A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 19

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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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“It’s been a while, Ludvil. I heard excellent news of your victory.”
Duke Jebillen flashed a warm smile and repeatedly patted Ludvil on the shoulder.
Ludvil bowed respectfully without a word.
“I’m so satisfied I could burst. My son has grown so splendidly.”
“Stop with the nonsense and let’s go inside.”
Despite his reproach, Duke Sorpel’s praise for his son seemed to please him, and he let out a soft chuckle.
“Quite right.”
Duke Jebillen nodded and moved forward. His gaze briefly flickered toward Camilla and Ravi.
“….”
Though he saw Ravi and Camilla bowing respectfully, he said nothing in particular. He merely offered a light nod in greeting.
‘Consistent as always.’
Camilla observed his demeanor with an impassive expression.
Duke Jebillen valued bloodline and family name more than any other nobleman.
Which meant.
‘We’re not even worth acknowledging.’
Ravi and Camilla, who shared not a drop of Duke Sorpel’s blood, were to him not his friend’s children, but merely wards under his friend’s protection.
‘Being a ward is enough.’
‘I’ve already made up my mind. Ravi and Camilla are my children. They will share in my and Sorpel’s glory.’
‘You’ll certainly come to regret this.’
‘Nonsense.’
This was the conversation Camilla had overheard by chance in a corner of the Garden shortly after the Duchess’s funeral, tears streaming down her face.
Given the circumstances, the two men who would normally have noticed her presence immediately passed right by the shrubs concealing her.
The memory of watching them enter the Duke’s Mansion was vivid and clear.
At first, I thought Duke Jebillen was worrying needlessly, but now, looking back….
‘He was a prophet, truly.’
His words had proven correct.
After all, hadn’t Ravi and Camilla attempted to kill Ludvil, Duke Sorpel’s own son?
In any case, thanks to Duke Sorpel’s decision at that time, the siblings could still be called Prince and Princess, but people’s perceptions hadn’t changed.
The same was true for Duke Jebillen.
At least now Ravi seemed to receive a nod of acknowledgment as a recognized mage, but Camilla did not.
The displeasure in Duke Jebillen’s eyes as he regarded her was unmistakable.
He had come to dislike her even more since she began showing interest in Petro.
How dare she set her sights so high, he seemed to think.
‘Yes, yes. I’m not interested anymore anyway.’
Your son wouldn’t take me even if you offered, so don’t worry.
Camilla met Duke Jebillen’s disapproving gaze and, unlike before, did not stiffen her expression. Instead, she even offered a slight smile.
“….”
At her demeanor, Duke Jebillen’s brow twitched briefly, but he offered her no further attention. He simply didn’t deem her worthy of his concern.
He entered the Duke’s Mansion alongside Duke Sorpel.
Someone approached Camilla as she gazed after them.
“It’s been a while, Miss Camilla.”
A handsome man with hair that blazed like crimson fire offered a gentle smile as he greeted me.
Petro Jebillen.
‘No wonder she fell head over heels for him.’
That disarmingly kind smile, those eyes brimming with affection.
A kindness Camilla had never experienced in her entire life.
‘She wouldn’t have even thought to question whether it was genuine or false.’
That’s why she’d seized his hand so eagerly.
With his striking looks on top of everything else, he must have seemed like a prince on a white horse to her.
She could never have imagined that this so-called prince was the type to turn on the charm for every woman in the world.
‘Ugh, he’s exactly the type I despise.’
The entertainment industry was full of men like him.
Men who knew perfectly well what misunderstandings their kindness created in women’s hearts, yet actually enjoyed it.
The moment a woman confessed her feelings, they’d feign shock and insist they’d never meant anything romantic, quickly backpedaling.
Then they’d thank her for her affection and lament how they would’ve dated her immediately if their agency hadn’t imposed a dating ban—leaving the door just slightly ajar.
‘Infuriating.’
This man before me was exactly that type.
The kind who had to poke at everything—edible or not—just to satisfy his compulsion to possess it.
“Was our first meeting at the Party Venue?”
“Yes, it was.”
“I apologize for that occasion. I should have helped you, but I happened to be absent at that moment…”
‘Look at him.’
I know you deliberately avoided that situation.
I clearly saw you slip away from the Party Venue the moment the conflict escalated, as if you didn’t want to be dragged into something troublesome, so what’s with this act?
“I see.”
I was exasperated, but not angry.
This man’s behavior was nothing new. Besides, anger was something you reserved for people actually worth your ire.
Camilla laughed brightly, and Petro’s eyes curved beautifully at her smile.
‘Good grief.’
He really is devastatingly handsome. No wonder all the women fall for it.
“I’ve heard the Garden at Sorpel Mansion is quite beautiful. I’d love to experience that beauty myself.”
“Yes, it’s truly lovely.”
Camilla laughed once more, her expression radiant.
If I were the original owner of this body, I would have eagerly guided him to the Garden myself.
“Rube.”
But I’m not her.
I called over the butler Rube, who stood to one side.
“Yes, Miss.”
“Duke Jebillen’s son here would like to see the Garden. Please show him around.”
“Understood.”
Petro’s eyes widened as he watched Rube approaching him.
“Then please enjoy the tour.”
Camilla gave him a light wave before quickly departing the scene.
“….”
She’s just leaving me behind like this?
Petro stood frozen, unable to speak for a long moment.
“Heh.”
I turned toward the sound and caught Ravi hastily averting his gaze. He then continued walking as if nothing had happened.
Ludvil also regarded me silently for a moment before quietly following after Ravi.
“Shall we head out then? The Garden is this way.”
“….”
At the butler Rube’s words, I fell back into a dazed expression.
“Ha.”
A moment later, a small laugh escaped my lips.
* * *
“It seems you had little success this time as well.”
Duke Jebillen spoke in a teasing tone, but Duke Sorpel didn’t even acknowledge him.
It wasn’t the first time that man had mocked him over searching for the divine beast.
Even now, he wasn’t bothering to feign even a hint of sympathy—he was openly gloating.
“Why are you here?”
“I told you. I have business to discuss.”
“Then skip the useless talk and get to the business.”
At that, Duke Jebillen shrugged once and broached the main topic.
“That strange ore that came out of the mine you own.”
“What about it?”
“We’d like to investigate it at the Juta Trading Company.”
“Why would you?”
When Duke Sorpel’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, Duke Jebillen grinned and spoke in a suggestive tone.
“You haven’t found a use for it yet, have you?”
“So?”
“We’ll help you. In exchange, when you sell that ore, you’ll do it through the Juta Trading Company—”
“No.”
“What? Why not? Our distribution network is far larger than yours.”
“I’m still not entrusting it to you.”
His petulant tone made the reason painfully obvious. Duke Jebillen, sensing an opening, began needling him.
“You’re so petty. You’re sulking again.”
“I’m not sulking.”
“You clearly are.”
“Shut up!”
The two men conversed with remarkable ease, as befitted old friends.
There was no trace of his usual stern and sharp demeanor. He simply looked like children bickering with one another.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, the door opened with a sound of footsteps, and a figure stepped inside.
“Father.”
A pleasant, youthful voice rang out in the room.
“I’ve brought some refreshments.”
Camilla carried in tea and simple snacks herself, setting them on the table.
“A tea I’ve never seen before.”
“I heard you’ve been having trouble sleeping at night lately. This tea is meant to help with sleep.”
Across all times and ages, parents feel the greatest pride when their children show concern for their wellbeing.
‘Especially in front of others.’
Camilla poured the tea into a cup with her own hands, smiling brightly.
“I’ll bring you another cup before you retire.”
“Very well.”
Duke Sorpel’s expression grew warm as he listened to Camilla’s words.
When she revealed that she’d noticed how tired he seemed lately and had subtly asked the servants about it, his smile deepened. His eyes gleamed with genuine pride.
‘It’s not entirely a lie.’
Though butler ghost Derin had told me, I had asked the servants about it several times myself for good measure.
Derin had been quite worried lately, mentioning that the Duke hadn’t been sleeping well at night. That’s when he told me about this tea.
“Sit down as well. Let’s have some together.”
“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to intrude…”
“Intrude? Nonsense.”
Duke Sorpel offered Camilla a seat without even consulting Duke Jebillen’s opinion.
Camilla bowed lightly toward Duke Jebillen as if seeking his approval, then took her seat.
Duke Jebillen, who had been quietly observing, found himself somewhat surprised and glanced between the two of them.
‘Their relationship seems to have improved quite a bit?’
Not long ago, that fellow had been distant with her—no, he’d found Camilla’s very existence troublesome.
Each time, I’d wanted to say, ‘I told you so! You should have listened to me from the start!’ but I held my tongue. Now, looking at them, their relationship seemed quite good.
What happened between them while I was away?
“Please, try some.”
Camilla offered tea to him as well.
“The taste isn’t bad at all.”
At her words, Duke Jebillen also took a cup and sipped from it.
“…Not bad.”
Duke Jebillen nodded lightly. A hint of bewilderment crossed his face.
Contrary to his expectations, the tea tasted quite good. It suited his rather discerning palate perfectly.
Noticing this, Camilla felt inwardly satisfied.
‘Of course.’
I didn’t brew it myself, after all.
I had butler ghost Derin’s help.
Whether it was due to his position as a butler or simply natural talent, Derin possessed remarkably extensive knowledge of tea. His skill in brewing it was beyond question.
I watched Duke Jebillen quietly, observing how he sipped his tea with evident satisfaction.
More precisely, my gaze was captivated by a single presence perched upon his shoulder.
‘A crimson eagle.’
A bird cloaked entirely in flame-like scarlet hues sat upon Duke Jebillen’s shoulder.
‘Is that a divine beast?’
I was well aware that the divine beast symbolizing the Jebillen family was a crimson eagle.
I realized that the bird before my eyes was indeed the divine beast people spoke of.
But why can only I see it?
I glanced subtly at Duke Sorpel. His face, as he quietly sipped his tea, appeared remarkably at ease.
He showed no concern whatsoever for the divine beast hovering near Duke Jebillen.
How could he display such indifference toward a magnificent bird of such brilliant coloring right before his 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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