A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 87

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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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“What brings you here?”
It was Arsian.
“Oh! Arsian, you’re in the Magic Department too.”
Only then did I realize a fact I’d overlooked—that Arsian belonged to both the Swordsmanship Department and the Magic Department.
From what I’d heard, he practically dominated the practical examination rankings with overwhelming skill.
‘A jack of all trades.’
It seemed the gods had given this man everything except a decent personality.
“Did you come to see me?”
“No.”
“…Then who did you come to see?”
Did I have to meet someone every time I came here?
I regarded Arsian with a look of exasperation for a moment, then gestured behind me.
“I’m just bringing this girl along.”
“Hello. My name is Lania.”
Lania approached cheerfully and greeted him warmly.
“Are you leaving right away?”
The problem was that Arsian completely ignored her existence. He didn’t even spare her a glance.
“Why rush off?”
I watched Lania’s expression stiffen slightly, then let out a short sigh and turned to leave. It wasn’t my responsibility to manage her social relationships.
“Wait.”
Arsian hurriedly stopped me.
“What’s wrong with your hand?”
He’d noticed the handkerchief lightly wrapped around her hand.
“It’s nothing.”
“What do you mean it’s nothing?”
“I scraped it a bit.”
Earlier, I’d visited the Administrative Office with Lania. I needed to fill out enrollment documents.
That’s when I scraped the back of my hand on the pen tip she’d carelessly swung.
‘I let my guard down for a moment.’
She’d been on the verge of tears apologizing, but the moment we left the Administrative Office, she smiled brightly as if nothing had happened.
“Let me see your hand.”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s clearly not fine.”
“A little medicine and it’ll heal on its own.”
“One healing spell and it’s done.”
“I don’t want to.”
“What?”
“I said I don’t want to.”
“Why?”
Arsian’s brow furrowed as I quickly hid my hand behind my back.
“You’re tired.”
“…What?”
“You just came from Swordsmanship Department class, didn’t you?”
At her next words, Arsian’s expression went momentarily blank.
“Don’t waste magic when you’re exhausted.”
With that, I quickly caught her arm as she turned to leave. A faint smile played at my lips.
This woman really is something.
“This much is fine.”
Before Camilla could say anything else, I swiftly cast a spell, wrapping her wound in healing light.
In an instant, brilliant radiance flowed forth, mending the cut on her hand.
When I unwound the handkerchief she’d tied temporarily, her hand was pristine. Not a trace of injury remained.
“Nice.”
“And here I thought you hated it.”
“Either way, thanks. I have class starting soon. I’m really going now.”
Camilla waved lightly and departed.
“The Magic Department Building is really quite large and spacious, isn’t it? I’ve been admitted to the advanced class, and I was wondering if you might guide me?”
As I stood watching Camilla disappear, Lania’s voice reached my ears once more.
“….”
Only then did my gaze finally turn toward her. As our eyes met, Lania’s smile deepened.
Thud.
“Oh…!”
But that was all. I simply walked past her and entered the building. Lania hurried after me.
“Wait!”
She called out urgently, but I didn’t slow my pace.
“I’m sorry.”
Lania offered an apology first, as always, her expression carrying that characteristic earnestness.
“Did I say something inappropriate? You seemed close with Camilla, so I just wanted to become friends with her too….”
Lania continued speaking, but I still pretended not to hear.
Shortly after entering the building, people’s gazes converged on us. Seeing Lania following behind me, they all wore startled expressions.
Some even cast worried glances. They knew all too well what kind of person I was.
“You’re Arsian, right? Camilla told me so much about—”
“Be quiet.”
“Pardon?”
“You’re irritating. Stop chattering beside me.”
“But I—”
“Damn it. I’ve been behaving myself lately, and now all these worthless things keep trying to talk to me… Ugh, seriously.”
“…!”
“Fair warning.”
My eyes turned glacial in an instant.
“Don’t call my name carelessly.”
“I-I’m s-sorry—”
“I told you to shut your mouth.”
“Hngh!”
The sudden, viscous killing intent that emanated from Arsian drained all color from Lania’s face.
“Be grateful you live with Camilla. If you weren’t, the moment you called my name, I would have already broken one of your arms.”
Lania instinctively shrank back.
“This is where it ends. No matter how well you know her, I won’t overlook anything more.”
With those words, Arsian turned and departed the scene as though nothing had happened.
Those who had witnessed the entire exchange from the sidelines lowered their heads slightly—they had anticipated this outcome.
Rather, they were amazed that Lania had emerged unscathed.
“Ha….”
Yet even after Arsian vanished, Lania remained rooted to the spot.
She simply stared, frozen, at the place where he had disappeared.
* * *
“A picnic?”
“Yes!”
“Out of nowhere?”
“I promised the children. We’re going swimming together soon.”
When Laila, who had visited the Club Room, suddenly suggested going to the Mountain with Valley for an outing, I couldn’t help but wear a bewildered expression.
“It seems like every volunteer activity you do is always at places where children are.”
“Ah, well… since I’m from the Orphanage, I tend to worry more about the children.”
“….”
“Next time, I’ll introduce you to somewhere different!”
Well, it didn’t matter to me where we went. As long as the volunteer hours were fulfilled.
“Then at least give me a heads-up. You must have prepared something.”
It wouldn’t be right to go with nothing when we’re bringing the children along, would it?
“I’ve prepared everything.”
Petro, who had been nowhere to be seen until moments ago, suddenly stood beside me.
“From provisions to security personnel, I’ve arranged it all, so you needn’t worry. You simply need to be there with us, Camilla.”
“…You’ve gone to great lengths.”
“Are you complimenting me now?”
“Yes, well….”
I offered an awkward smile and averted my gaze. This man has become rather burdensome lately.
“…?”
Then my eyes met Laila’s directly.
I tilted my head, puzzled by the warm, satisfied gleam in her gaze.
Petro had handled all the swimming preparations, so I hadn’t done anything—why was she looking at me like that?
“Shall we head out now? The children must be waiting eagerly!”
Everyone followed Laila, who appeared more excited than anyone, out of the Club Room.
I was about to follow as well when someone caught my eye.
“Are you going too?”
“Why? Is there a problem with me going?”
“…I like it.”
Why did he always ask so fiercely every single time?
“You….”
“What?”
“So you’re the type to praise just anyone so easily?”
“What?”
“Damn it… I could have prepared something like that too….”
What was he going on about?
Camilla hurried after the others, bringing along Arsian, whose brow remained perpetually furrowed in displeasure.
* * *
“Where is Camilla?”
“She said she would be late today due to club activities.”
“Ah, that club.”
A faint smile played at the corners of Duke Sorpel’s lips.
He had been witnessing Camilla’s transformation quite frequently of late.
When he heard she had quit the Swordsmanship Department, he felt a twinge of regret. After all, he had heard accounts of her displaying truly remarkable swordsmanship skills at the Hunting Competition.
Though he hadn’t believed it at first, he couldn’t hide his astonishment when everyone present spoke in unison about what they had witnessed.
And for a moment, he had harbored hope. Could another sword prodigy have emerged, following Ludvil?
‘But there’s nothing to be done. She herself has no inclination in that direction.’
The regret was fleeting. After all, he had known from the beginning—that Camilla held no particular interest in swordsmanship.
So he had accepted it. Her decision to leave the Swordsmanship Department.
But what followed surprised him even more.
“Volunteer work, of all things.”
It was a choice he never could have anticipated. He had suspected that since a child close to Camilla was involved in that club, perhaps she had joined for that reason.
“I thought she would grow bored and quit after a brief experience.”
It was a club that seemed utterly unsuited to Camilla.
Yet Camilla had been conducting her club activities quite diligently, even after considerable time had passed.
Recently, she had even organized the items piled up in the Storage Room and brought them to the Orphanage, or so he heard.
“If there is anything you need, provide whatever support is necessary.”
“Yes, Duke.”
As the butler Rube withdrew, Duke Sorpel turned his gaze to the person seated with him at the dining table.
“Are your classes going well?”
Both Ludvil and Ravi had business outside today and were absent from the meal, so currently only Lania was dining with Duke Sorpel.
“Yes, it’s enjoyable.”
Lania’s face brightened with a radiant smile, delighted that Duke Sorpel had asked about her Academy life.
“…I see.”
Upon seeing that smile, Duke Sorpel felt a pang of regret.
Yet it was still difficult. The sudden appearance of Lania remained strange to him. Though his suspicions that she was not his daughter had long since faded.
‘But…’
The moment that child uttered the word “Father” from her lips, something felt oddly jarring. My mood sank, and an inexplicable chill ran through me.
‘It’s because she’s still unfamiliar to me.’
Because that child was still a stranger, still awkward.
Thinking that things would improve with time, Duke Sorpel exhaled a quiet sigh inwardly.
“All the food looks delicious. Please, eat.”
“Yes.”
Watching Duke Sorpel bring a spoonful of food to his mouth, a bright smile bloomed once more on Lania’s lips.

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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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