A fortune-telling princess Chapter 114

[I see. I understand. It’s unbelievable, isn’t it? You’ve harbored such resentment for so long, only to realize it might have all been for nothing.]

Aisla stood there, her mouth agape, lost in thought, and Camilla nodded empathetically.

[Mars…]

“Yes.”

[He…]

“Yes.”

She repeated the confirmation over and over, as if needing to reassure herself. Silence followed. Sensing Aisla needed time to process her thoughts, Camilla refrained from speaking further.

Aisla’s expression shifted. Her once-rigid features softened, and her gaze became distant.

Oh.

Camilla thought, feeling a sliver of hope.

Maybe her gamble was paying off.

Aisla’s anger seemed to have subsided somewhat with the revelation that Mars had not been killed but had taken his own life.

[That fool.]

Her voice was drained of strength, filled only with a sense of emptiness. Her gaze fell to the frozen lake, her shoulders slumping as though the weight of centuries of anger and grief had finally crushed her.

The sorrow that radiated from her was palpable.

So, this is the place.

Camilla realized.

This was where Mars had died.

What must Aisla have thought about all these years, lingering here? Did she replay her friend’s death over and over in her mind? Was that why she could never leave?

Camilla clicked her tongue softly, fingering the necklace around her neck.

Ugh, fine.

It felt like a waste… No, it really felt like a waste.

After a moment’s hesitation, Camilla removed the necklace, gripping the black gem tightly in her hand. As she did, the gem began to emit a faint, otherworldly glow.

[Aisla.]

[……!]

Aisla’s dazed eyes widened in disbelief.

[Ma… Mars.]

It was him. The image of the man she had long since lost—so clear it was as though he were truly standing before her.

[My dearest friend…]

[……]

Something crystalline trickled from Aisla’s eyes.

So even winter spirits cry frozen tears.

The tears, like tiny shimmering ice crystals, fell from her cheeks, glinting like jewels.

[Ah…]

Though she knew it was an illusion—a form conjured by the power of a divine beast—she couldn’t look away.

Her long-lost friend smiled at her, radiating the same warmth he had in life.

Drip. Drip.

“Hmm?”

Camilla felt something cold hit her forehead.

Ssshhhhhh…

At first, only a few drops fell, but soon the earth around them grew wet.

“Rain…”

For the first time in 500 years, rain fell over the Gracia Empire.

****

Ssshhhhhh…

The endless rain set the entire Gracia Empire abuzz.

Some people marveled at the miraculous change, while others were filled with apprehension.

Rivers that had been frozen for centuries began to thaw, and the snow and ice blanketing the land slowly melted away.

And then…

“…….”

Duke Escra’s sharp gaze remained fixed on the young woman sitting before him. But Camilla, unfazed, met his stare with a serene smile.

“Would you like me to start by supplying umbrellas?”

She opened her contract, her smile widening into something almost triumphant. With the jackpot finally within her grasp, she thought she deserved to revel in it a little.

“You can’t be serious,” Escra muttered, breaking the silence.

“Go ahead, ask me anything,” Camilla replied cheerfully.

Escra pointed to the rain-soaked window.

“Is this your doing?”

“Of course not. What power do I have to control the weather?”

It was true. And yet, the timing was just too perfect.

As if she had anticipated all of this, she had proposed that absurd contract just days earlier—offering goods for seasons that Gracia had not experienced in centuries.

And now, as if on cue, those seasons were returning.

This can’t just be coincidence.

He recalled the report Count Alton had recently delivered.

“They say you predict the future.”

Camilla, the famed noblewoman, was rumored to foresee events and prepare for them with uncanny precision.

Escra had dismissed the idea as ridiculous at the time, but now…

“You knew, didn’t you?”

It was the only plausible explanation.

“Well, does it really matter now?” Camilla said lightly. “The important thing is that we signed our contract in advance, perfectly timed to this turn of events.”

Escra’s expression darkened as he looked at the contract she held. Of course, what Gracia needed most right now was items suited to the newly emerging seasons.

“Surely you’re not thinking of breaking the contract now?” she teased. “As clearly stated, you’d owe me 30% of the contract value as a penalty.”

“Do you think I’d forget the terms of a contract I signed just days ago?” Escra growled.

“Exactly. So let’s not do anything that would harm either of us,” Camilla replied, her tone sweet but firm.

Escra fell silent, his sharp gaze lingering on her.

He’s doing it again.

Camilla suppressed a shiver. The way he stared at her so intently felt invasive, as though he could see straight through her.

“You’re seventeen, aren’t you?”

“Yes, and…?”

Why the sudden personal question?

“I last visited the Fableer Empire around that age.”

“Is that so?”

What was he talking about? Was this supposed to be a story about his youthful travels?

“I had an accident while I was there.”

“An accident?”

Escra’s mouth snapped shut again. After a brief pause, he clicked his tongue and waved her off.

“Go. I’ll have Count Alton provide you with a detailed list of the items and quantities we need.”

“Understood.”

Camilla rose to leave, though it was clear Escra had more to say. No matter—she had confirmed the contract’s validity. Now, she needed to contact her family to prepare the massive order.

Thud.

As the door closed behind her, Escra let out a weary sigh.

“My lost year… could it be her?”

****

“Truly remarkable.”

With the rain finally easing, the transformation of the Gracia Empire had accelerated.

Under the gentle warmth of the spring sun, life that had been presumed extinct began to stir.

Even weeds and grass, long buried beneath layers of frost, started poking through the earth. Edsen watched it all with wide-eyed wonder.

“Winter has finally ended.”

Camilla glanced at the small figure perched on her shoulder.

Aisla, having relinquished her control over winter, now appeared as a tiny white dragon. She had been replaced by the spring spirit king, who was reveling in his newly restored power, bringing the land back to life at an astonishing pace.

“It’s even hot,” Camilla muttered, shedding her now-unnecessary heavy coat.

“The Fabler Empire and Gracia Empire will both owe you immensely,” Edsen remarked.

News of the transformation had already reached Fabler, causing a stir across the empire. With a new, massive trade partner to consider, the implications were monumental.

“Apparently, Sorpel’s gates are already swarmed with visitors,” he added.

“It’s only the beginning,” Camilla replied.

The first list of urgently needed items had already been sent to her family. But there was still much to finalize, meaning Camilla wouldn’t be leaving Gracia just yet.

“You’re returning to Fabler tomorrow, aren’t you?”

“Why? Will you miss me?”

Keep your expression neutral. Don’t look too pleased.

“Of course, it’s a pity to be left behind,” she said with feigned regret.

“Is that so? Then perhaps I’ll delay my departure.”

Are you insane?

“I could never impose on Your Highness. I look forward to meeting you back in the empire,” she replied, bowing politely.

Edsen smirked.

“Until next time, Lady Camilla.”

He leaned in, tucking a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, and left her with a sly smile.

***

“At Duke Escra’s residence?”

“Yes. Wouldn’t it be better than staying here alone?” Count Alton suggested.

“Are you kicking me out?”

“Not at all! Perish the thought!”

But it sure felt like it.

With Edsen gone, Count Alton had suggested she move to the Escra estate, rather than remain alone in the now-empty guest palace.

“I’m not fond of walking on eggshells, you know.”

“Who would dare make you uncomfortable?”

Your boss, for starters. He looks at me like he wants to eat me alive.

After some awkward back-and-forth, Alton finally convinced her to consider the move.

But even as she agreed, a sense of unease lingered.

Something didn’t sit right.

And then, as if reading her mind, Alton hesitantly brought up the  Ruby ring on her finger.

“Have you heard anything special about that ring?”

“No. Why?”

“Ah, never mind…”

His vague response only deepened her curiosity. What was so special about this ring?