A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 162

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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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“Make sure to tell whoever is currently staying at your home—beware of that old fox whose specialty is stabbing people in the back.”
The Imperial Palace truly didn’t suit me. Why did something like this happen every time I visited?
Without paying the slightest attention to Empress Javela’s gaze, he said everything he wanted to say and then smiled as if nothing had happened—and I found him utterly infuriating for it.
“We should take our leave now. Please enjoy your time.”
With that smooth farewell, as though nothing were amiss, he took my hand and walked me out of the Garden.
‘Sigh.’
Should I be grateful he didn’t leave me alone in that frigid atmosphere? What would I have done if I’d been left standing there by myself?
As Crown Prince Edsen led me away, sighs escaped my lips one after another.
* * *
“There appears to be nothing wrong with you.”
“Then why do you collapse so easily? Examine me again.”
Crown Prince Edsen furrowed his brow at the Imperial Palace Healer’s words.
The Healer’s face grew troubled as Crown Prince Edsen immediately contradicted him.
“Hmm… You are fatigued overall, but there is nothing that would constitute a serious concern. Rest should suffice.”
Listening to their exchange, I offered an awkward smile. What on earth was happening?
After being led from the Garden by Crown Prince Edsen’s hand, I was promptly directed somewhere.
That somewhere was none other than the Imperial Healing Center.
“Our family has a Healer as well.”
“Not one as skilled as the Imperial Palace’s.”
“That may be true, but…”
I was quite accustomed to receiving treatment from a Healer.
Naturally, I’d collapsed again while protecting the Guardian Sword. After Zeno entered and left my body, I invariably spent days bedridden recovering.
Since such incidents had become frequent lately, Duke Sorpel and the others were paying particular attention to my condition.
With me collapsing repeatedly and complaining of ailments, they wondered if something was fundamentally wrong with my body.
It seemed Edsen harbored the same suspicion, and the moment an opportunity arose, he brought me here to the Healing Center.
“I shall prepare a tonic to help with your fatigue.”
That wasn’t necessary.
I was already taking dozens of medicines. Duke Sorpel had procured every remedy he could find that was supposedly good for the body.
“Thank you.”
But finding it tedious to explain the various circumstances, I simply ended the conversation with my gratitude.
“Hmm.”
Yet Edsen still seemed dissatisfied, watching the Healer leave to prepare the medicine with a displeased expression.
“Are you truly not in any pain?”
“I’m in perfect health.”
Whoosh!
My pupils dilated at his sudden grasp of my wrist.
“You seem thinner than before.”
“I’ve been busy with work lately.”
So please let go of my hand. I pulled away with force. His expression remained dissatisfied.
“What if you reduced your workload?”
“It’s not something that can be done.”
“I don’t like women who are too thin.”
What are you saying? Why are you telling me this?
At some point, a smile had settled on his lips as he rose from his seat.
“I’ll have the medicine sent to the Duke’s Mansion.”
“Yes, I’ll take it well.”
“Are you heading home right away? Let me take you.”
“No, that’s not necessary. My carriage is waiting for me.”
“It’s not waiting.”
“Pardon?”
“I sent it away. The examination seemed like it would take a while.”
No, why are you deciding that on your own!
“So I’m taking you home, as I said.”
She stared at him with a bewildered expression for a moment, then let out a short sigh and shook her head.
“I need to go to the Academy.”
It was a day for Club activities. I had missed so many sessions that I was determined to attend today.
“Go.”
Camilla watched Crown Prince Edsen as he left the Infirmary ahead of her, then quietly followed in his footsteps.
* * *
Click!
As Camilla opened the door to the Volunteer Club Room and stepped inside, she looked at one spot with a puzzled expression.
Arsian and Laila were intently focused on something. They were so absorbed they didn’t even hear the door open.
What are they doing?
“How about this one?”
“Good. That one too.”
“That one won’t work!”
…When did they become so close?
Camilla watched the two of them for a moment as they conversed familiarly with their heads bent together.
“I had a hard time obtaining it.”
“You can just develop it again.”
“I don’t have the original footage—”
“What are you two doing?”
“Eek!”
Only then did the two of them quickly turn their heads to look at Camilla.
“Oh, it’s nothing!”
“When did you get here?”
“Just now.”
Laila hurriedly put something away quickly. That looks like photographs? Why are there so many?
“What photographs are those?”
“Nothing!”
“That’s not it!”
“….”
I halted as I tried to step closer to them, simultaneously noticing how they extended their hands to block my approach.
“That’s exactly why I said we can’t do this here.”
“You should have just handed everything over to me.”
Arsian and Laila whispered to each other again.
Throb.
‘…What?’
As I silently observed the two of them, I froze. A sharp ache suddenly bloomed in my chest.
‘What is this?’
Something felt unsettled inside, and an inexplicable tightness pressed against me….
‘Am I actually ill somewhere?’
I had just come from an examination with the Imperial Healing Center’s healer.
I tilted my head curiously as I watched them. By then, they had already put away everything they had been looking at.
“Camilla! It’s been so long since we’ve met in the Club Room—I’m so happy!”
At the sight of Laila grasping my hand with her usual radiant smile and bouncing excitedly, I soon found myself smiling as well.
“Where are the others?”
“They’ll be here soon. Arsian and I came early because we had something to do.”
“When are we meeting again? That thing still isn’t finished-”
“Shh, shh!”
Laila hastily covered Arsian’s mouth. As I gave him a reproachful look, he reluctantly stepped back with a helpless expression.
“….”
I gazed at the two of them intently, bewildered by this inexplicable ache.
“You almost let Camilla find out!”
“Be quiet. I told you from the start to just hand it all over.”
“Wow, you have no conscience! I barely managed to get these myself!”
After club activities ended, Arsian and Laila met separately in a secluded place where no one would find them.
On the table where they sat facing each other lay an enormous stack of photographs. The subject of every single image was me.
“From here to here, I received these from Elisha! I couldn’t get two copies of these!”
“Elisha?”
The moment her name was spoken, Arsian’s brow furrowed sharply.
Recently, she had been constantly inserting herself between me and him, interfering at every turn, and his nerves were already frayed from her meddling.
“If you really want them, go ask her directly. She’s the one holding the original crystal recording.”
“Do you think she’d give that to me?”
She’s the type who screams at me to stay away from Camilla whenever she gets the chance.
“Either way, this won’t do.”
“Then give me that, at least.”
What Arsian pointed to was a small cushion embroidered with my face.
“I already told you that’s off-limits too!”
Laila quickly hugged the cushion to her chest and gave him a subtle glare.
This entire situation today had unfolded because of that cushion.
Laila, who had been embroidering alone in the Club Room before the others arrived, was caught red-handed by Arsian, who had slipped in without a sound.
“I’ll give you a hundred Gold.”
“I don’t need it. I’m earning well these days anyway. My cafe manager pays me quite generously.”
“Then a thousand Gold.”
A thousand Gold for a single cushion? Impossible!
Laila, who had momentarily shown surprise, quickly shook her head.
“This isn’t about money! I can’t do it.”
“What do you mean you can’t!”
“Just take these pictures instead.”
“Damn it!”
Crude words finally spilled from his lips. Of course, Laila, already accustomed to his manner of speech, pretended not to hear.
“If you don’t want them—”
“Who said I don’t want them!”
In the end, it was Arsian who quickly snatched up the photographs Laila offered.
* * *
Despite its vast size, the room contained only the bare essentials of furniture, reflecting its owner’s austere personality—a space as barren as it was spacious.
In the center of it sat someone hunched in concentration, none other than Arsian.
“Damn it!”
Moments later, he vented his frustration and fell backward.
“Why is this so difficult!”
The small cushion he held bore a faint image of Camilla’s face embroidered upon it.
After failing to snatch the one Laila had been working on, he had begun creating his own, yet even now, days later, barely any portion of it had been properly stitched.
He repeatedly caught himself on the verge of hurling the cushion away, only to pause upon seeing Camilla’s face and carefully set it down again.
“What are you doing.”
…!
At the sound of Duke Sefra’s voice, Arsian’s entire body went rigid.
Duke Sefra’s gaze fixed upon the cushion in his hands.
“For a mage, you certainly lack dexterity.”
“Damn it! What does dexterity have to do with magic! Why do you keep going on about dexterity!”
“Oh! It’s Camilla!”
Only then did Arsian notice Rio standing beside Duke Sefra, holding his hand, and he flinched.
“Surely you’re not planning to give that to the child as a gift.”
“It’s mine!”
Arsian cried out before he could stop himself, then cursed softly and pressed his forehead.
“Why did you even come here.”
“You seem quite busy with your embroidery.”
“Damn it!”
He had tried to refrain from cursing in front of the child, but it was unavoidable.
Duke Sefra took a seat as Arsian’s face flushed slightly.
I told you to leave, so why are you sitting down? Arsian glared at him with wide eyes.
“You must be well aware that the child’s biological father has appeared.”
“What are you trying to say?”
Arsian immediately understood who the child in question referred to.

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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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