A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 356

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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 generously paying the Pharmacist for his trouble in identifying the medicinal herbs, I found myself unable to leave immediately—he clung to me with stubborn persistence.
His plea was earnest, but I couldn’t possibly grant his request.
‘I’m planning to sell these as VIP-exclusive products.’
I intended to turn these herbs into merchandise, but I had no intention of making them available to just anyone.
‘I’m thinking of establishing a membership system while I’m at it.’
I planned to select VIP customers based on their purchase history at the Ghost Merchant Store and market these products as exclusive items sold only to them. And the first targets were none other than the Dukes.
“I guarantee the effectiveness.”
Duke Sorpel interjected into my conversation with Duke Jebillen.
“My gray hairs disappeared.”
“What?”
“You know how I’ve been getting a few gray hairs recently, right? Look here. Not a single one?”
“You already took some?”
“Yes.”
“By yourself?”
“That’s why you should buy some too.”
Just as Duke Sorpel said, the gray hairs that had been sporadically appearing in his hair were nowhere to be seen today.
“Did you get it for free again?”
“Of course.”
“Ugh.”
The effect seemed genuine enough; now the issue was price. Duke Jebillen regarded Duke Sorpel—who was boasting about eating it for free because his daughter gave it to him—with displeasure before turning his attention back to me.
“How much?”
The ramen I’d purchased last time wasn’t cheap either.
What was it with all these ramen varieties? Black bean noodles, curry ramen…
‘And the Spicy Chicken ramen too.’
Duke Jebillen, who had a particular weakness for spicy foods, had been obsessed with Spicy Chicken ramen recently.
At first, he’d stuck out his tongue, wondering what kind of insane heat this was. But it turned out to be surprisingly addictive, and lately he’d been topping it with all sorts of cheese.
Having stockpiled so many varieties of ramen, the cost had added up considerably.
“I’ll just give it to you this time.”
“…You’re just giving it?”
“Yes. You’re Father’s friends—how could I keep charging you?”
“…”
What’s this? What’s she plotting now?
Duke Sorpel nodded repeatedly with a pleased expression—’Ah, she’s truly my daughter’—but Duke Jebillen couldn’t shake his suspicious gaze.
That girl, who now charged money for even a single video, would never just give something like this away for free!
Meanwhile, Duke Sefra, standing beside Duke Jebillen, appeared to have no particular thoughts on the matter. He showed little interest in the herbs either.
“But according to the Pharmacist, if you take this consistently, it’s wonderfully beneficial for your health. He said if you take it every two months, you’ll truly live a long life?”
“Every two months? You have to take it regularly every two months?”
“Yes.”
“…”
…Ah, so that’s it. In other words, while it was free this time, from two months onward, I’d need to keep buying it regularly.
This time, I’d resolved not to fall for that scoundrel’s sales tactics! Yet Duke Jebillen’s gaze kept drifting toward Duke Sorpel’s hair.
‘Come to think of it, I’ve been noticing a few myself lately.’
While it wasn’t terribly noticeable yet, silver strands were beginning to appear. What if I were the only one not taking this herbal remedy? Would I end up looking old while everyone else stayed young?!
“So, how much is it?”
In the end, Duke Jebillen had no choice but to ask about the price again.
“This time it’s complimentary. Please try it, and contact me next time you need more.”
Camilla deliberately didn’t mention the price. Once word spread about this herb’s effects, people would surely clamor to purchase it. That’s when I’d set an appropriate price.
‘Of course, Armis Mountain is absolutely overflowing with medicinal herbs.’
They’re practically underfoot everywhere, really. But there’s no need to let others know that little detail, is there? I should emphasize scarcity and drive the price up as much as possible.
“There are many other herbs as well—take a look at them. These will all become products sold through the Ghost Merchant Store before long.”
Camilla showed the other medicinal herbs to both Duke Jebillen and Duke Sorpel.
“This one brightens the eyes? This herb is a cure-all?”
“Yes. And this one is extremely effective for hair loss.”
Just as I’d predicted, Duke Jebillen was the one showing the greatest interest in health matters. Truly a VIP mark—I mean, customer.
“Want this one too?”
And the one showing the least interest in health was none other than Duke Sorpel.
“I don’t need this.”
With a look suggesting he saw no point in extending his lifespan further, he handed the herb Camilla had given him to Duke Jebillen.
“Why would I eat something meant for you!”
“Hey, open your mouth. We’re force-feeding you.”
“You bastard, trying to die before us.”
“As if we’d let that happen.”
Duke Jebillen and Duke Sorpel seized Duke Sorpel’s arms firmly and tried to shove the herb directly into his mouth.
“You have to brew it first!”
Camilla cried out urgently, stopping them. You’ll get burned if you eat it raw, you will.
“Is that so?”
“When you get home, brew the herb and film yourself drinking it on your phone—bring me the video. If you don’t, well, I’ll just buy everything Camilla has and pour it all down your throat.”
“….”
“Answer me.”
“…Fine.”
Only after hearing his answer did Duke Sorpel finally break free from the two men.
He resigned himself to the situation, remaining still as Duke Sorpel carefully wrapped the herb and tucked it into his robes.
“How are Rio and Sena doing? Are they attending the Academy well?”
Camilla, already quite familiar with the antics of these three men, quickly changed the subject.
I wonder how my two little ones are getting along with their studies?
‘I really should visit in person.’
Between recent Trading Company matters and various other tasks, I hadn’t been able to visit the Academy in quite some time, so it had been a while since I’d seen the children.
“They’re doing well.”
At the mention of Rio, a faint smile briefly crossed Duke Sorpel’s expressionless face before vanishing.
‘I’ll be going now!’
Every morning at Duke Sephra’s Residence, a cheerful greeting echoed through the halls—one that had never been heard there before.
The child bid farewell not only to Duke Sephra but to every servant working in the household, and their faces were perpetually brightened by his radiant demeanor.
“I’ll visit you at the Academy sometime too.”
“Sounds good.”
I wondered how many friends my little ones had made at the Academy. Camilla found herself deeply curious about Rio and Sena’s school life.
* * *
“So you’re from an orphanage?”
Several children approached Rio, who was intently sketching with colored pencils on paper in the classroom.
“Yeah! It’s the orphanage run by Director Heman! It’s really spacious and wonderful!”
Rio nodded brightly at the question, flashing a radiant smile. The child who had spoken flinched at the sight.
‘Huh?’
That wasn’t how this was supposed to go.
David, the son of Count Merklo, had disliked Rio from the very beginning.
The child who had appeared at the entrance ceremony holding Duke Sephra’s hand had captured everyone’s attention.
‘David, you need to befriend that child.’
‘Why? I don’t like him.’
‘Now, now, listen to your father.’
‘He’s an orphan. I don’t want to be friends with someone like that!’
‘David! You must never show such an attitude in front of that child. Do you understand?’
Both his father and mother had earnestly urged him to get along with Rio, but….
‘He’s an orphan.’
Why should I have to impress some lowborn orphan? Isn’t he just a child the Duke took pity on and brought along?
“So you don’t even know what your parents look like.”
“Yeah… I don’t.”
Though Rio had been grateful that David had initiated the conversation, a shadow of melancholy crossed his face for the first time, dimming his perpetual brightness.
“But it’s okay! Now I have Uncle, and Big Brother, and Sena and Camilla too!”
Yet in an instant, his expression brightened again, and he laughed cheerfully.

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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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