A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 274

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

‘Our young master….’
‘Ah, Arsian…!’
‘Who is that person…? Is that really the one I know?’
Meanwhile, the members of the Sefra Family who were seeing the gentle Arsian for the first time stood with their mouths agape. Their pupils dilated as if an earthquake had struck within them.
“Arsian, eat this too. And this as well.”
“Okay.”
Regardless, Arsian accepted every morsel of food Camilla offered him, his face more at ease than it had ever been.
“To think she would throw a birthday party for that fellow. Our daughter truly has such beautiful thoughts, doesn’t she?”
“Is that all you ever talk about these days—bragging about your daughter?”
Duke Jebillen clicked his tongue repeatedly. He was displeased, yet he had no particular grounds for complaint.
Whether it was the fireworks or the balloons—the very concept of a surprise party was entirely novel, making it all remarkably fresh.
This seems like it could become a very profitable business venture.
‘Ugh.’
How could I shake off this uncomfortable feeling that I would once again suffer heartburn from that young girl’s newest business expansion?
“Still, the food tastes excellent.”
What irritated him even more was the fact that the food Camilla had made herself was so delicious it practically melted on his tongue. Feeling defeated before the competition had even begun, Duke Jebillen’s shoulders slumped.
“Of course? Our Camilla is skilled at cooking too.”
“Even so, I won’t let a single drop of water touch her hands.”
Duke Sorpel, whose lips had been curling upward in pride at praising his daughter, flinched at the quiet voice that interjected.
“Hey, who do you think you are to decide whether water touches my daughter’s hands or not?”
“The food tastes good.”
“Don’t change the subject, you bastard!”
The sight of Duke Sefra feigning ignorance was utterly infuriating.
“Come to think of it, you’ve never had your birthday celebrated even once all this time.”
Duke Sorpel, who had been shaking Duke Sefra by the collar, paused at Duke Jebillen’s words.
“That’s right. This fellow absolutely hated having his birthday acknowledged.”
At some point, they had naturally stopped celebrating his birthday, yet he never failed to send them gifts on theirs. It was rather amusing.
“Why don’t you let us celebrate your birthday now?”
“Yes, we’ll throw you a magnificent party.”
“….”
The eyes of Duke Sorpel and Duke Jebillen gleamed with excitement.
A birthday party for our friend—for the first time! What could we do to make him happy?
“If there’s any gift you’d like, just tell us anything.”
“We’ll even retrieve something from the ends of the Continent if need be.”
“A gift….”
Duke Sefra, turning over his friends’ words in his mind, gazed intently at Duke Sorpel.
“You don’t need to give me anything.”
“Hm? Why? I have plenty of things I’d like to give you.”
“I’ve already received more than enough.”
“What?”
“Your daughter alone is sufficient.”
“Hey, you damned bastard!”
“Both of you, quiet. The little one’s coming.”
A child came running toward them with rapid footsteps as they bickered again. It was Rio.
“Uncle!”
Rio rushed into Duke Sefra’s arms with the same speed as always, and he caught the child with practiced ease, gently stroking his head.
The two friends’ expressions grew peculiar at the sight.
It was always remarkable to witness. Rio throwing himself into the arms of such a cold-blooded man without hesitation, and that man embracing the child with such tenderness.
“I forgot.”
“Forgot what?”
Rio lingered in the warm embrace for a moment longer before stepping back and retrieving something.
It was identical to what he had given Arsian moments before.
“This is for you, Uncle!”
“….”
“Spring!”
A small branch adorned with delicate blossoms.
“…Yes, spring indeed.”
A faint smile graced his lips.
“You are spring’s fairy, aren’t you?”
Duke Sefra offered these uncharacteristic words to the child, tenderly stroking Rio’s head once more.
“Hehe.”
Delighted by the title of spring’s fairy, Rio’s face brightened with radiant laughter before he scampered back toward where Sena stood.
“….”
As the child departed, Duke Sefra gazed quietly at the flower in his hand.
“Hey, why are you tucking that into your chest? Have you lost your mind?”
“It’s spring, isn’t it?”
“It doesn’t suit you—take it out at once! And why does that little one only give flowers to you? Are we not people?”
“Why? Do you want to tuck one into your chest too? I could lend you this one.”
“Enough, you wretch!”
The three dukes were bickering again before long.
* * *
“The wind is still cold.”
“Shall we go back inside?”
“It’s fine.”
Camilla and Arsian had stepped onto the terrace for a brief respite.
“Are you tired?”
He appeared somewhat weary, clearly unaccustomed to being the center of attention at such an occasion.
“No.”
Arsian shook his head lightly.
“It’s just a bit strange.”
I know well that he dislikes crowded places with so many people gathered together.
“But I still wanted to do it for him.”
“Hmm?”
“A birthday party.”
My heart ached when I discovered that he had never once celebrated his birthday throughout all these years.
It seemed as though he had been desperately denying his own existence.
The pain cut deeper because I understood all too well why Arsian felt this way.
“Even if you hate it, you’ll endure it. Because I’m going to do this every year.”
“What?”
Camilla turned to face Arsian, her eyes crinkling beautifully.
“I want to.”
“What do you—”
“I’m grateful.”
“…”
“I’m…”
Camilla stepped closer to him, her smile deepening.
“I’m thankful and grateful for the day you were born.”
Arsian, no matter how much you despise this day or curse it, there’s nothing you can do about it now.
“It’s already become a special day for me.”
Camilla reached out and cradled his face in her hands. She kissed him softly, and her smile grew even warmer.
“So you just stay by my side for the rest of your life.”
“…”
Arsian stared at her in stunned silence for a moment, unable to speak.
Soon, a gentle smile blossomed at the corners of his lips.
He reached out with both hands to carefully cradle her cheeks, and his lips met hers softly.
“Always.”
Hearing his whispered answer, Camilla’s face bloomed with a smile once more.
Around the two of them sharing another kiss, flower petals carried on the wind danced and swirled.
Warm, delicate petals announcing the arrival of spring…
* * *
“Ugh, really. Why is the procedure so complicated?”
“New magical items must receive safety certification. It’s unavoidable. That’s why I’m just handling it myself.”
Camilla muttered quietly as she exited the Guard Headquarters office.
She had come here to properly obtain approval for the items Ravi had developed at her request—fireworks and balloons.
To think she needed approval for these things. What danger could balloons possibly pose?
News of Arsian’s birthday party had spread, and many people inquired about the party products used that day.
‘I knew there was business potential in this.’
She had immediately pursued the business venture due to the unexpectedly large response, but problems arose when several laws changed.
To formally use the new magical items, she needed to submit a permit from the Magic Tower to the Guard Headquarters.
So Camilla personally brought the permit she had received from the Magic Tower and visited the Guard Headquarters.
I could have sent Dorman or someone else, but I wanted to come myself. The beginning of any new venture always requires meticulous inspection and reinspection.
“Now I should focus on promotion… hm?”
Camilla’s footsteps came to an abrupt halt as she was about to exit the Guard Headquarters. Something had captured her attention.
A man was clutching a Guard soldier, his voice desperate and pleading.
And beside this man stood another presence—a young girl gripping the hem of his clothing tightly.
The man showed no recognition of her existence, yet tears glistened in Camilla’s eyes with sympathy.
[….]
“….”
In that moment, the child’s eyes met Camilla’s.
[Please help us. Please help our father… Please, just tell us where I am.]
“Our child has been missing for over a month now!”
“We are searching diligently. Please wait just a bit longer.”
“Just a bit, just a bit! How much longer must we wait! What if something happens to our child… *chokes*.”
“Please calm yourself. Crying won’t solve anything. We will search the places the child might have gone once more.”
“Please… please just find our child…”
When a week had passed since the child disappeared, he had simply prayed for the child’s safe return.
After two weeks, he would have accepted any outcome—injured, crippled—if only the child would return even a day sooner.
And now, a month later…
He merely wished to know whether the child lived or died. If dead, he wanted to know how, wanted to find the body at least.
Only then could he lay the child to rest in his heart.
Tap, tap.
“…?”
A careful hand touched the man’s shoulder.
The man turned with reddened eyes and flinched. A woman he had never seen before stood there.
Camilla stepped closer toward the man.
“You’re searching for a child. A young girl who appears to be about ten years old.”
“H-how did you…!”
“I read fortunes, you see.”
“Pardon?”
Watching the man’s dazed expression, Camilla clicked her tongue softly to herself.
Her gaze then flickered toward the deceased child.
Seeing the hope brimming in the child’s eyes, a silent sigh escaped Camilla’s lips.
“Well, I have nothing to lose.”
She smiled faintly and asked one final question.
“Would you like me to read your fortune?”
『The Fortuneteller’s Daughter』 Special Epilogue – End

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————