A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 12

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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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“Miss Camilla.”
“What is it?”
“Duke Sorpel has sent someone asking if you would join him for tea.”
“Tea?”
“Yes.”
“I understand.”
I had been taking tea with Duke Sorpel quite frequently of late. Whenever I visited his study to arrange flowers, I would enjoy refreshments in his company.
Since this was hardly an unpleasant development, I welcomed the time spent with him gladly. After all, I needed to increase our moments together and earn his favor by any means necessary.
But then….
“Come, sit.”
“….”
What on earth was he doing here?
When I arrived at the Duke’s study moments later, I found someone already present, spending time with him.
“You’re here?”
It was Ravi.
“What are you doing? Come sit over here.”
How repugnant.
Unlike when we were alone, Ravi offered me a seat with a smile. I clicked my tongue inwardly and sat down.
‘He seems to be in quite a good mood.’
Ravi’s expression as he sipped his tea appeared brighter than usual. Had something fortunate happened to him?
Now that I thought about it, something felt suspicious. Duke Sorpel would make time to see Ravi separately, so why would he insist on having tea with me present?
“Father.”
“Hmm?”
As expected, Ravi set down his teacup as if he had something to say. I could see him struggling to suppress a smile threatening to break through.
“I’ve been selected to present my thesis this time.”
‘Ah.’
So that was it.
I understood the situation at once.
This was an event that had never failed to occur during all my time observing this world.
The Magic Tower held a presentation once a year, selecting those with outstanding achievements to present before a gathering of numerous mages. It was an exceptionally prestigious and important occasion for mages.
‘That cunning fox can’t even control his expression in front of the Duke—I suppose that’s understandable.’
His pride was written plainly across his face.
But what could I do? I clicked my tongue softly to myself.
‘It’s about time.’
I glanced toward the door.
Bang!
As if on cue, someone suddenly burst through the door and entered the room.
The man who entered without even knocking was Jacter, the Duke’s aide.
“Your Grace!”
His face was radiant, as though he were about to break into the widest smile.
“What’s happened?”
“A great victory, a great victory!”
“What?”
“Lord Ludvil has finally located the Rebel Forces’ headquarters and annihilated them all!”
“…!”
“And it was all thanks to a strategy Lord Ludvil devised himself!”
“Is that truly the case?”
Duke Sorpel sprang from his seat with a radiant smile. The war with the Rebel Forces that had plagued him for so long had finally reached its end.
“Yes, word has already reached the Imperial Palace. His Majesty the Emperor was overjoyed and sent Lord Ludvil a personal letter of commendation.”
“Ha… haha!”
“I told you our young master was something special, haha!”
Duke Sorpel and Jacter exchanged glances and laughed together for quite some time.
‘As expected.’
Camilla clicked her tongue inwardly once more, then turned her gaze slightly toward Ravi.
The atmosphere surrounding him had grown noticeably heavier than before. Though he tried to appear composed, I could see his fingertips trembling ever so slightly.
‘What were you hoping for, really?’
It had always been this way.
‘Wretchedly unlucky fellow.’
Ludvil, the Duke’s eldest son, wasn’t doing this on purpose. Ravi simply had the most abysmal luck imaginable.
‘What’s even more tragic is that the presentation and the victory celebration fall on the same day.’
Ravi’s Magic Tower presentation and Ludvil’s victory celebration were scheduled for the very same evening.
It was inevitable that everyone’s attention in the Sorpel Household would be drawn to the victory celebration rather than the presentation.
“I should take my leave now.”
“Hmm? No, why? Stay a bit longer.”
“I’m afraid not. Something has come to mind that I must attend to.”
“Very well, very well.”
Duke Sorpel saw Ravi off with a cheerful smile as he rose from his seat.
“I shall take my leave as well.”
Camilla also rose quietly and left the Study. Meanwhile, Duke Sorpel and Jacter continued exchanging laughter.
Click.
“….”
The moment the Study door closed, Ravi’s expression turned cold and rigid. He clenched his teeth tightly.
He had believed this time he would finally earn proper recognition….
‘Was something like this truly not enough?’
Months spent on such research felt utterly hollow.
Perhaps he should have simply learned more offensive magic and spent his time on the battlefield instead.
How pathetic.
“Brother, you’ve done quite impressively, it seems.”
Just as his mood was sinking deeper, a familiar voice pierced through his thoughts.
“And you’re holding a presentation too.”
Camilla had approached Ravi at some point, her eyes wide as she looked at him.
“Are you teasing me?”
“I’m serious.”
….
“That’s something only mages with excellent results and genuine effort can accomplish.”
“What would you know about—!”
*Pat.*
“You worked hard.”
….
After lightly patting his shoulder and walking past, Ravi stared after Camilla in a daze.
“Why has she been acting so strange lately?”
* * *
“Miss! This looks absolutely stunning on you!”
“Goodness… I’ve never seen anyone who looks so beautiful in this dress!”
The designer from the Dressing Room who had come to Sorpel Household and the Maidservants attending her were busy showering her with praise.
As Camilla listened to their flattery, she carefully examined her reflection in the mirror.
‘Even I have to admit, I look beautiful.’
The sunset-crimson dress created a striking contrast against Camilla’s unusually pale skin, emanating a subtle, mysterious allure.
“You’ll be the most beautiful at the party, Miss!”
The Sorpel Household was currently in chaos preparing for a party that had been hastily arranged. Ludvil, the Duke’s eldest son, had achieved a great victory against the Rebel Forces and would be returning soon.
‘Not even giving him time to rest before throwing a party.’
Shouldn’t someone returning from the battlefield be allowed to rest comfortably?
Camilla shook her head at those preparing the party to coincide with Ludvil’s return.
‘Well, I suppose this is a form of politics too.’
On the day the party was held, a festival would also be held within the territory.
It seemed to be for the purpose of widely publicizing the achievements accomplished by Sorpel Household, particularly by Ludvil.
Moreover, I had heard that such parties and festivals were absolutely necessary to suppress the grief and sorrow for those who had died on the battlefield.
“The jewels are so beautiful too!”
The jewels prepared along with the dress were all uniquely designed and exquisite.
“I’ll make sure to make you look absolutely beautiful that day!”
Watching Dona clench her fists with determination, Camilla let out a soft laugh.
“I’m counting on you.”
It certainly seemed like standing out a bit would be good that day….
“Don’t cause any trouble.”
At that moment, a cold voice rang out. Turning around, Ravi was standing there with a displeased expression, though she hadn’t noticed when he’d arrived.
“Why are you picking a fight when you came here uninvited?”
“You have a track record. Last time you—”
“I admit it.”
“What?”
“I admit it. I may have grabbed someone’s hair a bit roughly back then.”
Ravi’s frown deepened as he watched Camilla kneading her hands together as if grasping at her own hair.
Something had definitely changed.
In the past, she would have blushed at such remarks, her expression turning irritated or sullen. Yet now, she merely giggled in response.
“Brother, did you have your outfit fitted?”
“What outfit?”
Ravi’s face hardened rapidly. Was she really asking if he’d prepared clothes for the victory celebration?
Had she already forgotten what was happening to him that day?
“The clothes you’ll wear at the Presentation Hall.”
“…Never mind.”
But at Camilla’s following words, Ravi turned away curtly, attempting to mask his bewilderment.
‘I’ve lost my mind.’
It was absurd. The fact that Camilla had completely forgotten about his affairs, that even she wasn’t concerned with his presentation—I found myself ridiculous for feeling hurt in that moment.
Why should it matter to me whether that girl remembers or not!
“People will make comparisons.”
“I said never mind. What does clothing matter anyway?”
“Suit yourself then. I certainly warned you.”
“Don’t embarrass yourself at the party-”
“Fine.”
Knead, knead.
….
Exhausted.
Ravi released a small sigh and left the room. I myself couldn’t quite understand why I had come here in the first place.
Camilla paid no further attention to Ravi, instead examining other dresses and jewels.
* * *
“Hey, Ravi.”
The day of the Presentation Hall.
Having hurried out early in the morning and made his way to the Magic Tower, Ravi completed all his preparations in his laboratory and entered the Presentation Hall.
….
As Ravi stepped inside, someone quickly approached him.
The one drawing near with a grin was Zail, who, like Ravi, was presenting at the Presentation Hall this time.
I couldn’t fathom why this fellow, who always glared daggers whenever he saw me, was suddenly approaching as if they were close.
“Did you prepare well?”
“Well enough, I suppose.”
“As if you’d do anything more than the bare minimum.”
“What are you trying to say?”
At Ravi’s question, Zail’s smile deepened.
“Our parents are over there.”
He linked arms as if they were intimate, then pointed toward where people were seated.
“That’s my younger sibling.”
They were unmistakably a family to anyone’s eyes.
Among them, the one who appeared to be his younger sister possessed such striking beauty that she garnered considerable attention from the men around her.
“Who’s coming to your house today? Everyone’s coming, right? Hmm… it doesn’t look like anyone’s arrived yet.”
As Zail glanced ostentatiously around with a deliberate smirk, Ravi finally grasped his true intention.
“Surely someone’s coming, right? If they’re family, they absolutely should attend such an important occasion.”
He clearly already knew everything—what was happening at the Sorpel Household today—yet he was deliberately feigning ignorance.
“What? Really, no one’s coming?”
At Zail’s theatrically exaggerated display of shock, Ravi felt no anger. How childish.
“It’s none of your concern.”
“How is it none of my concern? I’m simply pitying my friend who couldn’t even invite his own family to such an important gathering.”
….
“Though, I suppose.”
Zail’s voice dropped lower.
“Now that the real son has returned, there’s no need to spare attention for a fake one like you.”

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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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