Celebrity Lady - Chapter 89

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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 89
“Wait, isn’t something wrong with this?”
Nora asked in confusion, and Valet shook her head with a soft cough.
“That’s what I thought too, so I asked Macculy several times about it, but…….”
“No, haha! Have all these knights lost their minds? Casting votes for some woman whose face they don’t even know!”
Nora snatched the papers from the table and crumpled them decisively before tossing them over her shoulder.
Then came silence.
The three girls seated around the table all glanced nervously at Lilia’s expressionless face.
“L-Lilia, you’re preparing your handkerchief for the tournament, aren’t you? The Equestrian Tournament is coming up soon. The knights must be desperate to receive your handkerchief.”
“That’s right, that’s right. Macculy was even asking if you could tell us in advance which knight you’re planning to give it to.”
When Nora changed the subject, Valet took over.
Late June—the Equestrian Tournament held in Lyubon.
This annual tournament was not only anticipated by knights but was also a much-awaited event by the Ladies.
The reason was simple: it was a time when romantic relationships between knights and Ladies were highlighted.
A Lady would gift an embroidered handkerchief of her own making to a knight of her choosing, wishing him victory.
And the victorious knight would be granted the honor of kneeling before the Lady and kissing her hand.
“Since it’s Lilia’s first attendance, everyone seems quite excited.”
As this event was primarily for adult or nearly-adult Ladies, this was Lilia’s first time, and she had been looking forward to it considerably.
“All the knights must be eager to kiss Lilia’s hand!”
“I suppose so.”
“That’s enough. Don’t be embarrassing with such talk.”
When Nora and Valet cajoled her, Lilia’s mood improved slightly, and she laughed.
“By the way, have you heard? I heard the Third Princess, who’s hosting the event, personally invited Madam Ruby.”
Again, again, again! That wretched Madam Ruby!
At Sitten’s dampening remark, everyone’s attention converged on her.
“It seems Blanc de Ruby is crafting the Imperial gift to be presented to the tournament champion. The Third Princess invited Madam Ruby as a token of her gratitude. We might finally get to see her in person.”
Sitten, who seemed utterly enchanted by Madam Ruby, appeared more interested in seeing her in the flesh than in watching the tournament itself.
“Ha. You’re something, Sitten.”
Nora nudged Sitten’s ribs pointedly, but Sitten merely tilted her head in confusion.
Grinding, grinding, grinding…….
A loud grinding sound came from between Lilia’s teeth as she smiled quietly.
“What’s that grinding sound?”
“S-Sitten. Shh.”
Valet also jabbed Sitten pointedly, signaling her to be quiet.
“Good afternoon, lovely ladies. Are you enjoying your time?”
Just then.
The shop’s proprietress had come over to serve the ordered desserts personally to the young noblewomen.
A male employee followed behind her, pushing the dessert tray.
“Wow, thank you. Thank you so much for coming.”
“My, do look at that pink fraisier. It really does look pretty and delicious.”
To their unexpected savior who broke the icy atmosphere, Nora and Valet expressed genuine gratitude with exaggerated enthusiasm.
However.
‘This infuriating, ridiculous nonsense. Ugh, I’m so irritated! Argh!’
As elegant and refined desserts were placed one by one on the table, Lilia’s mood, already ruined beyond repair, showed no signs of improving.
With her eyes quietly downcast, she trembled slightly inside.
“Sigh, truly beautiful……. An angel…….”
When the male employee pushing the tray’s voice reached her ears, Lilia paused.
There were often people who inadvertently gasped in admiration upon seeing Lilia’s beauty.
‘Hmph, at least some people have eyes.’
Her fouled mood lifted slightly. Why not flash him an eye-smile? He’d earned it.
With that thought, Lilia let out a small laugh and looked up.
‘……?’
But for some reason, the gaping employee’s gaze was fixed elsewhere entirely.
Following his line of sight, she turned her head—
Their choice, befitting those of high station
Blanc de Ruby
On the display screen outside the shop window.
Again, again, again!
That tedious Madam Ruby’s image, appearing constantly these days!
Bang!
“Oh my!”
“Kyaaaa!”
Unable to contain her frustration any longer, Lilia shot to her feet, and the table attached to her lurched.
Lilia forced an awkward smile at the startled gazes that gathered toward her.
“I’m feeling unwell. I’ll head home now—hrrgh…….”
Barely suppressed anger escaped between her clenched teeth.
* * *
Time passed, and passed, and finally it was late June.
The day of the Imperial-sponsored annual event that countless knights and Ladies had eagerly awaited—the Equestrian Tournament—had finally arrived.
“Waaaaaaa!”
“Wooooo!”
The tournament ground, a restructured dome-shaped racecourse, rang with the piercing cheers of the packed crowd.
Beautifully dressed noblewomen occupied the best spectator seats and chattered amongst themselves.
“My goodness. The Third Princess reserved a seat right next to her for you?”
“It, it seems so.”
Valet and Sitten stared at the distant VIP section with their mouths hanging open, whispering to each other.
In the highest tier sat the Emperor and Empress.
Below them were the princes and princesses.
And in the lowest tier—the seat where the Third Princess, as host, would normally have sat alone.
Madam Ruby occupied the honor of sitting right beside it.
“You must be disappointed, Sitten. She’s wearing a mask again today, isn’t she?”
“She really is.”
Among the many people who had come to watch the tournament, numerous gazes stole glimpses of Madam Ruby.
All had hoped to see her in person, but disappointingly, her masked appearance was no different from the buzz surrounding her image.
“I doubt she’s quite as hideously ugly as the rumors claim.”
Nora Pelcan snorted and spoke, and Lilia beside her let out a small laugh.
“I suppose not…….”
Sitten mumbled dejectedly.
At that same moment.
Aristana, the Third Princess in the host’s seat, rose slightly.
“The match should be starting soon, so I ought to go find Lark.”
“Your Highness, thank you. For hearing my request.”
When Madam Ruby spoke, Aristana hesitated, then leaned down and whispered quietly.
“If Naysen found out about your suspicion, he’d be quite upset. I hope nobody learns of it.”
“Of course, don’t worry. And if you don’t mind, could you pass this to the Crown Prince?”
“Hmm?”
What Madam Ruby handed over was an embroidered handkerchief of her own making.
Before the tournament, a Lady would gift such a handkerchief to the knight she supported, wishing him safety and victory.
Aristana stared at the handkerchief for a moment, then sat back down and leaned close to whisper in Madam Ruby’s ear.
“Your request to me was one thing, but I’m suspicious about this. Madam Ruby, are you and Lark perhaps in a relationship?”
“Oh no. The Crown Prince has simply helped me a great deal in many ways.”
“Hmm.”
Even at Madam Ruby’s denial, Aristana did not lower her suspicious gaze and rose again.
“In any case, wait just a moment. I’ll be right back.”
* * *
The Group A waiting room for contestants.
Crown Prince Lark van Rashmah Dekard swallowed hard as he looked over the bracket, which could only be confirmed that day.
“Mm…….”
(Group A) Lark van Rashmah Dekard — (Group B) Naysen van Rashmah Dekard
“Aristana.”
“Yes, brother.”
Before donning his breastplate, Aristana answered as she hung a pocket watch directly around Lark’s neck.
“You didn’t arrange the bracket this way on purpose……did you?”
“Huh?”
“Ha, I’m just joking.”
It was a jest with teeth in it.
Though Lark boasted flawless martial prowess, he had often suffered regrettable defeats against Naysen in jousting, and Aristana knew this well enough.
Lark, feeling awkward, scratched his head and muttered.
“It’s a shame, though. I’d hoped Naysen would at least make it to the finals so we could face each other then.”
Then at least in his earlier matches, he could have shown Rubetria a spectacular performance.
Not only was it the opening match, but his opponent was Naysen—he felt like a sacrificial lamb offered for the tournament’s opening ceremony.
[I firmly believe that you will win.]
Recalling Rubetria’s letter, Lark let out a long sigh.
‘Sorry, lady. Living up to that faith will be difficult.’
Though Rubetria could see the future, that unwavering belief of hers was likely no certainty.
Because, as he suspected, the current Rubetria probably couldn’t foresee the future.
‘It seems that whenever the lady takes action to change the future, a completely new one is created in its place, and that adjustment takes some time. During that interval, the lady surely cannot see the future.’
Lark nodded to himself, having gained some understanding of Vista’s limitations.
If Rubetria could see the future now, she would have foreseen the kidnapping incident from a month ago and either responded or asked for his help.
“You lack confidence?”
When Aristana asked, Lark snapped out of his reverie and laughed.
“Naysen wields a lance with remarkable skill.”
“True enough, but looking at your expression, it’s like—how should I put it—you’re convinced you’ll lose. That’s not like you, brother.”
Aristana had posed the question to probe him slightly, but he merely chuckled in response.
“With a bit of luck, I might win.”
“…….”
“But what’s this?”
Lark gestured toward the pocket watch Aristana had hung around his neck and asked.
“Oh, well. All contestants are required to wear one during the match.”
“A pocket watch? Hmm, did I wear something like this last year too?”
“Why does that even matter! Just hurry and put on your armor!”
“Yes, yes.”
Shoved along by Aristana’s urgings, Lark hastily began arming himself.
Watching him quietly, Aristana let out an exclamation and handed him the handkerchief.
“Oh, are you cheering for me?”
“No? I’m the neutral host. I absolutely won’t support any single person. This is a handkerchief that Madam Ruby asked me to pass on.”
“……What?”
As Lark reached to accept the handkerchief, he froze and his shoulders slumped.
“Ah.”
“Why the reaction?”
“Just that—receiving a handkerchief and then putting on a poor show feels a bit bitter.”
“No, brother? I’m genuinely curious about this. Why are you so convinced you’ll lose unconditionally—”
“I’m heading out.”
With a wave of his hand, Lark left the waiting room, leaving Aristana behind.
“Wuaaaaa!”
“It’s the Crown Prince!”
As he entered the arena, the roar of the spectators that had been rumbling suddenly hit his ears with force.
Waving in response to the fervent cheers, Lark donned his helmet and swiftly mounted his horse.
“Heeyah.”
Through his narrowed visor, he could see the packed crowds and, somewhere among them, Rubetria, likely watching him intently.
‘Ah, how unfair.’
He could also see his opponent, Naysen, in the distance.
The outcome was predetermined from the start, and his defeat had nothing to do with insufficient skill. So there was no reason to feel bitter—but…….
Had Rubetria not been watching, this bitterness would never have taken root.
‘Really unfair…….’

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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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