A fortune-telling princess Chapter 153

“I’ll have Set A.”

“I’ll take Set B, please.”

“Isn’t this stuff surprisingly addictive?”

“‘Surprisingly’ doesn’t even cover it. At first, I couldn’t understand why people would drink it.”

“Same here! The first time I tried it, I only drank it because Lord Petro was drinking it. I almost spat it out after one sip!”

“But now I can’t go a day without at least one cup.”

“Doesn’t it feel like it relieves fatigue somehow?”

“You feel that too?”

Though it hadn’t been long since coffee sales started, regular customers were already hooked on it.

That’s the power of caffeine, Camilla thought, sitting at one corner of the café, listening to her customers’ conversation with a pleased smile. A glass of iced coffee sat before her, brimming with ice cubes.

This is the life.

A leisurely coffee break in a cool café on a hot summer day—Camilla couldn’t believe she was able to enjoy such a luxury in this world.

Honestly, I didn’t care if people hated it.

When she decided to sell coffee, she had no confidence it would suit people’s tastes here. The flavor would be entirely foreign to them.

But she didn’t care. So what if no one liked it?

As long as I like it.

Even if the coffee didn’t sell, she would have continued importing it.

Because I’d drink it.

Some indulgence was warranted, right? After all the hard work she had put in, she deserved to enjoy what she wanted, especially something as simple as coffee.

But who would’ve thought…

It turned out coffee suited the locals’ tastes too.

Of course, the credit mostly goes to those three.

The trio who didn’t like sweet things—Arsion, Petro, and Ludville—had become regulars, frequently visiting the café to drink coffee.

Even Ravi occasionally gulped it down like medicine, saying it helped her concentrate. He even brought other mages along, spreading the trend.

Seeing the high-ranking nobles and mages enjoying coffee, others felt compelled to try it too.

At first, many frowned at the bitterness, but they kept ordering it anyway.

If those great people love it, can I afford to miss out? Am I falling behind the trend?

Those who ordered out of curiosity soon found themselves addicted and now sought out coffee of their own accord.

Watching all her customers sipping coffee, Camilla couldn’t help but feel satisfied.

“This is nice.”

That said, she felt she was born for a life of leisure. Back when she was working as an actress, she never realized how much she enjoyed doing absolutely nothing.

Lounging around in the café felt perfect. Maybe the best life really was being a wealthy loafer.

Though…

The world around her was far from peaceful. The commotion surrounding the Guardian Sword was still in full swing.

“Not that it’s any of my business.”

The Guardian Sword and the chaos at the Jabilon household had little to do with her.

The operatives planted in the Jabilon household, including the head maid and others, had all taken their own lives before any proper interrogation could take place.

Apparently, they had some sort of poison, and by the next day, their bodies were found half-melted, lifeless.

“Just like that guy before.”

The one who tried to poison the Duke of Sorpel—he had swallowed poison and dissolved on the spot when his crime was exposed.

They must be from the same group.

Camilla wasn’t surprised. She had suspected as much.

She had also learned something new from this incident:

The group that had attacked her and Crown Prince Edsen at the hunting grounds—when others went to investigate the site later, they found no bodies or evidence left behind.

“They turned to dust and vanished.”

This time, everyone saw it happen with their own eyes. The strange group disintegrated into dust after falling to the Guardian Sword.

Their bodies, once defeated, rapidly decayed and scattered into the wind.

Just like in Rania.

Rania, whose soul had been extracted, had also decayed and disappeared in front of many witnesses, as if time had suddenly accelerated.

“I had a hunch, but…”

Camilla shook her head lightly, once again realizing all these events were connected to the same source.

“Who the hell are they?”

She was deeply curious about the people orchestrating these events. But it wasn’t as if she could do anything about it herself.

None of the bodies from the attackers at the Jabilon estate contained any souls.

“There’s no one to interrogate even if I wanted to.”

Despite the large number of attackers reduced to dust, not a single ghost appeared to provide answers.

Ding.

“Huh?”

The sound of the door opening caught her attention. An all-too-familiar figure entered.

“Mr. Ansois.”

“Ah! You’re here.”

“Yes, what brings you here today?”

While they chatted, Camilla discreetly glanced behind him.

[Lady Camilla! Long time no see!]

His deceased daughter, still clinging to him like a guardian spirit, greeted her energetically.

Didn’t I already fulfill her request? Why’s she still here?

Camilla had gone so far as to play the role of a fortune-teller to reveal the sins of the stepmother who killed her.

Well, at least I gained a great business partner from that incident.

Thanks to that, she had formed a connection with Ansois, the owner of the continent’s finest jewelry business, earning significant profits as a bonus.

“I’m glad I stopped here before visiting the Ghost Trading Company.”

Ansois chuckled, placing a box on the table before her.

“What’s this?”
“A newly crafted gem.”

Camilla casually opened the box, letting out a soft gasp of admiration.

“Wow, it’s beautiful.”
“Isn’t it? I wanted you to be the first to see it.”

Ansois’s jewelry always stood out with its elegance and artistry. She was seriously considering entrusting all jewelry-related business to him.

He was also deeply interested in crafting the newly discovered mineral, blue diamond, and refining mana stones. As a craftsman, it was a challenge he found exciting.

“I hurried to finish this so you could wear it for His Majesty’s birthday celebration.”

“Oh, right. The birthday.”

She had nearly forgotten. The birthday banquet for Emperor Fabler was coming up, and she had already received an invitation.

Not that she was looking forward to it. She couldn’t recall a single pleasant memory from any visit to the palace.

[Lady Camilla, can I try this?]

Meanwhile, Ansois’s daughter, Laura, eyed a new dessert on display. Ever since she learned she could eat food offered by Camilla, she often made such requests.

“Why don’t you try some of the new desserts while you’re here?”

“Good idea.”

Camilla set out a few desserts for Ansois and discreetly placed a plate in a hidden corner for Laura.

[Thank you!]

Laura beamed, happily enjoying her treat. Having been too sick to indulge while alive, she relished the opportunity now.

[Um, Lady Camilla?]

As she finished half the plate, Laura hesitated, glancing toward Camilla before cautiously speaking.

[I’ve been meaning to ask…]

“…What is it?”

[Do you like dogs?]

“Not at all.”

Camilla’s immediate reply made Laura’s eyes widen briefly before her expression turned sullen.

[Oh… you don’t like dogs…]

Watching Laura slump and nibble sadly on her dessert, Camilla quietly slipped away.

I can feel it. Something troublesome is coming.

****

 

“Lady Javiela, you look stunning today.”

Javiela, the consort of the Second Prince and the current matriarch of the imperial family, responded to the noblewoman’s compliment with a shy smile.

Her soft eyes and gentle smile left a strong impression, perfectly complementing her beautiful appearance.

“Excuse me for a moment…”

These ingrates!

Behind the serene exterior, she was seething with frustration.

At this imperial banquet, Javiela could clearly sense a shift in the atmosphere. The nobles approaching her were no longer as eager as before.

Not long ago, they had been willing to grovel at her feet. Now, they maintained polite distance, offering only basic courtesy before moving on.

They had sensed the growing power of the First Prince.

These spineless opportunists!

Even the Emperor had started favoring the First Prince, Edsen, over her son, the Second Prince. What had caused this sudden change?

If only that plan had succeeded!

She had invested so much effort into the internal strife of the Gracia Empire, backing the losing side in their succession war.

In the end, the prince she supported had failed, and her investments had vanished like smoke.

They swore they would win!

Now those who had pledged loyalty to her scrambled to align themselves with the First Prince.

Who can I blame but myself?

It was almost laughable how much faith she had placed in those people while undermining Edsen.

But she had no choice. To secure her son’s future, she needed their support. She would do whatever it took to rally them again.

For that, I need his power.

Javiela had heard that the one who could provide her with that power would be attending the banquet today. She resolved to establish a connection with him no matter what.

“Announcing the arrival of Duke Sorpel and his companions.”

The steward’s voice at the entrance drew everyone’s attention.

All eyes turned to the new arrivals, and murmurs of admiration spread through the hall.

Each of them was striking, but none more so than Camilla, who entered escorted by Duke Sorpel himself.