Celebrity Lady

The translation up to the final chapter (Chapter 158) has been completed; you can purchase them to read in advance. Pledging via Ko-fi for a cheaper bundle is still available. If you're unsure what it is about, please visit our Ko-fi page for details or reach out to us via Discord. “Since I was young, I’ve had a bit of an interest in dresses and jewelry. Fortunately, I had a skilled seamstress friend, and she made me a dress based on my design…”

“…”

“…”

I added with an awkward smile as I noticed the almost shocked expressions on the emperor and empress’s faces, “Luckily, I gained some popularity, and things took off from there. As the business grew, so did my ambition.” I gestured toward Lark and gave a slight chuckle. “I asked if His Highness could assist with promotion, and he graciously agreed.”

“But…” The emperor blinked.

I quickly added with a apologetic expression, “I must have surprised you. It seems I’m still quite young to be in business, and I was keeping my identity hidden for strategic reasons…”

“…”

“I apologize if I unintentionally startled you.”

“Oh my, oh my. No, no. Don’t misunderstand. I was surprised, but…” The empress, with an almost unbelieving smile, turned slightly toward the emperor and said, “There’s no need for the princess to apologize. It’s quite impressive and admirable, actually. Isn’t it, dear?”

“Yes, indeed. It goes without saying that <Blanc de Ruby> is thriving in our realm. You’re the primary contributor to the growth in commercial district sales. It’s not an exaggeration to say you’re making a significant contribution to the national economy.” The emperor, touching his forehead, nodded and chuckled as he added, “In fact, there’s a diplomatic banquet with the king of Robben scheduled for this month. We’ve been exchanging letters in anticipation of the event, and it turns out that even across the sea, they know of <Blanc de Ruby>. Receiving a letter from the king has greatly bolstered my reputation.”

“That’s right. I heard there are quite a few foreign guests too,” the empress added, and I nodded.

“Yes, Your Majesty. In fact, last month, the Robben Kingdom sent a proposal for exports. We’ve decided to start overseas sales next month.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. And, oh, the export trade will be conducted through a royal-affiliated state-owned enterprise. I hope this will provide some support to the royal treasury.”

“…”

“…”

The emperor and empress, who had been staring at me with identical expressions of surprise, soon exchanged satisfied glances despite their initial bewilderment.

“Let’s calm down for a moment; the princess is…”

“She’s only just come of age this year,” the empress answered the emperor’s question in advance, to which I nodded. “Haha, this is quite… I always thought my son was quite talented, but now I see, it’s not even close to what the princess has achieved.”

“That’s about right,” Lark chimed in.

“You’re too kind. His Highness the Crown Prince is truly exceptional in many ways, and I am constantly learning from him with every surprise,” I added, making sure to give praise where it was due.

Of course, we had to uplift their well-raised son as well.

Once again, the emperor seemed pleased, bursting into hearty laughter.

Throughout the meal, the emperor and empress eyed me with curious interest, and Lady Endelturn occasionally held my hand affectionately, like a doting grandmother. I didn’t forget to showcase impeccable dining etiquette, displaying the manners of a well-educated noblewoman.

It was quite a successful time.

***

On the way back.

Walking through the silent corridors of the palace with not a single ant in sight, I asked Lark, “Speaking of the Robben Kingdom, are you sure it’s okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well… you know about our plan.” 

The plan we had hatched to deceive 2nd Prince Nathan on the Debutante Ball day. I was talking about that. The note I had handed to him that day, pretending not to know anything, contained valuable information that would surely win him over. It was information to be used at the banquet between the king of Robben and the imperial family scheduled to take place just a week from now.

“2nd Prince will probably owe me big time because of the note I gave him. The king of Robben will really appreciate his response at that banquet.”

“Yeah, I guess so, huh.” Lark seemed uninterested, casually dismissing my concerns with a nonchalant smile.

‘But why?’

Since we had finished our meal and left, he had been fidgeting like someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

“Becoming the primary contributor to diplomacy with the Robben Kingdom, His Majesty the Emperor will surely appreciate him a lot. It might even be an opportunity for the 2nd Prince to reappear.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

“Aren’t you worried? The 2nd Prince’s influence will likely grow.” I couldn’t help but fret, feeling like the information I had given to the 2nd Prince had gone to waste. “His Majesty might not appreciate you anymore once the 2nd Prince solidifies his position.”

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

I stopped in my tracks, a frown forming on my face, as Lark continued walking and turned to look at me with a smile. “I’m not really worried. It’s okay. Naturally, I’ll have to give up some of my position for Nathan to switch sides. Nathan won’t be lured with just a simple bait.”

“That’s true, but…”

“You’ve undoubtedly convinced Nathan that he’s taking the reins instead of me. In that case, with Nathan’s aversion to adventure, he won’t feel the need to threaten you.”

“…”

“He’ll probably approach you on the surface, pretending to be harmless, seeking your assistance. You will be safe from Nathan’s influence. That’s what I’m hoping for the most.” Lark shrugged and added, “And I’m not really concerned about him. Even when I lost in the tournament, I didn’t think much about it. It’s not because I’m inadequate. Well, I was a little disappointed because you watched my embarrassment.”

“I understand now.”

“Yeah.”

“Is something making you happy? Why have you been acting so strangely lately?”

“Oh? Ah, well…”

Lark chuckled, his nose twitching slightly. “Because I’m grateful. Today, I really appreciated how kindly you behaved toward Father, Mother, and Lady Endelturn.”

“…?”

“True, I’ve been disappointed with Father many times, but that doesn’t mean I don’t understand him.”

“Yeah, that’s right. I understand His Majesty’s feelings.”

I couldn’t agree more with what Lark said. Aren’t I the same? I resented and pitied my father, who couldn’t care for his children due to the pain of separation.

Can a relationship that can be easily severed through conflict truly be called that between parent and child? The concept of fate isn’t there for nothing.

“If it’s you, surely you could meet a better man without needing to wait for me, right?”

“…”

“But you trust and wait for me. In fact, I feel sorry for that too, but after seeing how you treated my parents kindly today… um, how should I put it? It moved me a bit.”

So, is he grateful for seeing the efforts of a prospective bride who is trying to earn points with her prospective in-laws? Well, it seems somewhat similar.

I shrugged and replied, “It’s only natural. It won’t hurt to make a good impression on your prospective in-laws in advance.”

“…?” Lark’s eyes widened at my words.

“And as for trusting and waiting, it’s just a good way to package the words, but you see…” I scratched my cheek with a slight grin. “I’m a very practical woman… If there’s a better man than you in this empire, please let me know. But since there isn’t, I guess I’ll have to wait.”

He stared at me blankly for a moment and then burst into laughter, unable to contain himself. The hand that gently touched his slightly blushed ear was adorable.

“Sigh.”

“Why another sigh all of a sudden?” 

Lark turned to me and pouted, extending his lips in a sulky manner. Then, he mumbled, “I want to graduate from being a business partner quickly.”

***

“Hmm…”

In the form of a ten-year-old child—a boy with a cute face and snow-white hair—Pose stood like a puppet, his blue eyes gleaming as he watched over Rubette and Lark from a distance. Upon hearing that Rubette had been invited to the imperial palace, he had come out to inspect her.

‘Nathan has probably fallen for her already…’

On the day of the Debutante Ball, perhaps because of the “signal” Rubette had sent, Nathan had an unwavering belief that she had taken his bait.

But doubts lingered in Pose’s mind.

‘No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand. I’m dying to know what those two are talking about right now~’

Unfortunately, all he could hear were the words uttered by the spirits at the Fountain of Spirits. He had no way of knowing the plans humans were making.

‘Ugh, that damn Landian. He’s really enjoying having me summoned 24/7.’

Pose was frustrated as he couldn’t get close enough to overhear Lark and Rubette’s conversation; he was worried about Landian, Lark’s spirit.

‘But could it be that she’s really falling for the crown prince?’

Pose watched Rubette and felt like tearing his hair out.

‘Even if that were the case, why on earth would she go after Nathan? You can tell he’s rotten to the core…’

Pose’s face, as he bit his nails anxiously, seemed anxious.

‘Why can’t you see that he’s a conniving opportunist, always taking what he needs, and who knows what else he might do? Why would our Spirit King favor such a foolish, scheming puppet?’

Pose, irritated, stomped his foot and sighed.

But then, as soon as he turned around, he was met with a familiar presence standing before him.

“Gyaaaaa!!!”

“…”

Burning red hair. Shimmering golden eyes. For some reason, the contractee’s preference led to Wishit frequently taking on that appearance and wandering around the Fountain of Spirits.

The presence before Pose was Wishit, the Spirit King.

“Huah, huah, huah! Hold on, hold on!” Pose grabbed his chest and raised one hand to halt him. “I was completely startled. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. Just a moment, please. Huu, huu, huu!”

“…”

Wishit’s face, as Pose looked up at it, had no expression. Or rather, not that it didn’t have an expression, but it was clear they were very angry.

Pose smiled with his cute face. “Hehe. Haven’t seen you around the Fountain of Spirits lately.”

“Are you deliberately trying to avoid me?”

“Oh, why would I? Hehe, well, I came out for some fresh air, so I guess it’s time to go back in. Later…”

Thunk!

With an awkward laugh, Pose started to leave, but Wishit grabbed him by the back of his clothes, leaving him hanging.

Pose faced Wishit’s intense gaze up close and chuckled, “Umm…” Then, he cutely tapped his cheeks with his fists and asked, “Are you going to hit me?”

“Heh.”