A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 227

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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 from a distance, I’m well aware that he continues to pay attention to me, albeit subtly.
‘But what should I say about it?’
It’s not that I dislike it—I truly don’t—but it feels awkward to act overly familiar with him, doesn’t it?
In any case, what matters now is that Jewela’s standing has changed dramatically.
“A wretch from a completely ruined family without even a proper title has no business coming here and causing trouble.”
“C-completely ruined…!”
“What? What is it?”
Did I say something wrong?
“Your family is completely ruined, isn’t it?”
I heard you were even evicted from your mansion just days ago?
‘Though they say even the wealthy can last three years after ruin.’
How does this wretch’s family collapse in just three months?
The reason he comes here every day to harass Jewela is precisely because he’s ended up destitute on the streets.
“But you’re really something else. You still haven’t come to your senses?”
Even though he was once family, Jewela seemed to care about him somewhat, so I looked into it—and there was truly nothing to be done.
Mantiz, that bastard. After reducing his household to this state, he’s still lurking around gambling houses.
“I heard he even stole and sold his sister’s jewelry.”
It wasn’t just jewelry.
What else could I say about someone who secretly swept away everything of value and ran straight to the gambling house instead of anywhere else?
From what I hear, Countess Bakes, who would have died for her son, even told Mantiz to go die.
Having heard all of this, Jewela too seemed to have shed every last shred of affection she had left.
“Grow up, you wretch.”
Aren’t you ashamed of living like this?
“And you—from now on, don’t even come near places where children are.”
Especially places where innocent kids like Rio are!
“I’m afraid they’ll learn from someone like you.”
“Ugh! This—!”
Mantiz, whose face had been flushed with anger, finally raised the fist he’d been clenching.
The audacity of this person—there’s truly nothing she won’t say!
Though his family is in somewhat difficult circumstances now, how dare this lowborn wretch speak so freely!
“Ugh… ugh! Aaaaah!”
But his face, as he lunged at me, instantly twisted in shock.
His body floated into the air against his will.
In moments, Mantiz was sent flying to one side and crashed down with a tremendous sound.
“Krraaagh…!”
Ouch, that must hurt.
The impact was so loud that I instinctively squeezed my eyes shut.
‘Did he lose consciousness?’
The man who had been crying out in pain fell silent almost immediately.
‘What was that anyway?’
Who threw him? Only then did Camilla turn her head to assess the situation, her mouth falling open in shock.
A man had slowly approached Mantiz’s side.
“What the hell is this bastard?”
A man regarding Mantiz with cold, piercing eyes.
His voice, devoid of any emotion toward his opponent, seemed to lower the temperature around them by several degrees.
“…Arsian?”
At her call, Arsian turned his head, and as if he’d never been radiating that frigid atmosphere, his rigid expression softened and his eyes crinkled gently.
“Were you very frightened?”
But that lasted only a moment. As Arsian continued to scrutinize her complexion, his eyes turned cold again at the sight of Camilla’s somewhat dazed expression.
He assumed her shock stemmed from Mantiz’s attempt to use violence moments before.
Arsian’s face darkened instantly as he looked at Mantiz huddled in the corner.
“Should I kill him?”
Before his words even finished, he strode toward Mantiz, and only then did Camilla snap back to her senses, hastily reaching out her hand.
“That’s not it!”
I knew better than anyone that Arsian’s words weren’t mere talk. Gripping his hand more firmly, I shook my head vigorously.
‘I wasn’t frightened because of that bastard.’
Rather, he lived because of you.
‘Does Mantiz even realize?’
That he’d nearly frozen to death just moments ago.
[What a shame. I could have made an ice statue out of him.]
Aislah, the Spirit King of Winter who had been constantly at my side recently, had been about to wave her hand toward Mantiz.
“When did you arrive in the Capital?”
“Just now.”
To Camilla’s question came a gentle answer, as if asking when he’d last breathed out cold air.
“How did you know I was here?”
“I went to the Cafe, and they told me you were here.”
Arsian chuckled softly at the sight of Camilla looking up at him with eyes as round as a rabbit’s.
He reached toward her face, intending to tuck back a strand of hair that had slipped down behind her ear.
….
But in that moment, he became aware of his current state and hesitated.
Having come straight to meet her upon arriving in the Capital, his entire body was covered in dust.
‘I should have washed up first.’
He hadn’t realized it until now, but he could smell sweat on himself too. Arsian withdrew his outstretched hand and took a step back.
But his action was destined to be stopped once again.
“Arsian.”
By the tender way Camilla called his name.
‘…That’s strange.’
It never ceased to amaze me, no matter how many times I heard it.
‘I was so sick of it.’
No, even now I hate it—someone calling my name.
A name that proved I belonged to House Sephrag.
Every time I was called by that name, nausea would rise in my throat. It was like a noose I could never escape, no matter how hard I struggled.
Yet why was it different when she called my name? My chest would flutter with warmth, enveloped in an inexplicable sense of comfort.
“Arsian.”
Seeing me without a response, she called my name again.
As if she had read all of my conflicted emotions, she offered a faint smile and reached out to gently stroke my head.
“Welcome home.”
I savored her tender touch with my eyes closed, and a faint smile soon graced my lips as well.
“I’m back.”
* * *
“It’s been a while.”
“Did you have a safe journey?”
“Thanks to you.”
Duke Sefra, who had departed to another region to eliminate the remnants of the Eba Cult just as I had, returned during the same period, and exhaustion was evident on his face.
No matter what, a war against an enemy with no end in sight proved far more draining than expected.
“Just hold on a little longer. Everything will settle down soon.”
“Hmm.”
Duke Sefra’s gaze, which had been fixed on Camilla as if her words were more than mere encouragement, didn’t waver from her.
Yet he asked no further questions, merely observing.
‘Still the same, I see.’
I stifled a quiet laugh. I genuinely appreciated that aspect of Duke Sefra.
Even when curious about something, he would never force someone to speak before they were ready to share.
‘Though the other two seem incredibly frustrated by it.’
Unlike me, Duke Sorpel and Duke Jebillen absolutely despised Duke Sefra’s taciturn nature.
There was even an incident once.
‘Hey! If you’re curious about something, just ask!’
‘Why won’t you use your mouth? Why do you always think and conclude everything alone!’
‘This bastard’s been like this since way back. Drives people insane.’
The three Dukes began their usual childish bickering beside me as I played with Shinsu.
After listening quietly to the two old friends’ endless chatter for a while, Duke Sefra suddenly opened his mouth.
‘Actually, I am curious about something… is it really okay to ask?’
‘Of course!’
‘Please, just ask already instead of keeping quiet!’
‘Back in the day.’
That moment, Pandora’s box was opened.
‘Back in the day?’
‘When?’
‘When we attended the Academy.’
‘…The Academy?’
‘Which one of you two suggested copying my assignment and submitting it? I got a zero because of it.’
‘….’
‘….’
‘Who was it that destroyed the sword I cherished twenty-three years ago and fled? One of you two, wasn’t it?’
‘….’
‘….’
‘About three years ago, I went through great trouble to acquire a hundred-year-old bottle of Shabor wine… and yet I never got to taste a single drop. I’m still quite curious about who it was that secretly drank my wine, then filled the bottle with water and left.’
‘…Who? Who told you to ask him questions?’
‘You did, you bastard! Why are you making him talk! Do you know how precious silence is?! Why are you complaining that he won’t speak?! Huh?’
After that day, it seemed the two of them had simply accepted it as inevitable.
“I heard someone say it. That without the Church Leader, the Eba Cult cannot endure.”
It was Aislah, the Spirit King of Winter, who spoke.
No matter how much anyone else might attempt to steal and use divine essence, without the Church Leader, those who have seized the bodies of others have finite lifespans.

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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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