A fortune-telling princess

“Haa…”

The Duke of Sorpel strolled through the garden, where white mistflowers were in full bloom, and let out a long sigh.

This place, which usually brought him peace, felt strangely unsettling today. One persistent thought refused to leave his mind.

Why he couldn’t bring himself to fully embrace her.

“Because she was an impostor…”

Was it an instinct? That she wasn’t truly his daughter? Every time she called him “Father,” he felt an inexplicable unease.

That appearance, that face—those were undoubtedly his real daughter’s.

Rage flared within him when he thought of the beings who had killed Rania and deceived him. But thoughts of his late daughter softened his heart, filling it with an ache.

There were still too many unanswered questions. Why had she—Anna—left him, taking their child away? Why did she abandon him?

“Ah… Father.”

A familiar voice broke his reverie. He turned his head, and a faint smile naturally graced his lips.

“You’re here? At this hour?”

It was Camilla.

“I heard you were here…”

Her voice trembled slightly, and the Duke, noticing this, quickly closed the distance between them. He gently cupped her cheeks with both hands.

She doesn’t have a fever, at least.

“Are you unwell?”

He frowned with concern, debating whether to call a healer immediately.

“…”

Camilla didn’t respond, simply gazing at him. Her eyes reddened, tears welling up. The Duke’s heart ached at the sight.

The kidnapping wasn’t a mere incident. She must have been terrified. He regretted not paying closer attention to her emotional state.

“You’ve suffered so much.”

Camilla struggled to speak but couldn’t form the words. The Duke gently stroked her head, his voice filled with understanding.

“Father…”

“Yes.”

“Father.”

Her soft, repetitive calls tugged at his heart, bringing a faint smile to his lips.

“Just once…”

“Hmm?”

“Could you… hold me just once?”

The unexpected request widened his eyes briefly before he chuckled softly and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“A daughter needing permission to hug her father? Nonsense.”

Tears she had been holding back streamed down Camilla’s cheeks as she clung to him.

“Father…”

She whispered his name repeatedly before finally pulling away.

“Camilla?”

“I’m fine now.”

“I’ll walk you back to your room.”

She shook her head lightly.

“No… I might start wanting more.”

“More?”

Her cryptic words puzzled him, but Camilla merely smiled faintly.

“Father.”

“Yes.”

“Mother loved you so much.”

Her words, filled with heartfelt sincerity, took him by surprise.

“She truly… truly loved you.”

“Why bring this up now?”

His question was met with a brief smile, as she wiped her tear-streaked face.

“I think it’s time for me to go.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to escort you?”

“Yes.”

“Very well. I’ll see you at dinner.”

“…Yes.”

After a final look, she bowed respectfully and turned away. The Duke watched her until she disappeared from sight, a strange feeling lingering in his chest.

A faint melancholy anchored him in place, making it hard to leave.

As Camilla left the garden, a spirit slipped out from her—Rania.

“Haa.”

Camilla shivered slightly as the residual chill of Rania’s presence lingered in her body.

“I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to this.”

Still, she concealed her discomfort. She didn’t want Rania to feel bad.

“You should’ve spent more time with him.”

Camilla’s tone was nonchalant, but deep down, she sympathized with Rania. It must have been hard to say goodbye to the father she had just met.

[If I stayed longer… I wouldn’t have been able to leave.]

The warmth of his embrace was too comforting.

“Fair enough.”

Camilla understood. Spirits often struggled with such attachments, and staying too long could lead to a dangerous longing.

“Havel.”

At her call, the reaper, who had been lingering nearby, approached.

“Is it time to go?”

Rania turned one last time, looking in the direction of the Duke.

After a long, silent gaze, she bowed deeply and moved closer to Camilla.

“…!”

Camilla stiffened as Rania suddenly hugged her tightly.

“…”

She pulled back, offering her final words, and smiled gently.

[Please take care of Father.]

“…Okay.”

Camilla couldn’t bring herself to refuse. As much as she wanted to brush it off with a snarky comment, she couldn’t. She just hoped Rania could leave with a lighter heart.

Rania’s smile deepened, as if understanding. Then, she and Harvel disappeared into the void.

****

“…?”

Startled, Camilla looked toward her door, which had been thrown open.

“ Ludville?”

He stood there, his face grave. He was supposed to be away on training for several more days. Why was he here?

“Was training already completed…?”

Before she could finish, Ludville walked over and placed his hand on her forehead.

“Your medicine?”

“I’ve taken it.”

She answered quickly, but his gaze drifted to her right hand, where a bandage was wrapped tightly.

“…”

His expression darkened noticeably.

“It’s just a scratch.”

She tried to dismiss it with a bright smile, hiding her hand behind her back. Then it hit her—

The wound wasn’t her fault. It was that fake Rania who had slashed her!

“Sorry.”

“Huh?”

“For coming in without knocking.”

“Oh…”

Camilla chuckled softly.

“Well, someone else could learn from you. A certain someone who never knocks.”

She was annoyed at Ravi for not being here. She’d love to make him take notes.

“Anywhere else you’re hurt?”

“No.”

Judging by his demeanor, he must’ve been briefed on the incident right after returning. Or maybe he left his training after hearing about it.

“Is training over already?”

“…”

Was he avoiding her gaze?

“Get some rest.”

He laid her back down gently and left without another word.

“Lord Ludville!”

“Ah, here you are!”

Just as the door was about to close, Camilla heard the voices of butler Luve and a few attendants.

“Your adjutant is in a panic, thinking you’ve disappeared!”

“You didn’t inform anyone before leaving?”

“I’ll head back now.”

“Now? Then why did you even…”

The door shut.

“What…?”

Camilla blinked, perplexed. Did he leave training unfinished just to check on her?

***

Outside, the empire buzzed with whispers.

“Did you hear?”

“About Lady Rania?”

“She was an impostor!”

“Not only that—she kidnapped Lady Camilla to try to kill her!”

“Unbelievable…”

“Yes, and the fake’s body disintegrated completely on the spot!”

“Ugh, horrifying!”

The revelation shook the empire. That the Sorpel estate had been infiltrated by such sinister forces was a shock to all.

Meanwhile, the center of the storm, Camilla, enjoyed an unusually peaceful day.

Mistakenly believing her fatigue was from the kidnapping, the Duke had placed her under strict surveillance.

She couldn’t leave her room, let alone the estate, and was lounging in bed, flipping through documents.

“Maybe I went too far.”

Her brows furrowed as she examined the pile of papers, lost in thought.