….

  [Juh, 2010]

  ….

  "Ugh, I am tired of these long flights." Gwendolyn groaned as she colpsed face-first onto the plush hotel bed, her exhaustion evident.

  Regal, standing by the window, g the illuminated cityscape outside. "Well, at least the view here is nice." He muttered, as if the sight alone could soothe her frustration.

  Gwendolyn turned her head slightly. "Right. I fot - creative people are built differently when it es to sitting in one pce for hours. I bet you would have worked on some script if they were to allow it."

  Regal smirked. "Now, now. I know when to take a break. Especially sihis is our first trip together."

  "Yeah… if only it wasn't for business."

  "…Welp, 't fet why we are here."

  A brief siletled between them.

  They had arrived in London, UK, their trip revolving around the official unch of the UK edition of [Harry Potter].

  Regal still found it surreal that five months had already passed sis initial release. The book's success was undeniable, but was it truly on par with what he had known in his previous world?

  The numbers were rger.

  That much was certain.

  As far as he remembered, in his previous life [Harry Potter] hadn't seen massive sales until its third volume.

  Yet, in this world, his book was already a notable hit.

  The difference, he suspected, y in his decision to unch it directly in the U.S. from the start.

  In his past life, the U.S. had been the rgest book market, and by targeting it first, he had likely accelerated the process.

  Whatever the reason, he had already bypassed that slow, uain climb.

  Still, the real turning point was yet to e.

  Ohe [Harry Potter] series had gained momentum, it had transformed into a cultural phenomenoually crossing 120 million copies sold - and it was by far the you on the list, with at least a twenty-year gap between it and the others.

  Even here, only six books had ever reached that milestone.

  Of course, the films had pyed a massive role in catapulting the series to legendary status.

  And that… was something he had pns for.

  The real question was, could he achieve the same level of success in this world?

  Only time would tell.

  Regardless, the groundwork was already being id.

  Over the past few months, the book had been transted into multiple nguages, and tomorrow would mark its simultaneous release across several tries.

  Unlike a single-day event, this unch read out over multiple days, c different regions.

  Regal would likely o travel for promotion, starting with the UK, the most high-profile and culturally signifit release.

  It made sense.

  [Harry Potter] was deeply rooted in British culture, and UK publishers had practically bombarded both him and Everleaf Press within the first week of its U.S. debut, eager to cim it for their home market.

  Some had even expressed envy that a story like this had e from a fn author rather than one of their own.

  But Regal pushed those thoughts aside.

  Yes, this was a busirip.

  But he had made sure to set aside aire week in London, and he fully inteo enjoy some well-earned free time.

  ….

  It was rare fwendolyn to pin about too much work, which made her sudden groan all the more unusual.

  "Aha… Just thinking about all this work makes me feel drained…" She muttered, rubbiemples dramatically.

  She wasn't thrilled about being called in right after Regal's movie release. She had tried to push it back, but her efforts had been in vain.

  In fact, they had been deying this task for so long that it had bee, frankly, disgusting.

  Still standing where she was, Gwendolyn suddenly stretched her arms toward Regal like a child waiting to be picked up.

  "e al." She drawled, her voice ced with exaggerated weariness. "Share some of your energy with your dy here…"

  Gwendolyn made no effort to move closer, simply holding out her arms expetly, waiting to be indulged.

  Regal scoffed but took a step toward her anyway.

  "So, you wao recharge you?" He mused, stopping just within arm's reach.

  "Yes." She nodded, maintaining her dramatic stance, her hands still stretched toward him. "Preferably with minimal effort on my part."

  Regal gave her a dry look. "You realize you sound like a cat demanding attentiht?"

  Gwendolyn pouted at the dey. "Is that so…? Then be a good human and fulfill your duties."

  He sighed but pyed along, stepping forward and ing his arms around her. She let out a satisfied hum, melting against him like a zy feline finally receiving the affe she sought.

  "There. Happy now?" He asked, resting his lightly atop her head.

  "Mm-hmm." Gwendolyn murmured against his chest. "I could stay like this all day."

  Regal chuckled. "Yeah, that's not happening. You still have work to do, remember?"

  She groaned in protest but didn't let go. "Just five more minutes… maybe ten… or thirty…"

  Regal shook his head, but he made no move to pull away either.

  "You are ly making this easy for me." He muttered, though his arms remaieady around her.

  …..

  After that, Gwendolyn finally released her hold, albeit relutly. She stretched her arms above her head and sighed before plopping down onto the bed.

  "Alright, alright, let's go over tomorrow's schedule." She muttered, scrolling through her phone.

  Regal sat down on the edge of the bed. "Give me the short version."

  "Lau at noon, media prep at ten. Photo op, interviews, signing session, officially two hours, realistically four. There is a publisher's dinner afterward, but attendance is optional."

  Regal sighed. "Optional, huh? That usually means 'highly reended.'"

  Gwendolyn smirked. "Well, you are right."

  A brief silence followed befwendolyn chimed in. "Pre-orders look good, by the way. Sales projes are solid."

  "Better than expected?"

  "Yup. UK press is hyping it as a 'homeing.'"

  Regal nodded. "That will work in our favor."

  "Mm-hmm. Now, bedtime." She yawned. "If I colpse tomorrow, I am bming you."

  "Duly noted."

  She tossed a pillow at him.

  ….

  The m, the city was overcast, a typical London sky greeting them as they prepared for the event.

  The ride to the venue was smooth - Waterstones Piccadilly, Europe's rgest bookstore. Located in a grand Edwardian building, it was the perfect venue for the UK release.

  As expected, there was already a small crowd gathered outside the bookstore, mostly eager fans and media personnel.

  Ihe event space was set up effitly.

  A backdrop with the book's cover art stood behind the table where he would sign, fnked by stacks of freshly printed copies.

  Journalists and photographers were stationed nearby, ready to dot the proceedings.

  Regal went through the motions, posing for a few pictures, answering the greetings, and then taking his seat for the signing.

  The turnout exceeded expectations. Fans of all ages came through, few were even clutg well-worn copies from the U.S. release, eager to get them signed. Others were first-time readers, drawn in by the growing buzz.

  As he signed book after book, he caught ss of excited versations, some about the story, others speg on a potential sequel.

  By the time the event ed up, his hand was sore, but he couldn't deny the satisfa of seeing so many people genuinely ied in his work.

  ….

  The day was for interviews.

  First stop - the BBC Broadcasting House iral London.

  The historic building had been home to some of the most iial voices in British media.

  Regal recorded a segment for BBC Radio, discussing the book's themes and its ued iional success.

  From there, they rushed to The Guardian's offices in King's Cross for a sit-down interview. The journalist, an older man with a skeptical air, probed deeper into his creative choices.

  Interviewer: "Mr. Regal, before we dive into the questions, I would love to hear about your experieng your book here and how the reception has been so far."

  Regal leaned back slightly, a small smile f. "Holy? It's been incredible. Five days in, and I am still taking in just how enthusiastic the readers are. Seeing their excitement firsthand has been a rewarding experience."

  A brief pause, then a slight shift in his expression. "I have also taken the opportunity to explore the try a bit, with my girlfriend, no less. So I am gd the UK ended up being my first iional stop."

  The interviewer nodded approvingly. "That's great to hear! Now, I have to say, I absolutely loved Hogwarts and the magical world you have created. But why the UK? Why set your story here?"

  Regal's expression turhoughtful. "Part of it was a challeo myself, to see if I could authentically capture a culture I didn't grow up in. It pushed me as a writer, made me do my homework, and really immersed myself iails. Judging by the warm reception so far, I would like to think I did a det job."

  The interviewer let out a short chuckle, shaking his head. "Ah, I have to correct you there, Mr. Regal, you did more than a det job."

  Regal only nodded, gng toward the rec devi the table as the interview carried on.

  There were still more questions to answer, more versations to have, but so far, this trip was shaping up to be exactly what he had hoped for.

  .

  ….

  [To be tinued…]

  ★─────??★??─────★

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