A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 57

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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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In any case, I began investigating the person known as Zeno Jebillen.
This time, I didn’t particularly need the help of Rube, the leader of Black Shadow. After all, I had Derin, the former leader and butler ghost!
If Duke Sorpel knew something, there was a high probability that Derin knew it as well.
He said that whenever Rube and Duke Sorpel conversed, he would eavesdrop from the sidelines to gather information.
And fortunately, Derin did not disappoint my expectations.
According to what I heard from Derin, Zeno’s death was nothing particularly special.
He hadn’t died in combat, nor had he been assassinated. It was simply a death that came when his time naturally ran out.
‘Which is precisely why I’m so curious.’
Why would someone who died so ordinarily be like this?
Zeno Jebillen was the person who had discovered the ‘Guardian’s Sword.’
The artifact mentioned by countless prophets, passed down only through illustrations in ancient texts.
A mysterious blade that chooses its own master. The sole light capable of saving a world consumed by darkness.
Yet what was clearly embedded in his chest was…
While I organized my tangled thoughts, Zeno continued chattering away to himself.
[How strange. Can you see me?]
It was something I always heard when meeting spirits, so there was nothing particularly novel about it.
However, unlike the expressionless statue-like figure he had appeared to be sitting before, I could sense that he was actually quite a cheerful person. That was somewhat surprising.
[How very strange indeed.]
His manner of speech was also far more carefree than I’d expected.
[How did you know my name is Zeno? Do you know the Jebillen Family? Are all my family members doing well?]
He certainly talked a lot.
“Well, um…”
I gave a vague response and quietly stepped back. What was this strange feeling that I’d touched something I shouldn’t have?
[What’s your name?]
“I’m Camilla Sorpel.”
[Ah, you’re from the Sorpel Family! Are those people doing well too? I used to visit that mansion so often when I was younger. The place was so ridiculously large that I’d frequently get lost. Is the fountain in the Garden still there? I once did something there—]
“But why are you here like this?”
I hurriedly threw out the question before his words could stretch any further.
[Here? Because it’s the Training Grounds.]
“That’s what I mean. Why are you in the Training Grounds?”
Why was someone who had been the head of the Jebillen Family—and at that, the most renowned among all the Jebillen Family heads throughout history—holed up in a place like this?
‘Now that I think about it, that’s strange too.’
I’d heard that Zeno Jebillen had been sixty-seven years old when he died.
Yet the man before my eyes looked, at most, barely past twenty.
‘Did he undergo some kind of rejuvenation upon death?’
Those who had deeply yearned for their youth sometimes sought out that appearance after death, so perhaps this person was such a case…
My endless chain of thoughts was abruptly cut short as an answer to my previous question arrived.
[Because I love the sword.]
“Pardon?”
[I simply love swords far too much.]
“….”
Well, that was possible. For someone obsessed with the sword, it wouldn’t be strange if they couldn’t leave the Training Grounds even in death.
“But why specifically the Academy Training Grounds?”
There were countless training grounds scattered throughout the world. So why insist on the one at the Academy?
There was no need to look far—the Jebillen Family’s Training Ground always had knights practicing their swordplay.
[My time at the Academy was the most fun.]
“Are you an alumnus?”
[Yes! Call me senpai.]
“I’ll pass on that.”
At my firm refusal, the man shrugged once and turned his gaze back toward the Training Grounds.
[This place remains unchanged with time.]
His expression grew distant as he stared at the empty Training Grounds.
As he retrieved old memories, it seemed as though countless figures glistening with sweat flickered across his eyes.
Zeno Jebillen himself must have been among them.
“Zeno Jebillen.”
[Just call me Zeno Jebillen.]
At Camilla’s call, he shifted his gaze toward me.
As if he hadn’t been lost in thought moments before, a playful smile formed at the corners of Zeno Jebillen’s lips.
“That sword.”
[….]
But at my next words, his expression stiffened slightly.
“Is it the Sword of Protection?”
After the question hung in the air, Zeno Jebillen remained silent for a moment before breaking into a smile again.
[That’s right.]
His gaze turned toward the sword embedded in his left chest.
[The sword I found.]
And—
[The sword that killed me.]
* * *
[Not studying maps today?]
Perol, the chef’s ghost, approached Camilla’s side and tilted his head as he confirmed the book she was reading.
[The Sword of Protection?]
“Yes.”
Camilla genuinely marveled. The book she was reading was written in ancient language.
It was astounding that Perol, neither a scholar nor a nobleman, could decipher ancient language.
[I was curious what people ate in ancient times. While investigating that, I picked up a bit of the language.]
Perol wore a satisfied expression.
Seeing the wonder in Camilla’s eyes made all those nights spent learning ancient language feel worthwhile.
[And you seem quite knowledgeable about ancient language yourself.]
“I’ve completed advanced ancient language studies.”
The sole field in which the original Camilla had shown genuine interest and exceptional talent was ancient languages.
Even while possessed, she had no choice but to frequently encounter ancient texts, and by now, she could decipher even obscure manuscripts without relying on translations.
“Miss Camilla.”
At that moment, someone approached her side with labored steps—Jimmy, the Attendant responsible for managing the Library.
Carrying several books at once, he carefully set them down on the desk where I sat.
“The books you requested.”
“These are all about the Guardian’s Sword?”
“Yes, they are.”
Faced with the unexpectedly large quantity, I exhaled a short sigh.
‘Should I just give up?’
What was the point of digging so deeply? It wasn’t even my family’s affair—it concerned an entirely different household.
Yet moments later, I reached for the books Jimmy had brought.
It went against my nature to leave a question unresolved once it had taken root in my mind.
‘If I hadn’t shown interest in the first place, it would be different.’
Now that my curiosity had deepened, letting it go felt thoroughly unsatisfying.
“It seems you’re interested in the Guardian’s Sword as well, Miss.”
“Hmm?”
As well?
My hand, which had been about to turn the first page of the topmost book, froze.
“Has someone else besides me looked at this book?”
Jimmy nodded immediately.
“Young Master Ludvil, ma’am.”
‘Now that I think about it, this is the first time.’
As I gazed toward the Training Grounds where the Sorpel Family’s knights trained, I realized something.
Despite all these years spent here, I had never once set foot in the Training Grounds within the mansion.
The original Camilla had feared Ludvil even more than Duke Sorpel.
His perpetually indifferent expression and taciturn nature—he never initiated conversation.
I had been terrified of facing him, convinced that Ludvil despised me.
And yet, such a stepbrother…
‘Ludvil.’
‘Yes, Father.’
I had envied him deeply.
Not quite as much as Ravi, but I had envied Ludvil nonetheless.
Duke Sorpel’s legitimate son.
Ludvil, who could be called family without doing anything, without making any effort.
I could not help but envy him for never knowing the anxiety of being cast out beyond the fence, for being able to look upon his father without the slightest sense of debt.
‘That’s why I went out of my way to avoid him so carefully.’
I had apparently believed that if Ludvil discovered this truth, he would despise me even more than he already did—but then again, who knew.
I watched Ludvil as he observed the knights’ training.
Seeing him scrutinize their postures with meticulous care, his expression as impassive as always, I couldn’t help but smile faintly.
I don’t approach others first, but I don’t push away those who come to me either.
Even now, whenever someone seeks help, I stand right beside them and teach endlessly without reservation.
Camilla watched their training for a while longer before making her presence subtly known.
“Hm?”
“Over there…”
“Miss Camilla?”
The knights who spotted her began to murmur among themselves. At the commotion, Ludvil also lifted his head and looked toward where Camilla stood.
Seeing his eyes widen slightly, Camilla gave him a light wave.
“What brings you here?”
In an instant, he approached her.
“I came to see my Older Brother.”
“…”
‘What’s this?’
Ludvil blinked repeatedly. Once every… second?
‘I’ve seen him like this before.’
It was when I first met him.
I had gone to Duke Sorpel’s Study to pick two flowers and suddenly encountered Ludvil, so I gifted him baby’s breath.
His reaction back then was exactly like this.
“Did I perhaps interrupt your training?”
“No.”
“Then is now a good ti—”
“It’s fine.”
His answers came rapid-fire. With that, Camilla moved to state her real purpose.
“Sir Ludvil, I need you to give instructions for the next training session…”
One of the knights who had been hovering nearby interjected into the conversation.
“Ah, if you’re busy, I’ll come back another time.”
Since it wasn’t urgent, Camilla was about to leave. But Ludvil was faster.
“Dismissed.”
“Pardon?”
“Training ends here for today.”
“…I beg your pardon?”
“Everyone, dismissed.”
The knights in the Training Ground stopped what they were doing and gaped in shock.
Ludvil, who had never once allowed training time to be cut short—whether it rained or snowed!
“This way.”
Leaving the bewildered knights in his wake, Ludvil headed with Camilla toward a secluded corner of the Training Ground.
“Would you like some water?”
“No, thank you.”
“What would you like to eat? The knights have some refreshments over there.”
“I’m fine.”
Ludvil kept trying to offer me something, and I tilted my head in confusion. Was my visit inconvenient for him?
“Please, sit down.”
I offered him a seat instead. The way he kept standing and attempting to do something seemed odd.
Ludvil finally settled into the chair across from me.
“….”
But after that, silence hung between us. He should have asked what brought me here, what the matter was.
‘Of course.’
I let out a soft laugh.
Ludvil never pushes away anyone who approaches him.
He doesn’t question their reasons and simply lets them be, regardless of what they do.
A person who walks quietly alongside you until you’re ready to speak.
A person who readily extends his hand when help is asked of him.
That was Ludvil.
‘Why didn’t I realize it sooner?’
That he was this kind of person.
‘It wasn’t anger.’
I hadn’t hated or disliked him.
If the Camilla of the past had known this truth, wouldn’t her life have been easier?
The thought filled me with a bittersweet ache—not a little, but a great deal.

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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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