A fortune-telling princess Chapter 167

“Effective against all diseases?”

Camilla immediately furrowed her brows. This wasn’t some shady multi-level marketing scheme, but the way he was talking made it sound like one.

“I haven’t tried it myself, so I can’t say for sure, but those who have it say they’ve definitely been getting sick less.”

“Really?”

“Those who’ve experienced its effects treat the stone like a sacred treasure.”

“Hmm.”

Camilla looked at the necklace in the box with renewed interest.

Is it really that effective? But I haven’t seen anyone around me using it. Is it harder to get than I thought?

“The stone itself is expensive, but I’ve heard you also need to donate a certain amount to the temple to be able to purchase it.”

“Donate?”

“The required donation amount is quite substantial.”

“Hmm.”

It sounded similar to the VIP system the Ghost Guild had implemented. You can’t even buy it unless you donate a certain amount, right?

The funny thing is that the ones enforcing this system aren’t merchants but priests who serve the Lord.

‘The religion here isn’t any different.’

The priests, who claim that everyone is equal before the Lord and that aiding the poor is their highest goal, are running this kind of business.

‘Equality, my foot.’

They’re clearly showing that there’s no equality when it comes to money. As always, money reigns supreme everywhere.

“Is this considered acceptable?”

If the stone really has such effects on the body, it’s not necessarily a bad thing.

The temple needs money to operate, and if they’re using their divine power to make a profit, who am I to judge?

Camilla closed the box containing the necklace.

“Aren’t you going to wear it?”

“I’ll give it to Father.”

After all, it was a gift received under the Sorphel name, and it wouldn’t be right for me to just take it for myself.

‘Not that Father ever gets sick anyway.’

It’s the thought that counts, right?

“I heard Empress Javiela also has one.”

“Really?”

Camilla looked at the box containing the necklace with renewed interest.

If even the usually aloof Empress has one of these unremarkable items, it must really be a trend, as Chris said.

* * *

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty.”

After meeting Camilla and leaving the Ghost Guild, Priest Daniel’s next destination was the imperial palace. Specifically, the residence of Empress Javiela, the palace’s mistress.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen your face.”

The usual gentle smile was nowhere to be seen on Empress Javiela’s face. Instead, a sharp glare was directed at Daniel.

“I couldn’t ignore the eyes of others.”

Despite the sarcasm in Empress Javiela’s words, Daniel maintained his kind smile.

“After botching the last job so badly, you didn’t even bother to contact me properly! If you’re not disrespecting me, how could you do that?”

Empress Javiela’s face was filled with resentment and anger as she looked at Daniel.

“I regret what happened last time.”

“Ha!”

She let out a disbelieving laugh, her face twisting in frustration.

“Regret? Did you just say regret?”

“Your Majesty.”

“Do you think I’ll just let it slide with that? You clearly promised to take care of Edsen during the hunting competition!”

“I did.”

Daniel’s calm response left Empress Javiela momentarily speechless. She felt like a fool for getting worked up alone.

The last hunting competition was meant to be the stage to eliminate Crown Prince Edsen.

She had orchestrated it, and the one who had prepared everything was Priest Daniel, now sitting in front of her.

He had approached her long ago, offering to support the second prince. He promised to provide the power to counter Edsen.

There was no reason to refuse the temple’s support.

‘But something feels off.’

Daniel seemed to have some other force behind him. Upon investigating, she found no special movements from the temple.

So, what was that massive force that moved during the hunting competition?

Though his identity was unclear, she couldn’t let him go. She wanted to use that powerful force to help the second prince ascend the throne.

“Don’t be too disappointed, Your Majesty. Opportunities always come again.”

Empress Javiela, who had been glaring at him with clenched fists, finally let out a short sigh.

As he said, there was no point in getting angry over what had already happened. She needed his help, and causing a rift would only hurt her.

“Is there another way?”

“Perhaps.”

“Ha.”

Sitting across from the smiling Priest Daniel, she sighed again.

Frustrated, she roughly brushed back her hair, revealing the necklace around her neck.

“That necklace…”

Daniel’s eyes lit up as he noticed the necklace. Empress Javiela gently touched it.

“Its color changed on its own recently.”

The stone, which had initially been red, had now turned black.

“Didn’t you say the color changes when its power is depleted?”

“I did.”

A faint smile appeared on Daniel’s lips as he answered. His gaze remained fixed on the necklace.

“It’s time.”

“Time? For what…?”

“When the necklace’s color changes, it’s time.”

Time to change…

“Are you saying you’ll give me a new necklace? It’s true that since I started wearing it, my headaches have lessened.”

Daniel nodded slightly.

“I’ll replace it soon.”

His smile deepened as he spoke.

* * *

*Buzz buzz—*

“Huh?”

A vibration came from the drawer. When she opened it, the communication orb was buzzing intensely.

─ I’ve arrived.

It was Duke Escra.

“Already?”

It hadn’t been long since he left. Even considering he used magic, his arrival was too quick.

Was he really that backed up with work? He must have moved without resting.

“I’m glad you arrived safely.”

─ Yeah.

“Did you sleep on the way?”

A small laugh came through the orb in response to Camilla’s sigh-filled question.

─ Were you worried?

“…I’ll hang up now.”

─ I heard he left around the same time I did.

“He?”

What are you talking about?

─ If something comes up, tell him. He’s reliable when it comes to handling things.

“Who are you talking about?”

─ You can tell me directly too.

“No, I mean, who is…!”

─ Rest.

“Wait…!”

The communication cut off.

“You didn’t say the subject! The subject!”

Who is ‘he’?!

Camilla was left utterly baffled. She couldn’t tell if she’d just had a conversation or if she’d been listening to a monologue.

After a short sigh, she quietly put the orb down.

“At least it’s a relief.”

She had been feeling uneasy about not being able to see him off properly, but hearing that he arrived safely put her mind at ease.

“Huh?”

As she was about to close the drawer after putting the orb back, her hand paused.

“Oh, right.”

Something inside the drawer caught her eye.

“I completely forgot about this.”

It was the box containing the sacred relic necklace she had received from Priest Daniel.

Camilla opened the box to check its contents. The sacred relic necklace was still there, shining red just as it had been when she first saw it.

“Hmm.”

She picked up the necklace. At the time, she had planned to give it to Duke Sorphel, so she hadn’t paid much attention to it.

“It just looks like an ordinary stone.”

But after looking into it recently, she found that the necklace was more of a hot topic than she thought.

Many people claimed that their chronic illnesses had improved thanks to this red stone. As Chris had said, it was so hard to get that people were going crazy for it.

“I heard there’s even a premium on it.”

There were even underground deals happening. It seems that no matter the era, things that are good for the body always have high market value.

“Does it really work…!”

*Crackle!*

But as Camilla examined the stone closely, something strange happened.

“What’s this?”

A spark flew, and the red stone shattered into pieces.

“What? Is it defective?”

Camilla stared at the broken pieces, her expression a mix of confusion and frustration.

“Wow.”

What kind of craftsmanship is the temple using?

“It’s supposed to be a sacred relic!”

It’s not even cheap! Sure, I got it for free, but if someone paid a hefty donation and price for this, they’d be furious!

“But what was that just now?”

She recalled the strange sensation she felt when the stone broke. It was hard to dismiss it as just a defective product.

“There was a spark, right?”

Camilla’s gaze shifted to her right hand. The moment she held the necklace, she had felt something strange.

A tingling, warm sensation flowing from her hand and enveloping her surroundings? But it was so brief that she wasn’t sure.

“What was that?”

*Bang!*

“Miss Camilla!”

Camilla didn’t have time to dwell on it. The door burst open without a knock, and Dorman rushed in.

“What’s going on?”

“A-A guest has arrived.”

“A guest?”

“Yes!”

“Who?”

Camilla tilted her head at Dorman, who looked utterly terrified. Who could it be?

“You need to come out and see.”

“…?”

“Hurry!”

At his urging, Camilla placed the broken stone back in the box, set it aside, and left the room.

When she entered the reception room, her eyes widened.

“Hi.”

A man waved at her cheerfully, his eyes curving into a friendly smile.

…Why are you here?

It was Jaynor.