Celebrity Lady - Chapter 170

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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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Celeb Lady
Side Story, Episode 12
I just blinked like an idiot before speaking.
“Oh, no? I didn’t intend to have a marital quarrel or anything…….”
“You turned bright red and raised your voice to interrogate me, and now you’re saying you didn’t mean to fight?”
“Hmm, I’m sorry for getting loud. But honey, you came back having done something behind my back today! You have an image to maintain, and, well…….”
I’m embarrassed even remembering it. I averted my gaze and added hastily.
“Saying the Emperor of the Empire is barren? What kind of shameful nonsense is that…….”
“…….”
“It’s a good thing all the bureaucrats were smart enough not to believe such talk, because if they’d been fools, they’d have taken it at face value and spread the rumor carelessly—we’d have been in real trouble.”
“They didn’t believe it? Why wouldn’t they? Surely the Empress didn’t personally explain to them that there’s nothing wrong with my reproductive capacity and that I will produce an heir?”
“Exactly. That’s what I did.”
“…….”
All trace of amusement drained from Lark’s face. With anger rising to the tips of his hair, he moved his lips and then stopped.
“The Empress, on the other hand…… handled the matter entirely alone without even consulting with me.”
“You started it first. You didn’t even talk to me and immediately discussed major affairs like abdication with the nobility.”
“I don’t understand why I have to repeat the same thing. I must have said that since you wouldn’t bear an heir, abdication should be discussed whenever necessary.”
“Yes! I understand that position well, but I never imagined you’d make such a hasty decision, like roasting beans over lightning!”
Honestly, I found this so absurd that I wanted to press the point before even mentioning Wishit’s affair.
“Why have you changed so much? As the leader of a nation, there’s no Emperor as perfect as you were, but now I’m wondering if you’re even the same person I knew. No matter what kind of future you saw, you’re setting aside the imperial throne in just three days? That’s not even time to worry about it!”
“Haha.”
Lark let out a hollow laugh, staring into empty space.
“I never imagined it either. That the Empress would know me so little.”
“What do you mean?”
“I didn’t change now—I changed from the moment I decided to accept you as my lifelong companion. Neither our child nor the position of Emperor can take priority over you in my eyes.”
“…….”
“Long ago, before we even started dating—don’t you remember promising that you’d listen to everything I said as long as I didn’t ask you to sell the nation?”
“……Yes.”
“I’m terribly sorry for even making such an extreme hypothetical, but I’ve already changed. If you asked me to sell the nation now, I think I’d do it.”
My mouth fell open on its own as I listened.
Of course, it was an extreme hypothetical like Lark said. He was simply expressing in this way how precious the nation is to him.
“Honey…… I understand. I understand your feelings well…….”
“What do you understand? Everyone in the world knows the Empress comes first to me, but you alone don’t know it?”
“Ugh! I do know. I just said it because I was worried you were being unusually impulsive…….”
“……? I was never impulsive at all?”
Sigh. I can’t win this.
And honestly, even though it was a marital argument, facing Lark’s handsome features, I had no will to quarrel…….
I shuffled forward and nestled into Lark’s arms. He didn’t embrace me in return and didn’t move, as if his heart hadn’t softened yet.
“Honey, I’m really sorry, but there’s something I’ve been hiding from you all this time.”
“…….”
“I’ll tell you now. But I had my reasons for hiding it, so please don’t be too angry and forgive me.”
“Go ahead.”
I carefully met Lark’s eyes and opened my mouth.
* * *
Spirit Spring.
At the Spirit King’s arrival, the baby spirits sang together again.
“Baby, baby! The King’s Contractor is making another baby!”
“No, not this time.”
Wishit said with a broad smile.
The bewildered baby spirits tilted their heads at Wishit’s subtly changed appearance.
“Huh? But the King looks different. So pretty!”
“Where is Vista?”
Wishit, having come to the Spirit Spring, got straight to the point and didn’t even wait for an answer before calling out loudly.
“You there, Vista! Come out at once!”
Vista was nearby but held his breath. If he came out now, he might get hit for causing trouble.
“Oh, how beautiful!”
“So pretty~!”
“The best!”
Spirits passing by saw Wishit’s changed appearance and each had their say.

Trembling, Wishit suddenly paused at Rubetria’s Mental Transmission.
“Vista, you…… you…… .”
Because of Rubetria’s request, Wishit had to go out looking like this.
“See you when I get back.” (Spirit language)
* * *
“So…….”
After pouring out all my secrets, Lark looked shocked, as expected.
“So you re-contracted with Wishit three years ago when he returned, and Wishit, who was known as a Wish Spirit, was actually the Spirit King?”
“Yes.”
“The Spirit King Wishit, whose seal laid by Diolus I was broken, now has no constraints on using his power, so he can definitely prevent the Empress from dying?”
“That’s right!”
Phew, that feels so relieving.
I was even proud of having confessed everything.
“You’re asking me to believe that right now.”
Lark’s face, which had been nodding as if he understood, had already gone cold.
“Ah, I see.”
……Right, it’d be hard to believe something with no evidence spouted out like that.
I’m familiar with Wishit, but Lark, who knew nothing until now, isn’t.
If someone suddenly told you they’d re-contracted with a Wish Spirit, or that Wishit was actually the Spirit King, you’d find it absurd. Naturally it would feel like a lie.
I gave Wishit a subtle wink from behind Lark. Wishit, whom I’d already called ten minutes ago, was sitting with her legs crossed, watching us with interest.
“So honey, just look behind you for a moment…… w-wait, honey?”
I was startled as I reached out to point at Wishit.
“……You really are terrible.”
Lark’s jaw was clenched tight. His eyes, trembling as his lips pressed hard together, suddenly glistened with tears.
“Do you…… ever think of me?”
His voice muttered with resentment.
I was so shocked I froze.
“To tell such an absurd lie…… why do you want to have a child? Because it’s your duty as Empress?”
“Honey—”
Lark gripped my shoulders tightly, his head drooping. His strong hands trembled pitiably.
“If I foolishly believed such talk, would you be satisfied? Would you never worry how much I’d suffer after you’re gone…….”
I frantically signaled Wishit, but he quietly held a finger to his lips with a smirk, as if to say “hush.”
And with his mouth, he was saying…….
W-ait.
O-r else,
I’ll leave.
‘Ugh, what a sadist!’
I ended up frozen, unable to do anything either way. Lark continued speaking with his head bowed.
“I’m hurt, disappointed…… I, I would be fine losing everything if only you remained in my arms…… but you try to have everything while sacrificing yourself…….”
“…….”
“I didn’t even ask you to cherish only me…… Did I ask you for so much? Just, just that I don’t want to lose you…….”
Lark lifted his head and met my eyes. His face was deeply furrowed with pain. He looked anguished, and his cheeks were already wet with tears.
“I…… can’t live without you. How much more do I have to express this for you to believe it? If you love me even a little, you can’t do this…… you can’t say you’ll leave me like this…….”
Lark sank to his knees, slowly crumbling. His hands, which had gripped my shoulders, gradually released.
Our hands, now clasped together.
Lark gripped as if everything would end if he lost even this.
“Honey, Rubetria…… I love you…… please…… think of me, just a little…….”
“Pfft!”
At that moment, laughter erupted from behind. I could see Lark, kneeling before me pleadingly with his head bowed, freeze.
He then slowly turned around and found Wishit, who had been sitting there all along.
“Ah!”
The startled Lark tumbled backward with a stumble, landing hard on his rear.
“Hey there~ Emperor!”
Wishit, a beautiful golden-haired “beauty” with heavenly looks, spoke while crossing her legs seductively with a sultry pose, chin propped up.
“I heard that love confession so well~!”

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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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