The Greatest Showman #1410 - Vicissitudes of Life

"Sebastian, I'm serious." Edith felt a deep sense of powerlessness in her voice, her words tinged with exhaustion.

For Renly, this was the most interesting part. "It's because you're serious that everything feels ridiculous." Edith gritted her teeth, but there was nothing she could do about Renly. She thought back to when she said she wanted to become an actor, but he didn't believe she was serious. Now, looking back, even she found her seriousness laughable. For them, taking such matters seriously seemed inherently pointless.

Edith's expression softened slightly, and a faint bitterness lingered on her tongue. She thought she knew enough about Renly; but in reality, it was only through experience that she truly understood how Renly had come this far.

"Edith, are you sure you're serious about this?" Renly's tone was gentle, probing.

This time, Edith didn't respond, her expression carrying a mix of loneliness and sorrow.

Renly stopped teasing her. "I hope you're sure, because I'm starting to like this guy a little bit."

Edith looked at him, eyes wide with disbelief.

Renly rolled his eyes. "Your reactions are too joyful. It makes me think something is off." Edith gritted her teeth, but Renly couldn't help but chuckle—his mischievousness had won again. "He's fine. He's fine in every way. Believe me, I know what it's like to have a strong foundation amidst the world's criticism."

Just like tonight, surrounded by friends, the atmosphere felt more precious to Renly than any egot.

His smile returned, "His performance wasn't great—maybe even disastrous—but at least he's trying. He's standing tall in front of Matthew and me. He's a brave guy."

"I won't embarrass him. Don't worry," Renly reassured, his voice sincere but firm. "But he needs to know I'm always on your side, and that won't change. He needs to be ready. Some things I'm not joking about."

The absence of theatrics and the firmness in his voice made Edith's heart warm with quiet reassurance.

Suddenly, Edith felt a pang of emotion—her nose tingled, her eyes reddened slightly. The affirmation and support were overwhelming, more than she had expected. This time, she didn't hide it. She let her shoulders relax, leaning gently against Renly.

They both sat there, watching the festivities unfold, and Chris Evans, looking nervous, scratching his head. Edith couldn't help but laugh.

Then, softly, she said, "Thank you."

Renly simply nodded.

The two of them sat there, silently enjoying the party without needing words. Arthur, noticing their calm presence, approached and sat across from them, handing them each a glass of champagne before joining in.

In that quiet corner of the bustling party, it felt like a space carved out for the Hall family, filled with warmth.

The bright sunlight was almost blinding. After the night's shadows, Manhattan's summer air filled the day, carrying a subtle scent of the sea that mingled with the city's lively chatter. People streamed through the streets, shedding winter's heaviness to embrace the open warmth of summer.

The Tony Awards had come and gone, but life continued.

For a few, however, the world now felt completely different.

Bradley Adams was one of them. Anxiously, he sipped his coffee, only to find the cup empty. He knew he didn't need to feel anxious; Renly had never changed. He had enough faith in him to know that. Yet, the weight of the twenty-three-year-old egot was hard to ignore, and Bradley couldn't help but feel the pressure building in his chest.

Last year, after Renly's aristocratic lineage was revealed, The New York Times was the first to conduct an exclusive interview with him. This year, after his egot achievement, it was again the first to receive him. While an honor, it also came with immense weight, and Bradley could feel that burden pressing down on him.

He tossed the empty cup into a trash bin and pulled out a cigarette, but stopped, realizing that Renly didn't smoke. The simple act made him aware of his nervousness.

Then, it hit him. He had been considering Renly's preferences, showing a level of thoughtfulness that calmed his nerves. A small smile spread across his face.

Just then, a figure on a skateboard zoomed by in front of him, causing Bradley to glance up. He saw a long back, a fluttering white shirt, golden sunlight shining through, casting a youthful, vibrant glow. It was like a refreshing breeze cutting through the urban chaos, and Bradley's heart recognized him immediately.

It was Renly.

A year had passed, and though Renly's fame had only grown, his spirit remained unchanged. Standing at the pinnacle, fresh from making history with his egot win, he was still the same passionate, enthusiastic young man.

Bradley's anxiety lifted as he saw Renly's back. The earlier tension dissolved into a genuine smile, and he called out to him.

Renly turned, smiling brightly. "I'm sorry, I didn't control my speed well just now. Sincerely, I apologize for being late."

Bradley laughed. "So, does that mean I get some privileges today?"

Renly shrugged, spreading his arms in mock apology, "What can I say?"

Bradley couldn't help but smile, then paused as he looked around the busy streets. "It seems like a lot has changed here in a year, but at the same time, it feels like nothing has changed."

Last year, there had been a massive poster for Edge of Tomorrow in Times Square, Renly's towering figure watching over the city. Today, Wolverine 2 took its place with Hugh Jackman's face dominating the space. The scenes felt almost parallel, but now there was an added layer of meaning to them.

Renly chuckled, poking fun at Bradley, "I don't know. Is the Times now following The New Yorker?" His playful tone made Bradley laugh.

"So what's changed for you?" Bradley asked, genuinely curious.

Renly paused, considering, before responding, "Honestly, I'm still processing it all. Everything's moving so quickly. But if I had to say—maybe the biggest change is that I can go back to where I started. That's the real change."

Bradley raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I don't need to prove I'm a good actor anymore, because I know I am. From now on, I can make choices based on what I enjoy. I can take on the roles I want and feel the joy of acting again. It's not about the awards. I'll be honest, I'm not comfortable with them." Renly spoke with a rare honesty that made Bradley chuckle.

"Wait, I thought you were beyond all this? I thought you were calm enough," Bradley teased.

"Nope. I still have that urge to prove myself. At the Oscars last year, I said I wasn't a genius, I was just trying to be a good actor, and the awards are a nice reward. But now, I'm focusing on being honest with myself. More honest," Renly said, the last sentence carrying a heavier weight.

"Does that mean no more award seasons for you?" Bradley grinned.

Renly laughed, "Am I receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award now? I wish I could be that aloof, but no, I'm not avoiding awards season. We'll see where it goes. Maybe one day, I'll be like Henry Fonda. That's a wish."