Chapter 65
“Wow.”
Ecla’s confidence definitely had a solid foundation.
“You look like a completely different person.”
I fiddled with the wig, letting out one exclamation after another.
“Where on earth did you even get this wig?”
Most wigs were made for cosmetic purposes, usually flashy blond or platinum blond.
And since that wasn’t even in fashion around here, I figured it’d be nearly impossible to get one.
“I made it. Out of horsehair.”
“What? You made it?”
“Yes. If I bought one carelessly, someone might catch on.”
“Ecla, you’re surprisingly thorough.”
The wig made of horsehair was a deep brown mixed with strands of white, making it look quite convincing.
Once I set it on my head and fixed the lines, Ecla pulled out a flat brush and a small container.
“Young Lady, your skin is far too fair. We’ll need to darken it with makeup.”
“What’s that?”
“Just sit still.”
Then she began spreading something cold and sticky over my face.
“Ugh, what is this?”
“It’s a cosmetic from the Emen Peninsula. The people there have darker skin.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. Could you lift your chin? I can’t just do the face alone… There. Perfect.”
“Isn’t it too thick? What if I talk and it cracks all over my face?”
“Young Lady, stop talking. Purse your lips—like ‘oo’.”
“Uu.”
When I puckered, she dabbed powder across my lips.
“And that’s for?”
“It makes your lips look dry and cracked.”
I closed my eyes tightly, waiting for her hands to finally stop.
She rubbed, patted, blended—and then I heard her clap her hands together.
“All done, Young Lady.”
“Oh my goodness.”
The reflection staring back from the mirror was a completely different person.
“Ecla, seriously…”
The disheveled wig, the dull skin tone, the parched lips, the cheeks sunken as if weight had melted away, even the eyes hollowed and weary—
It was the very face of a worn-out fortune-teller!
“Ecla, you can’t waste this talent of yours.”
I stuck out my thumb in awe.
“All that’s left is for me to act well. Oh—did you get what I asked for?”
At my question, Ecla spun around and returned with a small box.
“Here you are, Young Lady. But why did you ask me to get perfume?”
Inside was a tiny glass vial.
“People remember by scent. When I disguise myself as the astrologer, I’ll spray this perfume on the robe.”
“Oh my, our Young Lady is so clever.”
We smacked our palms together and burst out laughing.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
“Oh heavens, yes, that’s it!”
“The reason it went well back then was because you wore a pink dress.”
“Ah, no wonder everything went strangely well that day.”
“So from now on, make sure you wear that pink dress on important occasions. Understand?”
“Yes, I’ll do that. I’ll carve it into my memory. Thank you so much.”
“Go on, then.”
Just as the woman was about to leave the tent, she turned back.
“But are you really not going to take any money?”
“Truth is, I’ve already made more than enough with this ability.”
“Ohhh.”
“Money, you see—when you don’t have it, you crave it desperately. But once you have plenty, you stop caring.”
That was my hope, anyway.
Alright. Time to begin the real work.
“And also—”
“Yes?”
“No, never mind. Off you go.”
“What were you about to say?”
“It’d be real trouble if this leaked out.”
At the mention of a secret, her eyes sparkled.
“My lips are sealed. Truly.”
“You look the type. Then listen carefully—this is only for you, so don’t you dare repeat it.”
“Of course! I have no one to tell anyway.”
“I’m only saying this because you look so kind and trustworthy.”
I leaned forward, and she instinctively followed.
“The truth is, I can enter books.”
“Pardon?”
“That’s why I don’t really need money. Anything I want—I can have.”
“Oh my, is that really true?”
“It is. I can’t explain all the details, but yes.”
“Yes…”
“I can see what I want, learn what I want. Even meet whomever I want again.”
Her mouth hung open, refusing to close.
“Wow, you’re really not just anyone, Grandmother.”
“Well, not exactly…”
“Today you told me about my future. I’m so honored and grateful. How can I ever repay you?”
“Oh, nonsense. Just don’t tell anyone else about this, alright?”
“Of course, of course. Don’t worry.”
“Good. Then farewell!”
As Roen left with a face flushed with excitement, I slumped back in my chair with a long sigh.
Phew. Talking non-stop was no easy task.
Still, my plan was a smashing success.
I already knew most of the young ladies’ names, so simply pretending to flip a card and “guessing” their names was enough to make them swoon.
Then, by mentioning an outfit they had worn before or spinning something to suit their personality, they all gasped and clung to my every word.
And I only told them what they wanted to hear.
No bad omens, plenty of reassurance, and space for them to pour out their hearts—
This was a game I couldn’t lose.
And finishing with: This is just between us, never tell anyone—that sealed the deal.
Now all that was left was for the rumors to spread far and wide.
But goodness, my throat hurts and I’m exhausted. How many are left?
“Next, please come in.”
Oh, dear.
The one who entered, bringing with her a rich floral fragrance, was none other than Leoni.
“Hello.”
She smiled shyly and greeted me.
Perhaps from nerves, she blinked more often than usual and shifted in her seat repeatedly.
“Yes…”
But she couldn’t be half as nervous as I was.
The moment I saw Leoni, I nearly jumped up in delight.
Get it together, Ribe. Do you want to ruin everything here and now?
I steadied my breath and looked at Leoni—no, Renata.
“Choose a card.”
With a calmer face than before, Renata picked one from the spread.
I took it in hand, speaking as I had with everyone else.
“If fortune favors you, your name will appear before my eyes.”
Renata’s expression was doubtful, but with her cheeks flushing pink, she clearly held some expectation.
Ah, how adorable.
“Renata Almaz.”
“My goodness, that’s right.”
“You’re the daughter of House Baekja, aren’t you?”
“Yes—how did you know?”
Because you’re my friend, of course.
“Amazing. I didn’t say a word, yet you knew my name. How could that be?”
“Something good is coming your way.”
I wanted nothing more than to give her reassurance.
Yet strangely, her face didn’t brighten.
“Thank you. But actually, I came because there’s something I wanted to ask.”
“Say whatever you wish.”
She hesitated, unable to speak right away.
What could it be?
Still troubled by her father’s affairs? Or perhaps fearing some misfortune ahead?
If it was because of her feelings for Jerlach… then I truly couldn’t say a word.
As I clenched my hand around the card, anxiously waiting, she finally spoke.
“I once had a very dear friend, but due to unavoidable circumstances, we grew apart.”
At her words, my heart sank like a stone.
“…”
Another version of me must have dealt her that deep wound.
I wanted to rip off my robe and simply cry.
“Can you perhaps see if something happened to me?”
If it was what tormented her now… then it must be that her fiancé Jerlach had been stolen by Liberata.
I nodded slowly, and her face eased ever so slightly.
“But the truth is, I don’t really know.”
“Don’t know what?”
“Everyone around me blames my friend. Because she ended up with the man tied to me by fate.”
Each word stabbed at my chest.
I tried not to let it show.
“But the truth is…”
Renata bit her lip and whispered softly.
“I didn’t actually love His Grace the Archduke.”
