Chapter 21
“What are you talking about? Ah! You must have seen Leona at the coronation. Fell for her sacred appearance, didn’t you? As expected of a potential male lead in a romance novel. Looks like he’s got that romance DNA to recognize fate.”
As I paused my thoughts and looked over, I realized he’d been staring at me the whole time. Our eyes met immediately.
“If you don’t have any more questions, I’ll end this consultation. As you know, there are many clients waiting in line.”
At this, Paulian spoke up urgently.
“I was wondering about Lady Adeline’s schedule after her business hours today. In other words, tonight’s plans.”
“Excuse me?”
I conveyed the unspoken question “And what business is that of yours?” through my expression instead of my voice.
“I feel I may have overstepped several times, so I’d like to apologize by treating you to a meal.”
“No need. Taking up any more of my time would be even more discourteous, so please leave. There’s no need to accumulate more offenses knowingly, is there?”
“Please, give me a chance to apologize, a chance to restore my honor. This isn’t just about me personally; it’s a matter of the honor of the House of Lint. If they were to find out that I disgraced the family’s name before Lady Adeline…”
He shook his head, looking as if he couldn’t bear the thought.
“Lady Adeline, what time will you be finished tonight?”
“That’s not up to me to decide.”
“Pardon?”
I answered with a relaxed smile.
“As the gods will it, wouldn’t you say?”
I stopped short of adding, “So don’t interfere and kindly disappear from my sight, would you?”
But I hoped that he, with his sense, would catch the hidden meaning.
“Haha! So that’s how it is,” he said, placing a hand on his chest and bowing politely.
“Lady Adeline, I look forward to our next meeting.”
With a polite smile, I returned his bow and replied, “You’re welcome to consult me anytime.”
He gave a small smile at my thinly veiled dismissal. It was a smile that was almost too luxurious. Just looking at his radiant face made me shiver, but by then, another client had entered and seated himself before me.
‘Oh? He’s here already. He must be eager, that’s for sure.’
Cordelia’s husband, Viscount Graine, had taken a seat in front of me.
He looked at me with an arrogant expression, raising one eyebrow.
‘A “Just try me” look? I’ll wipe that insolent look right off your face!’
I touched the crystal ball gently and spoke as elegantly as possible. It was a line that had stirred up the wrath of many TV viewers.
“Falling in love isn’t a crime, is it?”
At this, his eyebrow noticeably lowered, and he burst into a hearty laugh.
“Haha! You do know a thing or two. Maybe the gods really do exist. Tell me more.”
He suddenly acted as if he were the most generous man in the world.
Although I was annoyed by his ungranted familiarity, I didn’t let it show and scattered millet grains on the table.
“Your current compatibility with your wife is poor. If you continue together, misfortune will befall you.”
“Is that so? Hmm…”
He let out a deep sigh.
“Both of you will end up unhappy. Especially you; I see black blood in your future.”
“Blood? Who dares threaten me? I’ll slit that rat’s throat first!”
I shook my head with a solemn expression.
“The black blood isn’t the blood of someone harming you; it’s yours. On the day that black blood spills, you’ll lose everything.”
With a strange look, he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“I heard this might be necessary, so I prepared it in advance.”
The paper listed five women’s names.
‘Wow! He’s got five mistresses? I knew he was trash, but he’s completely irredeemable.’
Seeing Graine with his oily face and sly smile, I pretended to cast a spell and threw millet grains at his face.
“Hey!”
As he shouted after being hit by the grains, I gave him a stern look, gesturing for him to be quiet. Then, I continued to sprinkle the millet—harder this time! And I didn’t stop there; I picked up a bell and hit him with it even harder.
‘Be thankful it’s not a stick, you wretch!’
With the ringing sound and the striking combined, Graine looked dazed, as if his soul had left his body.
“You and your wife aren’t compatible. Separating as soon as possible is the answer.”
“Then who among them is a good match for me?”
“All five of them are better matches than your wife.”
I reached out and pointed at Sophia’s name, the one I was familiar with.
“This fiery one would be a good match for you. Your fortune lacks fire, so it would be a complementary relationship.”
He moved closer to the payment box, sneaking a glance at me. I pretended not to notice but kept an eye on him. He quickly took out silver coins and slipped them into the payment box.
‘What a cheap scoundrel!’
This was the first time a noble had failed to pay in gold. Nobles didn’t even carry silver coins; they thought it was beneath them. I knew his character was lacking, but I hadn’t realized his sense of value was too. Or maybe it was excessively sharp?
‘Anyway, he’s lacking in every way! I’ll take him for everything in the alimony lawsuit!’
—
“You look more tired today, Lady Adeline. There are dark circles under your eyes, and you seem exhausted.”
“I feel excessively drained.”
Between Paulian and that scoundrel Graine, my energy was completely sapped, and my body felt like a waterlogged lump of cotton.
“I’ll give you a foot massage when we get home.”
“You’re tired too, Sarah. It’s fine.”
“No, really. I’ll show off the massage skills I learned at the club.”
“I’d be grateful for that. Sarah, let’s go somewhere nice this weekend and have a good rest.”
“Sounds wonderful, Lady Adeline.”
But resting was no simple task. When we arrived home, an unexpected guest was waiting for me: Zion, the Crown Prince’s right-hand man.
“You’re late. I almost thought you were someone who doesn’t keep her promises.”
“I apologize. I was delayed by some pressing matters.”
“If you’d been any later, I might have died of anguish.”
I made a show of looking more irritated than I felt. I had to act this way since I needed something from him.
“Please, come inside.”
We sat across from each other at the table, and Sarah brought out tea.
“How are you feeling, my lady?”
“Of course, not as well as before the accident, Sir.”
It was convenient to use my weariness from difficult clients and unwanted encounters to my advantage. Zion, with his knightly sincerity, looked at my weary face with concern.
“Sir Zion, how does the prince plan to handle this accident?”
He looked at me warily.
“There’s no need to look at me like that. I’m saying this because I assume you’ve already done your research on me.”
‘Could she really know even this?’
He stared at me with a shocked expression.
“I recognized that you were in the Royal Guard by your attire on the day of the incident. I just wanted to check a few details to make sure the culprit didn’t escape. Let’s call it even since we both investigated each other.”
Zion gave a strained smile.
“Of course, you’d prefer to keep this quiet, right? If the accident comes to light, Empress Sierra might start questioning your activities, Sir Zion.”
He said nothing, only looking at me.
I took a leisurely sip of tea and smiled at him.
“There’s something I want.”
He asked in a heavy voice.
“What is it?”
“I need the prince’s cooperation.”
“I can’t involve His Highness in my mistakes.”
“But it’s not something you can simply avoid, is it?”
As I gave him a confident look, he looked resigned and asked, “What do you want?”
“A groundbreaking trial will soon take place in the Empire. I need His Highness to represent the royal family and stand on my side.”
His expression turned troubled. “That’s not something I can decide on my own. If you explain the matter, I’ll bring it to His Highness.”
“It’s a divorce settlement claim filed by Viscountess Cordelia.”
Zion looked confused at the unfamiliar term.
“I assume you’re aware that Viscount Graine has petitioned for a divorce. As a devout follower of the Temple, it’s practically a given that he’ll be granted permission. Therefore, Viscountess Cordelia is planning to file a lawsuit to divide Viscount Graine’s assets. When the time comes, I’ll need His Highness to support her side. If he does that…”
I gave him a gentle smile.
“…the accident will be as if it never happened.”
“Understood. I’ll come back with an answer soon.”
As he stood to leave, he asked with concern, “And what about your treatment?”
“If you assist us, I’ll take care of that as well.”
“Very well. I’ll return in a few days.”
After Zion left, I looked through the invitations Sarah had set aside.
“Sarah.”
“Yes, Lady Adeline.”
“Let everyone know that tomorrow’s business will begin at 2 p.m. Offer lunch to the guests waiting.”
“Lunch?”
“Since the schedule changed suddenly, it’s a gesture of apology. Take them to Sam’s place and treat them to the best menu.”
“Yes. And where will you be, Lady Adeline?”
I waved the invitation in my hand. “To Countess Hyacinth’s tea gathering.”
—
Today, I wasn’t dressed in my usual work attire but in an elegant outfit suited for a ladies’ gathering. Sarah intricately braided my bangs, while the rest of my hair flowed freely with a soft wave at the ends. I wore an ivory dress with a ribbon, giving off a pure and charming aura.
Seeing my lovely reflection in the mirror made me happy. To gain support in the upcoming trial, I’d need to secure my place among the noblewomen, so I prepared a small gift: the latest item from our shop—a sacred, aromatic incense stick.
It was something I’d designed myself, down to the choice of wood, fragrance, and divine energy infused within. The sticks were highly coveted, with months-long waiting lists, even among nobles. In fact, whether or not a lady’s table featured one had become a defining social marker of late. It was a status symbol that evoked both pride and envy.
With Sarah’s carefully packaged incense sticks in hand, I headed to Countess Hyacinth’s estate. When my carriage pulled up, she came out to greet me herself.
“Lady Adeline!” She clasped my hand, her face full of emotion, then pulled me into an embrace.
“Thank you. Lady Adeline, you’re not only a benefactor to our family but also a dear friend.”
She hugged me tightly.
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