ALL NOVEL Chapter 137
The fashion show had begun.
In the tranquil theater lobby after everyone had entered, Victor Diollus, who had been waiting to greet latecomers, frowned as he saw the man entering 20 minutes after the show had started.
The stylishly dressed man in a black coat walked confidently toward him.
“Hello. Thank you for attending <Blanc de Ruby> New Year’s fashion show. Please show me your invitation.”
In response to Victor’s grumpy words, Duke Leonard Diollus took off his leather gloves and presented his VIP invitation.
“Didn’t your son come with you? We sent two invitations.”
“Viego didn’t come.”
“I see. It’s fortunate that top dog didn’t come. Please, go inside.”
Leonard chuckled as he watched Victor standing there. “So, you make a big fuss and quit your job just to work for your younger sister’s business?”
“Why not? There are great employee benefits here.”“Stop fooling around and come home, Victor.”
“Why would I go to your house, sir?”
“I’ve been hearing about everything that happened to Rubette from Viego. Of course, he probably doesn’t understand it all either.”
“So what?”
“There are many things I want to ask Rubette, so don’t make trouble for no reason. Stop taking my daughter away.”
“She’s not your daughter, sir; she’s my sister. And I won’t go in until I’ve exterminated all the pests inside.” Victor shrugged and added sarcastically, “And you, the person who’s heard everything from my brother, shamelessly came to see Ruby’s face. I didn’t hear anything about the pests being exterminated.”
“…”
“Excommunication is only natural, and I won’t be satisfied unless we bury them in society. They should be bundled together and dumped in some remote place. I won’t be satisfied otherwise.” Victor’s simmering anger resurfaced when he looked at Leonard’s face. “But Father doesn’t seem to intend to do that, right?” With a clenched jaw, Victor approached Leonard and whispered, “Brother, who knew all about Ruby’s suffering, keeps embracing those pests, and Father, who claims to have heard everything, hasn’t taken any action. Your actions speak for yourself, right?”
“Victor.”
“You’re planning to continue living with those creatures and playing happy family, aren’t you?”
Leonard, who had put his gloves back on, placed his hand on Victor’s shoulder amid his excitement. Then he whispered in Victor’s ear, “That won’t be enough.”
For some reason, his voice sounded like a snake’s hiss. Victor instinctively shivered, feeling a chill run down his spine.
Leonard’s voice had an intensity he had never heard before.
“I’m going to kill them.”
“…What?”
With narrowed eyes, Victor turned his gaze to Leonard’s face, only inches away. A faint curl was at the corner of his lips on his perpetually sculpted face.
He’s clearly smiling, but there’s no expression.
No…
It’s not that there’s no expression. His emotions, tightly packed with anger and vitality, were hidden so well that no one could discern them.
‘What’s he saying? He’s going to kill them?’
Is this how he’d handle it upon the mention of ‘bury in society?
As Victor wondered, Leonard, as if he had sensed Victor’s inner thoughts, added very quietly, in a chilling tone, “Literally.”
“…”
“It means I’m going to kill them.”
Victor stiffened.
As he blinked in surprise, Leonard, who had smiled at him encouragingly, patted his shoulder twice as if to reassure him. “So, don’t worry too much, rebel just the right amount, and go home, son.”
Then he walked past Victor.
Sharp footsteps echoed in the quiet lobby.
Victor, who had been staring blankly at Leonard’s retreating figure, unconsciously gulped.
***
♡Ma♡dame ♡Ru ♡by♡
Ten imperial knights occupied a corner of the bustling seating area. Walter, the self-proclaimed number-one fan of Madame Ruby and a member of the 1st Order of the Imperial Knights, had hung a poster on the balcony railing, which gleamed under the dazzling lights.
“Wow, it’s amazing. Seriously…”
Under the dazzling lights, models stylishly strutted their stuff, wearing beautiful and unique designs of uniforms and dresses.
The modern fashion show, somewhat unfamiliar to the imperial citizens, left a lasting impression on people of all ages, bringing a refreshing shock.
“It’s really the best!”
“So, this is how they do promotions?”
Even now, the theater was abuzz with voices asking about the release dates of the new products.
“Ahem, this is Madame Ruby, after all!”
Walter felt a sense of pride amid the admiration of his colleagues.
“Hiyaa.”
The show’s finale featured the public unveiling of congratulatory messages sent by <Blanc de Ruby> VIP customers. As the names of the titled nobles scrolled down the large video screen one after another, the knights couldn’t help but marvel at Madame Ruby’s connections.
“Wait, who’s that person?”
“Isn’t that Princess Diollus?”
Then, suddenly, a woman appeared on stage. The prominently displayed face on the screen was Princess Diollus, Rubetria.
“Did the princess come today? Hey, what’s with this surprise? Haha…”
“It seems she wants to give her congratulations personally?”
“Madame Ruby sure has some incredible connections.”
The chattering knights fell silent, and all turned their gaze toward Rubette.
“Wow, she’s really beautiful.”
“Oh my, no. She’s the one the crown prince has set his eyes on.”
With her gracefully styled red hair and red evening dress, adorned with an elegant shawl, she stood out in all her splendor.
Indeed, she had become a prominent figure, reigning as the undisputed top “Lady of the Month” for the past ten months, surpassing Madame Ruby after last year’s debutante ball.
“Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Have you had a delightful time today?”
Rubette’s voice echoed clearly throughout the spacious theater via the amplification magic device.
With confident gestures and a graceful demeanor that seemed accustomed to standing in front of a large audience, everyone held their breath and gazed at her.
“Two summers ago, <Blanc de Ruby> started small in Lunten, but thanks to the support of our customers, we now operate seven stores in the capital.” Whether it was a congratulatory message from an invited guest or a representative’s presentation of the company’s history, Rubette continued to speak, her words flowing effortlessly, “Last December, we achieved our highest sales since our establishment…”
The few knights staring blankly at her suddenly sighed and whispered to each other.
“Walter, I’m sorry. I’ll vote for Princess Diollus in the next month’s popularity poll.”
“Me too…”
Walter furrowed his brow. “Look at you treacherous fools.” Turning his gaze away from the traitors, Walter gathered his resolve. “After Madame Ruby reveals her face later, you’ll change your tune again. You’re not qualified; none of you are!”
The nineteen-year-old pure-hearted soul, Walter, Madame Ruby’s number one fan, remained steadfast. From the moment Madame Ruby first appeared in the capital, he had nurtured an unwavering fanatical devotion, admiration, and perhaps a touch of possessiveness!
“…I sincerely thank you for the love you have sent us, and we will continue to strive to meet your expectations at <Blanc de Ruby> in the future.”
Even if Princess Rubetria Diollus is stunningly beautiful, I, this pure-hearted Walter…!
“I, the owner of <Blanc de Ruby>, Madame Ruby, Rubetria Diollus, thank you.”
?????
At that moment, a heavy silence descended upon the theater.
“Huh.”
“What did she say?”
The silence continued for a moment longer. Then, the knights who understood the situation began to react, their mouths opening.
“W-what is she talking about?”
“Seriously?!”
“Oh my, heavens…”
Their faces all displayed question marks, and everyone was astonished.
“So Madame Ruby and the princess…are the same person?”
On the first floor, just as shocked as the knights, there was a bewildered murmuring from some attendees.
Clap, clap, clap, clap—!
Amidst the confusion, equally stunned nobles rose from their seats and began to cheer loudly.
“Wow, this is… shocking.”
“Yeah, incredibly shocking.”
“Walter, are you okay, you little rascal?”
And Walter… turned into a pile of white dust.
***
Rubetria Diollus, the lady of House Diollus, considered the foremost noble family in the empire, was also the owner of the most popular boutique in the capital, <Blanc de Ruby>, and the rumored lover of the crown prince, publicly referred to as the future crown princess…
“Stand up straight, kiddo.”
…She was too far away to reach.
In response to the comforting voice of a fellow, Walter, who had been gazing in Rubetria’s direction from afar, weakly nodded.
After the fashion show ended, Rubetria emerged into the lobby. Numerous nobles surrounded her, exchanged greetings, and then departed. The excitement that had erupted when she revealed her identity seemed unrelenting as if they wanted to say just one more word.
“Hmm. Seems like it’s all over, doesn’t it?”
The knights waiting to shake hands hesitated and fidgeted, unable to approach Rubette because Lark, Victor, Leonard, and Shane accompanied her.
It wasn’t easy to insert oneself into a picture that included the crown prince, the vice-captain of the Imperial Knights, the Duke Diollus, and even the Owner of Magic Tower.
“Hey, come over here!”
Lark gestured with a bright smile at that moment, and the knights rushed toward him like arrows.
Walter followed slowly with measured steps.
“Your Highness, you’re being too much. You said you weren’t interested in Madame Ruby at all!”
“You even said that Princess Diollus is much better than Madame Ruby!”
“You were secretly laughing at us, weren’t you?”
“Haha… Sorry, sorry.”
While Lark and the knights engaged in lively conversation, Victor, who had his arm around Rubette’s shoulder, gestured to Walter with a sullen expression and whispered something into his sister’s ear.
Walter and Rubette’s eyes met. Soon, she smiled and approached Walter, pushing aside the knights.
“Hello, Sir Walter.”
“Y-yes?”
“I saw the poster on the second floor.”
“Oh…”
She knew his name and greeted him first? Walter’s eyes widened in surprise as Rubette handed him an elegant gold-embossed business card.
“Please visit the men’s clothing store when you have time. We have some fabulous new jackets, and I’d like to gift you a set.”
“…Me? For me?”
“Whoa!”
“Wow, I’m jealous!”
Rubette’s warm smile deeply moved Walter.
Even though his innocence as a man had faded away…
“T-thank you, Princess! May <Blanc de Ruby> prosper!”
His passionate devotion still burned brightly.
***
A palpable and malicious obsession loomed heavily, to the point of discomfort.
“This is troublesome.”
Wishit watched surreptitiously as a man with a dangerously determined look who seemed like he might significantly disrupt matters moved with intention.
Marquis Cade Reuben.
It was unclear where he was headed, but it was evident that something troublesome would inevitably occur if left unchecked.
‘My remaining strength is limited…’
Wishit contemplated, looking at their open palm.
‘Should I use my powers?’
Their sealed powers had already been forcibly expended to their limits. The contract with Rubetria could break at this rate before granting her two remaining wishes.
They had unknowingly been using various spells, large and small, to assist Rubette, and had been concealing their true form to appear human…
The parting was drawing nearer and nearer.
‘But perhaps, there’s still one last chance.’
After using their powers one more time, what would happen? Most likely, besides granting the two remaining wishes, they wouldn’t be able to interfere in Rubette’s affairs any longer, particularly with anyone seeking to harm her.
Wishit quickly turned their body.
‘All right. I should just warn her to be careful.’
However, their footsteps, which had almost left, suddenly halted.
“Ugh… darn it.”
The face of Rubette at her most contemplative moment appeared in their mind, the first time they met when Juliet Karenina’s soul had merged.
“…Am I dead? Surely not?”
It had been a gruesome death.
Juliet Karenina had been brutally murdered by a human with sinister intentions, much like that marquis.
“Darn it.”
Finally, Wishit muttered a small curse and tilted their head in contemplation.
At the same time…
“…Ah.”
Cade Reuben, who had been walking with unfocused eyes, suddenly stopped. His gaze, which had cleared up compared to before, held a puzzled tone as he mumbled, “What was I doing?”
As Wishit watched the human bewilderingly clutching his head, they gauged their remaining strength and then sighed, disappearing instantly.
***
The spirits’ sanctuary, the Fountain of Spirits.
In the center of it all, the thick tree trunk twisted, and the face of the spirit overseeing order, Wilkin, emerged.
“Wow.”
Wilkin, who instinctively sensed someone breaking a taboo or using forbidden power, had just experienced a shock as she finally felt the exhausted king’s power.
“Goodness. What have they done?”