A fortune-telling princess

“Lying? I didn’t lie. I just didn’t mention it.”

“That’s the same thing!”

“You never asked, did you?”

“What?”

“You never asked if I was the owner of the mana stone.”

“…I could have at least been told.”

Even when she was scrambling to find a mana stone, he had stayed silent, pretending not to know. Now, his nonchalant words only added to her frustration.

“Do you remember what you said to me? You told me to cozy up to Arsion if I ever wanted to get a mana stone!”

“That was my sincere advice, for your benefit, to help you get along with others. I—ouch, ow!”

“Oh, you’re welcome! Really, I’m so touched I could cry!”

“Ack! That hurts! Ow… stop!”

Camilla’s cheeks, clamped firmly between Ravi’s hands, turned red as she cried out in pain. He finally let go, stepping back slightly, while she cupped her sore cheeks, glaring at him.

“Damn…”

“Damn? Damn what? You still think I didn’t scold you enough?”

“Should I bring you another mana stone,

?”

Oh, this brat! Ravi gritted his teeth but couldn’t suppress a laugh.

“You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that.”

“For what now?”

“That mine you just bought. Why did you do that?”

The news of the mine’s purchase had spread fast—it was an extravagant bid that stunned everyone. And to think that the bidder wasn’t the Duchy but Camilla herself, using her own funds, made it all the more unbelievable.

“What do you think?”

“…”

“I bought it to make sure my brother can live a life of ease.”

“…”

“Just wait. I’ll make sure you never have to lift a finger again.”

“…You already don’t lift a finger yourself.”

Ravi stared at her incredulously for a moment before bursting into laughter. Somehow, her grandiose statement didn’t annoy him as much as it should have.

Suddenly, lightning illuminated the window, followed by the deep growl of thunder. Both Camilla and Ravi turned toward the sound.

“Looks like a storm’s rolling in.”

“Sure does.”

The summer rainy season was beginning.

***

The rain, which started early in the evening, continued into the night without letting up.

Camilla sipped her warm milk tea while watching the storm outside. After finishing her drink, she climbed into bed, expecting a good night’s sleep.

“Ah, this is nice.”

She had long outgrown being kept awake by thunder. In fact, the sound of rain somehow lulled her into a deeper sleep these days.

she thought.

The contrast between the chaotic storm outside and the warmth and security of her bed made sleep come easily.

But just as she was about to drift off, an annoying sound reached her ears.

At first, she thought it might be the rain, but the sound wasn’t coming from outside—it was inside her room.

“This house isn’t some rickety old shack,” she grumbled, sitting up. “It shouldn’t be leaking…”

The dripping noise grew louder, closer.

“Damn it.”

Opening her eyes fully, Camilla muttered a curse. Standing right in front of her, uninvited, was a ghostly figure dripping with water.

“It’s already humid because of the rain…”

Clicking her tongue, she flopped back onto her pillow and pulled the blanket over her head, ignoring the spirit entirely.

[Um… hey.]

The water ghost stared at her, utterly dumbfounded.

[Are you just going to sleep?]

“Yes.”

[Seriously?]

“Yes!”

[…….]

The ghost had expected Camilla to react differently, perhaps with fear or curiosity.

But for Camilla, dealing with uninvited nocturnal visitors was nothing new.

[Hey! Are you asleep or what?]

“…Hey?”

“Want me to exorcise you?”

[……!]

“Don’t make a fuss.”

Camilla’s glare was sharp enough to silence the ghost. She’d never been one to tolerate spirits disturbing her rest, especially those she had no connection with.

“Who barges in at night yelling? Just because you’re dead doesn’t mean you can throw away your manners!”

[Uh, aren’t you curious why I’m here?]

“Not at all.”

[But—]

“One more word, and I’ll call the others to drag you out like last time.”

[Fine!]

The ghost, realizing the threat wasn’t idle, clamped its mouth shut.

“Don’t drip water everywhere. Go sit quietly in the corner.”

Satisfied, Camilla burrowed back into her blanket. The ghost hovered awkwardly, stunned by her utter indifference.

Too scared of being thrown out again, the ghost eventually slinked off to a corner, stewing in its humiliation.

The rain continued into the next day.

“Why are there so many people here?”

Camilla muttered as she glanced around the crowded room.

“Lady Camilla, my father would like to meet you at your earliest convenience—”

“Do you like tea? I have some rare blends I’d love to share—”

“Lady Camilla! My family just acquired the most fascinating creature! You simply must come see it!”

Noisy, eager voices filled the space, a swarm of opportunists drawn to the scent of wealth.

“Predictable,” Camilla sighed.

She had anticipated attention, but not to this extent. From morning until now, letters, gifts, and visitors had flooded in non-stop.

“Lady Camilla, I have a business proposal—”

“Who’s touching me?”

One of the persistent suitors yelped as his shoulder was tapped. Annoyed, he whirled around.

“Who the hell—”

His words caught in his throat.

“Move.”

A single, deep voice.

The surrounding crowd froze as Arsion stepped forward, his expression cold as ice.

“N-not at all!”

“Nope! Nothing left to say!”

In an instant, the crowd scattered like leaves in the wind. Camilla smirked at the spectacle.

“You’re like a walking pest repellent.”

“What?”

Ignoring his confusion, she asked, “What brings you here?”

“It’s time.”

“Time for what?”

“Club activities.”

“…”

Camilla stared at him, wondering not for the first time,

“Doesn’t your swordsmanship instructor have anything to say about this?”

“Not really.”

“Not even to focus more on training?”

“Nope.”

Well, she couldn’t blame them. Who would dare nag Arsion, of all people?

With a resigned sigh, Camilla stood up.

***

“Camilla! You’re here!”

Inside the club room, Laila greeted her with a flustered smile.

“What’s going on?”

A familiar voice answered her question.

“I’m joining the club.”

Camilla turned toward the speaker, her eyes narrowing.

“Rania.”

“Yep!”

Rania sat confidently, as if she already belonged.

“Sorry, but we’re not accepting new members,” Laila interjected firmly.

“Oh? Really?”

“Yes. Isn’t that right, President?”

“Uh… y-yeah! That’s right!”

For once, Laila’s usual gentle demeanor was replaced with surprising determination.

“Well, that’s odd,” Camilla murmured, her suspicion growing.