The Life of Maria Lewellin - Chapter 38

On the contrary, I thought it was very Ains-like, so I laughed.

“How did you know a restaurant like this here? “

“I often go out and went around like this a few years ago.”

I suddenly felt curious.

What was Ains childhood like? Is he a Chado-nam* when he was young as well?

(t/n: chageun dosi namja-cold city guy. I explained this before, a few chapters ago.)

That’s possible. He must be handsome then, considering that he’s been suffering from Young Ladies flocking around him since he was young.

I enjoyed the meal while imagining things.  Ains looked at me and mumbled, ‘There really is no such thing as coyness to you,’ and I smiled vaguely but that didn’t stop me from eating.

After the meal, started exploring the square in earnest.

Ains volunteered to guide the way. Perhaps because it was true that he often came to the square before. I enjoyed the narrow alleys here and there.

We looked around the market and I grabbed Ains’ arms whenever I see snacks then we eat it together.

Thanks to that, time flew by in a flash. As we went back the way we came, I suddenly heard a cheerful sound of music from somewhere.

What was that?

I stretched my neck out, but I couldn’t see it because it was covered by a big building. Ains, who was walking beside me, solved my curiosity.

“There must be a wedding. “

“A wedding? “

“Yes. “

My heart throbbed. I’ve experienced a lot of things ever since I came to Hardel, but I’ve never seen a wedding.

“Can we go there? “

“You don’t even know anybody there so why?”

“Don’t be like that. That might be so, but wouldn’t it be nice if we congratulate them? Right? “

Even though Ains shook his head and refused a few times, he still came with me.

“Uwaaa…. “

Weddings really are romantic anywhere.

Some musicians play music with excitement as the guests dance to their music.

Then I saw today’s main characters, the bride and the groom, smiling happily ever after.

“Beautiful…. “

It felt like all the happiness in the world was gathered there. I gazed at the two people.

Can I meet someone I love someday?

“A fly will go inside your mouth if you don’t close it.”

The sound of my imagination breaking took me back to reality. I pouted at Ains and glared at him indisputably.

Let me dream a little, will you!

“Are you jealous?”

“….a little bit. “

Actually, I envy them a lot.

To tell you a bit of my dirty story, my family – not Maria, but my real family – was not a happy one. Because I was born out of my father’s affair.

When I was young, I didn’t know that and I was just scared of my mother who always treated me coldly.

Both of them worked, so I’ve all by myself most of the time ever since I was young.

One day, I carefully told my mom that I wanted to raise a puppy. Then she turned to me and spat sharp words and threw me a cold look.

“You think you can raise a dog when you can’t even take care of yourself? That dog must be very happy.”

“….I’m sorry. “

Tears streamed down as soon as I came back to my room. I was only ten years old at that time. It was too harsh for a child to handle.

That’s how I grew up alone. Lack of affection led to bitterness, and it made me became always thirsty for love.

Fortunately, because of my bright personality, I soon made friends well and received a lot of praise from the adults around me, but the unfulfilled emptiness always remained in the back of my mind.

“Are you going to keep looking? “

“No, let’s go.”

We started walking side by side again. Before long, people’s eyes were on us from all over the place. The reasons are, of course…

It’s none other than Ains.

They obviously don’t know that Ains is the crown prince. If they had, it would have been a disaster already.

However, pretending to be a normal person didn’t stop everyone’s gaze from turning towards him wherever we go, I can feel the gaze of people pointing to this side. I guess there’s no other man who’s as good looking as him.

Regardless of whether he noticed or not, Ains only walked calmly. As I escaped from the end of the wide alley, a low-lying landscape unfolded before my eyes.

There’s a place like this here? What’s this?

There were simple buildings surrounded by black tents everywhere. My eyes caught a glimpse of wooden signage hanging above the entrance.

The peculiar appearance of the place made me curious.

“Wait a minute. “

Closer, I read the letters written on the signage.

“……the road to the future?”

“It’s a place to find out things you didn’t know yet.”

“New things? “

I turned my head, and before I knew it, Ains was already standing next to me.

“That’s right. Most people with divine power work in temples, but sometimes they establish places like this where they take care of personal fortunes.”

I know that there are temples here, but I have never been there since didn’t have to go. Then is this like a fortune-telling house? Do they use tarot cards in fortune telling as well?

Ains, looking down at me, laughed.

“You’re coming in, right?”

“Of course! “

We entered with a curious sweep of the tent.

The room was rather dark. A round table was visible, and there was a crystal ball-like object on top of it.

Then I saw a woman sitting behind it. I felt strange because she was wearing a veil with gold embroidery.

“Oh, a special visitor.”

Eek. Goosebumps.

“Sit this way, please.”

It was followed by kind suggestions but I was still a little scared. On the other hand, I wondered what the fortune-telling would be like. I slowly grabbed Ains by the arm.

“….what? “

“Come with me. “

“I’m good. “

It’s because I can’t do it by myself!

“Come on, give it a try. We’ve come all the way here, you know ?”

“….”

Silence means yes, right? In the end, Ains went with me.

“What can I tell you?”

I thought for a moment and decided to ask back.

“What can you tell me?”

“Customers who come here usually ask about their future.”

That’s why the sign said, ‘The road to the future’.

“It’s also possible to predict a person’s luck in love.”

“Really? “

I was glad to hear that. I thought, ‘people’s interests really are the same no matter where you go. ‘

“Then….please look at my future first.”

The tension rose belatedly.

I’m not from here. But can she really see my future? If so, what will be waiting for me.

“Put your hands up here.”

There was a bright crystal was in front of me.

After swallowing my saliva, I put my hands on the crystal ball.

Oh no. I’m so nervous.

The woman wrapped her hands around mine. She then closed her eyes and began to chant a prayer.

Surprisingly, subtle light began to flow from the crystal ball. That’s not all. I felt warm as if I was on fire.

But my admiration was only for a moment. The glow faded away and completely went out.

The woman suddenly opened her eyes then spoke in a calm voice.

“I’m sorry. I’ll do it again.”

The woman closed her eyes again and chanted the prayer. However, the results were the same. The light that lit the crystal ball went out in less than 10 seconds.

Instinctively, I thought something was wrong. Eventually, I gently pulled my hand out and asked the woman.

“Is it not working? “

“That… “

The woman went on hesitatingly.

“I can’t see anything. When I pray, God usually gives me a vision. But just now. I prayed over and over again, and all I can see is darkness.”

Anxiety swept over me.

Darkness was never a good thing, right?

Questions flowed out from Ains’ mouth.

“You don’t see the future?”

“…..Yes, sir. But I’ll try one more time.”

“That’s okay. I’ll just come back later.”

Furthermore, it was obvious that the same result would come out. The stiff smile of the woman was the evidence.

Despite saying that it was fine, I pulled out Ains’ clothes and left the tent.

The sky was in full sunset before we knew it. I looked back at Ains with a smile.

“It’s already late. Let’s stop by just one more place. I have a business to attend to in the guild.”

“Guild? “

“Yes. Sometimes my parents send me letters.”

A few days after sending the first letter, I was able to receive an unexpected reply when I went back to the guild without much expectation.

The sender was Uncle Jacqueline. Since then, I have sent letters to Maria’s parents from time to time, and uncle responded to them without fail.

Thanks to the carriage, we arrived at the guild quickly. The receptionist smiled and handed the letter over to me after recognizing me as a regular customer. I said thank you then came out.

As soon as I got on, the carriage left for the palace. I was looking out the window quietly when I suddenly heard Ains’ voice.

“Do not worry about it.”

“Hm?”

“Don’t pay too much attention to what the fortune-teller said earlier. It’s possible that she just has weak powers.”

I looked at Ains with a slightly surprised look. Are you comforting me?

I wanted to ask him that but I can already hear him say no.

A smile slipped out of my face.

“Thank you.”

To be honest, I didn’t feel good. It would be strange if I would be in a good mood when I was told that the only thing they could is in my future is darkness in the first place.

On the other hand, I also felt depressed. As much as I expected, I was disappointed.

“I guess the fortune-teller is quick to notice. When she saw your highness, she immediately said that someone special was there.”

Ains laughed at my words.

“It’s probably because of you. Red represents nobleness.”

“Red? I’m not wearing anything red right now though?”

I looked down.  I was wearing a light blue dress and similar colored shoes. The bag on my side was also yellow. There’s no red at all.

“Then what do you call this?”

“Yes? “

Something stuck out before my eyes. It was my hair.

“Ah. “

Ains smiled grew a bit deeper as if he found my stupid reaction funny. Then he started explaining it to me.

“Red hair has long been the object of envy in this country. That’s why the fortune-teller said that you are a special person as soon as she saw you.”

To be honest, I had a different opinion. I wanted to argue that it’s definitely because of him since he had this special aura around him even in casual clothes, but I laughed and nodded instead.

I’m just thankful that tried to comfort me albeit clumsily. Today’s outing, which probably wasn’t on the schedule is a proof of that.

But his commendable act did not stop there.

“Tell me if you have anything you want.”

I looked at Ains with a puzzled look.

“Why all of a sudden?”

“…because you were nice to me yesterday.”

Soon, his mouth went up in a big way. In a word, he wants to return the favor.

I was lost in thought because there was no reason to refuse. I keep getting a lot of paychecks, gold bars, jewelry, and dresses.

No matter how much I thought about it, there was nothing I wanted or needed right away.

“May I ask for it next time?”

“All right. “

I answered thankfully and then turned back out of the window. In the setting sun, our carriage ran forward vigorously.