A fortune-telling princess Chapter 165

Camilla carefully inspected Havel, checking if there was any more blood left. Havel let out a short sigh at her actions.

“I can’t do any more.”

“Ah, why not? Let’s just draw a little more, okay?”

Afraid he might run away, Camilla clung even tighter to Havel’s arm.

“Wait a moment…”

Then, her gaze suddenly shifted to Dorman, who was quietly standing to the side.

“You were a reaper too, weren’t you?”

“Uh, yes?”

“Then you must have the same ability, right?”

“No!”

“No?”

“My blood doesn’t have that kind of power at all! As you know, I was fired from my job!”

“Tch.”

What a shame. Useless as always.

Watching Camilla grab Havel again, Dorman let out a sigh of relief. For the first time, he felt grateful for having been dismissed from his managerial position long ago.

“Every time I draw blood, I’ll grant you one wish, whatever it is.”

“A wish?”

“Yes! Like the old days with the former director, I’ll even convince stubborn ghosts who refuse to leave this world!”

Havel seemed quite intrigued by Camilla’s offer, but he quickly shook his head firmly.

“A reaper’s blood is a power that cannot be used carelessly.”

“Power?”

I just asked to draw some blood, but it sounds so grandiose.

“The more I use it, the more it burdens me.”

“Burden?”

Nod.

“Ah.”

Camilla’s eyes widened slightly at his words. She then carefully released Havel’s arm, which she had been holding tightly.

“Sorry.”

Havel looked slightly surprised at her apology. He hadn’t expected to hear an apology from her.

“I didn’t know.”

If I had known, I wouldn’t have nagged so childishly. I hate making sacrifices for others, so of course, I wouldn’t force something unpleasant on someone else.

“Wait…”

Did using your blood on me earlier put a strain on your body?

Camilla quickly checked Havel’s complexion.

“What are you doing?”

“Stay still. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“…No.”

“Really? That’s good… Wait, what’s with that look?”

I can worry about others too, you know?

“By the way, if it’s such a burden, why did you use it on me?”

Camilla looked at her hand, which had been smeared with Havel’s blood. It feels weird! I don’t want to receive help that burdens others.

“Lord Dorman ordered it.”

“So why did you do it?”

“Didn’t I just say Lord Dorman ordered it?”

“That…”

What is this? This endless loop of conversation?

“Is that all?”

“What more do you need?”

“…”

Sorry for asking something pointless.

‘There’s definitely something going on.’

He must have some kind of weakness that Dorman is exploiting. Otherwise, there’s no reason for him to go this far.

‘He’s not even your boss anymore.’

Havel looked at her as if asking why more reasons were needed when Dorman had ordered it. Camilla was speechless for a while, utterly baffled by this blind loyalty. She couldn’t understand this relationship at all.

“I asked him to do it, just in case. Those guys might target you.”

Finally, Dorman chimed in with a smile.

“Well, thanks anyway.”

There’s no reason to dislike having such a powerful safety measure. Though it’s a bit burdensome, Camilla decided to accept their goodwill.

“Want a cup of tea?”

Since they gave me such a precious gift, it felt rude to send them away immediately.

After donating blood, you’re supposed to eat something, right? I should at least offer them tea before sending them off.

“No need.”

But Havel immediately shook his head. He looked at her as if asking why he should drink something with her.

Ugh, that ungrateful jerk!

“Do you think I’m as free as you…?”

“Busy? There are cookies too. Why not have some before you go?”

“I’m not busy. Please give me some.”

“…Hey.”

What’s with this quick change of attitude?!

At Dorman’s words, Havel immediately lowered his tail and even bowed his head gratefully. Camilla was speechless.

I’m really curious. What exactly is his weakness?

‘Should I threaten Dorman to find out?’

Why does he only act like that around you?

After spending some time drinking tea with Havel, Camilla hurriedly prepared to go out.

“Are you going to the guild?”

“Yes, Chris asked me to come today.”

“Is something going on?”

“A guest is coming.”

It seemed like an important guest, so Chris asked if Camilla, as the guild’s owner, could be there.

Click.

“I should hurry…”

“Going out?”

Just as she was about to open the door and leave, Camilla paused when she saw someone standing in front of her.

It was Duke Escra. Behind him, as always, was Count Alton, smiling.

“Yes, I have some business at the guild.”

“You must be busy.”

“What’s the matter?”

And both of them together?

At Camilla’s question, Duke Escra simply stared at her in silence.

His gaze made Camilla feel a bit awkward. Did he have something important to say? The atmosphere felt different than usual.

“I’m leaving.”

“Leaving? Where?”

“Home.”

“Huh?”

“You said to go, so I’m going home.”

“…You’re going back?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Now.”

“What?!”

So suddenly? Camilla was momentarily speechless. He didn’t listen when I told him to leave before, so why now?

“Is something wrong?”

Did something urgent come up in the Gracian Empire? Otherwise, there’s no reason to leave so suddenly.

“Not really?”

“Then why…?”

“Why? Are you sad that I’m leaving?”

“Yes.”

“…”

He paused, surprised by her answer.

“Do you have to leave right now?”

Duke Escra’s eyes widened slightly, seemingly caught off guard by her response.

What? Why? Even if a dog you’ve been living with suddenly leaves, you’d feel sad, right?

‘Hmm, maybe comparing him to a dog is a bit much.’

Anyway, it felt strange now that he was actually leaving.

“Are you sure nothing’s wrong?”

“As you said, I can’t leave my position vacant for too long.”

“Is that really all?”

“Yes.”

When I pushed him about not being busy, he said he was free. Why now? What’s really going on?

Despite Camilla’s puzzled gaze, he remained silent, simply staring at her intently.

“I’ve confirmed it.”

After a long while, he suddenly smiled and muttered something cryptic.

“Confirmed?”

Confirmed what?

“Take care.”

“Are you really leaving right now?”

Swish.

“Ah…!”

Instead of answering, his large hand gently ruffled Camilla’s hair.

The touch was unexpectedly tender, and Camilla felt a strange sensation. It was like her stomach was tickling.

“See you again.”

With just that short farewell, he turned and left. As she watched him walk away, Count Alton approached and bid his farewell.

“It’s a shame to leave so suddenly.”

“Is there really nothing wrong over there?”

“No, nothing. But from the moment I return, I won’t be able to sleep. There’s a mountain of work waiting.”

I knew it.

“So why did you come?”

Camilla knew well how busy Duke Escra was, having seen it firsthand.

When he was in the Gracian Empire, he spent most of his day in his office. So why did such a busy man come all the way here?

‘He said he came to take me back.’

But judging by his actions and tone, it seemed more like a joke.

The fact that he’s leaving so suddenly proves that taking me back wasn’t his real goal, right?

“He wanted to see for himself.”

“What…?”

“And now he’s confirmed it.”

Duke Escra had said something similar earlier. What exactly did he confirm?

Despite her puzzled expression, Count Alton didn’t seem inclined to explain, simply smiling.

“We’ll see each other again, right? In the Gracian Empire.”

“Maybe.”

“Your room is always kept clean. So you can use it comfortably whenever you return. I sincerely hope that room finds its owner soon.”

After bowing his head one last time, he quickly followed Duke Escra, who was already walking away.

“…”

Camilla stared blankly at the two as they left.

Duke Escra didn’t even look back, and a faint smile eventually appeared on Camilla’s lips.

“Just like when he arrived.”

He came suddenly, and now he’s leaving just as abruptly. The way he left so coolly without any warning felt very much like him.

  *

“Are you sad?”

“Not really.”

“Are you sure it’s okay to leave like this?”

Duke Escra, who had been walking ahead, suddenly stopped.

“Taking her back wasn’t the goal from the start.”

“That’s true.”

Count Alton let out a short sigh. Just thinking about that incident made his palms sweat.

‘I was a fool for submitting that report as it was.’

After a preliminary investigation, a thorough second investigation into Camilla had been completed not long ago.

Count Alton, who had submitted the report in its entirety, still couldn’t forget the look in Duke Escra’s eyes that day.

‘It was the first time I’d seen him so angry.’

Though he always seemed irritable and angry, it was rare for him to be genuinely furious. He was usually indifferent to everything.

But that day, as he read the report on Camilla, Duke Escra was completely different.

He spent the entire day deep in thought, neglecting all his duties, and no one dared to approach him.

‘It was the first time I saw him blaming himself.’

Duke Escra was someone who didn’t even know the word “self-blame.” Yet, for the first time, he was angry at himself.

A few days later, he started packing to go see Camilla immediately, and Count Alton had to work hard to stop him.

After much effort, they came here, and Duke Escra seemed to be living leisurely, circling around Camilla.

‘That must be the reason, right?’