A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 182

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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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Though she was trying her best to appear friendly, the contempt gleaming in her eyes made it painfully obvious that her approach was forced.
Perhaps her family had issued some decree—to build connections with me at all costs.
‘Yes, you’re suffering too, aren’t you?’
How exhausting it must be to smile before someone you despise. I decided to let her awkward display of camaraderie pass without comment.
“Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.”
At that moment, a familiar voice reached my ears. It was the arrival of Empress Javela, the hostess of today’s tea party.
Everyone bowed deeply at her appearance.
“Your Majesty, thank you for the invitation.”
“Empress Javela, you look absolutely radiant today.”
As formal greetings were exchanged, the Garden grew lively once more.
“….”
But upon seeing Empress Javela, I found myself unable to speak. I could only focus all my strength on keeping my jaw from falling open.
“Welcome, Camilla.”
She approached me and greeted me warmly.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for the invitation.”
I quickly lowered my head, concealing my shock.
With my head bowed, I bit my lip to stifle the gasp threatening to escape.
‘What is this? What’s happened?’
I slowly lifted my gaze toward Empress Javela. Behind her stood another Empress Javela.
Her soul, to be precise.
‘It’s exactly like them.’
Just like Lania and the Water Ghost’s son’s soul—Empress Javela’s spirit hung its head, devoid of reason.
The moment I saw it, my entire body erupted in goosebumps. I immediately understood what state she was in.
Her soul had been stolen.
‘This is maddening.’
I couldn’t comprehend what had happened. She was perfectly fine the last time we met, wasn’t she? Why did this suddenly occur?
‘Ah!’
A memory suddenly flashed through my mind.
It was something Chris had mentioned in passing on the day High Priest Daniel visited the Trading Company.
‘I heard Empress Javela has one as well.’
He was referring to the sacred amulet necklace—that crimson necklace.
He’d said it was fashionable these days, and that Empress Javela was wearing a sacred amulet necklace too.
‘That’s it.’
She’d fallen victim to that crimson sacred object.
Watching Empress Javela converse cheerfully with the others, I let out a hollow laugh.
“I’m going to lose my mind, truly.”
Witnessing the effects of the crimson sacred object firsthand left my thoughts in turmoil.
Hadn’t they said that many people possessed those sacred amulet necklaces?
‘Which means….’
“Camilla.”
As she sank deeper into thought, Empress Javela approached her side and spoke with an air of familiarity.
Though that familiarity sent an inexplicable chill down Camilla’s spine, she responded with the brightest smile she could muster.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“There’s someone I’d like to introduce you to.”
“An introduction?”
Suddenly? To whom?
“Ah, here he comes now.”
At her words, Camilla slowly turned her head—and her breath caught in her throat. A man in his early twenties approached with a faint smile playing at his lips.
“Oh my goodness.”
It was Prince Abihel, Empress Javela’s own son.
He certainly inherited his mother’s striking features—his appearance commanded immediate attention.
“My.”
“Prince Abihel, Your Highness!”
“It’s been so long since we last paid our respects, Your Highness.”
The noblewomen and young ladies present, momentarily flustered by his sudden appearance, rushed to greet him.
After exchanging light nods with them, he made his way directly toward where Camilla and Empress Javela stood.
“Oh my goodness.”
“Welcome, Your Highness.”
Empress Javela greeted her son warmly and promptly had him exchange pleasantries with Camilla. Naturally, every eye in the room fixed upon the three of them.
“It’s been quite some time, Lady Sorpel.”
“…Indeed it has.”
What on earth was this situation?
Camilla’s mind churned with confusion as she exchanged greetings, concealing her unease.
* * *
“Ugh.”
Camilla pressed her fingers repeatedly against her furrowed brow as if nursing a headache. Since returning from the Imperial Palace, her troubled expression had refused to ease.
Two shattered necklaces lay upon the table before her.
One was the crimson sacred relic necklace she had received from High Priest Daniel, and the other was the black sacred relic necklace that had belonged to Count Orleans.
“A red stone and a black stone.”
According to what she’d learned, when a sacred relic’s power wanes, the stone changes color to black. The Temple Organization had explained that one must then replace it with a new sacred relic.
“But…”
Upon investigation, she discovered that no one had ever come to replace their sacred relics.
She had wondered if the relics’ power lasted that long, but that wasn’t the case either.
Despite the fact that some people’s relics had changed color, not a single person had purchased a replacement.
“Empress Javela is no exception.”
According to the maidservants who attended to her, Empress Javela’s sacred relic had also turned black.
And shortly thereafter, she had ordered them to discard it, saying it was no longer needed—despite how precious she had once held it.
“So that’s it, then?”
The moment the crimson sacred relic turned black like this.
“That’s when the soul exchange happens.”
I couldn’t fathom the principle behind it, but there was no other way to interpret what was happening.
First the Emperor, and now the Empress too. I couldn’t begin to understand what was unfolding in this palace.
“At this rate, everyone’s souls are going to get swapped, aren’t they?”
Absolutely chilling! This was no joke.
“They were all wearing them during the Abundance Blessing Festival.”
Those people I’d seen at the Abundance Blessing Festival not long ago—most of them had been wearing sacred amulets around their necks.
“Good grief.”
I had no idea where to even begin fixing this mess.
Wait, could this even be fixed in the first place?
Honestly, I wasn’t even sure if I should be meddling in something like this at all.
“I want to ignore it.”
Really, truly, I want to ignore it so badly! The danger level was clearly off the charts.
Red warning lights were flashing everywhere screaming that death awaited the moment I stepped inside—who would willingly throw themselves into that?!
“This is driving me insane.”
But when these incidents kept happening right before my eyes, I couldn’t just pretend not to see them.
And she had received one of these sacred amulets too. I’d narrowly avoided an attack this time thanks to the blood Reaper Habel had buried for me, but I had no way of knowing what other attacks might come.
“This party too.”
I couldn’t fathom the intention behind it. Why had the Second Prince suddenly appeared at that gathering?
It was obvious to anyone that Empress Javela had deliberately orchestrated such an occasion.
Throughout the tea, she’d been visibly striving to build some connection between herself and the Second Prince.
‘What could it be?’
If Empress Javela hadn’t had her soul stolen, I might have simply accepted it as natural.
Regardless of her true feelings, she might have wanted to build connections with me—someone revered as a ‘saint’ for her son’s power.
‘But that’s not it, is it?’
I simply couldn’t believe it was for such a simple purpose. Had she received some directive from that Mysterious Organization?
“Ugh, what a headache.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah!”
Lost in thought, I jumped at the sudden voice.
“When did you get here?”
“Just now.”
It was Dorman.
“Is something the matter?”
“That’s… well, more importantly, where have you been gallivanting off to lately?”
Looking out the window, the sun had already set, leaving everything dim.
I hadn’t seen him since this morning, so he’d left then and was only just returning now?
“Where exactly have you been?”
At my question, Dorman scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“I’ve had some business to attend to recently.”
“What kind of business?”
“It’s a personal matter.”
When he failed to give a proper answer, Camilla’s eyes narrowed.
“Did you cause trouble again?”
“No, I didn’t!”
“Are you sure?”
“Do you think I’m always causing problems?”
“Yes.”
“Wow, that’s harsh. And here I’ve been busy because of someone!”
“Busy because of whom?”
“I’m not saying!”
What’s wrong with him?
Watching Dorman pout and puff out his lips without properly explaining himself, Camilla clicked her tongue briefly. That wasn’t the important thing right now!
“Tell Habel to come see me.”
“Habel? Why?”
“I’ve spotted another person whose soul has been stolen.”
“Where?”
“At the Imperial Palace.”
Even if it wasn’t urgent, it seemed wise to learn the true name of the soul possessing Empress Javela’s body beforehand.
“…What should we do?”
“Hmm?”
“He won’t come.”
“What?”
But Dorman’s reaction seemed odd. He wore an awkward smile, as if uncomfortable.
“Even if I ask him to come, he won’t.”
“Why?”
“He’s rather upset with me.”
“What?”
Who? Habel? Angry with you?
“Really?”
If Dorman said so, then Habel—who wouldn’t hesitate to feign death itself for him—was genuinely angry with him? It was more than surprising; it was remarkable.
“Why? What happened?”
“Well, it’s just… haha.”
He laughed off the question again.
“Did you two fight?”
No, could those two even have a proper fight? As Camilla continued to express her curiosity, Dorman quietly rose from his seat.
“Shall I prepare some tea for you?”
“Go ahead.”
Watching him prepare the tea, Camilla tilted her head in confusion.
What’s this? The way he’s been absent lately, and clearly something is troubling him?
She also noticed that Dorman’s demeanor seemed slightly more subdued than usual.
“Here you are.”
A teacup was placed before me moments later. Yet Dorman didn’t immediately leave—he lingered awkwardly, standing in front of me.
“What is it? Do you have something to say?”
“Well….”
Dorman trailed off mid-sentence, then settled back into his seat across from me. For a moment, he simply gazed at me in silence.
“How have you been managing lately?”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Why the sudden question?”
“I’m just curious.”
He smiled faintly.
“You’ve been through so much since coming to this side. I wondered if you were still struggling to adapt.”
“Out of nowhere?”
“Haha.”
There have certainly been plenty of incidents and accidents. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve collapsed. But that’s not what matters right now.
“Dorman.”
“Yes?”
“I won’t scold you.”
“Pardon?”
“If you’ve done something wrong, tell me quickly. The sooner we address it, the better.”
“I haven’t done anything!”
“Are you absolutely certain?”
“I’m genuinely just asking out of concern. I wanted to know if life here is still difficult for you.”
“Hmm.”
Does he truly have no ulterior motive? His aggrieved expression seems genuine, yet I can’t shake my suspicion entirely.
Without fully abandoning my doubts, I answered lightly.
“Do I appear to be managing well in your eyes?”
“Do you still wish to return to your original world?”

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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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