A fortune-telling princess Chapter 115

Flap, flap!

As Camilla entered her guest quarters, a small white dragon with fluttering wings quickly flew toward her, landing lightly on her shoulder.

“…Aisla.”

[What?]

The lazy yawn that escaped Aisla’s tiny maw was enough to make Camilla sigh. She had been holding back her words, but she finally gave in.

“Aren’t you busy?”

She had been suppressing her concerns, worried that Aisla might get angry and freeze everything over again. But the dragon had been lingering around for days.

“Why are you still here?”

She couldn’t help but ask. After all, the other spirit kings seemed constantly preoccupied with their tasks.

[I’m not busy.]

“Ah, right.”

Camilla exhaled again as she watched the dragon yawn once more.

[But I should probably take a proper rest soon.]

The Winter Spirit King fluttered her wings and lazily flew in circles around Camilla before descending to gently tap her hand with a claw.

[Hold out your hand.]

“My hand?”

Camilla, unsure of the reason, complied and extended her hand.

Whoosh.

Aisla blew a soft, icy breath toward her palm, and a small white crystal materialized, settling lightly into Camilla’s hand.

Camilla blinked repeatedly at the cold, gem-like object.

[Call me when you need me. Even if I’m in the spirit realm, I’ll come running.]

“Are you returning to the spirit realm?”

[Yes. I’ve stayed here far too long already.]

Her voice, tinged with weariness, made Camilla nod in understanding.

Whirl!

Suddenly, a cool breeze swirled around them.

When Camilla opened her eyes again, Aisla had shifted back into her human form, standing gracefully before her.

“……!”

Aisla approached silently, then gently pressed her lips to Camilla’s forehead. It wasn’t warm—it was like being kissed by a soft wisp of air—but it left Camilla momentarily stunned.

[Thank you.]

Aisla offered the faintest smile before vanishing completely.

Camilla, left standing with a hand on her forehead, eventually let out a quiet chuckle.

“Lady Camilla!”

The door burst open, and Dormann hurried in.

“Are you ready to go?”

He seemed more excited than she was, practically bouncing on his feet.

It made sense, though—today marked the beginning of a grand festival in the capital, and the entire empire was in a celebratory mood.

“What’s there to prepare? Let’s just head out.”

Camilla also wanted to enjoy the festival. It was her first time experiencing such a celebration in this world.

“Hurry up, then!”

At Dormann’s urging, Camilla left her room with light steps.

***

“Festival?”

“Yes. I heard she’s gone out to enjoy it.”

Duke Escra’s brow twitched at the report.

“And her guards?”

“She took two knights with her.”

“Only two?”

“I understand they’re among the more skilled knights of the Sorpel family. Besides, a large entourage might draw unnecessary attention.”

“Fair enough.”

Escra gave a slight nod, seemingly satisfied, and returned to the documents he was reviewing.

“Today’s festival will attract many people, I suppose.”

“Indeed. It’s the first one to take place in such fine weather.”

“Security?”

“I’ve instructed the patrols to stay vigilant and report any disturbances.”

Escra nodded again, flipping through his papers.

Bang!

“Your Grace?”

He abruptly stood, his chair scraping against the floor.

“I think I should take a look around.”

“Pardon?”

“It wouldn’t do for something unsavory to happen during such a significant event.”

“But….”

Since when did he care about festivals?

“What about these documents?”

“Do you think paperwork is more important than the safety of the people?”

As Escra strode out of the room, Count Alton sighed in exasperation before hurrying to follow.

****

“There are so many people here!”

The streets were packed, and Dormann couldn’t stop marveling at the vibrant atmosphere. People were smiling, some handing out flower seeds to passersby.

It was a significant gesture. For an empire that had been locked in eternal winter, seeds symbolized hope for the future.

“I never imagined winter would end so suddenly.”

Dormann admired the small pouch of seeds he had received, his tone filled with wonder.

Camilla had shared the basics of what had happened, but it was still astonishing how quickly Aisla had relented.

“To think a few truths could undo centuries of bitterness…”

“She was probably just exhausted,” Camilla said, recalling Aisla’s final moments in the physical realm. The Winter Spirit King had seemed utterly spent.

“Holding onto hatred for so long isn’t easy,” she added. “Not for hundreds of years.”

Camilla suspected Aisla had been waiting for a reason to let go—a catalyst to break the cycle of her rage.

[Thank you.]

That parting gratitude, Camilla thought, wasn’t so much for revealing the truth, but for giving Aisla an excuse to finally move on.

“Well, at least it’s all over now—”

Crackle!

Her body froze mid-step. A strange sound emanated from her earrings.

The defensive earrings Arshian had given her.

Crackle! Crackle!

It wasn’t just the earrings. The bracelet and anklet he had given her began to hum with magical energy.

“Lady Camilla!”

The two knights escorting her rushed to her side, shielding her as they scanned the crowd.

Magic?

The activation of the defense spells meant an attack had been launched—strong enough to trigger the powerful enchantments.

“We need to move you now,” one knight urged.

Still disoriented, Camilla nodded quickly. The crowd was too dense. If another attack came, innocent people could get caught in the crossfire.

Who could it be?

The attacks ceased, as though the assailant realized their magic wasn’t working. But the intent was clear: someone wanted her dead.

Camilla shuddered. She had never faced such a direct attempt on her life before.

Whoosh! Clang!

Suddenly, small daggers flew toward her. The knights deflected them with their swords, but the projectiles clattered to the ground ominously.

Screams echoed from the crowd.

“Move!”

The knights ushered her into a narrow alley. It was safer here—limited space would hinder the attackers and give the knights an advantage.

It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ve got Zeno.

Camilla reassured herself as she caught sight of the ghostly figure scanning their surroundings. At least with him, she wasn’t entirely defenseless.

Damn it. If only I had a weapon.

She cursed her decision to leave behind the weapons Rudville had packed for her.

[Camilla!]

Whoosh!

Zeno yanked her backward just as another wave of daggers embedded themselves where she had been standing moments before.

“Wow. There are a lot of them,” Dormann remarked as he pulled her to safety, glancing at the rooftops.

“Protect her!”

“Yes, sir!”

More enemies poured into the alley. One knight stood to block them while the other remained at Camilla’s side.

There are too many.

Assailants filled the rooftops and the alleyway.

I can’t die like this. Not after everything I’ve survived.

Gritting her teeth, Camilla picked up a fallen dagger.

“Zeno, step in if things get desperate.”

[Understood.]

His solemn nod gave her some comfort. At least she wouldn’t go down easily.

Footsteps echoed in the alley.

“Damn it,” she muttered, tightening her grip on the dagger.

Slash! Thud!

Suddenly, five severed heads rolled across the ground.

“Leave one alive,” a cold voice commanded.

“Yes, my lord.”

Camilla’s heart nearly stopped. That voice—she turned to see Duke Escra standing there, his blade dripping with blood as he fixed his icy gaze on her.

Relief flooded her.

I’m saved.

Around them, the attackers collapsed, their bodies scorched black as if struck by lightning. A glowing magic circle spread through the alley, its epicenter revealed to be Count Alton.

He’s a mage?

She had no idea.

Escra strode toward her, his expression cold but simmering with fury.

“Your Grace, what brings you here?”

Escra continued without answering, his footsteps echoing ominously.

“I didn’t mean for this to happen. Really, I’m a victim too!”

His hand reached out, and Camilla squeezed her eyes shut.