group immediately kicked off the rehearsal for the first scene.
First, Director Noia addressed everyone:
“The first scene is the encounter between the male and female leads in the dungeon, and we need three actors: Dad, Mom, and Moon.”
“At the start, Mom brings Moon to the dungeon. Then she wants to have a private chat with the captured enemy knight, so she sends Moon away.”
“After Moon leaves, Mom enters the knight’s cell. It’ll just be a simple conversation, and since it’s our first rehearsal, we can read the lines straight from the script.”
“Once we’ve memorized our lines, then it’s showtime!”
“Does anyone have any questions about this section?”
Questions… well, none, really.
It’s just that the déjà vu from this first scene is a little too strong.
How exactly do you know your mom wanted to have a private chat with your dad back in the day that ended up with you and your sister being here?
Looks like this script is indeed inspired by real life… Leon mused to himself.
“No questions here, Noia,” Claudia chimed in.
“Great, then let’s get started with Scene One!”
With a wave of her hand, Director Noia officially began the rehearsal.
The actors not in this scene stepped aside, making plenty of room in the classroom.
The little maid, played by Moon, closely followed Roswiser, as the mother-daughter duo circled around the middle of the classroom.
“Princess, that despicable enemy knight is locked up in the cell ahead, and we are about to interrogate him,” Moon recited her lines earnestly, reading directly from the script.
Not gonna lie, the little lady’s delivery is pretty good, and her tone feels natural.
Especially when she said, “despicable enemy knight”—her articulation was crisp, and the emotion was spot on, not a hint of pity for her old man.
And that “Princess” really makes Roswiser feel a whole century younger.
Before becoming a queen, weren’t we all just someone’s darling little princess?
Snapping back to reality, Roswiser got ready to deliver her line:
“Very well. But first, let me chat with that knight alone and see if I can extract any useful information.”
“Yes, Princess, please be careful.”
“Mm, I will be.”
As Moon stepped aside, Roswiser held the script and moved forward.
Meanwhile, Leon had already gotten into character as the captured knight.
Though he hadn’t spoken his lines yet, he was already nailing that vibe of defiance, humiliation, and stubbornness like a pro—
Oh, dear General Leon, your acting as a prisoner is so painfully skilled!
Got any tips? (cross that out)
Roswiser stifled a laugh as she looked at him.
She stepped up to Leon, starting her lines:
“Oh, dear captive, you’re a bit better-looking than I expected; too bad you look rather disheveled right now.”
After finishing that line, Roswiser frowned slightly.
Why does that line sound a bit off…?
She cast a glance at Noia and Helena sitting nearby.
Since the director and writer didn’t call for a stop, she hesitated but pushed on.
However, before she could speak again, Helena piped up,
“Wait a minute, Aunt Roswiser.”
“What’s up?”
“Uh… when I was writing that line, I didn’t think it was an issue, but now that we’re acting it out, it feels a bit inappropriate.”
Helena held the script and analyzed it logically,
“Our princess is a talented, proud person who controls everything around her. This sets the stage for the later surprise of her falling for the enemy knight, creating a contrast and a plot twist.”
“So, she wouldn’t say something like ‘better-looking than I expected’ as someone in control… It needs changing.”
With that, Helena looked up at Claudia, seemingly seeking help.
“Your analysis is spot on, Helena. So how should we modify it?” Claudia asked.
“Um…”
Little Moon faced a conundrum, scratching her head momentarily, unsure how to express the princess’s character in one line.
“I have a suggestion!”
Roswiser suddenly chimed in.
Helena looked up, “Aunt, go ahead!”
Roswiser set down her script, slowly turning to face Leon and gently lifting his chin with her finger.
Locking eyes with Leon’s dark ones, she spoke softly,
“What a resilient and handsome man you are; those scars are just the perfect accessory for that face.”
Her voice was alluring yet not too forward, with just the right touch of pride and disdain.
It matched perfectly with Helena’s vision for the female lead in her script.
“Yes! That’s the vibe! Aunt, you are simply amazing!” Little Moon exclaimed excitedly.
Haha, how could she not be? The first line she ever spoke to your uncle was this!
Claudia wore an ‘ah-ha’ smile at the side.
However, at that moment, everyone’s focus was on the leading duo, missing her expression entirely.
“But… although the lines are fantastic, it still feels a bit lacking… in terms of conflict?”
At this point, Claudia reminded, “Just having lines can indeed reduce the sense of conflict. You might want to enhance the tension between the characters with some body language.”
With the professional’s advice, Helena suddenly had a lightbulb moment.
She and Noia began to brainstorm some motions.
Still, nothing quite captured the feeling they aimed for.
Just then, Roswiser spoke up again,
“I also have a good suggestion regarding body language.”
With that, Roswiser raised her tail, slowly wrapping it around Leon’s neck.
“Wow~ Aunt, you got the female lead’s character down after just a glance at the script!” Helena praised.
Not only is that your female lead, it’s also Aunt’s character back in her day!
“Mother Dragon… it’s just acting, no need to be so realistic…”
“For the kids’ artistic ambitions, you must bear with it, my dear husband.”
“….You drive a hard bargain!”
Though she said that, Roswiser still managed to control her tail’s strength.
Can’t really replicate that “glorious achievement” from the past one to one.
After that, the couple carried on with the dialogue.
As the rehearsal progressed, the script was revised multiple times, becoming more complete while the lines became tighter to the storyline and characters.
By lunch, they had already rehearsed the part where the leads develop feelings for each other, but the male lead has to return to his homeland.
During lunch, Helena showered the couple with compliments.
“Uncle and Aunt, you’ve really nailed my expectations for the characters! It feels just right! Acting full marks, absolutely full marks~”
The couple exchanged knowing glances.
Hmph, sweetheart, let me teach you a phrase:
“Life is like a drama; without acting, it’s all just memories.”
