Chapter 76
After Raymond had caused such a huge incident, the Emperor’s side, who seemed ready to march on us at any moment, had strangely fallen silent. I couldn’t know the exact reason, but given the Emperor’s temperament, he would only act once he was certain of victory. He would be waiting, crouched and still, until the right moment came—gathering all the advantageous cards for himself.
In this ambiguous situation, I felt like a scarecrow. Not because I was incompetent, but because I was a scarecrow being tugged at from both sides by the Emperor and the Grand Duke!
The tension between the two of them on the terrace that day was so sharp and prickly that I, caught in the middle, almost felt like I was going to turn to ashes.
I had thought it would be endlessly delightful to have two handsome men growling at each other while keeping me in the center, but, as expected, imagination and reality were different. I had always envied the female leads in novels who monopolize popularity, thinking that their struggles were just enviable complaints, but now that I was in that position myself, everything felt so complicated.
It wasn’t just that my situation was simple; my head ached because I had to think about the future of both this novel and the Prares Empire. Thinking about it made happiness, men, or anything else feel suffocating.
“Phew…”
While I was lost in such worries, the maid, Claire, brought me news that piqued my curiosity.
“Milady, there’s a fortune teller who’s been rumored to be very skilled in the marketplace lately.”
“A fortune teller?”
“Yes. They say he can get everything right, as if the past and present were entirely in his grasp.”
“Hmm… I see.”
Could there be someone like me, who had possessed a character from a novel? That thought briefly crossed my mind, but I dismissed it—how could that possibly be?
I didn’t know the method, but among skilled fortune tellers, some could accurately predict the past and present. However, knowing the future was an entirely different matter.
“That could be fun to check out.”
I spoke casually, not particularly intrigued, but Claire started to explain seriously.
“This isn’t just for fun. There’s a maid I know who works for the Dota family. One day, her master suddenly started treating her husband extremely well. He used to drink all the time and cause trouble, so they were surprised, thinking he had finally come to his senses in his old age. Then, out of curiosity, they went to see this famous fortune teller with a friend. The fortune teller looked at Dota and immediately said—”
“What did he say?”
Claire must have a natural talent for storytelling. She completely captured my attention, which had not been interested at all before. I leaned in, eager to hear what happened next.
“He said, ‘Your husband will soon bring a seven-year-old boy. That child is a son he fathered during his youth while having an affair!’”
“Gasp! And… then?”
My heart raced for the first time in a while at this soap opera-like turn of events. Thrilled to continue the story, Claire rushed to the climax.
“Of course, Dota thought the fortune teller was talking nonsense and scoffed. But exactly three days later, her husband brought a seven-year-old boy!”
“Oh my… goodness!”
“Even though she didn’t want to believe that the child was her husband’s, what could she do? The boy’s face was identical to her husband’s! Isn’t that incredible?”
“Heh… it really is.”
I swallowed hard. I felt sorry for Dota, but there was no denying that the fortune teller was remarkable.
I simultaneously wanted to see for myself and seek his help.
“Where is this fortune teller?”
“They say he sometimes appears in Winter Village.”
“Sometimes? So it’s not regular?”
“Yes. Strangely, many people are looking for him, but few actually get a reading. So there’s a rumor that the fortune teller chooses his clients. Being shrouded in mystery only makes him feel more mystical.”
“Oh… I see.”
At that moment, I made a decision in my mind.
I would go see the fortune teller myself!
If, as Claire said, he chooses his clients, it wouldn’t matter when I went.
The next day, I immediately put my plan into action. Using the excuse of going to the bookstore, I took Koa with me and rode toward Winter Village, not the city. The village was adjacent to Hills Village to the north and not far from the Duke’s estate. To avoid being noticed, Koa and I wore cloaks with hoods.
Passing through the village entrance, we encountered a slightly more desolate atmosphere than in Hills. Riding behind Koa, I scanned the area, looking for a place where a fortune teller might be.
Eventually, I spotted a narrow alley that gave off a suitable vibe and pointed toward it.
“Koa, let’s go that way.”
“Did you hear that the fortune teller is there?”
“No. My intuition says so.”
I spoke with sharp certainty in my eyes, and Koa swallowed nervously before replying.
“Can we really find him this way? Wouldn’t it be better to ask the villagers?”
“No. It doesn’t matter if I find him or not—it depends on whether he accepts me. If he wants to speak to me, he’ll show himself. If not, then forget it!”
Satisfied with my cool response, Koa guided the horse toward the alley without further questions. Upon reaching the alley’s entrance, she dismounted first and helped me down.
As I had instinctively guessed, there was a small tent inside the alley, perfect for a fortune teller.
“Wow. He’s really here.”
“Yes,” Koa said, her eyes unusually wide with surprise.
“Excuse me.”
We approached, pulling back the fabric, and stepped inside. Behind a table draped with black cloth sat the fortune teller, also wearing a hooded cloak like ours. In his outstretched hand, he held a glowing crystal ball that illuminated his face intermittently. He was a man with shining pale hair and ruby-like eyes.
“Welcome. I’ve been waiting for you.”
The fortune teller spoke with a smile. His mouth smiled, but his eyes did not, creating a strange atmosphere.
Waiting for me?
I planned to find out soon enough whether this was just a gimmick or the truth.
“Please, have a seat.”
“Do you know who I am?”
“Of course.”
I naturally replied politely, and he glanced at my seat, smiling faintly.
“It would be best if your guard waited outside for a moment.”
“Is that really necessary?”
“Yes.”
Though smiling, his tone left no room for argument. I glanced back.
“Koa. Please.”
Her eyebrows knitted in displeasure, but when I signaled, she left without protest. The fortune teller alternated glances between us, then, with some surprise, commented:
“You, the esteemed daughter of the Duke’s family, are so courteous even to your guard.”
“She’s precious to me,” I replied.
“Indeed. A precious person’s retainer, naturally.”
Huh? What did he just say?
Before I could process it, he continued:
“But that is not the only reason. Perhaps it is because the lady is from a land of refined etiquette in the East.”
“Ah!”
I gasped and covered my mouth, suddenly understanding.
Not only did this fortune teller know I was Aileen Kowett, but he also knew I was possessed by someone else!
My whole body stiffened with tension. I swallowed dryly and tried to remain calm.
“So, it’s true that you were waiting for me.”
“Yes. And I know why you came to see me.”
“In that case, it’s simple. How much do you want?”
I deliberately reached into my pocket. A dangerous man who knows everything—I intended to pay him well to keep him quiet. But my plan was immediately foiled.
“I don’t need money.”
“Pardon?”
“My wealth is sufficient.”
“If not money… then what?”
He didn’t give me a chance to speak further.
“I will reveal what you wish to know.”
With that, the crystal ball in his hand emitted a brilliant light, transforming the previously dark tent into a space as bright as day. A sudden wind, for some unknown reason, swept around us, causing our cloaks and hair to flutter. The fortune teller lowered his eyelids and spoke in a solemn voice, like a prophet delivering a divine message.
“You who have become Aileen Kowett. No one knows an undecided future. So, proceed in the direction you believe and desire. Soon, you will meet a noble person who will greatly aid you, and from him, you will gain much.”
His voice echoed quietly through the tent, like a cavernous reverberation.
The entire encounter swept over me before I could even negotiate. With so much important information poured out at once, my mind was entirely absorbed.
A noble person…?
“When and where can I meet this noble person?”
I shouted desperately, but the brilliant light around the room vanished. The crystal returned to its faint glow. The fortune teller slowly opened his eyes, already back to his original appearance.
“I believe you have received sufficient answers.”
“But…!”
“Then farewell, Lady Kowett.”
He made it clear he would not answer further questions, smiling faintly as he dismissed us.
Once outside the tent, I immediately met Koa’s gaze.
“Milady, was everything alright?”
“Yes.”
“I’m glad nothing happened. His eyes and the atmosphere seemed ominous, like a dangerous man.”
Koa sighed in relief, clearly displeased that the fortune teller had sent her away. I asked cautiously:
“Koa, did you see any light or hear anything inside?”
“No. It was exactly the same as when we entered—no movement at all.”
“I see….”
As expected, some kind of magic must have been at work in the tent. I snapped out of my thoughts and stayed close to Koa’s side.
“Let’s return to the Duke’s estate now.”
Linking arms, we left the alley together.
