The Greatest Showman #1515 - Sigh Unbearable

The drizzle of London revealed a dark blue and gray sky, with occasional flashes of wine red and emerald green breaking through the wash of clouds, but it could not brighten the city. The streets were crowded, resembling an exquisite ink painting, capturing a sense of timeless beauty.

New York is always bustling and grand, occasionally revealing a hint of rudeness, while London remains simple and stable, sometimes softening into moments of gentleness. It carries a unique temperament that modern cities often lack.

Renly had an appointment at one o'clock in the afternoon. This was not just a polite formality, but a real commitment.

As he entered the restaurant, the waiter approached with polite precision, taking Renly's coat and umbrella. In a hushed tone, the waiter said, "Lord Renly, Lord Hall has already arrived. However, he is with another guest at the moment. Would you prefer to wait in the lounge, or would you like to head to the bar for an aperitif?"

The restaurant was a traditional British establishment, offering a fusion of French and British cuisines. The chef occasionally tried small innovations, but it lacked a Michelin rating and gourmet patrons. Most guests here were high society elites, preferring to remain low-key and elegant, away from the spotlight. This discretion was the hallmark of the place.

Even the waitstaff went through extensive training, with attention to detail at every level.

The name "Lord Hall" referred to Arthur Hall, the heir to the title of Baron Hall. As the only child who could use the Hall surname, Arthur stood apart, while other members of the family used first names or, in some cases, middle names. The waitstaff also used the term "guests" instead of referring to individuals by their names, which could serve to protect privacy or might simply be a courtesy.

Renly, not concerned with prying into Arthur's affairs, simply replied, "The lounge," and requested a vodka while he waited.

The waiter nodded, leading Renly toward the lounge.

The lounge was covered with Turkish carpets, muffling the sound of footsteps. The warm air was slightly moist, filled with the murmur of quiet conversations. The occasional clink of cups and saucers would cause a polite apology from the "perpetrator," regardless of whether others noticed or not. Every detail exuded refinement, and the quiet atmosphere gradually helped calm the restlessness of the city and the melancholy of the rainy day.

But living in such an environment every day could be stifling.

They say Hollywood's Vanity Fair is like a besieged city—those on the outside yearn to enter, and those on the inside long to escape. The upper class may understand this better than anyone. Or perhaps, this is simply the nature of life itself.

Renly walked through the narrow hallway, past the restaurant, until he reached the lounge at the end. The building, old and unyielding, reflected the habits of another time, making it hard to meet the needs of modern living.

Then, Renly spotted Alf Hall.

She wore a light pink silk shirt paired with a sky-blue skirt, black low-heeled shoes—an elegant and sharp look. Despite the change in attire, Alf seemed the same, and yet different.

Renly was surprised by her appearance, but Alf showed no surprise. A slight smile tugged at her lips. "Everything good? It's started raining again today. People are starting to worry about the weather this fall."

"The weather's been much better than expected this year. The summer heat lingered longer than anticipated, and I thought autumn and winter might be warmer," Renly replied, as casually as any Londoner would.

Alf nodded. "Philip mentioned you're looking for an apartment in Chelsea. You might want to get closer to the Thames; it's a lot nicer in the summer, and a better place for walks than Hyde Park."

Renly didn't feel the need to elaborate. "It's also closer to the West End," he added.

Alf didn't press the conversation. "Yes, it's more livable than Kensington." She smiled before gesturing to leave. "I still have to head back to the hospital, and lunch is short. I hope everything goes smoothly."

Renly nodded in acknowledgment, stepping aside for her to pass.

Their brief conversation over, Alf continued on her way, while Renly made his way to the lounge.

After about ten minutes, the waiter returned, leading Renly into the dining area where Arthur was already seated.

Renly took his seat, and the usual process of ordering water, food, and wine began. The tableware was replaced, and wine confirmed. Throughout this, Renly and Arthur didn't exchange a word.

Once the formalities were done, Arthur carefully observed Renly. Unable to resist, he broke the silence. "Someone said that you and Elf are quite alike?"

Renly didn't respond immediately.

Arthur chuckled lightly. "People say Elf and I have more in common. You and Edith are more... outliers. But in reality, you and Elf are more similar than you think. You both have strong convictions, know your goals, and stay committed despite challenges."

Arthur's tone was calm, yet Renly sensed a subtle trace of disappointment—likely tied to Alf's appearance.

But Renly had no interest in prying into Arthur's personal life. He respected Arthur's privacy and didn't intend to intrude.

Arthur waited, but Renly remained silent, his gaze sincere.

This made Arthur uncomfortable, as the meaning behind Renly's look was clear. In the aristocratic world, familial bonds were often thin, emotions buried deep, and vulnerability was never openly shown. No matter how close one was, there was a wall that could not be breached. Each person had their place, their duty, and their responsibilities.

Renly understood this. He could offer help, but Arthur could not. Arthur was the heir to the barony, a role that imposed its own limitations. Alf, too, had her own responsibilities as the Hall family's eldest daughter.

And so, Renly could not offer the same kind of support or public affirmation that he would for Edith. His own career path had been a personal decision, one Arthur and Alf had simply observed from afar. They had neither encouraged nor discouraged him; they had let him walk his own path.

Now, facing their own dilemmas, Arthur knew Renly would remain distanced, and that was the right approach. Arthur could not blame him. They had all made their choices, for better or worse.

Arthur took a deep breath. "George and Elizabeth have pulled back from social life, living quietly for now. But we all know they won't stay in the shadows forever. Once things settle, they'll return to the spotlight, using the Hall name to regain their former status."

Arthur's smile was faint, but his face bore a weariness that reminded Renly of their conversation at the Oscars earlier that year. Unlike that night, Arthur was sober now. Perhaps things were indeed changing.

"Everyone has to make their own decisions. You did, Edith did, and so did Alf and I. Alf has chosen to embrace the Hall legacy, to step into the spotlight. And now, it's my turn."

The simplicity of his words held unbearable weight.