Jeffrey: This can't be happening! The festival was supposed to be a secret...
Soldier: It's true! Our reports say that the cavalry will be here soon!
Jeffrey: Could someone have betrayed us to the Duke?
The Fool: Gah! That pathetic Comaetho is always taking the wind from our sails.
Charlie: W-what do we do now?!
Charlie: That must be the Duke's cavalry... Oh, no!
Charlie: It's time to run... Mr. Fool, we have to get out of here!
Taking a deep breath, Jeffrey regained his composure.
Jeffrey: Quick, inform the Mayor, and have him stall the cavalry.
Jeffrey: Let's proceed as planned, wrap up the festival early. Performers, use the secret passages we've prepared for your escape.
Soldier: Yes, sir!
Jeffrey: ...
Jeffrey: As I said, Troupe Master Charlie, you'd best leave now.
Jeffrey: I'm truly sorry about this... None of us wanted to put your troupe at risk!
Jeffrey: But if these knights catch wind of you, nothing good will come of it.
Charlie: I-I understand.
Charlie: Mr. Fool, we've got to get everyone out now!
Charlie: Or else they'll be right on our tails!
The Fool: Too true, Troupe Master!
The Fool: And if they chase us down, they'll strangle us, and hoist our bodies on flagpoles.
The Fool: "At that time, the crows will feast upon our flesh, like a most profane ritual."
The Fool: Alas! Alack! A terrifying outcome. We must make our exit as soon as possible.
With the performance's scheduled debut closing in, the rest of the troupe were busy with final preparations.
Troupe Member I: Troupe Master? Mr. Fool? Why are you back so soon?
Charlie: Everyone...
Clueless about what was to unfold, their fellow performers were still basking in the festive atmosphere, slow to react.
Troupe Member II: Come to check on us? Everything's set for the show!
Troupe Member I: All that was left was waiting for you, hahaha!
Costumes were unpacked and prepared, and makeup already painted on their faces.
The Fool: Oh my, what a cheerful sight.
The Fool: Of course, our actors should be excited about hitting the stage.
The Fool: It's a shame they haven't realized yet that fate has come as a muddy palm, to smear them their careful preparations!
Charlie: ...
Charlie: Everyone, I have an announcement...
But her soft voice was quickly drowned out by the excited chatter.
Troupe Member I: I'm telling you, this script will blow the audience away!
Troupe Member II: Too bad the stage setup's pretty basic this time...
Troupe Member I: Hey, don't be picky. In these times, just getting to perform is a blessing! We've got to make do with what we have!
Charlie: ...
Troupe Member II: I'm not being picky! It's only that I was up all night, imagining our performance!
Troupe Member I: I can tell! Your powder is barely covering up those dark circles—let me apply more; we can't have the audience notice.
Everyone: Hahaha!
The bursts of powder rising in the air as new makeup was applied caused a shimmering in the candlelight; Charlie had to swallow back what she was about to say.
The Fool: So much hesitation, Troupe Master Charlie? Is that stage fright?
A peculiar smile slipped through his mask.
It carried a hint of mockery and sarcasm—emotions "The Fool" had rarely laid on her.
