A fortune-telling princess Chapter 124

 

“Sorry, what? The Marquis of Gaviel?”

“Apparently, someone left something in front of the Sorpel family estate.”

“Left what?”

“…”

Camilla pressed her fingers against her temples as she watched the Duke of Escra smirk wordlessly. She had no idea what was going on. And now, someone had killed the Marquis of Gaviel?

The brutality of this world suddenly hit her, sending a chill down her spine.

“Take it.”

“What is it?”

“The second order form.”

The Duke casually tossed a stack of papers toward her, his tone indifferent. Camilla frowned deeply as she caught the papers. The second order was significantly thicker than the first.

Sure, giving her the order was fine, but…

‘How is he this oblivious to the mood?’

Did he really have to hand her this now of all times?

“This is what you need to focus on. Stop wasting your thoughts on useless things.”

The Duke tapped the stack of papers with his hand.

…She couldn’t exactly disagree. There was no point in dwelling on the death of the Marquis of Gaviel now. The important part was that the mastermind had been identified—and eliminated.

“Understood. I’ll deliver this to Father right away.”

“…”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Looking at you how?”

“Just now… your face…”

“What about my face?”

“You looked like you’d eaten something bitter.”

“Me? When? Stop accusing people of nonsense.”

Never mind.

‘Why’s he so touchy all of a sudden?’

He really did have the foulest temper.

“Make sure you deliver it properly.”

“Ha!”

A sudden laugh from behind drew her attention. She turned to see Count Althon quickly averting his gaze, pretending to look elsewhere.

What was so funny?

“Alright, I’ll get going now.”

“Do that.”

The Duke of Escra gave a curt nod, his gaze lingering on Count Althon as Camilla left the room with a shrug.

The moment she disappeared, objects around the Duke flew toward Count Althon at a frightening speed.

“You have no self-awareness at all.”

Count Althon caught each flying object effortlessly with magic, shaking his head in mock sympathy.

“To think she casually calls someone else ‘Father’ in front of her biological father. That clearly means she doesn’t see you as one at all.”

“Who cares?”

“You should try harder.”

“And what exactly do you suggest I do?”

“If anyone heard this, they’d think you’ve done so much for Camilla. Weren’t you the one who made her eat alone on her first day here?”

“You’re not going home?”

The Duke tossed another stack of papers at him, his annoyance plain to see.

****

“Dive?”

“…!”

Camilla stopped in her tracks as she approached the boy seated in the library. The sound of her voice made Dive stiffen.

“You’re working hard again today.”

“Yes…”

As Camilla sat across from him, Dive quickly averted his gaze.

‘What’s going on?’

Had she been mistaken in thinking they’d grown closer yesterday?

The atmosphere wasn’t as icy as their first meeting, but Dive seemed uncomfortable with her proximity.

[It’s because he got scolded yesterday,] Sharuah whispered as she emerged, explaining the situation.

Scolded? By whom?

[Sevinne. She’s pretty strict.]

Sevinne? The nanny?

[She means well, but… Dive’s arm must hurt a lot.]

Hurt? His arm?

‘Don’t tell me…!’

Camilla shot to her feet and approached the boy. Without hesitation, she rolled up his long sleeve.

“W-what are you doing?!”

Dive tried to pull his arm back, but there was no way a ten-year-old could overpower Camilla.

“…”

His arm was bruised. Worse still, there were old scars scattered across it, evidence of past injuries.

“Let me go!”

Panicked, Dive shoved her away and bolted out of the library.

Camilla didn’t chase after him. Instead, she turned her gaze to Sharuah, demanding an explanation.

[Sometimes, Sevinne uses the rod,] Sharuah admitted reluctantly.

“She beats him?”

[Only when he misbehaves…]

“What exactly does a ten-year-old have to do to deserve this?”

[W-well, he was late to class yesterday…]

“Late? And for that, she went this far?”

[She only wants what’s best for him…]

“What kind of nonsense are you spewing?”

Camilla’s voice was icy as she glared at Sharuah. Had the ghost not noticed the stark contrast in Dive’s behavior over the past two days?

Yesterday, the boy had been laughing and playing. Today, he was back to being reserved and guarded. Couldn’t she connect the dots?

[Sevinne does it for his sake—]

“Enough.”

Camilla left the library without another word, her anger simmering.

***

“Dive, I noticed you made two mistakes on yesterday’s test.”

“I got confused about the answers…”

“How many times have I told you? Careless mistakes like that are unacceptable.”

Sevine tossed the test papers onto the table and stood.

“Who caused your mother’s death?”

“…Me.”

Dive bit his lip hard, struggling to hold back tears.

“That’s right. And that’s why the Duke doesn’t like you. Because you killed his beloved wife.”

She placed a hand on his trembling shoulder, her tone softening as though she cared.

“You need to excel. Only then might the Duke begin to care about you. Haven’t I always told you this?”

“…Yes.”

“If the Duke learns of these mistakes—”

“I’m sorry! Please don’t tell him!”

Dive lifted his tearful eyes to plead, his voice desperate. A twisted smile formed on Sevine’s lips.

“Of course, I won’t tell him. I love you too much. Remember, I’m the only one in this house who truly cares for you.”

“…Yes.”

“But you still need to be punished for your mistakes.”

Dive obediently rolled up his sleeves, his movements practiced. Sevine reached for the rod—

Whack!

“…?”

The rod never landed. Dive looked up in confusion, only to see Camilla gripping Sevine’s wrist tightly.

“What the—?!”

Sevine was startled by Camilla’s sudden appearance.

“Let go of me this instant!” she shouted, trying to regain her composure.

“It’s none of your business—”

Smack!

The sound of the slap echoed through the room. Sevine’s head snapped to the side, her cheek burning.

“Y-you hit me?”

Smack!

Camilla struck her again, harder this time.

“You dare—”

Smack!

Sevine’s protests were silenced each time she tried to speak. She eventually clamped her mouth shut, her expression one of shock and disbelief.

By now, a crowd had gathered, consisting of the staff responsible for Dive’s care. They stood frozen, watching the scene unfold.

Camilla cast them all a cold glance. Not a single one of them had stopped Sevine’s actions.

“Speak again.”

Her voice was low, dangerous.

“Go ahead, repeat what you said about the Duke.”

Her earlier words had made Camilla lose all sense of restraint.

“You turned a child into a criminal?”

Camilla grabbed Sevine by the collar.

“Who the hell do you think you are?”

Sevine’s confidence faltered as she stammered, “I-I’ll tell the Duke you interfered with his child’s discipline!”

“You think I care?” Camilla snarled, leaning in close.

“Guess who I am.”

Sevine froze as Camilla’s crimson eyes bore into hers, realization dawning on her face.

Camilla released her grip and turned to Dive, guiding him gently out of the room. She left without another glance at the stunned crowd.