A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 62

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

‘Then why did he eat so well back then?’
I had brought food intended for Sier, my dead brother, but the child simply left, so I ended up eating it all myself.
He ate it deliciously then, so why this time… ah.
‘Our Kitchen staff isn’t incompetent, at least.’
But Laila’s culinary skills are no less impressive. The chef ghost Perol even gave a thumbs up in recognition.
‘What a strange fellow.’
His palate seems rather finicky.
Watching Arsian as if he might spit out the cookie in his mouth at any moment, Camilla handed him water and refrained from offering him any more of Laila’s desserts.
“Hmm.”
Observing Arsian’s reaction, Laila wore a peculiar smile.
“Oh! Have you heard the news?”
“What news?”
A moment later, Laila broached a different topic.
“The hunting tournament.”
“The hunting tournament?”
“Yes! The Imperial Palace is hosting a hunting tournament!”
* * *
‘I had completely forgotten about him.’
That man.
‘The Crown Prince bastard.’
A man as useless to my life as Ravi! That irritating wretch who smiled slyly while scratching away at people’s nerves!
“Ugh….”
So I have to face that man again?
The host of this hunting tournament being held at the Imperial Palace was none other than Edsen de Faybler, the Crown Prince of this Empire. The tournament was being held to celebrate his birthday.
I heard many distinguished guests from foreign lands would be attending… but the problem was that this Crown Prince had sent me an invitation.
What’s more, an invitation bearing his personal handwriting and the Crown Prince’s seal had arrived addressed to me.
“What is he thinking?”
Everyone knows that Crown Prince Edsen dislikes Camilla Sorpel.
He makes his distaste so blatantly obvious—how could anyone not know?
He had never once sent me such a personal invitation before.
Duke Sorpel, Ludvil, and Ravi received invitations every time, but my name was always conspicuously omitted.
“This is infuriating….”
With anyone else, I would simply ignore it.
I would have given Ravi a good blow to the back of his head. But I cannot do such things to the Crown Prince.
‘My head would roll clean off.’
With that vile disposition of his, he would have me executed for lèse-majesté without hesitation.
I thought I had finally moved away from those death endings recently, and now this sudden ambush appears…!
‘Camilla, Camilla.’
Why is your interpersonal relationship like this? How is it that enemies surround you on all sides?!
Knock knock.
“Miss, I’ve brought some refreshing iced tea….”
Just then, Dorman, the Attendant, opened the door and stepped inside. He froze. At the piercing gaze Camilla fixed upon him.
“It’s your fault.”
“Pardon?”
“All of this is because of you!”
Fresh anger surged through me. The fact that Camilla’s relationships were such a mess seemed entirely his doing, and my insides churned with fury.
‘No, that’s not right.’
It wasn’t just seemed like it—it truly was his fault.
People hated Camilla because that bastard had placed the soul incorrectly!
“Ah, would you like me to bring something other than iced tea?”
“Dorman.”
“Yes!”
Realizing the atmosphere had turned ominous, his response came sharp and disciplined.
“You’re coming to the hunting tournament too.”
“Pardon?”
“Attend the hunting tournament with me.”
“M-me too?”
“I need to bring a shield.”
“A shield, you say….”
“What if I lose my temper because of that Crown Prince bastard?”
“…Excuse me?”
“I’ll lose it, try to kill him, and if that bastard tries to kill me instead, you become my shield and die first. While he’s dealing with you, I’ll regain my senses and escape. Got it?”
“Ha, haha… what kind of joke is that….”
“….”
“…You’re joking, right?”
Ignoring Dorman’s increasingly miserable expression, I silently drained the iced tea in one gulp.
Chapter. The Hunting Tournament
“It’s been a while since we’ve all gone out together.”
A luxurious carriage bearing the seal of the Sorpel Family.
While its ornate exterior and comfortable seats promised elegance, unfortunately they didn’t extend to a pleasant atmosphere.
‘Ugh, seriously….’
At least not for Camilla.
I managed a smile and nodded at Duke Sorpel, Ludvil, and Ravi, who were watching me.
“What’s with that face of yours?”
“What about my face?”
After exchanging a few words with the Duke, Ravi, who sat across from me, suddenly picked a quarrel.
His eyes, sweeping over my attire, were filled with displeasure.
‘Why has he been like that since we got in?’
Ever since boarding the carriage, Ravi had been acting irritable like this. Contrary to his nature as a fox, he kept trying to reveal his true colors despite Duke Sorpel’s presence.
‘Is it because I held Older Brother Ludvil’s hand?’
If that were truly the case, it would be a petty reason beyond measure.
Duke Sorpel and Ravi were already seated inside the carriage, and Ludvil had been standing outside to help me board—wasn’t he?
I could have climbed in alone, but I accepted his assistance because I couldn’t refuse the hand he offered.
‘If that bothered him, he should have stayed outside.’
From Ravi’s perspective, she had taken the seat beside Duke Sorpel without a moment’s hesitation, choosing him over himself—which had wounded his pride. But Camilla, entirely oblivious to his displeasure, merely pouted her lips.
“Should we actually go hunting then?”
“Of course we’re going hunting at the hunting competition. What else would we be going for?”
I understood perfectly well what he was saying, but I pretended not to.
Even at a hunting competition, noblewomen didn’t actually participate in the hunt itself.
While the men hunted, the women gathered separately to strengthen their bonds through tea time—or so it was called.
But…
‘Tea time, they call it.’
It was a place where making a fool of someone was child’s play.
‘A hunting ground where only women were the hunters, one might say.’
The problem was that the prey had always been me.
With grievances piling up like mountains, what better quarry could there possibly be?
‘Rather than be caught in that snare, I’ll go hunting myself.’
I’d never hunted before, but surely it was better than becoming the women’s meal.
“I’ll catch a bear and give it to you.”
“You’re cra—”
Ravi had been about to say I was insane, but catching Duke Sorpel’s eye, he closed his mouth. At the sight of him restraining himself, Camilla let out a soft laugh.
“You’ve arrived.”
Shortly after, when we reached the hunting competition grounds, Duke Jebillen greeted us warmly.
‘I’ve been seeing him quite often lately.’
“Are you well?”
“Yes, thanks to your concern, I’m doing fine.”
Duke Jebillen inquired after my health upon seeing me.
“Elisha.”
Moments later, he called his daughter directly. At his voice, Elisha, who had been standing quietly to one side, approached me hesitantly.
It seemed she had been forewarned, for she immediately bowed her head respectfully.
“Sister, I’m truly sorry. I made a terrible mistake last time.”
Whether her apology was sincere or not, I couldn’t say, but toward Elisha, who offered her words of regret with a thoroughly dejected expression, I directed the warmest smile I could muster.
I couldn’t treat her coldly while she apologized before so many watchful eyes.
“There, there. You didn’t injure yourself seriously, so don’t worry.”
Only then did Duke Jebillen’s rigid expression soften, and he affectionately stroked his daughter’s hair with a pleased face.
“Did you eat something bad?”
“Are you hurt somewhere?”
Ravi and Arsian, who had subtly moved closer to my side as I performed my act of utmost graciousness and gentleness, spoke to me simultaneously in low voices.
Arsian—when did that man arrive?
“…”
“….”
For a moment, the two of us locked eyes.
“You….”
Ravi was the first to react.
“Why are you acting friendly with my younger brother?”
“Younger brother? Ah, that Older Brother who supposedly hates me?”
“What? You two talked about that? I told him not to get close to you!”
“Isn’t it overstepping to meddle in your brother’s relationships?”
“I’m his older brother. You’re the one who should stop meddling.”
Why were they like this again?
Wanting no part in this tedious affair, I quietly slipped away.
Even as I disappeared, the two of them continued their quarrel, oblivious to my absence.
“Don’t get… close to… him.”
“That’s overprotective… Besides, that’s between me and Camilla…”
‘What’s gotten into them?’
Standing apart from the two as though I were no longer part of the group, I watched Arsian argue with Ravi with mild curiosity.
‘He’s not the type to engage in verbal sparring.’
If he lost, he lost.
Arsian was the sort who believed in using his fists rather than wasting time on tedious arguments. Why resort to words when he had perfectly good hands?
Come to think of it, his very presence here was rather amusing.
Arsian was someone who shuddered at official gatherings like this where so many people congregated. Even Duke Sefra hadn’t seemed to attend….
“Why did he come?”
Was the grand prize for this hunting competition that appealing? Now that I thought about it, I still didn’t know what the prize was.
“Are you planning to participate in the hunt?”
“…!”
As I retreated further to avoid the two of them, Petro approached my side.
Dressed in practical hunting attire, he remained as tall and refined as ever.
“Do you know how to shoot a bow?”
“Well, reasonably well.”
I had trained extensively with the bow during my historical drama acting days.
Since my aim seemed quite decent, I continued practicing archery even after the drama ended. I’d received many compliments on my skill.
Capturing moving prey was another matter entirely, but at least I had the basics down.
“If you’re going to hunt, please stay in the outer areas. The deeper you venture, the more dangerous the beasts become.”
Petro, knowing this was my first time participating in an Imperial Palace hunting competition, offered the warning.
“Of course.”
I gave a brief reply and turned away.
He seemed to have more to say and stared at me intently, but I paid it no mind.
“When does it start?”
I could feel the weight of people’s gazes settling upon me.
Particularly, the noblewomen and young ladies kept whispering about my hunting attire, and it was rather….
‘How irritating.’
If I had dressed up and come for tea, they would have whispered about that just the same.
If I’m criticized either way, isn’t the answer simply to do as I please?
“We greet Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“We greet the Little Sun.”
“Your Highness, you have arrived.”
Moments later, another murmur rippled through the hall. At last, the star of this gathering had appeared—First Prince Edsen.
Camilla quietly retreated further at his entrance, searching for the most inconspicuous spot she could find.
‘Absolutely not over there!’
Duke Sorpel’s side was simultaneously the safest and most dangerous place to be.
The Crown Prince would surely greet Duke Sorpel and Duke Jebillen first.
[Kyuu?]
“Hm?”
Camilla, who had been carefully backing away without drawing attention, froze at the faint cry that reached her ears.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————