"Author-nim, you really have to attend this."
A meeting with the editor ahead of the drama adaptation production.
She spoke with a rarely heard, firm tone.
"I heard there's no case where the lead actors are confirmed this quickly."
"Is that so?"
"Of course. First of all, just sending the script to other actors takes some time. But you know recently, right? The Violle commercial that became a hot topic."
"Ah... yes."
At the editor's words, the woman answered hesitantly.
But it couldn't be helped.
In her 10th year as a web novel author, Jeong Ha-ran found this situation extremely daunting.
'The two actors who appeared in the viral Violle commercial.'
Even the production company didn't expect the actors to give the okay sign all at once.
Let alone both of them.
"Author-nim, do you know *Taesumdal*? The two child actors from that drama are going to act together in your work this time? I was so excited I couldn't sleep a wink."
She could empathize with the editor's words.
Because she couldn't sleep a wink either.
'I know. Very well.'
Ten years ago.
The days when she still thought she might be able to do something with general novels.
And, the time she first challenged herself with a web novel.
It was a drama she watched during a very difficult period.
The child actor who appeared in it was truly amazing, and that acting could by no means be called that of a child.
At the same time, she couldn't help but recognize her at a glance.
That she was his daughter.
She thought it might be her delusion, but upon seeing the name, she was certain.
When she asked Kang Tae-jin, he nodded definitively.
It was a drama she really liked, and an actor she liked.
However, separately, she was also an actor who would be a bit dangerous to get entangled with...
"Aah, I really wanted to see the child actors who played young Princess Yeon-hwa and Yun Seo-il appear together in a historical drama."
'Isn't that the topic that's constantly causing fights in Park Jeong-woo's fan community lately?'
Of course, there is only a three-year age difference between Seo-yeon and Park Jeong-woo.
So there's no issue age-wise, but neither of them is that old.
In fact, the fan base also has a stronger emotional tendency of looking at them like idols.
But tying them together romantically naturally causes backlash.
Of course, there are plenty of people like the editor right in front of her, which is why it's a topic that causes fights every time.
"So, you absolutely, absolutely, absolutely must attend. The scriptwriter and director will be there too, so you have to show your face."
"Yees..."
Anyway, it's truly a rare opportunity.
She had already done webtoon adaptations a few times, and recently, the number of readers that can be drawn in through webtoon adaptations isn't very high.
Of course, it's good enough if it gets made, but just getting a webtoon adaptation doesn't yield the incredible results it used to.
First of all, thanks to the lead actors being cast quickly, the drama production team seemed willing to listen to their intentions as well.
Anyway, production begins in the second half of next year.
There was plenty of time until then.
And so, today.
"I didn't expect Actor Park Jeong-woo and Actor Joo Seo-yeon to give the okay sign all at once."
Scriptwriter Shin Jeong-yeon, who was smiling beside her, said with sparkling eyes.
Of course, those eyes were fixed on Park Jeong-woo.
She seemed to be a passionate fan of Park Jeong-woo.
"This is certainly going to increase the pressure, with this year's most talked-about lead actor and the hit-connoisseur Park actor together."
And the director was Do Jae-hyeok, who had produced several hit dramas on public broadcast.
This *Flower of the Imperial Palace* is a YTBC cable drama, but recently, the gap between cable dramas and public broadcast dramas has been narrowing.
By next year, that gap will likely narrow even further.
Stuck between those two, Jeong Ha-ran just sat quietly, silently sipping her iced Americano.
Occasionally, they asked, "Is the original author okay with this too?" but what could she possibly say?
She just sluggishly nodded her head.
'Adaptation.'
Certainly, Jeong Ha-ran was truly thrilled about this drama adaptation.
Among web novel authors, those who get their works adapted into dramas are extremely rare.
Even if there are, it's mostly web drama adaptations, so getting a cable drama adaptation like this is rare.
However, since she had looked into various professions where she could make money with writing in the past, she knew to some extent the nature of scriptwriters.
So, there was a slightly bitter part to it.
Of course, it's a spoiled complaint.
Amidst such amicable conversation, Seo-yeon didn't particularly make any remarks.
Park Jeong-woo did most of the talking, and Seo-yeon just quietly stared at Jeong Ha-ran.
Naturally, Jeong Ha-ran's hand holding the cup trembled.
'This position is already burdensome enough, so why is she glaring at me like that.'
Does she perhaps know?
That I was acquainted with Yeong-bin?
But we haven't seen each other in a long time?
Even if it's for Su-a's sake, not even receiving contact properly is a bit much.
It's disappointing but understandable.
Su-a knows Yeong-hee and herself.
She would also feel the same way if a woman who had feelings for her husband kept contacting him.
So Yeong-bin hadn't been in contact for a long time.
Jeong Ha-ran also thought that was natural.
She would have wanted the same if it were her.
Because they had a friendship, even more so.
"The production of the work will begin in the second half of next year. The lead actors were cast so quickly that I'm honestly flustered."
Gwak Jae-yeol, a PD from YTBC broadcasting station, concluded the conversation with an excited voice.
From his perspective, it was a mega-hit among mega-hits.
Seo-yeon had already achieved ridiculous results this year, but for Park Jeong-woo to come along as well...
"It was really great meeting you today."
"Me too."
It really felt like an explanation of roughly how the drama would proceed.
Perhaps because Park Jeong-woo and Seo-yeon accepted the lead roles so easily, they were showing a solid plan to ensure they wouldn't back out.
Park Jeong-woo stroked his chin and nodded.
'The investors are solid too. Since it's a web novel original, I honestly thought they might produce it sloppily, but that doesn't seem to be the case.'
Rather, it felt like they would invest as much as a typical historical drama.
A truly exceptional case.
'But, because of that.'
Park Jeong-woo looked at the web novel author who was staying quietly still for a moment.
She hadn't been able to say a single word today.
She just smiled and nodded whenever the scriptwriter or PD spoke to her.
'She's quiet too.'
To be honest, Park Jeong-woo was slightly worried that Seo-yeon might say something strange.
But Seo-yeon didn't particularly say anything either.
As if she had left most of the talking to Park Jeong-woo.
'Anxiously.'
So he was even more anxious.
Because Joo Seo-yeon kept staring at that web novel author.
And.
"Then that's it for today..."
It was the moment the PD said so and got up from his seat.
"May I ask just one thing?"
"Yes? Ah, yes. Absolutely, go ahead!"
The PD spoke confidently.
However.
"To what extent is the original author's review reflected in the drama production?"
That was a truly unexpected question.
The PD must not have expected such a remark either, as his eyes widened.
"Uh, the drama is planned to be produced within the bounds of respecting the original work as much as possible. Of course, a drama and a web novel are different, right? So adaptations are made accordingly. First of all, web novel readers and viewers want different things."
He said so and patted the scriptwriter's shoulder.
"So, Jeong-yeon here will be in charge of the adaptation as hard as possible. It's her third time adapting, but she's a reliable scriptwriter who has produced good results every time, so you don't need to worry too much."
In fact, Shin Jeong-yeon, who was in charge of the adaptation for *Flower of the Imperial Palace* this time, was a scriptwriter of decent skill.
As he said, the adaptations she had taken on so far received decent reviews.
'Right, decent.'
She had never participated in a mega-hit.
Seo-yeon narrowed her eyes.
At her gaze, Shin Jeong-yeon inadvertently flinched.
Because it was such an apathetic gaze that it was hard to read her emotions.
"...Understood."
"Yes yes, then you don't have any more questions?"
"No."
Seo-yeon wasn't going to say anything in this seat right now, so she obediently stepped back.
Anyway, production is in the second half of next year.
Even if she said something here and the scriptwriter was changed, nothing would change.
'More than anything, there's too much time left until production, so it's not certain that person will continue to be in charge of the adaptation.'
So, if she were to do something, it would be when the drama goes into production.
When the drama airs and the early ratings come out.
'Shin Jeong-yeon is a scriptwriter with decent results, but she has no mega-hits.'
And the time when a scriptwriter's greed arises is the moment the work becomes a mega-hit.
Until then, they follow the original work's storyline as much as possible.
That way, even if it fails, the least responsibility falls on them.
But if it becomes a mega-hit?
'That's when the greed kicks in.'
Seo-yeon knew very well what that outcome would be.
***
How did it end up like this?
Jeong Ha-ran thought.
Looking at the two actors walking beside her.
Both wearing hats and masks covering their faces.
Of course, their proportions were so good that it strongly felt like neither of them were ordinary people.
'Wasn't it supposed to end there?'
Jeong Ha-ran's stomach hurt.
Partly because she had been in a burdensome position all day today.
She rarely went out for such a long time.
Because she was practically a homebody, except when she went to cafes to write.
But.
"I would like to have a bit more personal conversation with the original author."
"...Pardon?"
"Is that okay?"
She suddenly said such a thing when everyone was about to part ways.
At those words, the PD and director were naturally horrified.
Because if some problem arose with the original author and Seo-yeon refused to appear, it would be a disaster!
"Th-then we will also..."
"Ah, it's just because I'm a fan of the original author and have some things I want to ask. The meeting... is over, isn't it?"
"...You're a fan of the original author?"
"Yes. So I just wanted to meet her personally."
If she wants to have a personal meeting, it would be weird to butt in.
Thanks to that, the PD and director had no choice but to exchange glances and nod.
The only one beside them was Park Jeong-woo.
He also didn't know why Seo-yeon said that.
So Jeong Ha-ran couldn't possibly know Seo-yeon's feelings and just trembled in fear.
'So this is what Yeong-hee was talking about.'
Ha-ran has been keeping in touch with Yeong-hee consistently.
The words Yeong-hee had rambled about at the bar back then came to mind.
"She clearly doesn't do these things, right?! Why is she doing this only to me!!"
She had wondered what that meant, but it was this.
'She knows, right? Right? Or not?'
She hadn't particularly done anything wrong.
She hadn't, but... this situation was enormously burdensome.
First love.
And the feeling of meeting the daughter of a man she couldn't let go of her lingering feelings for.
"It's nothing much, I just wanted to have dinner together. I'll pay for dinner."
"Ah, yes yes."
At Jeong Ha-ran's attitude of repeatedly bowing her head, Seo-yeon flinched.
Anyway, from Seo-yeon's perspective, she was her parents' friend.
'...Anyway, for now, expressing goodwill by saying I'm a fan of the original author is all.'
With just this, they wouldn't be able to treat Jeong Ha-ran easily either.
Whatever the case, if the lead actor says they saw the 'original work', they had no choice but to consider the backlash that would arise when it was adapted.
Anyway, Seo-yeon didn't intend to do anything in particular.
Just as Jeong Ha-ran felt awkward, Seo-yeon felt awkward too!
"I read the original work. I really enjoyed reading it."
With that type of person, it's even awkward to hold a praise relay like Arthur.
So just sharing stories about the original novel and having dinner was all there was.
"Filming is still a long way off, but please take good care of me then too."
"M-me too."
Fortunately, nothing special happened among the three.
Still, seeing that she seemed to have read the original work properly, Jeong Ha-ran's favorability toward Seo-yeon internally rose.
Because she had properly brought up the story of the 'original work', which she hadn't talked about at all earlier when everyone was present.
'Princess Hwa-ryeon... is actually modeled after Princess Yeon-hwa.'
Because she wrote the character recalling Seo-yeon's acting seen in *Taesumdal*.
That was a truly subtle part.
The person she used as a motif was actually acting in the live-action adaptation of her work.
'She only inherited Su-a's good points.'
In front of the restaurant after finishing the meal.
Looking at Seo-yeon and Park Jeong-woo, Jeong Ha-ran smiled softly for the first time.
Once she shook off the tension, the appearance of the past was indeed visible on Seo-yeon's face.
Su-a's face.
And that strange confidence that somehow felt like Yeong-bin.
Should I call it an aura.
Of course, Seo-yeon's side was several times stronger.
'Yeah, there's no comparison.'
After shaking off the tension a little, Jeong Ha-ran only felt longing from Seo-yeon's face.
Her friend's daughter.
"Then please return safely."
"Ah, yes, Actor Joo Seo-yeon, please return safely too..."
It was the moment she gave her final greeting like that.
Jeong Ha-ran saw two people crossing the street at the crosswalk on the road visible behind Seo-yeon's back.
A child, and a mother holding the child's hand.
It was because there was a road right in front of where the restaurant was.
The road wasn't wide either, so the crosswalk traffic light was only formally installed and didn't light up.
And.
A sedan was seen running at a rather fast speed.
A white Carnival.
'Da-danger.'
With that speed, they would be hit, the moment such a thought entered Jeong Ha-ran's mind.
Seo-yeon's head moved.
As if she had seen something reflected in Jeong Ha-ran's pupils.
Even though the road was right in front of them, there was some distance to where the child was.
Even if one wanted to save them, it wasn't a distance where they could.
When she thought that.
"Huh?"
Seo-yeon was already there.
She had pushed the child and the child's mother out of the lane.
Because it happened so instantly, no one else except the parties involved saw it.
Even Park Jeong-woo, who was right next to her, didn't notice when Seo-yeon had disappeared.
"Th-thank you. Thank you."
"It's nothing."
Seo-yeon, who watched the Carnival driver get out of the car and repeatedly apologize, returned to Park Jeong-woo and Jeong Ha-ran belatedly.
The situation was well resolved, but given the circumstances, the child's mother would probably take some measures.
'I was so startled.'
If Jeong Ha-ran hadn't seen the incident, she wouldn't have known.
Seo-yeon felt a little embarrassed by Jeong Ha-ran looking at her with a dazed face.
Was she startled because she suddenly ran over?
"So, something came up, but... let's part ways here."
".........Status window."
"Pardon?"
Ha-ran thought.
No, does that make sense?
It doesn't make sense.
Isn't that an Awakener that often appears in hunter genres?
It's not a speed a human can run at?
She just didn't know, but couldn't there be something like a status window?
'Ah, it must be a dream.'
Did I fall asleep for a bit at the restaurant?
Right, it's a dream.
Of course, my novel wouldn't get adapted into a drama.
And Joo Seo-yeon is taking the role of the heroine in my novel?
"St-status window, status window!!!"
"...."
"Ah, or else let me regress... right to high school..."
Looking at her muttering without even knowing what she was saying, Seo-yeon couldn't say anything either.