Chapter 82
Chapter 82
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Gorgeous
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Hmm~”
Rubette hummed a tune as she changed into a black evening dress.
Today, she had finally succeeded in squeezing into the dress tailored to a size somewhere between 44 and 55.
Of course, at her current 120 pounds (about 54kg), it still felt a tad snug….
[…I’ve severed all business ties with the Pelkan Baron family, and I doubt our paths will cross again.
To think that man didn’t even guarantee basic rights for his workers—a true scoundrel!
I’m glad I learned the truth now. I was deeply moved by Madam Ruby’s humane business principles.
Here’s to continued collaboration.
Frank Marquis.]
“Pfft.”
Rubette chuckled as she read the hastily sent letter from Frank Marquis, then tossed it onto the desk with a flick of her wrist before stepping up to the mirror.
“Oh my.”
There in the mirror stood a strikingly slender beauty she barely recognized.
The diamond earrings and bracelet she already wore paired perfectly with the luxurious evening gown, as if made for it.
“Wishit.”
At her soft call, Wishit appeared behind her and peered into the mirror with a tsk.
“Admiring your face again?”
“Help me with the necklace.”
“Tch.”
Grumbling under his breath, Wishit still fastened the necklace for her.
A dazzling necklace centered by a large diamond.
It matched the earrings, bracelet, and ring she already had on.
“Here’s your birthday gift.”
“W-what? The case looks familiar… Isn’t this from our shop?”
“Yep. Ordered from the Duchess’s shop.”
“No way—the customer who ordered a full set of A-grade diamond accessories worth a whole house?”
“Yeah. Not the best timing to give it now, though.”
How shocked she’d been.
To learn the customer who’d commissioned the full set of A-grade diamond accessories from [Blanc de Ruby] was Lark.
It should have been a delightful gift, but neither Rubette nor Lark could simply smile about it.
Not right after hearing the story of Torsso Baron, the honorable knight who’d devoted his life to the empire only to struggle in poverty after retirement.
‘Well, everything worked out in the end, anyway.’
Rubette held out her palm with a snap and said.
“Hand over today’s paper?”
“Here.”
Wishit passed her the newspaper.
[Daily Decard] Imperial Family Honors Veterans of the Nation.
The “Veterans’ Welfare Act,” proposed by Crown Prince Lark van Rashumah Decard, has passed the council and takes effect today.
Aimed at national commemoration, the act provides state-funded economic support for the welfare and relief of retired veteran knights….
“Great, perfect.”
Satisfied, Rubette smiled and handed the paper back to Wishit before humming once more as she gazed into the mirror.
“Still haven’t grown much taller?”
“You’ll shoot up soon.”
“And the baby fat will melt away before long….”
Pinching her cheeks and turning her face this way and that, Rubette picked up a lipstick from the vanity beside the mirror and slowly applied it to her lips.
A bold red as intense as her hair, tracing her soft lip line.
One day, she would captivate everyone in this very look.
Meeting her own eyes in the mirror, Rubette arched a brow with a confident smirk and whispered.
“Gorgeous.”
* * *
To some, time crawled slowly; to others, it raced by….
Time flowed on.
Imperial Year 1520, January 24.
08:00 AM.
Siena, the secretary watching Rubette run her usual laps from the terrace, murmured in an awed voice.
“She really is incredible.”
“Our lady?”
Rebecca chuckled as she set out a simple breakfast for Rubette on the office desk.
“She was up past 2 AM reviewing documents last night, but still rose sharp at 7:30.”
“You look shocked, Siena.”
“Of course. Handling a workload rivaling the Young Duke’s while taking such good care of herself….”
Siena stuck out her tongue.
“I want to learn from her in every way.”
“Pfft.”
To think our lady was now hearing praise like this.
Rebecca scurried out to the terrace and beamed down at Rubette alongside Siena.
“Exactly.”
Giggling, she thrust up a thumbs-up.
“Our lady is the best!”
* * *
Imperial Year 1520, February 2.
Lubon villa backyard.
“Miss you, Appa. Even though I saw you yesterday.”
Groaning through her stretches, Rubette said.
[…When are you coming.]
“When would I? Nine months left….”
[I’ll visit next month.]
“Last month and this month you came—next month too? Don’t you want to save the visitation slots for the oppa who can only use one per month?”
[Viego’s busy. Victor too.]
“Liar. They already told me in their letters. They couldn’t visit because of you.”
[…Those boys sure have loose lips.]
“Still, I like it best when you use the slots. Come next month too, Appa.”
As Rubette giggled, Leonard fell silent for a moment before replying.
[All right.]
The Florinus spirit’s imbued tree leaf rustled faintly.
“Then I’m off to exercise. Talk soon, Appa.”
Rubette sprang up and dashed away.
* * *
“Huff, ha, huff, ha….”
She ran,
“Huff, huff!”
And ran some more.
* * *
Imperial Year 1520, February 17.
-[Blanc de Ruby]’s monstrous momentum—how far will it go? Tops Boutique Street sales last year….
-Veiled [Blanc de Ruby] owner—who could it be?
-Meeting Madam Becky of the dress shop. “Please, don’t ask about our boss.”
* * *
Imperial Year 1520, March 18.
-[Daily Decard] [Blanc de Ruby] owner, Madam Ruby, donates 500 million marks….
“I give thanks to the veterans who sacrificed for the empire and to His Highness the Crown Prince who honors them.”
-Madam Ruby’s benevolence shakes the capital!
* * *
“Huff, huff….”
She ran,
[Why does the workout feel even more intense lately?]
[Hit 112 pounds (about 50kg) now—gotta push harder or the weight won’t budge!]
[…You’re working hard.]
And ran some more.
* * *
Imperial Year 1520, April 6.
Dearest Duchess,
About that script draft you recommended I read.
The troupe director is eager to stage it as our next production and wants to credit you as playwright.
I think it’s brilliant too—my heart’s racing. Please grant me the honor of performing in your work.
I wish everyone knew what a talented, amazing woman you are.
With deepest gratitude,
Your Sera, as spring blooms.
To my beloved Sera.
Hey, Sera. The script—Romeo and Juliet, right?
Straight to the point: It’s not mine. A good friend of mine, William Shakespeare, wrote it.
But if you want, William and I can help refine it. He’d be thrilled to see his work spread far and wide.
Can’t wait for quarantine to end so I can watch you perform live at the theater.
Keep it up. Cheering for you from afar.
With all my longing,
Rubette.
* * *
Imperial Year 1520, April 8.
The wait is over—new products launch!
[Blanc de Ruby] reimagines elegance: A beautiful space in their hands.
Luxury leather handbags,
Ruby Collection 1520
* * *
165cm, 108 pounds.
“Huff, huff….”
* * *
Imperial Year 1520, April 23.
-Can’t live without this these days: Ruby Collection 1520.
-[Blanc de Ruby] handbags conquer the capital in just two weeks—must-have for noble ladies.
* * *
165cm, 106 pounds (about 48kg).
“Wow, finally….”
“Congratulations.”
Satisfied with Wishit’s curt greeting, Rubette hopped off the scale.
She stepped to the mirror, admiring her reflection head to toe, then murmured.
“I’m cool.”
* * *
Imperial Year 1520, May 19.
Buried in relentless work, Lark visited Lubon for the first time in four months.
He tilted his head at the sight of an unfamiliar woman approaching from afar.
Tap, tap, tap, tap….
As the running woman drew near, her outfit—sports bra and leggings—came into sharp focus.
Shocking attire that would drop jaws among locals; even Lark flinched.
“Oh? Your Highness. You’re early?”
When the woman finally reached him.
Lark’s wary eyes slowly widened in realization.
A slim, slightly lean frame: graceful neckline, a waist that spanned a mere handful.
“…No way, Duchess?”
The woman wiped sweat from her neck with a towel, then shook out her high ponytail and tossed her head.
She waved a hand by her cheek and said.
“Hi, long time no see.”