The environment of the Theater was splendid, as attending operas was a long-standing tradition among the Nali people. They would gather to watch during festivals and holidays, sometimes watching the same play performed by different actors in various sessions, as if each actor brought a unique style and charm.
Fisher also loved the theater, and he often came to watch with Renie, even though that guy had absolutely no appreciation for art; he was only there to flirt or whisper to you.
Today’s play was titled "Moon Night," which recounted an ancient legend from Nali’s past.
It was about a King of an ancient kingdom who fell in love with a hostage Prince sent to his kingdom, but this was not a gay story written by the Schwali people. The hostage was not really a Prince, but a small country’s Princess in disguise.
The King of the small country did not want to risk the life of his only son by sending him to another kingdom as a hostage, so he had his daughter disguise herself as her brother to take his place. The story unfolded against this backdrop.
The Princess was both gentle and brave, daring to gamble with the powerful King to save her servant; she even donned a Knight’s helmet and battled a stone demon residing in the mountains to retrieve the stolen treasures of the kingdom.
During their prolonged time together, her kind nature moved the King, and they gradually became close friends, very intimate.
Subsequently, the King finally realized he had fallen in love with this hostage from another land, regardless of gender or status. Although such feelings were considered taboo and left him deeply conflicted, he had to order the hostage to leave his kingdom and never return.
However, as the hostage was leaving, he could not overcome his sincere love and resolved to break conventional norms to be with her.
In the hazy moonlight, the King rode a white horse and caught up to the Princess as she was about to leave the country in her carriage. He confessed his feelings to her, and she, moved by his genuine emotion, revealed that she was a woman.
At this point in the play, the moonlight cleared away the clouds, and the audience’s emotions, like the King’s, felt surprise and pleasure. They kissed under the moonlight, and at that instant, the Opera reached an emotional climax as the two beautifully-voiced actors sang,
"Ah... my Princess, why did you deceive me so, letting the one you love suffer the torture of the taboo?"
"My dear King, it was not my intention. My love for you makes me linger; my responsibilities to the kingdom make me hesitate...At this moment, under this moonlight, I am willing to give up everything and entrust the sincere me to you, love you till the last moment of my life."
It seems that the pursuit of romance is truly in the blood of the Nali people. The play "Moon Night" is rarely performed, but today the actors’ exquisite performance quickly swept the audience into a state of oblivion.
Being a Prince, Prince Luosang would have easily secured a private booth, yet since the ticket was given by Carolina, he had to squeeze into the ordinary seats below with the others.
Prince Luosang didn’t mind, sitting in the regular seats like any other citizen of Nali City, as humble as he had claimed to be earlier.
Meanwhile, Carolina, sitting next to him, was staring blankly at the two actors nestled together under the moonlight, lost in thought.
Next to them, a couple leaned in for a kiss, spreading a scent of romance throughout the Theater, but only Carolina and Prince Luosang seemed out of place, as most of the attendees were couples or spouses.
Their relationship was rather awkward, unclear though outwardly seeming quite fitting.
Prince Luosang turned his head and glanced at Carolina in her dress, clutching a small ladies’ purse, as reserved and elegant as a Nali Lady. Looking at Carolina’s profile, Prince Luosang smiled and said,
"This play is quite good, unlike many in our Schwali theaters which are about war."
"...It’s over, let’s go."
Carolina sounded somewhat unnatural after hearing this, picking up her purse to leave, since the play had indeed ended.
To be honest, when she had first come out, she had completely forgotten all the things Fisher had instructed her—about charming Prince Luosang and how her hopes of survival hinged on the Prince...
Since meeting Prince Luosang, she had been unresponsive and not initiated any conversation, let alone tried to charm him.
That’s not something she was good at, especially not in front of this Prince.
Prince Luosang glanced at her retreating figure, then silently stood up and followed behind her, waiting until she was holding her purse and leaving the Theater, but her steps didn’t stop.
Seeing that she was about to leave, Prince Luosang hurriedly caught up with her, reaching out to grab her hand and pulling her under a street lamp.
Under the light, their bodies cast intertwined shadows.
"Wait, can’t you tell I’m interested in you? Continuing is just straining both of our patience. Why don’t we be straightforward?"
Carolina struggled briefly but couldn’t free herself, then she glanced hatefully at Prince Luosang and said,
"You know nothing, you think I’m a regular Nali girl? I am..."