In This Life I Will Be The Lord Novel - Episode 60

Julietta blinked her large eyes, as if she didn’t understand my words.
Ah, this person wasn’t very intelligent.
That’s probably why she couldn’t read the atmosphere and became Astana’s mistress, earning the Empress’s displeasure.
I smiled brightly and explained it in the simplest terms possible for her.
“Like a promotional model for Gallahan’s Clothing Store?”
“Oh!”
Although they were ready-to-wear clothes for commoners, they were still the business of Gallahan Lombardi.
And ready-to-wear was a hot topic in the Empire these days.
Opera wasn’t just an art form for nobles.
Wealthy commoners were also a major audience for opera.
However, the barrier to entry for ready-to-wear was inevitably lower than for other people.
I could see Julietta quickly turning things over in her mind.
I subtly added,
“Of course, I’m just repeating what my father said. But I heard the sponsorship amount is quite large…”
I saw Julietta gulp.
“I also heard that if the results are good, continuous sponsorship is possible.”
“Long-term sponsorship…”
Julietta’s eyes sparkled.
She was probably quite tired of the Empress’s occasional sponsorship, which consisted of throwing her unused jewels or clothes.
It was only natural that she would crave more reliable sponsorship.
“But Miss Julietta is already receiving sponsorship from Her Majesty the Empress.”
Someone said.
Just as people sponsored by Lombardi do not receive sponsorship from other families.
It had long been customary for artists to have only one patron.
It was a custom created by nobles who loved spending money, but loved showing off their generosity even more.
“Ah, is that so…”
I deliberately spoke with a hint of regret.
“Then there’s nothing we can do.”
“Ah, no!”
Julietta half-shouted.
Enough for those around to turn and look.
“Perhaps… who should I speak to about that sponsorship?”
She’s hooked.
I tried hard to suppress the smile that threatened to break out, and pretended to think for a moment.
“Hmm. Well, Father seems busy…”
And then, looking around, I said,
“Ah, he’s over there. Mr.Clerivan!”
It wasn’t a very loud call, but Clerivan, who seemed to have heard my voice like a ghost, walked over.
“What is it, young lady?”
As Clerivan, handsome and with his uniquely cool aura, approached, the young ladies blushed.
“Mr. Clerivan, Lady Julietta Aveino here is interested in being a promotional model for the clothing store.”
“…Pardon?”
Clerivan looked at me, slightly flustered, trying to gauge my intentions.
He must be wondering what on earth I was talking about.
They had briefly discussed the need for a model who could change the image of ready-to-wear a few months ago.
But that was all.
I smiled very brightly and said,
“A promotional model! You said before that you were looking for someone who could widely promote ready-to-wear, didn’t you?”
“Ah… Yes, that’s right. Yes, I am looking for someone.”
Fortunately, Clerivan, understanding my meaning, nodded tactfully.
“It seems Julietta is interested. Why don’t you go talk to her? She seems to have a ‘particular’ interest in stage costumes.”
“Oh, stage costumes… Indeed.”
Clerivan shot me a look of impressed admiration, as if to say, ‘As expected of Lady Florentia!’, then spoke kindly to Julietta.
“Then let’s discuss this over there, Lady Aveino.”
“Ah, yes…”
Julietta seemed to be completely captivated by Clerivan’s professional smile.
Julietta Aveino was set to become the Empire’s top star in a performance just a short while later, with her insane villainess acting.
With her madly gleaming eyes and divinely inspired singing, she would gain incomparable popularity, and every performance would sell out.
The clothes and accessories Julietta wore would become the Empire’s fashion trend.
Julietta Aveino, as the first advertising model for Gallahan’s Clothing Store, was perfect.
Still surrounded by people, I looked at the backs of the two people walking to another table with a pleased expression.
“I heard House Schulz bought the neighboring territory again this time?”
“I don’t know how much land they’ve bought already.”
“House Schulz has also benefited from House Lombardi, so that’s why they’re prospering, isn’t it?”
These were words meant to please me.
Although I hadn’t officially debuted yet, the noblewomen did not leave my side.
“Since His Royal Highness the Second Prince received His Majesty’s recognition today, Her Majesty the Empress must be displeased for a while.”
“Just displeased? I’m already sad that there won’t be an Imperial banquet for a while.”
“And what about His Royal Highness the First Prince? I’ll have to keep my son far away from the hunting grounds for a while.”
“Exactly. If by chance you displease His Royal Highness the First Prince…”
Is this what high society is like, only heard about in stories?
They talk about the Empress, who isn’t even present, without hesitation.
Perhaps it was a common occurrence, as people began to add their own remarks, one after another.
The chatter from the people surrounding me was endless.
At first, it was nice to hear various high society gossips.
But now, my ears were starting to hurt.
Everyone already knew that the Empress and Astana had terrible personalities.
“Lady Florentia Lombardi.”
A new voice interjected, breaking the conversation.
It was an imperial attendant.
“I will escort the Lady upstairs.”
At any banquet, or gathering of many people, a so-called ‘in-crowd’ inevitably forms.
So, nobles prefer for the host of the banquet to invite that group to a more private location than the main hall for quiet conversation, and today, it seemed that was upstairs.
I stood up from my seat, receiving envious glances from the surrounding young ladies.
“Thank you for your warm hospitality today. I look forward to your continued kindness when I officially debut.”
“Oh, of course. That goes without saying…”
“Do come to banquets occasionally before then!”
“It would be our honor if you would show us your beautiful dresses, My Lady.”
Leaving behind the people who eagerly spoke with bright smiles, I followed the attendant.
As I expected, the attendant led me to a room on the second floor and said politely,
“Please wait a moment.”
I was left alone in the hallway with two knights guarding the door.
It was then that I heard approaching footsteps.
Carelessly turning around to see who it was, I looked back to the front.
Ah, why is that brat coming here?
“Hey.”
The obnoxious voice belonged to Astana.
Now fourteen years old, he had grown considerably, becoming closer to the scoundrel I remembered.
He was acting as if he was learning swordsmanship, carrying a self-defense sword at his waist, swaggering like a neighborhood thug.
I pretended not to hear and continued to wait for the door to open.
“Hey, half-breed.”
Just like Bellezac, they truly were soulmates.
My expression twisted at a word I hadn’t heard in a long time.
“What? They say your mother was a lowly wanderer, so you go completely wild when called ‘half-breed.’ Is that true, half-breed?”
I kept looking forward, trying to ignore him.
“This… doesn’t know how to fear a Prince!”
Until Astana grabbed my shoulder and painfully spun me around.
The knights seemed to flinch at the Prince’s sudden action but did not intervene.
They merely watched us with tense expressions.
“Let go of my shoulder, Your Royal Highness.”
“Hmph.”
When I snapped coldly, Astana gave a truly nauseatingly triumphant smile and said,
“So you’ve learned how to use honorifics now, I see.”
He was probably referring to the time I stomped on his hat and ran off.
“A lot of time has passed. So, will you let go?”
“No. I don’t like your insolent eyes. What are you going to do about it, half-breed?”
This is the Imperial Palace, what are you going to do?
Astana’s eyes, gripping my shoulder more and more painfully, seemed to say just that.
I slapped Astana’s hand hard enough to make a smack sound, shaking him off.
“You…! A lowly half-breed like you!”
He uttered that word again.
Half-breed.
I had tried my best to avoid getting involved with Astana, adopting the mindset of ‘Do you avoid shit because you’re scared of it, or because it’s dirty?’.
Now, I felt my patience running out.
And, thud.
As he roughly pulled my clothes, the silk that Lauriel had carefully sewn onto the dress tore off.
You’re dead.
I glared fiercely at Astana, then stepped backward, keeping my clothes clutched in his hand.
Making sure he couldn’t let go of my clothes.
“Uh-oh?”
I saw Astana make a dumbfounded face, flustered.
Too late, you idiot.
I threw my back against the closed door with all my might.
BANG! With a rather loud sound, the closed door swung open, and Astana and I were pushed into the room.
“Tia!”
Father’s surprised voice came from behind.
And there were a few scraping sounds of chairs.
Seeing Astana’s face flush as he finally understood the situation, I could picture the scene behind me perfectly.
Alright, witnesses secured.
I let go of Astana’s hand, staggering as if he had pushed me.
“T-this brat…!”
Astana tried to say something, looking wronged, but I was quicker.
“Remember what Grandfather said. Just kick him.”
I’m a good granddaughter who listens to her grandfather.
Stepping forward decisively, I kicked Astana in the shin with all my might.
“Ack!”
Astana, caught off guard and unable to dodge, clutched his leg, bewildered.
“Y-Your Highness!”
One of the knights standing by the door approached in surprise to support him.
But Astana cursed, pushed the knight away with all his might, and drew the sword from his waist.
Screech.
With a chilling sound, the drawn sword pointed at me.
“I’ll kill you!”
Astana screamed as if he had completely lost his mind.
However, he couldn’t take even one step before stopping.
Clang.
Another sword, suddenly appearing, pointed directly at him.
“Put that sword down, unless you want to be cut.”
It was Perez.