A fortune-telling princess Chapter 119

“Are you saying he has no memory of that time? Even now?”

“Yes,” Alton Count replied firmly. “Please don’t misunderstand. He didn’t avoid looking for you on purpose.”

He was keen to clarify the misunderstanding that had caused Camilla’s visible frustration when the truth was revealed earlier.

“The Duke had no idea he’d left behind a child. That’s the absolute truth.”

Camilla, quiet for a moment, processed his words before asking, “You’re certain it was just a year?”

“Yes, about one year of disappearance.”

This confirmed it—Ravi was not involved. The five-year age gap between her and Ravi made it impossible for him to be the Duke’s child.

Mother’s life truly wasn’t easy, she mused.

Three marriages, each ending abruptly—far from a smooth or happy path. Even her seemingly harmonious time with Duke Sorpel had lasted less than a year before his untimely death.

“I understand this news is overwhelming, milady,” Alton Count said gently, watching her sigh repeatedly. “But I hope you can understand the Duke’s circumstances a little as well.”

He paused briefly before continuing, his tone cautious.

“On that note… as I suggested before, wouldn’t it be better to move to the Escra estate?”

So that’s why they suddenly asked me to pack my things from the palace?

“You already knew the truth back then, didn’t you?”

“That…”

Seeing her sharp gaze, Alton Count faltered.

Camilla let out a long sigh.

****

 

“Why won’t you approve this?”

“How many times must I say it? All travel permits have been suspended.”

“And that’s why!”

Bang!

“That’s why I came here to beg you to pull some strings!”

“I said no.”

“And I’m asking why not?”

“Because the Sorpel family is already making arrangements to bring her back. What business do you have interfering? You’re not her family.”

The heated argument between Arsion and Duke Sephra echoed loudly through the study, drawing concerned glances from the household staff.

Paul, the family butler, sighed as he listened.

It’s been a while since this house was so noisy.

The trouble had started when news reached Arsion about Camilla’s near-death experience in the Gracian Empire. He had immediately insisted on traveling there himself to check on her, but Duke Sephra refused to approve his plans.

Due to recent political tension, all standard travel permits had been frozen, and only royal approval could temporarily lift the restriction. Without such influence, travel to the Gracian Empire was impossible.

“So, what am I supposed to do? Sit here and wait?”

“What else can you do?”

“Damn it!”

Bang!

The staff outside flinched at the loud crash, growing more anxious with each passing moment.

Suddenly, soft, rapid footsteps approached. Paul turned to see a small boy with wide, curious eyes.

“What’s going on here?” the boy asked, tilting his head.

It was Rio.

The sight of him immediately brought smiles to everyone’s faces, briefly dispelling the tension.

Despite their earlier concerns about whether the child could thrive in this rigid household, Rio’s presence had transformed it entirely.

His cheerful laughter and innocent chatter had become a soothing balm for the once-stiff environment.

“But I heard yelling earlier…”

“Use your influence!”

Rio’s eyes widened.

“Grandpa,” he whispered, tugging on Baul’s pant leg. “Are they fighting?”

The question left the nearby staff unsure how to respond. They exchanged awkward glances, debating how much to reveal to the young boy.

Paul crouched to meet Rio’s gaze.

“They’re just having a disagreement, that’s all,” he explained gently.

“But that’s bad. My teacher said fighting is bad…”

As the boy’s expression turned worried, Paul couldn’t help but smile faintly.

“Ah! Lord Rio, wait—!”

Before anyone could stop him, Rio pushed open the study door and walked inside.

Rio’s sudden entrance startled both men into silence. They turned to watch as the boy made his way into the room.

He examined them both briefly before heading straight to Duke Sephra.

“Sir,” Rio said, tugging on the Duke’s hand. “Stand up.”

Though puzzled, Duke Sephra complied without resistance.

“Here.”

Rio led him to stand directly opposite Arsion, then raised the Duke’s hand and placed it on Arsion’s shoulder.

“Now, put both hands here.”

“…What?”

“On his shoulders.”

“…You want me to?”

“Yes!”

Though hesitant, Sephra reluctantly followed the boy’s instructions. The moment his hands rested on Arsion’s shoulders, an unfamiliar tension filled the room.

For the first time, Sephra touched his son for a reason other than summoning dark power.

Arsion’s face twisted awkwardly, but the discomfort didn’t last long.

“Your turn, big brother.”

Rio took Arsion’s hands and placed them on Sephra’s shoulders.

“…Me too?”

“Yes!”

Arsion sighed, his resistance melting under the boy’s bright, expectant gaze.

“Now, say it!” Rio clapped his hands.

“Say what?” Sephra asked, perplexed.

“I’m sorry. Let’s not fight anymore.”

“….”

“….”

Frozen in place, the two men exchanged awkward glances. Their four-year-old mediator waited patiently for them to follow his instructions.

“We weren’t fighting,” Sephra finally said.

“Exactly,” Arsion agreed hastily, pulling his hands away.

“We just had a small difference of opinion.”

Rio seemed to accept their explanation without further question. Losing interest in the matter, he sat down at the table and pulled out colorful paper.

“What are you doing?” Arsion asked.

“Making wish flowers,” Rio replied, cutting the paper with intense focus.

“Wish flowers?”

“Yes! If you make lots of them and put them by your window, your wish will come true!”

“Your wish… comes true?”

“Yes!”

Sephra and Arsion exchanged skeptical glances but didn’t voice their doubts in the face of Rio’s sincerity.

“What’s your wish?” Sephra asked.

“For my sister to come back safely.”

“Your sister?”

“Yes! I want her to come home soon without getting hurt.”

Rio returned to his crafting with a devotion that was almost reverent. The two men could only watch in silence.

A moment later, Rio pushed a piece of paper toward them.

“Help me. The more flowers we make, the better.”

Arsion sighed quietly. This was the last thing he wanted to do right now.

“Don’t you know how to cut flowers, big brother?”

“…It’s not that I don’t know how.”

“Should I teach you?”

“…I just don’t want to.”

When Arsion tried to retreat, Rio fixed him with a piercing gaze.

“Brother.”

“What?”

“Don’t you want my sister to come back safely?”

“…What?”

“You don’t care, do you?”

“Of course, I—!”

“I want her to come home safe, so I’m making flowers.”

“….”

Outside, Paul noticed how quiet the study had become. Curiosity piqued, he opened the door slightly and peeked inside.

What he saw left him momentarily speechless.

At the table, Duke Sephra was sorting colored paper, while Arsion and Rio diligently cut out shapes.

“Do you really think this color combination works?” Sephra asked, holding up two pieces.

“This? Absolutely not. That doesn’t even look like a flower.”

“Stuck in rigid thinking, I see. You use magic, yet you can’t think outside the box.”

“You—! Why are we even talking about magic?!”

“I’m sorry. Let’s not fight anymore,” Rio interrupted calmly.

“….”

“….”

Paul chuckled softly before stepping back and closing the door.

May the peace brought by this little one continue for many days to come.