Celebrity Lady - Chapter 158

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Celebrity Lady
Chapter 158 (Complete)
“Duke Raijer, who lamented the people’s burden more than anyone, saying that the tax increase was impossible—look up.”
“Sigh…….”
“Without any special measures, you opposed the tax increase proposal, and now it’s not even being discussed because of Rubetria’s dowry—you know that, don’t you?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I was moved more than anyone by the Crown Princess’s gracious decision.”
As Duke Raijer readily admitted it, Lark laughed contentedly and patted his shoulder.
“I know better than anyone what you dukes are worried about. But Rubetria isn’t idle, is she?”
“Of course not…….”
“She travels abroad frequently, yes, but she doesn’t just manage her own operations. As a member of the Imperial House representing the empire, she faithfully dedicates herself to fostering relations with other nations.”
It was eighty percent due to Rubetria’s efforts that the hearts of the Cartan princesses had been won over and doors opened for diplomatic exchange between the kingdoms.
“At this moment, I see no talent more capable of advancing the empire’s prestige than my wife.”
Some of the nobles who partly agreed fell silent and nodded, and Lark grinned before shoving them along.
“If you understand my meaning, go home, think it over again, and come see me whenever you’re ready.”
I’ll be happy to oblige!
“Hmm. Understood, then.”
“Let us discuss the matter further when we see the Crown Princess at the audience next week.”
“Yes, well……. Then, um.”
In the end, the nobles were pushed back and ushered toward the door by Lark’s overwhelming presence.
“See you next time, then.”
Bang!
The moment he closed the door with a bright smile, Lark’s energy drained away and he collapsed in a heap.
“Phew.”
He staggered back and sprawled face-down over the table, muttering.
“I won…….”
Just then.
[Darling~ Did you come to work?]
Lark’s head snapped up.
A small potted plant sat quietly on the table.
It was the means of contact with Rubetria, made through the blessing of the spirit Florinus.
[Knock knock. You there?]
“Yeah.”
Lark’s chest swelled with emotion as he pulled the pot toward himself and hugged it close, muttering.
“Yeah, I’m here…….”
[My, your voice sounds strange. Did those old men come by again today?]
Rubetria asked in an apologetic tone.
The “old men” referred to the noble bureaucrats who had rummaged through his office and left just moments before.
“No.”
[Oh please. I’m sorry. You must have had a hard time dealing with those people, sweetheart.]
Lark burst out laughing.
Even if he was drained, one word from her—sweetheart—and he found himself recharged instantly.
[I’m coming over today. Just finishing up a meeting with the manager here.]
“Today?”
Lark’s eyes widened in delight, but he quickly added something he didn’t entirely mean.
“No need to rush. Don’t mind anyone here—come whenever you’re done with work.”
[It’s not about minding anyone—I just miss you and want to see you.]
“Ha ha, me too.”
—Meow.
At that moment, a cat that had been hiding emerged suddenly and leaped onto the table.
“Oh, Mango.”
[You brought Mango to work?]
“Yeah. Didn’t want to leave her alone at home—thought she’d be lonely.”
According to Rubetria’s wishes, the two of them had decided to commute between their newlywed home in the Forest-adjacent Area on the third floor and the Imperial Palace.
[Mango’s so lucky. Her dad even waves a fishing rod for her…….]
“She keeps crying because she wants to see Mom. Come soon.”
Lark chuckled and stood up, naturally heading somewhere.
The cat’s litter box filled with sand.
As he glanced down to check, he suddenly gasped and knelt in front of it.
“She’s done another whole bucket already.”
[Mango’s poop?]
“Yeah.”
Lark picked up a shovel with practiced ease and scooped out the clumped urine and feces, muttering to himself.
“She’s in great health, I tell you.”
—Meow.
He looked like a handsome farmer digging potatoes. Mango padded over and nuzzled him affectionately.
“Every chance she gets, she makes potatoes and sweet potatoes. She must be some kind of famine-relief crop spirit. We’d never starve even in a bad harvest.”
[What?! Ha ha ha!!]
After cleaning the litter box, Lark stood and chuckled.
“I miss you.”
[Me too…….]
Lark settled back down and slumped over the pot, gently touching the leaves of the small flowering tree within.
They were newlyweds in their prime, yet so busy they hardly saw each other.
There was no help for the tender ache of it.
“I love you.”
[…….]
His casual confession had no answer.
Lark’s eyebrows rose.
“I love you, I said?”
[Oh, me too.]
“What’s that? Someone there with you?”
* * *
[What’s that? Someone there with you?]
Siena, holding the pot, tilted her head.
Rubetria, who normally chattered away, suddenly blushed and stammered…….
‘Oh no—was he confessing his love just now?’
Only Rubetria could hear the voice of the person on the other end, so Siena had no way of knowing what he was saying.
Rubetria glanced nervously at Siena and mumbled.
“I, I have my secretary here…….”
[So what. Don’t just say “me too”—tell me properly.]
“Um.”
Rubetria quickly averted her eyes from Siena and whispered softly.
“I love you too, darling.”
“Ahem! Cough!”
So it really was a confession moment. Now Siena was embarrassed too and cleared her throat awkwardly.
“Oh, CEO! The manager is here!”
“Right, okay. Darling, I’ll call you again before I leave. Kiss.”
[Okay. Kiss.]
The connection ended.
Immediately after, Rubetria smiled brightly at the manager of Blanc de Rubis’s first overseas branch, hurrying toward them.
“CEO! It’s an honor to meet you!”
Rubetria took the manager’s hand and shook it warmly.
“Good to meet you. I’m Rubetria Deccard, CEO of Blanc de Rubis.”
* * *
Blanc de Rubis’s first location, opened in Belcan Capital.
The striking design of this ten-story building, constructed with no expense spared, was also Rubetria’s creation.
“Wow, it’s really impressive.”
“No wonder she’s so famous.”
Behind Rubetria as she toured the store with the manager at her side, the staff from each floor had already begun trailing after her.
How could they miss the chance to see “Madame Rubis” in person?
“The fragrance section opens next week, right? Set it up next to the women’s clothing on the second floor, just as I requested.”
“Yes, we’re preparing it that way.”
Siena, Rubetria’s dedicated secretary who had transferred to work exclusively for the CEO, watched her boss with satisfaction.
Somehow, being Rubetria’s secretary…….
felt far more rewarding than when she worked with Biego at the Diolus Duchy Mansion.
“You’ve all worked hard.”
After finishing her tour, Rubetria arrived at the lobby on the first floor and turned with a bright smile.
The staff who had followed her called out in acknowledgment.
“You’re doing far better than I expected. I have no worries.”
“It’s been an honor to receive your direct advice. All of us—management and staff—will do our best not to tarnish your reputation!”
Rubetria laughed at the manager’s renewed enthusiasm.
“Thank you. Then I’ll see you next time. Let’s go, secretary.”
“Yes, CEO.”
Siena followed behind Rubetria as she turned with dignified grace.
The entrance doors of the first-floor lobby, made of premium glass, tall and wide, were closed.
“Oh!”
The guard hadn’t come in yet, so there was no one to open the doors.
“Just a moment, CEO!”
The manager was about to open it himself when—
Whoosh!
“……?”
As if to say the CEO’s path should never be blocked, the heavy glass doors swung open on their own.
A sudden silence fell.
Everyone’s skin crawled at this phenomenon happening in broad daylight.
“How did that open by itself??”
“I don’t know. What is this? It’s scary.”
Did they have a ghost haunting the premises?
Everyone trembled as the atmosphere suddenly shifted.
And Rubetria, standing motionless—

She suppressed the urge to cry and muttered internally.
“Why.”
Behind her, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.
Accompanied by an equally familiar scent.
A familiar blonde figure flickered briefly across Rubetria’s forward-facing view.
“Not pleased?”
She glanced just enough to see.
“It’s not bad.”
Wishit, bending down to meet her eyes, smiled mischievously from just inches away.

“Isn’t it? I thought when the CEO leaves so impressively, the doors should open themselves to match.”

“Hmm.”
Wishit raised an eyebrow and snapped his fingers—the doors closed again with a click.
“Ugh! Seriously, what is this!”
“It really must be a ghost…….”
Rubetria’s eyes widened in alarm and she quickly cast her gaze down.
She’d been under contract with the Wish Spirit—no, the Spirit King Wishit—for several months now.
It was only recently that Rubetria discovered his eyes changed color whenever he used his power.

“Ha ha ha ha!”
The midday ghost incident.
“Isn’t there a superstition that places where ghosts have settled become quite successful?”
“I’ve heard something like that.”
While Rubetria panicked, the employees mercifully interpreted the phenomenon in their own way.

Rubetria shook her head firmly and played along.
“Looks like this place is destined for great success.”
“Absolutely!”
“We’ll work hard!”
“Good. Thank you for your…….”
Let’s go, quickly.
Clack clack.
The sound of heels echoed clearly against the marble floor.
Autumn sunlight filtered through the glass doors and fell brilliantly across Rubetria’s head.
Snap!
Along with the Spirit’s playful magic, the doors swung open wide again.
“Then.”
Now used to it, Rubetria walked naturally and turned around without hesitation.
Her face bright and beaming.
“Please do your best!”
For a moment, a mystical golden gleam danced across her warm brown eyes.
Fin.