Celebrity Lady - Chapter 115

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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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Celeb Lady
Chapter 115
At Father’s befuddled reaction, the Empress and Lady Endleton froze for a moment.
Experienced as they were, they seemed to sense instinctively that the situation was on a knife’s edge.
“Hmm……”
The Empress laughed awkwardly, her eyes darting about.
“As for me—”
Just then, Becky rose quietly to her feet.
“I’ll fetch some tea. Please, sit and talk comfortably.”
What? She’s betraying me like this?
I tried desperately to hold Becky back with my eyes, but without mercy she pressed her lips together and turned away.
‘Forgive me, Lady Rubetria!’
‘No! Come back! Don’t abandon me!’
That was the entirety of our last wordless conversation.
“Well, Father.”
Father, dragging me along with heavy footfalls, settled into a seat.
Presently, the Empress spoke.
“It seems we’ve made a blunder, haven’t we, my dear?”
“No, it’s not……”
Unable to meet Father’s gaze, I answered in a timid voice, my head bowed low.
Seeing my pitiful state, the Empress cleared her throat and added, “Ahem, well.”
“Looking at your expression, it seems the Duke didn’t know. But isn’t it all the more admirable? These days, there’s hardly anyone in our circles who hasn’t heard of this shop. For someone of your tender years to be so resourceful and capable—truly remarkable.”
“That’s precisely why—”
“Rubetria is the proprietor of this shop. Between the costume atelier and accessories, the main cosmetics store and its branches, plus the leather goods shop on Hebe Street, there are already seven locations, and you didn’t know, Duke?”
As Lisbeth rattled on excitedly, silence fell over the room.
Glancing furtively to the side, I saw Father staring down at me, his mouth hanging open.
I quickly averted my eyes.
“My goodness, why the worry?”
Lady Endleton seized my trembling hand.
“Where does a father find such an accomplished daughter? This is something to be praised by your own father—why are you so frightened?”
“Duke, surely you’re not displeased? Unlike our generation, it’s nothing unusual these days for nobility to engage in commerce, is it?”
Lady Endleton and the Empress became my shield, speaking desperately in my defense.
“It’s not that…… I’m simply taken aback.”
“Ah, you felt hurt that she worked without telling you. That’s understandable. You should have mentioned it to the Duke, dear.”
The Empress laughed softly, tapping Father’s arm and adding, “Hehe.”
“The Duke himself is so thoughtless—wearing a Watch made by his own daughter, no less.”
At those words, Father gazed down at the Watch on his left wrist.
A timepiece unique in all the world.
There were only two Watches with a design stamped individually—one I’d given to Lark, and one I’d gifted to Father.
Father blinked slowly, murmuring.
“You said you didn’t want to spend my money, that you’d handle your own affairs from now on.”
“Yes, Father, about that—”
“And you really have been doing it……”
The Empress didn’t notice that Father was half-stunned; instead, she beamed and clapped her hands together.
“My word, truly? How wonderful. How could you have grown up so quickly? Even my Lisbeth should learn from you, dear.”
“Hehe, what a fortune the Duke must have, to have such a daughter. He could skip meals and still feel full!”
“Wouldn’t you agree, madam?”
Watching the Empress and Lady Endleton trade remarks with perfect timing, I found myself neither laughing nor crying.
“Our Crown Prince has matured remarkably early as well. Seeing how he’s handled his own matters so skillfully since childhood—the two of you really are alike. Imagine how beautifully you’d shine together in the Imperial House!”
“Indeed, my thoughts exactly. Might this old woman live to see the two young Highnesses, your grandchildren, before she passes?”
“Goodness, madam. Of course you must live a long, long life.”
‘No, what are you saying? Please, please stop!’
I screamed inwardly.
Right on cue, Father’s eyes sharpened like a tiger’s, and he answered sharply.
“What do you mean by such words? We happen to have met, so I’ll be candid—I had no intention of sending a favorable reply to the betrothal proposal sent to my daughter before.”
At Father’s words, all three women’s eyes widened in shock.
“Why? Is our son not to your liking?”
“Our Biego is incredibly impressive!”
“From what I heard before, the Crown Prince and the Lady seemed to get along wonderfully?”
Lady Endleton added, as if reproaching Father.
“I understand a father’s reluctance to part with his daughter, but surely the final choice of a lifetime companion should rest with the person themselves?”
“No.”
Father took my hand and spoke firmly.
“I wish for my daughter to have an ordinary spouse. I’ve no desire to watch her suffer in the Imperial House. The thought of her having to navigate her husband’s other wives troubles me greatly.”
“Ah.”
“…Ah, I see.”
Both the Empress and Lady Endleton fell silent, their exclamations dying away.
And I, too, was startled. Father had been invoking the Empire’s Marriage Law, after all.
‘He’s thought that far ahead on his own. Like father, like daughter—our values really are identical.’
I nodded to myself inwardly.
“Now I understand. So that’s why our Lark has been so insistent about revising the law.”
For some reason, the Empress spoke gently despite Father’s frigid expression.
“I understand your heart a hundred times over, Duke—a thousand times. Among those of us here, both I and Lady Endleton probably understand your feelings best. But here’s the thing—”
The Empress smiled.
“I have good news. From what I can see, he’s already halfway—”
“Your Majesty?”
Lady Endleton tapped the back of her hand lightly against the Empress’s arm, signaling her to stop, and the Empress cleared her throat awkwardly, cutting herself off.
“Ahem, yes. That may be premature for a toast just yet. At any rate, I understand your feelings well. I’m sorry we’ve burdened you thoughtlessly.”
“……”
“But please, understand—your daughter is such a desirable daughter-in-law.”
The Empress looked at me with affection and smiled.
“Why don’t we move somewhere else to talk? It’s rude to take up space in such a busy shop.”
“Your Majesty, I—”
“Come to the Imperial Palace and have a meal with our Crown Prince. Yes?”
As the Empress pressed forward with an offer that couldn’t be refused, Father sighed and looked down at me.
Again, I quietly averted my gaze from Father’s eyes.
* * *
Just as the carriage entered the Imperial Palace gates.
‘Hmm? Isn’t that Biego?’
Through the passing carriage window, I thought I’d glimpsed a familiar face.
I spoke to Father, who’d been grumbling the entire ride.
“Father, would you like to go in first?”
“What now?”
“I’ll follow right after. Please, go ahead.”
Uncertain if I’d really seen him, I stopped the carriage and climbed out anyway.
* * *
Walking out from the Imperial Palace.
There was no strength left in Biego’s steps.
The question Lark had thrown at him mockingly before he turned to leave wouldn’t leave his mind.
“Who was the Minor Duke’s real family, then? That girl suffering under demons in that household—she never once asked the Minor Duke for help? Never?”
“……”
“Ignorance, too, is a sin. If there’s even a shred of remorse in your heart, apologize—but don’t expect forgiveness. Whether to accept the Minor Duke is entirely the young lady’s choice.”
Every word was true. Long ago, Biego had abandoned any thought of living as Rubetria’s brother, bearing her calling him that without shame.
“Who was the real family?”
Family……
He’d thought of them as family. More than family, even.
Molga, who cared for him like a son despite sharing no blood.
The twins, who followed him adorably, calling him brother, sharing their mother’s affection.
He’d thought of them as family……
“Oh, brother. Your complexion is awful. You haven’t slept in four days. Couldn’t you just rest for a moment? I’m worried, so worried……”
“What idle talk is this? How could I sleep peacefully while all this unfolds? Don’t worry about me.”
“But still……”
The little sister Rubetria, who once found it difficult even to speak to him, would say the same things whenever she managed to visit.
You look in pain, get some rest, leave the work for later……”
For Biego, burdened with so much, rest was a luxury. Eventually, such concern began to feel like a nuisance.
“Brother, are you in much pain?”
“I’m fine, Lilia. This isn’t something new. A little rest and I’ll be better.”
“Good, then. Brother, actually, I have a favor to ask. Do you think you could help me? I need a Ball Gown, and the shop I want to visit is hard to book……”
“What?”
“Couldn’t you come with me and pull some strings? Hmm? I really, really want to wear a dress from that shop.”
Tears welled in his eyes as a self-mocking laugh escaped him.
How foolish could he be?
“Ugh.”
Nausea rose immediately. Biego stood there for a long while, expelling his own stupidity.
“Minor Duke! Are you alright?”
He heard the concerned voice of his guard, but all that surfaced in his mind was Rubetria’s face.
“Who was the real family?”
It was probably only Rubetria in this house who’d thought of him as family—despite his being this unbearably foolish.
A father who locked himself away and never emerged, a second brother who fled the house like a coward—while wishing desperately that they’d notice his suffering……
Biego had never once asked them for comfort.
The only one who offered him the solace he craved was the one who noticed his pain and reached out a hand.
The only one who truly thought of him as family was.
Rubetria.
“…Brother?”
For a moment, he thought he heard her voice like a phantom.
In his blurred vision, Rubetria’s face came into focus.
It was no phantom. Dressed elaborately from head to toe, as if to meet someone important.
The Rubetria before him looked far better than before.
Since the moment she’d coldly declared she’d stop thinking of him as her brother.
Since the moment she’d resolved to cast off that bitter-sweet love for him.
Rubetria had looked happy.
“What’s wrong? What’s happened?”
Rubetria, her brow furrowed, turned to Biego’s guard.
“I’m not certain. He was returning after meeting the Crown Prince……”
“The Crown Prince? Did the Prince feed you something spoiled? Why are you vomiting in the street like this?”
Tsk-tsk, Rubetria clicked her tongue in disapproval and knelt to meet his eyes.
Biego struggled to hold her face in his blurred vision.
“Look at me, look.”
Grumbling with displeasure, Rubetria nonetheless pulled a Handkerchief from her pocket and wiped the corner of his mouth.
“Ha……”
“…?”
Seeing Biego laugh like a madman, tears already streaming from his eyes, Rubetria flinched.
“Has he finally lost it?”
“…Rubetria.”
“I’ve told you over and over. Sleep a little, work like a normal person. I know there’s no one else to do the work but you, but still—you have to stay alive first to do anything.”
The hand wiping his mouth was somewhat rough, yet filled with concern.
Concern that lonely, suffering Biego had never seen from anyone. Concern he would never see again.
Care.
Ah……
He really had been such a fool.
“Rubetria……”
“Yes, I’m listening.”
“Don’t forgive me……”
At his wet voice, Rubetria’s hands stilled.
“Don’t call me brother. You don’t have to call me that anymore. Just……”
“……”
“Until I can repay everything I failed to give you……”
“……”
“Please, stay by my side until then……”

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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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