The Accidental Monarch

Premiering

The city government allows the closure of the block where the theatre holding the premiere of the most anticipated movie of the year stands. Eager photographers and adoring fans occupy the streets and shout at every passing vehicle in the hopes that one of them contains their favorite movie star. The anticipation builds at every passing minute as they approach showtime.

Before nightfall, the members of the cast arrive at the scene. They walk down the carpet with big smiles and waving hands. They greet the fans with autographs and selfies. When the male lead of the film steps out of his vehicle, the crowd goes wild and focuses all their attention on him. But when the female lead finally appears, the whole theatre turns into complete pandemonium.

The camera flashes explode all at the same time. The crowd screams her name at the top of their lungs. Yoon Seri is a vision in Valentino as she makes her way down the carpet. She smiles and waves like the attention is an everyday occurrence, exhibiting beauty and grace under pressure. She only manages one autograph before she has to be extracted from grabby hands by security.

Seri takes a couple of photographs on stage alone and then some more with the cast and crew. Microphones are passed around as interview questions are asked left right and center. She only manages a weak smile when her male counterpart asks her if she feels all right. "You look pale," he comments worriedly. Their interaction earns a couple of camera flashes. "Do you feel okay?"

When they finally move out of the spotlight, the actress asks for some water from her assistant. Her male counterpart stands by her side in case she faints, which she feels grateful for because she does feel a little dizzy. Celebrities and famous figures who have been invited to the premiere have started to arrive, and she feels her blood pressure beginning to rise like her anticipation.

Her close friends who have no prior commitment that night show up in support. They give her a warm hug before they go into the theatre. And then a few more people in the industry who were invited congratulate her on the film and ask her about her well-being. The kind gesture makes her a little teary-eyed because she honestly believed that her career was over after the scandal.

A sudden hush envelopes the theatre. The noise completely disappears as the crowd turns still. It turns so quiet that she can hear the sounds of a car door closing and the vehicle driving away. She hears the people beginning to murmur, but she does not join in. She knows exactly who has arrived. And after the initial shock, a greeting so wild that it rivals hers erupts from the audience.

Everyone bows as he walks past them. The actress watches the wave of people following the king's journey down the carpet and onto the stage. He smiles and poses so naturally that he can be mistaken for an actor. He has chosen a double-breasted military coat from Balmain and looks so devastatingly handsome that it makes her feel like she really does need to sit down.

Once he entered the theatre, the director and the producers greet him and thank him for gracing the event with his presence. Jeong-hyeok says that the anticipation for this movie has reached even the palace. His words make them laugh and prompt them to ask who was brave enough to send him an invitation. He turns to look at her, and his smile knocks the air out of her lungs.

"Damn," a female costar says under her breath. "I would kill for someone to look at me like that."

Seri walks over to where they were standing and gives them the prettiest smile. "That would be me," she shyly answers their hanging question and watches how the puzzle pieces inside their heads fall into place through their expressions. "Jeong-hyeok has been looking forward to this film because I kept telling him about our director being one of the best I have ever worked with."

The way she casually calls him by name does not escape anyone's notice. The older men get over their shock over the development and tell her that she should have brought him on set. Jeong-hyeok saves her by saying he refuses to be responsible for causing schedule disruptions by showing up unannounced but will definitely be on board if the opportunity ever arises again.