A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 242

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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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‘That one’s no different.’
Watching a beast that rages like a wild animal transform into a docile puppy the moment he stands before me is utterly exasperating.
“Tsk.”
In that instant, the sharp click of a tongue cut through the silence.
“I’ve heard that the method of obtaining Shinsu differs from the other two ducal households.”
Jainer had strongly insisted that Camilla should not be placed at Arsian’s side.
And with good reason—the information Khan’s network had confirmed was horrifying.
‘It must be extracted from the patriarch’s body.’
Even Duke Escra, who remained indifferent to others’ affairs, had been rendered speechless upon hearing this.
And he had absolutely agreed with Jainer’s position. Or rather, he had agreed—
Until he heard what Arsian said next.
“There will be no more Shinsu in our household.”
Arsian paid no mind to the Duke’s complicated expression. His words carried conviction because they were not an attempt to evade the situation.
Just as he had declared to his father before, he would never again draw Shinsu into the Sefra Family.
He harbored no desire whatsoever for that pearl, which could only be extracted by desecrating the patriarch’s corpse. He had no intention of it.
“Do you truly believe that will be within your control?”
Duke Escra’s voice dropped lower.
When leading a household, there inevitably arose circumstances that demanded actions contrary to one’s own will.
Would the elders of the Sefra Family truly remain silent, no matter how resolute Arsian’s convictions were?
No matter how exceptional his abilities or how well he demonstrated the qualities of a patriarch, those accustomed to the existence of Shinsu would not readily yield.
“….”
Duke Escra, who had been about to make Arsian aware of this reality, swallowed his words upon meeting the young man’s gaze.
‘He already knows.’
Witnessing the bitterness reflected in his eyes, Duke Escra exhaled a silent sigh.
* * *
“Sister!”
Daive came rushing over and embraced me tightly.
Yes, embraced me. Unlike the time not long ago when I had instead found myself cradled in the child’s arms.
“I’m so happy you’re back!”
“I’m happy too.”
My body had finally returned to normal. Ravi had at last handed over the completed mana stone.
The moment I shattered it, a brilliant light enveloped my entire form, and when I opened my eyes, I had returned to my original appearance.
‘I wouldn’t have minded staying longer….’
‘But since that man controls the distribution rights to mana stones, there’s no way to confiscate it.’
Duke Sorpel and Duke Escra seemed particularly reluctant, but I pretended not to notice.
“Daive, shall we go out together?”
“Really? When?”
“Hmm… soon? Sister has quite a bit of backlog right now.”
“That sounds wonderful! Can Rio come with us too?”
“I suppose not.”
“I’ll contact Rio about it.”
“All right.”
Watching Daive dash outside with a bright smile, I let out a small laugh as well.
‘He’s really grown close to Rio, hasn’t he?’
Due to an unexpected accident, I’d refrained from going out, and Daive had ended up staying cooped up at home with me as a result.
Since he’d come all this way, I couldn’t very well keep him confined to the Sephrag Mansion. I was planning to give him a proper tour of the Capital of Faebler Empire this time.
“That’s fortunate. You’ll need to visit the Papal See soon anyway.”
“True enough.”
Just as Dorman said, the Pope’s inauguration ceremony was taking place in a few days. I’d already received an invitation, so I was wondering how to handle it.
‘I couldn’t very well reveal my weakened state to the outside world.’
Still, I was grateful that my body had returned to normal before then.
“Arena, you’ll be coming with us, won’t you?”
[Of course. This one’s different from the others—I rather like him.]
Rather like him? I stifled an amused snicker internally.
Ever since Arena had seen Cardinal Martio, who was becoming the new Pope, her expression had been consistently pleasant. It was a stark contrast to how she used to make all sorts of faces whenever she returned from the Papal See before.
“But Arena.”
[Hmm?]
“You’ve been going out quite often lately. Is something the matter?”
There was a time when she and Zeno would laugh and chat endlessly without parting for a moment, but these days it was difficult to even catch a glimpse of her.
Even without any particular reason, she seemed to be visiting the Papal See more frequently than before. Was it because she’d taken a liking to the new Pope?
“And what about Habel? Is something going on with him?”
[Habel?]
“Yes, I saw you two together before.”
Unlike other spirits who feared and avoided Reaper Habel, Arena had none of that hesitation. If anything, it seemed Habel was more wary of her.
[What business? A reaper who escorts the dead has nothing but the usual to discuss with the deceased.]
“Hmm.”
Yet their atmosphere had seemed peculiar for such a mundane exchange.
Since I’d been observing from a distance, I hadn’t heard their conversation at all.
But unlike Arena, who radiated annoyance, Habel had appeared to be in good spirits.
‘It almost looked like he was smiling.’
And of all people, it was Habel.
A being who rarely showed emotion, yet he’d smiled faintly at whatever Arena had said.
‘Meanwhile….’
My gaze shifted toward the window.
Looking at Zeno, the spirit standing quietly there, I tilted my head in puzzlement once more.
‘Zeno’s atmosphere has been strange ever since that day.’
He seemed to lack his usual vitality. He’d never been particularly talkative to begin with, but lately his words had grown noticeably fewer.
“Zeno.”
[Hmm?]
“Is something troubling you?”
[…No.]
Zeno, who had been gazing at Arena for a moment, shook his head gently. Unlike his words, his shoulders drooped with exhaustion, which only deepened Camilla’s confusion.
‘Is something wrong with the Jebillen Family?’
Something clearly seemed amiss, yet she couldn’t grasp what it was. And she couldn’t very well force him to speak about it either….
[Camilla, have you prepared a gift?]
At that moment, Arena’s voice reached her again.
“Money.”
[Money?]
“When all is said and done, nothing beats money, does it?”
After deliberating over what to prepare as an inauguration gift, I heard a certain rumor and decided to make a donation instead.
Until now, they must have accumulated wealth by selling counterfeit relics or engaging in other illegal activities, but there was no way Cardinal Martio would overlook such things.
Moreover, I heard that many people had recently begun casting unfavorable eyes upon the Cult, and donations had dried up accordingly.
[That’s a good idea.]
Arena, already well aware of the Cult’s circumstances, nodded vigorously in agreement with Camilla’s words.
“Should I look through some clothes?”
[Would you like me to help you choose?]
“…Arena, your fashion sense isn’t very good.”
[Why are you like this? When I was a saint, I was quite famous for dressing well!]
“Wasn’t that just because you only wore priesthood robes?”
How on earth could one display fashion sense in that? Camilla shook her head slightly and headed toward the wardrobe with Arena.
[….]
Zeno’s gaze, watching the two of them, grew heavier and more somber.
* * *
‘Things remain unchanged here.’
The papal inauguration ceremony held at the Grand Cathedral concluded safely under the watchful eyes of countless onlookers.
The next order of business was to perform a kind of initiation ritual at the Tree of God, which stood in the Papal Palace Garden. Camilla had to retrace her steps to that place once more.
‘It’s quite bare.’
The Tree of God, which had briefly flourished thanks to Yongyong, the Autumn Spirit King, had returned to its skeletal appearance as if nothing had changed.
Though it appeared somewhat picturesque beneath its blanket of white snow, it still looked cold.
“Are you pouring divine power into it again?”
[Indeed.]
Priest Ghost Arena clicked her tongue, calling it a pointless endeavor, but even Pope Cardinal Martio had no choice but to follow this ancient tradition.
‘Here he comes.’
Pope Cardinal Martio, dressed in the ceremonial vestments only a pope could wear, revealed himself before the assembled people with his characteristic indifferent expression.
Everyone present bowed respectfully upon seeing him. Receiving their greetings, Pope Cardinal Martio slowly made his way toward the Tree of God.
[Why do humans always try to display their power through such things? It’s merely an act of defying nature.]
Aislah, perched upon Camilla’s shoulder and observing the entire scene, likewise clicked her tongue repeatedly.
She uttered the very same words that Yongyong had spoken before. The humans’ actions of defying nature with divine power clearly did not sit well with her.
Regardless, Pope Cardinal Martio bowed his head before the Tree of God and offered his prayers.
At the sight of this, the others too clasped their hands together in prayer.
A piercing shriek tore through the air!
“…?”
Moments later, people lifted their heads at the strange sensation, their eyes widening in unison.
“Look, look at that!”
“Good heavens!”
The tree that had been blanketed in white snow vanished, replaced by one adorned with lush, verdant leaves as though spring itself had arrived. Delicate pink blossoms bloomed between the branches, scattering in the wind and dancing through the air.
The sight of petals falling through the white snow was nothing short of breathtaking—a spectacle that transcended the ordinary.

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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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