In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 60

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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This Life, I Will Become the Clan Head Episode 60

Julietta blinked her large eyes as if she didn’t understand what I was saying.

Ah, this person wasn’t particularly bright, was she.

That’s why she couldn’t read the atmosphere and became Astana’s lover, only to earn the Empress’s hatred.

I smiled brightly and explained in the simplest terms possible for her sake.

“A promotional model for Gallahan Clothing Store, you could say?”

“Ah!”

Even though they called it ready-made clothes for commoners, it was still strictly Gallahan Lombardi’s business. It was also the ready-made clothing that was currently becoming a hot issue in the Empire.

Opera wasn’t an art form exclusively for nobles.

Wealthy commoners were also one of opera’s main audiences.

If they were commoners, no matter how wealthy, they would naturally have less resistance to ready-made clothes.

I could see Julietta’s mind starting to work quickly.

I casually added more.

“Of course, I only heard what Father was saying. But the sponsorship amount seemed quite substantial…”

I could see Julietta gulp.

“I heard that if the results are good, continued sponsorship is also possible.”

“Long-term sponsorship…”

Julietta’s eyes sparkled.

She was probably quite tired of the Empress’s style of sponsorship, occasionally throwing her unused jewelry or clothes.

It was natural that she would thirst for more reliable sponsorship.

“But Lady Julietta is already receiving sponsorship from Her Majesty the Empress.”

Someone said.

Just as people receiving Lombardi’s sponsorship didn’t accept sponsorship from other families, it had been customary since ancient times for artists to have only one patron.

It was a custom created by nobles who liked spending money, but liked showing off their spending even more.

“Ah, is that so…”

I deliberately spoke as if disappointed.

“Then there’s nothing we can do.”

“Ah, no!”

Julietta half-shouted.

It was loud enough that people around turned to look in surprise.

“By any chance… who should I speak with about that sponsorship?”

Got her.

I suppressed the laughter that was about to escape and pretended to think for a moment.

“Hmm. Well. Father seems busy…”

Then I looked around and said.

“Ah, there he is. Lord Cleribane!”

Though it wasn’t a very loud call, Cleribane, who recognized my voice like a ghost, walked over.

“What is it, Young Lady.”

As the handsome Cleribane with his characteristic cold atmosphere approached, the young ladies blushed.

“Lord Cleribane, Lady Julietta Abino here says she’s interested in being a promotional model for the clothing store.”

“…Pardon?”

Cleribane looked slightly flustered as he glanced at me.

He must be wondering what I was talking about.

We had briefly discussed the need for a model who could change the image of ready-made clothes a few months ago, but that was all.

I smiled very brightly and said.

“A promotional model! You said before that you were looking for someone who could help spread awareness of ready-made clothes, didn’t you?”

“Ah… That’s right. Yes, we are looking.”

Fortunately, Cleribane, who understood what I meant, nodded sensibly.

“Lady Julietta seems interested, so why don’t you go have a talk with her. She seems ‘particularly’ interested in stage costumes.”

“Ho, stage costumes… Indeed, I see.”

Cleribane shot me admiring looks like ‘As expected of Lady Pirenthia!’ then spoke kindly to Julietta.

“Then let’s talk over there, Lady Abino.”

“Ah, yes…”

Julietta seemed already smitten by Cleribane’s business smile.

Julietta Abino was scheduled to become the Empire’s top star with her insane villainess acting in an upcoming performance.

With eyes flashing with madness and singing as if possessed, she would gain incomparable popularity and every performance would be sold out.

Every piece of clothing Julietta wore, down to her accessories, would become the Empire’s fashion trends.

As Gallahan Clothing Store’s first advertising model, Julietta Abino was perfect.

I watched contentedly as the two walked toward another table, still surrounded by people.

* * *

“The Shuls family bought another neighboring territory this time, didn’t they?”

“I don’t even know how much land they’ve bought already.”

“The Shuls Family must be prospering so much because they received the Lombardi Family’s grace, right?”

It was meant to please me.

Even though I hadn’t officially debuted in society yet, the noble ladies wouldn’t leave my side.

“Now that His Highness the Second Prince received His Majesty’s recognition today, Her Majesty the Empress will be in an unpleasant mood for a while.”

“Just unpleasant? There probably won’t be any imperial banquets for a while, which is already disappointing.”

“What about His Highness the Crown Prince. I’ll have to keep my son from going anywhere near the hunting grounds for a while.”

“That’s right. If we accidentally cross His Highness the Crown Prince…”

So this was the social circle I’d only heard about.

They talked freely about the Empress who wasn’t even present.

Whether this was normal, people began chiming in one after another.

The chatter from people surrounding me never ceased.

At first it was nice to hear various social gossip, but now it was getting to the point where my ears hurt.

I already knew that the Empress and Astana had terrible personalities.

“Lady Pirenthia Lombardi.”

A new voice interrupted the conversation.

It was a palace servant.

“I will escort you to the upper floor.”

At any banquet or gathering, there was bound to be what you might call the ‘popular’ group.

So nobles liked it when the host of the banquet called that group to a more private place rather than the banquet hall for quiet conversation, and today that seemed to be the upper floor.

I stood up, receiving envious looks from the surrounding young ladies.

“Thank you for the warm hospitality today. When I officially hold my debutante ball, please treat me well then too.”

“Oh my, of course. That goes without saying…”

“Please come to banquets often before then too!”

“It would be our honor if you would let us admire your beautiful dresses.”

Leaving behind the people who spoke with bright smiles, I followed the servant.

As I had guessed, the servant who led me to a room on the second floor said politely.

“Please wait a moment.”

I was left with two guards standing watch at the door in the corridor.

It was then that I heard approaching footsteps.

I casually turned around to see who it was, then looked forward again.

Ah, why is that bastard coming.

“Hey.”

The irritating voice belonged to Astana.

The brat who was now fifteen had grown tall and looked closer to the scoundrel I remembered.

As if showing off that he was learning swordsmanship, he wore a ceremonial sword at his waist and swaggered like a neighborhood thug.

I pretended not to hear and continued waiting for the door to open.

“Hey, Half-Baked.”

As if to prove he was Belesack’s soul twin.

My expression twisted at hearing that word after such a long time.

“What, is it true that you go completely wild when called ‘Half-Baked’ because your mother was a lowly wanderer, Half-Baked?”

I continued looking ahead, trying to ignore him.

“This brat doesn’t know to fear the Crown Prince!”

Until Astana grabbed my shoulder and painfully spun me around.

The guards seemed to flinch at the Crown Prince’s sudden action, but they didn’t intervene.

They only watched us with tense faces.

“Let go of my shoulder, Your Highness.”

“Hah.”

When I shot back coldly, Astana made a truly disgusting triumphant smile and said.

“At least you seem to have learned how to speak respectfully now.”

He was probably talking about when I stomped on his hat and ran away.

“A lot of time has passed since then. So let go, won’t you?”

“No. I don’t like those insolent eyes of yours. What are you going to do about it, Half-Baked?”

This is the Imperial Palace, what are you going to do?

While gripping my shoulder more and more painfully, Astana’s eyes were saying exactly that.

I slapped Astana’s hand hard enough to make a smacking sound and shook it off.

“You…! A lowly Half-Baked dares!”

He said those words again.

Half-Baked.

I had tried to avoid getting involved with Astana at all with the mindset of ‘you don’t avoid shit because you’re scared, you avoid it because it’s dirty.’

But now I felt my patience reaching its limit.

And then, rip.

Because he roughly grabbed my clothes, the silk that Loril had carefully sewn tore from my dress.

You’re dead.

I glared at Astana with all my might, then stepped backward while my clothes were still caught.

While tightly holding his hand that was gripping my clothes so he couldn’t let go.

“Huh?”

I could see Astana making a stupid face as he panicked.

Too late, you idiot.

I slammed my back against the closed door with all my strength.

Bang!

With quite a loud sound, the closed door opened and Astana and I tumbled into the room.

“Tia!”

Father’s startled voice came from behind.

And there were also several sounds of chairs scraping.

Seeing Astana’s face turn red as he finally grasped the situation, I could picture what was happening behind me as clear as day.

Well then, witnesses secured.

I let go of Astana’s hand I was holding and staggered as if he had pushed me.

“Th-this bitch…!”

Astana tried to say something as if wronged, but I was faster.

“Remember what Grandfather said. Just kick him.”

I’m a good granddaughter who listens well to Grandfather.

Taking a big step forward, I kicked Astana’s shin with all my strength.

“Argh!”

Caught off guard with no chance to dodge, Astana clutched his leg, not knowing what to do.

“Y-Your Highness!”

One of the guards standing in the doorway rushed over in surprise to support him.

However, Astana cursed and pushed the guard away with all his strength, then drew the sword at his waist.

Shing.

The sword drawn with a chilling sound pointed at me.

“I’ll kill you!”

Astana shouted as if he had completely lost his mind.

But he had to stop before taking even a single step.

Shing.

Because another sword that suddenly appeared was aimed precisely at him.

“If you don’t want to be cut, put that sword down.”

It was Peres.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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