A fortune-telling princess

“Not long ago, they were our enemy!”

He does realize that “not long ago” means 300 years ago, right?

“The civil war just ended. It could still be dangerous,” Ludvill added gravely.

Camilla let out a short sigh.

“We’re going as part of a delegation.”

It’s not like she was going alone. Honestly, these three were seriously overreacting.

“Do you really have to go?”

“I can’t pass up a deal this big.”

“…Fine.”

“Father!”

Despite the protests, the Duke of Sorpel finally gave his consent. Seeing the tightened expressions on Ravi and Ludville’s faces, he let out a sigh of his own.

“She’s made this decision as the owner of the trading guild. It’s not for us to interfere.”

“But—”

“However, she’ll have an escort. A

large

one.”

Camilla wanted to point out that she already had the highly skilled ghost knight Zeno on standby, but rejecting this condition outright might lead to the permission being revoked. She nodded in agreement.

“By the way, who’s in charge of this delegation?”

Even though she already knew the answer, Camilla feigned ignorance.

“His Highness Edsen.”

“What?”

Wait a minute. Who did he just say?

“Prince Edsen has been appointed as the leader of this delegation.”

“Th-that…!”

That couldn’t be right! Camilla barely managed to swallow the words threatening to burst out.

…Can I reconsider going altogether?

 

“Meeting you again, young lady.”  

 

Why has this changed? Why!  

 

The moment Camilla found herself face-to-face with Crown Prince Edsen, smirking at her, she bent into a deep bow, suppressing the irritation threatening to surface.  

 

‘How odd.’* 

 

She clearly remembered the leader of this delegation was supposed to be the second prince.  

 

This period always brought its share of controversy. Supporters of the first prince, Edsen himself, often voiced their dissatisfaction with the emperor’s decision.  

 

They claimed it was natural for Edsen, the crown prince, to lead the delegation. How could the emperor send the second prince instead?  

 

‘Everyone called it the empress’s scheme.’

 

The emperor, supposedly swayed by the empress’s whispers, aimed to strengthen the second prince’s position by exposing him to external powers like Gracia. The halls of the empire had been abuzz with such allegations.  

 

And yet, for some reason, this time, Edsen had been appointed as the delegation leader.  

 

“The others aren’t here yet, I see.”  

 

Did I arrive too early? Not wanting to give anyone the chance to criticize her, she’d made it a point to arrive early…  

 

“They aren’t coming today. Only you were invited.”  

 

“…Pardon?”  

 

A delegation meeting, yet I’m the only one here?  

 

“Why? Do you dislike being alone with me?”  

 

“Of course not.”  

 

As usual, he was annoyingly perceptive.  

 

“The more I learn about you, the more intriguing you become.”  

 

Edsen’s smile deepened, taking on a mischievous quality.  

 

“The fact that the head of Ghost Trading happens to be you, young lady…”  

 

*Sir, that surprise is outdated.*  

 

“So, I’ve prepared something for you.”  

 

Hiding her displeasure, Camilla presented him with a small box.  

 

“What’s this?”  

 

*What else? A bribe.*  

 

“I felt bad always being the one to receive.”  

 

She had a long trip ahead, during which she’d be stuck seeing his face regularly. She hoped this gift would pacify him and maybe reduce his teasing.  

 

“A ring, is it?”  

 

“This is a special new product from our trading company.”  

 

She had poured even more effort into this one than the rings given to the three dukes. Edsen had high standards, so an ordinary item wouldn’t do.  

 

“I hope it pleases you.”  

 

“The ring is lovely, but… what’s your true motive?”  

 

“My motive? I’m just…”  

 

“Planning to use me for promotion?”  

 

‘Gah, this guy’s too sharp.’

 

He was exactly right.  

 

The gift was not only meant to make her journey with him easier but also to use Edsen to advertise Ghost Trading’s blue diamonds in high society.  

 

‘Okay, maybe a lot for that.’

 

After all, royalty had the most influence in the social world.  

 

“Well, I’ll let myself be used with pleasure.”  

 

It seemed the ring had indeed pleased him, as he immediately slipped it onto his finger, appearing genuinely delighted.  

 

Surprising. He’s showing emotion over something like this?

 

“Yes, promotion is essential in business. Speaking of which, if I were to send gifts to Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Second Prince…”  

 

The relatively genuine smile Edsen had been wearing quickly reverted to his usual expression—a mask of polite detachment.  

 

“You want to? Then go ahead.”  

 

“…Not at all! Your Highness alone is more than enough for promotion.”  

 

Dorman, I think I finally understand how you felt back at the café.

 

“Here, take this.”  

 

“Yes, Your Highness!”  

 

Edsen handed her a contract from the Gracia Imperial Palace regarding their magic stone trade. She would adjust the terms before finalizing the agreement during negotiations.  

 

“By the way…”  

 

His voice interrupted her as she skimmed the contract.  

 

“This ring—is it the first of its kind?”  

 

“No.”  

 

“…No?”  

 

“I’ve also gifted some to the three dukes.”  

 

Camilla lifted her gaze from the documents.  

 

Why did that feel so ominous?  

 

When she met his eyes, Edsen’s face appeared serene. If anything, he looked more amused than before. Was it just her imagination?  

 

“I can understand the dukes.”  

Understand? Understand what? 

 

Camilla’s questioning gaze went unanswered as Edsen merely smiled enigmatically.  

 

—

 

Ding-ding.

 

“Welcome!”  

 

Stepping into the bustling café, Camilla waved off the formal bows of the staff who had recognized her. She scanned the busy interior, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.  

 

Except for one thing.  

 

That!  

 

Smack!

 

“Argh!”  

 

Seated by the sunlit window, lazily dozing, Dorman received a hard whack to the back of his head.  

 

“Young lady!”  

 

Startled, he jumped to his feet, only to shrink back when he saw who had struck him.  

 

“So, your ‘value’ here is sleeping, huh?”  

 

“No, ma’am! I was just taking a very short break after working diligently!”  

 

“Then wipe that drool off your chin before speaking.”  

 

He hastily swiped at his mouth.  

 

“I swear, if I don’t hammer some sense into you…”  

 

“It’s not that! Someone was covering for me, so I took a short rest!”  

 

“Covering?”  

 

Turning her head in the direction Dorman had gestured, Camilla froze.  

 

“What… is he doing?”  

 

It was none other than Havel, the reaper. Clad in an apron and headscarf, he was meticulously dusting every nook and cranny with his usual solemn demeanor.  

 

“When did you start working here?”  

 

“…!”  

 

Startled, Havel turned, dropping his cleaning supplies as their eyes met.  

 

“You look good in that.”  

 

When she motioned to his apron and headscarf, he hastily yanked them off and threw them to the floor.  

 

“It’s because of you.”  

 

“What did I do?”  

 

“How dare you make Dorman do such degrading work!”  

 

“So you’re doing it for him?”  

 

“Do you know who he is—”  

 

“Wait, there’s dust over there.”  

 

Before he could finish, Havel grabbed the cleaning supplies again and attacked a nearby stain with fervor.  

 

“He’s infamous for his neat freak tendencies,” Dorman commented smugly as he sidled up next to her.  

 

“And you plan to keep slacking off?”  

 

“Haha…”  

 

“…Get back to work.”  

 

Her steely gaze left him no choice. Grumbling, Dorman picked up a rag and joined Havel in cleaning.  

 

—

 

**Ding-ding.**  

 

“Welcome…!”  

 

Camilla froze mid-greeting as the door opened to reveal a familiar face.  

 

Her again.

 

While she was glad to see customers, the ghost hovering behind the young woman was less welcome.  

 

[Father…]  

 

The teenage ghost clung to the middle-aged couple entering the shop, tears glistening in her eyes.  

 

[Please help me.]  

 

Camilla sighed inwardly.  

 

I shouldn’t have made eye contact with her last time.

 

Ever since then, the ghost had been pleading nonstop.  

 

“Does that customer come often?”  

 

“Yes, very often! They always buy a variety of sweets, saying it’s for their daughter.”  

 

“Their daughter?”  

 

*They have another child?*  

 

[They bring them to visit me. I always wanted to eat sweets like these.]  

 

The ghost chimed in sadly.  

 

Then she froze, visibly trembling.  

 

Following her gaze, Camilla saw Havel staring at the ghost with piercing eyes.  

 

“Over there, there’s more dust.”  

 

Without a word, Havel returned to his cleaning.  

 

Camilla turned her attention back to the couple browsing the display.  

 

[Please, my father…]  

 

Hearing the ghost’s quiet sobbing, Camilla sighed.  

 

“Do they buy a lot?”  

 

“Yes! Practically everything on display.”  

 

A VIP customer, then.  

 

Deciding quickly, she approached them with a friendly smile.  

 

“Would you like some help selecting your sweets?”  

 

“Would you? That would be wonderful.”  

 

The man’s refined mannerisms stood out despite his seemingly ordinary background.  

 

As Camilla began assisting, she prepared herself for what came next.  

 

“I also happen to dabble in fortune-telling…”  

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