A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 293

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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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Before Camilla could finish speaking, Sharua’s face crumpled at her firm refusal.
[Please, won’t you listen to my request? I’m begging you!]
“Look, look.”
My instincts were spot on. That prickling sensation at the back of my neck—it was exactly what I felt when the Spirits made their troublesome requests.
“I don’t know what this is about, but I’m busy.”
I didn’t have time to entertain Spirit requests. I barely had time to search for the jewels.
[But, but… there’s no one else to ask besides you, Camilla. Our Daive will be so disappointed.]
“…Daive?”
I had been about to refuse outright, but I found myself pausing. Was the request related to Daive?
[Yes, it’s because of the recital being held this time.]
“What about the recital?”
Wasn’t attending Daive’s recital one of the reasons I came to the Gracia Empire?
I’d heard it was an event held at the Academy, so had something gone wrong?
[Perhaps…]
Sharua asked carefully.
[Do you happen to know how to play an instrument?]
“An instrument?”
Why was she suddenly asking about instruments? I didn’t immediately understand what Sharua meant. The children were having a recital—why was she asking if I knew how to play an instrument?
[You see, we need someone to perform a duet with Daive at this recital.]
“Pardon?”
What was she talking about?
* * *
“An ensemble performance.”
The story Sharua told was simple. Apparently, this recital would include not just solo performances, but also ensemble pieces performed with family members.
“Family ensemble performances? Really?”
For a children’s recital, shouldn’t the children just perform and have fun?
Did the people of the Gracia Empire have such a particular fondness for music? Even children’s recitals carried a serious atmosphere.
‘And they even rank the performances…’
This was a land locked in perpetual winter, after all. With outdoor activities limited, the culture of indoor entertainment had flourished exceptionally.
Music was one such pursuit, and more than half the population of the Gracia Empire knew how to play an instrument.
‘What about children without families?’
People really lacked consideration. I clicked my tongue repeatedly.
A memory suddenly surfaced—from my school days. There had been family invitation events, and I remembered how awful I’d felt.
I’d pretended to be indifferent on the surface, but I still couldn’t forget the pitying looks people gave me as I stood alone. Each glance had felt like a needle, piercing my entire body over and over.
“Most of the children will be performing duets with their mothers?”
[Yes…]
Sharua’s shoulders sagged as she answered.
‘She must be worried.’
Our Daive has no mother to perform with. From what I understand, he hasn’t even told Duke Escra or the others about the ensemble requirement.
[Our Daive will be the only one left out.]
…Yes, I know.
I understand that sorrow all too well—when everyone else participates in the event, but you can’t because you lack family to accompany you.
But what can I do?
“I wish I could help you with that.”
[Really?]
Sharua’s face brightened instantly at Camilla’s words.
“The problem is, I don’t know how to play any instruments.”
[Ah…]
But at Camilla’s immediate response, Sharua’s shoulders sagged once more.
She hadn’t bothered to hide her disappointment, having naturally assumed Camilla could play an instrument.
“I’m not from the Gracia Empire, after all.”
I shouldn’t assume she knows how to play an instrument just because she’s from here.
‘I did learn briefly when filming a drama, though.’
There was a scene where I played piano, so I attended an academy for about a month. But I only learned the proper posture for playing piano just to film the drama.
Of course, the posture looked so natural that people who watched the drama thought I actually played piano. But a recital isn’t a place where such fake acting would work, is it?
“Is it only possible with family?”
An ensemble performance. I caught snippets of the conversation earlier, and it seemed acquaintances could participate too, didn’t it? The Academy must be showing some consideration for children without families.
[Yes, you can perform with someone you’re acquainted with, but…]
“Then couldn’t you just recruit anyone and do it?”
[That’s…]
Knock, knock!
“Sister!”
Just then, the door opened and Daive stepped into the room.
“Father has arrived.”
“He has?”
It seemed Duke Escra had finally returned to the Palace. Camilla followed Daive out of the room and asked an attendant standing nearby to summon Arsian as well.
Since he was here as a guest, the master of the house should at least greet him properly.
As I headed toward the staircase leading to the first floor, I could see Duke Escra ascending the stairs.
“It’s been a while, my daughter.”
When our eyes met, he lifted the corners of his mouth slightly. Camilla returned the greeting simply.
“Welcome home.”
“…”
“…?”
What? Why? Is there something on my face?
Camilla tilted her head in confusion. Duke Escra had paused briefly at her greeting and remained silent for a while. Had I said something strange just now?
“Have you seen your room?”
“Yes.”
After a long moment, he spoke again.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes, well.”
…No, that’s not quite my style. I’m not really one for princess-like aesthetics.
Camilla wanted to say as much, but the moment she glanced at Daive pressed snugly against her side, she swallowed the words. The child had worked so hard on this decoration. So hard!
“Well then, if you’ve taken a liking to the room, I suppose you’re thinking of staying here permanently.”
“Pardon?”
“If you like the room, you should stay.”
….
…Why does he seem even more shameless than before? Watching Duke Escra state the obvious without the slightest change in expression, Camilla shook her head softly.
“But then….”
As Duke Escra continued their brief conversation, his gaze suddenly sharpened.
“So you really did come together.”
Following his line of sight, she turned to see Arsian standing there—though she couldn’t recall when he’d arrived.
….
….
Arsian offered a light bow in greeting, but Duke Escra gave no response whatsoever.
A heavy silence fell between them.
“Come now, let’s not stand about like this. Shall we move to the Reception Room? I’ll have tea prepared.”
It was Count Alton who broke the silence. Only then did everyone realize they were still standing on the Staircase, and they quickly moved away.
* * *
“Daive, how are the recital preparations coming along?”
“Quite well.”
[Ever since hearing that you’d be coming to watch, I’ve been working even harder.]
At Sharua’s addition, Camilla gently patted the child’s head.
‘Violin, wasn’t it?’
The instrument the child would be performing at this recital. From what I’d heard, he’d been learning violin since he was very young.
“What about the ensemble?”
“Yes?”
“You’re not participating in the ensemble performance?”
As if it mattered whether they were family or not?
“Well….”
Daive hesitated, his eyes betraying confusion. He’d never mentioned the ensemble to anyone—how did his sister know about it?
“The ensemble?”
“Apparently this recital includes an ensemble performance where families perform together.”
“Hmm.”
Duke Escra’s eyes narrowed with puzzlement as he looked at Daive. Why hadn’t the child mentioned this beforehand?
“That’s… I was planning not to participate.”
“Why? Don’t you want to? If you don’t want to, then it’s fine not to.”
Still, wouldn’t he feel left out if all the other children in his class were participating while he alone sat it out?
‘I certainly felt disappointed back then.’
I found myself troubled by how Daive’s situation kept overlapping with my own past self.
‘I did say that it wouldn’t matter if they weren’t family.’
Then why not just hire a skilled musician for money?
[It seems Daive doesn’t want to perform with someone he doesn’t know. All the other children are performing with their families….]
‘Ah….’
That made sense. All the other children had come with their families, so it would be natural for him to feel uncomfortable performing with a stranger he’d been paid to bring along.
[Daive is also quite shy around unfamiliar people….]
“Hmm.”
Was the boy really that shy? When I first met him, he’d seemed rather prickly, if I recalled correctly.
‘He wouldn’t even speak a single word to me.’
Yet we’d grown close quickly enough, hadn’t we?
‘So was he being prickly with Arsian because of his shyness too?’
Now Camilla finally understood why Daive’s eyes would narrow sharply whenever he looked at Arsian. It had all been because of his reserved nature.
“Do you know how to play any instruments?”
If there’s no mother, then the father must step up. Camilla fixed Duke Escra with a pointed gaze. Isn’t this the time for you to be a proper father?
“I don’t.”
“….”
“Don’t look at me like that.”

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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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