A fortune-telling princess Chapter 49

Through Derin, Camilla discovered Luve’s true identity and decided to seek his help.

After all, investigating so many individuals would require assistance, preferably from someone with impeccable discretion.

“As quickly as possible, please.”

“Understood. Normally, I shouldn’t be doing this, but…”

The Black Shadow organization existed solely to serve the head of the Sorpel family. They were under no obligation to take orders from anyone else or offer assistance.

“This time, we’ll consider it a special case.”

But Luve decided to make an exception for Camilla, especially since she had uncovered the organization’s existence and his identity.

“Please keep this from Father.”

Luve hesitated at her request. Camilla softly called out again.

“Luve, I’m counting on you.”

“…For now, I’ll agree to it.”

Luve gave a slight bow before leaving the room.

Thud.

As soon as the door closed, Camilla collapsed into her chair, her legs feeling like jelly.

“He’s definitely the leader, alright.”

She had been nervous. The easygoing Luve she was used to had disappeared, replaced by the sharp, unyielding leader of Black Shadow.

“Now I just have to wait for the investigation to finish.”

Camilla threw herself onto the bed. She had no energy left to do anything else that day.

***

“Is this true?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you! This will be a tremendous help!”

A radiant smile spread across Professor JB’s face. Camilla had informed him that she would assist with his research.

“What do you need me to do?”

“From the books you said your family owns, please transcribe the parts I’ll specify and bring them to me.”

“Alright.”

“Then I’ll organize the necessary materials and let you know soon. I look forward to working with you.”

“Likewise.”

As Camilla stood to leave, her gaze drifted to the area behind Professor JB. The seven ghostly women were still lingering around him.

Yesterday marked the fourth day since she had assigned the investigation to Luve. He had delivered a complete dossier on the women haunting JB.

And once again, it hit me.

This man is truly a psychopath.

The women he had killed all shared a disturbing commonality: they were adopted, and they struggled to fit into their new families.

When Camilla realized this, she was overwhelmed by disbelief.

What on earth was he thinking?

Why kill women who had endured the same pain as his sister? No matter how she looked at it, Professor JB’s actions defied logic.

After poring over the investigation report Luve had provided, Camilla came to one unshakable conclusion.

She glanced at Professor JB, who was smiling innocently as always. Behind that seemingly gentle façade lurked a killer.

“So, I’m next?”

Camilla knew with certainty that she was his next target.
***

Chapter. The Bait

Stab!

‘Do I really look like that to others too?’

Stab, stab!

Camilla’s hand drove the fork forcefully into the cake. It was all too clear why Professor Jaybee had asked her for materials and offered help.

‘So I look like I’m being abused too?’

Just like the other women he killed, he was convinced that she too was unloved and mistreated by her stepfather, Duke Sorpel.

‘If you’re struggling or have anything on your mind, feel free to come see me. You know I’m the school counselor, right?’

‘So that wasn’t just small talk back then.’

There was one more thing all the murdered women had in common: every one of them had at some point received counseling from Professor Jaybee.

To his outwardly kind demeanor, they had confided their long-endured pain.

“Camilla?”

“Yes?”

Seeing her idly stabbing her cake without eating it, Duke Sorpel addressed her.

“Did something happen at school…?”

“No, I just have a lot on my mind.”

Camilla forced a bright smile as she shook her head.

“I see. If something comes up, tell me immediately.”

“Yes, Father.”

She set the fork down and took a sip of tea. Then, noticing the duke’s gaze still fixed on her, she tilted her head. Was there more?

“What do you think of this outfit?”

“You look very handsome.”

Now that she looked closer, Duke Sorpel wasn’t in his usual attire. He was dressed in a formal suit, the kind he’d wear when going out.

‘Is he heading somewhere?’

As Camilla’s expression grew curious, the duke continued.

“This is what I plan to wear to the upcoming imperial council meeting.”

That wasn’t until next week. Why wear it already? Though puzzled, Camilla chose not to press.

“The color is lovely.”

She offered a light compliment.

“Still… doesn’t it feel a bit plain here?”
He pointed to the left side of his chest.

Camilla didn’t think it looked plain at all and tilted her head again.

“Wouldn’t a small ornament be nice?”
“Hm, I think it’d look good.”

“Right?”

“Yes.”

“A tiger might be better than a fox.”

…A tiger?

‘Why a tiger all of a sudden?’

Was it because the family’s divine beast was a tiger?

‘Still, that seems a bit odd…’

Did he really want a tiger emblem?

While Camilla hesitated awkwardly, the duke’s eyes flicked toward someone.

Ravi—who was quietly drinking tea beside them.

Camilla followed the gaze naturally.

‘Huh?’

Her eyes widened slightly.

On the left side of Ravi’s chest was a small pin—the fox brooch she had gifted him recently.

‘He scolded me for that.’

She couldn’t help but laugh. He had acted indifferent, saying he’d never have a reason to wear it—

‘And look at him now.’

Such a shy fox. Choosing the fox emblem had been the perfect call.

‘Wait a sec.’

Left-side ornament?

Fox? Tiger?

Suddenly connecting some very important dots, Camilla looked back at Duke Sorpel.

Only now did she realize the way he longingly glanced at Ravi’s brooch.

‘No way…’

He—he wants one too?

“A tiger would be best, wouldn’t it?”

…He wants me to buy one.

As Duke Sorpel met her eyes again with a patient gaze, Camilla gave an awkward smile.

‘I thought he didn’t like ornaments.’

He was known for being meticulously clean and disliking flashy accessories.
So why now?

“A tiger would be just right…”

Looks like I’ll need to go shopping soon.

“An ornament might look good even on a knight’s uniform,” came a calm voice.

Ludville. His gaze, too, was fixed on Ravi. With no less intensity than the duke’s.

“……”

Guess I’ll buy two while I’m at it.

Faced with the sharp gazes of both men, Camilla made a firm resolution to go shopping as soon as possible.

---

* * *

“Welcome, Lady Camilla.”

Professor Jaybee’s home was very neat. Not too big, but perfectly sized for a single man.

The interior was well-decorated—cozy enough to feel inviting to anyone.

“Sorry to visit on your day off. I needed the materials urgently…”

“It’s no trouble.”

Camilla responded lightly and sat where he gestured.

“I figured this might take a while, so I already sent the carriage back.”

“Good thinking. I’ll escort you back later.”

Jaybee smiled brightly at her efficient foresight, and Camilla returned a polite smile.

“What kind of tea would you like?”

“Anything is fine.”

“Just a moment.”

As he disappeared into the kitchen, the smile slipped right off Camilla’s face.

She scanned the living room again—carefully.

‘There it is.’

Her eyes settled on a small box on the window shelf.

A plain, unremarkable black box.

But Camilla’s gaze turned ice-cold as she looked at it.

“I hope it suits your taste.”

Soon, Jaybee returned with a white teacup filled with golden tea. A rich fragrance filled the air.

“It smells lovely.”

“It tastes just as good.”

At her compliment, Jaybee’s eyes crinkled with pleasure.

After watching him take the first sip, Camilla raised her cup to her lips.

As he’d said, it didn’t taste bad.
Despite its clear color, the flavor was deep and intense.

One sip. Two sips…

Clink!
Thud.

Just as the cup was nearly empty, Camilla’s body slumped to the side—her teacup clattering to the floor.

Jaybee showed no surprise. As if he’d expected it, he simply sipped the rest of his tea calmly.

Then, rising from his seat, he quietly cleaned up the broken cup. After returning from the kitchen, he stood over the now-sleeping Camilla.

“……”

Looking down at her peaceful face, Jaybee’s expression turned sorrowful.

“You must have suffered so much.”

His fingers gently brushed her neck, eyes heavy with emotion, nearly brimming with tears.

“Poor thing… Don’t worry. You’ll be at peace soon—”

Jaybee’s eyes flew open wide.

Because Camilla’s eyes—thought to be unconscious—suddenly snapped open.