Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Whirlwind
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Lark’s capable bodyguard and aide, Ren, flung the door open with uncontainable excitement.
“Hey, Mr. Popular!”
Lark, lost in thought on the office terrace, let out a chuckle.
Ren dashed over to him, chattering away.
“The boutique district’s been packed solid yesterday and today. Folks from nearby territories are even coming to watch your video, and the capital’s grid is on overload.”
“Good.”
“Not just good—merchants are losing their minds. You can’t hear the cheers from here?”
The impact of the Crown Prince and Blanc de Ruby collaboration video was monumental.
Onlookers at the premiere turned into full-fledged customers, and the capital’s merchants reaped the trickle-down benefits.
The commercial district’s two-day sales had surpassed the average three-month haul.
“But how on earth did you get acquainted with that boutique president? They say she’s harder to spot than His Imperial Majesty himself. Total mystery shrouded in secrecy…”
“What? …Pfft-hahaha!”
For some reason, Lark doubled over, clutching his stomach in laughter. Ren, tilting his head in confusion, soon grinned again.
“Anyway, as expected, you’re something else. I doubt I’ll ever meet anyone sharper than you, even on my deathbed.”
“Enough already. Your flattery’s giving me chills—dial it back.”
“I mean it.”
There was such a thing as a crown prince’s image, so why would Lark suddenly promote a clothing shop? It had to be political.
A calculated, strategic move targeting support from merchants and high nobles!
“The 2nd Prince must be fuming after that solid hit.”
The wealthy and high nobles, who had grumbled about Lark’s commoner-focused welfare policies, had been the 2nd Prince Nathan’s core base…
‘But this flipped them all—now they’re seeing Lark in a new light!’
The Blanc de Ruby that Lark chose was a noble boutique catering to heavyweight clients.
In other words, the most buzzed-about salon among the moneyed aristocracy.
For a guy supposedly hugging only commoners, it was quite the unexpected pick.
The nobles were stunned that he’d promoted their exclusive luxury good from a high-end boutique, prompting a fresh reevaluation.
‘He announced it openly as encouraging commerce—perfect justification! And it lets him infiltrate noble circles naturally!’
Ren fought to suppress his rising grin.
On top of that, Lark solidified his status as the ultimate idol for the empire’s youth, who adored his approachable, celebrity vibe.
The era of stuffy leaders quietly toiling from the top was over.
“Winning over small business owners, the rich, high nobles. And crafting an image of swift adaptation to changing times.”
Clap, clap, clap…
Ren clapped in admiration, shaking his head in awe.
“Brilliant, Your Highness.”
“I get it, so cut it out. How’s Father doing?”
“Ah, His Imperial Majesty!”
Ren, still smirking, leaned on the terrace railing and said,
“He clutched his neck the second he saw your video. His yelling at the secretary had the palace in an uproar.”
“Oh dear.”
“But once he realized the capital’s all praise for you now? His grin’s splitting ear to ear.”
“Relief.”
“You know that insane marriage law revision bill’s kept him up nights lately?”
Ren tsked, poking Lark’s shoulder with a laugh.
“But this success should ease his mind. Good work, man.”
“Well, it wasn’t exactly intentional…”
“Huh?”
“Result-wise, at least I didn’t give him more grief. Lucky break.”
Ren tilted his head at the satisfied Lark.
“What’re you on about? Not intentional?”
“I’m planning a long, dedicated rebellion against Father from here on. No need to pile on extra baggage early. His blood pressure’s high enough—don’t want him keeling over.”
“…What?”
Lark spouted nonsense.
“I’ve been the perfect obedient son my whole life. About time I turned his stomach once in a while.”
“…”
Ren, baffled at first, soon grasped it and gaped.
“You—you—you don’t mean…? You’re not still pushing that ridiculous bill, are you?”
“Yeah.”
“You madman! That’ll never fly!”
“If it won’t pass, I’ll make it pass.”
The radical marriage law reform applying monogamy even to the emperor.
Lark clearly hadn’t given up. Ren was floored.
“What’s eating you, anyway?”
The empire’s marriage law, unique to the emperor, mandated at least five spouses.
It tied directly to imperial succession—a critical issue.
As the aware heir, Lark’s actions so far gave no reason to obstruct it.
So why…?
Lark smirked at Ren’s utterly baffled stare.
“Feels like I need to prep a grand wedding gift ahead of time. Say, a marriage law reform?”
“W-What?”
Ren, flustered, mulled it over and went wide-eyed.
“You’ve got a girl?!”
“Maybe?”
Lark shrugged with a sly grin.
“What?! She demanding you change the law or no wedding?”
“Hmm.”
“Spill it! Who is she!”
“Hold on. What time is it? How long till the meeting…”
Lark tried dodging by checking the time, then gasped “Ah” and glanced at his left wristwatch.
“Thirty minutes left. Let’s head out. Things get busy today—gotta clash with the noble ministers.”
“Y-You lunatic… You’re taking that madness to the council chamber? Think the nobles’ll even listen?”
“If not, I’ll keep at it till they do.”
“Wow… What the hell’s gotten into you? Is this the Lark I know? Losing your mind over one girl? Who the hell is sh—?!”
Lark breezed past the protesting Ren toward the chamber, his face lit with mischievous delight.
* * *
Whirlwind.
That’s how the public dubbed the Blanc de Ruby brand.
This luxury boutique had comet-like burst onto the scene, upending the capital’s fashion landscape overnight—and its momentum only soared higher by the day.
“Lady Valet, did you catch Blanc de Ruby’s new product video?”
“Of course. That fur hat hitting stores next week, right? Made by a famous artisan from Carta Kingdom…”
“Yep. It’s a set with the new dress line. They’re taking hat reservations separately, so I rushed over—128th in queue!”
“Eek!”
Late December blanketed streets in white snow.
Noble ladies striding the capital all sported winter dresses with dyed lamb wool on the shoulders.
Blanc de Ruby’s debut design, naturally a trendsetter—rival salons scrambled to copy it.
But Blanc de Ruby’s version used lamb wool and fabrics leagues above the rest in quality.
Even to the naked eye, the ‘real deal’ stood worlds apart from the knockoffs.
Wealthy noble misses unable to snag Blanc de Ruby outfits wept and stamped their feet daily.
And…
Noblemen bustling about with long, slender cravats were a common sight.
“Ahem, take a look at this. Snagged it the moment word hit it was in stock.”
“Oho…! After all that pining, you finally got one! Jealous!”
A nobleman, shoulders squared with pride, flaunted the watch on his wrist.
After Crown Prince Lark van Rashumah Decard personally promoted this ‘wristwatch.’
Men swarmed Blanc de Ruby’s store, the exclusive Lubon supplier.
Yet at present, owners numbered barely ten.
From order to handmade crafting, it demanded serious time.
“Kyaa… Look at that diamond work—so intricate. Incredible.”
“Hamilton Galakio did it himself. The man’s skill is renowned abroad.”
The two men chatted as they joined the line at Blanc de Ruby’s accessory shop.
Days ago, they’d built a new structure across from the main to split the stores—but it still couldn’t handle the overflow.
Blanc de Ruby’s entrance remained a sea of queued customers daily.
“But who is this Blanc de Ruby president to snag such haughty artisans?”
“No ordinary soul, that’s for sure. Even His Highness backed them personally. Old acquaintances, maybe?”
“Makes sense. Sera Wigo as exclusive model says it all.”
As their talk revealed, the capital’s fascination fixated on the veiled identity of Blanc de Ruby’s head.
“Word is they reject commoners. Some fortysomething guy who bootstrapped with fruit-selling profits.”
“W-What? For real? Not a woman? They blew up with ladies’ dresses first.”
“Started there for the hype with noble misses. But the men’s suiting, turning watches into jewelry—you see the savvy?”
“Ah, yeah, tracks.”
Rumors swirled, but no one knew the truth.
Woman, man, rich commoner, fallen noble…
Wild guesses flew, yet Blanc de Ruby’s president never revealed a peep.
That mystique only fueled noble curiosity, ironically boosting business.
His luxurious secret—
“Blanc de Ruby’s winter.”
The chattering pair’s eyes locked onto the Crown Prince’s promo video from the building’s video board.
Sure, the clothes dazzled and the model shone—but the video itself captivated crowds daily.
Mimicking cutting-edge editing techniques from an era of advanced science and video tech, Blanc de Ruby’s clip was a jaw-dropper.
One man murmured after staring at the board.
“One thing’s clear: sky-high business instincts.”
Sera Wigo casting, groundbreaking visual promo, tailored high-end merch…
“Either a genius or a battle-hardened vet who’s been in the game forever.”
“Yeah, figures.”
The noblemen nodded, forming their own theories.
* * *
That very moment.
“What a nice day! Perfect for some morning exercise!”
The head of the ever-curious Blanc de Ruby (15, F)…
Was holed up today too in Lubon territory’s barren mountainside—fresh air, nothing else.