Celebrity Lady - Chapter 112

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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
Chapter 112
“Actually, I’ve been interested in dresses and accessories since I was young. It happened that I had a close tailor who was a skilled friend, so I designed a dress and had her make one for me.”
Watching the shocked expressions of the Emperor and Empress, I pulled out my prepared remarks.
“By fortunate chance it gained popularity. Then one thing led to another, and I found myself trying various things. As the business grew, I became ambitious—”
I gestured respectfully toward Lark with both hands and continued.
“—I asked Your Highness whether he might help with promotion if it wasn’t too much trouble. I can’t tell you how grateful I was when he readily agreed.”
“No, that is…”
The Emperor blinked.
I quickly added with a contrite expression.
“You must be quite surprised, aren’t you? I suppose I’m still too young to conduct business, and for strategic reasons, I’ve kept my identity private—but I’m terribly sorry to have astonished you.”
“My goodness, my goodness. No, no. Don’t misunderstand. I was surprised, but…”
The Empress, laughing in disbelief, turned slightly toward the Emperor.
“Our daughter has nothing to apologize for. This is something to be proud of, something to boast about. Isn’t that right, dear?”
“Ah, yes. Of course. The prestige of Blanc de Ruby in the current system is beyond words, wouldn’t you say? It’s the foremost contributor to the rise in commercial district sales. It’s no exaggeration to say it’s making substantial contributions to the national economy.”
The Emperor, having collected himself from his surprise, spoke.
“There’s a friendly dinner with the King of Leubon coming up this month. We’ve been exchanging letters to set the date, and even across the sea in Leubon, they know of Blanc de Ruby. When I received their letter mentioning it, my prestige was considerably elevated.”
“That’s right! I heard you have quite a few foreign customers?”
As the Empress added the question, I nodded.
“Yes. In fact, the Leubon Kingdom sent an export proposal last month. I’ve decided to begin overseas sales next month.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Ah, I’ve contracted the export trade with a public enterprise belonging to the Imperial House. I did so hoping to contribute even a little to the imperial treasury.”
“…”
“…”
The Emperor and Empress, wearing identical expressions of stunned silence, soon exchanged glances and laughed with evident satisfaction.
“Let me see—our daughter is how old—”
“I only just came of age this year.”
The Empress answered in place of the Emperor’s question, and I nodded.
“Ha ha, well I never. I thought my own son was quite the talent, but now it seems he pales in comparison to our daughter.”
“Perhaps so.”
Lark shot back swiftly.
“You are too kind. Your Highness the Crown Prince is such an accomplished man in so many ways—I’m learning a great deal from you.”
In the meantime, I was making sure to praise the well-raised son too. Satisfied with the flattery, the Emperor and Empress both laughed heartily.
Throughout the meal, I took care to display impeccable dining etiquette and demonstrate the bearing of a well-educated noblewoman.
For all my worrying, it had been rather a success.
* * *
On the way back.
Walking through the silent Imperial Palace Corridor, where not even an ant could be seen, I asked Lark a question.
“That mention of Leubon Kingdom earlier—are you really sure about this?”
“Sure about what?”
“Our plan, remember?”
On the night of the Debutante Ball.
We had a plan to deceive the Second Prince, Nathan.
The note I’d handed to Nathan that night.
The note contained premium information that would make Nathan fall all over himself to get it from me.
Information the Emperor had mentioned just now—to be used at the dinner with Leubon this month.
“The Second Prince will likely gain considerable credit because of the note I gave him. The Leubon King found that answer very much to his liking at the dinner that day.”
“Well, naturally.”
Lark brushed it off carelessly and continued grinning to himself.
‘Why does he look like he’s got a screw loose?’
Ever since we’d finished eating and left, he’d been grinning like that.
“Don’t you see? He’ll become the primary architect of friendship with Leubon. It’ll enhance the Emperor’s prestige too. And it’ll certainly give you a chance to see the Second Prince again.”
“Let it happen.”
“Aren’t you concerned? His position will grow stronger.”
I kept worrying about the information I’d handed over to the Second Prince.
“What if the Emperor starts to resent you, thinking that it was the Second Prince who built himself up cleverly, rather than the one you trusted?”
“Yeah, that’s fine too.”
Lark turned back to me as we walked and smiled.
“Really, don’t worry. It’s all right. Of course I need to concede that much—otherwise I’ll never get Nathan to bite. You can’t hook someone like him with a cheap lure.”
“I suppose, but—”
“He’ll be convinced that you’ve definitely taken your own side, apart from me. Given Nathan’s cautious nature, he won’t bother threatening you then.”
“…”
“On the surface, he’ll play the good boy and approach you casually, seeking your help. You’ll be safe from Nathan’s reach. That’s the picture I want most.”
Lark shrugged and added,
“Besides… I don’t dwell on such things. I didn’t even mind when I lost at the joust. It’s not because I’m incompetent. Though I’ll admit I was a little embarrassed in front of you.”
“I understand. I really do.”
“Right.”
“So why do you keep grinning like that?”
“Huh? Oh.”
Lark laughed softly and touched the tip of his nose.
“I’m grateful. Today you were so kind to my father, my mother, and to Madame Endleton as well. I really liked that.”
“…”
“You see, I’m often disappointed in my father, but even so I’m not unable to understand him.”
“I understand your feelings, Your Highness.”
I sympathized with what Lark said.
I knew exactly how he felt. I too had found my father both hateful and pitiable for failing to care for his child in his grief.
If you could simply sever a relationship because of conflict, could you even call it a parent-child bond? The Heavenly Bond isn’t called that for nothing.
“You could meet a better man without having to wait for me, couldn’t you?”
“…”
“Yet you trust and wait. I know I should apologize for that, but when I saw you being so warm with my parents today… well, how do I put it. I was deeply moved.”
“That’s only natural. It’s never a bad thing to make a good impression on your future in-laws beforehand.”
At my words, Lark’s eyes widened.
“And I should confess something, since you keep saying such kind things about me trusting and waiting that my conscience bothers me.”
I scratched my cheek and continued.
“I’m a woman who looks to her own interests, you know. Where in this empire would I find a better man than you? Nowhere, that’s where…”
Lark stared at me for a moment, then laughed and turned away, his ears flushed a becoming pink.
“Sigh.”
“What’s with the sigh all of a sudden?”
Lark turned back and pouted, as if being teased.
Then he murmured,
“I want to graduate from being business partners soon.”
* * *
“Hmm…”
A white-haired boy with a doll-like, cute face.
The Spirit Poze, who wore the appearance of a ten-year-old child, watched Rubetria and Lark with bright blue eyes.
‘That idiot Nathan seems to have already fallen for her hook, line, and sinker…’
On the night of the Debutante Ball.
Because of the ‘signal’ Rubetria sent, Nathan was absolutely convinced that she’d secured her own position.
But Poze harbored doubts.
‘The more I think about it, the stranger it seems. I’m dying to know what those two are talking about~’
Unfortunately, all he could learn came from the mouths of spirits who came and went from the Spirit Spring.
He had no way of knowing the private plans humans made.
‘That bastard Randian. Lucky him, getting summoned all day long.’
Lark was thorough. He kept Randian summoned at all times and watched his surroundings carefully, so Poze couldn’t even eavesdrop on their conversation.
‘But could she really be manipulated by the Crown Prince?’
Watching Rubetria from a distance, Poze tore at his own hair in frustration.
‘And why of all people would she want to secure Nathan’s line? It’s obviously a rotten rope…’
His doll-like face, as he gnawed at his nails, looked genuinely worried.
‘He just sucks out what he needs and does who-knows-what, yet you don’t see it? How could our Spirit King give his liver and guts to such a blockheaded contractor?’
There was no point staying longer—a waste of time. Poze kicked his feet in irritation and turned away with a sigh.
Then.
The moment he turned around, there stood a familiar figure directly in his path.
“GYAAAAAAHHHH!!!”
Flaming crimson hair and brilliant golden eyes.
Starting sometime recently, he’d taken to walking around in that form—perhaps according to the Contractor’s preference…
The Spirit King, Wishit, had appeared.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait, wait!”
Poze clutched his chest and raised one hand defensively.
“You scared me half to death. My heart nearly stopped. Wait, let me breathe. Huff, huff, huff!”
“…”
Wishit’s face was expressionless.
Or rather, not expressionless—very, very angry.
Poze grinned cutely.
“Hehe. I haven’t seen you at the Spirit Spring lately.”
“You’ve been desperately avoiding me, haven’t you?”
“Oh come on. Why would I do that? Pfft, I just came out for some air. I should probably get going now. Maybe next time…, ack!”
Thwack!
As Poze tried to leave with an awkward laugh, his nape was suddenly grabbed, and he found himself dangling.
Meeting Wishit’s piercing gaze head-on, Poze laughed nervously.
“Uh…”
Soon, with both his cute cheeks bearing the impression of tiny fists, he asked,
“…Are you gonna hit me?”
“Ha.”

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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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