Celebrity Lady - Chapter 87

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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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A Celebrated Lady
Chapter 87
* * *
Pat, pat, pat—
“Why not write down a wish in advance?”
That evening, the day the kidnapping incident had occurred.
After finishing my nighttime wash and applying toner at the vanity, Wisht suddenly made the suggestion.
“Hmm.”
Pat, pat, pat—
“What wish are you talking about?”
I asked without interest, continuing to gaze at my reflection, and Wisht, who had been hesitating for some time, finally spoke.
“For instance… that when a situation arises where your safety is threatened, I can ensure you escape unharmed.”
“You’re worried the Second Prince might come after me again?”
“Yes.”
“Why does the Second Prince see me as worth more than just a hostage?”
I watched Wisht’s reaction while speaking as if to myself. He seemed hesitant to say something.
“Rubetria.”
“Mm-hmm.”
After choosing his words carefully for a long moment, he opened his mouth very slowly.
“Spirits, you see… each possesses different constraints and limitations according to their own abilities… and there are taboos, but those…”
“Wisht.”
I cut off his words and turned to face him. It was all too obvious from his expression that he was struggling to speak ‘indirectly’ about something.
“I think it’s time we had an honest conversation with each other.”
……
“You know this as well as I do, but you’ve been terribly suspicious up until now. There are so many things I want to ask you about.”
“I’m sorry, but I—”
“No, don’t worry—I’m not about to interrogate you. Do you know why I haven’t pressed you about my questions up until now?”
……
“I assumed that your refusal to speak must have a reason. And most likely, that reason involves bearing some kind of risk.”
Wisht went rigid. I studied his expression carefully before continuing.
“From this moment on, don’t say anything. I don’t know what risk you have to bear, so I want you to be cautious. You don’t even need to answer yes or no. Just listen.”
I slowly turned over in my mind the last words he had spoken.
“…each possesses different constraints and limitations… and there are taboos, but those…”
Perhaps even that much had been a burden for him.
“There’s a saying: secrets are meant to be told, and taboos are meant to be broken.”
……
“Even if there are taboos, among hundreds and thousands of spirits, there must be a few troublemakers who deliberately refuse to obey them.”
I continued speaking while holding Wisht’s gaze.
“You gather regularly at the Spirit’s Spring with the other spirits, so they all know you’ve taken on a contractor?”
……
“But informing your own contractor about another spirit’s contract circumstances is probably what you’d call a ‘taboo.'”
……
“However, if someone breaks that taboo despite bearing the risk, it wouldn’t be strange for my secrets to leak out either.”
Wisht’s eyes wavered. I was thankful he wasn’t particularly skilled at hiding his expressions.
“Well, that’s roughly what I’ve deduced.”
I shrugged with a slight smile and turned back to the mirror.
“I’m no fool. I’m not just lying around like some carefree bear with no thoughts in my head, so don’t worry too much.”
“I never thought you were a carefree bear.”
“And, Wisht.”
I closed the toner bottle and met his eyes in the mirror’s reflection.
“I suspect that if you use any power beyond granting wishes, it will burden you in some way.”
The power granted to him was only to grant three wishes. If he uses any other power, there must surely be constraints.
If there were no constraints, Wisht would have used his abilities recklessly for me. At least I’m certain of one thing—that he cares for me deeply.
“Of course, the weight of that burden would differ depending on what power you use.”
Using minor powers wouldn’t be a great burden on him.
But things like erasing the marks on my hand, or saving my life in that carriage accident—
if he uses power whose consequences have significant impact, it might trouble him somewhat.
“So from now on, don’t do anything for me. Because that wouldn’t actually be something done for my sake.”
……
“I don’t want you to disappear.”
At my words, Wisht’s eyes widened.
Perhaps he, stacking up taboos one by one, would someday vanish from my side without a trace.
That was the reason I hadn’t wanted to ask him anything.
“I woke up in a strange world knowing nothing, and though I didn’t complain like a child, I was sad and lost in my own way.”
I rose and turned to face Wisht.
The Wisht who had taken the form of a young boy with red hair, looking just like me—the one who had changed to resemble my younger brother, as I once wished.
As clever as he is, he could become any form, but now I’m certain I would recognize him no matter what he looks like.
Because our connection has become so very deep.
“So to me, you are perhaps the closest, and the most—”
……
“precious being.”
Wisht stiffened, seeming taken aback by this confession I rarely made.
“What are you saying?”
I smiled at Wisht, who scratched his neck and looked away awkwardly.
“So let’s stay together for a very long time.”
* * *
Even if the Second Prince was indeed after me, as long as I avoided meeting him, there was no need to be especially vigilant.
In that sense, being isolated in Reubon at present wasn’t actually a bad situation for me—
“What is this?”
—or so I thought!
The very next day.
I was bewildered by a letter from the imperial palace, more precisely a letter from the Third Princess, Aristana, to “Madam Ruby.”
To Madam Ruby,
This is the Third Princess Aristana van Rashmah Dekard.
First, I send my deepest admiration for the prestige of Blanc de Ruby, which enjoys such great popularity in Jedo Dekarn.
You must be surprised by this sudden letter. The reason for my writing is that I have come to oversee the Mounted Archery Tournament for the knights that will be held in Reubon at the end of June.
As has been customary, the victorious knight shall receive an honorable gift from the imperial household.
While considering what this gift should be, I remembered the reputation of Madam Ruby and Blanc de Ruby, and so I write to you without reservation.
The “Apante,” currently in my possession, is a Red Diamond that my late father, the Tenth Dekard, obtained after his victory in war with Viteri, the Knight’s Domain. It is surely fitting to honor a brave knight with such a treasure.
However, since I keep it in its raw form, I wish to have it crafted into jewelry befitting an honorable gift. I hope Madam Ruby would undertake this task.
Since Blanc de Ruby is currently making a significant contribution to the development of the Commercial District, I believe that such a collaboration would generate considerable publicity for both of us.
I would appreciate it if you would freely choose the type of jewelry. I await Madam Ruby’s favorable response.
The Third Princess, Aristana van Rashmah Dekard
Summarized in one line, the Third Princess’s lengthy letter amounted to this:
I’ll give you a Red Diamond—can you make it into a prize worthy of the tournament champion?
Of course, the reason I was bewildered wasn’t because of the sudden demand for my talents.
[…at the end of June, in Reubon…]
The future had changed again.
I wrung my head and muttered aloud.
“Why Reubon of all places? Wasn’t this tournament originally held in Jedo?”
The Mounted Archery Tournament overseen by the Third Princess Aristana.
This competition, held in Jedo Dekarn in June 1520, left such an enormous impression that it was discussed by the empire’s people for years to come.
The reason being—
‘Because the Second Prince made an absolutely brilliant mark for himself as the new heir!’
Unfortunately, at that time Lark had already been assassinated.
The empire’s people were downcast at the death of the Crown Prince, an undefeated knight, and anxiety about national defense grew day by day.
And it was in this Mounted Archery Tournament that the Second Prince, Nathan, seized victory.
The unexpected reversal of the Second Prince who seemed too thin and weak to lift anything! He defeated every skilled warrior and claimed the victory.
I had watched this tournament together with Lilia.
‘It was impressive, certainly. If he’d only won, it wouldn’t have become such a sensation, but for some reason, the Second Prince wasn’t hit even once.’
After that day’s Mounted Archery Tournament, the Second Prince gained the heated support of the empire’s people.
It was the ‘trust’ that he was a capable enough resource to secure a stable national defense. That very thing took root in everyone’s hearts.
“But this time the Crown Prince is alive, isn’t he? Naturally His Highness will win.”
“Well, I’m not so sure.”
Wisht, standing beside me, shrugged for some reason. He seemed to distrust Lark.
‘Why does he look like that? What kind of man is Lark?’
I felt infinite confidence and immediately wrote a letter to Lark.
[Your Highness, it seems Blanc de Ruby will be crafting the prize for the champion of the Mounted Archery Tournament to be held in June.
Since the victor will surely be you, please let me know in advance if there’s anything you’d like.
Personally, I’d recommend a men’s formal brooch. Oh, a sword sheath would also be nice.]
* * *
And when Lark’s reply arrived just one day later, I was puzzled.
[Thank you for thinking of me, my lady.
A prize made by you sounds truly desirable. But I’m afraid it won’t end up in my hands.
I apologize for disappointing you, but I’ve never once defeated Nathan.
Whatever you make will go to Nathan’s hands, and I fear I’d be jealous…
So I hope you’ll make it with all emotion drained out!]
“What is he talking about?”
It was surprising that Lark had never once beaten the Second Prince, but what puzzled me more was his tone—he seemed certain that the Second Prince would win.
‘There are several knights competing in the tournament, so why is he certain the Second Prince will win? I know in this future the Second Prince does win, but Lark shouldn’t know that…’
I pouted my lips and spoke.
“Is the Second Prince such a genius at the Mounted Archery Tournament? To the point that even Lark can’t manage it?”
“More than that…”
Wisht, who had been reading the letter with me, spoke as if he’d expected such a reply.
“How can you beat someone who cheats?”
“What? Cheating?”
My ears perked up and I turned to face Wisht.

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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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