A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 130
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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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Chapter. Caught in an Error
“I just need a moment….”
“Stop right there.”
“B-but I have so much work to do…!”
“Should I call Zeno?”
“…No.”
I kept Dorman pinned in place as he repeatedly tried to slip away from me.
I had a strong premonition that there would be plenty more I’d need to ask this damnable man about.
In any case, thanks to Shinsu, the problem with the Scholtz Mountain Range had been resolved quite simply.
I didn’t know exactly what Shinsu had done, but all the murderous auras that had permeated the area from the start had vanished completely.
According to what people said, whenever Shinsu passed through like this in the past, the demonic beasts never ventured outside. In return, people also made it a principle to refrain from entering and exiting the Scholtz Mountain Range.
It was like a sort of contractual relationship established through Shinsu.
So the matter of the Scholtz Mountain Range had been resolved….
Camilla now sat across from Jainer with a stern expression. There was still a very significant problem between them that needed to be addressed.
“There’s no point in trying to weasel out of this now, is there?”
At her words, a smile curved across Jainer’s lips again.
“Why? Want to pretend you don’t know? Aren’t you curious? There’s someone living a repeating life right in front of your eyes, just like you?”
…I’m curious. So very curious.
“So you’re saying you’re living a repeating life?”
“You are too.”
To be precise, I hadn’t lived a repeating life—I had merely observed it. This was the first time I was actually living through it myself.
‘Wait, am I wrong?’
I’d heard that I too had repeated Sia’s life countless times. I simply couldn’t remember it.
“This is my first time.”
Camilla decided not to reveal all the facts just yet. She could always tell him more after learning a bit more about him.
“I think it’s been twenty-six times for me?”
“What?”
“After twenty times, I stopped counting, so I’m not entirely sure.”
Camilla barely managed to swallow the gasp that was about to escape her.
“…Twenty-six times?”
“Probably?”
“Do you remember all of those lives?”
“It’s a bit muddled, but roughly.”
Camilla fell silent again. She had merely observed. She had watched the original Camilla die and live in this place.
Even just watching fragmented scenes repeat endlessly for so long had been incredibly difficult. It was suffocating, and her heart ached every time she died.
But this man was experiencing it directly? With his life not erased like hers, but remaining intact in his mind?
“How did you know that about me?”
Camilla no longer used formal speech with him. For beings who had lived the same life for so long, actual age hardly mattered.
He didn’t seem to mind either.
“Because this time was different.”
“What’s different?”
“For one, Shinsu has been reborn in the Sorpel Family. That’s never happened before.”
Of course it hasn’t. Without someone who could see ghosts, no one would have ever known where Shinsu’s egg was hidden.
“Crown Prince Edsen, who was gravely wounded during the Hunting Competition—wounded so severely his life hung in the balance—came through unscathed this time.”
His words didn’t end there.
“Moreover, the owners of the Mana Stone and Diamond Mine have changed. Those two places have always belonged to Duke Jebillen. And for the first time… Father’s daughter has appeared.”
He paused, then met my gaze directly.
There it was again—that look. The look of someone witnessing something utterly fascinating.
“You were at the center of all of it.”
“…I admit it.”
The situation left no room for suspicion. There was no way to evade it.
“So, when do you die?”
At his question, Camilla found herself at a loss for words once more.
His tone was so matter-of-fact, his expression so composed when mentioning death.
“I have only a few months left. The timing varies by days, but I always die around the same period.”
“Then just be careful not to die.”
He’s lived through countless repetitions, so why must he die? Unlike me, his memories weren’t erased. Couldn’t he simply prepare?
“It’s useless.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s no cause to the death.”
“…What?”
What in the world was he talking about?
“I just die suddenly.”
“Suddenly?”
“I die while walking down the street, die while eating, even died once while laughing and talking happily with colleagues.”
“….”
“When my time comes, I simply die.”
It’s not murder. It’s not an accident.
I just… truly just die.
“As if it were a predetermined fate.”
Goosebumps erupted across my entire body.
Could it be that I too will simply die when my time comes? No matter how desperately I struggle to survive, it’s all meaningless?
Camilla whipped her head around to face Dorman.
“You bastard… you lied to me, didn’t you?”
All that talk about this being my final life, about souls and whatnot—it was all nonsense!
“That’s why you hid the shoes!”
“No, Miss!”
“What do you mean no!”
“That person’s repeated life ends completely with this one! Because your soul has finally found its rightful place!”
“What are you talking about? What does that man have to do with me?”
When I snapped at his incomprehensible words, Dorman squeezed his eyes shut and cried out.
“Oh, it’s an error!”
“An error?”
“That person became entangled in the error caused by the soul exchange.”
“What are you talking about?”
Camilla quickly turned her gaze toward Jainer.
He simply listened to their conversation in silence. When his eyes met mine, he asked just one thing.
“Who is that attendant?”
A long sigh escaped from Camilla’s lips. It seemed as though a very lengthy conversation and explanation would be necessary.
* * *
“Sister!”
Upon returning to Duke Escra’s Estate, I could see Daive rushing toward me with delight.
I gently stroked the head of the child wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“No.”
I placed King into the arms of the child whose eyes glistened with tears. Immediately, a bright smile spread across his face.
…This brat was waiting for King more than for me?
“It seems my brother isn’t very happy to see me.”
“Oh! Brother!”
It was Jainer who lightly tapped the child’s head. He chuckled softly and passed by.
“Welcome back.”
“Yeah.”
Watching him wave coolly and disappear in response to the child’s belated greeting, I shook my head slightly.
How could he be so indifferent?
I turned my head sharply and glared at Dorman. I thought I’d beaten that bastard half to death.
“So… this happened because two souls switched places?”
“Yes. During the process where you and Sia from that world each found your proper places, an error occurred, and Jainer became caught up in it.”
I ignored Dorman’s pitiful gaze without hesitation and instead demanded he raise his hand properly.
“April 15th, 3:20 PM. That is the date and time of your birth, Miss Camilla. And by sheer coincidence, at precisely that moment, Duke Escra accepted Jainer as his adopted son.”
“And?”
“Because Jainer took the position that should have been yours, another error was created.”
“Another error… So that’s why I experienced all this?”
“Yes. Every time the original Camilla here died, Jainer also met his death at the same moment and regressed together with you.”
In short, Jainer was unlucky enough to get caught up in it. Even Camilla, listening from the side, found it absurd.
Was he seriously calling this an explanation?
Fine, let’s step back and assume it really was a mistake and an error.
“Then at the very least, shouldn’t you have erased that man’s memories? Why did you leave all those memories of countless lives, of dying and living, completely intact?”
“That, we didn’t know either! It was literally an error, after all. We only found out after the two souls returned to their proper places. That another fate had been caught up in the flow and then escaped from it.”
“This is truly ridiculous. So what’s the compensation?”
“Compensation?”
“If you’ve filled a person’s entire life with mistakes, shouldn’t there be proper compensation for that?”
Camilla’s fists clenched as she watched Dorman’s eyes widen. Could it be that this bastard…?
“…there isn’t any.”
“There isn’t?”
“What if I were to care for him sincerely as well-”
“Jainer.”
“Hmm?”
“Want to borrow some shoes? I’ve got a pair with the sharpest heel.”
Even if beating him with the pointiest shoes she owned wouldn’t fully satisfy her rage, Jainer simply chuckled and rose from his seat.
He said nothing of consequence all the way back to the Duke’s Mansion.
Camilla shook her head in bewilderment, recalling the earlier incident. Was he truly not angry?
‘What is he thinking?’
Was his temperament simply that good? How could he let something like this slide?
‘Ugh, I have no idea. If he’s fine with it, then so be it.’
Camilla shrugged and made her way to her quarters.
* * *
“A family council?”
“My apologies.”
Count Alton bowed his head abruptly.
“It seems rumors have been circulating.”
“What sort of rumors?”
“That Miss Camilla is Lord Kaise’s daughter…”
“…”
“I imposed a gag order, but it appears word has leaked regardless.”
Count Alton’s expression darkened momentarily as he clicked his tongue repeatedly, muttering about rats in the household.
“Is that reason enough to convene a family council?”
I never asked House Escra to throw their hat in the ring for the succession. What did I do?
Why would they insist on gathering to confirm someone who was meant to leave quietly?
“Family councils are held periodically. However, this time people have been particularly eager to attend, so I investigated and found that rumors about Miss Camilla are indeed spreading.”
“Hmm.”
“There have also been requests for a formal introduction of Miss Camilla. But rest assured—Lord Kaise refused outright.”
Camilla nodded as well, having no desire for such tedious encounters.
“I felt you should at least be aware of it…”
“I understand.”
“Then I shall take my leave.”
Count Alton rose from his seat with those words.
Just as he was about to exit the room, he suddenly noticed someone and greeted them warmly.
“Oh? Lord Jainer, when did you arrive?”
“Just now.”
Jainer stood before the slightly ajar door.
“Camilla brews such delicious tea that I’ve been enjoying it quite frequently these days.”
“I see. If I weren’t so busy, I’d love to have some myself, but I’ll look forward to the next opportunity.”
As Count Alton left the room, Jainer took his place and settled into a seat across from Camilla.
“It sounded like you were discussing the family meeting.”
“Yes.”
“He’ll be coming too.”
“He?”
“Uncle.”
Uncle? Wait a moment—uncle meant….
“The Duke’s brother?”
“That’s right.”
He was alive?
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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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