A/N:FINALLY!
My guys, I apologise for the delay. Work got in the way, as did the creative process, to be honest (I had planned to end this chapter on another point of the story, but it was not working for me, so I ended up rewriting it a few times, which explains some of the delay, but honestly, I thought it was more important to get this chapter right than fast, so I hope you agree). If you notice, I have added a few tags related to harassment and bullying because it is only natural (given that the story involves public reception and the internet). I will do my best to be realistic without being overly cruel.
Also a special note for this website specifically: doesn't allow me to add much to the text other than the standard, well, text writing features. This is usually fine, but adding internet-related narrative can be tricky, especially when referencing Twitter. For those of you who are familiar with Twitter, I believe it will be simple to understand - and I hope it will be easy for those who aren't, but if there is any confusion, please let me know.
So, without further ado, enjoy!
Colin had been in the entertainment industry long enough to recognise all of the signs that something was definitely happening.
It all starts with the phone buzzing—an Instagram comment, a Twitter notification, a message from a friend, and then another, and maybe even messages from your family. The buzzing sound grows louder and louder as more notifications pour in, transitioning from gossip website articles to explanatory TikTok videos, until your manager interrupts with a phone call.
The exact sequence of events may not occur every time, but the key details remain consistent. That is why, when his phone began vibrating strangely as he returned to his trailer after a long day of shooting, he knew right away.
The first thing that came to mind when he opened Instagram (and he was fortunate to find the source of the problem right away that time) was how much he liked that picture. Penelope looked adorable, almost drooling on his shoulder, and he suppressed the near-adolescent need to save the photo. And then it dawned on him that he was supposed to be investigating whether that was the source of the constant buzzing. When he read the comments, he quickly confirmed that it was, of course.
Oh, so this is how Colin looks when he is in love?The comment with the most likes said, and he raised an eyebrow at how strange it all was. Despite their close relationship, which took on various forms over the years, nobody around them perceived anything more than a friendship. The mere hint of a romantic relationship between him and Penelope was so foreign that it almost caused him to chuckle.
As he scrolled down, he noticed that people clearly did not feel the same way, which seemed strange and exaggerated, especially given that it was only one picture. And then he realised that might be the problem. Those who were not part of their family were unaware of the dynamics between Penelope and him; all they had was a single static picture to base their knowledge on. Once they saw them together, it would become clear to them, just like it had to everyone else in their lives, that their friendship was clearly and unquestionably platonic.
However, in the meantime, the internet would continue to excel at gathering minimal evidence and promoting the most ludicrous theories based on it. So, with a sigh, he scrolled through his contact list in search of Will's number, and then pressed the call button.
But not before saving the picture.
𝔠𝔞𝔯𝔩𝔬𝔰 carlosbton
WHAT IS GOING ON?
| Dee warofthorns
carlosbton shes a family friend calm down
|Hillyhilllaryss
carlosbton warofthorns LOL yes sure a FRIEND
| Dee warofthorns
carlosbton hilllaryss hes got a gf you weirdo?
| 🌸Hilly hilllaryss
carlosbton warofthorns do we even know if they're still together? he hasn't posted anything about her in ages
| Dee warofthorns
carlosbton hilllaryss hes been filming in NZ for months ofc we havent seen them together but he liked her ig post yesterday
| 𝔠𝔞𝔯𝔩𝔬𝔰 carlosbton
warofthorns hilllaryss oh i didn't know i just thought they looked cute on the pic i had never seen colin like that
| 🌸Hilly hilllaryss
carlosbton warofthorns its because he's never been like that
| Dee warofthorns
carlosbton hilllaryss yes… he has yall are new on the fandom but colin used to be really touchyfeely with everyone but ppl started shipping him with everyone and he got pissed off so
| 🌸Hilly hilllaryss
carlosbton warofthorns lol im not new but whatever we'll see
Anthony believed that the most unfortunate moment of his week occurred when he and Kate, amidst their quarrel, decided to race each other to see who could catch the horse first. Unfortunately, their competitive efforts ended in a messy outcome as both of them slipped and fell into a pool of black mud, while Kendrick Nectar smoothly secured the horse.
But he was wrong; it was amazing how he was always wrong.
"I'm fine, I can keep shooting," Kate grumbled with impatience as they made their way back to the set. Her nerves were fraying as Anthony continued to glance in her direction.
"Well, I can't continue shooting," he said, his eyes widening as he gestured to his completely dirty attire.
For some unknown reason, his tone made Kate burst into laughter. She was aware that this would likely lead to a bigger fight, but seeing Anthony Bridgerton looking like a mess and the comical way he said it was too funny for her to control herself. However, the unthinkable occurred, and Anthony also burst into laughter. They stopped walking and bent over in fits of laughter. Kate couldn't help but think it was ironic that the only time they would ever see eye to eye was when they were both a complete mess.
"Listen..." Anthony said, his arms propped on his thighs after his bout of laughter, "I know you can't stand me, but can we agree that this movie is more significant than our feelings towards each other? Bigger than our fights, our disagreements."
Despite Kate's usual stubbornness, she stopped and gazed at him as if, for once in their turbulent relationship, she was actually paying attention.
"I'm not saying we have to be best mates, but can we at least come to a truce?" As he stared at her, his forehead furrowed in a pleading grimace. "We can't continue like this if we want to make any progress. Believe me, we don't have enough money to keep wasting shooting days."
With a slight tilt of her head, she retorted, "Well, if you should have listened to me earlier, then." As he gave her a weary glare, Kate defiantly lifted her chin and added, "But I suppose you're right. We have both decided to do this, haven't we?"
As he straightened his back, the sound of his wet and muddy clothes filled the air, making a squelching noise. Anthony extended his hand, gesturing for her to shake it as if they were sealing a deal. Kate gazed at it briefly before accepting it. Anthony then nodded and they resumed walking back to the set they had left, acknowledging that their agreement didn't imply newfound fondness, but rather a commitment to prioritise their work over personal animosity.
And at long last, he started to believe that he could have a peaceful work environment, devoid of unnecessary conflicts and distractions.
However, as he finally reached his trailer at the end of the day, eagerly anticipating a soothing bath that he had been yearning for, he soon discovered that peace was a luxury he couldn't find in his life.
As his phone started buzzing relentlessly, he knew from experience that it signalled a problem. Nevertheless, Anthony chose to ignore the persistent vibrations, determined to enjoy his tranquil shower without allowing them to bother him. He was granted ten minutes of silence, right?
As he stepped out of the shower and glanced at his mobile screen, he immediately sensed that the answer was negative.
"Anthony Bridgerton," he said, even though he knew who was calling.
"Let me advise you not to lose your temper," Agatha cautioned, her tone laced with concern, which only heightened his suspicions. "There were no leaks and everything is being handled."
That was certainly an unexpected way to greet someone, especially someone who had a long, tiring day, and was running out of patience. Tossing the towel he was using to dry his hair onto the floor, he knew immediately that something had gone wrong.
"What got leaked?" He asked with a sharp and alarmed tone.
"Like I said," she stated calmly, "nothing."
Agatha's insistence on reassuring him felt anything but calming, and her ambiguous answers were bound to cause a heart attack in a forty-year-old man. "What is happening?" he asked.
"Check your phone, will you?" She said, and Anthony had no clue how she knew he hadn't checked, but he had given up trying to comprehend Agatha's (and his mother's) uncanny ability to know everything at all times. "And remember what I told you: do not lose your temper. She is new."
Ending the call abruptly, she nearly hindered her own request for him to check it, as he was close to throwing the device at the wall. However, he tightly gripped it and tried to go through his messages and emails one by one.
Thomas Dorset: i swear it wasn't my fault
Thomas Dorset: please don't recast me
Thomas Dorset: no seriously i know all your secrets from college don't you dare recast me
Thomas Dorset: please?
To: Anthony Bridgerton
From: Sita Malhotra
Subject: Interview for New Projects
Dear Mr. Bridgerton,
I'm reaching out on behalf of the Hollywood Reporter to enquire about the most suitable time for scheduling the interview.
Best regards,
Sita Malhotra
🔔Instagram: heartSSwordSS mentioned you in a comment
🔔Instagram: colinbrigggthon mentioned you in their story
🔔Instagram: nadiada mentioned you in their story
🔔Instagram: loralover mentioned you in a comment
🔔Instagram: anthoniete_obsessed_3456 mentioned you in a comment
"What in the world is this?" he wondered aloud, perplexed by the unexpected notifications that led him to a deleted post page. Letting out a sigh, he disregarded the numerous Instagram notifications and carried on with checking his messages.
Mom: Good morning dear, i hope you are having a wonderful time you know how proud i am of you
Mom: Or is it good night? I keep forgetting you are on the other side of the globe
Mom: Is your brother by any chance with you?
Mom: He is not answering his telephone
Anthony furrowed his eyebrows, brother? What was her sudden urgency to speak with Colin at this particular moment? And when did he become Colin's nanny? He then shifted his focus to the next batch of messages flooding in from the sibling family group chat.
Hyacinth: Colin
Hyacinth: …
Hyacinth: Are you and Pen dating
Gregory: please don't joke abt that
Benedict: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Colin: haha
Anthony furrowed his brows in confusion, completely unaware of the context of the conversation. On the verge of giving up, he let out a sigh until, finally, a notification from a sketchy celebrity website appeared on his phone.
"Cuddling on set?" - A Look at 30 Co-Stars Who Sparked Dating Rumours
Whether it's Friends or The Sword and The Heart, all of these sets share a common thread.
The Sword and The Heart? They hadn't even finished filming, and already their names were plastered on a questionable gossip article. And then, as Anthony read the text, he eventually stumbled upon the image that ended up wasting 10 valuable minutes of his life.
"That is it?" he wondered aloud, gazing at a photograph of Colin and Penelope peacefully napping on set—a familiar scene he had witnessed countless times as they both grew up. Did Agatha Danbury really just call him and almost give him a few extra wrinkles over a silly picture? People were making it a point to get on his nerves that day.
Which was why he chose to go to Colin's trailer rather than send him a message, since if he spent another minute on that idiotic mobile device, he was going to lose his sanity sooner rather than later. When he arrived at his destination, he was greeted by an open trailer door, which revealed Colin issuing instructions to a stressed-out John, who was taking notes, while Will argued with them both through the speaker phone.
"Absolutely not, I won't answer PopSugar for crying out loud. Just issue one statement to the press," Colin said, his hands on his hips, giving John a stern look. "Are you paying attention?"
"Y...yes," John stammered, his hand trembling as he struggled to grip the pen.
As he gestured with his right hand, he started dictating, "Penelope Featherington and I have been friends for more than two decades. Despite our affection for each other, it is strictly platonic."
"It is quite something how you managed to mess things up while in New Zealand, of all places," Will said, echoing from Colin's phone on the table.
Colin turned his head and gave his phone a stern look, as if it was Will himself. "I'm doing your job at the moment, you know," he said.
"Wasn't my fault you said I shouldn't come—"
"And I didn't mess anything up, I was sleeping!"
"With a woman!"
Colin gestured with his hands, as if his manager could actually see him, and exclaimed, "It's Penelope, not a woman!"
Anthony cleared his throat, causing the two men in the room to quickly turn their heads towards him and the phone to fall silent. While John was clearly mortified, Colin's response was to roll his eyes.
"Don't start," he cautioned, going back to his assistant to double-check what he had written.
The older Bridgerton nonchalantly shrugged and remarked, "I didn't say anything. I was just about to ask which one of you two idiots posted it."
Colin gave him a piercing look while his hand hovered over the pen, as he worked on fixing John's notes. "None of us, obviously," he said.
Right on cue, Penelope rushed into the trailer, her hands fidgeting nervously. "I just talked to Mrs Varley, and she doesn't think it's a big deal. She actually thinks it might make things worse if I bring attention to it."
As she looked up and saw Anthony standing there, she nearly startled back, instinctively placing a hand on her chest while gazing at him.
"Just so you know, I agree with her," Anthony said nonchalantly. "There must be loads of pictures of you two like that over the years."
"Well, you clearly haven't had the pleasure of dealing with these people," Colin retorted, before addressing Penelope, "Mrs Varley? But why did you go to her for advice?" It was, without a doubt, peculiar that Penelope sought advice from Portia Featherington's housekeeper, slash best friend, on a matter that was well beyond her expertise.
She shrugged and replied, "Because she's my manager."
The two Bridgertons then looked at her as if she had gone completely mad.
"How in the world did she end up being your manager, Pen?" Colin asked incredulously.
Staring back at him with frustration, she widened her eyes and responded, "She's got a degree in business management," before trailing off and adding, "And I couldn't afford to hire anyone else."
Rubbing his tired eyes with his fingers, Colin added, while dismissively waving at his phone, "You know what, maybe you can have Will."
"Oi," the manager in question complained from miles away.
"Alright," Colin said, inhaling deeply and adjusting his posture. "If we really don't want any dating rumours to follow us forever, we need to deal with this right away. Otherwise, they'll keep saying 'see, they didn't deny it' for months. Trust me."
Penelope nodded, her heart sinking as she watched Colin vehemently deny any romantic connection between them. Which she knew was unfair, as he was in a committed relationship and her interactions with Colin had always been strictly platonic.
"I agree with him," Will's voice said from the phone.
"Alright," Penelope sighed. "So, what's the plan, then?"
"Take a look at this and let me know what you think." He gestured towards the paper that John held, who approached her to give her the draft. "Then just have your assistant send Will Mrs Varley's number and they'll handle it."
"I don't have an assistant," Penelope replied, briefly lifting her gaze from the text to meet his eyes.
Colin took a brief moment to process the information, blinking as he tried to adjust. He was so accustomed to seeing everyone around him with multiple assistants that he didn't even realise that Penelope never had one. However, it made sense, considering she had just mentioned that she could barely afford her manager.
Scratching the back of his head, he said, "John, could you please give Will Mrs Varley's phone number, then?"
John nodded, and then Penelope carried on reading. After he handed her the pen, she jotted down her manager's cell phone number, finding it hard to believe she had to do something like that. Honestly, during her brief acting career, she hardly ever needed to reach out to her manager for any emergencies. And now she was giving out her number all because of a silly photo? She wasn't crazy, was she? Just like Anthony mentioned, there was nothing extraordinary about that picture.
"Pen, everything will be fine," Colin reassured her, and she glanced at him, taken aback by his ability to perceive her distress. "Don't worry, we're just trying to handle the situation before it gets blown out of proportion."
Penelope gave a nod as John approached Colin's mobile phone to take it off speaker and have a direct conversation with Will. With his hands firmly planted on his hips, Anthony continued to stare at them.
"Alright, now that's settled, who do I need to let go?"
Penelope froze on the spot, half expecting Colin to respond with his usual mix of kindness and exasperation, while Anthony's temper flared. However, his response was a sharp huff, accompanied by an irritated tone, as he uttered, "It was Margaret, and she went ahead and posted it without asking us."
The sight of Colin ratting out a colleague caught the redhead off guard, her jaw dropping in disbelief. "Colin!" she exclaimed before she could control herself. When he gave her a questioning look, she hurriedly explained, "She was simply enthusiastic about sharing her experiences on set. She didn't mean any harm. It's clear that she's new."
Anthony was on the verge of barking who cares about intent, it's on her contract. However, he abruptly halted when he recalled that this was Penelope. He would rather die than let his family kill him in retaliation for snapping at her.
"Pen..." Colin closed his eyes and let out a sigh, his anger visibly dissipating.
"As am I, by the way," she added, her indignation now surpassing that of both men, still shocked that they were reacting so strongly to such a silly photo. The kind and understanding Colin Bridgerton she thought she knew would never have acted in such a way. It left her feeling unsure about how well she truly knew him. "Or would you also advocate for my termination if I were to make a similar mistake?"
"You wouldn't," he immediately replied.
"But if I did—"
He shot her an exasperated glance, fully aware that the argument was already lost. "Obviously I wouldn't," he replied, a tinge of red colouring his cheeks.
Anthony, with a hand on his forehead, said, "I understand that you might empathise, but we need to maintain order on this set. "Earlier, Agatha called me and advised me to hold off on taking any action," he edited her statement and continued," but it's likely that she doesn't have complete knowledge of all the details..."
"No, Pen is right, Anthony," Colin interjected, leaving Anthony completely stunned.
John couldn't help but stifle a chuckle, which made him realise in that moment that he truly liked Penelope. He had this weird thought that those movies should last forever so he could keep enjoying these moments.
"We all make stupid mistakes when we're new," he said with a sigh, recalling his own early years. He glanced at an annoyed Penelope, who had crossed her arms in front of her chest, and added, "And she likely didn't mean any harm."
"To be honest, when I first saw the picture, I didn't think anything of it," Penelope added, shrugging. "If we were just ordinary people, it wouldn't matter at all."
Anthony then raised his hand, signalling for them to stop. "Fine," he replied, letting out a frustrated huff. "I couldn't care less as long as she doesn't spill any details about the movie."
Colin mustered a tired nod as Penelope beamed at them both with a triumphant smile. The director then fixed a stern gaze on his two actors, his hand firmly planted on his hip as he warned them, "And you two, no more chaos on my set."
Colin finally rolled his eyes at him, replying, "That's ironic coming from you."
Anthony shot him a fierce glare, ready to fire back with a sharp retort. But just before Penelope could get caught in the crossfire of a typical Bridgerton squabble, she simply raised her hands and announced, "Alright, I'm going back to my trailer," before they resumed their argument.
And then, at last, when she was far away enough that she couldn't hear their bickering voices but only the sound of crickets and the gentle breeze of the early night, Penelope took a deep breath and let her placating smile fade away.
Her footsteps were slow and deliberate as she made her way to her trailer, the stillness and emptiness within contrasting starkly with the loud and chaotic scene she had just experienced. On top of her dinette table, her buzzing mobile sat in the exact spot where she had left it after talking with Mrs Varley and scrolling through her social media feeds.
As she strolled towards it, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror out of the corner of her eye. Without thinking, she turned around to get a better look, like an idiot. Her red hair was a tangle of frizz, lacking any shape or form, as usual. The dark circles under her eyes were deep and almost black, and her skin was oily and glistening with sweat. Was she really looking that bad when she came out to speak with Colin?
Letting out a sigh, she disregarded her reflection, something she had done repeatedly for years, and finally grabbed her phone. In the darkness, the glow from the screen illuminated her face as she stared at the frozen image on it, the page she had left before going to Colin's trailer.
Kath bridgertonsthird
I can't believe you guys are seriously considering this have you looked at her
| fi is tired fifigrande
bridgertonsthirdlmao right
| Kath bridgertonsthird
fifigrandehomeboy goes on dates with Burberry & Victoria Secret models then the swamp goblin to keep it democratic
| Ana Carolina sw0rdh3rt
bridgertonsthird fifigrandewhats wrong with you ppl she's gorgeous
| Kath bridgertonsthird
fifigrande sw0rdh3rtand and is the gorgeous in the room with us?
Penelope's eyes were all blurry by the time she checked the last reply, which had a picture attached. It was a still from the last sitcom she had appeared in. She was pulling a funny face, scrunching up her nose and hiding her face in her neck, resulting in a rather unflattering double chin.
She couldn't really blame them because, truth be told, she did resemble a swamp goblin. And it was completely absurd, because who in their right mind would have expected Colin Bridgerton to look at her differently? The very notion that he thought he had to explain their relationship was ridiculous. Decades of friendship and no one around them thought they were dating; why would it be different now?
The sound of her phone buzzing became even more frenetic than before, suggesting that Will had already come through and released their statements. She then updated her timeline to confirm her suspicions.
Dee warofthorns
lol I knew it
| fi is tired fifigrande
warofthorns well that was fast
| Dee warofthorns
fifigrande ofc why would he want to be associated with her
| fi is tired fifigrande
warofthorns our boy BOLTED
⋆˚✿˖° it's always rainy in delulutown⋆˚✿˖°loranator
oomf is pretending they didn't ship * and *
|❤️ 🔥🐉 ️Cinthy️ ️ Cy3452n
loranator LMAO shut up
|⋆˚✿˖° it's always rainy in delulutown⋆˚✿˖°loranator
Cy3452n loser queens in and off screen sis
Re XcolinxXbr1
lora shippers are sick in the head
| Maria Gomes ️ englishmansw1fe
XcolinxXbr1anyway, trust mom to brighten our day
As the last user shared Tracy's latest Instagram post, Penelope couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. The post featured a snapshot from Tracy's recent Victoria Secret's fashion show, capturing her in a lacy black lingerie set with scintillating silver wings on her back.
With a loud exhale, Penelope frustratedly locked her phone screen and dropped it onto the table with a thud. She then went for a much-needed shower, feeling as if the world had finally returned to its proper axis.
The following day should have gone better.
Penelope should have felt rejuvenated after a nice, warm shower, a good night's sleep, and the calming sensation of resolving any uncertainty online. However, when she approached the shooting location, an overpowering sensation of humiliation flooded her stomach. It was absurd because nobody even knew that she loved Colin, but it was still painful to hear the world echoing what she had always believed: that there was absolutely no chance of it happening, not even in a million years.
It was even worse that the first person she saw from the cast upon arrival was the one who reminded her the most of that undeniable fact.
"Isn't your outfit lovely for today?" Cressida said with a forced smile, her eyes disdainfully examining her squire attire. "It matches your eyes."
The other girl was pretty sure nothing in her outfit highlighted the colour of her blue eyes—not her beige shirt, brown leather vest, or matching pants—but she smiled and nodded. Not everyone had the luxury of being a pretty princess like Cressida, and as time passed, it became clear that she was overly aware of that.
"Can you believe how much noise there was yesterday? The internet will believe anything, won't it?" The blonde continued, shedding her grey cloak and revealing her angelic white dress that shimmered in the light. Her gaze, sharp and unyielding, was fixed once again on Penelope. "You and Colin imagine that," she chuckled. "Can you just picture their reaction when they see a photo of me and him? It's going to be madness."
Penelope gave her a half-hearted smile, not nearly as entertained as Cressida appeared to be. And indeed, she was probably right, people really would cling to anything to see imaginary romances everywhere. Once the promotional photos or the actual film were made public, everything would become clear. Unfortunately, the idea of Colin and Cressida being shipped together was so repulsive to Penelope that she had to suppress a shiver.
"Is that a rip in your dress?" Another voice suddenly joined in.
Cressida's eyes widened as she exclaimed, "Where?" She quickly glanced down at her outfit, frantically searching for any imperfections.
Kate's attention was only partially on her as she concentrated on unbuttoning her coat over her cloak. "I think there was a stain on the hem," she offhandedly noted.
Then the other woman found the dreadful tear and almost snarled with anger. Frustrated, she crumpled the hem of her dress and muttered, "I am going to kill that woman," as she walked towards Genevieve.
Penelope couldn't resist smiling at the scene, and when she glanced at Kate, she found Kate already looking back at her.
"That was an interesting way to start the day," Kate remarked with a raised eyebrow and a slight, amused smile forming on her lips.
"Outfit mishaps can be tricky," Penelope commented, her tone neutral as she tried to grasp the main actress' intended meaning.
The truth was, Penelope and Kate were practically strangers. Although their characters were closely connected in the story, it wasn't until the end of the first movie that they began filming scenes together. And despite generally having pleasant encounters with her, Penelope remained cautious when interacting with anyone on set.
Like Colin once mentioned, she had to carefully observe people and assess their trustworthiness, and Kate remained an enigma to her.
"No, I was talking about the morning harassment and whatnot," Kate responded, nodding in the direction Cressida had gone.
Penelope looked at her with wide eyes, a shocked expression that the other woman couldn't help but notice. Kate swiftly gave her a dismissive wave while she bent down to fix her shoes, saying, "I apologise. I sometimes have trouble holding my tongue."
Hearing Penelope's laughter, she turned to the shorter girl, who reassured her, "It's alright, I was just a little surprised. It's not easy to come across someone so honest here."
Kate then grinned and adjusted her posture, also observing Penelope's attire but with a more serious demeanour. "I do not like your outfit," she said, causing Penelope to chuckle once more. Kate looked up into her eyes and said, "But I believe that eyes like yours can match anything. I'm envious, to be honest."
The sincerity of her words filled Penelope's chest with a soothing warmth, making her appreciate her kindness. They might not be close acquaintances, but Kate certainly didn't strike her as the type to fabricate such a thing. Even if she was insane for saying so, Penelope pondered as she gazed at the stunning woman before her. Regardless of her brown cloak, her height and athleticism were unmistakable, along with her captivating warm brown eyes and brows that had the power to incite wars.
"I don't believe you should be," Penelope replied, smiling and returning the compliment.
Kate grinned in response, then clasped her hands together as if ready to get down to business. "Shall we get going?" With a sly glance at their director, she quipped, "I'd sooner die than let Anthony blame me for wasting another shooting day."
Penelope agreed with a nod, and together they began walking towards Colin, who was already in position to film their scene. "How are you, by the way? After..." she trailed off, the memory of Kate and Anthony's horse incident still fresh in her mind.
"I'm well," Kate replied in a composed manner, her gaze fixed on her feet as they strolled. "Luckily, we managed to avoid any injuries."
"That's good," Penelope replied, feeling the awkward silence settle in and realising they were running out of things to talk about.
However, Kate's focus shifted to Colin, who stood ahead, and she asked, "What about you?" Penelope looked puzzled, but before she could enquire further, Kate went on, "Thomas mentioned at dinner that there was a bit of a stir online about a photo Margaret shared. I honestly didn't see it. I tend to steer clear of social media when I'm working on a project."
Penelope could instantly relate to that feeling and wondered if she should start living the same way. Regardless, she was grateful that, despite being a virtual stranger, Kate was checking in to see how she was doing rather than asking what was true and what wasn't.
"I'm alright," Penelope replied. "It wasn't anything serious." Gazing at Colin, she realised that although a few people were giving them curious looks, it was nothing extraordinary, and the situation was already settling down.
Colin then greeted Kate with formality and smiled at Penelope, appearing more tense than usual, possibly due to the crew's inquisitive looks. Anthony quickly joined them, and Cressida followed suit, her white and dainty gown now flawless.
"We haven't got much time or we'll miss the golden hour," was Anthony's way of saying hello, which, by that point after months of filming, was pretty standard. He gestured towards Colin, Penelope, and Cressida and said, "So you three will begin here, as we discussed earlier this week." He then turned to Kate, who, for once, did not raise an eyebrow at him. "You'll come onto the scene from over there with your hood on," he said, gesturing towards the edge of the forest to their left. "Does anyone have any questions? Speak now or forever hold your peace."
Then Kate arched an eyebrow at his overdramatic ways, prompting him to respond with a tired look before dismissively waving his hands for them to take their places while he made his way to his own chair, which wasn't solitary for that particular shooting.
Cressida wasted no time and positioned herself uncomfortably close to Colin, who squirmed under her gaze, while Penelope desperately tried to distract herself from the awkwardness.
"Strange, aren't they?" Charlotte asked as soon as Anthony settled down next to Agatha and her. While the other two exchanged puzzled looks with the writer, she maintained a sharp gaze on the trio. "Those three," she continued, offering no further clarification.
Agatha then shifted her focus towards the individuals in question. Before the shooting even began, her friend's observant eyes had detected something unusual in them. And although Agatha had to concede that there was a strange atmosphere around them, she would not have been able to detect it without Charlotte's observation. However, after knowing the woman for years, she had learnt not to dismiss her sharp intuition. "I suppose," she replied.
Once Anthony realised that the conversation between the two women was not of any real importance, he immediately started barking orders to roll the cameras and sound.
"The East Dynasty, Scene 65, Take one, Mark," the second assistant quickly announced, closing the clapboard, and Anthony called out "Action."
Cressida, Colin, and Penelope then started walking, with Cressida firmly grasping Colin's arms.
"Are you absolutely certain this is the most appropriate route?" The blonde asked with a firm tone.
"If I understood my brother correctly, yes," Colin replied with a hint of irritation. However, he couldn't hide his discomfort, as Cressida was only supposed to lean on him lightly, not hold his arm so tightly that her nails almost pierced his skin.
"I think we should turn back," she said, her sharp tone almost expressing annoyance.
From the production side of the scene, Charlotte furrowed her eyebrows. Glancing at the script in her lap, she double-checked to make sure she wasn't misremembering that scene. Because the interaction in front of her was not what she had expected or remembered.
However, as she read the pages, it became apparent that while the lines were accurate, the characters themselves felt off. Catherine, who was supposed to be timid and frightened, came across as headstrong and controlling, and Leonias, who should have been comforting and brave, appeared exasperated and distant. So the problem could only be in the direction.
Looking at Anthony, who appeared oddly calm despite the disaster unfolding in front of them, Charlotte realised she might have made a mistake by agreeing to this project. While the scenes between Kate and Thomas—the ones she had watched the most—seemed to go flawlessly, she remained oblivious to the chaos unfolding among the supporting cast.
She glanced at Agatha, hoping to see the same confusion in her eyes. However, the producer was too engrossed in observing the scene with raised eyebrows to notice her friend's gaze.
"For once, I might actually agree with her," Penelope remarked, her eyes darting anxiously in search of any signs of an impending attack.
Colin scoffed and absentmindedly dragged Cressida along as he walked, remarking, "It figures that you would choose now, out of all times."
"Naturally," Penelope replied, her chin held high and her tone dripping with confidence. "My utmost priority is to disagree with you before anything else."
"That is precisely why you are currently without a home and on the run," Colin replied, unabashed, while confidently pointing his index finger in the air. "Perhaps if you had made wiser decisions, your circumstances wouldn't be so dire."
Penelope then narrowed her eyes at him. "You are currently without a home and on the run," she replied.
"Only because I am an excellent friend," he quickly replied, never missing a beat. "I would give my life before abandoning you."
As Penelope rolled her eyes, a tender smile tugged at the corners of her lips. From Nora's point of view, Leonidas could be insufferable and condescending part time, but her loyal and caring best friend all of the time.
"I saw that," Colin exclaimed, making it clear he was referring to her smile.
Nora's grin then transformed into a mockingly annoyed expression as she took a few steps closer to him. "I was just experiencing a facial spasm," she retorted, causing Colin to laugh.
Agatha and Charlotte cocked their heads simultaneously, growing increasingly perplexed by the unexpected dynamics unfolding before them. Once again, it felt like the words being spoken were spot on, but the scene was completely different. Nora and Leonidas were steadfast and very platonic best friends... why were they feeling a bit...flirty?
Then, their attention turned to Anthony, who once again calmly observed his actors without interfering. He was so calm that one would think it was a regular occurrence on the set. Scheduling issues meant that neither the producer nor the writer had been present in numerous sequences for the supporting actors, so they wouldn't know.
"This is the spot," Colin declared with a flourish, pointing to a random patch of grass. "We are meant to wait here."
"Here?" Cressida asked, her voice filled with surprise and a hint of disbelief.
Penelope ignored their comments and instead directed their attention to something moving in the bushes in the woods, asking, "Am I the only one who sees a potentially deadly animal approaching us?" Without realising it, she stood near Colin and reached out to touch his arm, asking, "Where did you place your sword?"
He stared at the same point in the woods, swallowing hard before uttering, "I refuse to engage in a battle with a wild bear," and then shifting his gaze towards her. She gave him a stern look, and they stared at each other until Kate finally emerged from her hiding place.
"Wait," Cressida exclaimed."It's not an animal, it's—" Her words trailed off as she directed everyone's attention to the newcomer.
"A friend," Kate declared, lowering her hood and allowing the colours of the sunset to give her hair and skin a golden glow. Her calming smile perfectly matched her regal features as she looked at them.
During that part of the story, Leonidas' kingdom remained her adversary, but the ruling factions that dethroned her revealed themselves to be oppressively tyrannical. And because of Kate's character prolonged time on the run, people assumed she was dead. Therefore, seeing her alive and well was a welcome sight, even in hostile territory.
"Marjorie," Penelope said, with Nora being the one who used to serve as her lady-in-waiting. Slowly, she approached the woman, as if she couldn't believe her own eyes. "Are you the person Dorieus had been in contact with?"
Kate nodded. "Even if he wishes it wasn't so," she replied cryptically. Although, for two royals in enemy territories, her answer shouldn't be difficult to comprehend. She reached out and held Penelope's hand, their fingers intertwining. As they stood there, Penelope's eyes mirrored the vibrant hues of the pink and orange sky, filled with pure joy.
"I'm glad you are well, my old friend," the former queen stated.
"I have no desire to be predictable, but..." Colin interjected, stepping slightly forward as if prepared to protect Penelope's Nora if necessary. "We need proof that you're not the person responsible for the attacks along the northern border."
"Leo," Penelope turned to him, her voice filled with conviction, "it's not her."
"Nor," he said, locking eyes with her, conveying his meaning without speaking. He wasn't willing to gamble with their safety, especially hers, without solid evidence. By all accounts, Nora had abandoned her kingdom to become an ally of the South Nation, which would not be a problem if no one recognised her, but Marjorie clearly did.
However, before that impasse could be resolved, a sharp, zipping sound pierced the air, and the ground around them became a sea of flaming arrows.
"Run!" Colin shouted, and the four of them quickly fled the scene as more arrows descended upon them.
"Cut!" Anthony called out, and a few assistants swiftly appeared to extinguish the flames. He then stood up to speak to the four actors, unaware of the pair of eyes watching him.
Charlotte observed them with a furrowed brow, taking a deep breath before asking, "Am I imagining things or—"
"I don't think you are," Agatha replied immediately, her attention divided between the actors and the director. "She seems a bit rigid, don't you think? Cressida Cowper, I mean."
"I thought she was a famous one," Charlotte remarked with a hint of indignation, as if she had been deceived into purchasing a faulty product. "Was she supposed to sound like that?"
"I don't know," Agatha replied. They both remained silent for a while, observing the fumes from the extinguished fire wafting in the air. Meanwhile, Anthony conversed with Cressida, Kate, Colin, and Penelope, the latter two standing so close that it appeared they were nearly leaning on one another. With a hesitant pause, Agatha opened her mouth and said, "Was it me or—"
"It wasn't just you," Charlotte replied, her lips pursed tightly as she observed the duo's interaction. "The first time I met them, they were frolicking at the table read, after all," she said, her eyes judging them from afar. "Are they romantically involved?"
"No," Agatha responded promptly, as if by reflex. But then she paused. Typically, that would be an absurd question for someone like her. Having known Colin and Penelope for quite a while, their interactions had always appeared perfectly normal to her. At that moment, however, seeing them as other people and then back as themselves, she had to admit her wheels were turning. "I don't think," she added.
"Interesting," Charlotte commented as she crossed her arms. "I thought their managers said they weren't."
Agatha turned to her, taken aback that she had somehow caught wind of such frivolous gossip. The writer raised an eyebrow at her old friend, a questioning look in her eyes as she asked, "What? I am aware of everything that is taking place on this set. How about you?"
Knowing Charlotte's tendency to assert her power, the producer chose not to dignify the question with an answer, as they had a history of engaging in such behaviour as a pastime. Agatha simply took a deep breath and returned her attention to the topic at hand. "Should we ask Anthony to redo the scene?" she said.
Charlotte maintained her crossed arms, fixating her gaze on the same spot as Agatha while pursing her lips. "No. Let us see where this goes, shall we? I'm finally not bored."
A/N:That's it! For now!
Hopefully, by now, you can tell I am trying to gradually turn the media machine and drama wheels. I do not want everything to happen all at once, so we will have to progress gradually, and I want it to be as realistic as possible in terms of people's perceptions, internet reactions, and so on. Also, as previously stated, I will continue to post warnings on the tags for internet bullying and other issues; I am attempting to be realistic while not being overly explicit (you know how bad things can get online, and I want to show that, but not the worst of the worst because our eyes do not deserve it). I believe it is an important part of the story because it depicts Penelope's own self-acceptance, which is something we all go through, and it is one of the most interesting aspects of her story, in my opinion.
When Anthony said that wasn't the worst part of his week did he really meant the polin problem? who knows who knows time will tell
If you have any questions, my reviews are open! And do not forget to send your likes and reviews, which are always greatly appreciated.
Have a nice night and God bless you!