Chapter 002
Episode 2
This year’s fortune: I love the reflection of myself in the mirror.
To welcome the new year, I cut my black hair short, and it sways around my neck. My eyes, which seem purple or navy depending on the light but just look black from a distance, are sharply reflected in the mirror.
I’m wearing the most refined and expensive outfit I own, a winter suit made of artisan-woven wool, thick yet not bulky.
It’s the perfect attire for a successful businesswoman like me!
“Mistress?”
The steward calls me in a somewhat reluctant tone. I turn my gaze to his reflection in the mirror and respond.
“Yeah? What?”
“It’s just a fortune-telling visit. Why are you so excited…?”
“Just a fortune? Don’t jinx it with talk like that!”
I sound like someone who’s deeply superstitious, but I’m not. I only believe in one thing: the fortune I draw from that fortune-teller grandma’s basket at the start of the new year. And so far, they’ve all come true.
Humming a tune, I adjust my outfit. From twenty-two to twenty-six, I’ve only drawn the best fortunes. I’m certain this year, at twenty-seven, will be just as good.
“Shall we head out?”
“You’re dragging this old man along again?”
“What, should I go alone?”
I widen my eyes in mock surprise, and the steward lets out a reluctant sigh. Honestly, he enjoys going out with me like he’s taking his granddaughter on an outing, but he always pretends to grumble.
“You should hire a maid already.”
“Not my style.”
“But you’re a proper noble…”
“Oh, who even sees me as a noble!”
I snap back playfully, and his grumbling quiets down. Phew, refreshing.
I understand his perspective. After receiving a title at twenty-two and becoming a proper noble, I haven’t hired maids or knights. Now at twenty-seven, he must find it a pity.
But unfortunately, I have no plans to hire maids or knights anytime soon. I already have plenty of people working for me, so what’s the point? I don’t need prim noble-born maids or polished knights.
“Let’s get going.”
Pretending not to notice, I throw on my coat and start walking. The steward grumbles but follows. See, wouldn’t it have been easier to just come along quietly?
–
“Wow, Grandma’s really made it big.”
As soon as I stepped into the fortune-teller’s shop, I couldn’t help but let out an impressed exclamation.
When I first came here at seventeen with my parents, it was just a shabby vinyl tent. Now, it’s transformed into a mobile shop, complete with a horse to pull it.
The interior is much bigger and cleaner. It’s not overly sturdy or fancy since it’s designed for mobility, but seeing it so well-maintained lifts my mood.
Truth be told, this mobile shop was my gift to her. Her fortunes didn’t make my luck, but it’s a nice gesture, right?
The hunched-over grandma greeted me with a wrinkled smile.
“Welcome, Countess.”
“Ugh, Countess, really?”
I wave my hand dismissively and sit down.
On the wooden table between us lies luxurious silk. Yep, that’s my gift too!
Resting my arms on the soft silk and propping my chin, I look at Grandma. She smiles kindly, like a real grandmother.
“So, fortune cookie this year too?”
“Yup. I’ve got a really good feeling today.”
She holds out the prepared basket. The cookies, individually wrapped in paper, rustle as they bump against each other. Oh, that paper sound, it’s the sound of good fortune coming my way.
I rummage through the basket a few times and pick one.
Unwrapping the paper, I snap the fortune cookie in half. A small, rolled-up note falls from the hollow center.
My year’s success or failure rests on the note rolling across the silk-covered table. I swallow hard and gently pick it up with my thumb and forefinger.
‘Please be a good one.’
Unrolling the note, I squint to read the words. My heart pounds wildly. The letters come into focus one by one.
[If you desire it, there’s nothing you cannot have this year. Your harvest will overflow with abundance, and the prosperous autumn will seem never-ending.]
“Woo!”
I let out a joyful shout without realizing it. Clutching the note, I punch the air. Popping the cookie into my mouth, I crunch happily, savoring the moment.
I told the steward I’d get a good fortune, but sitting here, I was nervous. But as expected, my instincts were spot-on.
This year’s going to be amazing too. So exciting!
Grandma doesn’t even blink at my outburst, just smiling calmly. I pull a pouch full of bronze coins from my pocket and place it on the table with a clink.
The metallic jingle sounds delightful.
“Thanks, Grandma.”
“Luck is up to you, dear.”
She says that but slyly tucks the pouch away. Seeing that, I can’t help but grin. Maybe because I’m in such a great mood, her fiddling with the pouch looks adorable.
“See you next year!”
I exclaim excitedly and stand up. I can’t wait to show the note to the steward and brag!
Just then, another basket near the entrance catches my eye, filled with folded notes.
Noticing where I’m looking, Grandma raises her voice from behind to explain.
“It’s something new, just for fun. Try one if you like. That one’s free.”
“Really? What is it?”
A sign in front of the basket on the small table reads:
[Trickster God’s Blessing or Curse
Test your luck. Half the notes are blessings, half are curses! (Effect lasts one year)
Blessings: Eating late-night snacks won’t harm your health / Regular morning relief / Ability to see the natural hair color of dyed hair / And more
Curses: 50% chance of picking the wrong menu at restaurants / High chance of visiting dirty public restrooms / Sudden cold water while showering / And more]
I burst out laughing. A blessing that lets you eat late-night snacks without health issues? Kind of tempting.
“Alright, I’ll try one.”
“Go ahead.”
Grandma’s busy with something and doesn’t even look my way.
It’s not like it’s a real blessing or curse, so I grab the topmost note and head outside. The steward’s waiting by the carriage.
Waving the note, I climb into the carriage. The steward quickly sits beside me and closes the door. The carriage jolts as it heads back to the mansion.
“Look at this, Steward! It’s some blessing-or-curse note, and Grandma gave it to me for free.”
“Is that so?”
He glances at the note indifferently and loses interest. He doesn’t even ask about this year’s fortune.
“What’s wrong?”
“Aren’t you too obsessed with fortunes?”
“I get why you’re worried, but I’m not that crazy about them, okay?”
Sheesh, so much worrying.
Humming, I unfold the note. Since my luck’s good, I hope it’s something fun.
Carefully opening the neatly folded note, I read the contents.
[Be a kind person! From now on, the final response is up to you.]
…Huh?
