"My Prince…"
Rexford watched Bedelia act but none prepared him for what he saw.
Bedelia did not simply act out a role clumsily like many others.
Before Bedelia, there were some other talents that stepped on stage, some had experience, others did not. But most of them acted like they were in an amateur theatre class or at worst, a hub video.
Overly dramatic, a classic style for stage plays, one that emphasized movement and exaggeration to allow everyone whether near or far from the stage to understand what was going on.
Acting changed depending on the stage and although he wasn't a theatre kid in his past life, he was still a man who found solace in entertainment.
Much like how pieces of media would change when transformed from a written book to a drawn comic and to an animated series or even a live action show. When the medium- the stage changes, the way things are portrayed will follow suit.
Rexford was aware that few in this world knew how to properly act in a tv show or a movie.
The way to act focused not on exaggeration and emphasis but on "being in character".
An actor adept at this method would completely transform, a person who is normally a calm and collected person could act as a deranged psychopath. A "class clown" like an individual could transform into a cold and calculating killer.
Acting- the type that Rexford was looking for involved such transformations.
He didn't want to see "a maid pretending to be a princess" or a "regular man moving like a refined gentleman". What he wanted was to see "a real princess".
Rexford was aware of the limits of his search, he knew that most would follow the amateur acting methods but talent was something that existed. There were people who could naturally change themselves to fit a mold, to become someone they aren't.
And Bedelia…
"My prince… I could give it all up… I care not for my name, it is worthless! My family sees me as no more than a tool but you… my prince, you've taken me in for who I am…"
Bedelia did not keep her act on the stage, she moved out of it and approached Rexford, she even held his hands and cried. She clings to him, desperate and filled with yearning.
"Even if this may be my end, so long as I am in your embrace, I will be satisfied"
Her words were said in a whimper, she looked at him from below, her gaze filled with longing as she extended her hand caressing his cheek.
'Bedelia would never dare to touch me without my order, she would never approach me when called. She acts like a proper maid and would only move when told…'
Although it may be nepotistic, Rexford was fully aware of Bedelia's personality and how she usually acts.
He was well aware of her professionalism and deep understanding of her own place.
"Perfect"
But that didn't matter, whether she was truly a talent for acting or not, the performance she delivered was what he needed.
"Master?"
But his words snapped Bedelia out of her stupor, Rexford did not notice it though and only thought that she broke character because of his words.
"Bedelia, that was perfect!"
"Uhm…"
"You're in"
"..."
Joy filled the maids heart as she jumped in joy but her celebration was cut short as Anne walked in.
"Bedelia, please come this way"
"Ah-"
Bedelia, despite her moment being cut, did not complain. She was still a professional maid, a professional that served the Third Prince.
If she did not perform as she should then it would reflect badly upon her master and thus her quick shift was expected.
"Is she a talent or are servants just unintentionally trained to put up a fake face?"
Rexford thought as he watched the two ladies leave the hall…
"Maybe looking through the servants and even knights is a better idea…"
The acting he needed was ultimately based on putting up a mask, a facade that hid one's true self.
Maids had to perform as maid, butlers as butlers and knights as knights.
Nobles followed etiquette, they didn't act and instead were instilled since youth about how to "be a noble".
To nobles, putting up a mask was basically "etiquette" and the mask they use is specialized for the "noble image".
"But wouldn't that be the same for everyone else"
Rexford thought more into it but the problem was, if one looks at it deeply then everyone would be actors.
When commoners face nobles, they would NEED to show respect even if they didn't want to.
Maids are trained to act like maids, butlers as butlers…
"But that would not be acting anymore, it also doesn't help with sustainability, I could make the first show but if I can't cultivate actors, directors and other talents then whatever I create would only end with me…"
Of course, Rexford was already expecting others to catch on and try their hand on creating media that would match whatever he creates.
But if he creates a goldmine, others who imitate him would need to match his creation in order to not only compete but also to continue the succession for creation.
At best the industry would remain stagnant, Rexford's creation would remain as goldmines and as a basis of "what could be done" while development of entertainment slowly improves over time.
But that was not what Rexford wants…
'I'm no fucking charity'
Rexford did not choose to start this wave of entertainment, the shift in culture because he wanted to give the people entertainment. No, he was not aiming for such lofty ideals.
His goal was to incite people to make their own works.
What he wanted was to be the spark that started the world wide fire that would create new stories, new methods of entertainment!
Creation is fun, even on Earth, Rexford has recollections of making fan fiction but for every 1 page he wrote, he would have already read 1 whole fan fiction story till the end.
For Rexford, creation was a hobby, a fun pastime, but what he truly wanted was to enjoy entertainment made by others.
He didn't want to spend long nights thinking of how character A would react when character B decides to do this and what character X is likely doing in the background while character C watches character A and B.
No, that was hard, annoying and just a royal pain in the ass.
He wanted to watch things happen, he wanted to be the guy gripping the edge of his seat, squirming in frustration and disbelief-
Rexford wanted to be the consumer, not the producer but in the world he was in… he had to start the wave.
"I need to get through this…"
Although the easy way was right in front of him, Rexford did not choose it. He chose the hard way, the difficult and draining path.
It may cause him trouble but compared to the potential benefits? It was a worthwhile gamble-
"NEXT!"
So he called the next performer, hoping that whoever comes after would have even a little bit of that actors flame within them…
…
"Hello master~"
Before Rexford stood a woman dressed in skimpy clothing. Her top was nothing more than a leather bikini that was oiled to shine under the spotlight while her bottom was covered by a short-short skirt or a mini-mini skirt.
It was the type of skirt that would show your ass while walking and the damned woman was wearing a thing underneath which left little to the imagination.
Normally, her clothes would have gotten her in trouble, people would have immediately tried feeling her up or asking her out. After all, she looks like a hooker no matter how you look at it.
Yet, the red horns protruding from the sides of her head and the reddish skin that covered her body made many stay away.
"Reina… you're hired"
Without a second thought, Rexford hired her, not for the role she auditioned for but as an actor.
"Eh? But I wanna audition!"
Yet the response he got from the woman was unlike the others, if it was anyone else, they would have been jumping for joy and thanking Rexford but Reina wasn't.
"The female lead role was already taken, but considering your talents, as much as I want to be fair, you probably won't audition for any other role right?"
Rexford answered her with the truth, he knew why she wanted to audition.
Reina Linde is a smart woman, a succubus who was one of the first women who Rexford met outside the palace.
The two quickly hit it off, a couple of liars who only want to enjoy themselves. Rexford and Reina could be seen as a match made in heaven, not to mention, Reina was an amazing actress.
If Bedelia was the maid who Rexford recorded the most, Reina was the WOMAN who Rexford spent not only the most time with but also had the most recordings off.
She was a capable woman, the same age as Rexford and the two basically experienced their first sexual experience together.
Reina's talents did not come from her succubus blood, she was just a natural empath and a VERY observant individual. Coupled with an intelligence that would make half of the empire's ministers bleed, Reina was one of the few people who Rexford trusted the most.
Despite that…
"Of course! The only role that I should take is one beside you master~"
Reina's good points were balanced out with a very quirky trait of hers… in essence, she was heavily dependent on Rexford.
But Rexford knew that her dependence was not something that could shift, in fact, she is a strong woman and he had seen her break a giant's arm before.
In the words of a japanese otaku, Reina would be a Dorodere, she appears as a sweet and lovable individual but hides a twisted mind under those flowers and sunshine.
Rexford did not need to think too deeply to understand her thoughts, but no matter what, she was NOT going to get the lead role.
In fact, Rexford already had a perfect role for her-
"No, you just won't fit the role female lead, instead, you'll take on a supporting role"
"Eh~"
"But that would be an important role"
"Do I get to sleep with you?"
"Not on record"
"... fine"
Thankfully, Rexford was able to deal with her as Anne finally entered the room and led her to the waiting area.
"Next"