Chapter 48
Chapter 48
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Visit to the Magic Tower
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Gently closing her eyes, Rubette reminisced.
Top celebrities and models donned the clothes she had made, slung her bags over their shoulders, struck glamorous poses, and moved with grace.
Camera lenses captured those scenes nonstop, replaying them in a loop, until finally:
*The secret to her unparalleled class,*
*Blanc de Juliet*
It wrapped up with that slick promotional tagline.
“Kyaa!”
From New York’s Broadway and Manhattan’s Penn Station to Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay Times Square, and beyond...
The promo video for Juliet Karlenina’s luxury brand [Blanc de Juliet]—which had commanded peak popularity across East and West—graced the giant screens at city centers worldwide, flaunting its dominance day after day.
Rubette grinned into the mirror when Wishit sidled up behind her.
“What now?”
“What else? Your hardworking CEO, out pounding the pavement again today.”
With a crisp *snap-snap*, she slipped on her silk gloves, ready to head out. She spun around with a playful twirl and crooked a finger at him.
“Come along.”
* * *
Millen—a modest yet thriving territory beyond the capital.
Dubbed the city of new wonders, Millen’s streets felt worlds apart from the heart of the capital.
Clean avenues lined with white brick.
Unfamiliar architectural styles and video boards—55 inches each—mounted on every corner.
*Gorgeous! It’s like a total sci-fi future city!*
The grueling two-hour carriage ride had been worth it.
*[The place we’re visiting... it’s the Magic Tower, right?]*
And today’s destination.
Wishit, standing beside me, asked as we gazed up at the majestic white tower in Millen’s center.
*[Yeah. To buy a screen... no, a video board.]*
This was the Magic Tower.
An independent private institution under the imperial family, it researched spirit magic while commercializing “magitech devices” that fused magic with tools.
My goal today: purchase a video board—one of their exclusive magitech devices.
It was for billboard advertising.
*[Not gonna be easy.]*
Brushing off Wishit’s concern, I strode confidently into the Magic Tower.
Entry was open to commoners and nobles alike.
But.
“What brings you here today?”
Things wouldn’t be so straightforward from here.
The pretty receptionist at the first-floor desk—her hair neatly pinned up—asked the question. I tried to sound as mature as possible in my reply.
“I’d like to buy a magitech device.”
“Of course. Let me assist with identity verification first.”
A palm-sized video board on the desk scanned my face.
The receptionist smiled warmly.
“Thank you for visiting. Duchess Rubettria Diorus. What type of magitech device are you here to purchase?”
“A video board.”
“I’m sorry, Duchess, but the video board you’re seeking is a Class 2 magitech device. You can’t buy it directly—you’ll need to fill out this order form and submit it. We’ll notify you at your residence within two weeks on whether production is approved.”
With a polite smile, sticking to protocol, she handed me a sheet of paper and a pen from the desk.
If I wrote something personal like “business promo video” on this form that required stating the purpose, it’d get tossed without a second glance.
Clearing my throat, I said,
“It’s a bit tricky to put on the form. Could I speak with the sales manager directly?”
“Duchess, with apologies, we can’t assist with production without a proper order form.”
“I know, but... I was hoping to at least talk to the manager...”
The receptionist looked troubled.
I was flashing my most apologetic smile, not wanting to come off like a nuisance customer.
“What’s the issue here?”
The door to the office behind the desk swung open, and out stepped a middle-aged man.
Sharp eyes, monocle, navy mustache—he had a stern, no-nonsense vibe.
He must be the sales manager I was after.
Judging by how he addressed me right away, he’d probably been watching from the office.
“Hello. I’m Rubettria Diorus. I have some questions about ordering a magitech device. If you’re not too busy, could you spare a moment?”
The manager adjusted his glasses with a flick, nodded, and gestured for me to come inside.
*Nice!*
* * *
“Then, farewell.”
“Um, wait...”
*Bang!*
The door shut.
The manager had personally escorted me all the way to the Magic Tower lobby—and slammed the door in my face for good measure.
Bitterly, I rubbed the tip of my nose.
*[Told you it wouldn’t work.]*
*[What a clown. He hears me out like he’s gonna approve it, then boots me anyway? If he was gonna reject me, do it quick. Wasted my precious time.]*
*[Class 2 magitech devices are restricted for personal use unless it’s for public good.]*
*[Who doesn’t know that? That’s why I called the manager—to negotiate.]*
*[Epic fail.]*
*[Some things money and power can’t buy...]*
My head was starting to throb when—
“...Duchess?”
“Your Highness?”
A face I never expected to see here.
It was Lark.
My eyes went wide as I asked,
“What brings Your Highness all the way to Millen?”
“What else? Business at the Magic Tower.”
“Why the Magic Tower?”
“Needed a list of magitech buyers.”
He leaned in close to my ear, whispering so only I could hear my puzzled self.
“Some faction trying to smear my aide sent over video stones as evidence. They bought a ton of them, so I figured checking the buyer list might catch a tail.”
“Ooh, look at you, working hard.”
“Of course. What about you, Duchess? What brings you here?”
“Oh, just trying to buy a magitech device.”
“What kind?”
“A video board.”
Eyes sparkling with a sliver of hope, I added,
“Video boards are Class 2, so orders are a hassle. They rarely approve production.”
“Yeah, I heard.”
“Video stones won’t do?”
“No. I’m installing it on Renten’s boutique street for advertising. Stones are too small, and I’d need display permits too.”
“Advertising what? Don’t tell me... that shop you love, what’s it called, [Blanc de Ruby]? You’re not planning to run promo videos for that, are you?”
“...”
I answered Lark’s bullseye with silence.
He stared at me, then opened his mouth with suspicious eyes.
“A regular shop worth running around like this to drum up business?”
“...Ahem.”
“That place is blowing up in the capital lately. Nobles forgetting their dignity, lining up at dawn.”
Stroking his chin like a detective piecing it together, Lark circled me.
“Heard if you order now, you won’t get clothes till next summer? Ah, but Riji lucked out and got a dress right away. Used the card you gave me.”
“Good for you. Bet you’re the cool brother now.”
“All thanks to you, Duchess. Riji was so grateful she planted like ten kisses on my cheeks.”
“Must’ve been nice.”
“Hmm...”
Standing in front of me now, Lark grinned and asked,
“Running a business, are we? Are you the owner of that shop, by any chance?”
“Hahaha...”
I matched his sharp grin with one of my own, then pressed a finger to my lips.
“Shh.”
“A secret?”
“Yeah.”
“Fine by me.”
Lark chuckled and added,
“I like seeing you hustle. But... displaying promo videos for a shop?”
He shook his head as he spoke.
“No way the Magic Tower approves a Class 2 device for personal use like that.”
“Right? Yeah.”
“The Tower Master’s got a rotten personality. Well, all Tower Masters have, but still.”
“Yeah.”
“And the Magic Tower’s totally independent from the imperial family—does whatever it wants. Restricts high-end magitech distribution so tight, only develops this Millen territory. You get it?”
“Ah, sure.”
“Even the imperial family can’t push new tech past their high horse, and you want a private shop promo *projection*?”
What? Is he messing with me?
I listened quietly, then shot Lark a covert glare.
“Aw, too bad.”
Pouting his lips, he clucked his tongue sympathetically.
From his expression...
*I thought I could cash in a Crown Prince favor, but no dice.*
Time to ditch those hopes.
His Highness—strict about public and private—wouldn’t abuse power for my convenience.
It was par for the course with Lark’s personality, but I still felt a pang of disappointment. I turned on my heel.
“Guess I’ll head out then. Get back to work.”
“Pfft.”
Mocking me now?
I stomped off, pouring my frustration into each step.
“Wait.”
“Ah, what?”
Whirling back at his hand on my shoulder, I found him beaming mischievously.
“You come all this way, bump into the Crown Prince, and leave empty-handed? Not even gonna slyly ask for help?”
“You’d help if I asked?”
“Of course. Long as you’re not asking me to sell the country, I’m ready to eagerly grant any request from you, Duchess.”
“Really?”
I perked up from my sulk, and Lark burst out laughing, amused.
“But even Your Highness can’t be *that* oblivious to appearances...”
If I could use the Crown Prince card, great for me—but it’d burden him.
“Abusing power would tank your reputation. I’m in a rush, but I don’t want to put you on the spot.”
“You’re sweet. Thinking of that too.”
For some reason, Lark grinned like it was no big deal and tugged my arm.
“Come on, let’s go.”
* * *
Oh my god.
“Let’s go” meant...
*Going to see the Tower Master?*
Tense, I sat beside Lark, glancing around.
This was the Magic Tower’s top floor.
The office of the Tower Master, Shane van Rashumah Decard.
The panoramic view from the spacious top-floor windows was breathtaking, but oddly, my breath caught in my throat.
Well, can’t blame me.
Sky-high pointed ceiling, walls lined with towering bookshelves, glass display cases crammed with intriguing magitech...
*It screams ‘stuffy scholar’s lab,’ no matter how you slice it.*
And now, I’d get to see *him* in person—the one man in the empire busier than the Emperor.
Crown Prince perks maxed out.
“What is it? Why’re you here?”
The bored, irritated voice drew my furtive gaze to the opposite side.