CHAPTER 28
Yankeller couldn’t sleep properly for days after learning that the fortune-teller Naz was actually Everett.
He wanted to rush to the tarot shop and ask Everett directly.
But he was afraid.
Knock knock—
“Lord Yankeller.”
His attendant priest entered the room, holding an envelope.
Yankeller stood up abruptly when he saw it.
“This is the information you requested on the Baron Gronji household.”
The priest handed him the envelope and quickly left the office.
With hopeful eyes, Yankeller pulled out the documents—but then frowned.
“This is it? But he’s a baron—how can there be so little information?”
It was unclear which region the Gronji family was even based in.
They held a noble title in name only—no estate, no real wealth.
“The Baron left for the East for business, and currently only Everett and two maids live in a small house?”
In short, they were a hollow noble family, unworthy of being called part of the noble class.
“Is that why she’s hiding her identity and working as a fortune-teller? Because she needs money?”
What bothered Yankeller more than the fact she was a fortune-teller was that she had hidden her ability to speak.
Granted, his assumption from the start had been a misunderstanding.
But she had many chances to tell him the truth.
“She could have told me while we were having tea at the Imperial Library…”
He read and reread the few lines about the Gronji family.
Strangely, the more he read, the more his feelings of disappointment toward Everett seemed to fade.
“The more I think about it, the more impressive she seems. Even if she’s just a noble in name, she’s still a noble. How did she even think of hiding her identity and earning money as a fortune-teller?”
Before reading the sparse report, Yankeller had fully intended to go confront her.
But now, he was instead considering how to help her.
If she would allow it, he even wanted to support her living expenses until the Baron returned.
“No, she’s a proud young lady earning her own money. She’d probably be offended by financial help.”
Just then, the chime of a clock rang out, marking dawn.
Has time already passed this quickly?
Yankeller placed the documents in a drawer and left his office.
The temple at dawn was cloaked in silence, as if time had stopped.
Even the pale moonlight was hidden by clouds, concealing his figure as he walked the halls.
Just as he was turning toward his quarters, he saw a hazy silhouette.
A man in a white priest’s robe was hurrying inside the temple.
Who’s awake at this hour…?
Yankeller quietly followed the man into the central hall.
Though some distance away, the man’s tall, heavy build looked familiar.
No way… The High Priest?
It was none other than Yankeller’s father, sneaking into the temple at this odd hour.
What is he doing here now…?
The High Priest stopped in front of the statue of the goddess Anish.
With hands clasped in what seemed like a prayer, he bowed his head.
Then he began glancing around cautiously.
Alarmed, Yankeller quickly hid behind a pillar.
What is he trying to do?
From behind, all he could see was the High Priest facing the statue.
Yankeller held his breath.
There was something secretive about his father’s posture.
He considered stepping forward to ask what he was doing, but quickly dismissed the idea.
He had always had an uncomfortable relationship with his father and didn’t want to confront him now.
Before the High Priest could notice him, Yankeller retreated quietly to his room.
Winter was rushing by in the southern-central capital of the continent.
“Young lady, which house are we visiting today?”
Daisy wrapped a thick shawl around Everett’s shoulders, knowing how much she hated the cold.
“I’m going to Lady Charlotte’s mansion. The carriage should be here soon.”
Everett stood up, putting her tarot cards into her bag.
“It’s very cold. Please be careful, miss.”
At the entrance of the alley leading to the pub stood a splendid carriage.
It had been sent by Lady Charlotte to pick up tarot master Naz.
“Welcome, Lady Naz.”
The usual coachman opened the door with a respectful bow.
“Thank you. The wind is quite cold today.”
It had been early autumn when Baroness Charlotte Enti, known as Madame Charlotte, first visited Everett.
She was the operator of a club where young noblewomen learned etiquette and social manners.
She also organized tea parties and gatherings for noblewomen—an influential socialite.
Her reason for visiting Everett was simple: she wanted Everett to attend her gatherings for private tarot consultations.
Everett had never planned to do consultations outside her shop. Too many variables existed outside her controlled space.
When she read Charlotte’s tarot cards, the result was Queen of Wands—a capable, energetic, and naturally business-minded woman.
A born leader, but someone to be wary of for her pride and controlling tendencies.
Charlotte invited Everett to step beyond her small shop into a larger stage.
“I know Lady Naz prefers to remain unseen. You don’t need to worry—I’ll handle everything.”
Charlotte promised Everett only needed to focus on the readings, just like in her shop.
The Queen of Wands was a decent partner to work with, so Everett decided to give her a chance.
That was already a few months ago… Time flies.
The carriage jolted to a stop.
“We’ve arrived, Lady Naz.”
The coachman opened the door, revealing Lady Charlotte coming out with a beaming smile.
“Lady Naz, welcome!”
“Lady Charlotte, it’s cold. You shouldn’t come out—you might catch a cold.”
“Oh my, such warm words. But I simply couldn’t wait another second to see you.”
They had just met at another gathering last week, but Charlotte greeted her as if they hadn’t met in years.
This was a private tarot session held in a secluded part of the mansion.
Just as Charlotte had said, tarot consultations had become the most popular gathering among noble ladies.
“There are more attendees than usual today.”
Charlotte opened the glittering glass doors to the central garden.
Inside, the ladies were enjoying desserts and chatting.
“Oh my, Lady Naz. You’re here.”
“So that’s Lady Naz? That black dress looks stunning. I might wear a black dress next time too.”
Whenever Everett did off-site consultations, she always wore a black dress and a mask.
She also required all participants to wear masks.
Some knew each other, but others came out of curiosity.
Unlike the dark, intimate setting of her shop, this was a session under many watchful eyes.
Tarot readings changed based on sincerity.
If someone only wanted light fun, they’d receive results to match.
To reduce such variables, Everett had chosen the mask system.
“I tried a mask like yours today. What do you think?”
“I felt down today, so I wore something more extravagant.”
There was a sense of freedom in hiding one’s face.
Not knowing each other removed self-consciousness, allowing focus on inner emotions.
“I hear we have a first-time guest today. Let me introduce myself. I’m Naz, a tarot master.”
Everett gave a graceful bow.
Most gazes were warm and welcoming.
Except for one.
Someone wearing an especially elaborate mask stood out.
They’ve covered not only their face, but even their hair. Clearly don’t want to be identified.
It looked more like a helmet than a mask.
“Lady Charlotte, is that person also new today?”
At Everett’s question, Charlotte looked visibly flustered, eyes darting.
Then she leaned in and whispered low.
“Lady Naz, that young lady isn’t here for a reading.”
“She won’t ask a question?”
“No. She just wanted to observe out of curiosity. So even if you ask… she probably won’t answer.”
Everett nodded.
So that’s why she’s wrapped up like that. Must be a high-ranking noble lady.
Charlotte stood up and officially opened the gathering.
“Thank you all for joining Lady Naz’s tarot consultation. Tarot isn’t just about predicting the future—it’s also a tool to heal the heart. I hope each of you leaves here feeling lighter than when you came.”
Everett smiled subtly.
She’s hosted so many times now—she speaks better than I do.
As Charlotte warmed up the room, Everett quietly began shuffling the tarot cards.
Everyone was caught up in Charlotte’s praise for the tarot cards.
Everyone, except for the lady in the elaborate mask.
She hadn’t taken her eyes off Everett the entire time.
And Everett could feel the intensity of that gaze.
If you won’t tell me who you are… I’ll just find out myself.
Lowering her head slightly, Everett suddenly lifted her gaze and stared directly at the masked lady.
You behind the mask… Who are you?
