A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 42

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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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“But what is this?”
“It’s not for you.”
Camilla finally withdrew the snacks from the basket and laid them out in a row.
“Your sister prepared these for you.”
Eat them with gratitude.
[Wow!]
Certainly, the child’s face had brightened considerably compared to before. It must have been because Arsian’s mood had stabilized greatly.
To be honest, even Camilla found it somewhat unexpected. It seemed Arsian had regained his composure faster than anticipated.
I thought he would act like a lost soul for much longer.
“Go ahead and eat.”
[….]
“Why?”
The child gently shook his head.
[I don’t need to eat anymore.]
“Huh?”
[I’m not hungry anymore.]
The child’s smile deepened.
Sier approached the bewildered Camilla and held her in a tight embrace.
In that moment, the child’s lips brushed against her cheek.
Of course, Camilla felt nothing.
Unless the situation were reversed, how could she possibly feel anything when a ghost touched her?
Surely, surely it had to be that way….
‘Something feels strange.’
For some reason, the cheek where Sier’s lips had touched seemed to tingle.
Was it because of that warmth mixed with an unfamiliar sensation? Without thinking, Camilla stroked Sier’s head once, then flinched as she realized what she had done.
The moment her hand touched his head, Sier’s eyes widened, and seeing this, he burst into bright laughter.
[Thank you, sister.]
“….”
[I was really grateful.]
The child hugged Camilla tightly once more, then stepped back.
The child’s gaze turned toward his older brother, Arsian.
The child approached him, who was watching them with a bewildered expression, unable to understand the situation at all, and this time embraced him tightly.
[Brother, I’m truly… truly sorry.]
After my death, watching you close your heart further and grow increasingly distant from Father pained me deeply.
It felt as though everything was because of my wrong choice, so I couldn’t leave your side.
If I hadn’t met such a death, if I had simply died naturally, would your relationship with Father have improved somewhat?
Regret came countless times. Even though it was a choice made for you, I couldn’t be certain it was truly the right one.
[But….]
Now my heart is at ease. Seeing you look more at peace than ever before, I couldn’t help but smile.
Camilla calmly relayed what Sier was saying.
The child’s voice trembled slightly, yet no tears fell. Instead, a smile played continuously across their face.
[Brother….]
‘Brother….’
That day. The day Sier died.
The child had tried to say something while gazing at their brother, but ultimately could not finish the words before drawing their last breath.
[I’m so glad that brother is our brother.]
“….”
[I hope brother becomes happy.]
Words left unspoken for so long.
Watching his eyes waver, Sier embraced him once more, tightly.
Finally, the child’s gaze turned toward Camilla.
[Please take good care of our brother from now on, sister.]
‘No.’
That’s not it. Don’t ask me for something like that!
Seeing Camilla’s furrowed brow, the child burst into bright laughter.
Something peculiar stirred within me at that sight. This was the first time I’d heard them laugh so openly like that.
Moments later, Sier’s form began to be enveloped in a faint luminescence.
Watching the child grow increasingly translucent, Camilla said nothing.
There was only one thing she could offer in moments like these.
‘To bear witness.’
To simply observe their final moments and hold them in memory.
Camilla quietly watched as the child faded away, leaving behind that radiant smile.
Arsian, too, seemed to understand the entirety of what was transpiring, offering no words. He merely remained in place until Sier vanished completely.
“Are you sad?”
“…Not particularly.”
The child had been dead for a long time already.
Rather, relief washed over me at the fact that the child could finally rest in peace.
How much suffering must they have endured, lingering at my side all this time? Watching me resent and despise Father, they must have blamed themselves again and again.
How many tears must that little one have shed, believing it was all their fault?
“I prepared this for you.”
“….”
“Eat, eat. When you feel empty and sad, you eat.”
“You said it wasn’t mine.”
“Who said that? I brought it for you. Eat, eat.”
You’ll be punished if you leave food uneaten!
Watching Camilla push the food she’d prepared for Sier toward him, Arsian’s expression grew momentarily bewildered.
But soon, a faint smile graced his lips.
It was a beautiful smile that Camilla failed to notice.
* * *
It was the weekend.
For once, I was savoring the rare luxury of free time and contemplating a shopping trip I hadn’t indulged in for ages.
But then….
“Fortunately you were home. How have you been?”
“Welcome.”
Visitors arrived suddenly. And in groups, no less.
Camilla greeted Duke Jebillen, who was being unusually warm, with a forced bright smile.
He’d done this before too—why was he suddenly acting so friendly?
“What brings you here as well?”
“He asked me to come along.”
It was Duke Sefra who answered that question.
Indeed, both dukes had arrived simultaneously without any prior notice.
‘How unusual.’
Duke Sorpel regarded his friend’s impassive face with a peculiar gaze.
Both Duke Jebillen and Duke Sefra were individuals he could call friends.
They were of similar age and, as heirs to ducal houses, had frequently crossed paths since childhood.
They were rivals to one another, yet bound by an odd camaraderie—they had to shoulder together the weight of being a family that protected the Empire.
But….
‘He’s not the type to visit without reason.’
I knew Duke Sefra’s temperament well—he dismissed most matters as tedious.
He rarely moved for anything of consequence, so it was curious what wind had blown him here today without even a word of notice.
“Please, do speak freely.”
Camilla, catching the peculiar expression on her father’s face, attempted to excuse herself after the greetings.
Grab!
“…?”
If only two hands hadn’t seized her arm in that instant.
“Why…?”
You two, what are you doing?
Camilla, her arms held on both sides, cast a bewildered look. The ones restraining her were Duke Jebillen and Duke Sefra.
“The reason I came here today was you—I can’t have you leaving.”
“Indeed.”
…But why me?
Duke Jebillen had been acting as though he had business here from before, so that made sense, but Duke Sefra—why him?
“Come inside for now.”
“Yes.”
“Uh… uh…?”
Camilla had to move forward while her arms remained firmly held.
Her gaze turned toward those silently observing her.
Petro and Arsian, who had followed the two dukes, were watching her with evident amusement.
‘Why did you even come!’
Petro had accompanied Father here before, so that was understandable, but what on earth was this man doing here?
Since when have you been acting together with Father?
“Come on, hurry up.”
“Wait, over there…?”
Petro grinned and waved his hand toward Camilla as she was dragged away by the two Dukes.
Arsian wore his usual expressionless face, but Camilla, who had spent many recent days beside him, could tell.
He was smiling with his eyes right now.
“So what do we do now?”
Among the two remaining after Camilla’s departure, Petro spoke first.
He made a suggestion to Arsian, who stood with an indifferent expression.
“Want to take a walk through the Garden? I looked around last time and it was really nice.”
“Me? With you?”
“Why? Don’t you like it?”
“Would I enjoy it?”
“Why? I’d enjoy it.”
“You’re insane.”
Arsian, who had turned to move alone, suddenly stopped upon noticing someone approaching them.
It was Ludvil, Duke Sorpel’s eldest son.
‘When…’
I hadn’t sensed his presence at all. Not while he approached this close.
The same was true for Petro. He too looked at Ludvil with slightly surprised eyes.
“Then how about you both take a walk with me?”
“…”
“…”
* * *
[It really is nice.]
[…]
The moment the two Dukes entered the Reception Room, they summoned their Shinsu.
Once revealed, they approached Camilla without hesitation.
Watching the red eagle and black wolf draw near, Camilla’s expression went blank.
‘Could it be…’
“Sorry about that. The beast was being so persistent.”
“Mm.”
Duke Sefra said nothing, but it was clear he had come here for much the same reason as Duke Jebillen.
[Roooaaar-!]
[…]
[…]
The white tiger Shinsu King, who had somehow climbed onto Camilla’s lap, bared its fangs at the two Shinsu.
‘The fangs are adorably tiny, though.’
The aura emanating from the two summoned Shinsu was tremendous. Camilla, who had considerable resistance to non-human entities, felt slightly tense.
Yet King, as if completely unbothered by such an aura, bared its fangs without restraint at the two Shinsu, warning them not to approach Camilla’s side.
‘Oh.’
This creature wasn’t intimidated in the slightest.
Instead, the two Shinsu approaching me hesitated and took a step back.
[Purr.]
Only then did King settle onto my lap as if nothing had happened, and began to drift off to sleep with the most serene expression.
So this is what it means to be a Shinsu.
‘Quite impressive, actually.’
Camilla let out a soft laugh and gently stroked King’s head.
“It seems your tiger Shinsu prefers this child even more.”
“Your Shinsu must have pestered you relentlessly. Show me my daughter, they said.”
“Hmph.”
Duke Jebillen, who had spoken in a teasing manner, gained nothing and averted his gaze from Duke Sorpel.
What was curious was that Duke Sefra also subtly looked away.
“Have you ever seen my daughter?”
Duke Sorpel tilted his head at Duke Sefra. In my memory, neither Duke Sefra nor his Shinsu had ever come face-to-face with Camilla.
“The Shinsu is smaller than I expected.”
Duke Sefra promptly changed the subject. At those words, Duke Sorpel’s brow furrowed slightly.
“It will grow soon enough.”
“Is it because it was sealed away for so long?”
“Perhaps…”
“Regardless, it was born into our house.”
“Indeed!”
A warm smile spread across Duke Sorpel’s face once more.
What did size matter, large or small! What mattered was that a Shinsu had returned to his family.

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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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