A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 14

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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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That matter had been resolved well enough, but not everything proceeded smoothly.
‘Sympathy is never a good thing.’
Especially for an actress, having no image whatsoever—like a blank white canvas—is ideal. Regardless of what role she takes on, the audience must be able to focus on that character, not the actress herself.
When people fail to concentrate on the character an actress portrays and instead recall her real self, offering pity, that actress struggles to survive in the industry for long.
‘Of course, I survived.’
I took on a ruthless villain role that tormented the protagonist mercilessly, endured every curse the public hurled at me, and swept up every award that year.
In any case, the conclusion was this: I resembled Camilla far too closely—both of us had failed to receive proper love from our parents and those around us.
Camilla had never received her mother’s affection either. The same held true for her older brother, Ravi.
After entering the Sorpel Household, it only grew worse. Everyone treated her as though she didn’t exist.
‘Ah, there is one exception.’
The Maidservant, Dona.
That girl alone had treated Camilla with genuine warmth from long ago. Remarkably so, in fact.
‘Aside from Dona, everyone’s treatment of Camilla was identical.’
I too had never been particularly close to anyone besides my parents.
I could never draw closer than a certain distance. Even when people showed interest in me, the moment I approached them, they’d find me off-putting and create distance.
Had I not become an actress, I might have lived a life not so different from Camilla’s.
Wouldn’t I have gradually descended into madness, starving for others’ affection?
‘Just as Camilla had.’
Camilla, who swallowed her words and constantly watched her family’s expressions.
What she desired was only one thing.
Affection. Her family’s love.
The reason she unconditionally obeyed Ravi’s commands, why she remained in that spot even when faced with food she couldn’t eat—it all stemmed from her hunger for affection.
The desire to share even a moment with her family. The fear of being abandoned by them.
‘As an actress, I received the public’s love.’
Even if it was hollow affection from people who loved only my outward appearance, it was enough.
But Camilla had no one.
Perhaps that’s why, even when frustration and irritation welled up, I always supported her life—because Camilla and I were so terribly alike.
I knew all too well how agonizing it is to die by a family’s hand.
The reason I came to this place was also because I was concerned about Ravi, who would be alone among the other family members, just as I once was.
“Hey, what are you thinking so hard about?”
“…!”
Camilla, who had momentarily sunk into memories of the past, flinched involuntarily at the sound of Ravi’s voice coming from nearby.
“What? Why are you so startled?”
“It’s nothing….”
Ravi, who had been silently observing Camilla for a moment, turned away. Then he moved forward toward the entrance of the Presentation Hall.
“Sigh.”
Was coming here pointless?
At the sight of Ravi turning away and showing her his back, as always, a small sigh escaped Camilla’s lips.
It was the reaction she had anticipated, yet for some reason today, all her strength drained away.
‘Can I keep enduring this?’
Could I truly do that among such cold-hearted people? Am I gradually becoming isolated and losing my mind like Camilla….
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“…?”
Camilla’s gaze, which had been vacant moments before, snapped forward. Ravi, who had been walking ahead, was looking back at her.
“Aren’t you coming?”
“….”
“Come on.”
Watching Ravi wait for her, Camilla found herself unable to speak for a long moment.
Then, with a faint smile, she quickened her pace and approached him.
“Older Brother, did you know something?”
“Know what?”
“Your face is prettier from the front than the back of your head.”
“…What are you talking about?”
Watching Ravi’s bewildered expression, Camilla’s laughter grew louder.
Chapter. Ludvil Sorpel
“It’s so quiet.”
The Sorpel Household was eerily silent—hard to believe a party had been held here yesterday.
As always, I had come to cut flowers for Duke Sorpel’s Study, and I could feel the house’s unusually heavy silence today.
‘They’re letting him rest properly.’
Everyone seemed to be considerate of Ludvil, who had returned home after a long time away from war. The entire household was holding its breath so he could rest undisturbed.
‘I hope yesterday’s incident doesn’t cause any trouble.’
Ravi and I had returned home late yesterday evening.
When I suggested we eat dinner before going in, Ravi surprisingly agreed without hesitation.
‘He must have disliked it too.’
He clearly didn’t want to be at a party full of people praising Ludvil, playing along with their adulation.
By the time the two of us, having spent as much time outside as possible, returned home, the party was already winding down.
Unlike Ravi, who headed toward the party space saying he should at least greet everyone, I went straight to my room.
I made an excuse to the butler that I was too exhausted to offer proper greetings.
‘I’m not mentally prepared yet….’
Honestly, it was deeply uncomfortable. Facing Ludvil, the eldest son of this household, directly.
‘Because I died by his hand the most.’
My heart pierced, my throat cut…. I died by his hand in countless ways. It was impossible to count the number of times.
‘It was the same when I first met Duke Sorpel.’
Because I was always dragged to my death at his command, even my first meeting with Duke Sorpel had left me drenched in cold sweat.
My fingertips trembled, and my pounding heartbeat assaulted my ears. It felt like at any moment he would order me dragged away.
‘But at least his expressions are readable.’
Duke Sorpel is cold-natured in his own way, but at least his emotions—dislike, affection, anger, favor—are visible in his eyes.
But Ludvil, this man, was utterly incomprehensible.
‘I’d say he’s exactly as he appears—a man who plays.’
As for what he looked like….
‘Sigh.’
I had no idea what to do.
Exhaling a long breath, I resumed plucking flowers. Improving my relationship with Ludvil seemed utterly hopeless.
‘I just need to focus on one person.’
Even if I abandoned Ludvil, as long as I could somehow keep Duke Sorpel’s affection, I wouldn’t perish.
‘…That’s true, right? I won’t die?’
Sigh.
“Let me just pluck flowers.”
Had it rained at dawn? The ground was damp and slick.
A sigh escaped me as I alternated my gaze between the muddy earth and the shoes on my feet.
‘Maybe I should develop and sell sneakers.’
I was currently wearing heels that were far from comfortable, with a rather substantial heel height.
Though they were the lowest heels I owned, they were terribly inconvenient for walking on muddy ground after rain like this.
“Ah!”
Eventually, one of my feet slipped on the rain-soaked mud as I took a step.
But then.
“Hah!”
This much was nothing.
I wore a rather satisfied expression.
As a popular actress, I had often walked the runway. While I was hardly a world-class model, domestically I was known as the actress who appeared in the most fashion shows.
‘Fifteen-centimeter heels were absolutely basic, after all.’
I was someone who had walked across glass-smooth stages in towering heels while performing facial expressions.
This level of balance was child’s play.
As I brushed my disheveled hair aside with a grin, I suddenly felt an odd gaze and turned my head.
Then I froze in place.
“….”
Hair as white as snow and eyes of striking blue that stood out even more against it. A jawline so sharp it could cut paper.
And finally, an expressionless face that matched all of it perfectly.
‘Damn it.’
I barely suppressed the curse threatening to burst from my lips. What was this sudden encounter?
I had known I would inevitably face him today, but not this early in the morning!
Standing before me was none other than Ludvil.
‘But what is he doing?’
I swallowed dryly, momentarily tense, then gave him a puzzled look.
Ludvil’s posture was strange.
With one hand and foot extended forward, it was as if he had been running and suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.
“…?”
“….”
It was Ludvil who broke eye contact first. Without a word, he turned to leave.
“Oh, Older Brother!”
Ludvil turned at Camilla’s urgent call.
Even if she was determined to see Duke Sorpel dead, there was no reason to needlessly antagonize Ludvil.
It was better to avoid upsetting him and maintain pleasant relations.
Camilla approached him boldly as he turned to face her.
His indifferent gaze still made her heart clench uncomfortably, but she forced a smile to her lips as best she could.
She thrust the flowers forward.
Then she pressed the flowers she’d been holding into his arms. She felt compelled to give him something—anything—to dispel this awkward tension.
“A welcome gift.”
Camilla smiled as brightly as she could manage.
“…”
She really did smile very brightly.
“…”
Very brightly… wasn’t it?
‘Why? What? It suits him perfectly.’
Men and flowers—a timeless pairing!
With that face and flowers in his arms, he looked radiant, dazzling even. More than dazzling…
I need to escape.
‘Damn it.’
Why did I give him flowers?
“W-well, I’ll see you later.”
Camilla waved her hand vaguely before hastily taking her leave.
“…”
Ludvil watched Camilla disappear like she was fleeing, his gaze still utterly unmoved.
* * *
“Master Ludvil?”
The butler Rube, walking through the Corridor, widened his eyes upon seeing Ludvil approaching from the opposite direction.
“What are those flowers?”
Ludvil, cradling an armful of white baby’s breath, drew the attention of everyone he passed. All who encountered him holding the flowers were visibly startled.
‘F-flowers?’
‘Master Ludvil with flowers?’
Rube felt the same way. Unlike the others, he wasn’t shocked, but he was certainly surprised.
The man himself, however, appeared perfectly composed.
“I received them.”
“Pardon?”
This time, Rube’s mouth fell open as well.
Who would be bold enough to present flowers to none other than Ludvil?
‘Wait…’
Baby’s breath?
Rube looked at the flowers in Ludvil’s arms with newfound understanding. He had a fairly good idea of who had given them to him.
“Allow me to carry those, sir. I’ll hold them for you.”
“….”
“Ludvil?”
“That’s enough.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s mine.”
“No, I didn’t mean I was going to take it—”
“It’s the first time.”
“The first time?”
“That child….”
“…?”
“….”
Rube waited for Ludvil’s next words. But….
Tap.
“Huh?”
Ludvil passed by him without another word, as if he had nothing more to say.
“Ha….”
Our young master remains unchanged.
Watching Ludvil clutch the flower all the way through the corridor, heedless of the astonished stares from everyone he passed, Rube let out a quiet laugh.
Meanwhile, as Ludvil walked, his gaze drifted back to the flower Camilla had given him.
‘That child….’
‘Older Brother.’
‘Isn’t this the first time?’
That she called me by that name.
‘It’s a welcome gift.’
The way she smiled so brightly when she said it.
Throughout my walk, my gaze never left the baby’s breath.

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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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