Celebrity Lady - Chapter 116

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

Celebrity Lady
Chapter 116
Rubetria Diolus exhaled a long sigh.
“My brother really is a handful.”
Then she turned to the guard beside her.
“I know it’s difficult, but could you carry him to the carriage?”
“Yes, Miss.”
The guard hoisted the nearly unconscious Biego onto his back, and Rubetria watched the scene unfold while swallowing another sigh.
‘A three-stage combo attack: crying, vomiting, and apologizing tearfully? Really?’
“I’ll just have a meal at the Imperial Palace and catch up shortly, so let my brother rest for now. And if he collapses from overwork again, it’ll be serious—could you pass a message to his secretary?”
“Understood, Miss.”
Rubetria shook her head as she watched the carriage carrying Biego depart.
* * *
The Empress’s Dining Hall.
Lark, who had hurried over upon receiving word, sat down beside me and asked quietly.
“What is it?”
“A formal meeting of families…?”
At my hushed reply, Lark’s eyes widened. He swallowed hard, then quickly surveyed the peculiar combination of guests before him.
The Empress, seated at the head of the table, smiled warmly as she regarded Lark and me sitting side by side.
To her left sat Lady Endleton and Lizbet.
And to the Empress’s right, my father, who stared at Lark with an intensity that could bore holes.
“Indeed. A formal meeting of families.”
Lark’s very quiet murmur nearly made me burst into laughter.
Beneath the table, I could see him clench his fists with tension.
“It’s been a while, Duke. It’s the first time I’ve seen you since that visit to the Duke’s residence.”
“Yes.”
His answer dropped like a stone—cold and heavy.
The Empress, noticing my father’s discomfort, spoke carefully.
“Don’t you think the two of them make a perfect match?”
“I’m not certain, Your Majesty.”
My father deflected instantly.
“Though I say this not out of parental bias, there’s no finer son-in-law in the realm than the Crown Prince.”
“Mother.”
Lark stopped her before she could launch into her encomium.
And yet, I had to agree with what she was saying.
Even setting aside parental lens—that tendency to think one’s own child is perfect—Lark truly was an exemplary man. Definitely.
“Looks, ability, character. There’s nothing lacking, is there? What do you think, Miss?”
“You’re quite right.”
Lark broke into a cold sweat, and I nodded in agreement.
“My, the young lady agrees as well?”
“I understand parental feelings, but a child’s opinion is ultimately the most important, after all. Isn’t that so?”
The Empress and Lady Endleton seemed determined to join forces and win my father over.
But my father was not easily swayed.
“I agree that a daughter’s thoughts are paramount, but surely it’s also a parent’s duty to dissuade her should she make an unwise choice.”
“…? Wait, Duke. Are you saying our Crown Prince is an unwise choice?”
“I’ve made no such claim. I simply haven’t encountered His Highness the Crown Prince often enough to agree with Your Majesty’s assessment. His character, for instance…?”
“My brother is certainly kind, but sometimes he acts like you can’t quite read him. And when he playfully teases, he can be irritating.”
As Lizbet murmured this absently while cutting her food, the Empress stared at her in alarm. My father, as if he’d been handed ammunition, nodded knowingly.
“Yes, yes. Our child is virtuous.”
“Indeed, quite so.”
The flustered Empress and my father, who calmly continued cutting his meal.
“Still, look—yes, you haven’t known the Crown Prince long, so perhaps that explains it. But just look at that handsome face.”
The Empress, knife in hand, gestured toward Lark with her chin. It seemed she meant to lobby with her son’s undeniable beauty.
“When one thinks of future generations, isn’t the groom’s appearance something parents can’t overlook when choosing a son-in-law?”
“Not at all. Should my daughter bear children, they would be beautiful to me regardless of their appearance. Your Majesty doesn’t feel the same way?”
“Oh, no, that’s not what I meant…”
Formidable! The Empress’s lips trembled as she found herself at a loss for words.
“It’s not merely for the sake of future generations that a woman might prefer a handsome husband. As a wife, surely one would prefer a more attractive spouse, all else being equal?”
The statement was so utterly reasonable that I nodded vigorously—then, feeling my father’s sharp gaze, quickly lowered my eyes.
“Appearance is not what matters. I judge people by their inner essence.”
“You really are… a dull sort, aren’t you, Duke?”
Moved by the deflated Empress, I carefully interjected.
“I agree with you, Father. Inner character is always the most important.”
“That’s right.”
My father smiled, satisfied, and I added:
“…Though appearance is the preliminary round.”
“…?”
“Pfft.”
The Empress burst into laughter, covering her mouth and lowering her head.
“Well then, our son passes the preliminary round without issue.”
“Indeed he does.”
The Empress smiled at me, and I returned her smile, pointedly ignoring my father’s blazing glare.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Y-yes!”
At my father’s summons, the uncomfortable Lark straightened his posture sharply.
“I understand you’ve been zealous in advocating for a revision to the Marriage Law. What is your reason?”
A direct hit, right down the middle!
Lark, frozen for a moment in contemplation, eventually took a deep breath and spoke.
“You likely suspect as much, but yes—it’s because of Miss Diolus. I’ve delayed the state marriage because of her. I have no wish to take any woman but her as queen.”
“My, my.”
The Empress whispered excitedly to my father beside her.
“Isn’t he impressive? I mean, truly—not just because he’s my son.”
“…So you mean to say, once the law is changed, you’ll send a new marriage proposal without my daughter’s consent?”
“No. There will be no more proposals, I assure you. I apologize again for the last time.”
At Lark’s firm reply, I was taken aback.
‘What? Why won’t he send one? Once the law revision succeeds, he has to…’
But I soon understood the reason.
“If I have won Miss Diolus’s heart as a husband, and also pleased the Duke as a son-in-law…”
Lark continued with admirable conviction and composure.
“Then I will ask for your consent at that time. I will not presume to propose without agreement. From now on, I will do my utmost to earn the Duke’s approval.”
Oh my…
At Lark’s flawless response, I felt my cheeks flush with heat.
My father closed his eyes slowly, then opened them and murmured.
“I understand, for now. Though I wonder whether such an ancient law will change so easily.”
“I will strive until it does.”
My father’s hand trembled slightly as he pretended to cut his food, and I felt a pang of sympathy. So I turned toward him with wide, imploring eyes full of affection.
My father, observing me quietly, released a long sigh.
“…Very well.”
* * *
“I’ve finished all my work today. Could you perhaps come out this evening?”
Lark asked as he saw me off to the carriage.
I desperately wanted to accept his hopeful proposal, but…
“I’m afraid today won’t work. I’m sorry.”
Since I’d planned to check on Biego, who had seemed unwell, I had to reluctantly decline.
Lark pursed his lips and nodded.
“I see. It can’t be helped.”
“I’ll stop by tomorrow for a bit.”
“Good. I’ll be waiting.”
We exchanged all the farewells we could, yet lingered in reluctance.
I fidgeted with my feet, unwilling to leave, while Lark smiled and gazed at me steadily.
As we drew out the moment, Lark gave a small cough and leaned down to whisper softly.
“I should go, Miss. Otherwise—”
“Hmm?”
“My head might actually split open.”
At his words, I glanced back and felt my father’s burning stare from where he already sat in the carriage.
“Oh! Then I’ll go now.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Reluctant to leave, I brushed his arm, then withdrew.
As we moved apart, our hands—which we’d quietly clasped—lingered just a moment longer than necessary. My fingertips tingled with warmth.
‘Good grief. It’s not like we’re Romeo and Juliet…’
* * *
Exhaustion accumulated from excessive work.
Shock from my meeting with Lark.
Biego slept as if unconscious, then woke sometime after nightfall.
“Biego! Dear, are you coming to your senses?”
“Grandmother?”
“Brother!”
“Brother, I thought something had happened to you. Sob.”
Molga and the twins sat beside him, their voices thick with tears.
As Biego raised his heavy body, the damp cloth that had rested on his forehead fell away.
Molga whimpered.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. My dear. You were already exhausted, and I’ve caused you this worry, and…”
Biego, looking from the wet cloth to Molga, let out a small laugh.
“Not at all. I apologize for the concern. I must attend to my duties, so please leave now—all of you.”
Lilia and Ricky jumped up as if they’d been waiting for permission.
“Big brother, don’t be sick.”
“Work hard, brother. We won’t bother you.”
The twins, clearly bored from waiting for Biego to wake, hurried from the room.
Before leaving, Molga pulled Biego into an embrace.
“My son. My precious firstborn. Don’t be in pain, all right?”
“…Yes.”
“If anything troubles you, you must tell mother right away.”
Mother?
Biego scoffed inwardly even as he answered with feigned joy.
“Yes.”
After Molga left, silence returned to the room.
Crackle, crackle.
Only the sound of wood burning in the hearth reached his ears.
Knock, knock. Just then, a small knock sounded, and his secretary entered bearing a stack of documents. It was Siena.
“You’re awake, Young Duke.”
“Hmm.”
Seeing the substantial pile of work she’d brought, Biego sat up.
“You seemed fatigued recently, so I’ve done a preliminary review of documents requiring your approval. I’ve set aside the non-urgent items and collected only those needing immediate attention. It seems you need to distribute some of this workload.”
Siena set the files on the desk as she spoke.
“Why would you do something I didn’t ask for? Just bring everything at once.”
“Miss Diolus instructed me to do so.”
“What?”
“She was the one who selected these documents. And regarding matters pertaining to Leubon territory, she said she knows quite a bit and will review them herself. She asked that you only provide your seal of approval.”
Biego, staring at the far smaller pile than usual, slowly drew in a breath.
“Grandmother and the twins—were they here the whole time I was sleeping?”
“…”
Siena offered no immediate response.
When Biego looked up from the documents to meet her gaze, she averted her eyes slightly before answering.
“No. For about ten minutes…”
“…”
“Ten minutes before Miss Diolus returned home shortly after you fell asleep. She stayed at your side for over five hours before returning to her room thirty minutes ago, saying she was tired.”
Siena gestured toward the wet cloth on the bed and the bucket filled with water.
“She also asked me whether I could change the cloth in the early morning hours.”
Biego stared at the cloth and bucket, then suddenly burst into laughter.
“Hahahaha…”
The quiet chuckle that escaped him carried an undertone of self-reproach. Siena, sensing the mood, bowed her head respectfully.
“I’ll take my leave now. Please take care of yourself.”
Click.
The door closed, and silence returned once more.
Biego’s gaze drifted to a frame on the desk.
Lilia, smiling beautifully.
Ricky, with a pouting expression that was endearingly cute.
Molga and the twins, and himself between them, looking utterly happy.
There was no trace of Rubetria’s face anywhere in the frame.
His eyes slowly rose to regard the frames hanging on the wall.
A portrait of the beautiful Molga.
Himself, drawing the twins close and smiling happily.
“Heh heh. Hahaha…”
As he laughed with a whimper, his expression suddenly went rigid.
Whoosh—
In that instant, the frames on the desk and walls shot up into the air with violent force.
They plunged like garbage into the blazing hearth.
Crackle, crackle.
The fierce flames consumed their faces with ease.
“I’m sorry.”
An apology to no one in particular.
“I will never make another mistake.”
A vow, tinged with something like madness, cut sharply through the lifeless silence.

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