Chapter 35 : Light

“I’m uncomfortable.”

“Dresses are supposed to be like that. Just bear with it a little, Siyeon.”

“Isn’t this too mature? Siyeon is only 14 years old…”

“Since she looks mature, she should wear something mature, Mother. Honestly, Siyeon wouldn’t suit something childish.”

The stylist and makeup team that Jaeyoung called were all gathered around me, dressing me up.

Mom was worried about the glamorous dress but kept saying I looked pretty while busy taking pictures.

The stylist and makeup artists were Jaeyoung’s acquaintances.

They usually didn’t come, only helping out occasionally for important shoots.

Apparently, Jaeyoung was considering officially recruiting them next year once I bulked up my career.

Their skills were definitely impressive.

Every outfit and makeup style they brought suited me perfectly.

“Alright. Seriously, Siyeon, you’re the best today. No actress is prettier than you.”

Is that so?

I stood in front of the mirror and examined myself.

I did seem even more beautiful than the second princess of the Chezenko Kingdom, who was renowned for her beauty in my past life.

The king of the Chezenko Kingdom—I assassinated him.

Today was the SAS Acting Awards.

My first year-end awards ceremony.

There were more film-related award ceremonies coming up, but the most important project was SAS’s <The Heirs>.

Since it was my first awards ceremony, it was considered important.

“I’m heading out.”

“Alright. Do well. Uh, Mom will be watching on TV?”

“Got it. Mom, why are you getting emotional?”

Once I was fully dressed, I headed to Jaeyoung’s car.

As soon as we arrived, I would be stepping out directly onto the red carpet.

Mom went back home.

She couldn’t exactly follow me to the ceremony.

And there was no real need for it.

She didn’t know much about the entertainment industry and had never given me any particular advice.

She just always watched over me like this.

Being constantly seen by others was something that never happened in my past life, but for some reason, it felt reassuring.

“The camera flashes will be blinding. If you don’t open your eyes properly, it’ll become a black history moment, Siyeon.”

“Yes. But isn’t my makeup too thick?”

“You need this much to survive.”

I held onto the hem of my dress and got into Jaeyoung’s car.

He cracked some lighthearted jokes, probably to ease my nerves.

But it was undeniably uncomfortable.

A floor-length dress like this was something I had only seen at masquerade balls.

And the makeup—especially the makeup—was way too thick.

It felt like I had an entirely new layer of skin created with cosmetics.

Thinking about it that way, maybe this wasn’t so different from a masquerade ball.

Whether wearing a mask or creating one with makeup, it was all the same.

“Did you prepare a speech?”

“Huh?”

“You need to! No matter what, you’re definitely winning the Youth Actor Award. If things go well, you might even win the Rookie Award. Start thinking of at least two speeches now.”

Now that I thought about it, famous acceptance speeches from various award shows often spread around.

Some winners even cried, but I didn’t think I would.

A speech, huh… It’s no small event.

Something dignified, moving, short yet powerful…

“We’re here. Check your face.”

Lost in thought about my speech, I arrived at the venue in no time.

A crowd of spectators and journalists awaited outside the red carpet.

A car in front of us arrived first, so we waited for a moment.

“It’s Go Yoo-jung from <Lord’s Sky>.”

Go Yoo-jung.

An actress currently at the peak of her career, praised for her outstanding performance in <Lord’s Sky>.

She was a strong contender for an award.

The competition for the Grand Prize was fierce, but she was one of the frontrunners for Best Actress.

“SAS dramas were all hits this year. A lot of big actors are here, so make sure you leave a good impression. And don’t sit there looking scary.”

“I wasn’t looking scary. I greeted everyone properly.”

“Still, you’re intimidating sometimes. Looking at you sends chills down my spine.”

He must have never truly experienced what it feels like to have chills run down his spine.

While chatting with Jaeyoung, my turn arrived.

I opened the car door and stepped onto the red carpet.

Click, click—

The flashes were even stronger than I had expected.

But, of course, they didn’t bother me at all.

Even if a flash grenade exploded right in front of me, I wouldn’t lose my vision.

I smiled and walked to the photo zone.

“Wooaaaah!”

When I made a cute heart gesture with my hand, the journalists gasped in excitement.

I had only used a few tricks I learned from idol-turned-actress Jung Su-jin, but the response was great.

This should be enough.

I didn’t want to stay in the photo zone too long, so I left a little earlier than other actors.

“Hello, hello.”

“Oh, Siyeon, you’re here!”

When I entered the waiting room, Jung Su-jin, who had arrived earlier, greeted me warmly.

There was still some time left, so the other actors hadn’t arrived yet.

“I was bored being alone, Siyeon. I watched the red carpet on screen, and you did amazing! You could totally be an idol.”

“Thank you.”

An idol, huh?

As much as I appreciated the compliment, I thought that would be difficult for me.

Sometimes, when I watched idols perform, I thought even I wouldn’t be able to do those dances.

“Wow, the article’s already out.”

“What article?”

“The red carpet article! Siyeon, you look really pretty!”

A moment later, Jung Su-jin showed me the screen of her phone.

It’s amazing how we can view real-time internet articles now.

[Who was the best-dressed at the awards ceremony?]
[Kim Siyeon from <The Heirs>. Is she really a middle schooler?]
[Kim Siyeon from <The Heirs>. A mature beauty that doesn’t match her age.]

“Hmm. You look great.”

“Exactly! Isn’t Siyeon the prettiest today?”

“No, you’re even more beautiful, Sunbaenim.”

Jung Su-jin chuckled.

She and I continued to watch the award ceremony photos, greeting the arriving actors.

“Wow, Siyeon, you really look beautiful today.”

“I still can’t believe Siyeon is 14 years old. Siyeon, you’re lying, right?”

Every actor arriving kept complimenting my outfit for the day.

Is it really that great? I guess it’s because I’m 14, which draws more attention.

But no matter the style, it’s not hard for me to pull it off.

“Only 10 minutes until the ceremony starts!”

And then the awards ceremony began.

We sat together with the <The Heirs> cast in the same section of the venue.

“Ah, Director Kang, Writer Kang.”

Soon after, Director Kang Shin-yul and Writer Kang Eung-sook arrived.

“We need to get the Grand Prize this year.”

“The Grand Prize might be difficult, don’t you think? There are senior actors like Noh In-seong, Go Yoo-jung, and Seo Ae-kyo. They’ve all had successful dramas.”

“Still, our viewership was the highest. Let’s have a drink! Hahaha.”

Director Kang Shin-yul laughed heartily.

As expected, the director was also very concerned about the success of the project.

“Still, the Best Drama of the Year award should go to us! Who else but Writer Kang Eung-sook deserves it?”

“…Really? I don’t think it’ll happen this year.”

Writer Kang Eung-sook’s works had swept the awards whenever they were released.

But this time, she seemed uncertain.

Well, considering how the script had gone back and forth, it made sense.

Though our viewership had been the highest.

Then, the live broadcast of the acting awards began.

The ceremony started with greetings and a congratulatory performance from a famous idol group.

I’m running toward you~

The idols did their best to put on an amazing performance.

But the actors were frozen like statues, merely watching the performance.

Despite their hard work, only a small applause came from someone like Jung Su-jin.

Come to think of it, this was the atmosphere of an acting awards ceremony.

Unlike entertainment awards, for some reason, the actors always seemed to want to maintain dignity.

Even the imperial family used to enjoy themselves at banquets.

After the early part passed, it was time for the “Youth Actor Award.”

Four nominees appeared on screen, but I didn’t recognize any of them.

They all seemed to have the attitude that the result was already decided.

The presenter opened the envelope and announced the winner.

“The winner of the SAS Acting Award, ‘Youth Actor Award,’ is… Kim Siyeon from <The Heirs>. Congratulations.”

Kim Siyeon played the antagonist, Uriel, in <The Heirs>, and her performance captivated the viewers…

With the announcement of the winner, the MC’s narration echoed through the hall.

A loud round of applause erupted from the audience, and the cast of <The Heirs> stood up to congratulate me.

“This was so obvious, Siyeon. Congratulations!”

“Our team’s first award! Congratulations, Siyeon!”

“Thank you.”

The actors hugged me one by one in order, offering words of encouragement before sending me to the stage.

I slowly walked from the audience to the stage.

The narration continued, and I could hear the applause of countless actors, directors, writers, and the audience.

As I walked toward the stage, the bright lights began to shine on me.

The white long dress fluttered, and the meticulously applied makeup caught the light at the perfect angle.

“Congratulations!”

“Congratulations!”

“…Thank you.”

I stepped onto the stage and was handed a trophy and flowers by the presenters.

Then I stood in front of the microphone, looking at the audience.

The people in the audience were holding their breath, waiting for my acceptance speech.

The stage was still bathed in dazzling lights.

And for some reason, at that moment, I felt awkward being the one at the center of it all.

“Um…”

I had a well-thought-out speech ready.

I was going to thank the people I was grateful for, express my appreciation to the <The Heirs> team, and blend in some words from the speeches of past emperors from my previous life.

I planned to give a fitting, modest speech for a youth actor award…

“Ah… ahem…”

My throat tightened.

It wasn’t because I was feeling unwell. I always made sure to take excellent care of my health.

But for some reason, my throat felt constricted.

It was as if I had swallowed a dry potato without any water. Speaking felt so difficult.

The reason became clear when I realized the tears were welling up in my eyes.

‘…Why?’

Tears were welling up.

Though this expression is commonly used, I had never experienced it before.

Even when acting, I always knew how to draw tears from my tear ducts, but I had never truly understood the feeling of something “welling up.”

But now, I understood.

The feeling of something rising from behind my sinuses, my neck getting stiff, and something rising beneath my eyelids.

As my throat became constricted, I found it hard to speak.

I wasn’t sad. I wasn’t moved by the award.

It was just that standing here—

Standing under the bright spotlight, receiving the gaze of so many people, and being congratulated by my colleagues, no—

By the people I cherished—under this light—

For some reason, something started to rise from within my chest.

Why?

Until just a moment ago, I had only thought of this “awards ceremony” as just another task or schedule.

I never imagined what it would feel like to win an award. I couldn’t fathom the situation.

But now, after standing here under the world’s brightest light,

After receiving the congratulations of my colleagues and those precious to me,

Now I could finally feel it.

“01…”

Where I was right now.

Not in the dark, damp shadows where I had to hide my body in my previous life.

But here, I was on the world’s brightest stage.

And I realized that I had become someone who shines brightly.

It was only after standing here that I could truly understand.

I was shining.