Celebrity Lady - Chapter 93

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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 93
* * *
Early July.
Reubon, having passed the threshold of summer and grown somewhat warm.
“Here’s the cosmetics store franchise contract. I’ll leave it with you.”
“Thank you, Siena.”
“I blended this one with blueberries and ice. It’s hot, so take breaks while you work.”
“Thank you too, Rebecca.”
“I’ll enjoy it.”
Lark and I, both seated on the sofa, answered in unison.
Even after Siena and Rebecca left, the office remained filled only with the sound of turning pages and the scratch of pen nibs.
Stretching my sluggish limbs, I glanced sideways to find Lark wearing a contemplative expression.
He looked absorbed, scrutinizing papers covered in dense text.
I laughed suddenly.
At the sound, he turned to look at me.
“What?”
“I was just thinking—we really are ideal business partners.”
“What are you talking about?”
Lark raised an eyebrow sharply.
I set down the contract I’d been reading, picked up the blueberry juice, took a long sip, and spoke.
“Who would ever suspect that you and I have this kind of relationship?”
“What kind of relationship?”
“Two fully grown adults alone in one room, yet both too busy with work to do anything else.”
“Mm.”
I burrowed deeper into the sofa, chuckling to myself.
“Apparently, because you kissed the back of my hand at the equestrian tournament, there are quite a few ladies who’ve taken to their beds. Everyone seems to be entertaining rather suspicious ideas—such a shame, really.”
According to what I’d picked up, ‘Madam Ruby’ had accumulated nearly as many detractors as fans.
A woman of uncertain status—neither commoner nor noble—had dared to create a stir with the Crown Prince, who was beloved by everyone.
Well, I’d long grown accustomed to envy and jealousy, so it was nothing remarkable to me.
“Hmm, that’s certainly unfortunate. Come to think of it, Madam Ruby’s fans have just as many laid up in bed.”
Lark added this while stroking his chin.
“Even within our own knights’ order. A few days ago, some Third Knight Squadron member with no business seeing me came by and demanded to know if I was dating Madam Ruby.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Everyone’s busy composing their own novels in their heads.”
Lark set down the papers he’d been holding, folded his hands, rested his chin on them, and spoke with mock seriousness.
“Isn’t it frustrating to be misunderstood like this? Why not turn their suspicions into reality?”
“…Excuse me?”
He turned to face me and continued.
“Two grown adults alone in one room, and instead of confounding expectations, they’d live up to them?”
……
As I blinked silently, Lark chuckled and gave my forehead a gentle tap.
“I’m joking.”
He returned to his papers and focused once more.
“Your Highness.”
“I know. I won’t bring it up again.”
But I wasn’t trying to scold him for that…
I watched Lark pretend to study the documents, then asked him.
“What are you so busy with these days?”
“Looking for a sorcerer.”
“A sorcerer? You mean the one who sold drugs to the Fifth Princess?”
“Yes. You said in the future you saw that they never get caught—”
“The future can change. It always can.”
“That’s why I’m telling you. I’ve identified one suspect who looks quite promising.”
“Really? Who?”
“Once I’ve investigated further and I’m certain, I’ll tell you.”
“All right, I appreciate that.”
“And I’m also digging into Molga’s movements. If anything significant turns up, I’ll let you know.”
“Wow, thank you.”
“Also…I’ve found traces of Nathan assembling assassins. I need to tail them and eliminate them before they act—Ren’s been working hard on that front—”
Lark’s mouth snapped shut mid-mumble.
The Second Prince gathering assassins? Why?
I felt Lark checking my reaction. That confirmed my suspicions.
‘So that kidnapping attempt wasn’t the end of it. That troublesome bastard. He’s going to keep coming after me.’
Seeing the frightened look cross my face, Lark gently touched my cheek.
“Don’t worry. We’re not even sure who the assassins are meant for, and even if they’re targeting you, I won’t let them touch a hair on your head.”
“All right.”
“Besides, I’m grateful you’re under an Isolation Sentence in Reubon. I can defend you thoroughly, and Nathan has no legitimate opportunity to approach you.”
Lark rose, pulling on the outer robe he’d set aside.
“Still, you can’t let your guard down like before. When your family visits, always have an investigator present.”
“I will. But are you leaving now?”
“Yes. I have a nobles’ council meeting at two o’clock.”
“Two o’clock? That’s still quite far off. Even if it takes an hour to get there, you have two full hours of buffer time.”
“What, are you sad I’m leaving early?”
…A little.
But saying so honestly would make the atmosphere awkward, so I merely shrugged.
“No. If you’re busy, you should go.”
“I need to go early to prepare. The recent legal reforms have been giving me a headache at every meeting.”
“Legal reforms? What laws are changing?”
“Well, such things exist.”
Lark smiled briefly, then suddenly leaned in close, meeting my eyes, and spoke.
“I’ll be back.”
…What kind of farewell was that?
It sounded like a husband heading off to work.
* * *
When Lark returned to the palace.
News like a bolt from the blue awaited him.
“Your Highness, I bring joyous news. The sorcerer has just come forward and confessed to all charges.”
“…What?”
“She has submitted the poison in question as evidence. Along with all the drugs that the Fifth Princess possessed.”
“His Majesty has ordered the conclusion of the investigation into this incident, and the lifting of the Confinement Sentence for the Fifth Princess and the Isolation Sentence for the Duke of Diolus’s daughter.”
The investigators rejoiced as though it were their own victory—that Lark’s full sister, Lizbeth, had finally been cleared of suspicion.
“Congratulations, Your Highness!”
But why was it.
That Lark’s expression was so bleak?
* * *
The sorcerer was a woman in her thirties.
Wrapped in a thick cloak, only her lower face and golden hair were visible—this matched Lizbeth’s account.
“The hair color is identical!”
Though the sorcerer’s composite sketch couldn’t be verified with certainty, the poison she submitted and various testimonies served as clear evidence, and the investigation was concluded swiftly.
“The poison submitted by the sorcerer matches the poison delivered to the First Princess. The other drugs all correspond to what the Fifth Princess possessed.”
“The location of the Sorcery Shop and all conversation details match the Fifth Princess’s testimony.”
“The suspect reportedly harbored a deep hatred of nobility. However, she didn’t foresee the poison reaching the First Princess, and fearing the investigation’s progress, she confessed in hopes of leniency.”
Lark was certain that Nathan had moved swiftly. His aim was to lift Rubetria’s Isolation Sentence as soon as possible.
“The investigation must not be closed yet, Your Majesty. This is clearly not the work of a single perpetrator—there must be someone behind it.”
The Imperial Palace.
Lark, his face haggard after two sleepless days, approached the Emperor to protest.
“The testimonies align and all evidence is in the investigation team’s hands. What is the problem?”
The Emperor asked with a displeased look.
“The motive for the crime is too flimsy. Selling poison deliberately out of hatred for nobility?”
……
“No, Your Majesty. The perpetrator deliberately delivered poison to the First Princess. Someone must have instigated her.”
“Then who is this mastermind?”
At the Emperor’s question, Lark’s mouth fell silent.
“In over half a year as investigation commander, have you uncovered anything about who’s behind this? Do you have any evidence worth using?”
“If you grant me more time—”
“Incompetent fool.”
The Emperor spat out the words with disdain and continued.
“After conducting an investigation with no progress for over half a year, what have you gained? A reputation as an incompetent Crown Prince? Suspicion that you were actually targeting the First Princess?”
……
“Whether or not there’s a mastermind, the perpetrator’s confession is a stroke of luck for you. Both Lizbeth and the Duke of Diolus’s daughter are now cleared of suspicion.”
Lark’s fists clenched. To him, that was precisely the problem.
The Isolation Sentence had given him a pretext to shield Rubetria from Nathan’s clutches…
“If you truly find this incident suspicious, you may investigate it privately at your leisure. In any case, the Isolation Sentence on the Duke of Diolus’s daughter can now be lifted, so focus your efforts on preparing for the Imperial Marriage Ceremony.”
“…I’m sorry?”
At the Emperor’s unexpected declaration, Lark furrowed his brow.
“What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?”
The Emperor avoided his gaze, picked up a teacup from the table at a leisurely pace, tilted it, and spoke.
“I’ve already sent a Betrothal Proposal to Diolus.”
“How could you—”
“I’ve already swayed half the nobles in the council. All to push through that absurd Marriage Law revision.”
The Emperor’s sharp gaze turned toward Lark.
“You thought that if you pressured me using the noble ministers as your backing, I’d yield without a fight?”
“…”
Lark gritted his teeth, covering his eyes as he swallowed his rage.
The Emperor had sent marriage proposals to House Diolus the moment the Isolation Sentence was lifted. Without a single word of consultation with his own son…
“A Betrothal Proposal sent without prior agreement. They’ll feel as though they’re being coerced.”
“That can’t be helped.”
“Your Majesty, why are you doing this?”
“You started it first.”
……
After exchanging sharp glances and falling silent, Lark finally bowed to the Emperor.
“…I will go and return shortly.”
He intended to explain to the Duke of Diolus and Rubetria about the Betrothal Proposal that had been sent so suddenly.
“You impudent fool!”
As if seeing through Lark’s intent, the Emperor rose abruptly and came toward him, seizing him.
“What is wrong with you! You, who’ve never caused me trouble before, why do you keep acting against me!”
……
“I have no intention of approving that pathetic bill anyway! Come to your senses!”
“The Marriage Law is not a matter to discuss now. First, let me at least contact House Diolus.”
“No—you will wait for their reply. Once Diolus responds, you will conduct the Imperial Marriage Ceremony before year’s end.”
“I have never discussed this matter with Rubetria, nor have I heard her opinion. This is imperial overreach with no justification.”
“There’s no need for lengthy discussion. It would be fine to streamline the ceremony by bringing in the imperial concubines at the same time.”
“Your Majesty!”
Before the Emperor, who spoke only what he wished without listening, Lark finally exploded.
“I have no intention of proceeding with the Imperial Marriage Ceremony until the Marriage Law matter is resolved! Why—”
The moment his agitated voice rose sharply, at that same instant.
Crack—!
The Emperor’s hand, full of force, came down savagely across Lark’s face.
His head twisted helplessly. A red line appeared on his cheek where the rings on his fingers had scratched him.

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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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