A fortune-telling princess Chapter 138

Even now, she hesitated. How hard could it be to make the first move and contact them…?

Knock, knock.

At that moment, a knock came at the door, and Jaynor stepped inside.

“Got a moment?”

“What is it? Something happened?”

“I heard there’s a market open today. Want to check it out?”

“A market?”

“You didn’t get to enjoy the festival properly last time.”

“…And whose fault was that?”

“That’s why I thought I’d at least treat you to a nice meal. What do you say?”

Camilla thought for a moment before nodding. Sitting around staring at the communication orb wasn’t going to change anything. It seemed like a better idea to finally explore the streets she hadn’t had time for before.

“Alright.”

She stood up from her seat immediately.

“You know the items from the first batch of orders have already arrived, right?”

“Yes.”

The Duke of Escra had told her himself. The items had arrived surprisingly quickly, and the Duke had been visibly pleased with how swiftly things were processed.

‘He mentioned receiving help from the other two ducal houses.’

When Camilla had explained the urgency of the situation, even the Duke of Sorpel had promised to expedite the deliveries. It seemed their cooperation was paying off.

Sure enough, the marketplace was bustling with activity. Vendors were selling everything from thin fabrics to seasonal accessories.

“Once the third batch of orders is checked, you’re really leaving?”

“I have to.”

“Hmm.”

Jaynor made a peculiar expression.

“What?”

“I think I’ll feel a little sad.”

“You? Sad?”

“My first and only little sister is leaving. Shouldn’t I be sad?”

Was it like losing a favorite toy? A mild sense of loss? Knowing how Jaynor saw people, Camilla couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Thud!

“Watch out.”

Someone ran past them in a rush and bumped into Camilla. She staggered slightly, but Jaynor quickly caught her shoulder to steady her.

“Oh! I’m so sorry!”

The man, pale and flustered, quickly bowed his head to Camilla.

“It’s fine.”

“Really, I’m sorry!”

The man apologized again and hurried off, clearly in a rush.

“A knight, perhaps?”

The bump was light, but the man’s strength was apparent—enough to make her lose her balance.

“…?”

Camilla began walking again but stopped when she noticed Jaynor still watching the man’s retreating figure intently.

“What’s wrong? Do you know him?”

“…A friend.”

“A friend? Then why didn’t you say anything?”

The man hadn’t seemed to recognize Jaynor either—was he in too much of a hurry to notice?

“A friend from my first life.”

“Oh…”

Camilla quickly understood the situation.

“You two must’ve been close?”

For someone like Jaynor to watch him so wistfully, they must have shared a strong bond.

“We were. On the battlefield, we trusted each other with our lives.”

“Then why…”

Even if it was from a past life, wasn’t it natural to seek out someone you were that close to?

“What’s the point?”

A deeper smile formed on Jaynor’s lips.

“Even if we grow close, it all ends when they die.”

“…”

“We were very close in my second life. But by my third, it just felt pointless.”

‘Maian!’

‘Who? Do I know you?’

‘…’

“What’s the use of getting attached, only for me to be the one left remembering again? It’s a waste of time.”

Jaynor chuckled softly, but Camilla couldn’t bring herself to laugh along. She thought she was starting to understand why he treated people like toys or objects.

If all his relationships inevitably lost meaning…

“You must’ve been lonely.”

“…What?”

“You must’ve felt really isolated.”

Camilla sighed lightly. Why did this world seem full of people so similar to herself?

In her past life as Sia, she had also avoided forming deep connections with others.

She knew all too well that when bonds grew too strong, the other person would eventually build walls or drift away. So, she had always preemptively distanced herself.

‘And that loneliness… it can drive you crazy.’

The feeling of being utterly alone in the world wasn’t exactly pleasant.

“Let’s check over there.”

Camilla took a few steps but stopped when she realized Jaynor wasn’t following. Turning around, she saw him staring at her with a slightly dazed expression.

“What’s wrong? Aren’t you coming?”

At her question, Jaynor snapped out of it and smiled faintly.

“…Now I feel like interfering.”

“With what?”

“The orders.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

Though puzzled by his abrupt comment, Camilla could only watch as Jaynor smiled quietly. Together, they resumed wandering through the marketplace.

“Ah!”

Camilla suddenly stopped in her tracks.

“What is it? Did something catch your eye?”

“The scent…”

“Scent?”

An extremely familiar aroma wafted through the air, causing Camilla to swallow instinctively.

It was a scent she hadn’t encountered even once since arriving in this world—coffee.

Ignoring Jaynor’s question, she fixated on the shop where the aroma seemed to be coming from—a small store selling trinkets.

Before she realized it, she was already inside.

“Welcome!”

The shopkeeper, an older woman, greeted her warmly.

“Excuse me, do you sell coffee here?”

“Coffee?”

Camilla nodded. The scent she was drawn to was the rich, nutty fragrance of coffee beans.

“This smell right now.”

“Oh, are you talking about the roasted black beans?”

Following the shopkeeper’s gesture, Camilla saw a black liquid steaming nearby.

It’s coffee!

Though the color was darker than she was used to, there was no mistaking it. After being deprived for so long, the sight almost moved her to tears.

“That’s not for sale, though…”

“Not for sale?”

“I just enjoy the aroma, so I occasionally burn it like that.”

“You don’t drink it?”

“Drink it? That stuff’s way too bitter. The smell might be pleasant, but the taste is awful. Don’t ever drink it.”

“Oh…”

Looking closer, she realized the beans weren’t properly brewed. They had been steeped directly in hot water without any filtering.

“Can I buy some of those… beans?”

The shopkeeper chuckled at Camilla’s earnest question, and Jaynor stifled a laugh as well.

“You’re not from Gracia, are you, miss?”

“How did you know?”

“Because you don’t know black beans.”

Camilla tilted her head in confusion until Jaynor explained.

“In Gracia, these beans are common. People don’t eat them, though. The trees are tough and resistant to decay, so they’re mostly used for furniture.”

“Furniture?”

Was this not the coffee plant she knew? Coffee wasn’t supposed to thrive in such cold climates. Yet the aroma was unmistakably coffee.

“So, the beans are just discarded?”

“Pretty much.”

“Some people, like her, roast them for the scent, but that’s rare.”

Hearing this, a wide grin spread across Camilla’s face.

“So if I wanted to buy them, they’d be practically free?”

“Buy them? What for?”

To drink, obviously!

Wasn’t coffee known for being an addictive delight once you acquired the taste?

Laila, get ready—I’m bringing a new menu item!

Her mind raced with plans. She’d need to create a grinder and a roaster…

Flash!

Suddenly, light surrounded Camilla. Startled, she stepped back as a figure materialized before her.

Unlike her, Jaynor seemed unfazed, as if he already knew who it was.

“Lady Camilla!”

It was Count Althon .

“Lord Kays is summoning you!”

His urgency was clear, and Camilla’s expression grew serious as she sensed something important had happened.

***

“Wow…”

“Do you feel it too?”

“The mana is incredible!”

The group stepped into an enormous space, wide and seemingly endless. The purity of the mana enveloping them left everyone awestruck.

“This is the Tower of Guardians,” Ravi said calmly, standing at the front of the group.

“This place was created long ago by Grand Mage Amiald.”

One of the first things new recruits at the mage tower experienced was a visit to the Tower of Guardians. Ravi had been assigned as their guide—an order forced upon him by his master, Deputy Leader Cador.

At first, Ravi had reluctantly complied, but he eventually recognized it as an opportunity to stop sulking and move forward.

As Ravi explained the tower’s history and purpose, the recruits listened intently.

“Teacher!”

A young girl, no older than ten, raised her hand enthusiastically.

“Call me ‘Senior.’”

Though the youngest in the group, she was undoubtedly the most talented, with immense mana reserves and a sharp mind.

“Can we start training here right away?”

“No. New recruits must first follow their assigned schedules.”

“Aw.”

She pouted immediately, unbothered by the stares of others.

“Then can I at least explore over there?”

Beaming brightly, she made another request. Ravi, feeling a strange sense of familiarity, granted permission.

“Go ahead.”

“Yay!”

The girl dashed off gleefully.

She’s just like someone I know, Ravi thought.

The way her expression shifted to charm when she wanted something—it was just like Camilla.

Boom!

Ravi was mid-sentence when an explosion echoed through the tower.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Screams followed as debris began to fall from the ceiling.

“Watch out!”

Panic spread through the group.