A fortune-telling princess Chapter 154

“You’ve heard, haven’t you? About the Guardian Sword.”

“I was so shocked I couldn’t say anything for a while.”

“I heard it would have been a disaster if it weren’t for Lady Camilla.”

“They say Lady Camilla also caught the ones who tried to set the mansion on fire.”

Details of the incident had already spread far and wide, and Camilla was now the center of every conversation. People couldn’t stop talking about her, even in pairs.

“Look at that necklace.”

“It’s so beautiful.”

“Isn’t that a new design?”

Their attention soon turned to the necklace around Camilla’s neck. The jewelry, newly crafted by Ansois, was enough to captivate the noblewomen’s gazes.

This is great publicity, Camilla thought.

Even as Duke Sorpel, Ludville, and Ravi led her around, introducing her to acquaintances, she kept promoting the jewelry.

She moved gracefully, ensuring the necklace caught the light, all while flashing a radiant smile. These were all potential customers, after all—what harm was there in a bit of extra effort?

“These days, all anyone talks about is you, Lady Camilla.”

“Gah!”

Startled, Camilla flinched as a voice spoke right next to her ear.

“It’s been a while, Lady Camilla.”

“Indeed it has.”

Turning, she saw Crown Prince Edsen dressed impeccably in a white suit, smiling at her. Camilla exchanged polite greetings with him.

“I heard you cried your heart out in front of the Tower of Guardians.”

“That…”

Seriously? Why did he have to bring that up, of all things? Out of everything he could say, why this?

Do you have nothing else to talk about?

Well… no, they didn’t. What else was there to say between them? Fine. Let him rub it in.

“Your brother is lucky.”

“What do you mean?”

“To have a sister like you.”

What is he even talking about?

If Ravi heard that, he’d be absolutely horrified. Camilla gave Edsen an incredulous look, but the Crown Prince merely chuckled softly.

“Having someone who would cry like that for him—it must feel reassuring.”

His faintly bitter smile made Camilla frown. What was with him? That wasn’t like him at all.

“And it’s fascinating.”

“Fascinating?”

“To see such devotion despite being only half-siblings.”

What?

“Half-siblings?”

Did he know that Ravi and she had different fathers?

“What’s this reaction?”

Camilla’s stiffened expression seemed to amuse Edsen further, his eyes widening slightly before he let out a disbelieving laugh.

“Did you really think no one would find out? Do you take my intelligence network so lightly?”

“…Apparently I did.”

What had she been thinking? Why hadn’t it occurred to her? Everyone in the Gracia Empire who needed to know already knew that the Duke of Escra had a new child.

Why did she think it wouldn’t reach here? The Earl of Alton had tried to keep it quiet, but she must have been foolish to trust that it would stay under wraps.

“And just to confirm,” Edsen’s grin widened. It was the first time he had seen her so flustered.

“You haven’t forgotten that the Sorpel family’s information network is as good as the imperial one, have you?”

She had forgotten—completely!

Is my brain malfunctioning? How could I have overlooked that?

If this was common knowledge, did that mean her entire family already knew about her biological father?

“My god…”

Finally, it all made sense. The strange behavior of Duke Sorpel, Ludville, and Ravi whenever the Gracia Empire was mentioned.

So that’s why they’ve been acting so oddly.

Every time the topic came up, the three avoided meeting her eyes, leaving her baffled.

Ha.

A hollow laugh escaped her lips. She felt stupid. How could she not have considered this?

But why didn’t anyone say anything?

She had kept quiet to avoid unnecessary conflict, but why had the others stayed silent?

Unless…

Maybe they didn’t want to stir up trouble either. Both Duke Sorpel and Ludville hated unnecessary drama.

Or…

Did they think it wasn’t worth mentioning?

As if the appearance of her biological father didn’t matter since she wasn’t even their blood-related daughter.

Sigh.

Camilla didn’t know what to think. This sudden revelation left her mind spinning. Where was she supposed to start unraveling all this?

“The Emperor has arrived!”

At that moment, the steward announced the arrival of the party’s host. Camilla let out a small sigh and decided to put her thoughts aside for now.

Focus first. Worry later.

This was a party with the Emperor present. The last thing she needed was to cause a scene. Too many people were watching her every move.

Step, step.

Soon, a man in his early fifties entered the hall, prompting everyone to bow their heads.

Camilla prepared to bow deeply, ensuring her posture was as respectful as possible.

…What the hell?

But as soon as she saw the Emperor, she froze. Her mind went blank, and for a moment, she couldn’t move.

“Lady Camilla?”

Crown Prince Edsen’s quiet voice brought her back to her senses. She quickly bowed, though her complexion remained pale.

What is that?

Camilla had seen many bizarre things in her life. But she swore she had never encountered anything like this.

“May everyone have a delightful evening,” said Emperor Fabler with a benevolent smile as he greeted the room.

But Camilla’s gaze wasn’t on him—it was behind him.

They’re swarming.

What is?

Ghosts.

Dozens of restless, mindless spirits hovered around the Emperor, trailing him like a ghostly entourage.

****

 

 

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

“Just… various things.”

“Do you have something you wish to say to my father? I can take you to him.”

“No!”

Is he crazy?

Camilla accidentally shouted, startling herself. She quickly forced a smile, but Edsen gave her a puzzled look, his curiosity evident.

[Those things are just like Rania—completely mindless.]

Zeno’s voice rang in her mind. He had just returned after observing the spirits clinging to the Emperor.

[What the hell are they?]

That’s what I’d like to know.

The ghosts were all young men, seemingly in their late teens or early twenties. Like Rania, they had their heads bowed, showing no reaction when Zeno tried to communicate.

How is this even possible?

If it had been just one ghost, she might have understood. She was already shocked by the Emperor’s connection to this strange group, but this was something else.

How could so many spirits be bound to a single individual?

Does that mean he used all those bodies for himself?

She had reached a conclusion, but it was too horrifying to accept. What kind of life would lead someone to this?

Could it be…

A chilling thought crept into her mind, making her shiver. She instinctively glanced at Edsen.

“What’s with that look?”

“Live a long life.”

“Ha!”

Edsen burst into laughter at her sudden, cryptic statement.

This isn’t funny.

Camilla turned her gaze back to the Emperor. She wanted to believe her suspicions were wrong, but the sight of all those spirits made her increasingly certain.

“Ah…!”

Her eyes accidentally met the Emperor’s. Camilla quickly looked away, trying to appear nonchalant. But to her horror, the Emperor began walking toward her.

“Are you the one they call that girl?”

“Greetings to the Empire’s Eternal Sun,” Camilla said, bowing as deeply as she could. Inside, however, she groaned.

Why did the word “eternal” feel so ominous today?

“I hear you awakened the Guardian Sword.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Truly remarkable.”

“It was all thanks to your benevolence, Your Majesty.”

Camilla lifted her head, her face now adorned with a bright, polite smile that concealed her true feelings.

Next to her, Edsen raised an eyebrow, intrigued. What’s she plotting now? he wondered.

“I have many questions about that day. I hope we can discuss it in private soon.”

In private?

Are you insane?

Meeting him privately was the last thing she wanted to do. But refusing an imperial request was out of the question.

I’m doomed.

Camilla’s smile grew strained as she nodded awkwardly.

The Emperor seemed serious, waiting for her response.

“The Gracia Empire’s envoy has arrived!”

The steward’s announcement cut through the tension. The Emperor turned his attention away from her, and Camilla let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Maybe I can slip away from the party…

Wait.

Did he just say…?

Camilla’s eyes widened as she replayed the steward’s words in her mind. The Gracia Empire?

She turned toward the entrance, her gaze locking onto the group entering the hall. Her eyes grew even larger as she recognized the man at the front.

The confident stride, the indifferent expression, and the haughty gaze—it was as if he were walking through his own backyard.

He hadn’t changed a bit since the last time she saw him.

Why is he here?!

It was none other than Duke Escra.