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The Italian luxury group Lunies, which dominates the global luxury market. Even the luxury brands under its umbrella number over a hundred.

Caterina started as a rookie designer and rose to become the chairman of the Lunies Group. With her innate sense and exceptional vision, her designer career knew no failure. This remained true even after she became chairman.

The Lunies Group soared. It overtook numerous competing brands, acquiring them one after another. Once the group reached the top, Caterina lived surrounded by countless models and celebrities. They vied for her attention, abandoning their pride to grovel.

In other words, Caterina had never bowed her head to anyone, neither as a designer nor as the group’s chairman.

“Can’t you just do it once?”

Moreover, she had never begged anyone so humbly.

“I don’t even ask for an exclusive model. If only Bella would become our company’s model… No, just wear our clothes…”

“I’m sorry, Caterina. That seems difficult.”

The woman sitting across from her shook her head. Her silver hair shimmered. Even that small movement was breathtakingly beautiful.

Bella Ruelberta.

Indeed, the claim that she was the most beautiful in the other world was no exaggeration.

As the two worlds began to interact, many companies sought to expand their businesses into the other world. They scrambled to contact noble families equivalent to tycoons or to establish connections with the imperial family.

Among them, the most sought-after family was the Ruelberta Count Family, known as the most influential in the other world.

The Lunies Group also aimed to contact the Count Family and soon succeeded in placing their brands in the Ruelberta Family’s department store.

However, on the day of a close business meeting with the Ruelberta Family, Caterina met someone she would never forget.

-The silver-haired goddess from the other world.

A being known only through rumors among early players. Of course, it wasn’t about a real goddess. It was just that her beauty was so overwhelming that both men and women couldn’t help but be captivated, earning her the title of goddess.

Caterina thought the same. Rumors tend to exaggerate. There are many with stunning looks among models and celebrities. Especially in the fashion industry, where she had spent her life, surrounded by beautiful people. But a goddess? That’s an absurd exaggeration.

But.

The moment she met Bella in person, Caterina’s perception shattered.

‘A goddess…’

The incarnation of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty. No words could do her justice.

Her elegant skin, selfishly perfect proportions, and dreamlike, mysterious silver hair.

Seeing a beauty that could never be found in her world, Caterina’s long-forgotten passion as a designer awakened.

She wanted Bella as her model. She wanted to explore the potential of this woman. She wanted to dress this noble woman in her creations, to give her wings.

Thus, Caterina became desperate.

“Bella, I believe you are the perfect match for our group’s image. The Lunies Group is the top-tier brand that only the best of the best can have.”

“Yes, I know. The Lunies Group’s brands were the first to enter our Ruelberta Family’s department store.”

“It’s an honor just to have someone like you use our brand. Of course, we plan to provide you with our products for free for life.”

“Hmm… I really appreciate the offer, but…”

Bella hesitated, and Caterina suddenly realized something.

“Is it because of your husband?”

There are cases like that. Husbands who love their wives so much they don’t want to show them off. Especially in the other world, a class society with strong patriarchal tendencies, the husband’s influence would be even stronger.

Especially if the husband had a wife as beautiful as Bella.

Bella seemed to want to say something but soon resigned herself and spoke.

“…Well, that’s part of it. It’s not a situation where I can get his permission right now.”

“Ah… I see.”

Count Tristan Ruelberta. The most powerful figure in the other world, whose influence is said to surpass even the imperial family and the emperor. Yet, even after a year since the two worlds merged, he remains shrouded in mystery.

There are rumors of him being a fat pig of a count, and others of him being so handsome he could be mistaken for a woman. But no one has ever seen his face.

Currently, he is said to be recuperating due to poor health, leaving his companion, Bella Ruelberta, to fill his role. Strictly speaking, she should be using the Izakhel surname, but…

‘For some reason, she’s using the Ruelberta surname…’

Caterina could only guess the reason. Perhaps Count Tristan insisted on it, to make Bella entirely his. What man wouldn’t be obsessed with such a woman?

In any case, it seemed clear that Caterina needed to persuade Tristan, not Bella.

“Understood. Bella, please contact me when the Count recovers, okay?”

“Yes, I will.”

“Please do. I really don’t want to lose you.”

Caterina repeatedly said so as she left.

“Sigh…”

Left alone, Bella sighed.

Her head throbbed.

A year since the two worlds merged, Bella had unknowingly become a celebrity in that world.

She didn’t know exactly when it started.

Someone secretly took her photo and posted it on SNS, causing a huge stir. People worldwide began to take a great interest in Bella.

With such striking looks, it wasn’t surprising to attract attention. But this time, the attention was on a different level.

Over the past year, the fan letters Bella received could fill the vast grounds of the Ruelberta Family. Journalists and paparazzi trying to interview her or take her photo often camped outside the mansion.

Bella was utterly exhausted by this overwhelming attention.

Of course, most cases, like Caterina’s, were resolved amicably, but some crossed the line.

A man who introduced himself as a famous actor said he would give his life if he could marry Bella.

A president of a country promised her any power if she married his child.

Not to mention, a prince from the Middle East boasted he could give her millions if she married him.

Of course, she refused them all. She refused so much that managing her expressions became difficult.

“If Tristan were here…”

He surely wouldn’t have let those men who proposed to Bella off easily. He would have warned them with a cold gaze. Not to dare covet his woman. To know their place, with a prideful sneer.

But Tristan wasn’t by Bella’s side.

Knock knock.

“Ah, yes. Come in.”

The door opened, and an elderly man entered. Seeing his face, Bella sprang up from her seat.

“Uncle??”

“You’ve been through a lot, my dear.”

Arthur Ruelberta. Tristan’s uncle, effectively his father, and thus, Bella’s father-in-law.

“Weren’t you supposed to return this evening?”

“I finished my schedule early in that world, so I came straight back.”

“You should have told me; I would have gone to meet you…”

“It’s fine. You’re busy acting as the head of the family.”

Though not officially married, Bella was in a de facto relationship with Tristan. She had long taken on the role of the Ruelberta Family’s mistress.

Thus, in Tristan’s absence, Bella began using the Ruelberta surname to act as the family’s head.

“No, no matter how busy I am, it’s nothing compared to what you’re doing. I can’t believe you handled all this alone.”

“Is that so…”

Arthur answered indifferently, but the corners of his mouth lifted. He couldn’t help but feel good that Bella recognized his efforts, which no one else had.

Among the brides Tristan was to meet, Arthur particularly cherished Bella. She had an excellent character, meticulous personality, and despite her noble status, was thrifty and sharp.

Since Bella took over as the acting head, not a single penny of the family’s finances had been wasted.

Last year’s week-long war, though short, had significant aftermath. The devastated territories, refugees everywhere, and managing a vast number of prisoners required astronomical sums. Of course, the imperial family and nobles bore the cost.

Even the wealthy Ruelberta Family’s finances were shaken.

In such a situation, Bella successfully restored the Ruelberta Family’s finances within a year.

No wonder Arthur held Bella in high regard.

“My dear, I am very grateful that you married into our family.”

“Huh?”

“With you here, I feel truly secure. I couldn’t have managed this huge family alone…”

“No, no. Without your help, I would have been lost.”

“Haha… What help could this old man provide…”

Arthur smiled wryly, wrinkles forming at the corners of his mouth. Over the past year, he had aged noticeably.

With Tristan suddenly absent, Arthur took on all the family’s responsibilities, just like during his guardianship. There were too many people to meet and mountains of tasks to handle after the war.

It was an impossible amount for one person. Yet, Arthur never asked for help, as if it were his duty.

“This way, I can boast when that kid returns.”

Arthur had been preparing all along, firmly believing that Tristan would return and protecting the Ruelberta Family.

“Uncle…”

“By the way, isn’t today ‘that day’? Shouldn’t you prepare and leave early?”

“…Did you come early because of that?”

“Ahem… Let’s say I just happened to finish early.”

Arthur smiled awkwardly.

“Then, my dear, leave the rest to me and go.”

“Uncle, come with me.”

“No. I’d like to, but that place is a sanctuary; I can’t go recklessly.”

“But…”

“Now, now, don’t worry about me and go. Just do me one favor.”

Pushing the hesitant Bella, Arthur made his request.

“Go and give that rascal a good scolding.”

His voice was oddly choked.

 

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