chapter 15
“Eliza, I don’t think we can continue with any more sessions today. You should go home and get some rest.”
Everett quickly folded the spread-out tarot cards and tidied the table.
She had seemed ready to storm out in a fit of rage just moments ago.
But now, Eliza was just staring at Everett with eyes filled with nervous uncertainty.
‘Is she waiting for me to say something more?’
Everett let out a soft sigh.
“And Eliza.”
The moment Everett said her name, Eliza’s face lit up.
“Next time, you’ll need to make an appointment. Today was a special case—only because Daisy asked me. And of course, next time, you’ll have to pay for the session.”
Eliza’s expression immediately twisted in frustration.
‘Did you really think I was going to say what you wanted to hear?’
She stomped out of the tarot shop with loud, angry steps, clearly wanting to show how upset she was.
Daisy, who had rushed after her and come back shortly after, asked:
“Young lady, what did you say to her? Why did Eliza leave like that?”
“Why? Did she yell at you or something?”
“No, it wasn’t that. It’s just… she looked like the life had been drained out of her. I’ve never seen her make that kind of face before.”
“Are you close with Eliza?”
Daisy quickly shook her head.
“Not at all. I just know her. She’s not really my type.”
“Really? In what way?”
“Well, how do I put it… she’s always watching people around her. Super nosy too.”
“Like someone who collects information?”
“Not really. She talks a lot, but when you actually listen, there’s not much there. She only ever stays inside the Kestarkan viscount’s estate, so how much could she possibly know?”
Everett picked up the Knight of Cups card.
What exactly was it that the man beside her wanted?
Was he interested in the mundane daily life of the Kestarkan household that Eliza observed?
“I’m sorry, miss. I tried to invite the person with the loosest lips to spread rumors around, but she just got mad and left…”
Everett shook her head gently.
“No, this was more than enough. Thank you, Daisy.”
“Really? Was it helpful?”
“Yes, very. And I’m sure she’ll come back to you soon.”
“Eliza? Even after how she left?”
“She’ll definitely come. When she does, just tell her she has to make an appointment—and stay out of it.”
“Got it, miss.”
Everett stood up from her seat.
“You introduced my first client. As a referral fee, how about a cake from that dessert shop in the plaza?”
Daisy said she was fine, but she still started gathering her things with a smile.
Rumors about Ice Kuna and the tarot cards spread quietly and swiftly through the town like mist.
All ten pewter cups were constantly in use, leaving no time for Kuna to rest.
Pan was asked to order more cups, but the answer came back that the artisan was delayed.
Anyone could drink it, but not everyone could—Ice Kuna was in high demand but limited supply.
And as Kuna’s popularity grew, so did the curiosity about the fortune-teller inside the shop.
“Marsha, please. I’m begging you. Let me go first, just this once.”
“No can do. The schedule is fully booked.”
“But I’m asking you sincerely, just this once. Please? Just once.”
Marsha flipped through her appointment notebook with a troubled look.
Thanks to her skillful management, Everett could run her sessions at a calm, steady pace.
But to outsiders, Everett was the busiest fortune-teller in the Empire.
“This isn’t right… but fine. Only because it’s you. You know that, right?”
“Of course. I won’t tell a soul. Thanks, Marsha.”
Everett, listening through the slightly open window, let out a quiet chuckle.
Because it’s you, I’ll make an exception.
That phrase worked like magic, giving clients a sense of accomplishment and the excitement of a “special” experience.
Tarot master Naz—someone not easily accessible.
The rumors began bringing Everett significant income.
“Young lady, aren’t the baron’s maids coming today?”
Daisy asked as she put up the “break time” sign.
“Yes. There aren’t any other appointments, so don’t worry. Just relax. This morning was hectic, right?”
Thanks to Ice Kuna, Marsha’s tavern was always full of men.
The problem was, more and more women were now coming to see Everett.
Marsha created three break times a day so these women could visit in peace.
During those hours, women who came for tarot readings replaced the men who usually drank Kuna.
“But miss, why do you spend more time with the baron’s maids than with other clients?”
Daisy asked as she placed a warm, throat-soothing tea in front of Everett.
Everett’s sessions were never short, but her conversations with some people were noticeably longer, and Daisy had always been curious why.
“Oh, that.”
Everett gave a short, knowing smile.
“They talk more than I do.”
Just then, the baron’s maids entered the tarot shop.
“Welcome. This way, please…”
Daisy quickly bowed and slipped outside.
People often feared fortune-tellers because of their supposed ability to predict the future.
But what they didn’t know was that what truly made fortune-tellers dangerous wasn’t prophecy—but secrets.
And within those secrets were endless streams of unnoticed information.
As Everett began the tarot session, she started to learn things not even in the original story of Arcana of the Saintess.
Among them, details about her first client—Eliza, maid to the Viscount Kestarkan.
“Miss Naz, have you heard the news?”
“What news…?”
Everett shuffled her cards, feigning disinterest.
“The Kestarkan viscount’s daughter is getting married.”
“I heard. Wow, I never imagined she’d get married. That’s a surprise.”
Everett gave no response, but the two maids naturally continued their conversation.
“Right? I’m dying to know who managed to get that grumpy viscount’s approval.”
“You don’t know? It’s actually…”
Then a familiar name caught Everett’s attention.
Kestarkan Viscount?
She didn’t stop shuffling the cards—she wanted to hear more.
“But isn’t it strange? That young lord is marrying Lady Dora, who’s sickly and might die at any time.”
“I know, right? Even if he’s a poor baron’s heir, that’s just too…”
Some clients quietly asked questions and left, while others started by sharing gossip.
The intimate, secluded atmosphere of the shop made it the perfect place for unfiltered stories.
“It’s almost time for the evening rush.”
Daisy stood outside the tarot shop, anxiously waiting. Break time was almost over.
“Today’s session seems even longer than usual.”
Marsha had already prepped for evening service, and the staff had arrived.
“Is the young lady still not done?”
“I don’t think there’s a problem. I hear occasional laughter, so I guess it’s just taking longer.”
At that moment, the shop door opened, and the baron’s two maids came out smiling brightly.
Before leaving the tavern, they gave a polite nod to Marsha and Daisy.
“If even those uptight girls are smiling, today’s reading must’ve really satisfied them.”
Daisy immediately stepped back into the tarot shop.
“Young lady, what took so long? I was worried.”
Everett, still tidying up the cards, gestured for her to sit.
“Daisy, have you heard from Eliza?”
“No. I haven’t seen her since that day. And the shop’s been busy, so I haven’t had time for gatherings either.”
“Remember I told you she’d come looking for me?”
“Yes, you did.”
“She’ll probably reach out to you soon. I’ll tell Marsha in advance—just pass along the message and stay out of it. Got it?”
“Yes, miss.”
Everett smiled in satisfaction at Daisy’s tact—her ability to not pry too much.
‘This is why I value you so much.’
Soon, the tavern doors burst open to the sounds of men shouting for Kuna.
“Looks like evening service has begun.”
‘She was right again.’
A few days later, Eliza came looking for Daisy at the tavern.
Just as Everett had instructed, Daisy handed her over to Marsha and disappeared into the kitchen.
“I’m sorry. We’re fully booked… Maybe next week?”
“No! I can’t wait until next week!”
Her shrill, irritable voice pierced the room.
Marsha grimaced and rubbed her ear with a finger.
“Loud, aren’t we? Yelling won’t change anything. I can’t cancel another client’s appointment for you.”
Eliza kept glancing toward the kitchen, probably hoping Daisy would help her.
“Why are you peeking into someone else’s kitchen like that?”
Marsha barked, then turned away and busied herself with work, leaving Eliza standing awkwardly alone.
Anxious, Eliza began biting her nails.
She had always seemed thin and tense, but now she looked positively hysterical.
Apparently changing tactics, she lowered her gaze and bowed her head.
“This is about my future. I have to know. Please… I’m begging you.”
Marsha glanced toward Everett through the window.
‘That should’ve humbled her enough, right?’
Everett nodded slightly, and Marsha let out a loud, exaggerated sigh.
“Bringing fate into this, huh? People really know how to make things difficult…”
