A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 181

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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. Dorman’s Choice
“You’re quite peculiar, you know.”
“What do you mean?”
“You always take the difficult path when an easy one is right there.”
Though I must admit, it does make things more interesting.
Jainer chuckled continuously as he watched Camilla casually flip through the report detailing every circumstance.
“What’s the easy path?”
“You know exactly what I mean.”
….
Not long ago, Camilla had brought another request to Jainer, the leader of Khan.
This time, it wasn’t a request to assassinate someone.
“Sometimes I think you see Khan as an errand service rather than an assassination group. The members find it amusing every time a new request comes in.”
“Aren’t they the same thing?”
Her request was simple.
She wanted posters denouncing Cardinal Stella’s crimes to be plastered everywhere, making them impossible to ignore.
There was no deadline. It would continue until she told them to stop.
“You certainly do your work well.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Yes.”
The Temple had searched frantically for the culprits but never managed to apprehend those who posted the notices.
True to their nature as assassins, they executed the task with absolute discretion.
In fact, Cardinal Stella herself had hired Khan—the very organization responsible for the posters—to catch the perpetrators.
She’d asked the actual culprits to find themselves.
“Even receiving praise feels unsettling somehow.”
“Abandon the notion that assassination groups should only assassinate.”
Jainer burst into laughter again.
“It would’ve been simpler to just eliminate the Cardinal.”
“A man like that shouldn’t die too easily.”
If he simply died without facing proper judgment, wouldn’t people remember him as a great saint forever? That would be unjust.
From what I learned about him, he presents himself outwardly as an exceptionally benevolent and virtuous religious figure.
If he dies wearing such a mask, won’t there be those who shed genuine tears for such a man? What sin have they committed?
“In any case, the man who was meant to die is dead.”
Camilla received news of Cardinal Stella’s death immediately. She was the most prominent figure of recent times, after all.
Everyone was intensely curious whether the contents of the posters were true or false. Whenever people gathered—believers and commoners alike—they couldn’t help but discuss the matter.
“Did you already know he would die like this?”
Camilla’s reaction upon hearing of Cardinal Stella’s death was remarkably composed.
As if she had already anticipated such an outcome.
“More or less.”
As the rumors grew, The Cult couldn’t remain idle either.
They would have had to reach some conclusion. Naturally, a dispute over the truth would have ensued.
“I figured someone would bring up the Sword of Judgment.”
Whether Cardinal Stella truly believed the Sword of Judgment was real or fake, in the end, he would have had no choice but to grasp it.
“If he’d refused to take the sword, that itself would have been an admission of guilt.”
If he truly hadn’t committed any crime, as he’d claimed, there would be no reason to fear grasping the Sword of Judgment.
“If he’d taken it believing it was fake, then the sword would have rendered its judgment all the same.”
No matter which way it went, his fate was sealed.
“Won’t The Cult come looking for you again? Now that they’ve found the Sword of Judgment that the Saint once wielded, they’ll probably be even more reluctant to let you go.”
“I don’t think so.”
Camilla shook her head gently. The proposal to elevate her as a Saint would likely have backfired spectacularly.
“Everyone saw how Cardinal Stella died.”
The Sword of Judgment alone was formidable enough—add someone who receives divine revelation to The Cult? They probably wouldn’t even mention it.
Besides….
‘Those people can’t even manage their daily lives properly, I heard.’
She was referring to those she’d mentioned alongside Cardinal Stella’s crimes.
The embezzler, the one who beat children, the one who sold indulgences, and so on….
After Cardinal Stella’s death, they were withering away day by day, terrified their own sins would be exposed.
‘They won’t even go near the Sword of Judgment.’
According to Priest Ghost Arena’s report, it seemed they were all planning to leave the Temple soon under the pretense of health issues. Even the Pope himself.
That they’d abandon such a prestigious position was surprising, but….
‘I won’t let them off that easily.’
They should all pay the price for their sins before they leave, shouldn’t they?
Before they withdraw on their own, I’m planning to hold one more public posting event. After that, The Cult can handle things themselves, right?
“Look at them now. Everyone’s being quiet.”
In any case, for various reasons, no one was bothering her at the moment.
Even though the Sword of Judgment had been proven real, not a single person had come seeking to take her away.
“Now that you mention it, you’re right. It’s very quiet.”
Jainer nodded and rested his chin comfortably on his hand, regarding Camilla with an intriguing gaze.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m curious.”
“About what?”
“You keep showing new abilities every time I see you. First the Sword of Protection, now holy power too. Is there anything else you’re hiding?”
“Who knows.”
Camilla evaded the question and subtly avoided his gaze.
To be precise, none of this was actually her own ability—it was all the power of the ghosts, so she had nothing to say about it.
“Hmm.”
He seemed to have asked it lightly anyway, and quickly changed the subject.
“By the way, I haven’t seen Dorman around lately.”
“Tell me about it!”
Jainer’s eyes widened at Camilla’s sudden outburst. It had been a casual question, yet her reaction was far too intense.
“He keeps disappearing without a trace these days.”
At first, I’d made excuses because being around Jainer felt awkward, but that wasn’t it. Lately, whenever I had a moment, I’d disappear and return late into the night without fail.
“Did you set up a separate household?”
“…A separate household?”
“Or what else are you doing wandering around outside every single time!”
This brat! If you keep shirking your duties like this, I’ll catch you and work you to the bone at the Cafe for an entire day!
“I wonder if Dorman has his travel clothes prepared properly for tomorrow.”
“Travel?”
“It’s not a place where you can just throw on anything.”
“Ah, you mentioned going to the Imperial Palace tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah.”
A sigh escaped me unbidden. I had no idea why Empress Javela kept sending invitations like this.
‘After I caused such a scene there, too.’
Though admittedly, two-thirds of that chaos belonged to Crown Prince Edsen.
In any case, after hosting a tea party for the first time in ages, an invitation had arrived asking for my attendance.
“Ugh, I don’t want to go.”
Everything about the previous incident, and the Imperial Palace itself, left me feeling uneasy.
I’d naturally intended to politely decline, citing poor health.
‘But then…’
As if she’d already anticipated my refusal, word came that she was prepared to reschedule the tea party to a date when I could attend.
‘How could I refuse after that?’
I had no choice but to send word that I would attend.
‘I’ll make my escape as quickly as possible.’
My goal: show my face and leave!
I clenched my fists tightly.
* * *
“It’s been so long, Camilla!”
“My, Camilla! I’ve missed you so much.”
“How is your health? I heard you’ve been quite ill?”
Just like last time, the tea party was held in the Imperial Garden.
The moment I stepped in, countless people swarmed around me.
Rumors had already spread throughout the Empire that I’d healed children with tremendous holy power.
The Cult had been so eager to claim me as a saint that the threshold of the Sorpel Estate was said to be worn thin from their visits.
‘Saint.’ That single word was enough to captivate people’s interest and hearts.
Everyone was beside themselves with excitement at the news that I’d even found the ‘Sword of Judgment’—something the Cult had searched for so desperately for so long—and handed it over.
When word spread that I would attend today, those who hadn’t received invitations were practically bouncing with frustration. There was no topic more captivating in high society at the moment.
Many were eager to build connections with me and have a proper conversation.
“Everyone’s been well, I hope?”
“Of course!”
Watching their fervent reactions to my every word, I couldn’t help but feel a certain unease.
“Your hair looks absolutely beautiful today, Camilla.”
“…Is that so? Thank you.”
Among those approaching me with such familiarity, there was one face I recognized all too well.
Jewela Bakes—the very woman I’d grappled with by the hair over Petro at that party long ago.
She too drew near with a smile plastered across her face, offering words that rang hollow.
‘When did we ever become close enough to speak so casually?’
Watching her drop the formalities as though flaunting some newfound friendship, I clicked my tongue inwardly again and again.
‘At least try to soften that predatory gleam in your eyes.’

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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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