I Reincarnated as the Villain’s Daughter – Chapter 69

The voting proceeded very smoothly.

Thanks to the small number of candidates, there were ultimately only three nominees for the Rose Queen, including Solty and me, and just two for the Rose King, including Thea. Even among those, when others heard Teahroha’s name, some withdrew midway.

After the voting for the Rose Festival, held right after lunch, Thea and I secured a majority and were proudly chosen as the Rose King and Rose Queen.

After that, the busy schedule began. The tailors immediately took Thea and me in hand, dragging us to complete fittings for the dresses and suits that had been kept as samples.

The suit Thea wore was a pale pink, almost beige, while my dress was a deep pink. The suit was adorned with a deep pink rose boutonniere, and a light pink rose decorated the bodice of my dress.

I heard that wearing paired outfits like this—matching men and women—is a Rose Festival tradition.

Once our outfits were done, there might have been a chance to relax a little, but as officers, we had to deal with the minor troubles that always arose during festivals. By the time we finished, it was already late afternoon.

By then, Eveharun had also arrived. Seeing Eveharun up close, Solty’s face turned bright red. He genuinely seemed to like him. Watching them like that, I felt it was a waste to spend the festival just handling work, so I gathered the others and led them out.

“Let’s go see something, even just a little!”

At my words, Thea, Eveharun, Ite-oppa, and Solty followed.

The streets were buzzing with energy. Booths selling food and various clubs were packed, giving the area a lively atmosphere.

“Oh? Look over there…!”

I pointed with my finger toward a corner. It was the student council’s booth, and to my surprise, all the displayed items had sold out. The most popular were the magic potions I had made. Nearby, other students were whispering.

“Did you hear? The magic potions sold at that booth were made by Princess Roshahil, and they’re said to be really effective.”

“Yeah, earlier, Student Council President Rey highly recommended them too.”

“Hmm… but today, the president looked a bit pale, didn’t he? He kept mumbling to himself…”

“Maybe it’s because there’s so much work with the festival. Anyway, I bought two! I’ll show you later!”

I nodded. Word of mouth works wonders. Inside the empty booth, another student council member was taking a nap, having nothing to do. Anyway, it was great that everything sold out.

The academy booths were so vast that it took a full hour just to walk around once. As I was about to head back to the student council room, one booth caught my eye.

“…A fortune-telling booth?”

I muttered in surprise.

In this world, fortune-telling isn’t just superstition—it’s considered a type of prophecy. Of course, some study it academically or believe in it occultly… but if someone went as far as to set up a booth, they probably had real skill.

Sensing my gaze, Eveharun asked beside me,

“Curious about the fortune-telling?”

“Uh… yeah? A little…”

“What are you looking at?”

Solty suddenly interjected.

“Oh, you’re thinking of getting a reading? It’s not a bad idea to try once.”

Solty went on to explain that this booth had appeared every year and was known for being remarkably accurate. Hearing that only increased my curiosity.

Still hesitating, Eveharun asked me,

“Do you want to go in?”

“…Maybe…?”

In the end, curiosity got the better of me, and I stepped inside. Ite-oppa and Thea asked to wait outside for a moment, as it was a topic slightly embarrassing to discuss in front of others.

The fortune-teller greeted me with a bright smile.

“Oh my! You’re truly beautiful! Please, have a seat. Here’s some tea. Take your time choosing what kind of reading you’d like!”

Having been coming here for several years, she was exceptional in service, at least. A mysterious incense burned inside the small booth. I sipped the tea she handed me—it was slightly astringent but strangely refreshing.

Glancing at the menu, I finally said,

“Uh… then maybe a love reading…”

Feeling a little embarrassed, I cleared my throat, and Eveharun looked at me with a meaningful gaze. I couldn’t shake my embarrassment, but the fortune-teller, seemingly used to such situations, continued to greet me warmly.

“A love reading! Wonderful. I’m curious who someone as beautiful as you has feelings for. Let’s lay out the cards.”

She shuffled the cards on the table and laid them out with a graceful, precise motion that made me quietly admire her skill.

“The cards I use are imbued with magic, so even for prophecy, they’re very accurate. Please pick four cards that appeal to you.”

I carefully selected the cards. As each card was chosen, she looked at the backs of the cards with an intrigued expression.

“Let’s see what we have here.”

The first card I picked was the Empress. She gasped in admiration.

“Oh, what a wonderful card! The first card represents the present. This shows that the person who picked it is in a state of abundance, especially in love. It seems the person you like is very noble. You support each other and elevate each other. There’s nothing better than this card.”

She moved on to the second card.

“The second card is… the reversed Rainbow. You’ve had many hardships in the past. This card represents trials, suffering, and distrust. But because it’s reversed… the past is behind you, and the trials have become like a rainbow. Just as a rainbow appears after the rain, there’s no need to worry anymore.”

I smiled gently. That was a relief. She then flipped the third card.

“The last card represents the future. Let’s see…”

When I saw it, both the fortune-teller and I were speechless.

It was the Death card.

The figure, clad in black and wielding a scythe, was eerie even as a card.

“….”

Her voice trembled as she explained.

“The last card… this Death card…”

“….”

“…represents death or eternal separation.”

“…!!!”

I stared at her in confusion.

“R-Really?”

My heart was pounding.

Death or eternal separation?

Images of the original timeline flashed through my mind: Roshahil’s rebellion, my family’s execution… even thinking about it made it hard to breathe.

How much… how much do I have to change the future…

Seeing me in a state of panic, the fortune-teller tried to calm me.

“Wait, just a moment. There’s still the final card.”

“….”

The Empress, the reversed Rainbow, the Death card… What would the last card reveal?

With trembling hands, she flipped the final card.

“…The Alchemist?”

I muttered.

“The Alchemist.”

She said,

“The first card is the present, the second the past, the third the future. The fourth is… a bonus card.”

“A bonus card?”

She nodded seriously.

“In magic readings, it’s not guaranteed that everything will come true. As a fortune-teller, I can only glimpse possibilities and give advice…”

“Then what does this Alchemist card mean?”

She slowly ran her hand over the card.

“The interpretation of the bonus card varies, but here’s what I think.”

“…?”

“It’s a hint toward the future.”

A hint toward the future?

I looked at her with wide, trembling eyes.

“A significant turning point related to magic potions or alchemy will appear in the future. If you handle it well… the future itself might change.”

The future might still be changed.

I whispered to myself.

The Death card had been terrifying with its scythe. Sensing my gaze, she quickly put it away.

“…Thank you.”

I had just wanted a lighthearted love reading… and yet, I found myself biting my lip.

“…What about a tip?”

“Just go. I insist…”

But I firmly handed her some money. I felt that without it, I could never hope to avert bad luck.

“…Here, take this.”

She accepted the money, rummaged through a bundle, and handed me a small charm.

“It might be helpful.”

“Thank you.”

Eveharun and Solty stayed silent. The three of us left the booth. The spring breeze outside quickly cooled the sweat on my skin.

“…Are you okay?”

Ite-oppa asked as he looked at me.

“…Ah, I’m fine.”

I replied absentmindedly.

“Did you get a bad result?”

Thea, worried, asked as well.

“Don’t take it too seriously. The future is fluid,” Eveharun comforted me.

“Do you want some water?” Solty offered.

I carefully observed them all: Ite-oppa, Thea, Eveharun, Solty… and everyone I’d met here so far.

‘Death, or eternal separation.’

The thought that I might never see them again made it feel like someone was squeezing my chest.

I unconsciously gripped the magic stone in my pocket tightly, as if that could help me escape the predetermined future.

I forced a smile at the worried faces around me.

“I’m okay.”

Yes, I would be okay.

“Let’s go.”

They still looked at me with concern.

Afterward, preparations for the Rose Festival ball were in full swing.

Thea, dressed in the finished attire, was dazzling. I was at a loss for words, and he seemed to be as well.

“Let’s go. We need to get on the carriage.”

Finally, Thea whispered to me and extended his hand to escort me. I gazed at it for a moment before taking it firmly.

The warmth that flowed into my hand was comforting.

A warmth I never wanted to lose.