Beatrice took a deep breath after performing again in front of Harmony.
She then nervously waited for her response much more than the first two times.
"It seems you have gotten over your greater fear," Harmony said.
"Then…" Beatrice's eyes brightened.
"But there is still the smaller fear," Harmony added.
Beatrice bit her lower lip.
"It's a normal fear—the fear of failure. You look like you've overcome one hurdle, but somehow this fear of failure is still reflected in your current performance."
Beatrice sighed. Indeed, she had managed to reconstruct her resolve, but there was still that small doubt, something she never felt while performing in high school.
"Maybe it's because this is a bigger stage?" she replied with a self-deprecating smile.
"But I really do want to get in, to be part of that group, and to improve myself further. Can you help me?"
Harmony thought for a moment.
"There is a way..."
Beatrice looked at her expectantly.
"Forget about Beatrice Falcon."
Beatrice was bewildered.
"Completely let go of yourself. Be the character you want to be—every action, every emotion, even the smallest details."
"I've heard there are people capable of such," Beatrice replied.
Harmony shook her head, "Those people are different. They can get into character faster than others, but they can also get out of it with ease."
Beatrice fell silent. She didn't understand where Harmony was going with her words.
"You're not capable of that yet."
Beatrice couldn't help but feel a blow from her blunt remark.
"Remember my words—'yet,'" Harmony repeated, aware of her harsh tone.
"Oh," Beatrice suddenly felt encouraged.
"What I'm talking about is completely surrendering yourself to the character. Let it engulf you, consume you, and take over you entirely."
Beatrice's brows slowly furrowed. Harmony's words seemed frightening.
"That's what you'll need to do. But it's a last resort. If time is running out and you feel your current strength isn't enough, then do it."
"It sounds scary, but I'll give it a try," Beatrice replied.
"It is a fearsome way of acting," Harmony warned.
"Because the you right now might not return, and that character could become your true self."
Beatrice swallowed hard.
"That's why you must keep trying. Keep practicing—not just your skills, but your confidence as well," Harmony continued.
Apart from when she had suggested a plan for Kenneth's team, this was the second time Harmony had seriously helped their group.
And this time, it was because Beatrice felt special to her—as someone who, though different in circumstances, might be struggling with something she also wished to overcome.
"Confidence in your abilities is what you need most."
"I have confidence," Beatrice replied defensively.
Harmony sighed, unable to bear watching her try too hard to appear strong and determined.
Beatrice felt uncertain after seeing Harmony's reaction.
Harmony stepped closer and placed a hand on top of Beatrice's head. She was about two inches taller than Beatrice, who stood at 5 foot 3 inches.
She looked like an older sister trying to give her younger sister a piece of advice.
"I told you to take a deep breath and calm down. You may think you're calm, but it doesn't show in your acting. You're a wreck. Compared to how you performed in high school, you're a wreck."
Beatrice thought she had already been encouraged by Kenneth's words, but perhaps it wasn't enough. Harmony's words were hitting her differently.
"It's difficult to keep running, but if you've chosen this path, then you must steel yourself for the hardships ahead. You have them, don't you? Those who are willing to support you?"
Harmony withdrew her hand as Beatrice turned emotional.
"If this is important to how your life will turn out, then have more confidence. You will succeed because you've put so much effort into it."
Somehow, Beatrice began to feel her confidence growing.
"But what matters more is that you're doing this with a deep desire to claim it and make it yours—no matter the goal you're striving for."
Just as Harmony finished speaking, the wind gently blew her hair away from her face, allowing Beatrice to see her more clearly. In that moment, Beatrice felt as though she were standing in front of someone with immense confidence, someone who could remain steadfast no matter what challenges came her way.
"Are you, perhaps… running toward something as well?" Beatrice asked.
Harmony smiled, "I am."
"How sure are you that you'll achieve it?"
"Because I'm putting everything I have into achieving it. What about you?"
Beatrice blinked.
After everything that had happened over the past month, she felt as though she were losing her confidence and courage, causing her to doubt whether what she had now truly belonged to her.
She felt like she was losing her footing in this world, everything was falling apart.
However, in the first place, her world is already barely holding on.
The pressure and insults are coming one after another.
She felt like the only way for her to get away was to pass this test and be a part of a theater group while studying at Julliard.
She can still hold on until then but after everything, the first to let go was her only companion in such a world.
That is why she is drowning in her own skepticism.
Her eyes began to well up with tears, "Then… can you hold my hand right now?"
Harmony complied without asking why. She clasped Beatrice's hands in hers.
"Can you tell me I can do it?" Beatrice sniffled.
Harmony smiled. Her usually disinterested eyes brightened, drawing Beatrice into them.
"You can do it, Beatrice Falcon."