Celebrity Lady - Chapter 183

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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, Episode 25
Lark blinked.
“…No? That’s what you want.”
“Really? Your expression says you hope I’ll grant your request.”
“I really don’t.”
Bellar Kingdom. A deeply insular nation, overrun with nobles of antiquated sensibilities—much like the royal families before them.
Of course, as commerce flourished and the new merchant aristocrats rose to prominence, enriching the realm, the old ways were simply fading into obsolescence.
But fortunately, the young king who ascended to the throne this generation seemed willing to ride the tide of changing times.
What was it again…? He was building a commercial city, erecting one grand building there, populating it with various tenants, and elevating it as a landmark, or so the story went.
“Well, dear. I’m truly sorry, but when I’m representing a luxury brand, I’m simply a merchant. I have no interest in investments with no returns.”
“I see.”
“Your expression suggests you understand the situation fully, but as for placing my brand in that kingdom… there’s simply no room for reconsideration.”
“Mm, I understand.”
The audacity of constructing a landmark building that doubles as a massive shopping mall—that much is admirable.
But without some substantial brand presence or compelling attractions, how would people be drawn there?
“If I had a well-established customer base and a premium storefront already prepared, I’d be happy to send my brand there.”
But at present, that kingdom’s landmark building hasn’t even been erected.
No major commercial tenants have signed contracts either. It’s truly starting from nothing—and yet they want to bask in the prestige of my globally renowned brand entering first.
“But as you know, that’s not the situation there right now.”
In other words, they’ve built a structure in the middle of nowhere with nothing around it, and now they’re throwing a tantrum demanding a Hermès- or Chanel-level luxury brand move in!
Thinking about it again, it’s absurd.
I sympathize with the desperate Bellar king, but I’m a merchant. That king isn’t even my life’s savior, so why would I do unpaid charity work?
“Is there perhaps some diplomatic negotiation pending with that kingdom, dear? Something where if I grant that request, you might gain some advantage through other channels?”
“…”
“Then I’d gladly try to move mountains for you.”
Lark merely blinked. I’d asked knowing full well there wasn’t—after all, what could we possibly need from such a small kingdom?
After a moment’s silence, Lark chuckled and nodded.
“I understand what you’re saying completely. It makes perfect sense—there’s not a word out of place. The decision is yours to make, and tomorrow’s meeting is simply… face-to-face, a simple meal together. Don’t burden yourself with worry.”
I kissed my husband’s lips softly, expressing my apology.
“Okay, I understand. I’m sorry.”
“No, no—don’t apologize to me. If anything, I’m sorry for putting you in an awkward position.”
Lark pulled me into his embrace and kissed me deeply.
The moment was lovely…
Yet a strange unease settled in my chest.
* * *
The next day.
“Your Highness!”
“Don’t run so fast!”
Wishit gazed out the window. As always, Daniel, who loved to play outside, was chasing the cat around today.
Turning his gaze away, Wishit looked at Juliet, who sat quietly drawing.
“Your Highness, what are you drawing?”
Wishit approached Juliet with a gentle smile.
He wore Rebecca’s face now. This maidservant, whom Rubetria cherished, had come to the Imperial Palace with her mistress and continued to serve there.
Of course, the young prince and princess were familiar with this face.
“…”
“…”
Juliet gazed up at Wishit silently, then pointed to different parts of the paper as she explained.
“Mama, Papa, and this is Grandpa. And Uncle, Uncle, and this one too—Uncle.”
Talent indeed. Five red-headed members of House of Diolus. One figure with silver hair, resembling Lark.
With three uncles, Wishit’s own form must have been included in the drawing.
‘She either misspoke and called me uncle that day, or she recognized me because I spoke casually. One or the other.’
Wishit had continued to ponder how Juliet saw through him that day. It nagged at him so much that today he decided to test the child.
That day he’d transformed into a person who didn’t exist, so she might have suspected him then.
But not now.
Just as he once wandered in Lark’s form, Wishit now wore the face of another real person.
A face the child already knew.
“My, our princess! You draw so beautifully!”
Wishit recalled Rebecca’s manner of speaking and mimicked it. Juliet stared at Wishit again, unblinking.
The child cocked her head as if lost in thought, her expression growing serious as she scribbled with the crayon, and then…
“Uncle. Don’t say anything.”
She whispered very quietly.
“If you say something, I’ll tell. Don’t say anything.”
“…”
“So don’t go anywhere.”
Wishit’s eyes went wide.
The child continued scribbling with the crayon, refusing to meet his gaze, pretending ignorance.
‘This can’t be real.’
I suspected it, and it was true.
Somehow, Juliet saw straight through Wishit.
How could a mere human do it?
How could she possibly see through the Spirit King’s magic? Or was it less about seeing through it and more about transparently piercing to his very essence?
It was absurd, and yet when his suspicion turned to fact, something peculiar stirred in him—something almost gleeful. He burst into laughter.
“Hahahaha…”
There was no reason to hide anymore. The child would see through him no matter what form he took.
“This is incredible…”
Juliet kept her eyes fixed on the paper, tense—as if looking at Wishit now would spell disaster.
The sight of her, clutching a crayon in her small hand, earnestly pretending to draw, was both pitiful and endearing.
“You won’t really tell, will you? Promise.”
Wishit asked. Only then did Juliet’s head snap up. About to nod eagerly, she hesitated.
“Um, j-just to Mama…?”
“Hahahaha! That’s right. Just to Mama.”
Snap!
Wishit snapped his fingers.
In that instant, Juliet’s eyes widened. The figure who had been Rebecca transformed in a heartbeat.
Beautiful golden hair cascaded like fine silk as the Spirit King revealed his true form…
Juliet had seen many of her uncle’s faces before, but this one was new. Or was it? Thinking hard, she felt as though she’d glimpsed this form when she was even younger…
“Juliet.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“When you turn fifteen, go to the Spirit Spring and find a Spirit with the most trivial and useless ability you can.”
At four years old, Juliet naturally didn’t fully grasp what Wishit was saying.
But she nodded earnestly. Juliet had many worries these days—she feared her uncle might leave her.
If she listened well to Uncle, surely he wouldn’t go?
Living happily together with Mama and Papa, and her brother, and Mango, and Uncle—that was Juliet’s only wish.
“That Spirit will have a Dual Contract, so be sure to contract with it. Understand?”
Wishit, barely suppressing his smile, spoke to the child, whose eyes were round and who kept nodding vigorously.
“That one is a Wish Spirit who wears a lie.”

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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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