The mood in the room dampened after Oska said those words. Then, he patted Zeno’s back.
“I’m just kidding,” he said. “Come on in and take a seat.”
Zeno pursed his lips and entered, going to sit at the empty chair in the middle, but Oska placed his hand over it, gripping the backrest. “This is my seat,” he said with a kind smile. Although, it truly wasn’t kind at all.
“You can sit there,” he said, pointing at the one at the very end of the table.
There were four tables inside the room, forming a square. Two tables were filled with vital production staff. Meanwhile, the other two were for the actors themselves. Managers, cameramen, and other ‘least important’ staff members sat on the floor.
Zeno stared at his seat. Each table had a spot for at least four people. However, there was a fifth chair on this particular one.
Oska was directing him to the fifth seat—one which appeared like it wasn’t meant to be there.
Risa glanced up at him and wanted to offer her seat. However, Zeno had already sat down, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Meanwhile, Oska continued handing out the expensive sandwiches like he was a politician campaigning for a position.
On the other hand, Annie, who was adjacent to Daeshim PD, had kept looking at the director since she had arrived.
Daeshim wasn’t oblivious to this. However, he was too ashamed to meet her eyes.
He remembered his phone conversation with the CEO of Daebak Entertainment a few days ago.
“So it’s final, then?” Mr. Kim asked in a light, amused tone. “Zeno as Hajin?”
“It is,” Daeshim said, his mind unwavering.
There was a beat of silence before Mr. Kim let out a soft chuckle.
“You’re a man with conviction, I see. What a charming treat,” Mr. Kim said. But you know, I just wonder…”
Daeshim said nothing.
Mr. Kim continued, a smile heard in his voice. “I wonder if you’ve considered what Hajin means to my cousin, Oska.”
Daeshim’s jaw tensed.
Mr. Kim’s voice softened, sweet like syrup. “It’s not about who fits the role better. It’s about what it would give him. You take this away, Daeshim, and I’m not sure if there will be something left for your show.”
Daeshim couldn’t say anything once more.
“This industry feeds on desperation, doesn’t it?” Mr. Kim chuckled.
Then, as if remembering something trivial, he added, “But, of course, Daebak will be backing the production fully. Wholeheartedly.”
Daeshim’s breath got caught in the back of his throat. He already knew what was coming next.
“We’ve got most of the sponsors lined up. Should be about seventeen percent—”
“Seventy,” he corrected smoothly. “Silly me. Always mixing up my numbers.”
“You think you can buy the role,” Daeshim said before he could stop himself.
Fortunately, it seemed that Mr. Kim didn’t take it to heart.
“I think Oska needs it,” Mr. Kim said simply. “And I think you know that, too.”
“Oh, silly me!” Oska exclaimed, snapping Daeshim out of his thoughts.
Oska rummaged through his bag. He was standing in front of Zeno, but the latter wasn’t paying attention to him.
“I’m all out of sandwiches,” he said. “You don’t mind if you don’t get one, do you?” he asked.
Zeno shook his head, making Oska smirk. It seemed like he wanted it.
Zeno, in fact, did not.
His sandwiches look really bland. It was nothing compared to the candied sweet potatoes that Seulgi had prepared. He didn’t feel bad AT ALL.
However, the other actor seemed convinced otherwise.
With that, Oska took a seat in the very middle, seemingly in a good mood.
“Is it just me, or is the atmosphere in here weird?” Shin couldn’t help but ask Risa, who was right next to him.
“It is,” Risa muttered. And she knew exactly why.
She glanced at Zeno and felt pity for him. He didn’t look pitiful; however, her fangirl heart couldn’t take seeing her bias being treated so badly.
On the other hand, Oska Baek was all smiles. He was too cocky for someone who didn’t get the main role. It was clear that Daeshim PD had chosen Zeno. That was why the article was released in the first place.
However, Risa had been in the industry long enough to know that it wouldn’t be this easy for Zeno.
If Oska appeared this happy, then something must have happened behind the scenes.
Daeshim PD, despite his shame, cleared his throat. “I have something to say,” he started off.
They all turned their attention to him. “Congratulations,” he started off. “This is the final cast of ‘The Forsaken Prince.’ That is if you all stay clean for the duration of the filming up until the release of the episodes.”
Chuckles were heard across the room, but the actors, aside from Oska, appeared serious.
“However,” Daeshim continued, dreading his next words.
Zeno didn’t need to look up to know that Daeshim was looking straight at him with an apologetic expression.
“The cast list that was announced last week was still being finalized, specifically the character assignments.”
Most of those inside the room weren’t shocked. They already had a hunch about it. The managers and the staff even continued discussing among themselves and eating the sandwich that Oska had brought in.
It seemed they weren’t affected that a small artist was being stomped on like this.
Meanwhile, Zeno knew he was the smallest person in the room. Despite his moments of virality, he still wasn’t considered an ‘actor.’ Most of them, except for those sitting around the table, haven’t seen him act after all.
Risa couldn’t hold it back anymore. “Then, why did you ask for a first read with all of us when the roles aren’t final just yet?”
Daeshim pursed his lips. “Well, the only two roles that haven’t been finalized are Prince Seon and Hajin Yi.”
With that statement, Suho let out a deep sigh. It seemed he was also hoping to have a chance to become the main character. However, that seemed to be a fleeting dream.
Oska smirked to himself. He knew what was coming next.
“For now,” Daeshim continued. Zeno finally lifted his head to look the older man in the eyes.
Daeshim paused for a moment. He felt truly ashamed. There wasn’t much on Zeno’s face, but Daeshim had the urge to apologize to him.
“We will do the first read with Oska as Hajin and Zeno as Prince Seon.”
Zeno let out a quiet sigh.
Risa and Annie appeared to want to argue. Meanwhile, Oska was ready to de-escalate the situation at all costs.
However, before anything could happen, the door opened, revealing a person that nobody had expected.
They all turned in his direction.
“Chairman?”