A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 73

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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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“I won’t ask.”
Petro stepped closer, sensing that I was avoiding him and perhaps already guessing the reason why, and continued speaking.
“So please, don’t avoid me.”
He placed a hand over his left chest and released a short sigh.
“It hurts here.”
His lips curved into a habitual smile, yet his expression grew increasingly forlorn.
“I’ll wait. Until you’re ready to tell me.”
“No, well… I wasn’t really avoiding you or anything….”
While relieved that I didn’t have to offer false excuses, I couldn’t hide my bewilderment.
‘Why is he being so familiar with me?’
He’s getting on my nerves. Did I do something wrong to him?
I cast a suspicious glance his way.
“But what brings you two together?”
I quickly changed the subject. There was no point in repeatedly bringing up what happened at the Hunting Grounds.
And I was curious. Those two were always growling at each other, yet here they were walking together.
“It’s a coincidence.”
“Huh?”
“A coincidence, I said. Am I insane? Would I deliberately walk with this guy?”
“We were heading to swordsmanship class. Arsian has been attending faithfully without missing lessons lately-”
“Don’t call my name so casually.”
“Then what should I call you? This guy? Yes, this guy has been attending class diligently these days.”
“Hey!”
“What else is this guy unhappy about now?”
Right, swordsmanship class!
Watching the two of them bicker, I realized I’d completely forgotten one important fact.
‘What major am I supposed to choose?’
* * *
“A club?”
“Yes!”
As I spent days agonizing over what major to select, Laila quietly approached me with a new suggestion.
She presented a proposal.
There were more students than expected who, like me, found their initial major choice upon enrollment didn’t suit them.
Club activities were a system designed to give students broader options when choosing a different major felt awkward.
The Academy had numerous clubs. Anyone taking major courses could join a club.
However, those taking major courses had much freedom with club activities. They could participate whenever they wished.
It was also possible to defer major selection and focus solely on club activities.
However, those who chose club activities had to have their club participation verified for the equivalent time spent in classes.
Once club activity hours were fulfilled, they would be credited the same as regular coursework.
“A club, huh….”
It wasn’t a bad option. It was a proposal that piqued my interest, given that no particular major had caught my eye.
“How about joining our club?”
“You’re in a club too?”
“Yes!”
The moment Camilla showed interest, Laila’s eyes sparkled even brighter.
“It’s a wonderful club! It’s so rewarding and fun. We get to meet children and spend time with the elderly too.”
“What kind of club?”
“The Volunteer Club.”
“…What club?”
“The Volunteer Club!”
….
Maybe the Ancient Languages class would be better? Or Mathematics?
Camilla immediately lost interest in the club and skimmed through the course guide in my hands.
“Our club is really wonderful!”
“No, thanks.”
Volunteering? I’m too busy taking care of myself.
“The children are so adorable and cute. They’re always so happy to see us.”
“No, I don’t like children.”
“The elderly treat us like their own grandchildren.”
“No, I don’t need a new family.”
Maybe I should just go to Ancient Languages and take it easy….
“Our club is really fun! We sing, perform plays, and—”
“Plays?”
My hand paused as I was flipping through the course guide.
“Yes, we perform plays. Both the children and the elderly absolutely love them.”
“Hmm.”
I was just a little bit intrigued.
‘I used to do some theater myself.’
Performing on stage had a different charm than screen acting.
The vocal techniques were different, and the methods of acting varied greatly, but there was a time when I was so captivated by that thrill that I’d search for stages to perform on whenever I had free time.
“We’re going to meet the children today. Would you like to come with us?”
“Today?”
“Yes, I’m not asking you to join right away—just to observe. What do you think?”
“Just an observation….”
“Come with us, yes?”
“…Well, if it’s just a look.”
“You made a good choice!”
* * *
“Wow!”
“Big sister!”
“Big sister!”
“Welcome, everyone.”
The moment we stepped into the Orphanage, numerous children rushed to the entrance to greet the Volunteer Club members.
“Rooney, how have you been?”
“Great!”
“May seems to have grown taller than last time.”
“Hehe.”
As expected, Laila was the most popular among them.
The way she called each child by name and exchanged greetings painted the picture of a warm, affectionate older sister—anyone could see it.
“There are quite a lot of children here.”
As I observed her for a moment, I noticed the man approaching my side and regarded him with a measured gaze.
It was Petro, who responded to my look with a gentle smile.
“You participate in club activities?”
It was exceedingly rare for those pursuing major coursework to actively engage in club activities.
Unless one truly loved something, it was uncommon to pour effort and passion into endeavors that didn’t even boost one’s academic standing.
Most of the time, acquaintances would simply ask to have their names added to the roster for appearances’ sake.
“I recently learned of the Volunteer Club’s existence and decided to join.”
…Well, that’s plausible enough.
I accepted it as a very Petro-like answer.
Both Laila and Petro were the sort of people who seemed perfectly suited to the word “service.”
‘And I think it was the same before.’
Petro had always joined whatever club Laila participated in, constantly trying to win her favor. That behavior had only fueled my jealousy.
Laila had kept her distance from Petro and turned away from him, but her actions had only infuriated me further.
The sight of her pushing away someone who cared for her had been utterly galling.
‘Either way, it’s not entirely unfamiliar…’
Has he only recently taken an interest in Laila? I regarded him standing beside me with fresh curiosity.
At my gaze, the corners of Petro’s eyes curved more beautifully.
“I heard you were close with Laila, and it seems to be true. I never expected to see you here.”
What does he mean? Is he mocking me for being unsuited to volunteering? Is he suggesting it’s strange that I’m here?
“So you’re joining this club, then.”
“No.”
“No?”
At my subtle shake of the head, the smile on Petro’s lips momentarily faded.
“I’m just here to observe today.”
“Ah, to observe.”
Then, at my next words, the smile bloomed across his face once more.
“So there’s still hope.”
Hope? What hope? Despite my bewildered expression, Petro simply smiled enigmatically.
Shortly after, Laila and the club members, having exchanged warm greetings with the children, began distributing the snacks they had prepared, each taking their assigned area.
“Wow!”
“I want that one!”
“Me too!”
The children scurried toward their favorite treats and lined up.
Laila distributed colorful cupcakes—clearly homemade—one to each child in line.
Petro pressed small candies wrapped in pretty paper into the children’s eager hands.
“Candy, please!”
A boy who looked about four years old came running and spread both hands wide in front of Petro.
The sight was so endearing that Petro knelt down to meet the child’s eyes.
“What’s your name?”
“Rio!”
“Rio, how many candies should I give you?”
“Five!”
He continuously patted the child’s head as the boy spread both hands wide and shouted loudly.
Then he placed exactly five candies into the child’s hands.
“….”
“…?”
But the child who received the candies didn’t leave. With a dazed expression, he kept alternating his gaze between the candies in his hand and Petro.
“Uh….”
“…?”
“Uh… uh….”
“…??”
“Uh… uwaaaah!”
“…!”
Petro couldn’t hide his bewilderment as the child suddenly burst into loud tears.
He quickly knelt down again. What did I do wrong?
“Rio, why? Why are you crying?”
“Uh… five… uh, uwaaaah!”
Watching the child cry even louder in response, Petro was at a loss. He’d given the candies because the boy asked for them—why was he crying?
Whoosh.
That’s when someone grabbed a handful of candies and pressed them into the child’s small hands, overflowing from both palms.
“Now that’s five, right?”
It was Camilla.
“Yes!”
The child nodded vigorously at her question, his eyes still glistening with tears as he looked at Petro.
His gaze held the frustration of watching a big brother who couldn’t understand what he was saying.
“No….”
Seeing Petro’s wounded and bewildered expression, Camilla let out a soft laugh.
“For children that age, five is the biggest number they know.”
“What?”
“It means five is the largest number in their vocabulary. When they ask for five, they’re asking for a lot.”
So when Petro placed only five candies in the child’s hand, tears naturally followed—after all, the older brothers and sisters had walked away with handfuls.
“Ah, I see.”
Petro watched the child dash off without a trace of tears, eagerly reaching for another snack, and let out a hollow laugh.
“You certainly understand children well.”
He regarded Camilla anew, as if seeing her in a different light.
“It’s nothing, really….”
Living at the Orphanage, I naturally came to understand them.
When I lived as Sia, after my mother died and my father was imprisoned, I was naturally placed in the Orphanage’s care.
Naturally, no one wanted to adopt me.
Even those who decided to adopt me after seeing my photograph would shake their heads in refusal the moment they met me in person.
They said their hearts weren’t moved.

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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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