A fortune-telling princess Chapter 135

Who doesn’t have a story? Just because someone is cornered doesn’t mean they all make the same choices. In the end, the result is determined by their decisions. Why should I care…

[There are so many rumors surrounding my death. It’s been hard on my son…]

“…”

[Please, I beg you!]

The following plea was difficult to ignore.

“That’s the boy, isn’t it? The one whose father…”

“Yes, the one in the news!”

“The man who killed his wife… Ugh, horrible!”

“I heard the boy almost died, too. Poor thing.”

“But don’t you think the kid seems a bit… creepy? The vibe is off.”

Camilla knew all too well how sharp and painful such careless gossip could be. She couldn’t turn away from the boy.

That’s why she asked Jaynor for help. She requested him to find the child, to become his patron, and to do so publicly, where many could see.

“But why is he getting involved?”

Somehow, the Duke of Escra had taken an interest in the child. He declared that the Escra family would sponsor him.

It was unexpected, but Camilla didn’t refuse. If they were going to help, it was better to offer firm support.

And yet…

 

“I’ll cover all the sponsorship funds for the child.”

“I didn’t know.”

“Excuse me?”

“I didn’t realize our family was known to be poor. I’ll find whoever spread such nonsense and have them…”

“That’s not what I meant!”

 

In the end, the Escra family took over all the sponsorship responsibilities, even covering the cost of the boy’s mother’s treatment.

‘True…’

The Escra family was said to be wealthier than the imperial family. Supporting a single child wouldn’t be an issue for them.

“Miss.”

“What?”

“Are you expecting a call?”

Dorman looked curiously at Camilla, who kept checking her communication orb.

“No.”

“…?”

“It’s just…”

Camilla sighed briefly.

“No one’s contacting me.”

“Who?”

“Everyone.”

“What?”

“My father, Ravi…”

They had both been contacting her regularly every few days, but at some point, their messages had stopped entirely.

“Why don’t you reach out to them first?”

“It’s fine.”

She hesitated to contact them first, knowing how busy they were. She didn’t want to bother them without a good reason.

“I’m sure they’ll call eventually.”

Knock, knock.

“Sis, let’s go for a walk.”

At that moment, Dive entered through the door.

“Sure.”

Camilla glanced at the communication orb one last time before heading outside with Dive.

***

“What’s with that face? Something on your mind?”

The Dukes of Jabilon and Sephra were visiting the Sorpel estate when they noticed their old friend’s stiff expression.

“What about my face?”

“It screams ‘I have a problem.’”

Duke Sorpel shook his head lightly.

“There’s nothing wrong.”

The two didn’t believe him. Having known him for so long, they could tell he was deeply troubled.

“If…”

After a brief sigh, Duke Sorpel finally spoke.

“What would you do if Camilla’s biological father showed up?”

“Her father?”

“He’s appeared?”

Even Duke Sephra, who had been silent, widened his eyes at the unexpected comment.

“I said if!”

Duke Sorpel snapped irritably, but neither of them seemed convinced.

“Her father, huh? That’s a surprise.”

“She’s 17, isn’t she? A strange time for this to happen.”

“I’m saying it’s hypothetical!”

“So, who is this man?”

“Has he already met the girl?”

As his friends ignored him and continued speculating, Duke Sorpel sighed heavily.

“Who is he?”

“That’s not the point.”

“Yes, it is. Do you know how much wealth that girl has? Don’t let some stranger profit off of her. If she wants to leave with her father, make sure she gives back the magic stone mines you gave her.”

“…”

“…”

As Duke Sorpel and Duke Sephra stared at him with exasperated expressions, Duke Jabilon snapped in irritation.

“Why are we talking about money here?”

“Losing a daughter is frustrating enough. Losing money along with her is even worse!”

“Stop acting like losing her is a foregone conclusion!”

Faced with his friend’s subtle but chilling glare, Duke Jabilon averted his gaze. He decided to stop teasing—for now.

“So, what’s this man like? Did he show up looking like a beggar?”

“…I wish he had.”

If Camilla’s biological father had shown up destitute, it would have been easier to deal with.

‘The fact that he is Camilla’s biological father…’

Recently, Black Shadow—the agent assigned to watch over Camilla—had reported back. The report revealed that none other than the Duke of Escra from the Gracia Empire was her biological father.

When Luve relayed the news, Duke Sorpel had been speechless. It was an issue he had never even considered.

‘Is that why?’

Was that why Camilla was hesitating to return?

After Marquis Gabriel, who had orchestrated events from behind the scenes, was eliminated, communication between their side and the Gracia Empire had normalized. Even so, Duke Sorpel couldn’t bring himself to fetch Camilla immediately.

It felt like she didn’t want to return.

‘What if she never comes back?’

Recently, he hadn’t been able to contact her. He feared hearing her say she wouldn’t return.

Duke Sorpel let out another deep sigh.

***

“The atmosphere is intense.”

“…”

Petro and Arison had arrived at the Sorpel estate with their fathers and immediately noticed the heavy mood hanging over the place.

The intensity peaked at the training grounds. When the two approached, they found the estate’s knights practicing, but the entire area was eerily silent—no sounds of clashing weapons or heavy breathing, only tense silence.

Everyone seemed to be watching someone.

“It’s probably because of him.”

At one end of the training grounds stood Ludville, silently observing the knights. His cold, detached gaze was sharper than usual, sending chills through anyone who crossed it.

“Lord Ludville, over there…”

A subordinate cautiously spoke to him, gesturing toward Petro and Arison, who had just arrived.

As if carved from stone, Ludville slowly turned his head. His piercing gaze fixed on them as they approached.

“It’s been a while, brother,” Petro greeted him warmly.

Arison, meanwhile, cast a skeptical glance at Petro. He couldn’t understand how the term “brother” came so easily to him after meeting Ludvill only a few times.

“Is something wrong?”

“Hey…” Petro murmured, frustrated as Arison dove straight into a question.

“There’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

Ludville’s response was curt, a clear indication that he wouldn’t tolerate further questions. His tone and demeanor drew a firm line, leaving no room for inquiry.

Petro and Arison, sensing the tension, refrained from pressing further.

“But Lord Ravi is nowhere to be seen,” Petro noted.

“…The Mage Tower.”

“Oh, he must be busy.”

Ludville offered no further explanation. He had no intention of telling them that Ravi hadn’t returned home in over a week.

The news about Camilla’s biological father had reached Ravi as well, and he hadn’t come home since.

Initially, Ludville didn’t understand why Camilla gaining a biological father was so shocking. But as speculation grew that she might not return because of this man, Ludvill found himself increasingly unsettled.

What if she didn’t come back? What if the other side refused to let her go?

“…A war, then.”

His muttered words widened both Petro’s and Arison’s eyes. War? What was he talking about?

But Ludville didn’t elaborate, leaving them puzzled and uneasy.

***

“That boy is still holed up?”

“Yes, he hasn’t left the lab.”

At the Mage Tower, Ravi’s mentor, Cador, clicked his tongue.

Even when busy, Ravi would always return home. Yet for several days, he had remained locked in his lab, unreachable.

“After being quiet for so long…”

It wasn’t the first time Ravi had done this. Whenever something bothered him, he would isolate himself in the lab for days.

“But what’s triggered him this time?”

Cador clicked his tongue again. Ravi, despite his immense magical talent, often tormented himself with comparisons to others, lamenting perceived inadequacies.

“Then again…”

If Cador had someone like Ludville Sorpel, the youngest swordmaster of the empire, in his life, he might have felt the same way.

Even though Ravi had achieved remarkable magical feats, he was often consumed by a sense of inferiority.

Recently, however, Ravi had seemed freer, lighter. Without the weight of self-imposed pressure, his growth in magic had even impressed Cador.

‘So why this sudden change?’

A low hum resonated as Cador cast a teleportation spell. Moments later, he materialized inside Ravi’s lab.

“…”

He found Ravi easily—sprawled on his bed, his arm covering his face. Sighing again, Cador clicked his tongue for what felt like the hundredth time.