A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 114

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

[….]
I know, I know. Isn’t it infuriating? I’ve carried this resentment for so long—what have I even been doing all this time?
Camilla nodded repeatedly at Aislah, whose mouth hung open in shock.
[Mars….]
“Yes.”
[Ai….]
“Yes.”
After confirming several times over, she fell silent again.
Camilla too sealed her lips. It seemed Aislah needed time to process this.
Aislah’s expression, which had been shifting constantly, gradually softened.
‘Oh.’
It felt like I’d just won a gamble somehow.
In any case, her rage seemed to have subsided somewhat upon learning that Mars hadn’t been betrayed by his lover.
[Foolish man.]
There was no strength in Aislah’s voice—only emptiness and desolation as she gazed endlessly at the Frozen Lake.
She looked terribly lonely.
‘So this is that place.’
Mars. The place where he had met his end.
What thoughts had occupied Aislah’s mind through all those long years? Had she spent them remembering her fallen friend’s face again and again? Was that why she was here?
Camilla clicked her tongue softly and touched the necklace hanging around her neck.
‘Ah, whatever.’
It’s a bit of a shame… no, actually it’s quite a shame!
After a moment’s hesitation, Camilla unfastened the necklace and gripped it tightly in both hands. The black jewel Arsian had given her began to emit a faint glow.
「Aislah.」
[…!]
Her vacant eyes grew wider and wider.
[M-Mars.]
He stood before her—her friend whose face had long since faded from memory.
「My precious friend.」
[….]
Something glistened and fell from her eyes.
‘A winter spirit’s tears freeze into ice.’
Crystal-like ice shards fell ceaselessly from her eyes, glimmering like gemstones.
[Ha….]
She knew this was an illusion, knew it was a form created by Shinsu’s power… yet she couldn’t tear her gaze away.
Her friend, whom she was meeting again after so long, smiled brightly at her just as before.
Plink. Plunk.
“Huh?”
Something cold fell upon my forehead.
Whoooosh—!
The droplets that had fallen one by one soon began to soak the surrounding ground.
“Rain….”
For the first time in five hundred years, rain fell upon the Gracia Empire.
* * *
Whoooosh—!
The entire Gracia Empire stirred with the relentless downpour.
Some people marveled at the sudden change, while others trembled with fear.
In the meantime, rivers frozen for centuries began to thaw, and the snow and ice that had blanketed the land gradually vanished.
“….”
Duke Escra stared intently at the figure seated before him. Yet Camilla merely smiled brightly in response to his gaze.
“Shall I supply umbrellas first?”
Camilla unfurled the contract with an even wider smile. Having hit the jackpot, surely I was entitled to celebrate freely?
“I’m asking just in case, you understand.”
“Ask me anything.”
Duke Escra pointed directly toward the window.
“Is that connected to you?”
“Surely not. What ability would I possess to alter the weather?”
That was true. Yet the timing was far too convenient.
As if I had foreseen everything unfolding now, I had entered into this absurd contract with him without hesitation.
I came to a land of winter speaking of selling goods for other seasons, and now the climate was shifting to match my words perfectly.
‘Is this truly coincidence?’
He recalled the information Count Alton had investigated not long ago.
“She makes prophecies, they say.”
Camilla Sorpel was apparently quite renowned for her ability to glimpse people’s futures and predict events that would unfold around her.
At the time, he had dismissed it as absurd nonsense with a hollow laugh….
“Did you know beforehand?”
There was no other explanation that made sense.
“Well, does that matter now? What matters is that you and I arranged the contract perfectly in advance.”
Duke Escra’s expression as he gazed at the contract Camilla held was decidedly displeased. The truth was, what he desperately needed right now were goods for other seasons.
“Surely you’re not thinking of breaking the contract now? As specified in the contract, unilateral termination requires a penalty of thirty percent of the advance payment.”
“Do you think I’ve forgotten the terms of the contract I made not long ago?”
“Exactly. Let’s not do anything that would cause either of us losses.”
Duke Escra fell silent after that exchange. He regarded Camilla with a weary gaze.
‘This man is doing it again.’
When he stares at me with such a piercing gaze like now, it’s honestly quite unnerving. It feels as though my secrets are being exposed.
“You’re seventeen years old, I’m told.”
“That is correct, but…?”
A sudden background check?
At this rather unexpected question, Camilla’s eyes widened. Was he planning to belittle me for my youth now?
“The last time I visited the Faebler Empire was around that time.”
“I see.”
What? Why is he suddenly talking about his travels?
“I had an accident there.”
“An accident?”
At Camilla’s question, his lips sealed shut once more.
After a moment, he clicked his tongue briefly, then dismissed her with an order to leave.
“I’ll have a list of necessary supplies and quantities documented. Collect it from Count Alton.”
“Understood.”
Though he seemed to have more to say, Camilla rose from her seat immediately.
In any case, I’d confirmed the contract was valid, so I intended to contact my household at once.
With such an enormous quantity of goods to prepare, I’d need to move swiftly from this moment forward.
Click.
As the door closed behind Camilla’s departure, a brief sigh escaped Duke Escra’s lips.
“Is that child my lost year?”
* * *
“How truly remarkable.”
The Gracia Empire, now that the rain had ceased, transformed with increasing rapidity.
Beneath the sunlight brimming with spring’s essence, life that I’d thought utterly withered began to sprout, ever so gradually.
Gazing at the weeds jutting from the soil like forgotten grass, Crown Prince Edsen exhaled admiration without pause.
“Winter has ended.”
Camilla glanced at the presence perched squarely upon her shoulder.
Aislah, having withdrawn all her winter power, had transformed into the form of a small, pure white dragon.
In her place came Nolang, the Spirit King who governs spring.
Whether from unleashing power unused for so long all at once, the speed at which verdancy spread was nothing short of miraculous.
“It’s even hot.”
The sunlight felt warm enough to be uncomfortable. My thick outer coat was no longer necessary.
“It appears two nations will prostrate themselves before you.”
The entire Faebler Empire stirred upon receiving word. It was only natural—a massive new trading partner had been born.
“I hear the Sorpel Family is already in chaos with people trying to curry favor from all directions.”
Crown Prince Edsen also made mention of this contract.
“This is merely the first transaction.”
I’d hastily compiled only the immediately necessary supplies and transmitted them to the Sorpel Family.
With so many urgent items and matters requiring coordination, I couldn’t return to Faebler immediately. I would need to remain here for some time, serving as intermediary.
“Your Highness leaves tomorrow, I hear.”
“Why? Are you feeling lonely?”
Compose yourself, compose yourself! Don’t let it show how delighted you are!
“Yes, being left here alone… I find myself quite melancholy.”
“Is that so? If you’re so melancholy, perhaps I should adjust my departure.”
Have you lost your mind?!
“I could never presume to detain Your Highness when you are so occupied. Though it pains me, I shall return to the Empire and see you again.”
Crown Prince Edsen chuckled softly.
“I’ll let myself be deceived this time too.”
A subtle rustling sound.
Rising from his seat, he approached Camilla and gently tucked a strand of her hair that had slipped loose behind her ear.
“See you again, Lady of the Sorpel Family.”
At the sound of his laughter-tinged voice near her ear, Camilla bowed her head lightly.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
* * *
“Duke Escra’s Residence? You mean the mansion of the Ersha Family?”
“Yes, wouldn’t it be better than staying here alone? The Duke will be returning there soon anyway.”
“…Are you asking because you’re wondering if I’m being kicked out?”
“Of course not! Kicked out, you say!”
It certainly seemed that way. Camilla’s expression grew troubled.
The moment Crown Prince Edsen departed, Count Alton had sought her out with a proposal.
Rather than remaining alone in the empty Guest Palace after the entire delegation returned, wouldn’t it be better to go to Duke Escra’s Residence?
“I don’t particularly enjoy being made to feel unwelcome.”
I’d experienced far too much of it in my childhood.
“Unwelcome? How dare anyone make you feel that way, Lady Camilla.”
My superior, for one. He’s been glaring at me lately like he wants to devour me.
“Perhaps where you’re currently staying, someone has made you feel…”
Count Alton’s expression hardened as he asked carefully.
‘What is this about? That look?’
At the pitying gleam in his eyes, I tilted my head slightly in confusion.
‘Ah, does he know I’m a stepdaughter? Is he worried I’m being mistreated at home?’
Well, he probably looked into the basics before the contract.
“I did have to be careful when I was younger.”
Actually, that had continued until recently. I’d struggled desperately just to survive.
Camilla gave a casual response and laughed lightly.
Compared to those days, my situation had improved considerably, yet for some reason, the Count’s expression grew even darker.
“I strongly recommend you go to Duke Escra’s Residence!”
…Why was he being so insistent?
As Count Alton clenched his fist and pressed his point forcefully, I finally took a step back.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Yes!”
As he continued to appeal the merits of Duke Escra’s Residence, my suspicions only deepened.
‘Something feels off.’
There’s a chill running down my spine—as if there’s something I don’t know about.
“By the way, Lady Camilla.”
A moment later, Count Alton spoke to me again, carefully.
“About that ring.”
“This ring?”
Camilla glanced down at the ruby ring adorning her finger.
“It seems everyone is quite fond of this ring.”
Duke Escra had been the same way last time—why did everyone keep taking such interest in this particular ring?
Apart from the fact that Mother had passed it down to me, there was nothing particularly special about it.
‘The craftsmanship is rather distinctive, though….’
Even by Camilla’s standards—someone with a keener eye for jewels than most—the workmanship was exceptionally fine. Yet that hardly seemed reason enough for people to show such persistent interest.
“Did your mother not mention anything else about it?”
“Not at all.”
I had only recently learned from Ravi that my biological father had given this ring to Mother.
“I see.”
At that response, Count Alton released a silent sigh of disappointment. What on earth was this about?
“Ha ha….”
Count Alton continued to wear an awkward smile in response to Camilla’s puzzled gaze.

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