Celebrity Lady - Chapter 160

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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
Side Story 2
“It has already been three years since Your Majesty inherited the throne. Considering the precedent of former emperors who took the throne after weathering hardship and producing heirs during their crown prince days, this is an unprecedented situation. That there is still no heir—it is a matter of grave concern for the continuity of the Imperial House.”
Duke Raijer spoke, and though his words were directed toward Lark, his sharp gaze was fixed on Leonard.
“I have felt this for some time now—does the Duke enjoy frightening people with such rhetoric? Both Your Majesty and the Empress are young, there is nothing amiss with their health, and they have simply stated they will plan carefully for an heir. Why invoke the continuity of the Imperial House at all?”
Leonard parried the thrust at once. Then Merlin attacked next.
“Fine words, but who among us does not know that the Empress is occupied with both imperial affairs and external business ventures, placing heir production second on her priorities?”
“Well said indeed. And knowing of her circumstances, why do you hound His Majesty so relentlessly? When the Empress lacks even ten lifetimes enough time, rather than prepare medicine to strengthen her, you insist on burdening her further with concern over the matter of succession—truly remarkable loyalty.”
Leonard’s words dripped with irony. He was never so easily swayed. There was a reason for his unbroken victories thus far.
He was the Empress’s father. And a father fought hard…….
“Your Grace speaks well. Since we must now prepare in earnest for the production of an heir, would it not be prudent to advise the Empress to reconsider her focus on external ventures? Would it not be preferable that she concentrate solely on imperial affairs from this point forward?”
From Duke Ferdi’s mouth came, at last, the demand that she abandon business entirely. This time, Biego, who had been silent until now, interjected.
“Do you truly not know the contribution the Empress has made to the glory of the realm through the innovative image of a noble businesswoman?”
“What use is projecting the nation’s might abroad if we cannot attend to the anxieties within? With no proper heir in sight, the people’s worry is immense—surely you are not ignorant of—”
“……Enough!”
With no end in sight and Raijer launching another counterattack, Lark finally stepped in to mediate.
All eyes turned to the young emperor.
“I understand all your concerns. I respect both the hearts of you all, who care for the empire above all else, and each of your approaches. I have heard you clearly—regarding this matter, I shall speak with the Empress about it myself.”
……What was this magnificent rhetoric he suddenly produced?!
Raijer, Merlin, and Ferdi trembled visibly, their lips pressed firmly shut.
Like a parrot—or something—Lark was attempting to slip away today with the same answer as always.
This was the emperor who had even abolished the ancient marriage law permitting polygamy in order to make Rubetria his empress. There was a remarkable rumor that during his crown prince days, he had stubbornly rejected every marriage proposal, waiting for “Lady Diolus to reach adulthood.” Everyone who mattered knew it for common fact.
It was no secret that he would give his empress the moon if she asked, let her do whatever she pleased—so what was all this?
That talk of “speaking with the Empress” would lead to the same conclusion, come what may.
“Well, then I shall truly take my leave…….”
“Your Majesty!!”
Duke Raijer cried out.
“Before you ascended! In your crown prince days, when you earnestly sought our consent for the revision of the Imperial marriage law, the abolition of imperial polygamy—do you truly forget the promise you made?!!”
Lark, who had been making for the door, went rigid.
“You promised us that from the Empress alone, you would gladly be blessed with imperial grandchildren! That is why we trusted you!!”
Lark squeezed his eyes shut. His crown prince days came rushing back—the days when he had run about as if his feet were on fire, pushing for the abolition of the polygamy law.
Just as Duke Raijer said, he had begged them to cast their votes for repealing the marriage law, promising that if the number of children was the concern, he would see to it amply without their worry.
At that time, his only thought had been to revise the marriage law and marry Rubetria, no matter what…….
“Now! Keep your promise!!”
“Keep your promise, Your Majesty!!”
Lark was left speechless.
Three years since the State Marriage.
An unavoidable crisis had arrived…….
* * *
―Meow.
Our first daughter, the tricolored cat Mango, mewed adorably and rubbed her head against my feet.
My wish to commute between our newlywed home and the Imperial Palace lasted only days. Between relentless imperial affairs, I ate, slept, and lived at the palace…….
Naturally, Mango’s quarters became our couple’s bedchamber within the Imperial Palace.
But if you think we enjoyed our newlywed days there, you would be wrong. Despite living under the same roof, Lark and I rarely saw each other’s faces, still yearning for one another.
Early in our marriage, coincidentally, Lark had just inherited the throne, and my business was entering a period of rapid expansion.
I traveled frequently for overseas branch offices, while Lark was so consumed with state affairs that he scarcely noticed whether I was home or away.
Since we slept at different times and often rested in separate chambers……after three years of marriage, if I counted only the moments we faced each other, it came to less than a year.
So whenever we found ourselves with a rare moment of leisure, we were like the Weaver and Cowherd meeting once a year…… Well…… Ahem! Ahem. Yes.
Of course, I was meticulous about contraception.
“Wish Spirit, appear for me.”
I closed my eyes and clasped my hands in prayer.
“……What are you doing?”
I opened my eyes. Wishit was perched on the bed, legs crossed, sitting at an awkward angle.
“I’ve been summoned for twenty-four hours—what do you need me to appear for again?”
“Just felt like the mood for it. Grant me a wish for once.”
Wishit laughed slightly and shrugged, then asked.
“So this means I should retrieve the previous wish you asked of me for the time being.”
“Exactly. My clever friend.”
Until now, foolproof contraception had been thanks to Wishit.
But today, I had resolved to fulfill the duty I had been postponing, so I needed the Spirit Talisman Contraceptive Device removed.
Snap.
Wishit flicked a finger in midair and rose to his feet.
“Good luck.”
With those words, he vanished into the Spirit’s Spring.
With perfect timing, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the door, and Lark appeared.
“Oh, you’re here already?”
“Wow, at this hour?”
I had sent word that I was coming home early today, and my husband, true to form, had abandoned everything to rush back.
How long had it been since I saw his face?
Lark, unable to hide his smile, quickly came to me, embraced me, and kissed me.
“You had the regular council meeting today, didn’t you? How was it?”
“Hm? Oh, well…… the same as usual.”
Lark brushed it off vaguely. In truth, I already knew from asking Biego.
Today marked the peak of those aristocratic officials’ relentless demands that he produce a child.
“Speaking of which, how long has it been since we’ve seen each other at an hour like this?”
Lark pressed his forehead gently against mine, continuing to smile. The corners of his lips, struggling to contain his joy, refused to fall.
Was there another man who expressed his love for me with his entire being like this?
Suddenly I felt sorry.
A man who had changed the law itself to marry me, supported my business in every way, endured three years of harassment from old-fashioned officials over the matter of children, and had never once complained about me…….
It was insane…….
“I have something to tell you today!”
“Hm? What is it?”
I pulled Lark to sit across from me at the table.
“The time has come.”
―Meow.
Mango leaped up onto Lark’s lap. As he stroked her, Lark tilted his head.
“What time?”
“Let’s have a baby.”
“……?”
Lark blinked. Then his mouth slowly fell open.
“All of a sudden?”

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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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