Celebrity Lady - Chapter 162
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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 4
Wishit asked, glancing away with a perfunctory cough.
“……Were you thrown out?”
“No, I… whenever something feels suspicious, I simply head home on my own. I’ve never been thrown out…….”
“I see……. You’ve had it rough.”
“What else is a king to do?”
Spirits had no choice but to experience the Contractors’ happy times in full.
In the beginning, when emotion had not yet existed, sharing the Contractors’ state brought no particular thought.
But now, having mingled with humans and awakened to feeling, having become profoundly human—matters had changed somewhat.
“Then do your best…….”
“You too…….”
In the end, with nothing left to do, Wishit wandered the Spirit Spring for some time before sprawling across the fragrant grass and exhaling a sigh.
‘Ah, my dignity is in tatters.’
A Spirit King who gets thrown out every time his Contractor works at night?
Give my dignity back…….
“So you were thrown out just now?”
At that moment, a voice and a shadow fell across his head.
Irritably opening his eyes, an upside-down view brought a beautiful white-haired beauty into focus.
As always, her eyes closed, yet seeing all the branching paths of futures—it was Vista.
“Is your Contractor engaged in vigorous breeding activities?”
“Hm.”
Does Rubetria know? There isn’t a single spirit unaware of when she’s having her happy time.
“So the rumor that Your Majesty has been banished frequently of late was true—what a relief.”
“How is that a relief…….”
“A relief, surely? Your Majesty’s Contractor is the Empire’s principal lady. The people of the Empire eagerly await the birth of an heir for the nation’s survival and stability, do they not?”
Vista sat down beside Wishit.
“I was actually looking for you. Since we’ve met, might I ask one favor?”
“A favor?”
“I’d like to make a Contract…….”
“What?”
Wishit was startled.
Vista was a Spirit classified as “Dangerous Class” by the Imperial Court. And though not widely known, the Court sealed the Contractors of Dangerous Class Spirits—for life. Equal to death itself—so Wishit had long cautioned against contracting with Dangerous Class Spirits to spare innocent humans such a fate.
Yet Vista, knowing all this, suddenly wanted a Contract?
Vista was a Spirit who saw futures.
There must be a reason.
“Why all of a sudden?”
“The one I wish to contract with is the Seventh Prince.”
The seventh son of former Emperor Deccard the Eleventh, and half-brother to the current Emperor Lark.
“Seventh Prince Dennis is kind-hearted and will become a talent useful to the Empire’s future.”
One who contracts with Vista gains the ability to see countless branching futures.
“When I contract with him, I see not a single branching path where he abuses this power.”
Contractors of this rare gift were prone to misuse it or be exploited by greedy humans. The Empire, having suffered several upheavals as a result, classified Vista as Dangerous Class.
“At least he is someone trustworthy enough to be relied upon.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“And yet his fate is short, so you’re attempting to save him.”
“You are perceptive.”
It was as Wishit had expected—no surprise there. If the boy could live well on his own, Vista would never bother to contract and remain by his side.
“His luck is truly…… damnable. Hundreds of branching death futures……. So I wish to stand beside him and help him avoid those perils. Saving him would greatly benefit the Empire.”
“What you’re asking of me is to hide the fact that you’ve contracted with a Dangerous Class Spirit, then?”
“Yes. Please help so I’m not sealed away the moment we contract.”
Wishit grew curious about what future Vista had foreseen.
The source of all Spirits’ power was the Spirit King himself.
Naturally, Wishit could see thousands of branching futures just as Vista did, or command the earth as Randian does.
But he chose not to.
Especially not to see the future.
‘Too much of a headache.’
What ordinary humans would pass through without thinking twice became something Wishit grew sensitive to, because he cherished his Contractor so dearly.
Three seconds from now she’ll trip over a rock, or she’ll catch a cold if she goes out today……. If he kept watching the future that way, Wishit would surely keep Rubetria caged like a bird in a cage.
That would gnaw away at his nerves considerably, and besides——
‘I don’t want to see the moment of parting.’
A Spirit who lives forever. And a human whose life is finite.
Rubetria would grow old, and eventually her body in this life would depart, leaving Wishit behind.
Even if she aged healthily and closed her eyes in happy death. Even such a parting——
Made Wishit sad.
Until her soul found him again, he would have to wait through endless, countless time…….
‘Vista will handle it well on her own.’
There was no need to worry; whenever a critical juncture appeared in Rubetria’s life, Vista would give him warning.
That was why he had divided his power to create these Spirits.
“Very well. Do your best. I haven’t ventured into the human realm in ages.”
At Wishit’s permission, Vista smiled.
* * *
Seventh Prince Dennis van Rashmah Deccard.
He, who dwelt in Astho, the Palace of Princes, came of age at fifteen and set out toward the Spirit Spring.
And there he met Vista, a beautiful Spirit.
“Your pure soul has guided me. Seeing the countless branching paths of futures, will you live for the sake of this nation you cherish?”
His deliberation was brief. Seeing the future would surely not be all happiness, yet he could help the Empire in whatever way possible.
“However, I am a Dangerous Class Spirit, and if it becomes known that you’ve contracted with me, people will emerge to exploit you. Is it all right to live keeping the Contract hidden?”
That too was a welcome proposal.
Three years ago, after Naysen, the Second Prince, staged a coup, relations between the Imperial House and Spirits had changed.
Even if the Imperial House desired it, Spirits could refuse—Contracts required Spirit consent. There were many Imperial princes who were not chosen by Spirits, or who were chosen and then parted ways.
So it would not be strange for it to be known that he had not made a Contract. There would be no concern of those seeking to exploit Vista’s power approaching him.
“……I’m ashamed, Your Majesty.”
Dennis felt embarrassed looking at the Emperor, Lark, who had come with him personally to the Spirit Altar.
His hand bore no Spirit Mark.
Yet Lark smiled as if to say there was no need to worry.
“Why should you feel ashamed before me? Rather, I worried whether your heart was wounded.”
Lark took Dennis’s hand gently and spoke as they left the Altar.
“Living as a Spirit Master is difficult and often exhausting. Sometimes a common life may bring greater happiness.”
“……Thank you for saying so, Your Majesty.”
Dennis looked up at Lark.
His chest swelled. A character suited above all others to lead the Empire. A man who, even from the highest position, knew how to look down upon the lowest places with endless compassion. A kind and upright elder brother…….
The reason Dennis had accepted the Contract with Vista was because of Lark.
He wanted to help the Empire he led with all his might.
<Now that you’ve become ‘one who sees futures,’ is there anything you wish to see?>
Vista, walking beside him, asked through Mental Communication. Dennis thought and answered.
<I’d like to see how beautiful a future my elder brother—Your Majesty will lead this Empire toward.>
<Haha, I thought you’d be most curious about your own future first. That’s quite unexpected.>
Vista spoke, watching with warmth as the boy gazed at Lark, smiling.
<Then close your eyes for a moment, will you? Your eyes now shine with a beautiful blue light, and when I use my power, the Spirit Master’s Golden Eyes will be revealed……>
Dennis closed his eyes in anticipation.
Instantly, scenes unfolded across his eyelids.
The future.
Shattered vessels, a room in complete disarray.
In the midst of it all was Lark.
“Aaaaaah!”
“Your Majesty, please compose yourself!”
“Your Majesty……!”
His attendants looked on helplessly as Lark cried out in anguish, his eyes bloodshot.
Lark had crumbled. He looked utterly wretched—emptiness blazed in his vacant eyes.
The scene changed. All the palace servants wore black.
A funeral. The Empress’s funeral.
Among all who mourned with solemn faces stood Lark, expression hollow.
“Your Majesty…….”
An attendant handed him a small silk wrapping cloth, struggling to contain tears.
It would be the Heir.
Perhaps…… left behind by the Empress.
“Hah, hah-aahhh…….”
Upon receiving the infant, Lark crumbled anew. Kneeling, he wept uncontrollably, shadow darkening his face.
Rain fell softly, as though mourning the Empress’s death. It was some autumn day.
“……Dennis?”
“Ah…….”
Dennis opened his eyes, face grave.
Lark was tilting his head with a smile. Entirely unaware of the tragedy about to befall him…….
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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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