A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 104

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“It’s not too late even now. If you wish, I’ll bring the child here.”
“No, Father.”
Camilla shook her head lightly with a smile on her face.
“It’s what the child wanted as well.”
Rio did not return to the Orphanage. Duke Sefra himself had stepped forward to adopt Rio.
“At first, I did intend to keep him with me….”
Arsian had asked Rio his intentions first—whether he would come to his home.
While others were taken aback by those words, Camilla was hardly surprised.
‘He’s surprisingly soft-hearted with children, I’ve heard.’
Especially with Rio.
Despite his extreme distaste for people fussing about him, he had never shown such displeasure toward that child even once.
Rather, one could often see him subtly hovering nearby and looking after the boy.
‘Children are far more perceptive than one might think.’
They immediately sense those who dislike them and those who care for them.
One could tell as much from how Rio followed Arsian more than Petro.
‘Now that I think about it… do they resemble each other a little?’
Sier and that child.
Their bright, keen eyes seemed somewhat alike. In any case, Rio did not refuse the hand Arsian extended.
The sudden closeness that had developed from this incident, perhaps? Arsian’s appearance in that crisis must have seemed incredibly impressive to the child’s eyes.
“Even so, that fellow’s household is a bit….”
Duke Sorpel still seemed consumed by worry.
Indeed, it was none other than the Sefra Ducal Family. One couldn’t help but be concerned for a child who would have to live with those taciturn men.
However….
“Rio will do well in that household.”
The child was far more affectionate than expected, and moreover, Arsian’s self-promotion at the time had been quite impressive.
Recalling the words Arsian had uttered to win Rio over, Camilla let out a small laugh.
‘There’s an empty room in the house.’
At first, it was absurd. Was he bragging that his house had many empty rooms?
She had been about to say, “Our house has plenty of empty rooms too!” when she realized what kind of room he was referring to, and she closed her mouth.
‘It’s a room another person used to occupy….’
She could also understand that it meant he would treat Rio as his own younger brother.
“It will be fine.”
With those words alone, she became certain that Arsian would care for the child better than anyone else.
* * *
“….”
“….”
The Dining Hall was very quiet. As if no one were there.
Duke Sefra and Arsian were already seated, yet neither of them opened their mouths.
Neither of them found the silence awkward either. This atmosphere was far too familiar to them.
The servants standing by were the same. Since their masters held their silence, their own movements were equally cautious.
Pitter-patter-pitter-patter!
That was when it happened—the sound of small, light footsteps echoed through the hall.
The footsteps reached the entrance to the Dining Hall but stopped abruptly at the threshold, unable to cross. At that moment, both Duke Sefra and Arsian’s gazes snapped toward the doorway.
Yet contrary to the expectation that someone would step inside immediately, there was nothing but silence.
Creak.
A moment later, a very small head peeked cautiously through the opening.
“Huh?”
Rio, who had apparently intended to spy inside discreetly, carefully poked only his head through the door.
Soon, the child’s eyes widened as he met the gaze of countless people staring directly at him.
“Ah….”
But the surprise was fleeting, and a bright, beaming smile spread across the boy’s face.
“I came to eat!”
Rio trotted in eagerly, his small hands clasped together as he bowed politely, and these were his first words.
“Come, sit down.”
“Yes!”
The child answered cheerfully and began struggling to climb onto the high chair.
Charmed by the sight, the butler smiled warmly and carefully approached, lifting Rio into the chair.
“Thank you.”
The butler’s smile deepened at the child’s polite words.
It had been so long since this household had heard such a bright, innocent child’s voice—or perhaps it had never happened at all.
The late young master Sier had been far too quiet.
Soon, dishes were quickly placed on the table. Upon seeing the food, the child’s mouth opened slightly before breaking into a radiant smile.
“It looks delicious!”
Rio clapped his hands in delight and promptly picked up his fork.
As if instructed beforehand, the meat placed before the child was already cut into bite-sized pieces.
“Uh….”
But there was one problem—the table was far too high for the child to eat properly.
“We’ll need to order a new chair.”
“Yes, Duke.”
Duke Sefra issued the command upon witnessing this, and the butler immediately bowed his head in apology for the oversight.
“Oof.”
“…?”
The butler, who had been approaching to help the child eat, had to pause. Rio had suddenly jumped down from the chair.
The child then ran toward….
“Please hold me.”
In that instant, sharp intakes of breath could be heard from all around. The butler was no exception.
The child had spread both arms wide toward Duke Sefra.
“….”
Duke Sefra’s expression as he regarded the child remained utterly impassive.
Meanwhile, those watching the scene swallowed hard.
They all knew far too well just how cold Duke Sefra could be.
A soft rustle.
Yet defying everyone’s expectations, he simply lifted the child into his arms without a word. Then, as naturally as breathing, he settled Rio on his lap.
“Thank you!”
The moment the child caught sight of the food spread across the table, his face bloomed with radiant joy once more.
As the Duke gazed at him for a moment with an impassive expression and gave a subtle nod, the tension in the air around them began to ease.
When Duke Sefra accepted the child’s sudden gesture without resistance, everyone released a quiet sigh of relief.
But that relief was short-lived.
“Ah.”
The child stared directly at Duke Sefra with his small mouth stretched open as wide as it would go.
The way he whimpered, as if asking to be fed, was entirely natural.
For Rio, this was familiar. The teachers at the Orphanage would seat children who struggled to eat on their laps and feed them.
“….”
Duke Sefra said nothing for a long moment. He simply stared at the child with an expressionless gaze.
Everyone standing nearby swallowed hard again.
A soft rustle.
“…!”
But then their eyes widened in shock. He—Duke Sefra—had picked up a piece of meat and placed it directly into the child’s mouth.
It was something he had never done even for his own children.
“It’s delicious!”
As Rio savored the meat, a smile returned to his lips.
“Hey.”
Arsian, who had been watching the entire scene from the side with an expression of utter disbelief, finally spoke quietly.
“I’m the one you’ve seen often.”
He couldn’t understand why the child was being so familiar with this stranger when he was the one Rio had encountered frequently.
Normally, wouldn’t one ask for help from someone they already knew?
“My sister told me to.”
“Your sister? Camilla?”
“Yes!”
The child nodded vigorously and repeated exactly what he had been told.
“She said, ‘Go there and stick right next to the strongest person in that house—don’t let go.'”
“…The strongest person?”
“Yes! She said that way, life would be easier.”
What on earth had she taught this little one? Whether to call it absurd or perfectly in character….
Arsian let out a dry laugh and asked.
“So you didn’t attach yourself to me because I’m the strongest?”
“No, my sister said you’re the strongest person in this house, sir!”
“….”
Arsian, unexpectedly dealt a blow, could only purse his lips for a long moment.
He wanted to protest, but his opponent was… just a small child, and there was nothing he could say to him…!
A soft swoosh.
Meanwhile, Duke Sefra picked up another piece of meat and placed it in the child’s mouth.
“That girl is always right.”
“Yes! Sister is always right!”
The two of them were perfectly in sync.
‘…Damn it.’
Arsian could only curse silently in his mind, mindful of the child’s presence.
* * *
Ding!
“Welcome… Camilla!”
Laila, who had been busily arranging desserts on the display case, broke into a bright smile upon seeing her enter.
“Come in.”
“How’s work treating you?”
“Great!”
The place Camilla had found was a Dessert Cafe that had recently opened.
“The cafe is so beautiful.”
“Of course it is.”
I’d put so much effort into it.
This dessert shop was the second establishment I’d come to own, following the Ghost Merchant Guild. I’d been involved in every aspect, from the interior design to the menu.
Especially the interior! I couldn’t begin to describe how much I’d struggled to create a modern aesthetic.
Since this world lacked the diverse materials of my previous one, I’d gone to great lengths to capture that feeling as authentically as possible.
“I’ve never seen a cafe decorated like this before!”
“Right?”
From the floor-to-ceiling glass windows—rarely seen in this place—to the glass display case where customers could select their desserts.
Even the shop’s operating system was different; rather than staff taking orders directly, I’d established a self-service principle.
“Any customers yet?”
“Not yet.”
Laila’s face was clouded with worry.
“Manager, cheer up. The customers will run away if they see that expression.”
Camilla offered a light joke while patting her shoulder reassuringly.
The first person I thought of when opening this cafe was Laila. I’d been impressed by her sincerity and quick efficiency during volunteer work.
Her calculation skills were sharp, likely from doing many part-time jobs, and she was very skilled at this kind of work—both major advantages.
Especially with desserts!
I knew Laila’s skill better than anyone. While developing the menu with her, I marveled at her talent once more.
“The macarons turned out such a beautiful color this time.”
“Yes, lovely.”
I wanted to sell desserts that had been hugely popular in my previous world here as well.
But knowing a dessert and knowing its recipe were different things. I’d thought it would be impossible to recreate them exactly, yet Laila had done it!
I’d merely explained the basic ingredients, taste, and texture, and she’d reproduced it perfectly.
“You worked hard, Laila.”
Looking at the macarons displayed in various colors, one of the fruits of my labor, I felt immensely proud.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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