A fortune-telling princess Chapter 155

“Welcome. You’ve come a long way.”

Emperor Fabler greeted the Gracia Empire envoy with a gracious smile. Duke Escra offered a simple nod in response, his detached gaze betraying his indifference.

His body language made it clear that he found the Emperor’s hospitality entirely unremarkable.

The other envoys hastily stepped forward to speak on his behalf, showering the Emperor with congratulatory remarks to cover for Duke Escra’s lack of enthusiasm.

“…”

Meanwhile, Duke Escra’s gaze wandered around the room before coming to a stop.

His eyes locked on Camilla, who was standing frozen in place.

The corners of his lips lifted ever so slightly.

…Is he smiling?

Was he seriously smiling at a time like this?

Camilla’s face burned with irritation. He looked as though he found her reaction amusing, as if her bewilderment was some sort of entertainment.

Why is he here?

This man wasn’t someone with time to spare! He often skipped meals because of his packed schedule. How on earth had he ended up here?

“That’s him, isn’t it?”

“Yes!”

“He’s the one who holds the real power in the Gracia Empire…”

The entire hall turned its attention toward Duke Escra.

As the man who wielded actual authority in the Gracia Empire, his presence sparked heated murmurs throughout the crowd.

Among them was Empress Javiela.

He’s finally here.

Her lifeline. The man she had eagerly awaited was none other than Duke Escra.

She knew full well that he was also the one who had thwarted all her carefully laid plans.

The First Prince of Gracia—the one she had supported—had been killed by this man’s hand.

The architect of her ruin, Duke Escra. And yet, he was now the only person she needed to survive.

Politics has no eternal enemies.

If she could sway him to her side, she would have nothing to fear. Gaining his support was tantamount to having the Gracia Empire at her back.

I must bring him to my side.

Determined, Empress Javiela began to approach him.

“Hm?”

She abruptly stopped.

Duke Escra was already moving—toward Camilla.

“Why…?”

Seeing him head toward Camilla filled Javiela with confusion.

Why her, of all people?

She had never liked Camilla. More accurately, she had always dismissed her as beneath notice.

Her origins were unclear, and Javiela saw no value in associating with her. Though Camilla had recently gained some attention, in Javiela’s eyes, she was still of lowly blood.

But why?

Camilla had served as an envoy to the Gracia Empire before, so perhaps they were acquainted.

But Javiela knew Duke Escra wasn’t the kind of person to approach someone so casually, especially not just for an acquaintance.

Hadn’t they just witnessed him barely acknowledging Emperor Fabler himself?

“Camilla.”

And yet, Duke Escra called her name warmly.

The hall fell silent, and everyone’s eyes widened in surprise. Even Javiela couldn’t hide her astonishment.

What is this? Is there something between them?

Ignoring the murmurs around him, Duke Escra began to greet Camilla.

“It’s been a long—”

He didn’t get to finish.

Swish.

Three figures suddenly stepped in front of Camilla, blocking him.

“F-Father?”

It was Duke Sorpel, flanked by Ludville and Ravi.

The three men positioned themselves protectively in front of Camilla, their gazes fixed firmly on Duke Escra.

“…”

Duke Escra returned their stares with the same impassive look he had given Emperor Fabler moments earlier.

The atmosphere between them grew so tense that everyone else in the room held their breath.

Can I run away?

Camilla rubbed her temples, feeling the onset of a headache. How was she supposed to diffuse this situation?

“I see there are more obstacles than I expected to meet my daughter,” Duke Escra said, dropping a bomb without hesitation.

What is wrong with this man?!

Camilla’s jaw dropped as the tension in the room skyrocketed. Meanwhile, Duke Escra merely smiled, unfazed by the icy glares from the three men.

Chapter: The Nameless One

“So, you all knew from the start, didn’t you? That I had met my biological father.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Camilla’s question was met with silence. Duke Sorpel, Ludville, and Ravi avoided her gaze, their lips tightly sealed.

“It’s obvious you did. What are you, a bunch of bullies? Pretending not to know and keeping it from the ‘naive girl’ this whole time?”

“Could you shut up, please?”

Naive girl? And who’s calling whom a bully?! You threw a bomb into the middle of a party, you lunatic!

Camilla glared at Duke Escra, who sat nearby, smirking as if he found the whole situation amusing.

Was he always this annoying?

“You’re happy to see me after so long, aren’t you?” he teased.

“I told you to shut up.”

What had gotten into him? Why was he acting like this?

“Camilla,” Duke Sorpel called gently.

Startled, Camilla lowered her head instinctively.

“I’m sorry. I should have told you first.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

Stop interrupting!

Ignoring Duke Escra, who was now frowning deeply, Camilla continued.

“I didn’t want to cause unnecessary conflict.”

Duke Sorpel sighed quietly at her words.

“We didn’t want to bring it up either.”

He had been afraid to hear Camilla talk about Duke Escra. Afraid she might say she wanted to go back to him.

“I’m sorry.”

“Apologizing for finding your bloodline is absurd.”

Duke Escra cut in again.

“What kind of nonsense did they drill into you to make you act like a criminal over something like this?”

“Who’s acting like a criminal?”

“Look at yourself. All this for something so trivial. Was this why you were so desperate to come back here?”

“Enough. When are you leaving?”

“They said I’m welcome to stay.”

“Ugh, just stop!”

Seriously, these people! Is basic decorum too much to ask for?

“I heard some things,” Duke Escra began, ignoring her protests.

“What things?”

Instead of answering, he turned his gaze to Duke Sorpel. For a moment, a cold glint passed through his eyes.

Before coming here, he had thoroughly reviewed a report on Camilla. It was dozens of pages long, and Duke Escra had read every word.

“The unwanted daughter.” That was the report’s recurring theme.

A child who had grown up neglected and despised, ignored by everyone. Even the household maids had reportedly looked down on her.

If even the servants treated her that way, what more needs to be said?

The report had filled him with fury.

Though ultimately, it’s my fault.

What right did he have to blame anyone? He hadn’t even known Camilla existed until recently.

Still, he couldn’t help but feel anger toward Duke Sorpel. What had he been doing while Camilla endured all that?

“I’m sorry, Father,” Camilla said softly.

“Camilla!”

“Why are you apologizing for him?”

Duke Sorpel, Ludville, and Ravi all frowned as Camilla spoke on Duke Escra’s behalf.

“For once, I agree with them,” Duke Escra added with a smirk. “A daughter apologizing for her father? Ridiculous.”

Camilla elbowed him in the side, silently begging him to stop, but he didn’t even flinch.

“Daughter? I don’t see your daughter here,” Duke Sorpel shot back.

“Do I need to explain it to you?”

“Why waste words on something so trivial?”

“Ah, so your brain really is that small.”

Crackle.

Sparks practically flew between the two Dukes.

Camilla sighed deeply, feeling the tension grow unbearable.

“Both of you, please stop and drink your tea.”

“…”

“…”

“Or I’ll leave.”

“I’ll drink.”

“Fine, I’ll drink.”

As she moved to leave, both men reached out to stop her, then begrudgingly sipped their tea.

“See what I mean?”

Count Alton, who had accompanied Duke Escra, shook his head in amazement.

“Duke Escra clearly needs Lady Camilla. Do you know how much trouble I had after she left?”

Feigning tears, he wiped at his eyes dramatically.

“Come back with us, Lady Camilla.”

“What nonsense is that?”

Ravi shot to his feet.

“You think our place would survive without her?”

“Do you think your chaos compares to ours?”

“We have Arsion!”

Why is that name coming up now?!

Camilla gave up trying to mediate and let out another long sigh as the arguments continued.

****

“Are you Ravi?”

Ravi froze in his tracks as he walked toward the research lab, turning to find Duke Escra standing behind him.

Does this man not age?

Seventeen years had passed, but Ravi recognized him instantly as the man who had once disrupted his life.