Episode 24
Reunion (3)
“Young lady, there’s no need to be so nervous. The truest answers come from whatever pops into your mind first.”
Something that pops into her mind? There was nothing. After all, she had been living a life far removed from anything related to romance.
Her memories of her past life were fading little by little, and now, with her illness completely cured, she was living among people—far too busy to give her heart to anyone. Besides, her priority now was doing everything she could to prevent the approaching future.
As if sensing her thoughts, the fortune-teller smiled and continued.
“Everyone has a destined connection. And if that connection already exists, I can tell you how to strengthen it. If you haven’t encountered your destined one yet, I can show you how to find them. Now, be quiet… I see it… Hehehe! I see it! I see it!”
Then she suddenly held her breath and began trembling. Startled, Temia cautiously asked,
“W-What do you see?”
But what came out of the woman’s mouth was entirely unexpected.
“Tsk, tsk. You already have someone in your heart.”
“…What?”
“You can’t hide it from me. Haha, I see it clearly—there’s a man who keeps popping up in your thoughts, isn’t there? But things must not be going too well.”
Temia’s face twisted in confusion. She had barely managed to take care of herself lately. There was no time to be looking at other people. This kind of talk left her dumbfounded. And with Kailey now sitting beside her, her eyes sparkling, Temia knew she needed to shut this down fast before her friend jumped to the wrong conclusion.
“I think you might be mistaken. I’m sure your reading is a bit off—”
“Don’t be so sure, dear. Open your eyes wide. You need to look closely if you want to see things others can’t. My readings never lie.”
“I’m telling you, I really don’t have anyone I’m—”
“Hmm… Then let me ask you this. Isn’t there a man who’s been lingering around you lately?”
And just like that, she was caught off guard by a single word.
“Man?”
Temia’s brow twitched. Half the world was male. With that wording, it was hard to deny it outright.
After all, even the person she currently lived with at the magic workshop was a man. If you stretched the logic, sure, there was a “man hanging around.”
But she had never once looked at him that way. To her, he was nothing more than the employer at the place she was currently hiding out in—someone tied to her friend’s future, a man she needed to avoid.
Although his demeanor had softened compared to the past, Temia couldn’t forget the cruelty he had once shown. His past merciless actions had left deep fear rooted in her.
Not to mention the ridiculous moments—like dumping medicine on her feet while laughing, or casually serving her pie like it was no big deal. If anything, those instances filled her with irritation, not fluttery feelings.
So clearly, the fortune-teller had misunderstood.
Besides, what would a random market fortune-teller know about her life or her fate? The only men in her life had been her father, her older brothers, and a few knights.
Well… to be exact, that annoying magician was technically someone who lingered around her a lot. She could vividly recall how he used to sit nearby under the pretense of guarding her. But that’s it.
Temia let out a quiet sigh. Kaili’s eyes still sparkled as she glanced between Temia and the fortune-teller. Of course, Kaili had always loved romance novels growing up, so even if this was nonsense, she seemed to be enjoying it. If not for Kaili, Temia would’ve walked out long ago.
Still, she couldn’t let this misunderstanding stand.
“A man lingering around?” she thought. “Someone hearing that might think we’re actually involved.”
Which was absurd.
Yes, if you looked strictly at the wording, the fortune-teller wasn’t exactly wrong. But this was a love reading—and if she dared agree even slightly, she knew exactly what kind of assumptions would follow.
And above all… that man was Kaili’s future fiancé—even if it had happened in a different timeline.
Having cleared her thoughts, Temia took a deep breath to calm herself. But once again, the fortune-teller’s voice rang in her ear.
“So I was right, wasn’t I? I told you.”
“Technically not wrong, but I wouldn’t say you’re right either. There’s nothing between us.”
“Oh? That’s odd. From what I see, you’re the one lingering around him. And that man? He’s already taken an interest in you. That’s why he’s always fluttering nearby—just like you do. In human relationships, both people must be curious about each other for anything to develop. So calm your nerves and observe him more closely. Hehehe…”
“Remember—getting to know someone is the first step to capturing their heart. That’s what reading fate is all about. May your journey be blessed, dear!”
Her tone, unlike before, was oddly serious now. Temia found herself bowing her head, trying to block out the words, pretending she was thinking about something else the entire time.
Meanwhile, Kaili, who had finished her own reading earlier, looked completely satisfied with the outcome.
Once the reading was done, the two girls pushed aside the dark curtain and stepped out into the sunlight.
Temia instinctively raised a hand to shield her eyes. Kaili had already pulled her hood up again and was stretching with a yawn when she suddenly nudged Temia and asked,
“Wait—don’t tell me… did you run away from home because of love? You like the guy that fortune-teller mentioned, and you ran away to rebel against your family?”
“No! It’s not what you’re thinking!”
“Then what is it? She said there’s a guy hanging around you.”
“I’m telling you, it’s nothing. He’s just… the person who hired me where I’m staying now. But there’s no way anything romantic would ever happen between us!”
This whole visit to read their fortunes had left her more confused than before. Feeling her stomach churn, Temia let out a deep sigh, and Kailey gave her a wide-eyed look.
“You said you got hired? That’s kind of strange. So he hired you? Don’t tell me it’s some aristocrat’s estate?”
“Of course I kept my identity hidden. And it’s a safe place with room and board, so don’t worry. I’m working there too—trying to put to use what I learned at the academy…”
“You sure you’re really okay? You’re not overexerting yourself, right? Just because you feel fine now doesn’t mean something won’t flare up later. You used to get sick often…”
But seeing the worried expression on her longtime friend’s face, Temia forced a cheerful smile.
“I’m really fine. And besides… I’ve always been trapped somewhere—stuck inside the villa when I was sick, and then in the academy after that. I wanted to try living out in the real world at least once. If not now, then when?”
“You do look a lot better. Definitely more lively than when you were cooped up in that room. Still, if it gets hard, promise you’ll contact me, okay? I know you haven’t forgotten how to send a letter.”
“Of course. I’ll write to you for sure! I do want updates on your mystery crush, too.”
“Stop teasing me!”
The work may have been tough, but if she could protect her bright, energetic friend, it was all worth it. Watching Temia square her shoulders with newfound determination, Kailey gave a small laugh.
The two continued chatting as they walked side by side.
Spending time with her friend again after so long brought Temia a deep sense of comfort.
“So where are you headed now?”
“I have a few more things to buy. After that, I’ll head back. What about you?”
“I’ve got an errand nearby. Just stopping by quickly before heading back.”
With playful jokes and lighthearted teasing, the girls reached the edge of the market and waved goodbye to each other.
Their farewell wasn’t overly sentimental. Even if they parted now, all Temia had to do was send a letter to the Lacroix estate, and they’d meet again.
“Take care and get home safe! I’ll write soon!”
“You better! Don’t forget!”
Kaili’s carriage quickly pulled away. Only after it disappeared from view did Temia finally let out a long sigh of relief.
She’d had fun seeing Kaili again, but the constant anxiety gnawing at her—wondering if they’d bump into him—had made it exhausting.
Still, it looked like she could rest easy for a while. Kaili didn’t seem to visit this place often, and she’d already finished her business and left. As long as Temia was a bit more careful, everything should be fine.
Next time, I’ll introduce her to a different fortune-teller, just in case…
With that thought, she focused on finishing her shopping as quickly as possible.
The sweet chatter with her friend had made time fly faster than expected. Now, sweating and lugging heavy bundles of ingredients, she rushed to the final vendor.
But just as she was paying, someone called out to her again.
“Excuse me, miss—are you by chance ‘Temia’? White hair, red eyes, yep, matches the description. Curly hair, kind of petite—someone said a girl like that would be coming.”
“What?! I am Temia, but ‘petite’?! And who said I’d be coming here?!”
“The man from the workshop. He said you’d be back soon and to tell you he went ahead first since he finished early. That cranky magician, you know—your employer.”
That damn magician. So he couldn’t even wait for her, and ran off without her. Gritting her teeth, Temia bowed quickly and grabbed her heavy bags tightly, muttering under her breath.
That man… and the fortune-teller dared to link me with him?!
So much for “seeing the future.” That reading had been total nonsense. She’d definitely have to tell Kailithat later.
With that, she turned and made her way back to the workshop.
