A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 155

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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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“Welcome, all of you. You must have had quite the journey.”
Duke Escra answered Emperor Faybler’s greeting with merely a curt nod.
His cold, disinterested gaze made it abundantly clear—the Emperor’s welcome was entirely unwelcome.
The others who had accompanied him hastily stepped in, offering their congratulations to the Emperor in his stead.
“….”
As they spoke, Duke Escra’s eyes swept across the hall before fixing sharply on a single point.
Directly where Camilla stood.
Upon seeing Camilla’s vacant expression, the corners of Duke Escra’s mouth lifted ever so slightly.
‘…He’s smiling?’
Was he actually smiling? At a moment like this?
Watching Duke Escra’s amused chuckle at her bewilderment, Camilla felt a surge of heat flood through her.
‘Why on earth did he come?’
You! You’re not someone with idle time to spare! The man who skipped meals constantly because he was always busy—how did you end up here?
“Is that him?”
“Yes, it is!”
“That’s the man from the Gracia Empire….”
Everyone in the hall turned their attention toward him.
With the arrival of the man who wielded the true power of the Gracia Empire, the eyes of the gathered crowd burned with fervent interest.
Among them was Empress Javela.
‘He’s finally arrived.’
He was her only path to survival. The man she had been yearning for all this time was Duke Escra.
Of course she knew. All her carefully laid plans had crumbled to dust because of him.
She already knew well whose hands had claimed the life of the First Prince of the Gracia Empire whom she had backed.
Duke Escra—the very man who had destroyed her long-cherished designs.
Yet now, he was precisely what she needed most.
‘In politics, there are no permanent enemies.’
If she could turn him to her side, there would be nothing left to fear. Gaining his strength was tantamount to having the entire Gracia Empire at her back.
‘I must make him mine, no matter what.’
Empress Javela began moving toward Duke Escra.
“Hmm?”
But she was forced to halt immediately. He was already approaching someone else.
“No, why….”
He was heading directly toward Camilla. Empress Javela’s face filled with bewilderment at the sight.
‘Why of all people, her?’
She had never favored Camilla. In truth, the girl had always been beneath her notice.
With such uncertain origins, she hardly seemed worth acknowledging.
Recently the girl had drawn some attention, but what did that matter? Tainted blood remained tainted.
‘But why?’
Camilla had once visited the Gracia Empire as part of a diplomatic delegation, so they could have become acquainted then.
However, from what she knew, Duke Escra was absolutely not the type to approach someone merely for such a passing acquaintance.
Didn’t you just see it? The way he carried himself so haughtily—he couldn’t even offer a proper greeting before Emperor Faybler.
“Camilla.”
But in the next moment, the way he called out Camilla’s name with such tenderness made everyone’s eyes widen involuntarily. Even Empress Javela couldn’t help but let her eyes grow wider.
‘What is this?’
Was there something between those two?
“It’s been a—”
Regardless of what the others thought, Duke Escra, who had been about to finish his greeting, never managed to complete his words.
In a flash.
Three figures suddenly blocked the space before Camilla.
“Ah, Father?”
It was Duke Sorpel. And beside him stood Ludvil and Ravi as well.
Without hesitation, all three of them completely blocked Camilla from view and fixed Duke Escra with an unwavering stare.
“….”
Duke Escra met their gaze with the same indifferent expression he had worn when looking at Emperor Faybler moments before.
The oppressive atmosphere radiating from these four men was so heavy that everyone nearby held their breath.
‘Can I just run away?’
Camilla felt a headache coming on and pressed her fingers firmly against her brow.
How on earth could she resolve this situation quietly—
“A father just wants to see his daughter, but it seems there are more obstacles than expected.”
You! You absolute madman!
At Duke Escra’s words—which dropped like a bomb without a care for her concerns—Camilla’s mouth fell open.
Meanwhile, he merely smirked as he watched the three men’s auras grow even colder.
Chapter. The Nameless One
“So you all knew from the beginning. That I was meeting my biological father.”
“….”
“….”
“….”
At Camilla’s question, Duke Sorpel and the other two men clamped their mouths shut, unable to utter a word.
“It’s obvious you knew. And you’re telling me you’ve been pretending not to know this whole time, hiding it from an innocent girl?”
“You should probably stop talking.”
Who’s the innocent one here! And who are you calling a scoundrel! You’re the one who threw a bomb into the party venue and laughed about it!
Have you completely lost your mind in the Gracia Empire? What in the world were you thinking!
In the end, before Duke Escra could spout any more nonsense, I had to hurriedly take him back home.
‘Was he always this irritating?’
It wasn’t like fanning the flames of a burning house—Duke Escra sat beside me, needling away, and I could only stare at him in disbelief.
“What? Aren’t you happy to see your dad after so long?”
“I told you to shut up.”
Has he truly lost his mind? Why is he like this?
“Camilla.”
At that moment, Duke Sorpel called out to me quietly. Startled, I instinctively bowed my head.
“I’m sorry. I should have told you first.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
Stop butting in like that!
Duke Escra continued to furrow his brow at something that displeased him, but Camilla pressed on regardless.
“I didn’t want to cause unnecessary discord.”
At Camilla’s words, Duke Sorpel exhaled a short sigh.
“We didn’t particularly want to acknowledge it either.”
He didn’t want to hear it. He was afraid of what Camilla might say about Duke Escra.
Afraid that she might confess her desire to return to him.
“I’m sorry.”
“Is finding your bloodline something to apologize for?”
Duke Escra interjected again.
“How much pointless nonsense did you burden this child with since childhood that she’s now making herself out to be guilty over something so trivial?”
“I’m not making myself guilty of anything.”
“That’s exactly what you look like right now. Is this what all that fuss about returning was for?”
“Enough. When are you planning to leave?”
“Those people said they’re fine staying here.”
“Really, please!”
‘Those people’? I knew his manners were abysmal, but did he really have to be like this even now?
“I’ve heard some things myself.”
“Heard things? What do you—”
Instead of answering, Duke Escra turned his gaze toward Duke Sorpel. A desolate chill flickered across his eyes for a moment.
Before coming here, he had received an investigation report about Camilla.
Duke Escra had read every single word of the dozens of pages without missing anything.
The unwanted child of the Sorpel Household.
Though much was written in various ways, the core of it all came down to this.
A child who had grown up receiving no one’s attention, scorned and despised by everyone.
That was what the report had said.
Though her evaluation had changed considerably in recent times, until not long ago she had been someone everyone turned away from.
He’d heard she was even disrespected by the household servants.
‘If even the lower servants treated her that way, what more needs to be said?’
The moment he saw that report, he couldn’t suppress the anger that rose within him.
‘But then again…’
Who was he to blame? It was all his own fault.
He hadn’t even known of Camilla’s existence—what right did he have to complain or resent anyone?
‘Still.’
It was difficult for kind words to come from Duke Sorpel. What had he been doing while his child received such treatment?
“I’m sorry, Father.”
“Camilla!”
“Why are you apologizing!”
“You…”
When she offered an apology on behalf of Duke Escra, Duke Sorpel, Ravi, and Ludvil all furrowed their brows.
“Finally, we agree on something. A daughter apologizing in her father’s stead isn’t quite right, is it?”
Watching the three of them, Duke Escra’s lips curled upward once more. Camilla jabbed him in the ribs, urging him to stop, but he showed no reaction.
“A daughter? Where exactly is this daughter of yours?”
“Are you asking because you don’t know? Then let me enlighten you.”
“There’s no need to clutter your mind with useless information.”
“It seems your brain is smaller than I thought.”
Crackle.
Sparks flew rapidly between Duke Sorpel and Duke Escra.
Camilla exhaled a short sigh at the sight. A genuine headache was coming on.
Even when I lived as Sia, I often suffered from migraines, and it seems like it’s starting again.
“Both of you, please stop and have some tea. Tea.”
“…”
“…”
“Otherwise, I’ll be taking my leave.”
“I’ll have some.”
“I’ll drink it.”
The two men who simultaneously grabbed Camilla as she tried to stand began sipping their tea without hesitation.
“As expected.”
Someone who had been quietly observing the situation until now let out a continuous stream of admiration. It was Count Alton, who had come here with Duke Escra.
“Camilla really must stay by Kaise’s side. Do you know how difficult things have been for me since the young lady departed?”
He wiped his eyes, feigning tears.
“Miss Camilla, please come with us.”
“What are you talking about!”
At those words, Ravi shot up from his seat.
“We have plenty of people here who are a complete mess without her!”
“Would anyone be as much of a mess as you?”
“We have Arsian on our side!”
…Why is that name coming up here?
As the people continued to growl at each other, Camilla gave up trying to stop them and simply sighed deeply, over and over.
* * *
“You’re Ravi?”
Ravi stopped in his tracks at the sound of someone calling him as he headed toward the Research Laboratory. Duke Escra was standing before him, having followed him out at some point.
‘Does that man never age?’
Ravi recognized him immediately upon sight.
That man who had suddenly intruded into his life long ago—it was definitely him.

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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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