A fortune-telling princess Chapter 113

 

The entire Gracia Empire would need goods for the other seasons. If someone could monopolize the supply of such items for an entire nation?

‘I’d be pulling off the biggest act of filial piety ever.’

Both the Gracia and Fableer Empires—and anyone else interested in this development—would be banging on the Sorpel family’s door.

“You’re seriously proposing this deal?”

Even Edsen, who had remained quiet until now, couldn’t help but interject in disbelief. But Camilla’s response remained steady.

“Yes. What do you think? Will you take the deal?”

She posed the final question to Duke Escra.

“…The terms are certainly not unfavorable to us.”

It was a gamble. If revealing the contents of the diary to Aisla didn’t quell the eternal winter?

‘I’d just end up handing over the mana stones for cheap.’

If that happened, she could curse Aisla, the Gracia Empire, and the ghostly empress for eternity. At least she wouldn’t be cursing alone.

“Then the deal is settled, right?”

Out of habit, Camilla extended her hand. It was a reflex from her previous life—sealing deals with a handshake was second nature.

But here, handshakes weren’t a common custom. Realizing this, she awkwardly withdrew her hand.

Swoosh!

Before she could pull away completely, Escra caught her hand in his. Camilla looked up in surprise, only to see his gaze fixed on something.

“This ring… where did you get it?”

‘What now? Is he still suspicious I’m a thief?’

The ring in question was a  Ruby one. She had chosen it to match her red outfit.

“It’s my mother’s keepsake.”

It was the same ring her mother’s servants had hidden in the rose garden.

“Keepsake?”

“Yes, it belonged to my mother.”

Camilla reiterated, her tone firm as she withdrew her hand. Yet Escra’s eyes remained glued to the ring.

What is his deal? Still doesn’t believe me?

“It really is my ring. My father gave it to my mother.”

“Your father? The Duke of Sorpel gave it to her?”

“Well, not exactly… Why are you so interested?”

Camilla’s annoyance grew. Did she really need to divulge every detail of her family history?

“May I leave now?”

Not waiting for a response, Camilla stood up.

Escra seemed like he wanted to say more, but she didn’t give him the chance and walked out. Edsen silently followed her.

Thud.

“What’s wrong, my lord?”

Count Alton cautiously observed the duke’s unusually perplexed expression as the door closed behind Camilla.

“That ring… what is it?”

It was clear that Camilla’s ring had thrown the duke into turmoil.

“That’s the ring.”

A long pause passed before Escra spoke in a low voice.

“The ring I lost…”

“Surely you don’t mean the Escra’s  Ruby Ring?”

The Escra  Ruby Ring—a symbol of the family head—was something the duke had lost long ago in an accident.

“Couldn’t it be a mistake?”

To Alton, the ring seemed like an ordinary  Ruby.

“Look into that girl more thoroughly.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Alton refrained from questioning the order further. His master wasn’t one to speak carelessly.

‘Her father gave it to her?’

Escra continued to gaze at the door through which Camilla had exited, his expression unreadable.

Chapter: The Return of Spring

“You look like you didn’t sleep a wink, my lady.”

Dorman tilted his head as he entered and noticed the dark circles under Camilla’s eyes.

“I had the life drained out of me by a soap opera.”

“A soap opera?”

“Just… never mind.”

She glanced at Mariana’s diary, sitting on the table, and shook her head.

“I think I bet on the wrong horse.”

Was this gamble a mistake? What now? She had already signed the contract.

“Why didn’t I wait to read the diary before signing anything?”

Her mind churned with doubts. Would revealing the diary’s contents really pacify Aisla? Honestly, the whole thing seemed more likely to enrage her further.

“Whatever. Nothing will happen if I just sit here.”

She glanced out the window, where the wind still howled violently, before getting to her feet.

“Where are you going?”

“To the greenhouse.”

Camilla headed straight for the greenhouse, where the three seasonal spirit kings waited.

[Oh, you’re here!]
[What’s the plan?]

The spirits hurriedly flew toward her the moment she entered.

[Do you think Aisla’s fury can really be calmed?]

So they knew their sibling wasn’t in her right mind.

“We’ll see.”

[What? Was that ghost lying?]
[She said showing this to Aisla would make her anger disappear!]
[We shouldn’t have trusted her!]

“I think we need to talk to her directly. How do I meet Aisla?”

[Follow us.]
[Aisla is always in the same place.]
[It’s not far from here.]

“…You can’t just call her here?”

They wanted her to go outside? She had nearly frozen solid the last time she ventured out!

[Come on! Hurry!]

The spirits paid no attention to her protests and urged her forward.

“Are you sure it’s nearby?”

Resigned, Camilla tightened her coat and followed them through the icy wind.

****

[Over there!]

They led her to a frozen lake not far from the palace. At its center stood a figure, motionless and somber. It was the same woman Camilla had seen at the coronation.

As if sensing their presence, the figure slowly turned. Her gaze, cold as the ice she stood on, landed on Camilla.

“I have a message for you… from Mariana.”

Whoosh!

As soon as she mentioned Mariana’s name, Aisla’s expression darkened, and the wind whipped into a frenzied storm.

“She said she didn’t kill him!”

Camilla shouted over the storm, but Aisla’s anger only intensified.

[Camilla!]

At that moment, Zeno stepped forward, placing himself between Camilla and the storm.

“Zeno, you’re a ghost. You can’t block the wind—”

Still.

But to her shock, the storm abated. Aisla’s gaze fixed on Zeno, her icy stare softening into something like recognition.

[The Sword of Guardians…]

For the first time, Aisla spoke.

[The sword’s last wielder… why are you here?]

She recognized the spirit of Mars’ sword-bearer and seemed momentarily stunned.

“He took his own life.”

[What?]

Camilla seized the opportunity, her voice firm and clear.

“Mars. He ended his own life.”

[……!]

“Mariana didn’t kill him. She had no choice.”

Seeing Aisla’s disbelief, Camilla continued, recounting the truth she had read in the diary.

****

“Ma…Mariana.”
“I’m sorry, Mars.”

A trembling Mariana held a dagger pointed at him. The sight of her, tears streaming down her face, left him speechless.

“It’s His Majesty’s order.”

Her voice cracked as she explained.

“He threatened to kill my parents, my family… even this child.”

Mariana placed a hand over her stomach. Mars’ eyes widened as he realized the truth.

“I’m so sorry… truly.”

Mars stared at her for a long moment before a faint smile graced his lips.

“Do what you must.”

“Mars…”

“I’ve always been on your side.”

Her trembling hand fell to her side, the dagger clattering to the floor.

“Run, Mars. Please. If you stay, His Majesty will never leave you alone.”

But Mars only stepped closer, pulling her into an embrace.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Mars…”

Thrust!

To her horror, he guided her hand—and the dagger—into his chest.

[Ma…Mars!]

Sensing his demise, Aisla had rushed to the scene, arriving just in time to witness his final moments.

“I’m sorry… Aisla.”

[Maars!]

That was the last time they saw each other.

****

[It… It can’t be.]

Aisla couldn’t immediately accept the truth. Mars had taken his own life?

[Why… Why would he do that? For her? Why?!]

As another storm brewed, Camilla quickly cut in.

“She was carrying his child!”

[What…?]

Once more, the air stilled.

“Mariana was pregnant with Mars’ child.”

[…….]

Yes, it’s absurd, isn’t it? I know exactly how you feel. I spent all night grappling with the same disbelief.

[His… child?]

“Yes.”

The diary had been explicit. Mariana had been pregnant with Mars’ child, and she had sworn to make that child the emperor.

[Then…]

“The emperors of Gracia were all Mars’ descendants.”

Just as Mariana had vowed, her child had ascended to the throne. And the bloodline continued to this day.

‘I’m the only one who feels bad for the emperor right now.’

They might have thought their love was noble, but let’s be real—it was an affair. Imagine discovering the child you raised and crowned wasn’t yours.

‘Maybe that emperor is also stuck as a ghost, furious about all of this.’