Celebrity Lady - Chapter 31

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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
Chapter 31
‘What on earth is happening?’
Lillia rose, trembling despite herself, and took Rubet’s hand.
Rubet released her hand at once, linked his arm through Lark’s, and passed her by with a greeting.
“I have an appointment with the Crown Prince. Well then, I’ll be going out. Brother, and Grandmother.”
Like a devoted couple, the two of them slipped out of the Duke’s Residence.
And the Duke’s Residence, swept through by such a storm, fell silent in shock for a very long time.
Only occasionally did the sound of Lillia’s furious, ragged breathing break the stillness.
* * *
The heart of the administrative district, Decan Street.
A window table on the third floor of a prestigious restaurant.
Even at this early hour, the bustling cityscape spread clearly visible beyond the transparent glass.
‘Good—so far, everything goes as planned.’
Thanks to Lark renting out the upscale restaurant in its entirety from this early morning, we were able to converse without interruption from anyone.
Lark, seated across from me, wore a relaxed expression. He stirred a couple of sugar cubes into his teacup as he spoke.
“I didn’t know you’d prepared things this thoroughly. I would’ve been happy to wait much longer. Ah, how many sugars for you?”
“I don’t take sugar.”
I answered with a smile, holding Lark’s gaze with equal ease.
“I’ve only seen Your Highness twice now, but I’ve come to feel you’re quite similar to me. The type who hates wasting time for no reason.”
Truth is, I’m tremendously nervous right now, but I must maintain an air of composure at all costs.
Showing fear at the negotiation table is the biggest mistake one can make.
“So it was easy to predict. That Your Highness would come rushing to our house in such haste this early morning?”
“Ha ha.”
Lark laughed, eyes narrowing slightly. Yet beyond the teacup he raised, the glint in his gaze was sharp as a predator’s.
“Guilty as charged. I came rushing indeed. I was quite startled yesterday to receive your affectionate note. A suspicious young lady who sees through a man’s secret…”
“I know quite a few more secrets than that.”
At my words, Lark set down his teacup, and all expression drained from his face.
“Young lady.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“From this point forward, you must weigh every word, every phrase with care. Because I’m suspicious of you right now.”
……
“I have political rivals, you see. And there’s the suspicion that you, in some way or another, might have connections to those rivals. That sort of thing.”
Lark then released the severe expression and smiled faintly as he continued.
“Yet the fact that I’ve sought you out like this to speak suggests that, no matter how I think about it, my suspicion feels more like a leap than reason.”
“Exactly. If you investigated, everything would come to light. A young woman who barely leaves the house, has few social contacts, comes from the Diolus Family which is favorably disposed to the Imperial Family—why would I conspire with your rivals?”
I took a sip of tea and continued.
“And unless I were a fool, I’d be suspected if I sent Your Highness such a note. Surely Your Highness has already considered all of this?”
“True. And though I’m not the type to judge someone after seeing them once or twice, I’m hoping—for some reason—that my first impression of you was correct.”
“And what impression was that?”
“To put it plainly.”
Lark cupped his chin with both hands and leaned closer as he spoke.
“I liked your first impression. I agree that we’re quite similar. That’s why I’m hoping, if possible, that you’re not my enemy.”
“I hope the same.”
I mirrored his posture, bringing my face close to his, and smiled warmly. Lark, who had stiffened slightly at the proximity, soon smiled back.
“I’ve judged you to be a good person. Not someone good to me personally, but someone good for this empire. I hope that among the single throne, it’s not your allies but you yourself who ascends without interference.”
“That’s rather kind to hear.”
“So I’ve decided to help you, accepting considerable loss in return. It’s a form of investment, you might say.”
“Oh?”
“The secrets I know will certainly be of benefit to Your Highness. I stake my life on it.”
“Well, I’d have to hear them first, wouldn’t I? What exactly is this secret you’re holding, and how did you come to know about my aide—”
“Before that, I’d like you, as my investor, to give me some assurance. Just promise me this: when I reveal my secrets, you won’t drag this out and have me killed.”
Lark’s eyes sharpened.
“So it’s a dangerous secret, is it?”
“Not exactly. But while I’m someone who would be helpful from Your Highness’s personal standpoint, from the perspective of the empire’s heir, I’m somewhat problematic.”
I was planning to tell Lark that I had successfully contracted with a Dangerous Class spirit.
To be clear: the empire seals away Spirit Contractors who have contracted with spirits classified as Dangerous Class. The duration is lifelong. It’s tantamount to death.
“I’m not entirely sure I understand. Are you saying I should choose whether to act for my own personal interests or for the greater good as the Crown Prince?”
“Exactly.”
“Then I’d have to choose the former to hear your secrets. But even if I change my mind after hearing them, there’s nothing you could do about it, so let me add one more promise.”
Lark smiled and continued.
“Whatever your secret is, as long as it doesn’t involve plotting rebellion with my political rivals, I guarantee your life.”
“Ha ha, truthfully, I was planning to tell you even without such a promise. I’ve already resigned myself to the loss.”
I spoke, and then continued at once.
“First, the secret I know. The empire is secretly sealing away Spirit Contractors who have contracted with spirits classified as Dangerous Class.”
Lark went rigid.
Dramatic enough for a first revelation, wouldn’t you say?
The existence of the Sealing Stones wouldn’t be known except to those connected to the Spirit Altar or high-ranking members of the Imperial Family. It was an unethical shadow of the empire.
Lark’s eyes trembled as he fixed them upon me.
“……How?”
Next, I showed Lark the back of my right hand.
“I imagine Your Highness is aware that I’m the unprecedented non-Spirit Contractor of the Diolus Family.”
Spirit Contractors bear marks on the back of their hands, each symbol representing their respective spirit.
Naturally, I had none, since I was known to have failed to contract with any spirit.
“Here’s my second secret. I actually successfully contracted with a spirit half a year ago.”
“What?”
“I understand your skepticism—there’s no mark on my hand. So let me tell you something that might convince you.”
……
“Right now, you’re troubled by the Roben Kingdom, aren’t you? They’re trying to raise the strait passage tolls to nearly double.”
“That’s true.”
That much is common knowledge, something even those merely interested in diplomatic affairs would know from rumors.
But.
“Your Highness wants to prevent this toll increase for the merchants’ sake, so at next month’s toll negotiation with the Roben Kingdom… you’re planning to bring the national treasure, the Parma Crystal.”
The composure Lark had been maintaining shattered visibly.
This is something no one would know until next month’s negotiation with the Roben Kingdom.
Even Lark himself probably hasn’t finished deliberating whether to give up the national treasure and negotiate.
“The nation that possesses the Parma Crystal rules the seas? Some superstition like that, I think? So everyone’s got their eyes on it, and the Roben Kingdom especially burns with desire to have it?”
Lark ultimately gives up the national treasure and stabilizes the tolls, and afterward he receives such acclaim from the empire’s people that one’s ears grow weary of hearing about this great negotiation.
Around that time, newspapers run daily articles praising the Crown Prince—there’s no way I wouldn’t know.
“Stop deliberating and take it to them, hand it over, and negotiate the tolls. The negotiation will succeed without trouble, and your approval rating will rise. As for ruling the seas…”
I shook my head firmly.
“The Parma Crystal? That’s just a pretty stone. If that superstition about ruling the seas were true, the Roben Kingdom wouldn’t be utterly defeated by the Carta Kingdom in the naval battle that happens twelve years from now.”
……
I smiled at the stunned, frozen Lark.
By now, unless he were a complete fool, Lark would understand. What secret I held. What I was trying to convey.
After staring at me intently for a long moment, Lark spoke.
“……You are indeed a Spirit Contractor.”
“Yes.”
“A Dangerous Class Spirit Contractor.”
“Yes.”
“Vista.”
The name of the spirit I’d expected emerged from Lark’s lips.
‘It worked.’
I answered, feeling relief wash over me internally.
“That’s right.”
Vista.
Among the spirits that govern time, the one classified as Dangerous Class.
This spirit, which can show the ‘future’ to its contractor, has appeared four times so far, and each time has brought turmoil to the empire in some form.
Sometimes the contractor themselves sold the information out of malice, and sometimes bloody fighting broke out over possession of the contractor.
So the empire decided that from the next generation of Vista onward, it would be classified as Dangerous Class.
“I’m contracted with Vista.”
Everything has unfolded according to my plan.
“I’ll have to lie a little. I absolutely must keep secret the fact that what I have is a Wish Spirit.”
I must conceal at any cost that I’m a Wish Spirit Contractor. That would only be a threat to Lark.
But.
‘If I’m known as a contractor of Vista, called the Prophecy Spirit…’
“Young lady.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
……that changes everything.
Lark will have no choice but to desire me.
“I swear to you that I will keep your secret from reaching anyone, no matter where. And even should this secret somehow come to light unexpectedly,”
……
“Lark van Rashmach Decarde. I stake the name of this empire’s heir on it—I will protect your life by whatever means necessary. Even if it goes against the empire itself. So,”
Lark, speaking with somewhat excited laughter, suddenly pressed his face close to mine.
“Help me.”
I faced him and smiled warmly in return.
“I will.”

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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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