A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 313

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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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I could infer from Arsian’s sudden behavior that something had happened during this journey. Something related to Camilla, no less.
“….”
Arsian’s eyes gleamed with a sharpness I’d never seen before as he extended his hand toward the door sealed by the magical barrier.
‘Never again….’
I would never let that creature unsettle her again.
The moment I faced Armis in the Dragon’s Lair, there was nothing I could do. Even as I watched Camilla trembling in fear.
The helplessness I felt then….
Arsian immediately dispelled the magical barrier and strode into the space shrouded in deep darkness.
In an instant, the magical barrier regenerated, and brilliant light poured forth.
Now no one could enter that space. Not until Arsian emerged of his own accord.
“….”
Even after his son’s figure had completely vanished, Duke Sefra lingered in place, a silent sigh escaping his lips once more.
* * *
“What is this, sister?”
“A game console.”
“A game console?”
“Yes. It’s a gift.”
“Wow!”
“Um, am I really allowed to receive this…?”
“Of course.”
Rio and Sena had come to the cafe for the first time in a while. They wanted to see Camilla, who had just returned from her journey.
Upon meeting the two children, Camilla immediately handed over the gifts—the exact same game consoles she’d given to Daive, complete with plenty of game chips.
‘I’m not exactly a game console evangelist, but….’
When I meet Daive later, wouldn’t it be difficult for Rio and Sena to play together if they knew nothing about games? Children naturally become closer when they have the same toys.
“But you have to set a time limit each day.”
“Yes!”
After securing Rio’s promise, Camilla explained the game console’s operation in meticulous detail.
Perhaps because they were children, they seemed to accept modern conveniences far more readily than adults, without hesitation. Daive had been the same way.
‘Now that I think about it….’
Camilla turned her gaze from the two children, who had quickly become absorbed in playing games together, and looked out the window.
“…The atmosphere feels strange.”
I could see soldiers from the Guard scattered throughout the streets.
They normally patrol for public safety, but today they seemed unusually frequent. It wasn’t just a feeling—look, there goes another one.
“Is something wrong?”
“You haven’t heard yet?”
“Hm?”
Meari, who had been tidying the adjacent table and overheard Camilla’s murmur, approached and shared what she knew.
“Children have been going missing recently.”
“Children?”
“Yes. More than ten have already disappeared just in this area.”
“…Another child?”
Camilla’s brow furrowed slightly. Children from the orphanage had gone missing before, hadn’t they?
Camilla’s gaze naturally drifted toward Rio and Sena. Both of them had been caught up in that kidnapping incident back then.
‘Do they think children are easy targets?’
Why did they keep failing to kidnap children and causing such a commotion? Camilla made no effort to hide her irritation, clicking her tongue repeatedly.
“So that’s why.”
The Guard Headquarters was on high alert, and she’d already noticed that the number of knights accompanying Rio and Sena seemed unusually large compared to usual.
“Rio, Sena.”
“Yes?”
Both children lifted their heads simultaneously at Camilla’s call.
“From now on, never wander outside alone.”
“Yes!!”
Rio and Sena didn’t understand the reason, but they immediately nodded vigorously in response to Camilla’s warning.
Satisfied with their reaction, Camilla’s gaze returned to the window.
Watching the soldiers still patrolling the streets, she clicked her tongue lightly once more.
Who was causing trouble this time? Was it simply another kidnapping case? Or was it something orchestrated by people with a purpose, like the Eba Cult?
“Rio.”
After pondering these various possibilities, Camilla quietly called Rio again.
“Yes?”
“Is your brother still in training?”
“Yes!”
“Hmm.”
I’d received word from Arsian a few days ago. He said he wouldn’t be in contact for a while—he had some training to do and couldn’t go out.
‘What more training could he possibly need?’
There were already so few people in the Empire who could match Arsian.
‘That was a good thought.’
Nod.
‘What?’
‘I need to train more.’
Nod.
‘…?’
But Ravi and Ludvil, upon hearing this, nodded their heads repeatedly as if they understood exactly why Arsian was doing this.
‘…Why is it only I who can’t seem to understand?’
Besides, he was already so thin he barely ate! Was he actually starving himself under the guise of training?
Camilla’s brow creased with concern as she quickly made plans to visit Duke Sefra’s Residence soon.
* * *
It was dark.
A space blanketed in such thick darkness that nothing was visible. In the very center of it sat a figure with eyes closed, motionless as death—Arsian.
[Brother….]
Shortly after, someone approached him, their form gradually materializing from the shadows.
[Brother.]
“….”
Arsian’s eyes slowly opened. As faint light seeped into the darkness that had enveloped the space, the figure standing before him came into sharp focus.
Gaunt and skeletal, covered in wounds—a child. Sierda.
My younger brother, who had been trapped underground as a child and starved to death. That final image of him now stood directly before me.
[Brother….]
Tears began streaming down the child’s eyes as he continued calling out to me.
[It’s because of you… because of you….]
“….”
The clear tears had turned crimson. Bloody tears rolled down his cheeks and dripped onto my face as I sat there.
Each tear struck me like a sharp blade, piercing through my entire body.
[If it weren’t for you… if you hadn’t existed, I wouldn’t have died.]
The child’s resentful words, delivered through pitiful sobs.
I said nothing. Even as I watched the child’s hands drawing near as if to strangle me, I simply gazed at Sierda in silence.
[Hungry… in pain… so cold. Why only me… why must only I suffer like this? Why only me?]
“….”
[Why… why did only you survive? Why? I’m dead… why only you….]
The words I had screamed silently in my heart for a lifetime.
Why couldn’t we have died together? Why did I let only that child perish? I had cursed and resented myself for being the sole survivor.
Even before, when I first entered this space long ago, I had encountered Sierda.
And I heard the same appearance… the same cries as now.
Seeing such a child, watching Sierda weep sorrowfully and resent me, I had been unable to do anything for a long time back then as well.
Even knowing it was an illusion, even knowing I had to confront it to escape this place… I simply remained still.
As if listening to the child’s resentment was my duty.
And then.
A sharp sound.
I finally cut down the child who was wailing in despair with my blade and managed to escape that space.
‘…It seems you are still my greatest pain.’
Seeing Sierda appear before me once again, I had to acknowledge that the child remained my deepest wound.
[Because of you… because of you! If you had never been born, I wouldn’t have died either. I would have lived like the other children….]
The child continued pouring out words sharp as daggers without pause. Before, I couldn’t even breathe properly with each one of those words.
‘But….’
‘I’m grateful. I’m thankful.’
‘I… I’m grateful and thankful for the day you were born.’
‘It has already become a special day for me. So you, stay by my side for the rest of your life.’
‘…Not anymore.’
Because now there is someone beside me who rejoices in my birth… in my existence.
[Because of you… because of you.]
A gentle motion.
Arsian reached out his arm.
“I’m sorry.”
Arsian whispered softly as he held Sier close.
“I’m sorry.”
His hand stroking the child’s head was infinitely tender and careful.
“I’m sorry….”
…But Sier.
“I’m going to try living.”
Try to find happiness.
‘…With that person.’
With that person who rejoiced at my birth and gave me thanks….
“So….”
I’m sorry… I’m going to stop hurting now.
Arsian closed his eyes gently as he held the child tightly.
A soft breath escaped.
Then Sier’s form grew increasingly hazy. The child’s figure slowly faded, replaced by a rippling aura of black light.
A gentle whisper.
The black light moved as if alive, seeping swiftly into Arsian’s body. Only then did Arsian slowly open his eyes.
“….”
Arsian gazed at his own hands. He could feel it clearly—the power of darkness had grown deeper.

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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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