A fortune-telling princess

“Ah!”

A short while later, Camilla ran into Ravi near the dining hall.

“Oh~ Ravi.”

“Call me properly.”

“I did call you properly.”

“You’re about to get hit.”

“Tsk.”

She just wanted to lighten the mood by acting a little familiar.

“Still, isn’t it a relief?”

“What is?”

“That your little sister is lighter than expected.”

“……”

“Weren’t you surprised yesterday when you lifted me? your little sister is so li—okay, okay, I’ll stop.”

Don’t glare at me like that.

As Camilla continued speaking, Ravi’s expression grew increasingly ominous.

Alright, I admit I was a bit of a nuisance yesterday. But do you really need to make it so obvious that you’re annoyed?

‘Huh?’

Ravi’s gaze suddenly shifted behind her, prompting Camilla to naturally glance back as well.

“……!”

It was Ludeville. His appearance made Ravi’s mood sink even further.

Although Camilla found Ludeville uncomfortable and awkward, she forced a smile onto her lips.

“You’re here, Brother.”

“……”

“The weather is so lovely today, isn’t it?”

In response to her greeting, Ludeville gave a silent, slight nod.

“Hey!”

“……?”

Just then, Ravi called out to Camilla in a slightly raised voice. Why? What? Why are you suddenly shouting here?

“Why are you being unfair?”

“Unfair about what?”

“Why are you so formal with him?”

What is he talking about?

“You talk so casually to me, but you’re all polite to him.”

Wow, how childish.

‘Now you’re picking a fight over speech patterns?’

Camilla stared at Ravi with a momentary look of disbelief.

You’re the one who always goes “Hey! Hey!” at me. Do you think my name is “Hey”?

“Why ask something so obvious?”

Wasn’t it for the same reason you treat me casually, calling me “Hey”?

“What’s obvious about it? Why is it only natural for him to get respect?”

“Because you’re my brother.”

“What?”

“You’re my family.”

What’s with that face?

‘Why are you surprised?’

…Hey! Did you seriously not even think of me as your little sister all this time?

‘You rotten jerk!’

Camilla looked at Ravi, whose eyes had widened as if he couldn’t piece together her words, with utter disbelief.

Why are you shocked that I called you my brother? Is that really so surprising? Are you kidding me?

‘What’s with him now? Why is he smiling?’

Ravi’s lips suddenly curled into a faint smile, leaving Camilla even more bewildered. What about what I said is so funny?

‘Huh?’

She felt a sudden chill. Sneaking a glance, she stiffened.

‘What’s with you now?’

Ludeville’s atmosphere had turned icy cold. His already expressionless face seemed frozen solid.

Up until a moment ago, the mood wasn’t this bad, was it?

In contrast, Ravi now seemed in a good mood, the corners of his mouth faintly curled up as he glanced at Ludeville.

‘What is going on?’

Camilla let out a deep sigh as she watched the two men whose moods swung so drastically in opposite directions.

“Father, is something wrong?”

Today, the men of the house seemed completely off.

Seated at the dining table, Duke Sorpel’s brows were furrowed, and they didn’t look like they’d smooth out anytime soon.

“It’s nothing.”

“……?”

It doesn’t look like nothing.

Duke Sorpel’s frequent clicking of his tongue and his obvious displeasure made it clear that something was bothering him.

As Camilla continued to stare at him, Duke Sorpel eventually sighed briefly and muttered a vague explanation.

“He said he’s coming.”

He?

“What’s he planning to stir up this time?”

Duke Sorpel clicked his tongue again, frustration written all over his face.

Camilla still looked puzzled, prompting him to finally provide more details.

“Jabilon. He said he’s coming to discuss some business matters.”

Jabilon? Ja—oh!

The Jabilon family was one of the three great guardian houses, just like the Sorpel family. Duke Sorpel and Duke Jabilon had a history of being both friends and rivals.

Their families had been closely connected for generations, often collaborating on numerous ventures.

It was the same even now. Having known each other since childhood, Duke Sorpel and Duke Jabilon were both comrades and competitors.

“Petro is coming with him.”

Petro?

‘Ah.’

The Jabilon Duke’s son?

‘I always referred to him as “that annoying redhead,” so the name didn’t register right away.’

That infuriating redhead!

Among the people in this world who annoyed her the most, Petro was definitely in the top five.

‘Just thinking about that guy… Wait.’

At the mention of Petro’s name, all three men at the table turned their gazes toward Camilla simultaneously.

‘Sigh.’

I know, I know why you’re all looking at me like that.

‘Of all people to fall for, why

?’

Yes, Camilla had harbored a long-standing infatuation with Petro. Her love—or rather, obsession—was well known to everyone.

She not only followed him everywhere but also secretly took his belongings and even threw away letters from other women he received.

‘Isn’t that straight-up stalking?’

Stalking is a crime, you know!

‘What’s so great about that red-haired guy anyway?’

Even at a recent party, she had ended up in a hair-pulling fight with other noblewomen because of him.

Camilla had mustered the courage to approach Petro and ask him to attend the party with her.

‘That was a huge step for me.’

Though she openly followed him, she had never directly confessed her feelings. She was afraid of being rejected, ignored, or losing even the shallow relationship they currently had.

But despite her courage, the result was unfavorable.

Petro politely declined, claiming he already had prior commitments, even sounding regretful as he said it.

‘But then….’

At the party, Petro arrived escorting none other than Lady Juella, Camilla’s biggest rival.

Juella openly mocked her as soon as she entered the venue, laughing as she approached Camilla to gloat.

‘I heard you got rejected by Lord Petro when you asked him to escort you?’

‘He said he already had prior commitments with you, right?’

‘That’s not true.’

‘What?’

‘I only asked him to be my escort two days ago.’

‘Ah…!’

‘Oh my, Lord Petro really… If he didn’t want to go with you, he should’ve just said so.’

‘…….’

‘Well, who would want to partner with a fake noblewoman anyway? Know your place.’

Her final words were spoken softly, but just loud enough for Camilla to hear. It was deliberate.

That’s when Camilla lost it and grabbed Juella by the hair.

‘That infamous party incident.’

Camilla, of course, didn’t explain the full story to anyone. Once again, it was written off as one of her “outbursts.”

She hated it.

She didn’t want to repeat those degrading words, “fake noblewoman,” to her family.

Ultimately, Duke Sorpel had to provide substantial compensation to the offended families.

‘Why did I even bother pulling her hair?’

If she was going to pull someone’s hair, she should have yanked that redhead’s instead!

While Juella’s words turned out to be lies—she had asked Petro to be her partner after Camilla—it didn’t make things any better.

Tsk

Unlike the original Camilla, she had no interest in that redhead.

But her family didn’t know that yet, and their anxious gazes showed they were bracing for another disaster during Petro’s visit.

“Don’t worry.”

Camilla smiled brightly as she folded her bread in half with a sharp snap.

“I’m over him.”

She took a big bite, chewing and swallowing it.

“See? I’ve moved on from him, so don’t worry.”

Everyone at the table looked momentarily shocked by her unexpected declaration. But soon their expressions turned skeptical, as if to say,

“He’s just coming to flaunt his divine beast again under the guise of business,” Duke Sorpel muttered, clicking his tongue in irritation.

What’s so great about a divine beast anyway? he seemed to think.

‘Still… I suppose I have to find it.’

Watching her father’s frustration brought Hershel from the graveyard to mind.

Even though she couldn’t swim well…

“Camilla.”

“Yes?”

“Is something bothering you?”

Unconsciously, she had let out a long sigh, drawing the attention of all three men again.

“It’s just… seeing Father upset makes me upset too,” she replied, feigning concern and ignoring Ravi’s incredulous look.

Seeing her effort, Duke Sorpel’s lips curled slightly upward.

“Don’t worry about me and eat your meal before it gets cold.”

“Yes, Father. Please eat a lot too.”

Just then, the head chef, Gerard, approached carefully, placing new dishes in front of Duke Sorpel.

“What are these?”

“Special dishes Lady Camilla requested,” Gerard explained.

“Camilla did?”

Duke Sorpel stared curiously at the food in front of him. The colors were… murky. Unidentifiable drinks and desserts with strange, dark hues.

“They’re made from black beans.”

“Beans?”

“Black beans are good for preventing hair loss.”

“Hair loss?”

Camilla smiled sweetly at Duke Sorpel, who seemed confused.

“It’s not hereditary, but there’s no harm in being cautious.”

“……?”

Not that baldness was necessarily a bad thing.

She thought of Hershel from the graveyard.

‘He had such a nice head shape.’

Attractive people still looked good even with shaved heads.

‘But having a full head of hair is still better.’

Her gaze flicked over to Ludeville.

‘Should I make him eat some too?’

Ludeville blinked, puzzled by her scrutinizing stare.