touchnovel Chapter 112
Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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 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 . 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.”
“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.”