A fortune-telling princess Chapter 190

That’s why she had come to the Jayvillan estate. She had also searched the Sorpel family’s library just in case, but there hadn’t been much to gain.

Of course, there was one place even better equipped with texts on the Eva Church than the Jayvillan household.

It was a house that had been just as eager to recover the Sword of Guardianship: the Duryel Marquessate.

The problem was…

‘That’s the family of Empress Jabiela.’

Currently, the Marquess of Duryel was Empress Jabiela’s biological father.

Naturally, visiting that house felt awkward at best—so she chose this estate as the next best option.

“Eva Church, huh…”

Zeno believed it was a possibility, but honestly, she wasn’t so sure.

Wasn’t it a religion that had been completely wiped out long ago? That’s what everyone thought.

“Unni!”

Guided by Petro toward the library, Camilla stopped in her tracks when she saw Elisha running toward her with enthusiasm.

“When did you get here?”

Elisha immediately latched onto her arm, rubbing her cheek affectionately—like a cat putting on airs to get something. Since when did she switch from being a baby fox to a kitten?

“I wanted to come out and greet you!”

“Just got here.”

Elisha twirled in place, proudly showing off the outfit she was wearing.

“Unni, how do I look?”

Camilla couldn’t help but smile. The outfit featured sheer fabric around the shoulders and back, making it look refreshingly cool.

“It suits you.”

She didn’t hold back the praise—not only because it looked good, but because it was a design she had funded. The clothes were made by Juella.

“After I saw what you were wearing last time, I went and placed an order too. I thought I went early, but there were already so many ahead of me. It took ages to get it—but really, does it look good?”

“It’s pretty.”

“Right? The design’s kind of unfamiliar, but it’s so pretty! And the material is so light—it’s amazing!”

Elisha had a good eye for key points, and her excitement made Camilla’s smile deepen.

“It looks even better because you’re wearing it.”

“R-Really?”

Elisha blushed and squealed happily. Praise didn’t cost anything, after all.

“By the way, who’s the designer? Everyone’s dying to know. You know, right? Since you’re the investor.”

“Hmm.”

Camilla hadn’t revealed Juella’s identity to anyone yet—at Juella’s own request.

If her family found out she was dabbling in what they considered a “commoner’s craft,” they’d surely object.

She wanted to avoid unnecessary conflict for now, focusing solely on designing clothes.

‘Well, can’t blame her.’

If the designer herself wanted to stay behind the scenes and just focus on the work, it was better not to interfere.

Camilla readily agreed and kept Juella’s identity a secret.

Instead, she actively promoted the clothes. Lately, she wore only Juella’s designs to every social gathering.

And because of that? Orders were exploding.

‘Of course.’

After all, I wore them.

Did they not know how many items I had worn and sold out back in the other world? I even revived failing companies.

At first, people hesitated at how bold and nontraditional the designs were—but before long, their eyes began to sparkle.

It was human instinct to be drawn to novelty. And if that novelty was also beautiful—well, nothing more needed to be said.

“Unni, you’re here to read in the library, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then let’s have tea together after you’re done, okay?”

“Sure.”

Elisha, knowing she was headed to the library, gave up on tagging along without resistance.

If it wasn’t a book about theater, she wouldn’t touch it anyway. She hated reading.

Camilla watched her go, shaking her head slightly.

She had a feeling Elisha’s year-end grades would start with a single-digit again this year. Hopefully at least the tens digit, not the hundreds.

‘She should quit that stupid “7-point club” now that she’s grown up a bit.’

Still, what could she do? If Elisha didn’t want to study, Camilla couldn’t force her.

Maybe she should schedule another day to help her with acting again?

‘Feels like she’s hoping I will.’

She had potential, after all.

“This way.”

Soon after, guided by Petro, Camilla entered the library and let out a deep sigh.

“It’s huge.”

She had expected it—but still, seeing the vast, endless rows of bookshelves made her instantly feel the weight of the task ahead.

“What kind of book are you looking for?”

“You’re going to help me find it yourself?”

Aren’t there librarians for that? Why bother?

Her puzzled gaze was met with his usual gentle smile.

“I’d like to help… if you’ll let me?”

“Well, sure.”

If he wanted to help, she wasn’t about to complain.

Camilla quickly listed the titles she was after. She had already learned a few from Zeno.

And then…

“I’d also like anything you have on the Eva Church.”

A flicker of curiosity passed through Petro’s eyes.

“Why the sudden interest in the Eva Church?”

“I’m just curious. They say the Sword of Guardianship shone brightest when it fought the Eva Church, right?”

“So I’ve heard.”

“I was wondering if maybe there’s a particular reason why the sword reacted to me.”

Camilla offered a vague excuse. Since the enemy might be the Eva Church, she had to tread carefully.

“Please wait a moment.”

Without pressing further, Petro brought over books related to the Sword of Guardianship, Mars, and the Eva Church.

“…That’s a lot.”

“Well, yes. Some of our predecessors were especially interested in these topics.”

Looking at the towering stack of books, Camilla groaned. She didn’t dislike reading, but this was a bit much.

“Have you read all these, Petro?”

Maybe a summary?

“Unfortunately, this isn’t really my area of interest.”

Well, no helping it. Guess I really do have to read them all.

Another sigh escaped her lips.

“If you need anything else, please let me know.”

“Thanks. This is enough for now—you don’t need to stick around.”

“Understood.”

Camilla sat down with renewed determination. Might as well dive in and get through as much as she could.

‘Hmm?’

But then she had to look up again. Petro had taken a seat directly across from her.

‘I told you to go do your own thing. Why sit there?’

Camilla shot him a questioning look. He smiled again.

“I don’t have anything urgent today. Thought I’d stay and read a bit myself. Will that bother you?”

“Not at all.”

Well, it’s his house. She picked up the book closest to her.

Soon, she slipped into deep concentration, the kind she used when reading scripts.

‘I’m good at this, you know.’

When she focused, she wouldn’t notice even if something exploded nearby.

Petro, watching her for a while, eventually picked up a book too—but he spent more time watching her than reading.

His gaze softened.

Why hadn’t he realized it before—how peaceful and precious these moments with her were?

“When did you see Arsion last?”

“Yesterday.”

“Ye—yesterday? For what?”

“No reason.”

“…No reason?”

“He just shows up whenever he wants.”

At first, the family used to scowl at even the mention of Arsion’s name. Now, they didn’t even blink. If anything, they’d ask if the two of them had fought if he didn’t show up.

“…?”

Camilla, still staring at her book, finally glanced up.

“Was there something else you wanted to say?”

Seeing him staring blankly, she tilted her head. Why was his face so dazed?

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

He smiled and looked away. Camilla returned her gaze to the page.

“……”

A faint, bitter smile tugged at Petro’s lips as he stared at her again.

‘Maybe it’s already too late.’

He’d ignored it for so long, but every time he saw Arsion, it became clearer.

That man didn’t care what anyone thought—he moved only for Camilla.

‘See? Again…’

While he hadn’t visited even once, not wanting to cause trouble for her at the academy, Arsion had never hesitated.

“…Haa.”

Petro sighed deeply.

Camilla was immersed in her reading, oblivious.

“…Hmph.”

How long had she been at it?

As the pile of books beside her grew, Camilla’s expression grew graver.

‘This… this is it.’

Zeno hadn’t been speaking nonsense.

The descriptions of the Eva Church members in the book matched perfectly with what she had seen and experienced.

‘And especially this…’

She couldn’t take her eyes off a particular line.

“All who follow the Eva Church have had their souls stolen.”

‘Souls taken…’

It might mean spiritual corruption from heresy—but Camilla took it at face value.

‘And this part—this one’s beyond convincing.’

The Eva Church’s main doctrine was “eternal life.”

They lured followers with sweet promises of immortality.

There weren’t many details on how eternal life was achieved. Not surprising—of course they wouldn’t advertise that.

‘Because they use people as sacrifices.’

It was later revealed that they had used children, the poor, and the weak as sacrificial offerings.

Eventually, Mars had led the charge to destroy them.

To steal bodies—to take them as vessels.

“…Ha.”

Camilla laughed bitterly.

When Mars saved the world with the Sword of Guardianship, people believed the Eva Church had been wiped out for good.

‘Yeah, right.’