Ink & Crown

Chapter 79 – A Possibility

While Eiran was speaking, Lucien’s attention lingered on a single detail that he was an actor. For a brief moment, the rest of the conversation faded into the background.

The coincidence was… unexpected.

It was not something he ignored. Because the reason he had approached Eiran in the first place had nothing to do with the table, or the timing, or even the feedback he had mentioned. It was him.

From the moment Lucien noticed him from across the café, something had stood out immediately. The resemblance was difficult to ignore.

It was not just one feature, but the overall impression, the height, the build, the way he carried himself. It was enough to remind him of someone familiar.

It wasn’t exact, but it was close enough. Close enough to remind him of someone he had seen many times before.

It brought to mind the original portrayal of Sherlock from the Earth archives, something Lucien had studied more than once while understanding how stories were adapted across mediums on Earth.

For a brief instant, the thought had been so abrupt that it almost didn’t make sense, as if his mind was trying to connect two unrelated things.

Was he imagining things?

Had he mistaken someone else entirely?

The mind tends to reach for unlikely explanations before settling on the obvious.

It took him a moment to steady his thoughts.

When he looked again, more carefully this time, the differences became clear soon enough, subtle, but definite. That was enough to dismiss the initial confusion. It was not the same person, only someone who bore a strong resemblance.

Lucien had let out a quiet breath at the time, more out of realization than relief. Even so, that alone had been enough for Lucien to approach and confirm who he was.

He had seen those movies in the archive enough times to notice even the minute details. The way scenes were framed, the way expressions were carried, the way the character was interpreted. It had been part of his own process of understanding how stories changed when adapted.

That was why the resemblance stood out so clearly. And that was why he had approached. If someone like that existed here, it was worth knowing who he was.

Beyond that, there had been another thought, though less immediate. If the story moved beyond print in the future, which he believed would happen eventually, then casting would eventually become a question. It was not something to consider now, and certainly not something to act on without knowing more, but it had crossed his mind. And when that time came, finding the right person would matter.

The resemblance alone would not matter without ability, but it was a starting point, and there were too many unknowns to make any judgment.

What if he wasn’t an actor?

What if he had no interest in it?

What if he simply wasn’t suited for it at all?

Lucien had stopped that line of thought early.

There was no reason to build conclusions without knowing anything.

It was enough to approach and find out.

What he had not expected was this. He already had his answer. An actor.

Eiran was already in the field, even if only at the beginning of it. The coincidence was… convenient.

Lucien didn’t let any of it show. It was too early to decide anything. Appearance alone meant very little.

That made the situation simpler in one sense and uncertain in another. Whether he had the skill, whether he could carry a role, or whether his current situation was due to lack of opportunity or lack of ability and none of that was clear.

Lucien did not show any of these thoughts. There was no reason to bring them up, not at this stage. The book itself had only just begun to circulate, and speaking about adaptations now would only create unnecessary expectations and questions. It was something to consider later, after more was known.

He set the thought aside and returned his attention fully to the conversation.

“I’m still learning, figuring things out as I go.”

Lucien gave a small nod.

“Everyone does,” he said. “You keep learning as you go.”

Lucien’s response was simple, but Eiran did not miss the tone behind it. It was not dismissive, but it was not overly encouraging either. Just a steady acknowledgment, the kind that did not assume anything beyond what was already said.

Eiran nodded slightly, but his thoughts had already begun to shift. The idea that had stayed with him since the press had not faded. If anything, it had become clearer now that he was sitting here.

A brief pause followed.

Lucien was already thinking about what to ask next. There was still very little he knew about Eiran beyond what had been said, and he preferred to understand people properly before forming any conclusions.

At the same time, Eiran’s thoughts had shifted in a different direction. The idea of recommending his uncle to the publishing house he had been holding onto had not left him. But the timing now felt uncertain, and he was not sure how to bring it up without making it seem out of place.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“If you don’t mind,” he said, “I have a favor to ask.”

Lucien paused.

The request was unexpected. They had only just met, and there was no context yet for what Eiran might ask. For a moment, Lucien considered the most immediate possibility. Eiran had just mentioned his situation, and it was not uncommon for people in that position to look for something stable alongside their work.

Before Eiran could say anything more, Lucien spoke.

“If it’s about a part-time position,” he said, “there aren’t any openings here right now.”

He continued in the same even tone.

“There might be something at the MICF branch once it opens. I can check there for you if you need it.”

Eiran blinked, taken off guard for a moment.

It was clear they were not thinking along the same lines.

“No,” he said quickly. “It’s not about me.”

Lucien’s attention returned fully to him.

“It’s about someone I know,” Eiran continued. “Not related to me, just… someone I’ve seen work.”

He paused briefly, making sure he did not rush through it.

“When I went to the press earlier, I spoke with Gareth. He mentioned that the publishing side is still being built, that you’re planning to expand it properly.”

Lucien did not interrupt.

“So, I thought,” Eiran said, “if you’re going to bring people in for that, I might suggest someone who already knows the work.”

Lucien gave a small nod.

“You want to recommend someone for the Crownspire publishing?” he said.

“Yes.”

There was no hesitation in Eiran’s answer now.

“He works in publishing,” Eiran continued. “Has been for a long time.”

He paused briefly, choosing his words more carefully this time.

“He’s experienced. Knows how things are supposed to be handled. Editorial, contracts, negotiations, working with authors. All of it. Not just surface-level work. He understands how things are usually in publishing.”

Lucien did not respond immediately.

“And?” he asked after a moment.

Eiran gave a small breath.

“He’s not really in the right place right now,” he said. “The kind of work he’s doing doesn’t match what he’s capable of.”

There was no exaggeration in his tone.

“He should be handling bigger responsibilities as he’s capable of handling them.”

He leaned back slightly, keeping his tone steady.

“He doesn’t push for one-sided deals. Tries to keep things balanced between the company and the author. What to push for, what not to. He tries to keep things fair, not just one-sided.”

He hesitated for a moment, then added,

“That’s probably why he doesn’t fit well where he is now.”

Lucien gave a small nod.

“He’s not in the position he should be,” Eiran added. “But that’s not because he lacks ability.”

He stopped there. There was no need to say more than that.

“Is he available?” he asked.

Eiran nodded.

“Yeah,” he said. “He would be.”

Lucien remained silent for a moment longer, then spoke.

“If he’s interested, he can come by to the cafe,” he said. “We can talk.”

There was no immediate agreement, no refusal either. Just consideration.

The answer was simple.

Eiran nodded. “Alright,” he said.

He did not push further. There was no need to.

Lucien’s expression remained unchanged, but his thoughts continued quietly beneath the surface. The timing was unexpected, though not unwelcome. He had approached Eiran with the intention of understanding him better, to see whether there was anything worth keeping in contact for later. Instead, the conversation had shifted in a different direction.

The request itself did not trouble him. If anything, it aligned with something he already knew he would have to address. The publishing side of his work was still incomplete. The structure existed only in parts, and it would not hold for long if things continued to grow at the current pace. Bringing in people with experience was not a question of preference, but of necessity.

A recommendation did not change that. It only narrowed the starting point.

He did not see it as a commitment. Meeting someone required little effort, and it did not bind him to any decision beyond that. Whether the person was suitable or not would depend entirely on what he saw for himself. That part remained his to decide.

There was also no disadvantage in agreeing. If the person turned out to be unfit, the matter would end there without consequence. If they proved capable, then it would solve a problem he was already considering. Either outcome worked in his favor.

Beyond that, the request itself was simple enough. Eiran had asked directly, without exaggeration or pressure, and there was no reason to refuse something that cost nothing to consider. It was not a matter of obligation, only a matter of timing.

Lucien let the thought settle without lingering on it. The decision had already been made in principle. The rest would depend on what came next.

Hearing Lucien agree without hesitation, Eiran felt a quiet sense of relief.

He had spent the last few moments thinking through it, wondering if it had been too abrupt to ask for a favor so soon after meeting. There had been a chance it might come across the wrong way, or that Lucien might refuse outright without considering it.

Instead, the response had been simple and direct.

Eiran let out a small breath he had not realized he was holding.

The tension he had built up over the question eased quickly. Lucien did not seem bothered by it, nor did he treat it as something inconvenient. If anything, he handled it with the same steady tone he had used throughout the conversation.

Eiran nodded once more, more to himself than anything else. This was enough. His thoughts shifted almost immediately. If this worked out, it could change things. Not just for him, but for his uncle as well.

He thought of his uncle, Taren for a moment, of the position he was still in, and the work he was being made to handle despite everything he was capable of. The contrast was difficult to ignore.

This, at least, was an opening.

Eiran lowered his gaze briefly, the thought settling more firmly now. He had done what he could from his side. The rest would depend on whether it was taken seriously.

He would have to speak to him properly. Explain everything clearly. Make sure nothing was misunderstood or taken lightly.

Even then, there was no guarantee, as convincing his uncle would not be easy. On some matters, the old man was stubborn to a fault, refusing to change his mind no matter what anyone said. The thought alone was enough to give him a slight headache, though he did not show it outwardly.

Still, it was not something he intended to leave halfway. Opportunities like this did not come often. Missing it would not be easy to make up for later.