Celebrity Lady - Chapter 66

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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
Episode 66
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Rubetria Diolus, Fourth day of the Lyubon Isolation Period.
A lazy afternoon, in her office within the Villa.
Boom-boom-boom-boom!
Over the delicate piano melody flowed a weighty classical piece, enriched with the resonance of ancient instruments.
It was a recorded performance by an orchestra playing from the Crystal Screen placed on her office desk.
Intoxicated by the classical music that wound pleasantly through her ears, Rubetria savored the melody with her eyes gently closed.
Her head tilted in time, lips curved in a soft smile.
“Oh, nooo……! There’s been a misunderstanding……!”
Just then, from a Military Police carriage passing beside her Villa came a cry that disturbed her peaceful rest.
It was the voice of Baron Lyubon, whose past deeds had been thoroughly exposed and who was being transported to the Military Police for further investigation after having his Noble Title stripped.
Three days—that was all it had taken for the House of Diolus’s investigation team and the Imperial Military Police to complete their work after Rubetria sent word to Biego.
“Please, listen to what I have to say……!”
Rubetria’s brow, which had been furrowed even while she smiled with eyes closed, deepened in irritation.
“Siena.”
“Yes, miss.”
“Could you turn up the volume on the Crystal Screen a bit? What’s all that barking about…….”
“Of course.”
Boom-boom-boom-boom!
The louder music drowned out the cries of whoever it was. Rubetria’s expression became peaceful once more.
“Mmm~”
Rubetria hummed, her fingers conducting as though she were a maestro herself, then picked up the letter resting on her desk and gave it a quick glance.
My dear sister, Rubetria.
I am ashamed of myself. Without your help, I would never have understood the situation with Lyubon.
I intend to select a trustworthy regent to manage Lyubon anew in the near future.
Always take care of yourself. I love you.
Biego.
Rubetria laughed softly and tossed the letter back onto her desk, returning her attention to the classical performance.
“Miss, Rebecca has brought a report that Madam Becky from Blanc de Ruby sent, and she’s asking whether you’d like to hear it now.”
“Yes, of course. Thank you.”
Siena nodded and lowered the volume on the Crystal Screen playing the classical piece, then pulled out another one and started it up.
Rubetria crossed her legs in the fine chair and gazed at the screen, her back resting comfortably against it.
“A promotional video for the Blanc de Ruby autumn collection has been broadcast via image boards on Boutique Street.”
“Oh my, truly our greatest actress. Just look at that beautiful face and that haughty expression.”
Rubetria gasped in admiration as she watched the promotional video that was being broadcast at this very moment on the image boards of Boutique Street on The Continent.
The autumn dress with seven-tiered puffed sleeves as its signature feature suited model Sera Ugo as though it had been tailored to her form.
Moreover, as befitted a true master of the dramatic arts, Sera’s elegant expression and beautiful gestures held the eye throughout the entire video.
The secret of her beauty—
“I found it in autumn from Blanc de Ruby.”
Sera in the video spoke her brief line with a captivating smile.
“Wonderful!”
Clap, clap, clap!
As Rubetria applauded, Siena, standing before her, bowed her head with a smile.
“Daily sales have risen more than twenty-five percent since the video was released, and through the autumn collection pre-order waiting list, the company achieved record-breaking sales of three hundred twenty-eight million Mark on October eleventh. Please check the detailed sales trends in the statement that Madam sent.”
Rubetria smiled with satisfaction as she examined the sales statement Becky had sent.
“How far back is the pre-order waiting list?”
“It’s filled through February of the year after next, miss. There’s also documentation about Madam’s proposal to raise the reservation deposit, which you should review. The proposal states that once you give your approval, the autumn season reservation deposit will be increased by five hundred thousand Mark or more.”
“Is that so? So our Becky’s finally learned how to do proper business.”
Rubetria examined the documents with satisfaction and signed her approval.
“There are also responses to the collaboration proposals you sent to two parties. From Marquis Frank and Hamilton Galakio.”
“What do they say? Well, naturally…….”
“Yes. Not only did they accept readily, but both have additionally inquired about extending the contract period.”
“Hehe.”
Rubetria clenched her fist to her mouth and chuckled.
She who intended to gradually expand her business scope through leather goods and accessories had, after Blanc de Ruby struck gold, immediately begun recruiting additional partners under the brand name.
Marquis Frank, a magnate who had made his fortune in premium leather trade, and Hamilton Galakio, a renowned and skilled artisan of considerable repute on The Continent, were among them.
Both were heavyweights who had few rivals in their respective fields.
Had it been a collaboration proposal from some ordinary shopkeeper, of course they would have declined outright. But……
From none other than the enigmatic proprietor of the currently hottest brand, Blanc de Ruby—”Madam Ruby’s” discreet contact!
Of course they had rushed to send their reply.
“Well, these are important figures, so we should certainly accommodate a contract modification of this scale. Extend the contract period by two more years, revise the agreement, and send it back.”
“Very good, miss.”
As Siena received the documents Rubetria had approved, she found herself thinking for a moment.
How to put it? For a fifteen-year-old young noblewoman, this entire series of business dealings seemed remarkably familiar.
As though the soul of a seasoned entrepreneur had somehow possessed her body…….
“You work so well, and besides, we’ll be together for a whole year anyway, so there’s no point hiding it.”
“Truth is, I’m running a small business. I’d appreciate your help.”
“Oh, of course it’s a secret, right?”
When Siena first heard about it, she’d assumed the young miss was playing at commerce. But learning the truth left her speechless.
That “small” business was far too humble a description…….
Even Siena, who had no interest in boutiques, couldn’t help but know of the famous Blanc de Ruby—and its proprietor turned out to be the youngest daughter of House of Diolus.
And that wasn’t even the most surprising part.
“Miss, the final sample of men’s formal wear has finally arrived!”
“Oh my! At last!”
Rebecca burst into the office with barely contained excitement, and two maidservants followed, pulling a wheeled mannequin behind them.
“Oh.”
The moment Siena caught sight of the mannequin, an exclamation escaped her lips.
A smartly tailored black men’s jacket and formal trousers with a flawless drape.
Gone were the elaborate silk ornaments and glittering jeweled buttons that had never been absent from conventional men’s uniform designs.
Yet did it look plain? Not at all.
“This unusual cravat design is really beautiful! Our miss truly is remarkable~!”
Unlike the traditional cravats made of white muslin or lace, this featured a long fabric draped down to the navel—an unconventional neck ornament that kept the otherwise simple jacket design from appearing ordinary.
Siena stared blankly at the men’s clothing sample for a long moment, then turned to look back at Rubetria.
Yes, what was truly astonishing was that this young girl had designed every garment that had driven the boutique to such success.
“Oh right. This is the autumn shawl for you that Becky sent along with the sample.”
“My goodness, how lovely. I was just thinking of heading to the Workshop—I’ll wear this.”
“Of course, miss!”
Rebecca draped the Navy Blue Shawl across Rubetria’s shoulders as she presented them with aristocratic bearing.
Ah…….
She hardly looked like a fifteen-year-old girl at all…….
The “authority” of a “proprietor”……!
Rubetria then turned to Siena, her chin raised haughtily.
Like a gesture worn into her very being, it was arrogant, yet impossibly becoming.
“Let’s go, secretary.”
Siena felt her heart quicken as she replied.
“……Yes, boss!”
* * *
Lyubon Workshop.
The Workshop workers, whose complexions had improved noticeably over the past few days, were working diligently.
Charlie rushed forward to meet me.
“Miss!”
“You’ve been working hard. It looks like the Workshop family has grown, hasn’t it?”
“Goodness, it’s all thanks to you, miss. The scattered members have all come back.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“Well…… that settlement you gave me for back wages. I wonder if you might have made a mistake about the amount. The back wages were supposed to be three months’ worth…….”
“No, surely I wouldn’t make such an error. It wasn’t three months of wages, but five years’ worth of Workshop income that should have been paid to you all along.”
Charlie’s face darkened as he pressed his lips together.
“……The truth is, I share some blame for signing the contract with Baron Lyubon without verifying the facts first.”
“When someone’s deliberately cheating in the middle, how could you possibly verify the facts? It’s largely our House’s fault for sending only an inspector without looking more carefully into the territorial situation.”
“Ah…….”
“This is simply payment for the labor that should rightfully have gone to you, so don’t concern yourself. If you’re still troubled by it, please see that the Workshop members who suffered alongside you are well fed.”
“Miss…… Truly, truly, thank you. How could I ever repay such kindness…… Ah! Jeremy, you rascal, the miss is here—why haven’t you come out to greet her!”
Charlie, bowing repeatedly in gratitude, looked around for Jeremy.
“Oh, don’t worry about it. I didn’t come to call busy friends away from their work just to receive a greeting. Since I’m here anyway, I’ll just peek at his face and go.”
I smiled to stop Charlie’s protests and opened the door to the workshop room set up in one corner of the building.
‘He’s diligent.’
I could see Jeremy’s back, hunched intently over work at a cluttered table.
Though it had only been a few days, I’d grown quite close with my peer, Jeremy.
There was a part of me trying harder to make up for feeling sorry about the situation…….
‘He looks busy—I’ll come back later.’
Despite his young age, Jeremy was a gifted boy with a talent for craftsmanship that made Charlie sing his praises incessantly.
I didn’t want to disturb his work, so I was quietly turning to leave.
“Oh, you’re here?”
“Ah, Jeremy. I wasn’t trying to interrupt—go ahead and finish.”
“No way! I was just about to come find you!”
“Me?”
When we were alone, Jeremy spoke to me in an easy, familiar manner.
There weren’t many peers around, and I’d deliberately asked him to be comfortable with me so we could become close quickly.
“Ahem. I have something to give you.”
“What is it?”
Jeremy stood up and approached, then hesitated for a long moment before suddenly holding out something he’d been hiding behind his back.
And when I saw it, I
‘Oh, my gosh!’
couldn’t help but gasp inwardly.

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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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