Celebrity Lady - Chapter 184

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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
Omake 26 (Complete)
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The Emperor’s Chamber.
Lark set down the heavy crown he’d been wearing and removed the red mantle draped over his stiff imperial uniform.
He’d had a schedule in the morning to receive the King of Belcar and his envoys—wearing even that weighty crown at an audience with a foreign sovereign had been arduous, but it was profoundly meaningful.
The young King of Belcar, Airen, had corresponded with him only by letter until now. This was their first meeting in person.
He was precisely the man Lark had expected: virtuous, brilliant, and above all, they saw eye to eye on matters. They were even the same age.
For days now they’d shared a table discussing the international situation, and with Airen, the thorny topics flowed out effortlessly.
It had been a long time since his blood stirred as a leader.
The pity was that Airen, in his wish to revitalize his kingdom, had no truly talented people at his side.
He was struggling alone amid bureaucrats whose minds were firmly shut.
He’d fashioned an ambitious plan to reform Belcar’s isolationist atmosphere.
‘Certainly, I see why he needs Rubetria’s help.’
However he looked at it, the entrance of Rubetria’s luxury brand was Airen’s only card of success.
But his wife’s reaction when he’d cautiously broached it yesterday had been unyieldingly firm.
“Daddy!”
Just then, the door burst open with cheerful commotion. As the twins came tumbling in, a smile immediately bloomed on Lark’s face.
“Now, now, you shouldn’t just barge into the Emperor’s chamber like that!”
Rebecca, the Emperor’s aide, hurried in behind them, flustered.
“It’s fine. This isn’t something new.”
Lark scooped up Daniel and set him on his hip. Rebecca’s expression darkened.
“No, really, Your Majesty, you shouldn’t encourage them like that!”
“Ha, ha, ha. Say, have you seen Rubetria? I need to have lunch with the King of Belcar soon, but I’m not sure if she’s back at the palace yet.”
“The Empress returned some time ago and is preparing now. Oh! Your Highness, you mustn’t touch that!”
Rebecca reached out with a cry. Lark turned to see Juliet fiddling with the Emperor’s crown he’d set aside.
“Rebecca, it’s all right. Leave her.”
Lark stopped Rebecca from intervening and approached Juliet, still holding Daniel.
“Do you like it, sweetheart? Does it please you?”
“Yes.”
The magnificent Emperor’s crown, adorned with gold and jewels, gleamed in the child’s bright eyes.
Lark laughed and said,
“Want me to give it to you?”
“Yes!!!”
“Ha, ha, ha, ha! That’s right, that’s right! Our daughter will be Emperor!”
“No, no, what are you doing?!!!!”
The sound of the doting father’s delighted laughter intertwined with Rebecca’s astounded cry echoed through the room.
* * *
The Imperial Palace Garden.
A formal dining table arranged outdoors.
The day was warm, and from trees laden with spring blossoms, petals drifted down gently to the sky.
‘Ah, I see why my husband favored him now.’
That was Rubetria’s immediate impression upon meeting Airen, the young King of Belcar.
Keen intellect, crowned at a young age—in every way he shared common ground with Lark. To have found a peer to converse with after so long would naturally please her husband.
“I’m grateful that the Emperor himself has shown me the capital these past days. The buildings of the Empress’s enterprises are quite beautiful—grand, vibrant, and lively. It’s easy to see why they’re a renowned destination even to foreigners.”
Airen, the King of Belcar, spoke with an affable smile, though his face betrayed unmistakable nervousness.
Rubetria cut a piece of meat and brought it to her lips, offering a practiced commercial smile.
“Thank you.”
“Would it be improper to ask if I might visit during my stay?”
“My enterprises are always, to anyone, to all guests—open. By all means.”
Airen faltered. So did Lark, who had been listening.
The question of whether he might visit was, naturally, a request whether she would personally show him around the facilities.
Rubetria had gracefully declined by saying she’d be welcome to tour on her own.
The intention was unmistakable—a very clear unwillingness to discuss business.
‘Sigh.’
Rubetria swallowed a sigh at the sudden chill in the air and quietly set down her fork.
She’d known it would be awkward like this.
But once she’d seen Airen’s face, she couldn’t avoid it.
“Actually, regarding a request the King made to me in his letter, I thought I’d clarify my position today.”
“Yes, of course.”
Airen’s nervousness was apparent.
“I’ve heard well of your plan to build a Commercial City. I understand your desire to create a landmark building. I agree it’s a fine blueprint for prosperity both within and beyond your realm.”
Rubetria added with a regretful expression,
“But I have no reason—none whatsoever—to place my brand in such an experimental venture.”
“……”
“If there were no risk to me, I might help willingly, but a luxury brand’s value and reputation are essential elements. You understand.”
Airen’s lips moved soundlessly. He clearly had much prepared to say, but faced with Rubetria’s firm refusal, his words simply caught in his throat.
“If the Commercial City’s development should lag behind your hopes, or fall short of expectations—and there are many variables—then my brand, already invested there, would bear the full burden of image damage.”
Perhaps it was the seasoned merchant in her; Rubetria’s words flowed like a torrent, leaving Airen without a word to counter.
It was all true. His kingdom’s desperation was his own predicament, not hers. She had no reason to gamble or volunteer.
“I’m deeply sorry I cannot help. I hope my position is clear.”
“Yes, yes……”
Airen’s voice trembled as he lowered his head. Lark looked at him with sympathy.
Wishit, who’d been watching, suddenly sat askew on the table and said, “Ouch. That’s sharp.”
“That’s sharp, that’s sharp.”
“To a young king so earnestly trying everything for his realm… did it really have to be that way?”
“Hey, my heart’s already uneasy—be quiet.”
“He went to great effort to win over the Emperor for help, suffered long, and a kind word would’ve cost so little! You bloodless, tearless merchant!”
“It can’t be helped. If I soften the tone, the conversation only gets longer.”
“Why not just help a little? He donates and pays high taxes—why be so cold about profit? The man looks desperate.”
“No, if it were just about profit, I’d do it. But I’d be taking on the risk, understand? No, and no again!”
It was time.
Rubetria was shooing away Wishit as if brushing off a fly when a voice rang out—the one they’d been waiting for.
“Mommy!”
They’d arrived. Rubetria had arranged with Rebecca to send the children at this exact moment. She needed to exit this uncomfortable situation quickly.
Wishit whispered, “Calculating, calculating. And now you’re using the children.”
“You want to keep talking like that?”
“Daniel!”
Rubetria caught her son as he rushed toward her and settled him on her lap.
And Juliet was…….
‘Huh?’
She seemed to have no interest in her parents whatsoever. Instead, she was holding the hand of a small stranger.
“Oh.”
Looking closer, he was the Crown Prince she’d glimpsed when the Belcari delegation first arrived.
In other words, Airen’s son.
“Ah! My son. How did you get here? Come now, first say hello to the Empress.”
Airen, who’d been slumping, managed a weak smile at the sight of his son. The Crown Prince hesitated, then bowed his head to Rubetria.
“I greet Your Majesty, the Empress of the Empire.”
The Crown Prince spoke his carefully memorized greeting slowly and deliberately.
“I am Crown Prince Romeo of Belcar.”
“……?”
The moment she heard the name, Rubetria’s eyes went wide as saucers.
Did he just say…?
“Your name is…… Romeo? Did you say Romeo?”
Bewildered, she turned to the boy’s father to confirm. Airen laughed awkwardly.
“Yes. Actually, some years ago, my queen and I made a quiet visit to your realm as tourists. We saw a play by the famous Roland Theater Company—Romeo and Juliet. It left such a deep impression that when our son was born the following year, we named him Romeo.”
“……”
“I’ve heard that the script was written by the Empress herself. I’ve always thought you were a person of remarkable talent in many ways!”
“Oh, no, no. The script was written by a friend of mine named William Shakespeare. I only adapted it. But… that’s not the point right now.”
Rubetria smiled wryly. Wishit was already half-delirious with laughter.
“Romeo, are you serious?!!!!”
“Hahahaha!!!!”
The moment felt off. Juliet, clinging to her mother moments ago, was now holding the Crown Prince Romeo’s hand as if he were the only one in the world.
Four years old, her chubby cheeks flushed pink, stealing glances at Romeo.
“Son, what’s all this?”
Rubetria whispered quietly to Daniel on her lap. He answered immediately.
“That guy. Juliet’s crush.”
Who, Juliet? Wow!
Wishit exclaimed, “Hey! A name like Romeo as a cheat code isn’t fair! I didn’t take the King of Belcar this way, but look at him—he’s using every angle craftily, down to getting his son’s chances in there too!”
“Hahahaha! Wait, that wouldn’t make sense. Your daughter Juliet is two years older. He wouldn’t have named his son Romeo knowing your daughter was already named Juliet.”
That was true. It really was pure coincidence, and that made it feel like fate itself.
“Big brother…… what is this?”
“……?”
Juliet, wiggling her toes, opened the jelly cup she was holding. Her favorite treat, the cat-shaped jelly, her most favorite color—pink—disappeared straight into Romeo’s mouth.
Wishit shrieked, “Time out! Time out!!!”
“Oh……”
Rubetria gasped. Lark let out a surprised exclamation. Juliet had never given her jelly to anyone?
“Hahaha! What will you do now?”
Wishit fluttered to the garden’s heart where the two little ones stood face to face like destiny, and declared,
“Remarkable, remarkable…… Both of these two are their nations’ first in line to succession…… If they were to meet the eye and become betrothed, one would have to abandon their place in the line…”
“Stop narrating, would you?”
“A love that can be fulfilled only by abandonment…… Is it fate? God’s jest? Their very names are Romeo and Juliet!”
Snap!
Wishit snapped their fingers, and immediately a warm breeze blew through. Beautiful pink petals fell and scattered.
“Stop the flower rain effect right now!”
Rubetria cried out in exasperation.
“Since the negotiation effectively fell through, there’s no further business with Belcar Kingdom. So will the bloodless, tearless mother ultimately stand in the way of her daughter’s love?”
It was so absurd she couldn’t help but laugh. Rubetria’s lips pressed tight, trembling.
“Wow, what a romantic moment,” Lark murmured, watching the falling petals.
Then he turned to Rubetria and said,
“Moments like this are when you should confess your heart. I love you, darling.”
“Ha, ha, ha……”
“Mommy, I love youuuu!”
Even Daniel joined in. Attacks coming from every direction without pause.
Rubetria squeezed her eyes shut.
In the end, the luxury brand Blanc de Rubis entered Belcar Kingdom’s Commercial City without hesitation.
With news that the world-renowned magnate Empress Rubetria had invested, prominent figures from every nation flocked to it.
The Commercial City project ultimately succeeded spectacularly, and Belcar Kingdom blossomed into a trusted ally of the Empire.
But that was years away.
In the midst of petals falling beautifully,
watching Romeo and Juliet, Rubetria laughed.
Ah, it was spring……

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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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