An unyielding, tense standoff. Eyes as sharp and cold as ice, devoid of any trace of warmth.

    "Starting off strong, I see."

    "They don’t seem uncomfortable with each other at all."

    It was their first time exchanging lines together, yet there was nothing ordinary about it. Especially the power struggle between Queen Yoon and Yeongwol—it felt even more intense than expected.

    "You talk as if you''d give anything for the Crown Prince if he asked."

    "If my meager life can be of use to His Highness, how could I not?"

    One sought to hold the Crown Prince back; the other, to protect him. Both saw the other as an adversary.

    With the actors'' ages and the drama’s setup aligning, the clash between them felt more real, a fierce and balanced exchange where neither side could be seen as superior or inferior.

    In other words, Ha-eun and Da-yeon’s performances complemented each other perfectly. If one actor dominated the scene, it would weaken the tension.

    "They’ve both changed their images completely."

    It was Ha-eun’s first time playing such a sharp-edged role like Yeongwol. Similarly, it was Da-yeon’s first attempt at playing a villainous role like Queen Yoon.

    They both felt unfamiliar—no, they felt new.

    Yet, there was not a hint of awkwardness or forced performance, allowing everyone watching to become deeply immersed. Most importantly, this sense of novelty matched exactly with Director Jin Gyuseong''s vision.

    "All three of you did great. I’m really looking forward to the filming."

    Director Jin’s praise for the just-completed [S#13. The East Palace Confrontation] scene showed his full approval. The second scene reading then began, featuring interactions among the lead, supporting, and minor characters.

    As they read through scene after scene, perfecting the tone, intensity, and inflection of each role, a sense of optimism grew among the staff.

    "This one really feels different."

    "I hope we can finally celebrate with a success this time."

    Three years had passed since KBC Drama Department entered its slump. They were tired of the bitterness of failed dramas.

    This time, they hoped to savor the sweetness of success. The superb acting they witnessed made them believe that sweetness was within reach.

    The cast and crew lost track of time during the extensive script reading, so engrossed in the flow that they didn’t notice the late hour. By the time the sky darkened and night had fallen...

    "Alright, let’s wrap up with just one more scene."

    Director Jin announced that they’d finish with one of the highlight scenes from *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds*. Naturally, everyone was curious about which scene it would be.

    "[S#47. The Wounded Yeongwol]. Begin whenever you’re ready."

    S#47. The Wounded Yeongwol.

    It was the scene Ha-eun had mentioned as her favorite when talking with Yoo Sung-jae earlier.

    It was also the scene that had made Ha-eun want to play Yeongwol, inspiring her interest in performing a cross-dressed role.

    It wasn’t a scene of conflict with antagonists like Queen Yoon, nor one showcasing the charisma of a warrior.

    "It’s the scene where Yeongwol first reveals her feminine side."

    In this scene, Yeongwol, a woman disguised as a man, first shows hints of her femininity—a subtle and emotional scene, portraying the complex dynamic of a person balancing both male and female identities.

    Ha-eun felt she could perform this transition confidently. No one could match her ability to shift seamlessly between masculine and feminine roles.

    After all, no one else had experienced life as both a man and a woman. Ha-eun was the only one in the world with that unique perspective.

    "Ha-eun, are you ready?"

    "...Yes."

    Confirming that Ha-eun was prepared, Yoo Sung-jae cleared his throat, and moments later...

    Suppressing the feelings she could never express, she forced herself to respond, her voice tinged with slight emotion, her face the darkest it had ever been.

    With Yeongwol’s expression reflecting her mixed emotions, the scene S#47. The Wounded Yeongwol finally ended.

    Breaking the silence, Director Jin spoke up, delivering a brief but precise review.

    "That was perfect."

    As the heavy atmosphere gradually lifted, a murmur of reactions filled the room, everyone expressing their thoughts on Ha-eun and Yoo Sung-jae’s performance. Amid the murmurs of awe and anticipation, one person remained silent: Da-yeon.

    Yet, when Ha-eun eventually approached her, Da-yeon couldn’t help but respond.

    "...Why didn’t you tell me?"

    Ha-eun’s face held only disappointment directed at Da-yeon. Her usual calm demeanor had vanished.

    "I didn’t think I needed your permission to apply for a role I wanted."

    "But... you could have at least told me. I told you everything."

    Ha-eun’s expression clearly conveyed her frustration at Da-yeon’s secrecy.

    However, Da-yeon hadn’t auditioned for Queen Yoon’s role just to slap Ha-eun, but rather to resolve an "unsettling feeling" she had experienced when seeing Ha-eun surrounded by their classmates.

    "...Let’s act like strangers until the filming wraps."

    Declaring that she would keep her distance from Ha-eun for the time being.

    After all, staying close to Ha-eun would make it impossible for her to fully immerse herself in the role of Queen Yoon, who constantly antagonized Yeongwol.

    Unlike Ha-eun, who could handle her emotions freely, Da-yeon needed to maintain her composure outside of filming as well.

    "If I don’t do this, there’s no way I can handle that girl."

    Once she had underestimated, been embarrassed by, admired, and even resented Ha-eun’s acting.

    So, she was determined not to face Ha-eun’s performance with a half-hearted resolve.

    However, there was one thing Da-yeon hadn’t anticipated in her decision to distance herself from Ha-eun.

    "...I’m so bored."

    The truth was, aside from Ha-eun, she didn

    ’t have any close friends.

    Perhaps due to her sharp aura in preparation for Queen Yoon’s role in *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds*, no one at Narae Arts High dared to approach her.

    To fill the growing emptiness, Da-yeon turned to her phone, specifically a stream clip featuring a name that felt oddly familiar.

    "Do I have a boyfriend? Oh, of course☆"

    - gasp

    - omg

    - Dia, my heart hurts, Dia, my heart hurts, Dia, my heart hurts

    - laugh

    - omg

    - Wanna perform at a dome too? Wanna perform at a dome too? Wanna perform at a dome too?

    "What’s the surprise? I think I’ve got about 3,000 boyfriends in this room alone."

    - what

    - lol

    - Not hurt anymore, not hurt anymore

    - laugh

    - dead

    - I want my firstborn to be a daughter (message deleted)

    - Since when did I escape being single?

    "...It’s actually pretty entertaining."

    At first, she watched because the name sounded familiar, but soon enough, she found herself drawn in by the lively voice and the ever-changing chat comments.

    Of course, she only watched when no one else was around. She wasn’t yet comfortable explaining to her classmates if they asked about it.