Deviating from the original plot

Chapter seventy-four

"So... she has awakened."

✦ ✦

3 days later~

"What actually happened to you?" Damien asked, eyeing Victoria's bruise as she supervised the maids, who were busy converting another room into her private study.

"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me," she replied, refusing to meet his gaze.

"Try me."

"I got into a fistfight and knocked my opponent unconscious," Victoria said matter-of-factly.

Damien arched a brow. "You're joking. I don't believe that. If you told me you tripped and fell flat on your face, I'd believe that before this."

"You don't think I'm capable of winning a fight?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"No," he drawled, lips twitching. "I just don't think you're the sort to waste energy on pointless violence. Unless, of course, I was wrong and you're actually a hooligan in lace."

Victoria frowned at him.

"Whatever it was, though," Damien leaned closer, lowering his voice, "is it really justifiable for the Marquis to put you under house arrest? It's laughable."

"I'm hoping he gets over it soon." Victoria sighed, folding her arms.

Damien only chuckled, clearly amused at her expense.

✦ ✦ ✦

With Victoria confined, Evelyn and Celeste set out alone into the capital to continue their investigation into the bookkeeper and the strange building tied to their search.

The carriage rocked gently as they rode side by side.

"Her father's so strict," Evelyn murmured, glancing out the window. "Poor Lady Victoria."

"At least it's because he cares," Celeste said dryly. "My father didn't even realise I was missing for a whole day. With the chaos in our household, I'd rather lock myself away in my room than deal with them. No one noticed I was gone."

Evelyn's eyes widened. "Oh... that's awful. My maid once pretended to be me for an entire evening—she's quite good at imitating me. So my situation isn't nearly as lonely as yours. I can't imagine being in your shoes."

"It's not as tragic as you think," Celeste shrugged. "If anything, I prefer it. No one bothers me. And lately... I don't feel so empty anymore. Maybe it's because of this adventure. It's dangerous, yes, but... I cherish it in a strange way."

"I know what you mean," Evelyn said with a small smile. "It feels like we're the female leads in some grand novel."

Celeste chuckled. "Maybe. But I wouldn't know. I've never really read stories like that."

"What? Why not?"

"My father forbids it. After a while, I stopped bothering."

"Good heavens, is he really such a tyrant? I can't imagine life without books. You're missing out. Maybe when we visit the bookshop, we'll pick out a few for you." Evelyn's eyes gleamed with excitement.

Celeste let out a quiet chuckle. "Maybe. Just don't expect me to swoon over some ridiculous romance novels with you."

Evelyn laughed. "Who said anything about romance? I was thinking of grand adventures. Though..." she tilted her head with a mischievous grin, "a little romance wouldn't hurt. You could use some faith in love again."

"There's no need for that," Celeste said curtly.

"Don't dismiss it so quickly," she replied with a faint, knowing smile.

The carriage rattled to a halt. The driver's voice called through the window, "We've arrived, my ladies."

The two girls stepped down onto the cobbled street, where crooked buildings leaned against each other like weary old men. The market's chatter and the scent of street food lingered faintly in the air. At the lane's end stood the bookshop, its wooden sign creaking on rusted chains.

The bell above the door chimed softly as they stepped inside. At the counter, a woman sat with a ledger open before her. She looked up as the two entered, her gaze flickering first to Evelyn, then locking onto Celeste.

"Lady Evelyn. Back again," the woman said smoothly. Then her lips curved. "And... you. I never thought I'd see you again."

Celeste stiffened. "Sorry—do I know you?"

"I was the fortune teller at the Founding Festival."

Celeste's breath caught. "You?"

Evelyn blinked between them, baffled. "What fortune teller?"

"Lady Victoria and I went to see a fortune teller last year at the festival," Celeste explained quickly. Her eyes narrowed on the woman. "She's the one."

The shopkeeper laughed lightly. "Oh, and the other young lady with you. I crossed paths with her too. She visited my little cosmetics shop some time ago, and I may have read her fortune as well."

Evelyn's suspicion sharpened. "So you know everything, then?"

The woman's smile turned sly. "Define everything."