I Want to Be a VTuber Chapter 337

"I saw the morning paper."

Upon returning to her quarters, Richard, her agency's manager, quietly spoke to her.

The numerous bodyguards standing beside her had relatively exhausted complexions, a testament to how much their blood must have run dry while the princess was missing.

'She really doesn't act like a princess.'

Richard pressed hard on his temples at the sight of Marie looking this way with an expressionless face.

Marie was by far the biggest figure in the management company he worked for, and could also be called the biggest troublemaker.

Not only was there no one who could stop the actions of a princess, but she herself had such an elusive and unpredictable personality.

"You came to France a day early, and caused an accident a day early too."

"An accident? This time, I was the one unilaterally victimized."

To the public, she was a frivolous princess.

Even at Viola, the image people had of her wasn't much different.

However, despite that, the reason she could stand as a model was because of her innate elegance.

Nobility.

It exuded even from her listless footsteps.

'For us, your disappearance alone is an accident.'

Richard swallowed the words he couldn't bring himself to say out loud.

Of course, Marie Mountbatten-Windsor.

She had dabbled in all sorts of self-defense arts since childhood, and her physical abilities were so outstanding that she wouldn't be in danger under normal circumstances.

"Were you really attacked by a pickpocket?"

"I let my guard down."

"Then it was indeed dangerous."

"If Seoyeon hadn't come, I would have knocked that man to the ground first."

"It's dangerous. What if the opponent had a weapon?"

"At least from what I could see, he didn't."

Of course, even if he had something like a dagger, she could have handled it with the self-defense items in her bag.

"Seoyeon. You mean that actress from Mine. The one Your Highness has been watching diligently lately."

"Yes."

"Is the morning paper because she saved you from the pickpocket? Or because you're a fan?"

At Richard's words, Marie frowned.

"Richard."

"Yes."

"If I were to kick you right now, do you have any means to resist?"

"…..."

Damnable girl.

Richard quietly closed his mouth at Marie's words.

The point was to stop prying annoyingly.

'She's quick to catch on.'

Whatever answer Marie gave here, the nagging from Richard, her agency's manager, would be unavoidable.

But Marie threw a tantrum and severed the root of it entirely.

Hearing the bodyguards chuckle low, Richard had no choice but to glare in their direction.

It's because you bastards didn't keep a proper watch that the situation ended up like this.

Richard's gaze was full of such thoughts.

"Don't worry."

"What do you mean?"

"It's definitely me who will monopolize all the attention at this Viola show."

"That's quite an arrogant remark. Please don't forget that the other global ambassadors are also formidable figures."

And then there was the Korean actress featured in this morning's newspaper.

Joo Seoyeon's face also briefly came to mind.

As expected, the more he thought about it, the more Richard's eyes furrowed involuntarily.

'A pointless act.'

The Black Moon, the UK's top management company that Richard belonged to, was an agency that had received the Royal Warrant from the British Imperial Family.

The Royal Warrant meant a company guaranteed by the British Imperial Family, and in the current British entertainment industry, it was only permitted to Black Moon.

Therefore, the entertainers belonging to Black Moon were the face of England.

Among them, the princess Marie's status was distinctly unrivaled, making her the heart of England.

If such a Marie couldn't flaunt her unrivaled presence at the Viola show?

Rather, it would be Black Moon's fault for failing to properly care for Marie.

The 'models' walking in the show were separate entities to begin with, so he didn't pay them any mind.

What Richard cared about was solely the ambassadors attending the Viola show to grace the occasion.

Since they simply existed to draw crowds and for promotion, drawing attention was even more important.

'As if being an ambassador wasn't enough, she had to make more enemies.'

Joo Seoyeon was honestly insufficient to become the princess's enemy.

Her recognition was rock bottom to begin with.

That would have been the case if this morning's article hadn't gone up.

Gracing the front pages of newspaper companies, with the news even getting out, what if she attends the Viola show in two days?

Attention was bound to flock to her.

'No, no. I'm thinking too much.'

Richard shook his head.

He felt like he was paying too much attention to a young actress from Korea.

How much impact could a single morning article have?

'…But still.'

It was undeniable that she had picked at a scab she shouldn't have.

Richard thought so as he looked at Marie, who was calmly sipping her black tea.

Apart from what she had done, she looked truly overflowing with confidence.

That's because she's a princess.

'Right, it's a won battle anyway.'

Richard shook his head, shaking off his unnecessary thoughts.

The protagonist of this Viola Ready-to-Wear would be Marie Mountbatten-Windsor right in front of him.

***

"I-it's Park Jung-woo!"

"Really?!"

"Where, where, where!"

"Move! I'm going in!"

"Teacher, please open the door!"

"Kyaaah!!"

At the screams that sounded like shrieks, the male students coming down to the 1st floor became fed up.

The dormitory was arranged so that the 3rd floor was for female students, and the 2nd floor was for male students.

Due to the guest who suddenly visited in the morning, female students were crowded in front of the teachers' rooms on the 1st floor.

"It must be nice to be loved by high school girls."

Seoyeon said, slightly removing the fingers that were covering her ears.

A gaze filled with the thought of how truly pathetic it was.

It was a look that revealed the thought, 'Did you want to be worshipped by high school girls that much?'

Of course, Park Jung-woo felt unjust.

'If anyone, you're the last person who should be saying that.'

Park Jung-woo was about to say that to Seoyeon but stopped.

It was to the point of absurdity that the guy who loved showing off more than anyone else was saying such a thing.

"Hello, Park Jung-woo Sunbae-nim."

On top of that, for some reason, Lee Ji-yeon was stuck right next to Seoyeon.

Park Jung-woo was uncomfortable with Lee Ji-yeon. It was the same when they faced each other with Jo Seo-hee before, but she gave off an overwhelmingly burdensome impression.

At that time, at least Jo Seo-hee mostly talked, and Lee Ji-yeon stayed a step back, but now she was way too close.

'…Is she really an iljin?'

Honestly, Park Jung-woo was a bit nervous.

When he went to high school, he could be called a so-called model student.

He exercised, had a good build, and lately, because of Seoyeon, he was even considering learning self-defense, so he could be considered quite a sturdy adult male.

However, when facing the unique aura of an iljin, he couldn't help but be nervous.

'Or is it because of that strangely guarded feeling she gives off?'

Of course, he roughly understood why Lee Ji-yeon was on guard.

They were a male actor and a female actress, after all.

If they met in a private setting, it would be very easy for it to lead to a scandal.

That's why, when Park Jung-woo met Seoyeon, it was mostly at a cafe near the broadcasting station.

They met at places where other celebrities frequently visited.

He could just say they had something to discuss because of a broadcast or a shoot.

"I assure you, I didn't come for personal reasons."

"Is that so?"

"No, what do you mean 'Is that so?'? Do you know how surprised I was when I saw the morning article?"

"You came to France this morning, right?"

"Yeah, and as soon as I arrived, your face was glaringly visible on the newspapers displayed at the newsstand."

"…Is that all?"

"That much."

Park Jung-woo said, shaking the newspaper at Seoyeon.

If it weren't for this, he wouldn't have needed to come see Seoyeon today.

He came because he needed to know the circumstances anyway.

"And after hearing the story, it's even more meaningful. That photo, the princess asked to take it, right?"

"Yes."

"Why did she go out of her way to do such a thing? There's nothing good about unnecessarily increasing a rival."

Park Jung-woo stroked his chin and fell into thought.

After coming here and hearing the story from Seoyeon, it became even more ambiguous.

Seeing Seoyeon photographed with an awkward face, Park Jung-woo thought it was obvious she was caught by chance.

But hearing it, Princess Marie herself asked to take it.

If it hadn't been for Marie's words, the police would have been indifferent and just let her go.

' was a hit, but Seoyeon's recognition isn't at that level.'

It was true that was a global hit.

Because dramas that ranked first in 54 countries worldwide were truly rare.

However, most of those 54 countries were non-English speaking countries.

In Europe, as far as he knew, it was around 2nd or 3rd place.

It wasn't bad, but it wasn't at a level where anyone could recognize it.

He wouldn't know if it was something like , but wasn't at that level.

Therefore, the people who could recognize Seoyeon were extremely few.

The police must have thought Seoyeon was just an Asian student.

Of course, since her looks weren't ordinary, they might have been a little surprised.

"But it became known to people through today's newspaper. The story about is written in detail. It even says you're participating in the Viola show."

"…Then."

"Yeah, the perfect conditions for receiving attention have been created."

"Why is that?"

"Well. If what the princess said is true, it could be because she was a fan."

Or if she was serious about this.

And if she acknowledged Seoyeon.

"She might have wanted to compete on more equal footing."

"Isn't this not really something you compete over?"

"How long have you worked in this industry that you're still saying such things?"

"I've only been in it for a little over a year. Even including my child actor days, it's 2 years."

"…That is a bit short."

Park Jung-woo admitted it readily.

The actress named Joo Seoyeon had an activity period shorter than expected.

'Is this career even real for such a short amount of time.'

Ability aside, she was practically born with luck.

Anyway, that's not what's important right now.

"This industry is all about competition. If it's an opportunity to raise recognition, it's a place where you must step on others to rise. Getting a little more spotlight at the Viola show? It might be a little to someone else, but to us, it could be everything."

Even if she's an actress.

If she had the ambition to advance overseas, she absolutely shouldn't miss such an opportunity.

'I see.'

Seoyeon, who had honestly been thinking 'Hmm, is it that much?', became serious.

At the same time, she realized that Marie had truly recognized her as an 'enemy.'

'She said she was the real one, and I was the fake.'

That was a provocation.

A provocation that came out because she recognized Seoyeon as an enemy.

However, put another way, recognizing her as an 'enemy' also meant that Seoyeon was that much of a threatening existence.

Among the numerous stars and celebrities who came to attend this Viola show, who would be interested in Seoyeon?

None.

Truly, no one.

Whether was a global hit or whatever, there was absolutely no one who recognized her.

Even in a situation where they came on a field trip and were openly sightseeing, not a single journalist was interested in Seoyeon.

Well, that could change when they go to the show, but at least for now, that was the case.

'So she made me take a photo.'

She promoted Seoyeon using the name value of herself, a member of the Royal Family and a British princess.

That was this morning.

As Park Jung-woo said, her recognition, which was close to zero, had surely risen with this.

"…If I do it properly, can I win?"

"Impossible."

Impossible, Park Jung-woo declared.

No matter how much her recognition had risen with this, it was still not enough to receive the spotlight.

"If you go out as you are now, I mean."

"Yes?"

"Since you've decided to ride on her coattails, seeing it through to the end is also an option. She'll probably play along?"

"I'm not that close with her."

"The entertainment industry originally makes a living by pretending to be close."

"What if I get rejected?"

"If she was going to do that, she wouldn't have taken a photo like this."

Seoyeon nodded.

"The feeling of the character is."

"Like during the Viola commercial."

"You told me not to do that."

"…Hey. It's just words."

"Then is it okay?"

"You're gonna get in trouble, really."

As Seoyeon covered her mouth with her hand and laughed, just like when she did that acting, Park Jung-woo swept his hair and averted his gaze.

It was truly a sad thing that even knowing he was being teased, he had no choice but to take it.

'…Hmph.'

Of course, Ji-yeon's eyes watching the two of them grew even narrower.

She knew, but aren't these two unusually close?

'Joo Seoyeon, this kid is truly an ajussi's daughter.'

On top of that, she doesn't even hide it.

Isn't she a true predator.

Well, it seems like the person herself has absolutely no awareness or interest.

'Still.'

Park Jung-woo was thoroughly building a wall on his own end, so Ji-yeon moved on.

The Park Jung-woo she knew was the ultimate master of self-management.

He wouldn't easily tear down that wall.

'Hmmm.'

Still, Ji-yeon wasn't very pleased.

It was to the point where she preferred Joo Seoyeon from middle school, who was more like a boy.

Now, if left alone, she felt like she would charm everyone in all directions.

Like that, under Ji-yeon's gaze, who was staring with half-open eyes.

'Why is she glaring at me again.'

Park Jung-woo couldn't help but be nervous.

Because Ji-yeon's gaze looking at him was truly sharp.

***

The Tuileries Garden in Paris, where the Viola Ready-to-Wear was held.

Its location was between the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Palace.

That wide square was bustling with crowds gathered for the event from early morning.

A chance to photograph the stars heading to the fashion show venue.

Moreover, at this fashion show, the photo zone was prepared on the street, not inside the venue.

"Isn't the fashion show this evening?"

"I wouldn't know. To preempt a good spot, you should have been here since dawn yesterday, not this morning."

"Wow."

Marius, a journalist for the French press 'Demilun', smirked at the other journalist's words.

The famous press outlets had already preempted the good spots, and Marius didn't even have the qualifications to squeeze in there.

"It'll be good for catching the stars coming from the outskirts."

"Oh, that's a positive mindset. Is there a star you're trying to photograph? I sure hope that star isn't famous."

At the words, which he didn't know were humor or provocation, Marius chuckled.

It might be somewhat of a black joke.

Because this side was also a journalist who couldn't get a good spot, just like him.

"I'm a bit interested in an actress named Joo Seoyeon."

"Joo So-yon? Who is that?"

"She's the actress from the recent Netflix drama, Mine."

"Mine! Ah, yes, yes. I know it. I remember hearing about it. They say it's fun."

He says it's fun, but doesn't know the actress's name?

It was only because was a drama with word of mouth slowly spreading even within France that he at least knew the title.

Otherwise, he would have been openly ignored with a 'What is that?'.

"But, Marius. As a journalist, you should chase scoops. You mustn't compromise with reality too much."

"To me, this girl is a scoop."

"Oh, that line is cool. Can I use it next time?"

"No. Because I'm going to use it first."

As he was having such a conversation with the other journalist, the crowd began to grow larger and larger.

Past the afternoon, the night when the show would soon begin was approaching.

'She's here.'

Marius, who had been resting with his head down, slowly rose from his seat.

A cheer akin to a scream rang out.

When he turned his gaze to where the cheers came from, security personnel busily blocking the approaching crowd could be seen.

The person who arrived first among all the stars participating in this Viola show.

The scale of her entourage was on a different level, as if to overwhelm all the stars yet to appear.

So much so that not only her private security but even French police were mixed in, blocking the people trying to approach.

And in the center of that.

Even in the procession mixed with so many people, there was a girl who was clearly visible.

A gorgeous dress.

A woman wearing a red-gold dress.

For a while, Viola had presented designs representing each country as outfits.

The ambassadors from each country participating today were using those outfits as their dress code.

'Like the sun.'

Intense.

Not the Royal Blue that symbolized the British Imperial Family, but red.

And sparkling gold.

A gorgeous outfit that suited her red-gold hair.

A brilliance that seemed to symbolize Britain in its heyday was there.

The princess of England.

Marie Mountbatten-Windsor.

As she proudly raised her chin, a roar that filled this Tuileries Garden erupted.

Her majesty would not be lacking even if she were called a queen, not a princess.