A fortune-telling princess

“ah… I don’t want to go.”

have been invited to the party.

If it had been someone else’s invitation, I would have rejected it right away. I’ve been tired a lot lately, and I just hate participating in cumbersome events.

‘But it’s a different story if the person who sent the invitation was Duke Jabilon.’

It was a celebration party for Duke J-Villain’s birthday, so it was very difficult not to go even after receiving an invitation.

Moreover, seeing that even Duke Sorpel took for granted that he was going with him, he completely missed the timing of refusing.

‘The two brothers managed to escape!’

Ravi dropped out naturally due to his busy research, and Ludville also had an important training today, so he announced that he would not be able to attend.

“The weather is really nice today.”

“Yes, Father.”

In the end, Duke Sorpel and the two of them were on their way to the Duke of Jabilon. Whatever the trick, Camilla smiled at Duke Sorpel.

‘Well, let’s think about it.’

There was nothing wrong with spending time with Duke Sorpel often.

Still, the reason why I keep sighing inside.

“welcome.”

It’s because of that kid.

Camilla and Duke Sorpel, who arrived at the Duke of Jabilon, all came to greet them warmly. Among them was a woman of Camilla’s age.

The daughter of the Duke of Jabilon  and the only sister of Petro, Elisha Jabilon

She was one year younger than Camilla and she was also a student at the same school.

Unlike his older brother, he was very naive and had a lot of naivety. He has a pretty cute face and has a lot of aegyo, so there were always people around her.

The problem is that Elisha hates Camilla so much.

‘Well, isn’t it more difficult to find a good friend?’

One additional problem here was that she was none other than Petro’s younger sister.

That fact alone made Camilla particularly unable to defy her. You could say she was always walking on eggshells, trying hard to stay on Elisha’s good side.

‘It was an utterly ridiculous situation.’

Elisha, knowing this all too well, often took her behavior towards Camilla to excessive levels.

 

Of course, this only happened when Duke Jabilon or Petro were not around.

 

‘So, do you think I’d ever want to come here?’

 

Though not as much as Ravi, Elisha was one of the people in this world who Camilla wanted to grab by the hair and shake some sense into every time she saw her.

 

“Camilla unni! I missed you so much.”

 

Elisha approached quickly, linking her arms with Camilla’s. To anyone watching, she seemed nothing short of adorable.

 

Elisha, a full head shorter than Camilla, kept flashing her bright, smiling eyes.

 

‘She’s a little fox, isn’t she?’

 

She’d pair so well with Ravi.

 

“Madam, the Duke of Sephra has also just arrived.”

 

At that moment, someone who appeared to be a butler approached and spoke quietly.

 

Sure enough, a figure was slowly making his way into the hall. It was Duke Sephra, impeccably dressed in a black suit.

 

‘Arsion didn’t come.’

 

Well, it wasn’t surprising. Someone who hated being associated with Petro more than death itself wouldn’t voluntarily come to the Jabilon estate.

 

“Welcome.”

 

“We’ve been meeting quite often lately.”

 

At his arrival, Dukes Jabilon and Sorpel greeted him warmly.

 

Even they had noticed that he had changed a lot recently. He wasn’t someone who would usually show up so easily just because they invited him.

 

While others might not realize it, Dukes Sorpel and Jabilon, who had known him since childhood, could see it clearly—the subtle changes in the expressionless Duke Sephra.

 

‘He suddenly seems so much brighter.’

 

‘Exactly.’

 

What on earth had happened to him recently? He used to carry the air of someone shouldering all the misfortunes of the world alone.

 

They were curious, but neither of them had any way to find out. After all, this was Duke Sephra they were dealing with.

 

No matter how skilled they were, investigating something he didn’t disclose himself was no easy task.

 

“You’re here.”

 

Despite his indifferent nod in response to the other dukes’ greetings, the first person Sephra addressed was none other than Camilla.

 

Upon seeing her, Duke Sephra strode toward her and spoke first.

 

“Yes, have you been well?”

 

Camilla, who was discreetly petting the black wolf Luna circling around her, responded. Only Duke Sephra could see Luna, as she was not fully summoned.

 

[What’s this? Why are those two suddenly acting so close?]

 

The red eagle spirit beast, Jetty, perched on Camilla’s shoulder from the moment she entered, grumbled.

 

Jetty seemed displeased that Camilla, who hadn’t even acknowledged Jetty, responded so warmly to Luna.

 

‘Why? What do you think?’

 

It was because Luna had helped her. It was thanks to Luna’s assistance that the Binter couple confessed their sins in a daze. Without Luna, things would’ve gotten a lot more complicated.

 

“It seems you’re happier to see my daughter than me.”

 

“Indeed. I’m the star of today’s party, though.”

 

The two dukes chuckled as they drew closer.

 

Caught between the three dukes, Camilla let out a small sigh internally. Naturally, the crowd’s attention turned to them.

 

‘I’m used to stares like these.’

 

She was no stranger to looks of envy and jealousy, having always been the center of attention as a top actress.

 

The problem was that someone who loathed her being the center of attention was also present here.

 

“Unni!”

 

Elisha, who had crept up to her side again, beamed.

 

But Camilla, standing close, knew. Elisha’s eyes, directed at her, were not smiling at all.

 

“Father, can I take unni away for a bit? Unni, my friends are waiting for us over there. Let’s go.”

 

Before Duke Jabilon could say anything, Elisha tugged hard on Camilla’s arm. Camilla gently removed Elisha’s grasp.

 

“Just a moment.”

 

“What?”

 

“It’s your father’s birthday. I should at least give him his gift first.”

 

Elisha was visibly flustered as Camilla smiled and turned around. Camilla had never outright refused any of her requests before, regardless of what they were.

 

“Happy birthday.”

 

Approaching Duke Jabilon, Camilla respectfully bowed and handed him the gift she had brought.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Duke Jabilon, surprised to be receiving a gift from Camilla, raised his eyebrows slightly.

 

It was a small, crimson-colored box.

 

Click.

 

As he opened the box, his eyes widened slightly.

 

“This is…”

 

Inside was a brooch in the shape of an eagle with its wings spread wide. Its body was a deep blue, and a small diamond was embedded in its eye. The design was elegant without being excessive.

 

But the important part wasn’t the design.

 

“It’s a brooch made from a magic stone.”

 

“A magic stone?”

 

Duke Sorpel, interjecting, caused Duke Jabilon’s eyes to widen further.

 

“It contains a defensive magic spell.”

 

“What…!”

 

Camilla’s explanation drew astonishment from the surrounding guests, who had already been straining to overhear the conversation.

 

Was that small brooch a magical artifact? People found it hard to believe.

 

There were countless magical artifacts on the market, but creating one so small was extremely difficult. Magical formulas required large magic stones to maintain their potency over time.

 

For high-grade spells, the size of the stone had to be even larger.

 

Yet, the brooch Camilla had presented was astonishingly tiny.

 

Most assumed the magic imbued in it must be of low quality.

 

“It can neutralize most attacks.”

 

But Duke Sephra’s words immediately sent another shockwave through the crowd.

 

Neutralize most attacks? That meant the brooch contained extraordinarily powerful defensive magic.

 

“Really?”

 

“I personally inscribed the magical formula, so I guarantee it.”

 

“You did it yourself?”

 

At Duke Sephra’s revelation, the murmurs around them grew louder. Everyone knew how exceptional his magical abilities were.

 

“Is this…?”

 

“Yes. It’s made from the highest-grade magic stone currently handled by our family.”

 

Though small, the magic stone contained an immense amount of energy, capable of supporting advanced magical formulas.

 

No wonder mages were desperate to obtain one.

 

“That’s…”

 

“The magic stone everyone’s been talking about?”

 

“And it can be crafted into accessories like that?”

 

The whispers among the crowd grew louder.

 

“But why does she…?”

 

Duke Jabilon’s gaze, filled with questions, shifted back to Camilla.

 

How had Camilla gotten her hands on a magical artifact made by Duke Sephra to gift to him? He was well aware of the stone’s immense value and rarity.

 

“She’s the one who came up with the idea to turn the stone into a brooch.”

 

At Duke Sephra’s explanation, people’s gazes turned to Camilla once again, this time filled with admiration. Meanwhile, Duke Sorpel smirked knowingly, as if he had expected this reaction.

 

“I received one too.”

 

Sure enough, a brooch in the shape of a tiger was pinned to Duke Sorpel’s chest.

 

‘Of course, a tiger…’

 

Camilla had resigned herself to his insistence on the tiger design.

 

Since things had turned out this way, she had made Duke Jabilon’s brooch in the shape of an eagle, the symbol of his family, to lessen the embarrassment by sharing it.

 

“My brooch also contains defensive magic.”

 

Duke Sorpel gazed at Camilla with a proud look. She had been the one to pin it on him personally.

 

“Isn’t that how everyone feels?”

 

Seizing the moment, Camilla raised her voice slightly.

 

“We all wish to keep those we care about safe.”

 

The glimmer in the eyes of the guests sharpened.

 

Especially those with lovers, who stared intently at the brooches worn by the two dukes, as if discovering the perfect gift idea.

 

‘Yes, yes. Sales will start soon, so please buy plenty.’

 

Why had she given such an expensive brooch to Duke Jabilon, of all people? It wasn’t out of affection.

 

‘I hold grudges for a long time.’

 

All the disdain he had shown her over time could have filled a vault. There was nothing about him to endear her.

 

And yet, she had given him such a precious gift for one reason alone.

 

‘Marketing.’

 

The fact that the two dukes were wearing them would serve as undeniable promotion.

 

‘I also gave one to Ludville.’

 

It was bound to become trendy among young knights, not to mention being a meaningful gift for parents or a family member departing on a journey.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“I’m glad you like it.”

 

“I do. Very much.”

 

Duke Jabilon’s smile seemed sincere, a rare sight for Camilla.

 

In this harmonious atmosphere, one person stood out as visibly uncomfortable—Elisha.

 

Accustomed to being the center of attention at such gatherings, she found the current situation unbearable.

 

Her father, who would frown at the mere mention of Camilla, had lately been acting strangely. She still couldn’t believe he had sent Camilla an invitation himself.

 

When she had volunteered to send the invitation, pretending to be gracious, she’d been shocked to learn it was already taken care of. Since when had he started favoring her so much?

 

“Father.”

 

“Hmm? Oh, right. We’ve kept you too long. Young people should enjoy themselves. Go ahead.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Elisha, instantly all smiles, grabbed Camilla’s arm with surprising force, dragging her away as if wanting to remove her from the spotlight as quickly as possible.

 

She insisted her friends were waiting, urging Camilla to quicken her steps. Camilla decided to play along.

 

‘What antics does she have planned this time?’

 

She felt oddly curious. Was something wrong with her?

 

Before coming here, she had felt nothing but annoyance and dread. But now, standing face-to-face with Elisha, something stirred within her.

 

‘What’s stirring?’

 

The feeling from her first real encounter in this world—when she had met Ravi and struck the back of his head with all her might—was stirring again.

 

“Unni, hurry up!”

 

“…Yeah. I’d like to hurry up too.”

 

A faint smile curled on Camilla’s lips.