A fortune-telling princess Chapter 186

Each time Camilla opened a box, Arena’s pitch rose a notch higher. Judging from her reactions, these herbs were far from ordinary.

“I already have a lot of herbs at home.”

Even without trying, the Duke of Sorpel and the rest of the family were actively sourcing every known herb from across the continent.

Plus, ever since word got out that she had collapsed, other noble families—hoping to curry favor—were sending over anything remotely good for the body.

“A father-in-law’s love for his daughter-in-law.”

“…Excuse me?”

“The more herbs, the better. Take them all.”

…She definitely just heard something strange again.

“I’ll eat well.”

Fine. Might as well take care of her health. No matter what happens down the line, she’d need to be physically strong. At the very least, so she could swing a sword one more time.

‘…Damn it.’

Never thought she’d live a life where worrying about sword-swinging would be part of the equation.

The crushing weight of reality made another short sigh escape Camilla’s lips.

****

Young noblewomen boasted about their newly purchased accessories and video print crystals—all from the Ghost Trading Company.

Camilla, noticing the accessories from her company, responded with her best customer-service smile. The kind that said, Yes, I noticed. Yes, I’m judging you.

Unlike before—when she rarely accepted invitations—Camilla had been attending more social gatherings lately.

Not all, of course. She had one specific criterion: the sacred relic necklace.

She only accepted invitations from households known to have purchased one.

Today’s visit was to House Bakes—Lady Juella’s family.

Her objective had already been achieved. The one wearing the necklace was none other than Count Bakes himself.

‘He seems fine for now… but still.’

The problem was what came next. She had to figure out how to get him to stop wearing it.

After a good while, Juella got up and hurried outside.

Seizing the chance to escape the endless chatter herself, Camilla followed. She planned to stroll through the garden for a bit.

Arena—the ghostly priestess—trailed after her, saying she was bored.

“I thought I told you not to walk around with your head held high in front of me. Filthy thing, born of who-knows-what.”

It was Lady Juella and her older brother—Mantis Bakes, heir to House Bakes.

“Just focus on what Father told you to do. Stay out of my business.”

“But Father told me to make sure you greeted Lady Camilla properly to—”

“You’re talking back now?!”

Mantis immediately raised his hand. Juella, clearly used to this, reflexively lifted her arms to shield her face.

Smack! “Urgh!”

But the cry of pain didn’t come from Juella. It came from Mantis.

“Oh my! I’m terribly sorry! So it was you, Lord Mantis.”

“I thought Lady Juella was being threatened by someone.”

Though she apologized repeatedly, she didn’t let go of the sharp-heeled shoe in her hand.

And just like that, the mutt who dared raise a hand to his sister scurried away, muttering about being misunderstood.

“You heard all that?”

“More or less.”

“Then you know. I’m not actually of this house’s blood.”

There had originally been a daughter in the family. But she died shortly after birth. In her grief, the Countess had spotted a baby abandoned on the roadside and took her in.

Juella had always wondered why she was treated so differently. She found out after overhearing a private conversation between her parents. And from that moment, word spread.

“That’s why I hated you so much. Looking at you was like looking at myself.”

…And that was one hell of a conclusion.