A fortune-telling princess Chapter 127

“Lord Kays regained his memories but was immediately met with tragic news. A subordinate he treasured greatly lost his life.”

“A subordinate he treasured?”

“He was killed while searching for Lord Kays, who had gone missing. He left behind a son, whom he had been raising alone.”

“Could that child be…”

“Yes, that’s Jaynor. Lord Kays took him in as his adopted son.”

Camilla glanced at Sharuah, her eyes showing a flicker of newfound understanding.

It made sense for Kays to adopt the orphaned child, especially if the subordinate’s death was indirectly caused by him. She could see it as a matter of conscience.

‘But Sharuah’s case is different, isn’t it?’
Wouldn’t it have been difficult for Sharuah to accept a child who shared no blood ties as her own?

[I agreed to it,] Sharuah said with a soft smile, as though she had read Camilla’s thoughts.

[I’d been unable to have children for a long time. Jaynor filled that void for me, and I adored him for it.]

Well, if she said so herself, then there was nothing more to question.

[Jaynor was a kind child from the start. He treated me as his real mother and never caused trouble—not even once.]

[At first, the family was strongly opposed to him, but now everyone recognizes Jaynor’s abilities,] Sharuah added with a proud tone.

As Camilla listened to their praises, she recalled her own impression of Jaynor.

His first impression hadn’t been bad. He seemed attentive to Dive and had greeted her warmly, even initiating conversation.

‘But something about him rubs me the wrong way.’

The way he smiled while looking at her—it unsettled her, though she couldn’t pinpoint why.

“Given how thoughtful he is, I’m sure you’ll get along well with him,” Sharuah said encouragingly.

“I hope so,” Camilla replied neutrally.

“And speaking of which, Lord Kays has requested your presence. Shall we?”

It seemed they intended to formally introduce Jaynor. Camilla nodded and followed Count Althon to the Duke of Escra’s study.

***

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

Inside the study, Camilla found Jaynor already seated.

“Welcome, little sister,” he said, waving casually with a smile.

‘Does he have no problem saying “sister” so easily?’

Wasn’t it awkward for him?

“You knew?”

“About a new addition to the family?”

Jaynor nodded at the Duke’s question.

“Everyone seemed to know already. I heard some things happened while I was away.”

“Things?”

“Lady Sevine.”

“Ah.”

That was to be expected. Many people had witnessed the scene back then. Camilla hadn’t paid much attention to the spectators in her fury. While she hadn’t explicitly stated her connection to the family, people likely pieced it together, as they had with Dive.

“I heard you made quite a mess,” Jaynor said, chuckling.

Camilla, unfazed, took a sip of the tea placed before her.

“So, are you staying here permanently?”

“No.”

Camilla shook her head without hesitation. There was no reason to leave her own home to stay in another’s.

[You’re leaving?]

Others didn’t seem to share her sentiment.

[Why? Please stay longer!]

Sharuah’s reaction was immediate and dramatic. Camilla had to wonder why the ghost was still following her instead of sticking with Dive.

“Lady,” Count Althon chimed in, his expression mockingly tearful.

Camilla gave him an incredulous look before averting her eyes. Seeing such a good-natured man fake that expression made her feel unexpectedly guilty.

“…?”

Then her gaze met the Duke’s. His brow was furrowed deeply, and he looked displeased.

“You’re planning to go where the assassins came from?”

“You said the mastermind was already captured.”

The Duke had claimed the Marquis of Gaviel was behind it, and that he was already dead.

“There could be other enemies.”

“Do you want there to be?”

The Duke didn’t answer, his expression remaining sour. Meanwhile, Jaynor seemed thoroughly entertained, laughing at their exchange.

“In any case, you’re not leaving immediately, right?”

“I’ll finish reviewing the third order form before leaving.”

“That’s a relief. If my new little sister left so soon, I’d be devastated.”

So he was as sociable as they claimed. He genuinely seemed pleased that she’d be staying a little longer.

‘Then why do I feel so uneasy?’

His eyes sparkled with amusement as he looked at her.

It was unsettling.

***

“Dorman.”

“Yes, my lady?”

“You’re hiding something from me again, aren’t you?”

“No.”

“Really?”

Dorman shook his head furiously, looking genuinely aggrieved. But Camilla didn’t ease her sharp gaze.

“If you confess now, I’ll let it slide.”

“Really?”

“See? There’s something!”

“No, no, there’s nothing!”

“Then what happened to all my shoes?”

Camilla pointed to her wardrobe.

Her original shoes had been steadily replaced by clunky, low-heeled ones. The disappearance of her sleek, pointed shoes was suspicious, and there was only one culprit she could think of.

“Did you get rid of them because you were afraid I’d hit you with them?”

“No, my lady! I thought the heels were too high and might hurt your feet, so I replaced them.”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

It didn’t seem convincing, but she let it slide—for now. She continued to scrutinize Dorman, who avoided her gaze and tried to look innocent.

Knock, knock.

The timely interruption saved Dorman, who rushed to open the door.

“May I come in?”

“Please do.”

It was Jaynor.

“This is for you,” he said, holding out a small bouquet of wildflowers.

The flowers weren’t particularly beautiful, but their scent was surprisingly pleasant.

“Interesting, right? I found them scattered all over the garden.”

“They smell lovely.”

Camilla couldn’t deny it. Though plain-looking, the flowers gave off an unexpectedly sweet fragrance.

“May I have a cup of tea?”

“Of course, have a seat.”

Camilla prepared tea herself, something she’d learned from the butler ghost, Derin.

“This tea is excellent,” Jaynor said after taking a sip, nodding in approval.

He remained unusually quiet as he drank, breaking the silence only after setting down his cup.

“The diamond mines and mana stones… you’ve been lucky.”

“I do have good luck.”

“The Ares Mine you recently acquired—it was a close bid with Duke Jabilon.”

Camilla set her teacup down, puzzled by the sudden topic.

“You’ve done your homework,” she remarked cautiously.

“Apologies if it feels intrusive. I’ve been curious about my new sister.”

He continued.

“I hear you’ve secured a major deal with the empire recently as well.”

“Sounds like I’ve been exceptionally lucky,” Camilla said, maintaining her composure.

“Lucky, huh…”

Jaynor chuckled.

“I’ve heard you have clairvoyant abilities. Did that help?”

“Perhaps.”

Camilla responded nonchalantly, though her unease grew.

Then Jaynor leaned forward slightly, his tone changing.

“I wondered… if you’re living the same life over and over again.”

‘What?!’

Camilla barely managed to keep from dropping her teacup.

“I’m joking.”

His grin widened as he watched her reaction, then he stood.

“Thanks for the tea.”

As he left, Camilla stared at the empty space he had occupied.

“Who the hell is he?” she muttered, her unease lingering long after.

***

At breakfast, the conversation among the Duke, Count Althon, and Jaynor revolved around military strategies.

“The ice walls in the Schultz Mountains have finally melted.”

“Hmm.”

“Our current forces might not be enough to defend.”

“Which is why His Majesty is requesting Lord Kays’ assistance.”

Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, Camilla, Dive, and King were happily eating.

“King! Want a strawberry?”

[Gyuu!]

Camilla stared, stunned, as King eagerly accepted the fruit from Dive.

‘Wait, King eats food?’

She had assumed mystical beasts, like ghosts, didn’t eat physical food. King had never begged for food before, after all.

But now he was happily munching on fruit, leaving her bewildered.

“Here, try an apple next!”

[Gyuu!]

Camilla watched as King accepted another piece.

‘Well… as long as he’s eating, that’s good, right?’

She began contemplating whether she needed to start preparing snacks specifically for King.