Chapter 16
The Vision
“Th-that’s because… I only started seeing the future a few days ago. I don’t know if I can see something that detailed right now.”
“How often does it appear?”
“Not very often. Maybe once every two or three days.”
Of course, I wasn’t completely sure.
Since I had only seen one vision during the four days since I came into this world, I guessed that was about how often it happened.
If I could see the future whenever I wanted, I wouldn’t be stuck in this awkward situation. I would have already known this request was coming.
“I’m sorry, but it’s hard right now. I can’t just see visions whenever I want to.”
The Grand Duke seemed to lose interest at my words.
“An uncontrollable ability, then…”
His tone made it sound like something useless.
I quickly added an excuse.
“It’s only because I recently regained my power. If I keep practicing, I’ll get better.”
But honestly, I wasn’t sure of that either.
Even in the original story, Eve’s foresight wasn’t described in detail.
She died before she could properly use it.
What I did know was that she had to touch someone with her bare hands to see a vision — and she had to focus on what she wanted to know at that moment.
That’s why when I touched the Duchess’s hand while wondering, “Why is her daughter suddenly too ill to attend the wedding?”, I had seen that scene from the future.
“I see,” the Grand Duke said calmly.
But his face remained indifferent.
He clearly didn’t believe a word I was saying.
What if he just leaves right now?
He was far more arrogant and cold-hearted than I’d imagined from reading the novel.
Well, it made sense. Someone like him wouldn’t easily believe that I’d suddenly regained my foresight.
He even asked about the color of his wedding clothes… Good thing the novel mentioned it for a moment — or I wouldn’t have been able to answer.
That question had been sharp — the kind that exposes liars.
If I hadn’t known from the book that he’d worn a black court uniform that day, I would have been finished.
There was a scene where Sorel told him it was her first time seeing him in formal court attire, and he replied that he’d only worn it for that occasion.
Thanks to that, I’d managed to pass his test.
Still, he didn’t trust me.
I guess there’s no choice then.
Desperate, I decided to take a risk.
“Fine. If you really want me to, I’ll try. But I’ll need your help.”
“My help?”
“Of course. I’m trying to see your future, after all.”
The Grand Duke looked down at me with a dull, uninterested face.
I hesitated, then held out my hand.
“Um… then, I’ll have to hold your hand.”
His brows furrowed in clear displeasure.
I awkwardly pulled my hand back.
Well, it wasn’t strange — Eve was basically a stalker in the original story.
A stalker asking to hold your hand? No one would like that.
“Is that really necessary?”
“I need to touch something to see. My foresight works through my hands.”
I showed him my bare palm carefully.
“If I don’t touch someone, I can’t see anything.”
Honestly, part of me hoped he would refuse — because the chance of actually seeing a vision was very low.
Please, just say no out of disgust and walk away.
But of course, my wish didn’t come true.
Without a word, the Grand Duke took off his gloves and stepped closer.
“Understood.”
“…What?”
“If that’s what’s needed, then you may hold my hand.”
He still looked displeased, but surprisingly, he offered his hand without resistance.
Really?
When I just stood there dumbfounded, he moved a step closer.
“What are you waiting for?”
“O-oh, right…”
Carefully, I placed my hand over his.
His hand was large and strong — rough with calluses that spoke of sword training.
Mine were cold from the winter air, while his were unexpectedly warm.
That warmth made my heart skip for a moment.
I remembered what Nell from the temple had said once — “If someone’s hands are warm, it means their heart is warm too.”
But maybe Nell had it backwards.
Maybe warm hands meant a cold heart.
When I lifted my eyes slightly, I saw his face above me — sharp and handsome, his features chiseled like a marble statue in the moonlight.
Even if his personality was awful, his looks were flawless.
I can’t believe I’m holding hands with such a handsome man, alone in a dark place at night.
My heart fluttered despite myself.
Focus. Focus, Eve.
I looked away from his face and closed my eyes to concentrate.
But no matter how long I waited, nothing appeared.
A few silent minutes passed.
His low voice finally broke the stillness.
“How long must I stay like this?”
“J-just a little longer, please.”
Please… just show me something, anything.
If I couldn’t prove my power tonight, he’d never believe me — even after the solar eclipse came.
I prayed with all my might.
And suddenly, the world twisted.
The dark chapel disappeared in an instant.
Like stepping into fog, everything turned white, then reshaped into a completely different place.
It was a large, luxurious room — but not a bedroom.
No bed, no desk — just sofas, a table, and elegant decorations along the walls.
A lounge or a private drawing room, perhaps.
In the middle sat the Grand Duke, his back turned to me.
For a moment, I felt like I was walking closer, as if I were really there.
I saw his broad shoulders in a uniform, the back of his neck…
Then, as I stepped closer, I saw what he was holding in his hands.
The moment I recognized it, everything went dark again.
“Ah…!”
I gasped and opened my eyes.
The chapel’s dim light returned.
The Grand Duke was watching my pale face carefully.
“Did you see something?”
I nodded slowly, recalling the fleeting vision.
“Yes. I saw you, Your Grace.”
It had been just a glimpse — like peeking into his room for a few seconds — but it felt real and vivid.
So that’s how it worked. When I truly focused and wanted to see, it appeared.
Maybe that was the key — concentration mixed with desperation.
“Then… what did you see?” he asked, curiosity glinting faintly in his eyes.
I thought for a moment, replaying the image.
He had been sitting at a table, holding something in his hands.
“You were holding cards,” I said.
He raised an eyebrow.
“Cards?”
“Yes. Two playing cards. One was a heart, the other a clover. Both were sevens.”
In this world, card games existed too — a common pastime among noblemen.
The novel never mentioned the Grand Duke playing cards, but it wasn’t impossible.
At social gatherings, he might join a game or two.
So… it wasn’t a completely baseless vision.
