A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 163

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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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“Kaise, do you know what kind of place the Escra Family is, where that man resides?”
“Why would I need to know?”
For the first time, contempt flickered across Duke Sefra’s face—a visage that had previously revealed nothing.
“That girl is truly wasted on a wretch like you.”
“…What?”
“A girl with a pleasant temperament, fine looks, and an excellent family background—do you really think she suits you?”
He turned his gaze away from Arsian, whose intensity was escalating, and it drifted back to the cushion.
“Someone who lacks even basic dexterity.”
“What nonsense are you spouting!”
“I won’t give that girl to you.”
“Ha!”
Anyone listening would think you’re that wretch’s father!
“Petro, that girl is wasted on him too.”
“Of course she is… so why are you worrying about it!”
“Then at least craft something worthwhile.”
“What?”
“If you lack the ability, show some sincerity instead.”
“That’s not for him! It’s mine!”
“Do your best.”
Duke Sefra paid no heed to his outcry and departed outside with Rio. A chill emanated from within—he seemed genuinely provoked.
“Big brother is angry.”
“It seems so.”
“Does mister hate big brother?”
At Rio’s question, Duke Sefra’s footsteps paused briefly.
“I merely gave him a little incentive.”
“Incentive?”
“So he won’t lose her to someone else.”
Rio, unable to comprehend the meaning, tilted his head in confusion.
“You’d like it if Camilla became part of our family, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes! I like sister!”
Rio immediately understood those words and nodded vigorously, and Duke Sefra gently stroked his head.
Such gestures no longer felt awkward. At first, even facing the child had been terribly uncomfortable.
“Hehe.”
It was undoubtedly that girl who had filled this barren space with such bright laughter once more.
And so…
“Shall I come provoke him again tomorrow?”
“Yes!”
Rio answered enthusiastically, not fully understanding what “provoke” meant, but knowing that doing so meant he could live with his sister.
Thus, one person thoroughly provoked—Arsian Sefra.
“Sigh.”
I had only thought that I needed to see her right away, but when I came to my senses, I was already in Camilla’s Room.
I couldn’t even properly remember how I had penetrated the Sorpel Household’s formidable barriers. It seemed I had used every ability at my disposal to avoid detection….
Only after seeing her sleeping peacefully did Arsian come to his senses, and he immediately crouched down on the floor, clutching at his hair.
Entering without permission in the dead of night! How pathetic would she think him if she found out?
He always acted as he pleased in front of others, but in front of Camilla, he became unusually timid.
‘This is all because of that damned man!’
Recalling Duke Sefra, who had infuriated him with that ridiculous nonsense about being too precious to give to him, fresh anger surged within him.
“Ugh… Mmm….”
Startled by Camilla’s restless movements, Arsian quickly suppressed his killing intent.
Fearing that his presence might wake her, he was about to use teleportation magic immediately. He had intended to leave.
But for some inexplicable reason, reluctance held his gaze fixed on Camilla one last time. He wanted to see her face once more before departing.
“…!”
But the moment he turned his head, his heart sank heavily.
“Why….”
Camilla was crying. Silently. At the sight of her tears, Arsian became as rigid as a statue.
He had approached closer, wondering if she had awakened, but he stopped short. She remained in deep sleep.
‘Is she having a nightmare?’
Should he wake her? Seeing her crying like this, Arsian found himself uncharacteristically at a loss.
His expression gradually hardened once more.
“Why….”
Her tears made no sound. Like a child who had lost her voice, she simply wept endlessly.
Don’t people usually cry more easily in dreams? Why couldn’t she even sob in her dreams?
“….”
Arsian carefully extended his hand. His fingers brushed against her damp lower lashes.
Pausing briefly at the moisture clinging to his hand, he gently wiped away the tears from her eyes. Of course, fresh tears soon welled up again.
“What kind of dream are you having?”
As he continued wiping her eyes, Arsian eventually wrapped his arms around Camilla and drew her close. Instinctively seeking comfort, she burrowed deeper into his embrace.
Curled up as tightly as possible within his arms, she whimpered like a child, and he carefully stroked her back.
Was this what it meant to feel pity?
Watching her cry silently, his chest grew tight. A heavy ache settled over him at the realization that there was nothing he could do for her in this moment.
Feeling his arms tighten around her without his intention, Arsian exhaled a short sigh and steadied himself.
He gently caressed the area around her eyes as she continued to cry silently.
“What is hurting you?”
He held her close once more and slowly stroked her back.
Mirroring what she had once done for him.
* * *
I had a dream from when I was very young. A memory I no longer retain now.
‘Did such a thing even happen?’
I didn’t know what it was, but I was being beaten by that man called Father again.
Well, what did the reason matter anyway? I was always beaten for something senseless.
She was beaten for spilling water, beaten for looking at him—struck for nearly any reason at all.
A child not yet four years old wept bitterly. But crying only earned her more blows.
Somewhere along the way, she learned to cry in silence. At such a tender age, tears simply streamed down her cheeks without sound.
Fresh sorrow washed over me. What had I done so terribly wrong to deserve such cruelty? What cardinal sin had I committed to warrant such desperate pleading?
Why me? Why, in the end?
Yes, this was all there was to it…
“Dorman, you damned—!”
Hm?
Camilla jolted awake with a cry she hadn’t meant to utter, her eyes blinking rapidly.
‘What is this wall?’
Even with her eyes open, her vision was obscured by something directly in front of her face.
“Gasp!”
In the next moment, realizing that something was a person’s embrace, Camilla’s pupils dilated progressively.
‘W-who?’
As she lifted her head hastily, a familiar face came into view.
‘…Arsian?’
But why was he here?
‘Am I still dreaming?’
What on earth was happening—!
As I rolled my eyes to make sense of the situation, my head felt oddly cold.
In the height of summer, this cool air—had I slept with the window open?
Camilla swallowed dryly without thinking and slowly began to sit up. Then her body went rigid all over again.
“Did you sleep well, daughter?”
Duke Escra offered a greeting. Though his words were directed at me, his piercing gaze remained fixed on Arsian.
It was abundantly clear he was contemplating how to drag that man from the bed and kill him.
“So we had a visitor overnight.”
The greater problem was that he wasn’t the only one in the room. Three others were emanating a chill just as sharp as Duke Escra’s.
Duke Sorpel, Ludvil, and Ravi were staring intently at both me and Arsian.
‘Hey, wake up.’
Camilla shook Arsian’s arm repeatedly.
How could he possibly sleep at a time like this? He needed to explain what was going on.
“Well, you see…”
I don’t even know what’s happening myself. Camilla’s gaze turned back to Arsian.
Only then did he stir, rising slowly. He even stretched languidly as though he’d had the most restful sleep, followed by a yawn.
“You’re awake?”
This is hardly the time for casual pleasantries. Your life hangs in the balance!
“Arsian.”
“Hm?”
“What’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why are you even here?”
“Oh.”
Still half-asleep, he blinked slowly before reaching out to gently rub the corner of my eyes.
What on earth was he doing? I flinched and hastily pulled away, and he offered a faint smile.
“Your pillow looked uncomfortable.”
Pillow?
“What do you…?”
He tapped his own arm lightly. Only then did I realize I had been using his arm as a pillow until just moments ago, and my face flushed slightly.
At that moment, as the chill descended once more, I turned my gaze toward the four men, who were now radiating an even more menacing aura, and offered them an awkward smile.
Only then did Arshian Sefra direct his attention toward them. Seeing them as if they might draw their weapons at any moment, he looked back at me.
“I’m hungry. Can’t I eat first before being thrown out?”
Could he?
As Arshian Sefra was dragged away by the four men, I watched him with sorrowful eyes.
‘I hope you survive.’
“…What?”
When Arshian Sefra returned after being dragged away by the four men, I was left speechless. I couldn’t say anything at all.
“What happened to you?”
He looked absolutely wretched. Being dragged away by those four men, it was perhaps inevitable, but the person in question was Arshian Sefra.
He was absolutely not the type to meekly accept a beating, so what on earth was this state?
“At least I’m not dead.”
“Are you insane? Do you want them to actually kill you?”
“They looked like they really meant to.”
“They did seem… No, that’s not the point! Why didn’t you defend yourself at all?”
At least try to block!
I examined his wounds with a frown. Those men had beaten him like a dried fish!
“Entering your room without permission deserved a beating.”
Now that I thought about it, I still hadn’t gotten a proper answer.
“What happened yesterday? Why did you come to my room?”
“To see you.”
“Why? Is something wrong?”
If something urgent had happened, he would have woken me.
“Just wanted to see you.”
“But why?”
“I wanted to.”
As if asking why he would state something so obvious, his gaze fixed on me intently, and I was the first to look away.
Is something wrong with me? Why does my heart ache again? It feels itchy too.
“Just get treated.”
Seeing that he could easily cast healing magic yet continued to leave his wounds untended, I let out a sigh.
“Don’t treat it with magic.”
“What? Who said that?”
“Your father and older brothers.”
These people!
“Not only did they beat you, but they told you not to even treat the injuries?”
“I think they meant not to erase the pain with magic right away, not to avoid treatment altogether.”
“How are you supposed to face Duke Sefra from now on!”
“Well, he doesn’t seem like he’d say much about it.”
If anything, wouldn’t he say it was a good hit?
“Enough of this—just treat the wounds already. Why are you giving in to their stubbornness!”
Since when did you listen to others so obediently?
“They’re your family.”
“What?”
“I don’t want to fall out of favor with your family.”

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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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