Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 189

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Side Story 6
Rather than respond to Isidore’s complaint, I found myself wandering through the surroundings and inadvertently letting out a short exclamation of wonder.
“That doll looks familiar, doesn’t it?”
Observing a doll displayed as merchandise on a vendor’s stall, I thought absently that the yellow fox with its narrowed eyes bore a striking resemblance to someone.
“To whom?”
“Knight Isidore. The way he’s so captivating, just like a fox.”
“I’ll get that fox for you.”
To claim a prize, one had to throw a ball and knock down the target.
“Incredible!”
“I’ve never seen anyone knock down that wooden piece up there before!”
As Isidore demonstrated extraordinary throwing accuracy and toppled every target, the onlookers erupted in admiration. Of course, the shop owner’s face twisted as though he’d bitten into something foul.
“Did you see? The skill of Lady Sophia’s fiancé.”
After exhausting himself throwing balls, Isidore picked up the bundle of dolls and asked with unmistakable pride.
“What’s new about that? It’s not like his talents just appeared yesterday.”
“Still, you could show a little more humanity sometimes.”
“He’s got fox charm, at least.”
I spoke while cradling the bewitching yellow fox doll I’d coveted.
“This is the one I wanted.”
He pulled a doll from the bundle.
“A white serpent. It has a certain charm to it, actually.”
“It reminds me of the people from Simour, somehow.”
“Ha!”
“But… doesn’t it seem like Father hasn’t opened his heart to me much?”
“…Father?”
“We spent the new year together and shared crêpes, so now he’s Father and family. Isn’t that right?”
Watching Isidore’s audacious confidence, I inwardly shook my head in amazement. In all the Empire, there was probably only one man with the capacity to handle the serpentine creatures that inhabited my household.
Whatever he’d done, Rozard already seemed thoroughly subdued.
“Deborah.”
“Yes?”
“Should we go left down this alley or right?”
“Let’s flip a coin. Heads means right. Tails means left.”
As we ventured deeper into the Night Market, the haphazardly constructed shabby buildings created a constant series of intersections.
“Right again.”
“That’s four times in a row. They say if heads comes up frequently, your luck is good—I wonder if good things will keep happening.”
“That’s not a two-sided coin, is it?”
“Weren’t we supposed to stop deceiving each other from now on?”
He showed me an ordinary coin with both sides as he spoke.
Walking while listening to Isidore’s nagging reminders to tell him immediately if my condition worsened, I suddenly noticed an alley with an unusual atmosphere entering my field of vision. It was relatively quiet compared to the crowded entrance of the Night Market, and from the stalls lined with exotic goods came a mixture of foreign languages rather than the Empire’s tongue.
“Isidore, unless my eyes deceive me, that looks like monster hide rather than beast skin.”
“There’s almost nothing you won’t find in the depths of the Central Night Market. Smuggling boats loaded with contraband drift down the Side River nearby every night. Would you prefer we leave by teleportation magic?”
‘It looks a bit dangerous, but it might be fun.’
As I hesitated over what to do, a commotion erupted from the alley across the way.
“What’s going on over there?”
“If you’re curious, come with me. Don’t run ahead and leave me behind like you did before.”
After lacing my fingers more firmly through his large hand, I walked toward where the crowd had gathered, only to furrow my brow at the sight before me.
“Get them!”
“Filthy, stinking Gypsies!”
“Get out of here! Your presence brings bad luck—we can’t make any sales!”
Men were hurling stones at an elderly man dressed in shabby clothes who appeared to be a Gypsy, while the onlookers merely murmured without any intention of stopping them. Behind the old man, in the alley beyond, Gypsies had set up stalls to sell handcrafted goods, huddled together and trembling in terror at the ruffians’ harassment.
“There are plenty of other stalls, but the Gypsies look particularly vulnerable, so they’re picking a fight.”
“Stop it.”
When Isidore, with his imposing frame, stepped forward, most of them flinched and retreated, but the one who appeared to be their leader remained undeterred, his eyes flashing with malice.
“Get out of the way. Gypsies are filthy creatures who wander here and there spreading curses.”
“I’m a Gypsy too.”
Isidore lied without hesitation, picked up a stone from the ground, and hurled it with a sharp whistle.
“Ow!”
The stone Isidore threw struck the leader’s hand holding the club with perfect accuracy.
“So, who should move now?”
After picking up the club the leader had dropped, he snapped it like a wooden chopstick and asked kindly.
“…Eek!”
Faced with this impossible display of strength, the men shrieked and fled with their tails between their legs.
“Are you all right?”
Turning his attention to the elderly man, Isidore suddenly furrowed his brow with a puzzled expression.
‘Why did he suddenly act like that?’
I felt bewildered by Isidore’s reaction.
“Elder.”
He had abruptly changed his demeanor and met the old man’s gaze with utmost seriousness.
“…”
“Wait—could you spare me some time?”
* * *
‘This old man… I think it might be that person?’
…The incredibly skilled Gypsy Fortune Teller.
In the past, Isidore had heard from an informant about a certain fortune teller. Apparently, this person’s readings were uncannily accurate, yet had no interest in making money and didn’t even run a fortune-telling shop. Even when people heard the rumors and tried to seek them out, the fortune teller wandered from place to place, making an encounter harder than plucking a star from the sky.
“Master, they’re said to be the best especially in matters of compatibility, love fortune, and marriage fortune. Even Countess Jagger, who gave birth to a late child not long ago, received an auspicious date from this fortune teller and succeeded with a bang…!”
“…”
“And Lady Sophia met her future husband at a party on the day this fortune teller designated for her…”
At that time, Isidore, who was struggling with the production of colored diamonds, immediately grew irritated at the worthless information.
“I can’t listen to any more of this. Do I look like I have enough free time to go around checking love fortunes?”
“Master! But if we could locate this fortune teller, couldn’t we sell the information at a high price to the nobility or wealthy merchants?”
“Do you think I pay you such a high salary just to earn pocket change? Instead of wasting time hunting for a Gypsy who reads love fortunes, go gather more alchemical materials related to solid color transformation.”
“I-I’m terribly sorry.”
That was who I had been back then.
‘I was so foolish.’
Compatibility, affection, marriage….
How crucial these matters truly were.
The investigative report my informant had brought at that time included a physical description of the fortune teller. She was a woman in her seventies, with eyes of subtly different colors, and a fourth finger that was unusually long.
When our eyes had met just now, the elderly woman’s widened gaze allowed me to immediately recognize her identity.
“Might I trouble you for a moment of your time?”
At my question, the elderly woman—whose eyes had been wide with surprise—suddenly rose to her feet and bowed deeply in respect.
“This is far too much honor….”
Deborah Simour, still bearing Confucian sensibilities, protested awkwardly, attempting to stop the woman.
“I recently drew a divination that I would meet the most noble of the noble, and in that instant, a golden radiance shimmered around both of you.”
‘Golden radiance? She truly does possess genuine spiritual power.’
I became certain once more that this elderly woman was indeed the fortune teller of whom rumors spoke.
“It is an honor to be in the presence of such distinguished persons.”
“The honor is mine. I am aware that you are a woman of considerable skill.”
“Ah… you knew of me beforehand?”
“It was rather by chance, actually.”
I cleared my throat once before continuing.
“Ahem! I heard in particular that you excel at matters of marriage and compatibility.”
“Yes, yes. Those readings come most clearly to me.”
“As for payment….”
“Oh, please, it is unnecessary. Merely to have witnessed with my own eyes such noble persons adorned in gold—I am already abundantly satisfied.”
The fortune teller withdrew a worn tarot deck from her garment. The frayed edges of the cards spoke of a master’s refinement.
“Light accompanies your every step—what is it that troubles your noble heart?”
“The date of our wedding. I wish to know when would be most auspicious. And….”
I hesitated briefly before continuing.
“I would also ask about our compatibility.”
“Is she truly that skilled?”
Deborah Simour whispered softly, and I nodded slightly in response. Soon, both our gazes grew intent upon the fortune teller’s cards.
* * *
“I’m not one to believe in divination or superstition, but hearing only pleasant words does lift one’s spirits.”
“Indeed it does.”
The tarot reading was half in jest, but it was far better than hearing unfavorable words. As for what the fortune teller I had acknowledged said….
“Your compatibility is excellent. When the Lovers card and this Sun card appear together in the upright position, it signifies particularly supreme physical harmony.”
“Pfft!!”
“Cough!”
“Your temperaments align well, and your communication flows smoothly. Even when opinions diverge, they will not escalate into serious discord.”
“True enough—we haven’t quarreled once during our partnership.”
“Furthermore, when you are together, wealth multiplies threefold or fourfold. Your union is so harmonious that marriage will bring you even greater happiness.”
“When would be an auspicious day to hold the wedding ceremony?”
“According to my divination, you will live well regardless of when or where you marry. It would be even more fortuitous if you wed when the flowers are in full bloom. Your fortune with children is excellent as well—you possess everything, and yet….”
“And yet?”
“The bride’s family members appear to be rather… peculiar. Her household is far from ordinary.”
In that instant, goosebumps prickled across my skin.
“However, fortunately the groom’s temperament is as moist and profound as a cavern, so he shares excellent compatibility with the serpent.”
The Gypsy Fortune Teller did possess a certain precision, but she dispensed such flattering words that I found myself filtering her advice.
‘Well, it’s merely a divination reading—I shouldn’t overthink it.’
I was content to conclude the final date of the holiday with the Gypsy Fortune Teller’s blessings.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————