Celebrity Lady - Chapter 48

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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 48
Closing her eyes tightly, Lubet recalled the moment.
Renowned celebrities and models wore the clothes she’d designed, carried the bags she’d made, struck stunning poses as they moved through the frames.
The camera lens captured it all, replayed it endlessly, and at the very end—
her secret, unmistakably refined,
Blanc De Juliette
finished with an elegant promotional tagline.
“Kyah!”
New York Broadway in America, Manhattan Penn Station, Hong Kong Causeway Bay Times Square, and so on…….
Juliet Karenina’s luxury brand, Blanc De Juliette, had risen to peak popularity across both East and West, and her promotional videos appeared on jumbo screens at every major hub across the globe day after day, flaunting their presence.
Behind Lubet, who was smiling at herself in the mirror, Wisht approached.
“What is it now.”
“What else. Our hardworking president is on the move again today.”
Lubet, having finished dressing in silk gloves on both hands with a snap-snap, twirled her body and flicked her fingers.
“Come along.”
* * *
A modest but thriving territory outside the Imperial System—Millen.
The landscape of Millen, also known as the City of New Technologies, felt distinctly different from the heart of the Imperial System.
Clean streets lined with white brick.
Buildings with unfamiliar architectural styles, and fifty-five-inch screen panels installed along every street.
‘Gorgeous! It’s like a total sci-fi future city!’
The two-hour carriage ride had been worth the effort.
‘Was the place I wanted to visit the Magic Tower?’
And today’s destination.
Gazing up at the magnificent white tower in the heart of Millen, Wisht beside me asked.
‘Right. I need to get a screen panel…, or rather, a Screen Panel.’
This was the Magic Tower.
An independent institution separate from the imperial palace, it fundamentally researched the magic of spirits and commercialized “Magitech”—tools created by combining magic with instruments.
My purpose today was to purchase a Screen Panel, a Magitech item available only from the Magic Tower.
It was a visit to acquire an advertising display.
‘This won’t be easy.’
Setting aside Wisht’s concern, I strode confidently into the Magic Tower.
Entry to the Magic Tower was freely available to commoners and nobility alike.
However.
“What brings you here today?”
Things would get difficult from here on.
A pretty receptionist with neatly tied hair at the first-floor desk asked, and I did my best to sound composed as I answered.
“I’ve come to purchase some Magitech.”
“Of course. Let me help you with identification first.”
A palm-sized Screen Panel installed at the desk detected my face.
The receptionist smiled and greeted me.
“Thank you for visiting. Lady Lubet. What sort of Magitech are you looking to purchase?”
“A Screen Panel.”
“I apologize, Lady, but the Screen Panel you’re seeking is a second-grade Magitech item. You cannot purchase it outright. If you fill out the order form here and submit it, we’ll notify your residence within two weeks whether it has passed production approval.”
With a kind smile, the receptionist delivered her scripted response and handed me a sheet of paper from the desk along with a pen.
If I were to write something like “commercial promotional video” as my reason for purchase on this form—which required disclosure of intended use—it would be discarded without even being read.
I cleared my throat once and spoke.
“The thing is, my situation makes it difficult to fill out the form properly. I was wondering if it might be possible to consult privately with the sales department manager?”
“Lady, if your purchase cannot be processed through the order form, I’m afraid we cannot assist with Magitech production.”
“Yes, I understand that. I just thought I might speak with the manager once…….”
The receptionist’s expression grew uncomfortable.
While I made the most apologetic smile I could manage so as not to appear like a difficult customer,
“What seems to be the matter?”
the office door behind the desk opened and a middle-aged man emerged.
Sharp eyes, a monocle, a dark blue mustache—his expression screamed meticulous and particular.
This man appeared to be the sales department manager I was looking for.
The fact that he immediately directed his question at me suggested he’d been observing the desk situation from his office.
“Hello. I’m Lubet. I have some questions regarding a Magitech order, and I was wondering if you might spare a moment if you’re not too busy?”
The manager adjusted his glasses once, nodded, and gestured for me to follow him into his office.
‘Excellent!’
* * *
“Well then, do take care.”
“Wait, I——”
Bang!
The door closed.
The manager had personally escorted me to the Magic Tower’s lobby and made a show of closing the door right in front of me—pointlessly courteous.
I felt embarrassed and wiped the bridge of my nose.
‘Didn’t I say it wouldn’t work?’
‘What a ridiculous man. He listened to my whole story as if he might accept the order, then just kicked me out? If he was going to throw me out, why not do it quickly? I’m furious at wasting my precious time.’
‘Second-grade Magitech is restricted to public-interest purposes, not personal use.’
‘Who doesn’t know that? That’s why I called for the manager in the first place to try to make a deal.’
‘Gloriously defeated.’
‘So there are things that money and power cannot buy…….’
That was when my head began to ache.
“……Lady?”
“Oh my, Your Highness?”
A face I never expected to see in such a place.
It was Lark.
My eyes went wide as I asked.
“Your Highness, what brings you all the way to Millen?”
“Why would I come all this way? The Magic Tower needed me.”
“The Magic Tower? Whatever for?”
“I needed a list of Magitech buyers.”
Bending at the waist, Lark whispered quietly near my ear.
“Someone’s been trying to slander my aide, and they’ve been sending Image Stones as evidence. They’ve bought quite a number of them, so I thought if I looked through the buyer list, I might be able to find some thread to pull.”
“Oh, so you’ve been quite industrious.”
“Of course. But what brings you here, Lady?”
“Ah, I came to buy some Magitech.”
“What kind?”
“A Screen Panel.”
I spoke with hopeful expectation lighting up my eyes.
“A Screen Panel is a second-grade Magitech, so the order process is complicated. Most applications for production approval are denied.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Can’t you use an Image Stone instead?”
“No. I need to install it on Lenten Boutique Street for advertising purposes. Image Stones are too small, and I’d need exhibition permits anyway.”
“What kind of advertisement? Surely you’re not saying you’re going to broadcast promotional videos for that shop you favor……what’s it called, Blanc De Juliette?”
“…….”
Before Lark, who’d hit the mark squarely, I answered with silence.
He stared at me intently, then opened his mouth with a look of dawning suspicion.
“You’re going around drumming up business personally for a regular shop?”
“……Ahem.”
“The shop’s momentum in the Imperial System has been quite extraordinary lately. I’ve seen nobles abandon all dignity, queuing up outside the store before dawn.”
Like a detective piecing together a mystery, Lark stroked his chin and circled around me.
“I heard if you reserve now, you won’t get your clothes until next summer? Though Lizi was fortunate enough to order a dress immediately. She took that business card you gave me.”
“That’s wonderful. You must have been a great brother.”
“Thanks to you, Lady. Lizi gave me ten kisses on each cheek out of gratitude.”
“How delightful for you.”
“Hmm…….”
Lark, standing before me, smiled and asked.
“It sounds like you’re running a business. Are you perhaps the owner of that shop, Lady?”
“Hahahaha…….”
As I laughed along with perceptive Lark, I pressed my index finger to my lips and said, “Shh.”
“It’s a secret?”
“Yes.”
“Fine.”
Lark chuckled and added.
“It’s wonderful to see you living so diligently. But displaying shop promotional videos…….”
He shook his head as he spoke.
“Second-grade Magitech cannot be produced for such personal purposes. There’s no way the Magic Tower would approve it.”
“Right. Yes.”
“The Tower Master has such a dreadful personality. Well, all the previous Tower Masters have been the same, really.”
“Yes.”
“Besides, since the Magic Tower is independent from the imperial palace, it’s quite arbitrary. Judging from how they severely restrict the distribution of convenient advanced Magitech and only pursue development in this Millen territory, wouldn’t you say?”
“Ah, yes.”
“The palace itself still hasn’t managed to import New Technologies from the Magic Tower despite their high-handed restrictions, yet…what? Personal shop promotional videos?”
What’s this? Is he making fun of me?
I listened silently for a moment, then glared at Lark.
“It’s really too bad.”
Lark pouted his lips and clicked his tongue sympathetically.
Looking at his expression…….
‘I thought maybe I could use the crown prince card, but that’s clearly not happening.’
It seemed I’d have to abandon any lingering hopes.
Given the crown prince’s clear separation of public and private matters, there was no way he’d abuse his authority to do me a favor.
It was only natural given Lark’s character, but I still felt disappointed, and I spun around abruptly.
“Well then, I should be going. Have a good day at your work.”
“Heh.”
Was he mocking me?
With frustrated determination, I put force into my departing steps.
“Wait.”
“What is it.”
As Lark’s hand grasped my shoulder and I spun back, I found him grinning mischievously.
“You’ve come all this way and happened to run into the crown prince himself—you’re going to leave without getting anything out of it? Won’t you at least ask for my help?”
“If I ask for your help, will you actually help?”
“Of course. As long as you’re not asking me to sell out the country, I’m prepared to respond sincerely to any request from you, Lady.”
“Really?”
As my dejected mood brightened, Lark burst into delighted laughter.
“But no matter what, I can’t help but feel awkward about…….”
It would be wonderful to use the crown prince card, but it would be a burden on Lark.
“If Your Highness abuses his authority, your reputation will suffer terribly. I’m in a hurry, but I don’t want to unfairly burden you.”
“You’re thoughtful, even worrying about such things.”
For some reason, Lark smiled as if there was nothing to worry about, then dragged me by the arm.
“Let’s just go see for ourselves.”
* * *
Good heavens.
‘So “go see for ourselves” meant…….’
‘Was it to go see the Tower Master?’
I sat beside Lark in a state of heightened tension, glancing about nervously.
We were at the top level of the Magic Tower.
The office of Shein, the Tower Master.
Being at the very top, the view visible through the wide windows was breathtaking, though for some reason I felt my breath catch in my throat.
Well, it couldn’t be helped.
The towering, pointed ceiling that seemed to reach toward the heavens, the imposing bookshelves that lined the walls, the cramped glass display cases brimming with fascinating-looking Magitech…….
‘It really is just the study of some strict, scholarly researcher.’
That said, to actually meet the Tower Master—a man obviously busier than the Emperor himself in this empire.
The crown prince card was worth its weight in gold.
“What is it. Why are you here.”
A voice heavy with annoyance drew my attention, and I turned my gaze from hesitant wandering to look directly ahead.

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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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