Celebrity Lady - Chapter 110

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Celebrity Lady
Episode 110
“Could you possibly go on stage in my place today?”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Sera’s condition is terrible. She seems to have come down with something—she can barely walk. She’s in no state to perform.”
As Heron quickly interjected, Rubetria let out a heavy sigh.
“I knew this would happen! This is exactly why we need to keep a backup actress on standby!”
She shook her head, visibly troubled.
“I can’t go on stage. With Sera in this condition, the performance will be difficult regardless. We should cancel today’s schedule.”
“My lady!”
Sera spoke through a hoarse voice.
“I’m so sorry. I’ve been unprofessional—I couldn’t even take proper care of myself…….”
…….
“But we can’t cancel the play today, of all days. The Imperial House guests are coming, aren’t they?”
Rubetria’s face fell as she realized Sera was right, and she dragged her cheeks down in exasperation.
With the Emperor and Empress herself invited, it would be terribly awkward to unilaterally cancel the performance.
“Please. Just this once.”
“……This is driving me mad.”
But me, on stage?
From helping the actors rehearse, she’d memorized all the main characters’ lines.
The actors knew this, which was why they were pleading with such desperate expressions.
“I know it’s shameless to ask, but my lady. Please……. I don’t want the Theatre Troupe to suffer because of me…….”
Watching Sera’s tears, Rubetria wrestled with the decision.
Fortunately, in the empire at this time, her face wasn’t widely known. With stage makeup, the audience would simply assume she was a backup actress for Juliet.
But.
‘I have to have dinner with the Emperor after the play, don’t I?’
The high-ranking guests invited today would definitely recognize her.
Rubetria began studying the expressions of everyone surrounding her.
She knew better than anyone how hard they’d all worked, cutting into their sleep.
That was the reason she couldn’t bear to disappoint them now…….
“Sigh.”
Rubetria finally made her decision and unpinned the hair she’d been holding up.
Click.
Her rich red hair cascaded down luxuriously.
“The wig.”
“Right here!”
Heron’s eyes lit up eagerly as he quickly thrust the Juliet wig into Rubetria’s hands.
Taking it, she tapped her way over to the mirror in the Waiting Room and settled into a seat.
“Makeup—”
“Yes, standing by!”
Two makeup artists, brushes and cosmetics between their fingers, quickly positioned themselves behind her.
“Haa…….”
Rubetria gazed at her own face in the mirror and took one long, deep breath, her expression tense.
She’d never imagined that her first stage since retirement would unfold like this.
Playing ‘Juliet’ in ‘Juliet Karerina,’ no less.
* * *
The audience seats filled steadily.
The Imperial House guests were seated in the front row’s VIP Seating.
The Emperor and Empress sat on either side of Marienne Endleton, and Lark sat beside the Emperor.
And…… the empty seat to Lark’s right.
“Isn’t the Princess Rubetria Diolus supposed to come watch the play as well?”
The Emperor leaned forward and asked quietly, and Lark nodded.
“Yes. She should be here soon. She said she’d stop by the actors’ waiting area first.”
Lark glanced toward the Waiting Room.
Rubetria, who’d said she’d only greet them and return, hadn’t shown up for the past hour.
The play was about to start too…….
‘Has something happened?’
At that very moment.
All the lights in the theatre dimmed. The play was beginning.
Whoosh!
A single beam of golden light descended onto the darkened Stage.
A lone actress stood within it.
With chestnut hair braided to one side, she held a sorrowful silence, her eyes cast down.
Despite not a single word of dialogue, her melancholy expression was overwhelmingly powerful.
“That beautiful person who stole my heart in an instant…….”
The actress, pressing a hand to her chest, delivered her monologue with mournful eyes and a trembling lip.
“Why must your name be Romeo, of all things?”
Her eyelashes quivered delicately.
The moment Lark’s eyes met those of the sorrowful actress on stage.
His jaw fell open.
Whoosh.
The lights dimmed again, and gasps rippled through the theatre.
“That’s the female lead?”
“That’s not Sera Wigo, is it?”
Two audience members’ muted voices reached his ears.
“My goodness, she’s so beautiful. Clearly not just anyone can be an actress.”
Marienne whispered with a smile to the Emperor.
“Indeed.”
The Emperor nodded in agreement, then turned casually to his son beside him. His brow furrowed immediately.
Wide eyes. A gaping mouth. Lark’s expression was far too slack-jawed and foolish.
The Emperor leaned over and rebuked him.
“Your composure.”
…….
“Lark?”
The Emperor was bewildered. His son, usually dignified, sat utterly spellbound by the actress’s face…….
“Maintain your dignity.”
“Ah, yes. I—I apologize.”
Lark hastily turned away, his expression alarmed as he tried to hide his face.
Unless his eyes deceived him…….
‘It’s Rubetria, isn’t it?’
That actress was unmistakably Rubetria!
The script he’d adapted himself and showed her excitedly. The prologue monologue scene of the female protagonist, ‘Juliet Capulet.’
Lark remembered it distinctly.
‘What in the world is this?’
Had Rubetria been planning to take the stage from the beginning?
No, that couldn’t be. Rubetria, knowing full well the Emperor would be watching the play, wouldn’t deliberately create such an awkward situation.
If she’d meant this as a surprise entrance, she would have at least coordinated with him beforehand.
‘I’m losing my mind.’
Fortunately, it seemed none of the audience had recognized Rubetria’s face. The Emperor and Empress included.
Besides, the distance between the Stage and the seating was considerable, so Rubetria’s golden eyes—the mark of a Spiritalist—weren’t clearly visible.
But.
‘There’s a dinner appointment after the play.’
In the end, everyone would find out. Lark swallowed hard and turned to look beside him.
The Emperor, now focused entirely on the play, was visible.
“Your Majesty.”
The wound was better caught fresh.
Lark whispered softly.
“Mm?”
Eyes on the Stage, the Emperor tilted his ear slightly to listen.
“The female lead who appeared at the very beginning—it’s Princess Rubetria Diolus.”
“……?”
Just as expected, the Emperor turned with a confused expression.
Lark spread both hands with a bright smile.
“A surprise gift! You’re surprised, aren’t you?”
“What do you mean?”
Lark quickly leaned in again and began to whisper, and the Emperor, bewildered, brought his ear close to the young man’s lips.
“The Princess has always loved theatre immensely. She goes to the Theatre at least once a week.”
“And?”
“In doing so, she’s apparently grown quite interested in expanding theatre and cultural business.”
“Ah, I see.”
“She once mentioned to me how she found the Nobility’s perception of actors somewhat lacking.”
“Mm, yes…….”
“Since acting is naturally seen as a commoner’s profession, the Nobility tends to look down on actors even as they enjoy the theatre.”
“Hmm.”
“I heard in passing that the original female lead of this play and the Princess became close because of a troubling situation. It moved me—a friend suffering due to a government proposal, and the Princess helping her out…….”
“Ah, so there was such a story.”
“Yes. When a great Noblewoman takes the stage herself as an actress, it becomes the first step toward gradually changing the Nobility’s perception and expanding theatre and cultural business.”
Lark wiped the cold sweat from his brow with a subtle smile.
As their eyes met, the Emperor’s expression was curious.
‘Please let this work, please.’
If his father—who was both different from and similar to him—heard this, he would surely accept it. No, he had to.
His palm, slick with cold sweat, was pressed discreetly against his thigh as he silently prayed.
“Hmm…….”
The Emperor stroked his chin and nodded, and his expression showed interest.
“She’s quite admirable, that girl.”
Lark seized the moment immediately.
“Indeed.”
“It pleases me.”
Lark relaxed, but then the Emperor whispered something to Marienne, who sat across from him.
Soon Marienne gasped in surprise, cupped her cheeks, and leaned across to call out to Lark.
“My goodness, Your Highness!”
“Yes?”
Marienne cupped her hands beside her mouth and whispered softly.
“That lovely young lady who appeared at the very beginning—is she to become our empire’s Crown Princess?”
“……Yes?”
At Marienne’s question, Lark’s eyes could only blink.
‘What did Father just say?’
The Emperor, feigning ignorance with his arms crossed, sat focused on the Stage with a satisfied smile.
“Ha, haha.”
Lark laughed toward Marienne—a laugh that was half smile, half grimace.
‘One mountain after another, truly…….’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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