A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 253

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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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After that, a series of contextless remarks followed—”How have you been lately?”, “Are you in any pain?”, “I’ve been doing such-and-such these days”—and so on.
Duke Escra, who had been chattering enthusiastically for a while, finally broached the main topic once he noticed irritation flickering across Ravi’s expression.
「I’m curious about something.」
It’s about Camilla.
Ravi clicked his tongue lightly, unaware that he’d stumbled badly in his assumption. All this buildup just to ask about that?
“If you’re curious about Camilla, ask her directly, sir. There’s really nothing I can tell you about her.”
I had no desire to carelessly divulge information about her to this man.
‘What if she found out I’d been talking about her?’
Ravi found himself trembling involuntarily. How would I ever handle the aftermath?
「Not Camilla. You.」
“…Me?”
But an unexpected remark slipped out.
「Yes, I’m curious about you.」
Ravi’s brow furrowed even deeper.
What could this man possibly be curious about regarding me? Was he going to spout nonsense again about coming to the Gracia Empire?
“I already told you last time. I have no intention of going to the Gracia Empire—”
「I was wondering if you’re still getting beaten up by your friends.」
“Pardon?”
Ravi, who had been about to firmly reiterate his refusal, could only gape at this unexpected question.
Getting beaten up by friends?
“What are you talking about, sir?”
「I was thinking maybe you’re still lying about getting beaten up by neighborhood kids and coming home bruised.」
“What! When are you talking about…!”
Ravi, speaking carelessly with an expression of disbelief, suddenly froze mid-sentence.
“How did you…?”
Being bullied by neighborhood children was something from my early childhood.
How could this man possibly know about that? Even Camilla probably didn’t know about it….
Ravi drew in a sharp breath as realization dawned.
“Could you possibly be….”
「Long time no see, little one.」
Could his memories have returned? Ravi’s eyes grew increasingly wide with astonishment.
「I’m gradually recovering my memories. Camilla sent me portraits of you and Tia.」
“Portraits?”
So that was why she’d insisted on organizing Mother’s belongings herself last time?
「The first thing that came to mind was the scene of you coming home in tears.」
“I never cried!”
At his indignant outburst, a small chuckling laugh came in response.
Damn it! Why did he have to remember that of all things!
「I’m sorry.」
“…Yes?”
But Duke Escra’s next words made Ravi’s eyes widen.
“Because I forgot about you and Tia.”
“….”
…I never expected to hear an apology.
There was nothing particular to say in response. Ravi simply closed his mouth quietly.
“I don’t remember everything, but one thing is certain.”
“What is it?”
“I seemed to have liked you quite a bit more than I thought.”
“…I didn’t really like you much.”
A soft chuckle came from beyond the glowing orb.
“Still as prickly as ever.”
At that laughter, Ravi’s face flushed slightly. I never imagined I’d be sharing childhood memories with this person of all people….
“But that’s probably why I liked you even more. You had no manners, but you were quite a clever little brat.”
Ravi found himself unable to speak again.
And it would be ridiculous to honestly admit that I also found you appealing back then—you, who disciplined the neighborhood children.
I would never say such a thing, not even if it killed me.
“By the way.”
“By the way?”
“If anyone bullies or hits you again, contact me.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll come running and teach them a lesson.”
“….”
Is this man out of his mind right now?
Ravi repeatedly wiped his burning face with his hands. What age am I to be treated like a child?
“Let’s end this.”
“See you again, son.”
“….”
Son.
At those words, Ravi found himself unable to respond once more.
The connection cut off while I was momentarily dazed and stammering, but even after realizing it, Ravi couldn’t easily let go of the communication orb.
“…Hah.”
Ravi let out a hollow laugh belatedly, roughly wiping his face again. His face was still flushed.
“What is this guy…. Suddenly calling me son.”
Muttering continuously under his breath, he finally set the orb down as if tossing it aside.
“Anyway, he’s an irritating person till the very end.”
Ravi clicked his tongue in disapproval.
Yet he didn’t realize that a faint smile had formed at the corners of his own lips.
Chapter. Divine Beast Jetti Runs Away
“…What did you just say?”
“Look at this, sir.”
Duke Jebillen took the documents from his Aide and read through them rapidly. Soon his hands began to tremble.
“So what you’re saying is….”
He struggled to find his words, taking a deep breath.
“Diamonds have been found again in the Mine that girl purchased this time?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And in such exceptional quality and such tremendous quantity?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The Aide’s composed nod was particularly grating today, but that wasn’t what mattered right now.
“And furthermore….”
Duke Jebillen crumpled the documents in his hand and set them down.
“This Mine is the coal mine we sold off cheaply long ago?”
“Indeed. You said you had no intention of dealing with coal and personally transferred it to another party, Your Grace.”
The Aide placed particular emphasis on the word “personally.” He couldn’t afford to have any blame fall on himself.
At the time, he had clearly advised against it. Why sell the Mine so cheaply? Wouldn’t it be better to wait for someone willing to pay a proper price?
But his superior—the very man trembling before him now—had dismissed his concerns, saying what difference could it make, why waste time, and simply ordered the Mine sold off.
The shock was considerable; Duke Jebillen’s hands shook violently.
“But how could diamonds possibly come from that worthless Mine…!”
Diamonds, of all things! Not something else, but diamonds!
“Does this even make sense?”
Duke Jebillen couldn’t even form coherent words.
Meanwhile, the Aide nodded lightly with the same composed demeanor as before, as if it made perfect sense.
“It appears the coal mining had already ceased and the Mine had become abandoned. It was essentially a discarded property, yet the young lady of Duke Sorpel came personally and expressed her desire to purchase it.”
Not long after they transferred the Mine to another party, mining output had dropped significantly, and it was officially abandoned.
But recently, Camilla had come and purchased that very Mine herself.
Since it was essentially an abandoned Mine, naturally the transaction occurred at an extremely low price.
“That girl is absolutely, absolutely…!”
How could her luck be this absurdly good!
And somehow she always seemed to pick up exactly what he had overlooked.
[Hoho, truly a remarkable one, as I said.]
Frustrated, he gulped down cold water, when suddenly a smug voice reached his ears.
[I recognized her potential from the very beginning.]
“….”
At Divine Beast Jetti’s words—pouring oil on the fire—Duke Jebillen’s expression grew even more sinister.
[With such a clear spirit, naturally her fortune is exceptional. I do have an eye for talent, after all.]
“Clear spirit, my foot!”
Duke Jebillen let out a shout, and Jetti’s expression darkened. The crimson eagle made no effort to hide his displeasure, clicking his beak sharply.
[What? Did you just raise your voice at me?]
“Yes, I did! So what!”
[Why are you taking out your frustration on me, you fool! I said her spirit is clear because it’s clear, so why are you throwing a tantrum? Guilty conscience? Huh?]
“What, what? Fool? Are you done talking? You were the one who phrased it strangely in the first place!”
[When did I ever!]
“They say that girl has a pure spirit, so she’s fortunate! Then what about me—does that mean my spirit is tainted and I’m cursed?!”
[You understand well enough.]
“What?”
Zetti regarded the blustering Duke Jebillen with eyes that screamed utter contempt.
[Don’t place yourself on the same level as her. You’re not even in the same category.]
Who was he comparing to whom? Unable to grasp even this simple truth, he flushed red and purple in turn, and Zetti circled him mockingly, spinning in amusement.
[How foolish you are.]
“What? Foolish? Hey!”
[Do you think just anyone can become a mirror of truth? Can’t you see it plainly? If that child’s fortune is this much, then your innate luck amounts to barely this much at all.]
“Shut your mouth, you wretch!”
[Wretch? Why would I be your wretch! I am a great Divine Beast!]
“You certainly love being called great!”
When speaking of Camilla, Zetti spread his wings wide, but when discussing his own fortune, he opened them only a paper-thin crack—and at this obvious display, Duke Jebillen’s fury finally erupted.

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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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