A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 54

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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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The real problem was that she was Petro’s sister.
For that reason alone, I found myself unable to move freely around Elisha, always anxious to make a good impression on her.
‘What an infuriating situation it was.’
Elisha knew this fact all too well, which was why her behavior toward me often crossed the line.
Of course, only when Duke Jebillen and Petro were absent.
‘So why would I want to come here?’
While not quite to the extent of Ravi, Elisha was one of those people I genuinely wanted to grab by the hair and shake whenever I observed this world.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Camilla! I missed you so much.”
The way Elisha approached me with a cheerful gait and linked her arm through mine was undeniably charming to anyone watching.
Elisha, whose head barely reached my chin, flashed me a radiant smile.
‘That cunning little fox.’
She’d be perfect for Ravi.
“My lady, Duke Sefra has just arrived.”
At that moment, a man who appeared to be a butler approached and spoke quietly to Duke Jebillen.
I turned my head and saw a man slowly entering through the hall’s entrance. It was Duke Sefra, impeccably dressed in a black suit.
‘Arsian didn’t come.’
Well, that makes sense—he despises anything involving Petro, so there’s no way he’d willingly set foot in the Jebillen Family Mansion.
“Welcome.”
“We’ve been seeing each other quite often lately.”
Duke Jebillen and Duke Sorpel greeted him warmly at his arrival.
Both of them had noticed it recently—he had changed considerably.
He was never the type to appear so readily simply because they extended an invitation.
Though others wouldn’t notice, Duke Sorpel and Duke Jebillen, who had been together since childhood, could certainly perceive it.
The subtle shifts hidden beneath that expressionless face.
‘His expression suddenly brightened.’
‘Exactly.’
What could have happened to him recently? He always carried the aura of someone bearing all misfortunes alone…
They were deeply curious, but as two men, they had no way to uncover everything.
Especially since the other party was Duke Sefra.
No matter how skilled they were, investigating circumstances he chose not to reveal himself was difficult.
“You’ve come.”
While he merely nodded indifferently to the two dukes’ greetings, the first person he actually spoke to was none other than me.
Upon seeing me, Duke Sefra approached first with measured steps and spoke.
“Yes, I’ve been well, thank you.”
I discreetly stroked the head of the black wolf Luna, who was circling around me, unnoticed by the others.
Since she wasn’t in a summoned state, only Duke Sefra could see her.
[What? Why are they suddenly acting so close?]
The red eagle Shinsu Zetti, who had perched on my shoulder the moment I entered, voiced his displeasure.
Apparently, he was displeased that I hadn’t acknowledged him when he flew over, yet I was petting Luna as if welcoming her.
‘Why else?’
I received help.
If it weren’t for Luna, I never could have made the Binter couple confess their crimes of their own volition.
Without her, this matter would have become far more complicated.
“It seems you’re more delighted to see my daughter than me.”
“Well, that’s true. After all, I’m the guest of honor at today’s party.”
The two dukes chuckled softly and drew closer.
Camilla, unexpectedly wedged between three dukes, let out a quiet sigh. Naturally, all eyes had turned toward us.
‘I’m accustomed to such gazes.’
The jealousy and admiration mingled within those stares were equally familiar—a gaze that had always followed me during my days as an actress.
The problem was that someone in this very room despised the attention I received with a passion that was quite, truly quite evident.
“Sister!”
Elisha, who had sidled up beside me, beamed with a bright smile.
Yet Camilla, standing so close to her, could discern the truth: her eyes held no warmth whatsoever.
“Father, may I take Sister with me? Camilla Sister, my friends are waiting over there, so let’s go.”
Before Duke Jebillen could even respond, Elisha tugged forcefully at Camilla’s arm.
Camilla gently withdrew her arm from Elisha’s grasp.
“Just a moment.”
“Yes?”
“It’s your birthday, after all. I should give you your gift first.”
As I turned away with a gentle smile, Elisha’s expression shifted to one of considerable bewilderment.
She seemed quite shocked, for Camilla had never once refused her wishes so directly before.
Seeing her face, Camilla stifled an inward laugh.
“Happy birthday.”
Approaching Duke Jebillen, Camilla bowed respectfully and presented him with the gift she had brought.
“Thank you.”
Duke Jebillen appeared somewhat surprised—he hadn’t expected to receive a gift from Camilla.
What she offered was a small box with a reddish hue.
Click.
His eyes widened slightly as he opened the box.
“This is…”
A brooch with a deep blue luster.
Shaped like an eagle, it bore a small diamond embedded in the eye, and the overall impression was refined and understated rather than ostentatious.
‘But the design isn’t what matters here.’
Camilla had a different purpose in mind.
“It’s a brooch made from mana stone.”
“Mana stone?”
At Duke Sorpel’s interjection, Duke Jebillen’s eyes widened further.
“It contains a defensive enchantment.”
“What…!”
At the explanation that followed, everyone around them—who had been eagerly perking up their ears for any morsel of useful information—expressed their astonishment.
“That small brooch is a magical artifact?”
“Surely not.”
People found it difficult to believe.
Artifacts in circulation were already countless. Yet even the most inferior magical artifacts were difficult to craft so diminutively.
Naturally, how long a magical formula could be maintained depended entirely on the quality and quantity of mana contained within the mana stone—the medium itself.
To inscribe a powerful magical formula, the size of the mana stone—the ‘quantity’ component—had to meet a certain minimum threshold, and even the finest mana stones lost considerable value if their size was inadequate.
Several nobles who understood this fact well scoffed openly, suggesting that Camilla was simply boasting.
“Even if it were genuine, it would only contain a very inferior magical formula at best. In any case, the Sorpel lady seems desperate for attention even at an occasion like this—”
Those who had been sneering fell silent as they met Duke Sorpel’s frigid gaze.
Camilla shook her head at her father, who looked as though he might send them to the divine realm that very instant.
“Father.”
One shouldn’t carelessly wag one’s tongue like that, I thought inwardly, clicking my tongue at the sight of their blanched faces.
After that, I attempted to lighten the atmosphere with a cheerful voice as though nothing had happened.
Or rather, I tried to.
“It will neutralize virtually any attack.”
“…! Truly?”
At Duke Sefra’s words, the Party Venue fell into shock.
Even Duke Jebillen, who had been glaring at those who mocked Camilla with an intensity that seemed ready to incinerate them, turned to look at him in surprise.
It would neutralize virtually any attack?
That could only mean the defensive magic contained within that small brooch was extraordinary!
Duke Sefra continued speaking, indifferent to whatever reactions others might display.
His gaze—the kind that would make even soul administrators or reapers flee in terror—remained fixed upon those who had disparaged Camilla.
“I inscribed the formula myself, so I guarantee it.”
“You did it yourself?”
With a pallid expression, he glanced once at those departing the Party Venue and at Camilla, who was playing around with Shinsu Luna in the interim, before nodding.
At Duke Sefra’s affirmation, exclamations erupted from those around them.
“Could it be…!”
“That’s right. It’s made from the finest mana stones our house currently handles.”
At the addendum that it was more than capable of accommodating advanced magical formulas, Duke Jebillen’s jaw dropped.
Those who knew that mages had recently been desperate to obtain mana stones from House Sefra felt the same.
“That is…”
“The mana stone from the rumors?”
“So it can be crafted into jewelry as well.”
The murmuring of the crowd grew louder.
“But why would this child have…”
Duke Jebillen looked back and forth between his friend and Camilla with a puzzled expression.
Currently, the new mana stones of House Sefra were so scarce that their worth was determined by demand alone.
His face made clear that he could not fathom how Camilla could possibly gift him such a precious mana stone—and moreover, a magical artifact personally crafted by Duke Sefra himself.
At the silent demand for a proper explanation, Duke Sefra spoke in an offhand manner.
“After all, it was this child who came up with the idea of crafting mana stones into brooches.”
Since she has a good sense for this sort of thing, I sought her counsel.
People’s eyes widened at an answer they had never anticipated.
Meanwhile, Duke Sorpel, who had already known this fact, displayed a triumphant smile.
“I received one as well.”
Duke Sorpel’s chest also bore a tiger-shaped brooch.
A cute design modeled after King—a baby tiger.
‘In the end, it’s a tiger.’
Camilla turned away from her father with a slight grimace.
The tiger brooch certainly exuded sophistication and refinement, but truthfully, its design would have suited children’s clothing far better.
However, Duke Sorpel’s commanding presence dispelled any sense of incongruity.
Since matters had come to this, I also had the brooch I was to give Duke Jebillen crafted with Shinsu—an eagle—as the motif.
At least this divine beast was a fully grown adult, which was some consolation.
‘Father does give me some pause.’
Sharing the embarrassment might diminish it. There was a reason the saying “a friend’s comfort is one’s own” existed.
“My brooch has protective magic woven into it as well.”
Duke Sorpel gazed at Camilla with a satisfied gleam in his eyes. After all, it was she who had fastened this brooch directly to his chest.
“Wouldn’t that be true for everyone?”
Camilla continued, her voice deliberately raised as if she had been waiting for this moment.
“The desire to protect someone precious from harm is a feeling we all share.”
At those words, people’s eyes sparkled with interest.
Especially those with lovers gazed intently at the brooches worn by the two Dukes, as if they had discovered a new gift item.
‘That’s right, that’s right. Sales begin soon, so please buy plenty.’
Why else would I gift such an expensive brooch to Duke Jebillen? We weren’t even on particularly good terms.
‘I hold grudges for an incredibly long time.’
The disrespect I’ve accumulated from that man alone is enough to make me burst. What’s so charming about someone like that!
Yet there was only one reason I gave such a precious gift.
‘Promotional effect.’
The mere fact that two Dukes were wearing them guaranteed promotional impact.
‘I gave one to Ludvil as well.’
I suspect it will become a trend among young knights.
It’s meaningful as a gift for one’s parents, and it’s perfect for giving to family members or lovers who are traveling far away.
“Thank you.”
“I hope you find it to your liking.”
“I find it most agreeable.”
A smile graced Duke Jebillen’s lips—one that seemed entirely genuine, a smile he had never shown before Camilla.
In the midst of this harmonious atmosphere, there was one person whose demeanor stood out as awkward: Elisha.
She, who had always stood at the center of the party venue, was thoroughly displeased with the current situation.
Her father, who would furrow his brow at the mere mention of Camilla’s name, had recently begun acting strangely.
The fact that her father had sent Camilla a personal invitation was difficult to believe.
I was so shocked when I pretended to do her a favor by offering to send Camilla an invitation, only to hear that I’d already sent one.
When did I start looking after her like that!
“Father.”
“Hmm? Ah! Yes, yes. We’ve been holding onto you for far too long. Young people should spend time with other young people. Go on now.”
“Yes!”
Elisha’s sullenness vanished in an instant, replaced by a bright smile as she grabbed Camilla’s arm and pulled.
The force of her grip was no joke—she clearly didn’t want to leave Camilla standing in a place where people’s eyes would linger.
As Elisha hurried her steps, mentioning that her friends were waiting, Camilla decided to play along and follow without resistance.
‘What is she plotting this time?’
I found myself oddly looking forward to it. Was something wrong with me?
Before coming here, I’d found everything tedious and irritating, but now that I was face to face with her, something stirred within me.
‘What do you mean, something stirred?’
That day when I first properly entered this world, the day I first truly confronted Ravi!
The feeling from back then—when I’d struck the back of his head with all my might—that sensation was stirring again.
“Sister, let’s hurry!”
“…Yes, I want to hurry too.”
The corners of Camilla’s lips curved upward slightly.

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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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