NOVEL NEXT Chapter 27
“Welcome, Count Shailen.”
“Is the Duke inside?”
“Yes, he’s waiting for you.”
The butler, Luv, greeted Count Shailen respectfully at the entrance.
The Shailen family was the oldest and closest vassal of the Sorpel family.
Today, the Count had come to discuss the recent fire at the textile mill. As the one in charge of overseeing the mill, he felt personally responsible for the incident.
His normally composed face was visibly tense. As the person responsible for the factory, he couldn’t excuse what had happened.
Although the damages weren’t extensive, resuming operations would take significant time.
‘Sigh.’
He exhaled softly, following the butler into the mansion.
“Hm?”
Count Shailen stopped abruptly as he spotted someone walking toward him at the end of the hallway leading to the Duke’s office.
“Long time no see, Lady Camilla.”
Camilla greeted him with a serene smile and an elegant nod.
“Yes, it’s been a while, Count Shailen.”
Seeing the stiffness on his face, Camilla let a faint smile linger on her lips.
“You must be here about the mill fire.”
“Yes.”
Hearing the word “fire,” he couldn’t suppress a sigh. Then, looking somewhat surprised, he turned to Camilla.
She knew the factory under his care had been affected? He had assumed she wasn’t interested in family business matters.
“Don’t worry too much.”
Camilla offered him a word of comfort. Drawing on her past experience, she subtly hinted at something to reassure him.
“I overheard that they’re planning to rebuild the mill, doubling its size.”
Count Shailen’s eyes widened in surprise.
Regardless of whether it was true, the suggestion of expanding the mill wasn’t a bad idea. Even if the Duke hadn’t considered it, persuading him to do so might be worth trying.
“Have you heard this saying?”
“This saying?”
“Good fortune often follows misfortune.”
“Good fortune?”
Camilla handed him something she had been holding.
“What’s this?”
“Good fortune.”
Good fortune?
What Camilla handed him was a small gift box.
“May I open it?”
“Of course.”
Perplexed, Count Shailen untied the ribbon and opened the box.
“…….”
Inside the box was a tiny pair of baby shoes.
“How adorable, aren’t they?”
Count Shailen fell silent, staring at Camilla with a conflicted expression.
‘Is she mocking me?’
What other reason could there be for giving him such a gift?
“Keep these safe.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’ll need them soon.”
Camilla’s cryptic words left Count Shailen frowning. She smiled sweetly before leaving without further explanation.
“…….”
For a moment, Count Shailen alternated between looking at the tiny shoes and the retreating figure of Camilla, his expression growing colder.
But a few days later—
“Did you hear?”
“The Countess of Shailen is pregnant!”
“And Camilla was the first to inform them?”
“Apparently, she gave the Count baby shoes out of nowhere, saying they’d need them soon!”
“And they were pink shoes! Does that mean the baby will be a girl?”
“Who knows?”
The Shailen family’s joyous news soon spread, and Camilla’s name was naturally mentioned alongside it.
Count Shailen, overjoyed to learn of his wife’s pregnancy, had immediately sought out Camilla to express his gratitude. His effusive thanks made it seem as though she had personally blessed them with the child.
“Did you hear about Viscount Basel’s new business partner? The moment Camilla saw him, she shook her head. Turns out, after investigating, the man was a con artist!”
“And remember how she told the head maid to hurry home? She got there just in time to see her mother before she passed away!”
“And that fire dream she had? It doesn’t seem like a coincidence, does it?”
“She’s amazing!”
“Our young lady must be receiving divine revelations!”
“Do you think that’s true?”
“She’s better than any fortune-teller in the capital!”
“Do you know how many people are lining up just to catch a glimpse of her these days? Everyone wants her to predict their futures!”
The Sorpel estate buzzed with excitement. Camilla’s recent “miraculous” predictions left everyone in awe.
If it had only happened once, it might have been dismissed as luck. But the consistent accuracy of her predictions was becoming impossible to ignore.
“Camilla.”
“Yes, Father?”
The Duke of Sorpel shared in the amazement but also harbored concerns.
“What’s happening to you?”
While others expressed awe and admiration, the Duke worried about the potential toll her abilities might take on her, both mentally and physically.
“I don’t know myself.”
Camilla shook her head gently.
“Sometimes I dream about things, but other times, just seeing a certain person brings strange visions to mind.”
“Are you in pain?”
“Excuse me?”
“Is your body suffering?”
“No, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“…Alright.”
The Duke nodded slowly, reassured by her radiant smile.
Rumors of Camilla’s abilities had already reached the temple, prompting them to send a request. They wanted to investigate whether her premonitions were connected to divine power.
Naturally, the Duke had immediately and firmly rejected the temple’s approach.
“If you experience anything unusual, you must inform me at once.”
“Of course, Father.”
Camilla smiled softly but then paused, as though she had something more to say.
“By the way….”
“Yes?”
“I’ve been having a recurring dream lately.”
“A recurring dream?”
The Duke’s face grew serious. With everything that had happened, he couldn’t dismiss the significance of her dreams.
“Is it a bad one?”
“No, not at all.”
Camilla set down her teacup, meeting her father’s gaze to reassure him.
“I’ll check it out and let you know.”
“Check it out?”
“Yes.”
“It’s not dangerous, is it?”
“Not at all.”
She didn’t elaborate further, and the Duke refrained from pressing her.
‘Alright, the groundwork is complete.’
It was finally time to retrieve the divine beast’s egg