Celebrity Lady - Chapter 169

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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 11
Leonard and Biego had fallen silent, their lips moving soundlessly in disbelief.
The Emperor’s words were……nonsense, by any objective measure!
Until now they had postponed talk of children to accommodate Rubetria’s busy schedule, but now that the bureaucrats had begun making a fuss in recent days, the Emperor had seized the moment to claim he couldn’t have children because of some problem on his end, and was already speaking of abdication as though it were the natural next step……
No matter how you looked at it, the whole thing felt like a carefully scripted performance.
“Huff.”
Leonard steadied himself with a bewildered breath.
He had wanted his daughter to pursue her work freely and have children gradually in her own time, but he had never imagined she would make a decision that would sever the Imperial Line itself.
Moreover!
Even if Rubetria had made such a decision, how could it be so extreme!
He certainly had not expected Lark to simply follow along with “Oh, really? If that’s what my wife wants, then so be it—I’ll just step down as Emperor, no problem”!
Had the Empire’s leaders truly committed to something this absurd? Or were they just playing at make-believe?
“Duke Diolus, what do you intend to do about this?”
Duke Raizer posed the question with evident displeasure.
Merlin and Duke Ferdi regarded Leonard—who had been so eager to shield his daughter—with reproachful eyes.
Only Biego threw a cautious glance at his bewildered father.
“……I shall speak with Her Majesty the Empress.”
After a long moment of deliberation, Leonard spoke and rose to his feet, his handsome brow furrowed.
“Wait.”
Duke Raizer seized Leonard’s arm.
“His Majesty has invoked abdication itself in declaring his unwillingness to produce an heir. Does this not plainly suggest that Her Majesty’s resolve is unshakeable? And yet you—who have always shown such ambivalence on this very matter—do you truly believe you can persuade Her Majesty?”
“No, that’s just it—I never expected my daughter, or rather Her Majesty, to be this resolute. This time I mean to speak with her seriously—”
“Truly? You can persuade her? Really?”
“……”
Leonard’s mouth fell silent.
Could he…… actually do it?
“Oh, I don’t want to have children, Father! Don’t you know my business is booming right now? My husband and I have already agreed on this—why are you making such a fuss~! Never mind, never mind~!”
His daughter wasn’t foolish enough to carry on like that, but if she truly did throw such a childish tantrum?
Could he then sternly say: This is the seat of Empress you chose! Grit your teeth and endure it!?
No, he could not.
Leonard spoke along with a deep sigh.
“Then what do you suggest?”
“We shall handle it ourselves. All we ask is that you arrange an audience with Her Majesty.”
Though they were high-ranking officials, the three Dukes had been unable to catch even a glimpse of the Empress for some time now.
Without proper justification, they could hardly simply visit her on a whim. When they requested a private audience or formal meeting through regular channels, all such requests were first reported to Lark and subsequently rejected.
Leonard rubbed his aching temples and asked Biego.
“Where is Her Majesty the Empress right now?”
“Yes, well—I’ve just received her schedule. Today she’s going to the Business Establishment for the first time in a while.”
“Ah……”
Leonard sighed, and the three Dukes crossed their arms with unmistakable determination, their eyes fixed upon him.
When Rubetria went to work, she was even more unreachable. At the Business Establishment, she refused to invoke her rank as Empress and strictly adhered to the rule of being called “Director”—which meant one could not request a private audience on the grounds of Imperial duties.
“Since we cannot meet Her Majesty at the Imperial Palace as long as His Majesty is there, it is just as well. Let us go to Her Majesty’s place of business. We simply must hear what she is thinking.”
“But if I come along, she still won’t see us. Her Majesty is no fool—if we all come charging in like that, she’ll hide.”
“Precisely! That’s why we need to exercise State Authority!”
Duke Ferdi, who had been listening quietly, coughed meaningfully as a hint.
“State Authority? What do you mean by—ah.”
Leonard’s eyes widened in understanding, and he rubbed his face with a long sigh.
Did it really have to come to this?
But his deliberation was brief. Leonard spoke to Biego.
“My son, summon your second brother.”
* * *
Early afternoon.
“D-Director!”
I was reviewing stacks of pending documents after returning to work for the first time in a while, when the manager rushed in looking ashen.
“The Imperial Knights have arrived! The captain and his knights are heading to your office right now!”
“What?”
I jumped in shock, and Siena, my secretary beside me, went wide-eyed as well.
“What is this about?”
“I’m afraid I know nothing more myself.”
The manager continued, observing my panic and Siena’s.
“They cited some authority regarding…… detention? Or something of that nature. I had no way to stop them at this level!”
“Wow!”
I instantly panicked and grabbed my head.
Police showing up with an arrest warrant out of nowhere? But no matter how hard I thought, I’d never broken any laws while running this business.
Besides, the current captain of the Imperial Knights is none other than my second brother, Victor!
Even if I’d somehow committed a crime without realizing it, he’s someone who could give me a heads-up in advance.
“What on earth is this? I have no idea whatsoever. Could it be tax evasion? Did I not pay my taxes?”
I looked at Siena and asked. She shook her head vigorously.
“That’s definitely not it. You’ve actually been overpaying.”
“Right? But that’s the only thing I can think of. Is this a tax audit or something?”
Just then, the door flew open.
Five uniformed knights entered, and Victor came in last.
“……”
When our eyes met, he hesitated, his expression filled with self-recrimination, before he spoke.
“An investigation request has been filed regarding the Business Establishment, Atelier Ruby, and I am here to conduct official duties in that capacity.”
What? What is this?
“……I must ask the director some questions relating to the investigation, so all other personnel are to wait outside.”
“Y-yes. I’ll step out.”
Victor signaled to Siena and the manager, and I sent them out so I could talk to him.
Victor quietly whispered to the knights, “You all head out too,” and soon we were alone—
“Brother, what is this?”
“I’m sorry, little sister.”
—and we rushed toward each other.
“What’s going on? If there’s a problem, at least give me a warning!”
“No, there’s nothing like that. I really didn’t want to abuse my authority like this, but I had no choice.”
“Abuse your authority? You come to my workplace with knights when there’s no problem at all? Why?”
“Father’s in an uproar! And from what I hear, you’ve gone a bit too far yourself?”
“What are you talking about? Explain yourself!”
As I stood there bewildered, the office door suddenly swung open again.
Father, Biego, and Duke Raizer, Merlin, Ferdi……a flood of familiar stuffy noble bureaucrats poured in.
“Your Majesty!”
“Your Majesty!”
“Your Majesty!!!”
I stumbled backward in shock.
“W-what on earth is happening……?”
Watching these nobles swarm around me like a school of piranhas, a sense of déjà vu washed over me—the time I’d stood before the press during my Juliet days, caught in some ridiculous rumor……
Something had definitely gone wrong.
“Go ahead, ask your questions.”
I steadied myself and spoke. Duke Raizer’s hand shot up.
“First, Your Majesty, I must sincerely apologize for the rudeness of calling upon you at your place of business without any other means of meeting you, as we were forced to resort to State Authority.”
I had nothing to say to that. I’d been avoiding them for quite some time precisely because I could already guess what they would say.
“Never mind. I understand. Please tell me the purpose of your visit.”
“First!”
Now Duke Merlin raised his hand.
“We wish to verify the truthfulness of what was discussed at today’s noble assembly. His Majesty stated that you cannot bear children—is this true?”
“What?!”
I was shocked. That was a rumor absolutely devastating to Lark as Emperor!
“It’s absolutely false! Whoever is spreading such nonsense?”
“His Majesty is, Your Majesty.”
“……”
Ah. Now I was beginning to understand.
Lark had moved to resolve the situation faster than anyone else could.
He had no intention whatsoever of seeing an heir even if it cost him me, and he couldn’t remain Emperor without producing one, nor could he sever the Imperial Line.
‘Ugh! But I was going to talk to Wishit the moment I got back!’
I never expected my quick-witted husband to seize the initiative like this.
Right now these old fogies must think I’d driven my husband, the Emperor himself, to spread such a devastating lie just so I wouldn’t have to bear children.
“Gentlemen.”
Understanding their concerns, I spoke generously.
“I apologize for the worry I’ve caused all of you until now. You seem quite eager to ask me about the heir question, and I shall be forthright with you this time. I will answer everything, so please ask away.”
Soon the questions came pouring in.
* * *
Late evening, in the Marital Bedroom.
I’d been waiting for this moment, and the moment Lark entered looking exhausted, I spoke.
“Darling, why did you do that? How could you tell such an obvious lie in front of the nobles without even consulting me?”
Lark paused, then sighed.
“Did the second prince tell you?”
“Who told me is irrelevant. If you hadn’t told me, I would still be completely in the dark about this catastrophe you’ve created.”
“Does it change anything if you know? I have no intention of having a child, and if we’re not going to produce an heir, then abdication must happen eventually anyway.”
“That’s exactly my point! Why did you decide the question of having children all by yourself without even consulting me!”
“Hah.”
Lark brushed his hair back as though the matter were absurd.
“Does this even need consultation? Put yourself in my position. If having a child meant my death, and I insisted on bearing it anyway, would you respect my opinion? Would you consult with me and then say, ‘All right, let’s do it’?”
“Of course not. But please, calm down and hear me out, darling.”
“Fine. Since I’ve only been guessing at what you think, let me ask directly. Do you want to have a child?”
“Yes. I’m going to have a child. I know what you’re worried about, but there’s no need to be, because—”
“So you’re going to do it anyway, Your Majesty?”
His sudden formality left me stunned and speechless.
He smiled coldly, and then suddenly—click—he removed the watch from his left wrist and set it on the table.
The first gift I’d ever given to Lark. A Wristwatch.
He treasured it dearly and never took it off except when bathing.
Why had he suddenly removed it in front of me?
It could only mean one thing—a declaration of war.
“Indeed.”
Lark smiled broadly. Of all the expressions I’d seen on his face until now, this was the most terrifying.
“A marital quarrel, I believe?”

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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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