A fortune-telling princess

“But what is this?”

“It’s not for you.”

Camilla began pulling snacks out of the basket and spreading them on the ground.

“Big Sis prepared these just for you.”

[Wow!]

The child’s face brightened considerably, likely because Arsion’s mood had stabilized as well.

Honestly, even Camilla was surprised. Arsion seemed to have composed himself much faster than expected. She had assumed he’d continue acting like a lunatic for much longer.

“Go on, eat.”

[…No, thank you.]

“Why not?”

The boy gently shook his head.

[I don’t need to eat anymore.]

“What?”

[I’m not hungry anymore.]

Sier’s smile deepened.

He stepped closer to Camilla, wrapping his small arms around her in a hug. For a brief moment, his lips brushed against her cheek.

Of course, Camilla didn’t feel anything physically, but the sensation left her strangely warm.

[Thank you, Sister.]

“…”

[Really, thank you for everything.]

The boy hugged her again before stepping back. His gaze shifted to Arsion, who was staring at them with a bewildered expression, completely unaware of what was happening.

Sier walked up to his brother and embraced him tightly.

[Brother, I’m so… so sorry.]

It had pained him deeply to watch his brother close himself off after his death, growing increasingly distant from their father. Sier had always blamed himself, believing his poor choices had caused it all.

If only I had died naturally instead of choosing such a fate… would things between my brother and father have been different?

He had been plagued by regret, doubting whether his decision had truly been the right one, even if it was meant for Arsion’s sake.

[But…]

Now, he felt at ease. Seeing his brother look more peaceful than ever filled him with a strange, unshakable joy.

Camilla conveyed the child’s words calmly.

Though Sier’s voice trembled slightly, there were no tears in his eyes. Instead, his face was illuminated by an endless smile.

[Brother, I’m so glad…]

‘I’m so glad…’

That day, the day Sier died, he had tried to say something to his brother. But he never managed to finish his sentence before taking his last breath.

[That you’re my brother.]

“…”

[I hope you find happiness.]

Words left unsaid for so long were finally spoken.

As Arsion’s gaze wavered, Sier hugged him one last time.

Then he turned back to Camilla, locking eyes with her.

[Please take care of my brother, Sister.]

‘No.’

No way. Don’t ask me for that!

Camilla frowned, and Sier burst out laughing.

It was the first time she had heard him laugh so openly.

Moments later, his small body began to glow faintly, gradually fading into light.

Camilla stayed silent, simply watching as his form grew fainter.

At times like this, there was only one thing she could do.

To bear witness to their final moments and remember them.

Camilla quietly watched as the boy disappeared, leaving behind a radiant smile.

Arsion, too, said nothing. He remained still, watching until Sier was completely gone.

“Are you sad?”

“…Not really.”

The boy had already died a long time ago. If anything, Arsion felt a sense of relief knowing that Sier could now rest peacefully.

He thought about how hard it must have been for his brother to hover around him all this time, watching him stew in hatred and blame himself endlessly.

How much had that child cried, thinking everything was his fault?

“That’s why I prepared this for you.”

“…”

“Eat up. When you feel empty or sad, eating helps.”

“You said it wasn’t for me.”

“Who says? I brought it for you. Now eat.”

If you leave food behind, you’ll regret it!

Arsion looked at the food Camilla had shoved toward him and wore a briefly puzzled expression.

But Camilla didn’t notice the faint smile that crept onto his lips.

***

It was the weekend.

No classes, no obligations—just a perfect day to relax. Camilla had been considering a shopping trip for the first time in a while. But then…

“Good thing you’re home. How have you been?”

“…Welcome.”

Unexpected visitors arrived—and not just one or two, but a whole group.

Camilla plastered on a bright smile as she greeted Duke Jabilon, who had greeted her cheerfully. What’s with this sudden friendliness?

“And why are you here?”

“He asked me to come along.”

The reply came from none other than Duke Sephra in response to Duke Sorpel’s question.

Indeed, both dukes had shown up unannounced.

Both Jabilon and Sephra had known Duke Sorpel since childhood.

They were similar in age, and as heirs to duchies, they often met and competed, forming a strange bond over the shared burden of protecting the empire.

He was notorious for avoiding anything bothersome. Yet here he was.

What kind of wind had blown him here without notice?

“Well then, I’ll leave you to your conversation.”

Camilla attempted to excuse herself, only to feel two hands grab her arms.

“…What?”

Why are both of you holding me?

Her bewildered gaze shifted between the two dukes. Duke Jabilon held one arm, and Duke Sephra held the other.

“You’re the reason I’m here, so you’re not going anywhere.”

“Hm.”

…Why me?

Jabilon had been hinting for a while that he had some business with her, but why was Sephra involved?

“Let’s go inside.”

“Indeed.”

“Wait… wait…”

Camilla had no choice but to walk as they pulled her along. She glanced back at Petro and Arsion, who had accompanied the dukes and now stood watching her with amusement.

Petro tagging along wasn’t surprising, but why was Arsion here? Since when did he hang out with his father?

“Let’s hurry inside, shall we?”

“Wait, hold on…”

As Camilla was dragged inside, Petro smiled and waved.

Arsion, as always, wore his usual indifferent expression. But Camilla, who had spent more time with him recently, could tell.

He was smiling with his eyes.

“What should we do now?”

After Camilla disappeared into the building, Petro turned to Arsion with a suggestion.

“How about a stroll through the garden? It looked lovely the other day.”

“Me? With you?”

“Why not? Don’t you like the idea?”

“Would you?”

“I do.”

“Idiot.”

Arsion turned away, but his steps halted when he noticed someone standing nearby.

It was none other than Ludville, Duke Sorpel’s eldest son.

“When did you…”

Neither Arsion nor Petro had sensed his approach.

“Why don’t the two of you join me for a walk?”

“…”

“…”

***

[It’s nice here.]

[…]

As soon as the dukes entered the reception room, they summoned their divine beasts.

The red hawk and black wolf strode toward Camilla without hesitation.

Camilla’s expression went blank as she watched them approach.

Were these divine beasts the reason the two dukes had shown up so suddenly?

“Apologies. Mine wouldn’t stop pestering me about seeing you,” Duke Jabilon said.

“Hm.”

Duke Sephra said nothing, but his presence here suggested the same reason.

[Grrr!]

[…]

[…]

From her perch on Camilla’s lap, the white tiger cub, King, bared his tiny teeth at the two divine beasts.

The power radiating from the two summoned beasts was immense. Even Camilla, who was generally resilient to such auras, felt a little tense.

But King seemed entirely unfazed, growling defiantly to keep them from approaching Camilla.

The cub wasn’t intimidated in the slightest. In fact, the two divine beasts hesitated and stepped back.

[Purr.]

Satisfied, King nestled into Camilla’s lap as if nothing had happened and drifted off to sleep.

Camilla chuckled softly, stroking King’s head.

“Your tiger divine beast seems to favor her more than you,” Duke Jabilon teased.

“Yours must’ve really been insistent about meeting her,” Duke Sorpel quipped.

“Ugh.”

Jabilon avoided Sorpel’s gaze. Surprisingly, so did Sephra.

“Have you and my daughter met before?” Duke Sorpel asked Sephra.

The duke tilted his head, puzzled. He didn’t recall Camilla meeting either Sephra or his divine beast.

“It’s smaller than I expected.”

Sephra swiftly changed the subject, prompting Sorpel to frown slightly.

“It’ll grow soon enough.”

“Was it sealed for too long?”

“Perhaps…”

“But at least it was born.”

“Exactly!”

Sorpel beamed. Big or small, the important thing was that his family’s divine beast had returned.