A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 229

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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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“….”
Sensing my gaze, the child revealed emotion for the first time. With a slightly flustered expression, she hastily pulled her garment closed, concealing the shoulder that had slipped free.
“I need to get proper clothes first.”
I decided I would need to place an order immediately and headed outside.
“….”
Only then did the child, Sena, lift her head and gaze at me as I receded into the distance.
It was only after a considerable time that her lips slowly parted.
“…You don’t remember, do you?”
* * *
“How much will you give?”
“I’ll offer 10 gold.”
“What? 10 gold? Are you joking!”
“….”
“That’s all you’re giving? But she’s quite useful despite her short hair—she’s female, after all!”
“13 gold, then.”
“Damn it! That bastard’s no help at all. Hey, what are you doing! Follow this person at once!”
“What’s the child’s name?”
“Ptui! It’s Sena.”
“….”
Sena, who had been sleeping briefly, slowly opened her eyes. For a moment, disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings, she gradually surveyed her environment.
And soon enough, she could recall it. Where she was now.
Every step of the process that had brought her here came flooding back.
“Mother….”
“Sob! I want to go home!”
“I’m scared… Wahhh! Father!”
In the place where they were confined, there were countless children. Whenever one began to cry, the others would follow, trembling with fear as they called for their parents.
Sena alone maintained her silence among the multitude.
She had no home to return to, no parents she longed to see.
Rather, she even harbored the thought of remaining in that place. At least there, she wouldn’t have to fear being beaten by the man called father.
That was why, at first, she had resented those who came to rescue them.
The child pulled the long sleeves down further, concealing her hands completely. As if hiding something she didn’t want revealed.
[I shall grant you strength.]
“….”
[The strength to take vengeance upon the world.]
Sena slowly raised her hands and covered both ears tightly.
[The strength to possess everything you desire.]
Yet even with her ears covered, the voice persisted—a voice so utterly bizarre that she couldn’t even discern its gender.
‘Why….’
Why do I keep hearing this voice?’
Since some point, the voice had begun to invade her mind relentlessly, at all hours.
I dismiss it as a hallucination, but truthfully, I’m curious. What power could it possibly grant me?
If I really obtained power… would everything change? Would all the suffering I’ve endured simply vanish?
[The power to possess the world.]
The same words, repeated endlessly in that voice.
[I shall grant you powe—]
A soft rustling sound.
“…!”
Sena, who had been hunched over with her ears covered, flinched at something thrust before her eyes. It was a very small hand.
As she slowly lifted her head, a young child came into view standing in front of her.
“Eat this.”
In the child’s outstretched hand lay a single piece of candy.
“Sweet and tangy~ it fizzes in your mouth~ so delicious!”
The child explained how delicious this candy was, even adding a melodic tone to the words, and Sena’s eyes wavered for a moment. What is this child?
“My name is Rio. I’ve been living at House Sephira for a little while now!”
Proud of having said House Sephira correctly instead of the Orphanage, Rio’s face broke into a beaming smile.
“….”
“Um…?”
But when Sena gave no response to his introduction, Rio, still holding the candy forward, tilted his head in confusion.
“Don’t you like candy?”
“….”
“But it’s delicious….”
As Rio’s head drooped dejectedly, Sena found herself hastily reaching for the candy.
“Hehe.”
Rio’s face brightened again with a smile. He pulled out another candy and popped it into his own mouth.
“Delicious candy~ it melts with a fizz~.”
An indescribable melody flowed softly from the child’s lips.
Rio sat beside Sena, swinging his legs and humming for a while, when he suddenly clapped his hands and bounced up from his seat.
“Big sister! Want to go for a walk?”
“….”
Big sister? Did he just call me that?
Sena’s eyes widened at the unexpected term of endearment. Rio giggled at her and pointed to something.
“The sun is so sparkly today!”
Did he mean the sunlight was warm?
Sena’s gaze drifted toward the window without her realizing it. For winter, the sunlight did seem unusually warm.
[I shall grant you power. The power to possess the world.]
In that moment, the incomprehensible voice echoed in her mind once more.
[Power that no one can ignore, power that allows you to never bow your head before anyone in this world—]
Sena slowly raised her hands to cover her ears. Even knowing it would be useless.
A soft rustling sound.
“…!”
Sena’s eyes fluttered open at the sudden warmth, and she stared blankly at the small hands busily wrapping something around her neck.
“It’s cold outside. I’ll lend you mine.”
What Rio had wrapped around Sena’s neck was a scarf.
“Camilla gave it to me as a gift because she said she was cold. I’ll lend it to you.”
“….”
“Warm and toasty~ scarf~ white scarf~.”
Rio wrapped the scarf around her with clumsy but meticulous hands, then stepped back with a radiant smile.
“It looks pretty on you, big sister!”
“….”
Sena reached up to touch the soft scarf. Then she hesitated without realizing it. Was this something she was allowed to wear?
Sena alternated her gaze between the pristine white scarf and her own rough, weathered hands, then slowly lowered her arm.
[The power to possess anything—]
In that moment, the voice returned.
Grab!
“Let’s go, big sister!”
But the voice didn’t continue to the end. Sena stared blankly at the small hand gripping hers tightly.
“I have a really special secret place I love—I’ll only show you! Come on, let’s go!”
Sena let herself be led by that small hand, moving slowly forward.
Out into the gentle winter sunlight.
Chapter. Ghost’s Home
“Camilla!”
“Camilla!”
“You’re here?”
Elisha, Laila, and Jewela greeted Camilla warmly as she entered the Club Room after finishing her pressing matters.
“I missed you so much!”
“Didn’t we just see each other the day before yesterday?”
“Come on, we didn’t see each other yesterday.”
Camilla chuckled and gently patted Elisha’s head as she clung to her arm, showering her with affection.
“But Elisha, what are you doing here?”
Same with Jewela.
Camilla glanced around, wondering if it was appropriate for outsiders to come and go from the Club Room, but the other members didn’t seem to mind—it appeared both of them had been visiting frequently during her absence.
“I joined here too.”
“Me as well.”
“What?”
But an unexpected answer came back.
Camilla looked them over one by one with a bewildered expression. What exactly did I just hear…?
“You… joined the Volunteer Club? Both of you?”
“Laila told us to join.”
“Laila did?”
“Yes!”
Elisha smiled brightly at the memory of Laila’s recruitment offer.
‘The Volunteer Club?’
‘Think about it carefully. Where else could you spend more time with Camilla, even though you’re in different grades?’
‘…!’
‘Don’t you want to see Camilla performing and reading stories to the children?’
‘I absolutely do!’
Why had it taken until now to realize something so obvious?
Elisha, feeling quite indignant at herself, immediately submitted her application to the Volunteer Club.
“Jewela, you too?”
“Yeah.”
“I invited Jewela to join as well. She said she really enjoys volunteering.”
“…Who enjoys what?”
Camilla shot her a look of utter bewilderment.
Though they weren’t particularly close, we’d spent enough time together over the years—how could I not know Jewela’s true nature?
I’d never once seen her perform a single act of kindness, so what? Volunteering?
“I just haven’t done it before. I like volunteering.”
‘….’
“I really do like it, I’m telling you.”
Jewela herself seemed embarrassed, deliberately avoiding my gaze as she made excuses.
She couldn’t bring herself to speak the truth.
‘It’s just….’
I didn’t want to be alone anymore. I wanted to be wherever Camilla was.
There was no way I could ever say something like that, not even if my life depended on it!
Creak!
“Are you planning to run an Orphanage or something?”
“What nonsense is that?”
“Didn’t you bring back a kid when you went out last time?”
“What about it?”
Just then, commotion erupted outside, and the Club Room door swung open as two figures entered. It was Arsian and Petro.

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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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