A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 112

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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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[This way, quickly.]
But I can’t turn back now either!
“Can you really calm the blizzard?”
Camilla asked, keeping her voice as low as possible.
[Aislah’s rage stems from Mars’s death. She believes I killed him.]
I’d already heard this much from the other Spirit Kings.
That’s why she’d frozen the entire Gracia Empire solid—the empire where Empress Mariana’s bloodline now held the throne.
“You didn’t kill him?”
At the direct question, Empress Mariana’s eyes wavered slightly.
[…I did kill him.]
Yes, I killed him. But what does she expect me to do about it now?
[There’s a truth she doesn’t know. If I reveal it, her anger might subside.]
“Then why didn’t you tell her directly?”
After all this time, and now she comes causing chaos.
[Aislah refuses to speak with me.]
‘That makes sense.’
Even after such an eternity had passed, the fact that she still expressed such rage was telling enough. If the source of her hatred appeared before her, she wouldn’t merely refuse conversation—she’d cause far worse destruction.
[This way.]
In the end, Camilla quietly followed her.
“Is this the place?”
Moments later, as Camilla entered the Underground Space beneath the Main Palace, she coughed continuously.
Enormous clouds of dust rose with each step, as if no human foot had ever tread here.
“No, how can the Imperial Palace have a place like this… *cough*!”
[When the dead linger in one place for long, that location gradually fades from people’s memories.]
In other words, this was where Empress Mariana had been staying all this time.
[Clear this area.]
She pointed to an old rocking chair. Once I moved it and swept away the carpet beneath, a small door appeared.
Opening the door and descending further revealed an even smaller space, packed with various objects.
[These are things holding memories of Mars and me.]
Her hands moved with careful tenderness as she touched the items on the shelves. Then she pointed to one section of a bookcase.
[That’s the one.]
Camilla pulled out the book she indicated.
[It’s my diary, containing all the truth. Please deliver it to Aislah without fail.]
A diary? What on earth could be written in it…?
[I’m counting on you.]
Wait? Camilla’s eyes widened as she examined the diary. Empress Mariana’s form was growing increasingly translucent.
Is she ascending just like this? No, what am I supposed to do if I don’t deliver it? How could she trust me with this?
All the time she’d endured in this place seemed wasted as she vanished in an instant.
Her expression was utterly serene, like someone finally setting down a burden they’d carried for far too long.
“Wow, she really left….”
What is this? This feeling of being struck from behind?
As an uneasy sensation crept up from my feet, I glared intently at the diary in my hands. Should I just throw it away?
“Sigh.”
Deciding I might as well read it, I tucked the diary safely into my bosom and exited the Underground Space.
But in the next moment, I exhaled another long sigh.
‘Excuse me.’
You should have safely escorted me to my room and disappeared!
Having followed only Empress Mariana’s back the entire way here, I hadn’t memorized the positions of the soldiers or any shortcuts through empty corridors.
How on earth was I supposed to find my way back alone!
‘Should I just brazenly leave as originally planned?’
With that possibility in mind, I had dressed in the most elaborate clothing I could manage.
[You’re going out dressed like that?]
‘Yes.’
[Infiltrating in a red dress?]
‘If I’m caught, I need an excuse ready. If I’m discovered dressed like a thief, that would be far worse, wouldn’t it?’
Of course, not being caught at all was ideal, but if I were discovered, I planned to claim I’d gotten lost or was simply sightseeing.
Right! I’ll just go out and say I got lost…!
Thud.
‘Eek!’
Just as I was about to step forward with the intention of turning myself in to the soldiers, the sound of their footsteps echoing from afar froze my entire body.
My mind screamed self-surrender, but my body instinctively trembled with fear.
Whoosh!
“…!”
In that instant, someone covered my mouth and yanked me forcefully into a corner.
“Shh!”
A familiar voice reached my ear. It was Crown Prince Edsen.
Thud. Thud.
Moments later, the soldiers’ footsteps faded rapidly into the distance. Only then did I release a short breath of relief and step back from him.
“What are you doing here?”
“That’s what I should be asking you, isn’t it?”
Edsen regarded me with an enigmatic gaze.
Earlier, while gazing out the window at the Guest Palace, he had spotted a crimson figure—me—heading secretively somewhere.
Unable to suppress his curiosity about where I could be going in this weather, he had followed, only to be bewildered to discover my destination was the Main Palace.
“I had no idea you possessed such talent for infiltration.”
Moving swiftly as though intimately familiar with the Main Palace’s layout, I had ultimately eluded him.
It was only after wandering the surroundings for some time that he finally spotted me, flustered by the appearance of soldiers.
“Infiltration? I was merely—”
“Merely what?”
“…!”
In that moment, a soft voice echoed from behind.
Camilla spun around, and dismay flickered across her face. Standing before us with cold, piercing eyes was none other than Duke Escra.
“What are you doing here at this hour?”
“We were…”
Crown Prince Edsen stepped forward to answer on my behalf, but I quickly grabbed his arm to stop him.
“We came to see you, Duke.”
“Me?”
“Yes, but the Imperial Palace is so vast that we lost our way.”
The panic from moments before had vanished entirely. I continued speaking with a serene smile playing at my lips.
“Crown Prince Edsen grew concerned seeing me venture here alone and followed after me.”
“Why were you so eager to meet me at this hour?”
“I’d like to make a deal with you, Duke.”
“…A deal?”
“It would be advantageous for you as well.”
Duke Escra’s gaze fixed upon me intently, as if searching for truth beneath my words, yet I simply smiled in response.
Watching from beside me, Crown Prince Edsen shook his head slightly. Could this really be the same woman who had cowered at the sound of soldiers’ footsteps just moments ago?
‘Of course. My acting skills are nothing to scoff at.’
Truthfully, my heart had plummeted the instant Duke Escra appeared, but I refused to let it show.
I’d fought so desperately to survive this long! I couldn’t possibly die here, accused of theft.
“A deal, you say.”
As Duke Escra took a step back, I pressed forward more insistently.
“Must we discuss this while standing? It’s rather uncomfortable.”
I wrapped my arms around myself and shivered visibly.
The cold was genuinely unbearable. Even inside the building, my thick outer coat provided little protection.
“Follow me.”
Duke Escra, who had been observing everything in silence, turned and walked ahead.
I exhaled a quiet sigh of relief. At least I’d cleared this hurdle. I hurried after Duke Escra.
* * *
“Your Highness, do you also have business to discuss with me?”
Duke Escra addressed Crown Prince Edsen, who had followed us all the way to his Study.
“I’m merely observing to ensure the Empire’s citizens aren’t disadvantaged.”
He answered the unspoken question with shameless audacity.
“So then, what exactly is this deal you propose?”
“Duke, perhaps we should have some tea first before we discuss matters.”
Count Alton, who apparently hadn’t left work yet, interrupted by setting down a tray of tea.
Noticing my pallid complexion, the Count handed me a cup first.
“Please, have some tea, Camilla.”
“Thank you.”
Unlike the cold-blooded Duke, his subordinate Count Alton was remarkably kind.
I’ll never forget this kindness, even when I return to the Faebler Empire!
“Ahh.”
As the warm tea settled into my stomach, a long breath escaped naturally. The warmth transmitted through my fingertips from the teacup felt wonderfully comforting.
Yet I couldn’t simply savor the tea. Duke Escra’s gaze, waiting for me to speak, was far too sharp and intimidating.
“Most of the goods supplied to the Gracia Empire are winter products, aren’t they?”
At my words, the eyes of all three men in the room became identical—that look of questioning why I would ask something so obvious.
“Just three years.”
“Three years?”
“I ask for nothing more. During that period, I wish for all supplies needed in other seasons to be traded exclusively with the Sorpel Family.”
A peculiar silence fell over the room. The three men’s expressions became identical once more—all regarding me with bewildered eyes.
“Other seasons?”
“Yes.”
“Seasons other than winter?”
“That’s right.”
As Duke Escra continued asking the same question, I nodded emphatically.
“For example, breathable summer fabrics, sunshades or umbrellas to block sunlight, moderately thick clothing suitable for spring and autumn… things like that, roughly speaking.”
As my explanation continued, the three men’s expressions grew increasingly peculiar.
“Miss Camilla, I apologize, but our Gracia Empire…”
“I know. A place where snow falls year-round.”
“Then what are you saying now?”
“If you don’t need them, you simply don’t purchase them. But should you ever need them, you trade exclusively with the Sorpel Family.”
“Hmm… Miss Camilla, this is…”
Seeing their continued confusion, I added further explanation.
“In exchange for exclusivity with our family, I shall offer you a benefit as well.”
“A benefit?”
“I will discount the mana stones contracted this time by an additional three percent from the previously agreed price.”
Duke Escra’s eyes widened. He was offering to lower the price of mana stones in exchange for accepting such an absurd condition?
The surprise was brief, quickly replaced by renewed bewilderment.
“I cannot fathom your reasoning.”
What else would it be? A sort of gamble.
I gently patted Empress Mariana’s diary, carefully concealed within my possession.
If this truly resolves the anger of Aislah, the Winter Spirit King, as if it were all a lie?
Spring will come. Other seasons will arrive in the Gracia Empire.
Then what happens? What would suddenly be needed in a place prepared only for winter goods?
‘One cannot wear winter clothes in the height of summer, can they?’

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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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