NOVEL NEXT Chapter 79
‘The late duchess.’
Ludville’s mother.
A woman with a kind and beautiful face directed an endless gaze of love at a child just starting to walk.
“I heard it was an accident.”
When Ludville turned five, the duchess set out on a solo trip for rest and leisure. Her carriage overturned, tumbling off a cliff.
Her body was never recovered.
“She was like this, huh.”
Camilla couldn’t tear her eyes away from the magical video orb. Seeing such a gentle and affectionate “mother” felt unfamiliar and left her with a faint, bittersweet sensation.
***
[…Miss Camilla.]
“Ah, yes.”
Even after the video ended, Camilla stood frozen until Derin’s voice broke her reverie.
“Looks like we’ve tidied up enough. Let’s head out.”
[Yes.]
Camilla carefully placed the magical orb back into its box.
“But why is this here?”
A recording of the late duchess would be precious, almost sacred.
“Maybe my father kept it for her out of respect?”
It wouldn’t be surprising if the duke had removed items related to his late wife as a consideration for his second marriage. Perhaps Derin knew the answer?
[I’m not sure.]
Huh?
Something felt off. Derin, who usually answered questions without hesitation, was avoiding her gaze and seemed restless since the orb had been found.
‘What’s going on?’
Camilla realized something:
Derin was terrible at lying.‘How did he ever manage as the leader of Black Shadow?’
Compared to the current head steward, Luve, who had an inscrutable poker face, Derin seemed incapable of concealing his thoughts.
‘Forget it.’
Choosing not to dig further, Camilla left the storage room, glancing briefly at the awkward and uneasy Derin.
****
“Wow! Camilla, the kids will love this.”
“That’s a relief.”
“These don’t look like second-hand items at all.”
“I only picked the ones in good condition.”
Camilla’s carriage was unloaded, revealing a pile of goods that left Laila marveling.
Others were equally impressed. Hearing that the items once belonged to Ludville, a sword prodigy, or Ravi, a magic genius, made everyone’s eyes light up.
Some were so eager to get their hands on the items, as if they were good-luck charms, that the club leader had to step in sternly to keep order.
“Why?”
“….”
“Speak up.”
Standing to the side, Arison was watching everything with his usual brooding demeanor.
“If you’ve got something to say, then say it.”
“…Why are you even here?”
“Am I not allowed?”
“No, it’s just… surprising.”
So this is how it feels.
Camilla finally understood why Ravi and the duke had given her such strange looks when she joined the volunteer club. Her face likely mirrored theirs now.
“Are you really joining this club?”
“Yes.”
“…You’re volunteering?”
You?The person who solves problems with fists and a glare that could kill?
“What’s with the reaction?”
“…No, it’s good.”
His piercing stare shut down anything else she might have said. Camilla awkwardly smiled and looked away.
“Alright, if we’re all here, shall we head inside?”
“Yes!”
Laila answered brightly, but the rest of the group remained hesitant, stealing glances at Arsion.
“Shall we?”
Petro, ever polite, approached Camilla with a gentle smile.
“Back again?”
“I joined, so I need to participate actively.”
Don’t you guys have anything better to do?
Camilla silently wondered what their combat instructors would think if they knew these top students in swordsmanship were suddenly so dedicated to club activities.
****
“Oh? There are others here today.”
Inside the orphanage, another group of young adults was already there, handing out gifts and playing with the children.
“Welcome!”
A few of the staff came over to greet them.
“There are so many people today!”
“Yes, they visit often. They’re from a nearby temple.”
It seemed the temple group was familiar to the children, who clung to them just as easily.
“Oh! It’s the witch sister!”
“Really?”
“Wow! Witch sister!”
…
These kids!
“Have you ever seen a witch this pretty?”
“Can’t witches be pretty?”
…
Are all these kids geniuses?
“Read us a book again!”
Suddenly, the children swarmed Camilla, tugging at her hands.
“…A witch?”
Arsion, watching the scene, looked genuinely impressed.
“Impressive.”
“What is?”
“They see right through you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Witch sister!”
“Witch sister!”
“….”
Camilla clenched her jaw as the children cheered.
“Pfft.”
“Ha ha ha.”
Both Arsion and Petro couldn’t help laughing.
Let’s find a book,
Camilla thought bitterly.
One about kind and noble heroes. I’ll make sure to shake off this ‘witch’ title today.
***
“Hello.”
A young woman approached Camilla. She seemed to be from the temple group.
“….”
As Camilla looked at her, something about the woman made her pause.
“You’re Lady Camilla, right?”
“…Do you know me?”
Her wariness deepened when the stranger addressed her by name. But the woman simply smiled, gesturing toward the children.
“The kids told me about you.”
She had a beautiful smile, the kind that made her whole face light up.
With silver hair that shimmered in the sunlight streaming through the windows and vivid blue eyes, she seemed almost radiant.
“I’m Rania.”
“…Rania?”
“Yes, I look forward to seeing you often.”
Often? Why?
Camilla didn’t respond. Her mind was whirling.
But something else drew her attention.
Rania’s bracelet.
I’ve seen that before.
In the storage room. Among the items in the box, she had noticed it in the video orb. It was unmistakable: the same bracelet worn by the late duchess.
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
Noticing Camilla’s gaze, Rania raised her arm to show the bracelet more clearly.
“My mother gave it to me.”
“…Your mother?”
“Yes!”
Her smile grew even brighter.
“Rania, let’s go!”
“Oh, time flew by!”
The temple group called for her, and Rania glanced at the clock.
“See you again!”
She waved and left with her companions, her silver hair catching the light.
Even as she disappeared, Camilla couldn’t tear her gaze away.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just…”
Though Arsion and Petro gave her questioning looks, Camilla couldn’t answer.
She looks… so much like him.
After some thought, Camilla realized what had been bothering her.
Rania resembles the duke.
“Derin.”
[Yes, my lady?]
“Tell me about that bracelet.”
[Ah, the blue gemstone one?]
“Yes.”
[The duchess cherished it deeply. The duke gifted it to her when Ludville was born.]
“A rare piece, I assume?”
[Very. Crafted by the famed artisan Arty. It’s said to be his last masterpiece before he passed.]
“No duplicates, then?”
[Absolutely not.]
The confirmation left Camilla’s mind buzzing.
What am I supposed to make of this?
A bracelet worn by a long-dead duchess, now on the wrist of a young woman.
And not just the bracelet—
Rania’s resemblance to the duke was uncanny.
Enough to make anyone think they were father and daughter.