A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 20

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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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‘Even….’
Duke Jebillen was in the same situation.
He seemed unaware that Zetti was perched on his shoulder, repeatedly tapping that side with his hand.
‘Are they like ghosts until summoned?’
Zetti was known to dwell in their own private space and only reveal themselves when their master called.
But looking at this now, it seemed somewhat different from the truth.
‘Are they hovering around like ghosts constantly like that?’
And then reveal themselves when the master calls?
At that moment, the crimson eagle that had been drowsily perched on Duke Jebillen’s shoulder suddenly lifted its head.
“….”
[….]
Our gazes locked directly.
Zetti stared at me blankly for a moment in silence, then lightly took flight and landed on the table. I unconsciously followed Zetti’s movement.
[So you can see me.]
I flinched at that moment, realizing the voice belonged to that crimson eagle.
My expression became slightly awkward.
‘Wasn’t it said that only the household head can hear Zetti’s voice?’
Why is everything so different from what’s known!
Meanwhile, Zetti circled around me with eyes as if observing something fascinating.
[So clean.]
Clean? What? Me? I suppose I am rather clean.
[Your spirit is very clear.]
What’s with this mystical nonsense? Are you some kind of cult leader?
“Zetti.”
At that moment, Duke Jebillen quietly called out a name.
‘Zetti?’
That sweet chocolate drink came to mind….
The moment I thought of that very sweet chocolate beverage, brilliant light spread in all directions.
Shortly after, the crimson eagle perched on Duke Jebillen’s shoulder came into my view. Duke Sorpel’s fierce gaze turned toward Zetti.
‘My suspicion seems to be correct.’
So Zetti can only be seen by others when called like that. The same goes for their master.
‘But why can I see them?’
And I can hear them too.
‘They’re ghosts too, after all.’
I could only reach that conclusion naturally.
“Why did you summon Zetti for no reason?”
“I just suddenly wanted to see them.”
“Are you trying to turn this place into a sea of fire?”
“I said I wanted to see them. Once you want to see something like Zetti, you keep wanting to see it. Though I suppose you wouldn’t understand.”
“Then go home and look all you want.”
“How temperamental.”
Anyone could see she’d summoned Shinsu deliberately to provoke Duke Sorpel.
The way she called forth Shinsu and laughed triumphantly with that smug expression was infuriating even to me.
But then….
A swift flutter.
“…!”
Zetti, who had been perched on Duke Jebillen’s shoulder, suddenly fluttered her wings lightly before settling down gently—not on Duke Jebillen’s shoulder, but on mine.
On my shoulder, not his.
“….”
“….”
“….”
What are you?
‘Why are you suddenly acting so familiar!’
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Duke Sorpel and Duke Jebillen’s eyes had widened to their fullest.
“…Zetti.”
[….]
“Come here.”
A sharp turn.
“…!”
Despite Duke Jebillen’s call, Zetti pretended not to hear and whipped her head away. She even fluttered up slightly before landing on top of my head.
“Zetti, come here now.”
[No.]
“What?”
[I like it here. This one’s spirit is clean. Like a newborn’s.]
“How dare—”
[I’m pleased.]
“….”
Duke Jebillen glared at me with wide eyes. I offered an awkward smile in response.
‘I suppose I’ve always been rather popular with such creatures.’
I decided to simply lump Shinsu in with ghosts and spirits. In other words….
‘Go away!’
They were nothing but a nuisance.
I shook my head vigorously, trying to dislodge Zetti.
But Shinsu fluttered lightly upward before settling back down on my shoulder.
‘I said go!’
I shook my shoulder once more, but it refused to budge.
These creatures were definitely like ghosts—once they clung to you, they wouldn’t let go!
“Hmm.”
Duke Sorpel, who had been quietly observing the entire scene, felt the corners of his mouth lift slightly.
“It seems my daughter appeals to your Shinsu far more than you do.”
“What nonsense! That creature obeys me better than anyone else. Come here at once, Zetti!”
Whoosh!
“….”
“I see. It follows your commands quite well indeed.”
“….”
Duke Sorpel’s smile deepened as he watched his friend’s face flush crimson.
Chapter. Heading to the Academy
“Are you truly certain about this?”
Maidservant Dona asked with evident concern.
‘What is she so worried about?’
Though I could hardly blame her.
“Wouldn’t it be better to change your department as the Duke suggested?”
Today marked the beginning of the new semester.
Having completed all preparations for the Academy, I found myself facing Dona, whose expression had remained grim throughout the entire process.
“Don’t worry.”
I gave Dona’s shoulder a gentle pat.
“But….”
Watching Dona refuse to relax her expression, I let out a light laugh. I understood all too well why she was like this.
‘There’s no outcast quite like me.’
I was isolated not only in noble society but at the Academy as well. Yet it wasn’t as though I was being bullied.
After all, no one would dare openly torment someone registered in the household of the Sorpel Duchy, one of the three great ducal families.
‘Rather, I became invisible.’
I was treated as though I didn’t exist at all. Whether I was present or absent made no difference to anyone.
The pinnacle of this isolation was the department I had chosen.
There, I existed like a true phantom. Even the instructors showed me no interest.
‘Why, you ask?’
Because my abilities were abysmal.
With skills so poor that I’d forget even what I’d just learned, everyone had simply given up on me.
Since they couldn’t scold or punish a duke’s daughter, they had apparently settled on ignoring me and pretending I didn’t exist.
The department Camilla Sorpel had chosen was….
“Straighten your posture!”
“Yes, sir!”
“James and Hamil, begin your sparring match immediately.”
“Understood!”
The Swordsmanship Department.
‘Sigh, what a fool I am.’
To lack even a shred of talent for physical pursuits.
A sigh escaped my lips unbidden as I watched the trainees devoted to their training across the Training Grounds.
The Sorpel Household was, without question, a family of swordmasters.
The Sorpel Family had risen to prominence through the blade, and even now they commanded a reputation as the continent’s most skilled swordsmen.
This was precisely why I had chosen the Swordsmanship Department. I wanted to prove to everyone—to prove to myself—that I was a true member of the Sorpel Family.
‘But that’s a choice one makes only when they possess actual talent.’
What business did someone with such severe physical clumsiness have selecting the Swordsmanship Department?
I, who showed not the slightest aptitude with a blade, was nothing but a laughingstock.
Rather, I was actively proving with my entire being that no Sorpel blood flowed through my veins.
‘Yet I’m stubborn enough to persist.’
Even knowing this truth, I refused to surrender, clinging to the Swordsmanship Department still.
‘Perhaps this is my last desperate struggle.’
Wasn’t it that I wanted to prove to myself—to no one else—that I was a member of the Sorpel Family?
With no real talent, shunned by everyone around me, the only reason I remained here was that.
‘It’s not just pitiful—it’s heartbreaking. Truly heartbreaking.’
Understanding this sentiment, when Duke Sorpel suggested changing departments not long ago, I couldn’t bring myself to agree immediately.
Moreover, the real Camilla might return to this place, so I couldn’t simply change departments on a whim.
Whether it turned to gruel or rice, she was the one who chose this path.
‘Ah, forget it all.’
I collapsed onto the ground with a heavy thud.
The instructors and students were all too busy training among themselves to spare me a glance.
Even when I approached them first to speak, they never reciprocated, so I had no desire to beg anything of them.
‘This is fine, really.’
Sprawled flat on my back, I gazed blankly at the cloudless sky, then slowly closed my eyes.
‘That tree’s shade over there would be the perfect spot.’
A massive tree stood planted at one edge of the Training Grounds.
But someone was already settled there, so I didn’t even bother looking in that direction.
“….”
“….”
The eyes of everyone in the Training Grounds turned toward me. Bewilderment and astonishment bloomed simultaneously across their faces.
Though I always kept my head bowed, I had never failed to remain in my place until class ended….
But what in the world was this?
Those who saw me peacefully napping at one side of the Training Grounds as though on a leisurely outing had their mouths fall open wide.
Yet no one stepped forward to address me.
The swordsmanship instructor was no different. Given his history of ignoring me, it felt awkward to initiate conversation.
“Ugh, seriously!”
“…!”
Did I sense their stares? In an instant, I sprang to my feet in irritation.
Everyone watching me flinched and froze in their movements.
But my irritation wasn’t because of them.
‘What kind of Training Grounds has only one shaded spot!’
Was it reasonable that only one tree was planted here?
Rising from the scorching sunlight, I glanced toward the tree’s shade.
A figure already stationed there caught her eye.
A man who appeared to be in his early twenties, and he was….
‘…a radiant yet solitary god?’
Why did he have a black sword lodged in his chest?
A cold blade was embedded in the chest of the man who gazed wistfully at the students practicing swordplay.
After alternating my gaze between the blazing sun and the tree’s shadow for a moment, I finally settled into the shade of the tree. I made certain not to direct my attention toward the ghost.
Fortunately, the male ghost showed no interest in Camilla as she approached.
Like a statue, he simply continued staring at the Training Grounds, unchanged from his initial posture.
‘I’m not even curious.’
About whatever his circumstances might be.
I lay back down on the ground. Then I closed my eyes and sought sleep.
* * *
“Hey, isn’t that the Sorpel Duchess’s daughter?”
“W-well, I think it is?”
“Is she sleeping right now?”
“Huh….”
The gazes of students passing near the Training Grounds converged on one spot.
Those who had scrutinized the figure, wondering what audacious person could be lying about so leisurely during class time, could not hide their bewilderment.
Because the subject of their attention was none other than Camilla.
Among them was Petro, the son of Duke Jebillen.
“….”
As Petro watched Camilla tossing and turning beneath the tree’s shade, a faint smile played at the corners of his mouth.

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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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