A fortune-telling princess

As dozens of strikes clashed between the swords, Camilla felt nothing. No pain, no exhaustion, no sensation of fatigue creeping in.

Instead, there was exhilaration.

The joy of swinging the sword.

The thrill of combat.

The faint regret that the duel was nearing its end.

These were all

emotions, washing over her in waves.

With one final, powerful clash, the two fighters were thrown backward simultaneously.

“Camilla, you…”

Ludville, standing with his sword lowered as he had at the start, stared at Camilla in stunned disbelief.

With that last comment, Zeno’s presence slipped out of her body.

“…!”

“Camilla!”

Suddenly, a tidal wave of pain struck her.

Her entire body felt like it was shattering apart. Every muscle screamed in agony as if they were being torn to shreds.

‘Damn it…’

I’m truly insane.

Do I look okay to you?

Forget it!

‘If I ever do something like this again, I’m not human!’

Zeno’s flustered voice, full of panic, faded into the background as Ludville rushed toward her. Camilla’s consciousness slipped away into the void.

****

“Have you completely lost your mind?”

A furious voice pierced through Camilla’s hazy consciousness.

Realizing it belonged to Duke Sorpel, she quickly shut her eyes tight again. Facing a furious Duke Sorpel was never a good idea.

Who could he be shouting at so angrily?

“How could you train her so recklessly that she ended up like this?”

Was the person being scolded… Ludville?

“F-Father!”

Camilla hurriedly called out, attempting to divert his wrath.

“…!”

The moment she tried to move, searing pain tore through her entire body, forcing her to freeze in place.

Even the act of breathing felt as if her body was being ripped apart.

“Camilla!”

The sight of Duke Sorpel rushing to her side was faintly visible, but she couldn’t manage to say a word.

It was only after a while, when the pain had subsided slightly, that she was able to speak.

“It’s not my brother’s fault…”

Even speaking made cold sweat stream down her face.

It was incredible to think that a single sparring session had left her in this state. What kind of swordplay could possibly cause this?

“I asked him to do it.”

“Even if you asked, this is…”

Duke Sorpel clicked his tongue and cast a reproachful glance at Ludville once more.

Apparently, Ludville hadn’t disclosed the sparring match itself.

He must have kept quiet about the fact that Camilla had wielded Jabion swordsmanship with astounding skill.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes.”

She wasn’t alright at all, but Camilla forced a faint smile at Ludville’s question.

“I’m sorry for causing trouble.”

It was the first time she’d seen Duke Sorpel scolding Ludville. Despite receiving undeserved blame, Ludville hadn’t offered any explanation, nor had he revealed the truth. Camilla was both grateful and guilty.

“Rest now.”

As Duke Sorpel and Ludville exited, Camilla lay motionless, unable to muster the strength to move a single finger.

What on earth were

doing over there?

In the corner of the room, two ghosts, Derin and Perol, were scolding another ghost—Zeno.

 [What were you thinking?]

[Were you trying to break her?]

[You went on a rampage inside a body that wasn’t even properly conditioned!]

[You can’t just hop into someone whenever you feel like it!]

[Even ghosts need to have a conscience!]

Jeno, who was being harshly berated by the two, said nothing in his defense.

He couldn’t deny it. Having not wielded a sword in ages, he had gotten carried away, completely disregarding Camilla’s physical condition.

[…I’m sorry… No, wait a minute!]

As he began to apologize, a sudden realization struck him, and he raised his head sharply.

[I admit I was wrong, but who are

to yell at me? Why should I be apologizing to you two?]

[We’re…!]

[We’re her…!]

Derin and Perol trailed off, momentarily stunned.

The truth was, they weren’t truly close to Camilla, and they realized they had no right to be so indignant.

“They are like family to me.”

Camilla’s quiet voice cut through the tension.

[Family!]

[Young Lady…!]

Derin and Perol turned to her, their faces overcome with emotion.

[My apologies.]

Zeno, who had quietly approached Camilla, bowed his head low in genuine regret.

[And.]

As he lifted his head, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

[Thank you.]

For the first time in ages, he had felt the joy of wielding a sword.

[It was an incredible duel.]

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

[That Ludville of yours is impressive too.]

“Yes, yes.”

That man truly was remarkable—ascending to the rank of master at a young age and being revered as a role model for knights his age.

[Next time, I’ll go easier on you.]

“Yes, yes. …Wait, what?”

[Last time, I got too excited and lost control. Next time, I’ll be more mindful—]

“Hold it, hold it!”

What was this ghost even talking about?

“Next time?”

[Huh?]

“You’re not leaving?”

[Leaving? Me? Where?]

“Where else would you go?”

To the afterlife, of course!

“You said your wish was to wield a sword freely. Now that you’ve fulfilled it, you should move on!”

[Freely? I haven’t done that yet. If anything, I feel even more eager now.]

“…”

[So, I’ll be counting on you in the future.]

“…”

[I promise to take it easy next time.]

“Go away.”

Now.

***

“Come in.”

A calm voice greeted her from beyond the door.

Camilla carefully opened it and stepped inside.

She realized this was her first time entering Ludville’s private chambers.

“Are you busy?”

“No.”

Setting down the book he’d been reading, Ludville gestured for her to take a seat.

“Here, this is for you.”

Camilla placed the tray she’d brought on the table. It held pudding she’d made herself—with some help from Ferrol, the ghostly cook.

“How’s your body?”

“It’s better now.”

Though “better” was relative; she still felt twinges of pain all over. Ludville didn’t press further, though he seemed to notice.

She watched in silence as he tasted the pudding. Fortunately, it seemed to suit his taste, as he finished it quickly.

“Brother.”

Camilla called softly.

“Aren’t you curious about anything?”

It had been five days since the sparring session, yet Ludville hadn’t asked a single question about what had happened.

She had displayed extraordinary swordsmanship out of nowhere, but he hadn’t brought it up, not even when they were alone.

Ludville met her gaze.

“Will you answer if I ask?”

“Of course.”

“Honestly?”

“Well…”

She hesitated. She couldn’t exactly tell him a ghost had taken over her body to wield a sword.

As Ludville’s steady gaze bore into her, she found herself unable to lie.

“If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to.”

His calm voice broke the silence.

“Just don’t lie. It’s fine if you keep quiet instead.”

Camilla slowly nodded, a faint smile of gratitude on her lips.

“Thank you, Brother.”

For sparring with her despite the trouble it caused, for keeping the truth hidden, and for not prying—she was grateful for it all.

“I’ll make more pudding next time.”

As she stood to leave, her eyes caught something on the bedside table: a bundle of dried baby’s breath flowers.

It was the very bouquet she had given him in passing when they first met.

“Do you… like dried flowers?”

“Yes.”

“Oh… okay.”

Should she give him pre-dried flowers next time?

Without pressing further, she left the room, leaving Ludville alone with the flowers.

A faint smile graced his lips for a fleeting moment before fading.

***

“Hey, Big Shot.”

“Yes, Big Shot here.”

Arsion couldn’t help but laugh. Watching Camilla grin sheepishly as he teased her was oddly amusing.

He’d only recently heard about the incident with Professor JB and the murderer. Camilla had single-handedly captured the criminal and sent him to prison.

Taking on a murderer alone was a whole new level of reckless. He had planned to lecture her, but her cheerful face made him laugh instead.

“What are you going to do with all that money?”

Camilla held a note from the empire’s sole bank,

run by the royal family.

As she looked at the enormous amount written on it, she couldn’t stop smiling.