KFBRV Ch 50

Unlike the tents of other traveling gypsies, the interior of this shop was as neat as a modern coffeehouse. However, the silk curtains blocking out the natural light, the plush black carpet, and the soft glow from silver candelabras gave a mysterious atmosphere typical of a fortune teller’s den.

In the center of the room, a woman sat on a sofa, cradling a crystal ball. Behind her, a celestial map drawn in glowing paint shimmered faintly, creating an eerie, solemn backdrop.

[Paula] "Greetings. You are Ms. Gisela, I assume?"

She offered a confident greeting, determined not to let the atmosphere overwhelm her. However, the woman, whose lower face was obscured by a veil, did not return the greeting. She simply stared at her in silence.

The woman wore ornate forehead jewelry, silver necklaces, and deep purple robes that brought a dancer to mind. Had the outfit been any more revealing, she would have looked exactly like a performer. The exotic attire only heightened the sense of mystery.

[Gisela] "Sit. It seems your future is clear enough for me to see."

I knew it!

She thought, her heart racing with excitement as she hurried to the sofa. Yet, as she sat, a flicker of annoyance rose within her because Gisela had ignored her initial greeting.

[Paula] "And what is my name?"

[Paula] "Well? If you’re a true prophet, shouldn’t you be able to guess something as simple as a name?"

She threw out the challenge to seize the upper hand. Usually, when put on the spot like this, people would stammer or offer excuses, allowing her to win the battle of wits. However, Gisela responded with a sharp, scolding tone.

[Gisela] "You were born with a fate where you cannot even call your own mother 'Mother,' yet you dare to challenge me?"

Her voice was high-pitched yet heavy, resonating like a witch’s reprimand. More shocking, however, was the content of her words.

[Paula] "Wh-what?! How on earth did you know—?"

At the time of her mother’s marriage, Paula’s grandfather—a ruthless moneylender—had eliminated anyone who knew of her existence. Only her grandfather, her mother, and Paula herself knew this secret. This woman truly was a seer of destiny.

[Gisela] "I intended to change your fate because I pitied the wretched future you were born into, yet you behave with such insolence! Get out of my sight this instant!"

[Paula] "I—I was wrong! I’m sorry! I won’t be arrogant again! My name is Pa... Paula."

[Gisela] "You don’t even know your place! Even the crystal ball is enraged!"

She gestured sharply, forcing Paula to drop to her knees before the crystal ball.

[Gisela] "Keep apologizing. Do it until the crystal ball’s anger subsides!"

[Paula] "I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I was out of line. Please, don't be angry."

Soon, the color of the crystal ball shifted from a fiery red to a calm blue.

[Gisela] "Fine. It says it will help you now, Paula."

[Paula] "Th-thank you! Thank you so much!"

By the time Paula returned to the sofa, she had completely lost the psychological tug-of-war. She was so overwhelmed by the belief that Gisela was a genuine prophet that her previous pride had vanished.

[Gisela] "Yes. The crystal ball tells me that the reason you are here concerns your mother’s husband."

[Paula] "How... how can you see even that?"

[Gisela] "Naturally."

Her expression turned solemn as she began to shuffle a deck of tarot cards, divining various details for a long moment. Finally, she spoke with a look of intrigue.

[Gisela] "You... you’ve missed your chance to become a noble, haven't you? You are destined to remain a maid forever."

Paula swallowed hard. Although she had come here out of a desperate sliver of hope, a part of her hadn't fully believed the fortune teller would be real.

Paula lived a life she couldn't even share with friends, and this wasn't the first time she had turned to the occult. But every other fortune teller she had met was a fraud—someone who pretended to see through her while only telling her what she wanted to hear.

[Gisela] "Your mother’s future is a disaster as well. Tsk, tsk. I see a future where her life is being eaten away, parasitized by her husband. He is a man who forgets favors easily."

[Paula] "That—that’s right! He escaped bankruptcy thanks to my mother’s dowry, but he’s forgotten all about it and treats her like garbage!"

[Gisela] "Oh my... That initial dowry is what tangled the threads of fate. That husband should have remained bankrupt, and your mother should have been the one to rise to nobility. This husband of hers... he runs a pharmaceutical company, doesn't he? Fate began to warp the moment your mother’s dowry was poured into it."

Gisela was different. She wasn't just guessing; she seemed to be looking directly at the fabric of destiny.

A laboratory built with my mother’s dowry...

Paula mused.

[Gisela] "Across the ocean, on the Eastern Continent, there is a complex concept called Feng Shui. To put it simply: that laboratory is physically blocking your mother’s luck and diverting it all to her husband."

[Paula] "I did hear that he built a facility right around the time they were married."

Paula’s remaining doubts were melting away. She leaned in, hanging on every word.

[Gisela] "Paula, that building is swallowing your destiny, too. You were meant to be a noblewoman, but that luck was stolen by your 'father.' A man who should have been ruined stole the lives of you and your mother. At this rate, you will live a harsh life, forced to call your own mother 'Madam' until the day you die."

Destiny.

The word carried immense weight coming from someone who saw through her secrets.

[Gisela] "Paula, do you know what your only stroke of luck is? It is meeting me. This encounter will liberate your fate."

Paula had no idea. She could not see the massive trap being laid out before her. The exotic clothes, the interior design, and even the cheap magical tool disguised as a crystal ball were all part of the act.

[Gisela] "I shall make you a true noble. A noble so legitimate that the adoptee you have always envied and hated won't even be able to touch your shadow."

Everything was a snare set by Odette to lure Paula toward a pre-determined end.

---

Today was the day Karl was to be escorted to the Albrecht mansion.

Accordingly, Odette chose her outing attire with extreme care. She intentionally selected colors that would evoke thoughts of Karl: a crimson dress, red accessories, and black shoes. Dressed in this lavish, aristocratic style, she sat on the sofa in her small dressing room.

[Lize] "How about curling your hair to this extent?"

Lize carefully curled her platinum-blonde hair using a heated iron.

[Odette] "Yes. I like this better. Since the dress is so ornate, the curls make the whole look more balanced."

She knew Ferdinand would loathe this look, but she wasn't worried. She planned to lie and say the outfit was a gift from her mother.

It’s so convenient that the mother and son are equally arrogant and foolish.

Ferdinand had likely expected the Countess to bow her head after losing her financial rights. He probably thought she would have to beg him for money eventually. But Odette had introduced a variable: the paintings that had surged in price.

I made sure to pick the ones that would appreciate the fastest.

The paintings, which had already tripled in value, had skyrocketed tenfold after the artist’s death a few days ago. Since she had used Malea to point out a few more pieces worth buying, the Countess had no reason to swallow her pride for Ferdinand’s sake.

I hear Mother spends all her time either in her room with her inner circle or at the gallery.

After losing her hiring authority, she had retreated further into her rooms, claiming she couldn't bear to look at Mrs. Becker’s "vulgar" display of power.

These days, Mrs. Becker had traded her dark greens and navys for flamboyant dresses as she strutted through the mansion. The colors were so regal they practically mimicked the Countess’ own wardrobe.

It was worth the effort to buy those dresses and jewels and send them to her as 'anonymous gifts' from the Count.

A little ego stroking was all it took to make Mrs. Becker parade around with her head held high, wielding her new authority. She was so intoxicated by playing "Lady of the House" that she had completely stopped monitoring Odette.

Consequently, the only nuisances left were Ferdinand, who occasionally barged into her room, and the daily "Mengele" injections.

[Lize] "My Lady, your beauty is so frightening lately. How has your skin become so white and smooth?"

Specifically, the "Mengele" was actually an expensive beauty serum injection disguised as a painful suppressant.

[Odette] "Enough with the flattery. Just help me tie the ribbon at my back."

[Lize] "It’s not flattery, I swear!"

Lize adjusted her clothes with a mock pout. It was at that moment that—

Bang!

The door to the dressing room swung open with a violent crash.

Prev

TOC

Next

---

To support the original author and publisher, please consider rating the official release on Kakaopage.