Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Blanc de Ruby's Fall Triumph
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Rubettria Diorus, Day 4 of Lubon isolation.
A leisurely afternoon, inside her office at the villa.
Dududu-dung—!
A grand, heavy classical piece flowed over delicate piano melodies, layered with the excitement of high strings.
On the desk in the office sat a video stone playing a recorded performance by a famous orchestra from the capital.
Drunk on the classical music that pleasantly tickled her ears, Rubette closed her eyes tightly and savored the melody. Her head nodded drowsily, her lips parting slightly.
“Uwaaaah...! There’s a misunderstanding...!”
Just then, a scream disrupted her languid rest, coming from a military police carriage passing by the villa.
It was the voice of Baron Lubon, who had been thoroughly investigated, stripped of his title, and was now being escorted to the military police for further questioning.
After sending a letter to Viego, the family investigation team and imperial military police had mobilized that very day and achieved this feat in just three days.
Rubette, who had been smiling with her eyes closed, furrowed her brow.
“Siena.”
“Yes, miss.”
“Could you turn up the volume on the video stone? Something’s barking somewhere...”
“Yes.”
Dadada-dan—!
The scream was buried under the now louder music. Rubette’s expression returned to peace.
“Eum.”
Humming along as if she were the orchestra conductor herself, her fingers tapping lightly, Rubette picked up a letter from the desk and skimmed it.
My dear sister, Rubette.
Your brother is ashamed. Without your help, I might never have grasped the situation in Lubon.
I plan to appoint a reliable proxy manager for Lubon soon.
Stay healthy always. I love you.
Viego.
Rubette chuckled and tossed the letter back onto the desk before closing her eyes again, immersing herself in the classical music.
“Miss, Rebecca asked me to pass on a report from Madam Becky of Blanc de Ruby. Shall I play it now?”
“Yes, sure. Thanks.”
Siena nodded, lowered the volume on the playing video stone, and took out a new one to play.
Rubette crossed her legs elegantly in her high-end chair, leaning back comfortably as she watched the video.
“A promotional video for Blanc de Ruby’s fall new dress line has been broadcast via video boards on Boutique Street.”
“Oh my, our star actress truly shines. Look at that pretty face and haughty expression.”
Rubette was moved as she watched the promo video currently playing on the capital’s Boutique Street video boards.
The fall new dress, with its 7/8 puff sleeves as the highlight, fit model Sera Wigo’s figure perfectly.
And as expected from an acting genius, Sera captivated viewers throughout with her aloof yet elegant expression and graceful gestures.
Her beautiful secret—
“I found it in Blanc de Ruby’s fall collection.”
In the video, Sera placed a finger over her lips and delivered the short line with a seductive smile.
“Kyaa!”
Clap, clap, clap!
As Rubette clapped, Siena bowed her head beside her and smiled.
“Since the video went public, daily sales have risen over 25%, and reservations for the fall line led to a record high of 320 million marks on October 11th. Please check the detailed sales trends in the sales ledger sent by Madam Becky.”
“Mmm, good.”
Rubette skimmed the sales ledger Siena handed her and smiled in satisfaction.
“How full is the reservation waitlist?”
“Up to February of the year after next. Please review the documents on Madam Becky’s proposal to raise reservation deposits. It states that upon your approval, fall season deposits will increase by 500,000 marks.”
“Ooh, really? Our Becky’s finally learning how to do business.”
Smiling contentedly, Rubette signed the approval documents.
“The two places you sent collaboration proposals to have replied. From Frank Marquis and Hamilton Galakio.”
“How’d it go? Well, obviously...”
“Yes. Not only did they accept gladly, but both inquired about extending the contract period.”
“Heh heh heh...”
Rubette covered her mouth with her fist clenched, chuckling.
She had planned to expand gradually into leather goods like bags and wallets, accessories. After Blanc de Ruby hit it big, she quickly recruited more partners using the brand’s name.
The tycoon Frank Marquis, thriving in high-end leather trade, and Hamilton Galakio, the renowned master craftsman in the capital, were they.
Both were titans in their fields, second to none. They would have dismissed proposals from ordinary brand reps outright, but...
A discreet contact from the veiled head of the hottest brand right now, Blanc de Ruby’s “Madam Ruby”? Of course they rushed to reply.
“Good. They’re big shots, so we should accommodate contract tweaks like this. Extend the term by two years, revise the contracts, and send them back.”
“Understood.”
As she took the signed approval documents from Rubette with a swipe, Siena paused thoughtfully.
What could it be? For a 15-year-old noble miss, this whole business routine looked awfully natural.
As if a seasoned entrepreneur’s soul had possessed her body...
“Since Siena’s so good at her job, and we’ll be together another year anyway, no point hiding it.”
“Truth is, I run a little business. I’d appreciate your help.”
“Oh, of course it’s a secret?”
When she first heard, Siena thought it was childish play. But learning the truth left her jaw on the floor.
“Little” business was far too modest...
Even Siena, uninterested in boutiques, knew the famous Blanc de Ruby—and its owner was the youngest daughter of House Diorus.
And the shock didn’t end there.
“Miss, the final revised sample for the men’s suit has finally arrived!”
“Ooh, finally!”
Rebecca burst in with an excited voice, opening the office door, followed by two maids wheeling in a mannequin on wheels.
“Ah.”
A gasp escaped Siena’s lips.
A sharply tailored black men’s jacket and perfectly falling pants.
Gone were the flashy silk trims and sparkling gem buttons that lesser men’s uniform designs fell prey to. Yet it didn’t look plain at all.
“This quirky cravat design is just gorgeous! As expected of our miss!”
“Hee hee...”
Unlike traditional cravats in white muslin or lace, this one draped a long fabric down to the navel and tied—an unusual neckpiece. It made the simple jacket anything but ordinary.
Siena stared blankly, captivated, then inwardly stuck out her tongue as she glanced at Rubette.
Yes, the biggest surprise: this 15-year-old girl had designed all the clothes that grew the boutique in such a short time.
“Right. This is the fall shawl Madam Becky sent with the sample.”
“Oh, how pretty. I was just about to head to the workshop—perfect to wear it there.”
“Yup!”
Rebecca draped the navy shawl over Rubette’s shoulders as she presented her back with a haughty flourish.
Ahh, the sheer “president” dignity that didn’t look 15 at all...!
Rubette soon lifted her chin proudly and turned to Siena.
A pose so ingrained, slightly arrogant yet utterly fitting.
“Let’s go, secretary.”
Feeling her heart pound, Siena replied.
“...Yes, President!”
* * *
Lubon Workshop.
The workshop workers, their faces brighter after just a few days, toiled diligently.
Charlie came hurrying out to greet me.
“Duchess!”
“You’ve all worked hard today too. Seems like the workshop family’s grown?”
“All thanks to you, Duchess. Some of the scattered folks have trickled back.”
“That’s great.”
“But about those back wages you settled... I, I wonder if you misread the amount. The arrears were only three months...”
“No, do you think I’d miscount something like that? It’s not just the three months’ arrears—it’s five years’ worth of workshop profits that should have been paid to you, Charlie.”
Charlie bit his lip, his face darkening.
“I... I did sign the contract with Baron Lubon without verifying the facts. That’s on me too.”
“How could you verify when he deliberately scammed from the middle? It’s our fault for sending an inspector and not scrutinizing the territory more carefully.”
“Ah...”
“It’s just paying you properly for your labor, so no need to worry. If it still bothers you, just make sure to feed the hardworking workshop family well.”
“Duchess... Truly, thank you so much. How can I ever repay this kindness...? Ah! Jeremy, you rascal—Duchess is here and you don’t even come out to greet her!”
“Whoa, no. I didn’t come to pull a busy friend out for greetings. But since I’m here, mind if I peek at his face quick?”
Smiling, I stopped Charlie and opened the door to the small workroom set up in one corner of the workshop.
‘He’s working hard.’
I saw Jeremy’s back, hunched over a messy desk, deeply focused on his task.
In the short time since, I’d grown close to my same-age friend Jeremy.
Partly because I felt sorry and wanted to treat him better...
‘He looks busy—maybe come back later.’
Even at his young age, Jeremy was a genius boy with such talent that Charlie praised him endlessly.
As I quietly turned to leave, not wanting to disturb,
“Huh, you’re here?”
“Ah, Jeremy. Don’t mind me—I wasn’t trying to interrupt, finish up.”
“No! I was actually planning to look for you...”
“Huh? Me?”
Jeremy spoke casually to me when we were alone.
There weren’t many peers, and I’d asked him to since I wanted to get close fast.
“Ahem. Got something for you.”
“Huh? What...”
He stood, approached hesitantly, then abruptly pulled out what he’d hidden behind him.
And the moment I saw it.
‘Oh, my gosh...!’
I could only stare blankly, screaming internally.