A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 22

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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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I had spent the entire day avoiding their gazes, and the exhaustion was overwhelming.
Camilla sank deeply into the carriage seat and released another long sigh.
‘So this is why people love money.’
The carriage’s remarkable smoothness drew an involuntary smile from my lips. The subtle vibrations I felt through my fatigue were oddly pleasant.
My eyes closed naturally. I wished I could simply drift into sleep like this.
“Miss Camilla, we’ve arrived.”
But moments later, the coachman’s careful words shattered the peaceful silence.
Camilla descended from the carriage quickly, concealing her disappointment.
“….”
The sky had already begun its descent, painted in deep crimson hues. I stepped down from the carriage and gazed blankly at the sunset for a moment.
‘Now that I think about it, this is the first time.’
Since arriving in this world within Camilla Sorpel’s body, I had never had the leisure to admire a sunset like this.
Though the time had been short, I had lived it frantically.
I had truly struggled desperately just to survive.
‘Of course, my situation is still a mess.’
Yet the sky was truly beautiful.
“Camilla.”
I turned my head at the sound of my name, breaking from my reverie.
“Father?”
Duke Sorpel stood at the entrance.
I tilted my head as I watched him approach.
What was he doing here at this hour? Had someone arranged to visit?
Even so, it was rare for him to come out to the entrance to greet me personally.
“You’re home now?”
It was a simple greeting. An utterly ordinary welcome for a daughter returning from the Academy.
But why….
“Camilla?”
“….”
“…! Camilla! What’s wrong?”
Duke Sorpel hurried forward at the sight of tears suddenly welling in Camilla’s eyes.
I was equally bewildered.
‘I must be losing my mind.’
Why am I crying?
I didn’t understand my own tears. Why was I….
‘Ah.’
This was the first time.
Words I had never heard in my entire life.
‘You’re home now?’
Yes, this was the first time.
A dark, empty house that had always awaited me.
Whether living with my parents or at the Orphanage, what greeted me was always cold darkness.
“….”
I bit my lip. If I didn’t, tears would spill out.
“Child, what’s wrong?”
But at the sound of Duke Sorpel’s worried voice as he wrapped his arms around my shoulders, the tears finally came.
“Ugh….”
“Camilla?”
Duke Sorpel’s expression hardened at the sight of his daughter weeping so pitifully. What could have happened at the Academy?
Watching Camilla with concern, Duke Sorpel eventually pulled her into his embrace. Then he gently patted her back.
At his touch, I wept even harder.
I hadn’t cried when my mother passed. I hadn’t cried when people whispered behind my back.
I hadn’t shed a single tear even when that man—my Father—came demanding money.
Instead, I’d smiled all the brighter at those moments, as if the world held no sorrow at all.
But now….
‘You’re home?’
At those simple, meaningless words, the tears came flooding out.
“….”
How long did I cry?
I lifted my bloodshot eyes to look at Duke Sorpel. Seeing him still wearing that worried expression, I smiled softly.
And then I spoke words I had never uttered in my entire life.
“I’m home.”
Duke Sorpel gazed at me silently for a moment, then gently stroked my hair.
“Welcome home.”
Chapter. An Unexpected Encounter
Blanket kick! Blanket kick!
Kick! Kick!
“Ugh….”
So embarrassing!
Thump! Thump!
I thrashed at the blanket relentlessly, then pounded the pillow with my fists.
The memory of yesterday made it impossible to leave the bed.
‘I’ve lost my mind, completely lost it.’
What kind of spectacle was that?!
I could vividly picture the faces of everyone who saw me—tears streaming down my face, cradled in Duke Sorpel’s arms as he carried me through the halls.
They all had their eyes wide open, their mouths hanging slack as if they’d lost the ability to speak.
Even Ludvil and Ravi had stared at me with dumbfounded expressions!
‘Why were they all outside at that hour anyway?!’
Thump! Thump!
Dona, you won’t need to dust this pillow today.
“What are you doing?”
“…!”
I flinched at the sudden voice, my mind drowning in self-reproach. I lifted my head quickly to find Ravi regarding me with a look of utter disdain.
“How long are you going to keep this up? Aren’t you going to eat?”
“…I will.”
Though I wanted nothing more than to starve myself, I hadn’t eaten anything since last night. The moment I’d entered my room, exhaustion had claimed me, and I’d fallen asleep immediately.
“Hurry and get ready, then come out.”
“….”
I watched Ravi’s back as he turned and left, letting out a small sigh.
Right, shame is fleeting. I can’t starve myself just because I’m embarrassed—I need to eat to survive.
After hastily preparing myself, I stepped out of my room only to find an unexpected figure waiting at the door.
“…?”
Ravi? I thought he’d gone ahead.
“Slowpoke.”
“Since when did a slowpoke become this beautiful?”
“…I’m genuinely curious—where does this confidence of yours come from?”
“My face?”
“….”
“…Fine. I won’t say anything then.”
Seeing that Ravi had waited for me, I couldn’t help but let out a soft, amused laugh.
Now that I thought about it, I’d rarely seen the back of his head recently. At some point, he’d begun matching his pace to mine.
“….”
As Ravi walked silently beside me, his gaze flickered briefly toward me.
Upon seeing my swollen eyes, he frowned for a moment before clicking his tongue and retrieving something from his pocket.
“Take it.”
Whoosh—!
“Huh?”
I caught the object flying toward me without thinking.
“What is this?”
It was a bracelet. A delicate golden thread was embedded with a blue gemstone.
“Throw it.”
“What?”
“If there’s someone you don’t like, throw it at them.”
“Excuse me.”
Could you perhaps explain this properly? What am I suddenly supposed to throw? And what is this bracelet anyway?
“It’s a magic bracelet.”
“Magic?”
“It binds the target completely.”
“What?”
So he’s telling me to throw this at anyone I dislike and bind them completely?
I looked back and forth between the bracelet and Ravi in bewilderment. Why was he suddenly giving me this?
“Stop whining and just throw it.”
“….”
What kind of conclusion is this? What does my crying have to do with this bracelet?
As I stared blankly, Ravi seemed embarrassed by his own words and hurriedly moved away.
Watching him, I began to understand.
‘So that’s it….’
He thought I’d been bullied at the Academy and cried.
“Ha….”
I burst into laughter.
“Brother! Come with me.”
“You’re not using the proper form of address?”
“But brother.”
“…?”
“If I wear this bracelet around, won’t people curse me even more?”
“Don’t worry.”
“Why?”
“Your reputation can’t possibly fall any further.”
Fine, I’ll just laugh along today.
Despite Ravi’s blunt assessment, I couldn’t wipe the pleasant smile from my face. It was a morning when my mood felt oddly fluffy.
* * *
‘Spring blossoms are falling.’
As summer approached, the falling spring flowers created a spectacular sight throughout the academy grounds. At the lakeside where I stood, countless petals danced on the wind and descended around me.
[Miss, the water seems to have warmed up quite a bit now.]
I glanced at Derin, the butler spirit beside me, who was struggling to hide his anxious feelings behind a smile.
“It still looks cold to me….”
[No, it isn’t! There are people who swim during this season.]
My gaze returned to the lake spread before me. It was remarkably clear.
The deep blue waters….
‘It really does look freezing.’
I absolutely despise the cold.
[Miss Camilla….]
“I know, I know.”
I understand.
Spirit Lake.
That’s what people called this place. Supposedly, a spirit once lived here long ago.
Though none have been discovered now, this lake was so steeped in legends that it was counted among the symbolic locations of the Faebler Empire Academy.
‘The problem is.’
I have to go into this place….
‘Why does it have to be underwater?’
According to Hersel, the former head of the Sorpel Family, that damned divine beast’s egg was hidden right here.
‘The lamp at the base of the pagoda casts no light.’
Duke Sorpel had traversed the continent searching for divine beasts, yet he had never once set foot in this place.
I’d heard that Ludvil graduated from this Academy as well, but perhaps he hadn’t possessed the pendant for finding divine beasts back then.
‘Or perhaps he simply never visited Spirit Lake.’
Because it lay distant from the main building, though it was a landmark representative of the Academy, surprisingly few visitors ever made their way here.
Well, regardless of that…
“Not a single ray of sunlight reaches this place. Who would come to such a gloomy atmosphere…?”
Camilla muttered with a look of disgust as she gazed at the overgrown trees.
The area surrounding Spirit Lake was said to be maintained by spirits, so the Academy refrained from interfering.
“Still, it’s supposed to be the Academy’s representative landmark. They could at least show some care.”
Camilla extended her hand toward the lake.
Splash.
“…!”
Cold. Incredibly cold!
She withdrew her hand from the water at lightning speed. Camilla glared directly at Derin.
“Liar.”
Warm? What warmth!
[Miss…]
“It’s far too cold.”
[Hersel is waiting for you.]
“Let him wait a bit longer.”
[Oh my, Miss…!]
“Just a little longer. Once it warms up more, we’ll go.”
[Sigh…]
“Don’t fake your sighs. I won’t fall for it anymore.”
[…Yes.]
Camilla cast a sidelong glance at the lake, so deep its bottom was invisible, then shivered and stepped away.
Rustle.
“…”
Moments later, someone leaped down from a tree.
He gazed quietly at the spot where Camilla had disappeared. A peculiar light flickered across the man’s face.
Presently, as the man lifted his head, Arsian’s dark eyes trembled slightly.
“What is she?”

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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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