Chapter 44: Colourful world

Chapter 44: Colourful world Speaking of "Harry Potter", I'm toying with the idea of releasing it as a book here. It'll be interesting to see how people in this world react. Of course, I'll need to tweak a few things - we're already in a fantasy world, after all. But I'm confident I can modify it without losing the charm that made it a hit back on Earth. I was so lost in thought that the knock on my office door made me jump. I looked up to see Klein poking his head in. "Boss, someone wants to see you," he said, looking a bit uncertain. I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Who is it?" Before Klein could answer, a familiar figure stepped into the room, all confidence and swagger. "It's me. Rupert Darkflame." I blinked, genuinely surprised. Rupert Darkflame, the 30-year-old demon actor who'd famously quit the industry, was standing in my office. This day just got a whole lot more interesting. "Rupert," I said, standing up and trying to hide my surprise. "This is... unexpected. What brings you to our humble studio?" Rupert's eyes darted around the room, taking in the posters of "The Demonfather" and the scattered script pages on my desk. "Humble might be underselling it a bit, don't you think? Word on the street is that Hellfire Studios is the place to be these days." I gestured for him to take a seat, curiosity getting the better of me. "And what does the great Rupert Darkflame want with us? Last I heard, you'd sworn off the film industry." Rupert sat down, his posture a mix of tension and excitement. "Let's just say I've had a change of heart. Your film... 'The Demonfather'... it made me remember why I got into this business in the first place." I leaned forward, intrigued. "Go on." "I want in," he said simply. "Whatever your next project is, I want to be a part of it. No star treatment, no ridiculous demands. Just a chance to be part of something... meaningful again." I leaned back in my chair, studying Rupert. Sure, he was once a rising star, but I wasn't about to hand out roles based on past glory. Hell, the only reason I even knew about him was because of his brother, Damien Darkflame, the current top demon actor. I hadn't even seen any of their films. "You're interested in being part of my next film?" I chuckled, deciding to test the waters. "Our next project isn't even off the ground yet. We haven't started casting. What makes you so sure it'll be as good as 'The Demonfather'?" Rupert's eyes flickered to the scripts on my desk, a smile playing on his lips. "Call it demon instinct, but I've got a feeling I don't want to miss out on whatever Hellfire Studios does next." He paused, a hint of regret in his voice. "I'm kicking myself for not accepting the role of Sonny when I had the chance." Ah, right. I vaguely remembered sending out invitations to some down-on-their-luck actors (rock bottom list). Guess Rupert was on that list. "Instinct, huh?" I said, unable to keep the amusement from my voice. "Did you know the entire film industry - not just demons, but the whole lot - is scrutinizing me? They're saying 'The Demonfather' was a fluke, a one-hit wonder. That I just got lucky." I sigh, flopping back onto my bed. My manager would have a fit if he knew what I was thinking. Turning down guaranteed paydays on the off chance that Arthur might have a role for me in his next film? It's madness. But I can't shake this feeling. This certainty that whatever Hellfire Studios does next, it's going to be big. And I want to be a part of it again. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one from the cast who feels this way. *** (Firfel POV) Ugh. Unbelievable. The "Demonfather" becomes a hit even in the Roses Kingdom, and what does Mother do? Sends me a letter full of reprimands. As if my "baseless dream" is something to be ashamed of. I crumple the paper, channeling my frustration into a burst of wind magic. In seconds, the letter is nothing but ashes. If only I could deal with Mother's disapproval so easily. "Mother wouldn't understand," I mutter, absently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. How could she? In her world, my greatest achievement should be winning some inane beauty contest. As if that's all I'm good for. Acting isn't just some fleeting fancy. It's art. It's life. It's... everything. But how can I make her see that? How can I explain the thrill of becoming someone else, of telling stories that matter, to someone who sees the world in black and white? I shook my head, still reeling from the letter's contents. But as my frustration ebbed, another thought bubbled up. The Demonfather. It's still hard to wrap my mind around it. An exiled prince, the black sheep of the Morningstar family, and he pulls off a film that's raked in 98 million dollars globally. It's... staggering. And it's not stopping. The film's still screening, still drawing crowds. More countries are just starting to show it. Who knows how high that number will climb? Arthur. Just thinking about what he's achieved makes me feel a mix of awe and... something else. Admiration? Respect? Maybe a bit of both. I can't help but wonder what he'll do next. Whatever it is, it's definitely going to be interesting. Arthur didn't just make a great film or give my career a boost. He brought color to our world – literally, with that ingenious camera of his, and figuratively with his vision. It's funny. In a way, Arthur is the complete opposite of Mother. Where she sees everything in stark black and white, he sees a world bursting with color. Like how every person has their own unique shade, their own perspective to offer. That's what makes the world interesting to me.