NOVEL NEXT Chapter 85
“Where’s Camilla?”
“She’s out.”
“Again?”
Ravi frowned at the butler Luve’s response. Camilla had been going out much more frequently recently.
In the past, even when he begged her to leave the house, she would hole herself up inside. But now, she was constantly heading out.
‘Is it because of that girl?’
Ever since Rania arrived at the estate, Camilla’s outings had noticeably increased, which Ravi found increasingly concerning.
He worried that the fool might be tormenting herself again.
“Shall I prepare a meal for you?”
“Sure.”
Come to think of it, he hadn’t eaten a proper meal all day. Looking out the window, the sun was already setting.
“By the way, did you come here on purpose?”
It was Luve’s first time visiting Ravi’s study. Realizing this, Ravi looked at him with a curious expression.
The butler wasn’t the type to fuss over anyone besides the head of the household, Duke Sorpel.
“Lady Camilla asked me to.”
“Camilla did?”
“She told me to check on you if she hadn’t returned by dinner. She wanted me to make sure you ate and got some air outside the study.”
“What?”
“She also said to tell you this: ‘Go breathe some fresh air, you human! If mold grows all over your body, don’t blame me!’”
“……!”
“…and that’s exactly what she wanted me to relay.”
…Was the impression needed, too?
Ravi stared at Luve with a baffled expression before letting out a faint laugh as he got up from his seat.
“I’m not a child…”
Still, he didn’t feel bad about it.
“Then I’ll prepare your meal.”
“Please do.”
Watching Luve head out first, Ravi gathered the books he had been reading and slowly followed.
“Hmm?”
As Ravi walked, stretching his stiff body, he stopped in his tracks. He spotted someone approaching from the opposite direction.
“Ah! Hello!”
It was Rania. Upon seeing him, she broke into a broad smile and quickened her steps slightly to approach him.
But Ravi intended to walk past her without a word. He wasn’t in the mood for conversation.
He didn’t particularly dislike her, but he wasn’t interested in getting closer to her either.
Thunk.
At that moment, Ravi’s gaze naturally shifted downward, noticing something falling to the floor.
“……!”
Ravi’s eyes widened.
“That book…!”
Rania hurriedly bent down to pick up the fallen book, but Ravi couldn’t tear his gaze away from it.
“Is that yours?”
“Huh? Oh, this? Yes.”
Rania nodded eagerly, her voice a bit flustered.
“Someone I knew a long time ago gave it to me.”
“A magic book?”
It was written by a renowned mage whose name had once been known across the continent. Ravi had tried to acquire that book countless times but always failed.
Yet, here Rania was, holding it casually in her hands.
“I’ve always been interested in magic.”
“Magic?”
“Yes!”
“Do you know how to use it?”
“A little bit.”
Smiling brightly, Rania demonstrated a small spell.
A tiny chunk of ice formed in her hand before quickly shattering into powder and disappearing.
“This is beginner-level magic. My power is more specialized in healing.”
‘Why didn’t I notice earlier?’
The faint magic radiating from her—it had been there all along.
‘Well…’
He hadn’t exactly paid attention to her until now.
“Have you read that book?”
“…No.”
“Oh! Would you like to borrow it?”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course!”
Rania clapped her hands excitedly, her joy unmistakable.
***
“Here you go.”
“What’s this?”
Camilla, who was resting in her room after returning from the marketplace, was surprised to see Duke Sorpel visit her personally.
He handed her a small box.
“I thought it would suit you.”
Camilla accepted the box and opened it.
“This is…”
As she looked inside, an awkward smile spread across her face. It had been a long time since she had struggled to keep her expression in check.
“It’s been trendy lately.”
Inside was a necklace infused with magic, sold by the Ghost Trading Company—her own business.
“I heard everyone has one these days.”
“I’ve heard that, too.”
No one knew better than her. She had just checked the sales earlier.
Camilla’s smile became even more strained.
“You don’t like it?”
“No, I love it.”
Keep your expression in check! Keep your expression in check!
“It just feels like too extravagant a gift…”
“Nonsense. Can’t a father give his daughter at least this much?”
Camilla put on the necklace, its blue magic stone beautifully set. As soon as it touched her neck, her already pale skin seemed to glow.
“You look lovely.”
“Thank you.”
Duke Sorpel’s eyes filled with satisfaction as he admired her. But then, his expression softened into regret.
“I’m sorry.”
Ever since overhearing a conversation between Camilla and Rania, he’d been sensitive about her feelings.
‘This necklace must be his way of trying to make it up to me.’
‘Not bad.’
She wasn’t entirely sure of Rania’s motives, but judging by her actions so far, it seemed she wanted Camilla gone.
‘She wants to play the kind, pitiable daughter while casting me as the wicked stepdaughter who torments her, forcing me out.’
But so far, none of Rania’s plans had worked. In fact, her behavior had only made Duke Sorpel more sympathetic toward Camilla.
‘Since we’re already here, should I add to that?’
“Father.”
“Yes?”
Camilla gently touched the necklace around her neck, her smile now tinged with melancholy.
“This sort of thing… shouldn’t it go to Rania instead?”
“What?”
As expected, Duke Sorpel’s face immediately filled with concern.
“How could I accept this while Rania…”
“Camilla!”
Duke Sorpel’s voice was firm.
“This is for you. Why would you say such a thing?”
“But…”
“I’ll get something for her separately. Don’t let it bother you.”
“I’m sorry, Father.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“I feel so guilty toward Rania…”
Duke Sorpel patted her shoulder gently, trying to comfort her. Camilla responded with a sorrowful smile.
Once again, she reminded herself that she had no attachment to this position. But that didn’t mean she would give it up easily.
If Rania wanted to take her down, Camilla wouldn’t go down alone.
‘I’ve always had a long memory for grudges.’
If she had to fall, she’d make sure to take Rania with her.
“By the way, the name of that trading company is strange.”
“Pardon?”
Duke Sorpel changed the subject, perhaps to lighten the mood.
“Ghost Trading Company? Tsk. Whoever inherited it must be odd.”
Camilla’s smile grew strained again.
‘Is the name really that weird?’
Damn it.
“And to give up such a profitable business to someone else…”
Listening to Duke Sorpel grumble about her trading company, Camilla couldn’t find it in herself to agree.
‘I’ll have to tell him soon.’
She couldn’t keep the truth about owning the Ghost Trading Company from him much longer.
With the growing production of magic stones, hiding it from both Duke Sorpel and Black Shadow was becoming increasingly difficult—even with Duke Sephra’s help.
‘…Oh?’
Suddenly, she realized something.
‘I’ve been getting a lot of help.’
From refining magic stones to establishing a new business—and even keeping secrets—Duke Sephra had done so much for her.
Thinking about all the ways he had supported her, Camilla couldn’t help but marvel at her own audacity.
“What brings you here?”
Duke Sephra looked curiously at Camilla, who had shown up unannounced.
“I came to prove I’m not completely shameless.”
“…Shameless?”
“Take this.”
“…What?”
“My conscience.”
Camilla pulled out a basket she had brought and began setting out snacks on the table.
The spread was filled with various dishes she had prepared herself. While she had received some help from Ferrol, the ghost chef, most of it had been made with her own hands.
“This is…”
Duke Sephra’s expression grew complicated as he looked at the assortment of treats.
“They’re all sweet things.”
The room was soon filled with the aroma of sugary desserts.
“I made them myself.”
“You made them?”
“Yes.”
“Hm.”
Duke Sephra’s gaze shifted back to the desserts.
“I hope you don’t mind if I share them with others.”
“You don’t like sweets?”
“I don’t particularly enjoy them.”
“Then give them to Arsion.”
“…Arsion?”
“Yes, he seems to like this sort of thing.”
Camilla thought back to the times she had brought food for Arsion. While he hadn’t touched the meals Laila prepared, he always devoured hers without leaving a crumb behind.
“He has a picky palate, but he always eats what I bring from home.”
Duke Sephra’s expression grew even more amused, his lips curling into a faint smile.
“He ate them, you say?”
“…? Yes.”
Camilla tilted her head, unsure what was so funny.
“He hates sweets.”
“What?”
“He despises sweet things, more than I do.”
“…Who? Arsion?”
“He won’t even eat fruit if it’s too sweet.”
He ate it. All of it. Every last bit!
“Then why…?”
“Who knows.”
Duke Sephra’s knowing smile didn’t fade, but he didn’t elaborate.
“Not just Arsion. Petro and Ludville also dislike sweet foods. The three of them are surprisingly similar when it comes to taste.”
“Oh, so Ludville doesn’t like sweets either?”
Wait. Hold on.
“Ludville didn’t like sweets…?”
“Not since he was a child.”
That couldn’t be true.
If Ludville hated sweets, then who had been eating the desserts she brought for him?
The puddings, cakes, and pastries—all of which had disappeared without a trace?