After that, Sylvia and Randall's date was not smooth. He was embarrassed that he was worried that he would get caught up in the atmosphere again.
'At this rate... nothing will happen?'
Sylvia walked down the street with a much lighter heart. Randall, on the other hand, had a sullen look on his face.
'Today wasn't the day.'
Even though they were supposed to have a fun day, things kept going in unexpected directions. In the end, everything he had prepared ended up being meaningless, so they were just looking around the market. Even though they hadn't done anything properly, the sunset was already setting.
'But we can't go back like this...'
Randall followed Sylvia, wondering what to do, and then he noticed something and his eyes widened.
"Ah."
"What's wrong?"
Sylvia, who was walking ahead, looked back in wonder when Randall stopped walking. Randall’s gaze was fixed on one side of the street. Sylvia followed his gaze and turned her head, and flinched when she saw a fortuneteller in black robes. Randall pondered something and turned to her and asked.
“Sylvia. Can I stop by there for a moment?”
“...Well, okay. I’ll stay away for a bit with Sir Cedars.”
Sylvia held on to Jeffrey with an embarrassed smile and took a step back.
'The mood is not good.'
Usually, street fortune tellers are mostly con artists who infer information through customers' actions, gestures, and gaze. Occasionally, some harbored a truly unusual energy. That was the case with the fortune teller Randall discovered. Since Sylvia could not be said to be an ordinary soul, she chose to keep her distance away for fear that if she got close to her, her true identity would be discovered.
Sylvia held on to Jeffrey with an embarrassed smile and took a step back.
'The mood is not good.'
Usually, street fortune tellers are mostly con artists who infer information through customers' actions, gestures, and gaze. Occasionally, some harbored a truly unusual energy. That was the case with the fortune teller Randall discovered. Since Sylvia could not be said to be an ordinary soul, she chose to keep her distance away for fear that if she got close to her, her true identity would be discovered.
Randall tilted his head in confusion as Sylvia retreated, but he said he would be back soon and headed toward the fortune teller. He squatted down in front of the mat laid out by the fortuneteller and smiled and greeted me.
"Hello."
The fortuneteller, who was muttering something with both hands in front of her chest, was pleased to see her first guest.
“Okay, what should I see?”
"I am..."
“Looking at you, you came here because you was curious about your compatibility with your lover. For just a little more money, yikes can cast a spell to capture your lover’s heart.”
The fortune teller made a very snobbish hand gesture, showing off a gold coin. Randall paused for a moment when he heard the words ‘a spell that can capture a lover’s heart.’ The fortune teller noticed a conflicted look on his face and hummed to herself.
'Huh. It must be because of his lover's problems. If I do well, I can make a lot of money and move on to the next region.'
The life of a fortune teller is difficult. Even if you wanted to settle down in one area, you would sometimes be attacked by people who would vent their anger by claiming that the dots did not match, or you would be chased by the security forces after being falsely accused of deceiving people with fraud. The income from the Belfort estate was not very good, so she was thinking about moving to another area, but she never thought such big customers would come rolling in.
"Hello."
The fortuneteller, who was muttering something with both hands in front of her chest, was pleased to see her first guest.
“Okay, what should I see?”
"I am..."
“Looking at you, you came here because you was curious about your compatibility with your lover. For just a little more money, yikes can cast a spell to capture your lover’s heart.”
The fortune teller made a very snobbish hand gesture, showing off a gold coin. Randall paused for a moment when he heard the words ‘a spell that can capture a lover’s heart.’ The fortune teller noticed a conflicted look on his face and hummed to herself.
'Huh. It must be because of his lover's problems. If I do well, I can make a lot of money and move on to the next region.'
The life of a fortune teller is difficult. Even if you wanted to settle down in one area, you would sometimes be attacked by people who would vent their anger by claiming that the dots did not match, or you would be chased by the security forces after being falsely accused of deceiving people with fraud. The income from the Belfort estate was not very good, so she was thinking about moving to another area, but she never thought such big customers would come rolling in.
The fortune teller waited for Randall's answer with expectant eyes. Eventually, he, who was immersed in her thoughts, opened her mouth with an awkward smile.
“Mam, that’s not it.”
“Huh? No?”
“I was wondering if you could pray for someone’s well-being.”
“...”
The fortune teller doubted her ears for a moment and asked again, but Randall's words remained unchanged. He looked at her with his clear, unblemished eyes as if he was sincere.
‘What kind of guy is this...’
The fortune teller dropped her jaw in bewilderment, then stared into Randall's eyes and muttered.
“What a strange young man.”
“Is this a bit too much?”
“What a strange soul...”
"Yes?"
The words behind her were so small that Randall tilted his head in confusion, but the old woman did not open her mouth again. After that, she stared at Randall’s face for a while as if she was curious, then suddenly she wrinkled her face and waved her hands.
“I don’t have that kind of talent. And I don’t need any special blessings either, so go away.”
"Still..."
“Oh, I told you to go! It won’t work if you make fun of an old woman!”
Eventually, the fortune teller finally got angry. As people’s eyes turned to Randall, he had no choice but to pull down the hem of his hood and return to Sylvia’s side. He stared at the old woman, who was gathering up her things one by one and disappearing down the street, wondering.
“You don’t need any special blessings... What does it mean to tease you?”
"Well."
Sylvia, who overheard the conversation between Randall and the fortune teller, responded indifferently. She lightly clenched and unclenched her fists and gave a brief internal scolding to herself.
'It could mean a curse that cannot be lifted even with a blessing.'
Could this mean that the relationship cannot be achieved since she will die anyway and Randall will be left behind? Sylvia thought that's what the fortune teller meant when she said 'a strange soul'. At best, it would be tragic enough in everyone's eyes for the woman he had in his heart to die less than a few years later.
“Mam, that’s not it.”
“Huh? No?”
“I was wondering if you could pray for someone’s well-being.”
“...”
The fortune teller doubted her ears for a moment and asked again, but Randall's words remained unchanged. He looked at her with his clear, unblemished eyes as if he was sincere.
‘What kind of guy is this...’
The fortune teller dropped her jaw in bewilderment, then stared into Randall's eyes and muttered.
“What a strange young man.”
“Is this a bit too much?”
“What a strange soul...”
"Yes?"
The words behind her were so small that Randall tilted his head in confusion, but the old woman did not open her mouth again. After that, she stared at Randall’s face for a while as if she was curious, then suddenly she wrinkled her face and waved her hands.
“I don’t have that kind of talent. And I don’t need any special blessings either, so go away.”
"Still..."
“Oh, I told you to go! It won’t work if you make fun of an old woman!”
Eventually, the fortune teller finally got angry. As people’s eyes turned to Randall, he had no choice but to pull down the hem of his hood and return to Sylvia’s side. He stared at the old woman, who was gathering up her things one by one and disappearing down the street, wondering.
“You don’t need any special blessings... What does it mean to tease you?”
"Well."
Sylvia, who overheard the conversation between Randall and the fortune teller, responded indifferently. She lightly clenched and unclenched her fists and gave a brief internal scolding to herself.
'It could mean a curse that cannot be lifted even with a blessing.'
Could this mean that the relationship cannot be achieved since she will die anyway and Randall will be left behind? Sylvia thought that's what the fortune teller meant when she said 'a strange soul'. At best, it would be tragic enough in everyone's eyes for the woman he had in his heart to die less than a few years later.
Meanwhile, Randall held out his hand to Sylvia, thinking that his attempt to wish her safety had only earned her idle curiosity.
“Would you like to stop by one more place before we head back?”
“Where is it?”
“I heard that it is a famous outing place among local residents. Of course, you can go back if you’re tired.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
Sylvia willingly followed him out of consideration for Randall, who must have been disappointed all day today. The place Randall led Sylvia to was a place called ‘Solis Hill’. He added that on days like today when the wind is cool and the sunset is beautiful, the place is crowded with musicians, painters, and acrobats.
“There are a lot of people. I see some strange things.”
Sylvia showed interest, having not been to the North often during her many lifetimes. Randall sighed in relief when Sylvia seemed the happiest she had ever been. The Solis Hills were a beautiful place that even drove away Sylvia’s laziness. The low hills covered in the sunset, the songs of musicians, and the laughter of people mixed together, creating a peaceful scene. While Sylvia raised her head to admire the sky, Randl’s eyes lit up when he spotted an artist painting a portrait on the spot.
“Sylvia.”
"Yes?"
“I think they paint portraits over there.”
Sylvia turned her head to where Randall's finger was pointing. Then she saw several painters drawing portraits of people. Even though the work was done lightly and over a short time, the artists' skills were of a high standard. People paid the price and took the portraits with smiles on their faces. Randall asked expectantly.
“Since we need a portrait to hang in the Duke’s castle anyway, how about drawing one and going?”
“...”
“...Of course, if you don’t feel like it, you don’t have to draw it.”
When he didn't get an answer from Sylvia, he quickly became sullen and added. Sylvia rolled her eyes in embarrassment as she watched Randall like that.
'Portrait.'
To be honest, she didn't really feel like it. If she were going to leave this place anyway, wouldn't it be better for both of them to leave nothing behind?
‘Uhm...'
However, Sylvia was a little shaken by Randall, who was looking at her with eyes full of lingering regret. She doesn't know why it bothers her so much every time he fidgets and looks at her.
‘...Well, one sheet would be fine.’
In the end, Sylvia sighed deeply. Anyway, when she died, she needed at least one painting for her funeral. Moreover, if she formally invites an artist to draw a portrait, the painting will be much more elaborate than this, and to do so, she will have to sit in front of the artist for a long time. Her physical strength was at a level where she could not withstand the ordeal. So, in many ways, it would be better to draw it in an abbreviated form now. After finishing her rationalization, Sylvia smiled at Randall.
"Great."
“...!”
The moment Sylvia answered positively, Randall's face, which had been like a cloudy sky, brightened. Sylvia, who saw the change in expression, tried to control her tumultuous heart again. Randall and Sylvia slightly lifted their hoods and approached a painter. The painter, who had been resting for a while because there were no customers, was startled when he saw them and stood up from his seat.
“Oh my, welcome! Are you a married couple?”
“Hmm, hmm. Yes.”
“Hiya, I’ve been doing this for a while now, but I’ve never seen anyone this match!”
“Hmm.”
The painter let out a heartfelt admiration. Randall coughed repeatedly in embarrassment when he heard that he was a well-matched couple with Sylvia. The painter gestured passionately at them as if his artistic spirit was burning.
“Okay, stand over here! I’ll draw you a really cool picture.”
The two stood side by side with the sunset on the hill as the backdrop, following the artist's guidance.
“...Sylvia, just a moment.”
Randall hesitated, then stretched out his hand and gently hugged Sylvia's shoulder. When Sylvia turned her gaze, she saw Randall stiffening his neck as if he was very nervous. She smiled softly for a moment and whispered softly.
“What should I do if you're this nervous? I know where I will touch you later.”
“Cough.”
“Uh-uh, you can’t move!”
Randall, who had reflexively taken a deep breath, quickly straightened up at the painter's rebuke. He tried to keep a smiling face and whispered quickly as if he was practicing ventriloquism.
“We decided not to make jokes like that.”
“Are you kidding? I was serious.”
“...All I have to offer is my upper body.”
“I should report this as a fraudulent transaction. You should have set the conditions right from the beginning. How can you say that some things are allowed and some things are not allowed now?”
“Sylvia, please...”
Randall eventually sighed and covered his heated face with both hands, as if he was about to explode. Sylvia, who saw that, burst out laughing lightly, and the artist laughed together, saying that the couple was really close. After some time had passed. The artist wiped the sweat from his forehead and put down his brush.
“It’s done. Come and see!”
At the artist's words, Randall and Sylvia walked over and checked the painting. For a moment, they admired the painting, which was more beautiful than they expected.
“Thank you. The young man over here will take care of the painting.”
Randall nodded to Jeffrey as he paid the price. While Jeffrey was talking to the artist about transporting the painting, he put Sylvia's hood on and said,
“Thank you for doing me a favor. Later, I change it to a better picture and hang it.”
'It's annoying.'
Sylvia had chosen to take street portraits to avoid the hassle. She countered with a smiling face to hide her true feelings.
“Do you really have to go that far? You can see my face any time you want anyway.”
“...”
Randall's heart was pounding so hard that he thought he might die, so he held his chest for a moment to catch his breath. It was a date when he was trying to win Sylvia's heart, but it seemed like she was taking his heart.
“This is also a bit difficult. Let’s take a short break over there and then return to the castle.”
Sylvia sat down in a secluded spot on the hill to recharge her lost energy. Randall sat down next to her, took off his jacket, and covered her body. Sylvia peeked out her eyes from behind his jacket and said.
“If I fall asleep, wake me up.”
"All right."
Randall thought to himself that she would fall asleep in five minutes and answered coolly. As he had expected, Sylvia fell asleep in the blink of an eye.
“Would you like to stop by one more place before we head back?”
“Where is it?”
“I heard that it is a famous outing place among local residents. Of course, you can go back if you’re tired.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
Sylvia willingly followed him out of consideration for Randall, who must have been disappointed all day today. The place Randall led Sylvia to was a place called ‘Solis Hill’. He added that on days like today when the wind is cool and the sunset is beautiful, the place is crowded with musicians, painters, and acrobats.
“There are a lot of people. I see some strange things.”
Sylvia showed interest, having not been to the North often during her many lifetimes. Randall sighed in relief when Sylvia seemed the happiest she had ever been. The Solis Hills were a beautiful place that even drove away Sylvia’s laziness. The low hills covered in the sunset, the songs of musicians, and the laughter of people mixed together, creating a peaceful scene. While Sylvia raised her head to admire the sky, Randl’s eyes lit up when he spotted an artist painting a portrait on the spot.
“Sylvia.”
"Yes?"
“I think they paint portraits over there.”
Sylvia turned her head to where Randall's finger was pointing. Then she saw several painters drawing portraits of people. Even though the work was done lightly and over a short time, the artists' skills were of a high standard. People paid the price and took the portraits with smiles on their faces. Randall asked expectantly.
“Since we need a portrait to hang in the Duke’s castle anyway, how about drawing one and going?”
“...”
“...Of course, if you don’t feel like it, you don’t have to draw it.”
When he didn't get an answer from Sylvia, he quickly became sullen and added. Sylvia rolled her eyes in embarrassment as she watched Randall like that.
'Portrait.'
To be honest, she didn't really feel like it. If she were going to leave this place anyway, wouldn't it be better for both of them to leave nothing behind?
‘Uhm...'
However, Sylvia was a little shaken by Randall, who was looking at her with eyes full of lingering regret. She doesn't know why it bothers her so much every time he fidgets and looks at her.
‘...Well, one sheet would be fine.’
In the end, Sylvia sighed deeply. Anyway, when she died, she needed at least one painting for her funeral. Moreover, if she formally invites an artist to draw a portrait, the painting will be much more elaborate than this, and to do so, she will have to sit in front of the artist for a long time. Her physical strength was at a level where she could not withstand the ordeal. So, in many ways, it would be better to draw it in an abbreviated form now. After finishing her rationalization, Sylvia smiled at Randall.
"Great."
“...!”
The moment Sylvia answered positively, Randall's face, which had been like a cloudy sky, brightened. Sylvia, who saw the change in expression, tried to control her tumultuous heart again. Randall and Sylvia slightly lifted their hoods and approached a painter. The painter, who had been resting for a while because there were no customers, was startled when he saw them and stood up from his seat.
“Oh my, welcome! Are you a married couple?”
“Hmm, hmm. Yes.”
“Hiya, I’ve been doing this for a while now, but I’ve never seen anyone this match!”
“Hmm.”
The painter let out a heartfelt admiration. Randall coughed repeatedly in embarrassment when he heard that he was a well-matched couple with Sylvia. The painter gestured passionately at them as if his artistic spirit was burning.
“Okay, stand over here! I’ll draw you a really cool picture.”
The two stood side by side with the sunset on the hill as the backdrop, following the artist's guidance.
“...Sylvia, just a moment.”
Randall hesitated, then stretched out his hand and gently hugged Sylvia's shoulder. When Sylvia turned her gaze, she saw Randall stiffening his neck as if he was very nervous. She smiled softly for a moment and whispered softly.
“What should I do if you're this nervous? I know where I will touch you later.”
“Cough.”
“Uh-uh, you can’t move!”
Randall, who had reflexively taken a deep breath, quickly straightened up at the painter's rebuke. He tried to keep a smiling face and whispered quickly as if he was practicing ventriloquism.
“We decided not to make jokes like that.”
“Are you kidding? I was serious.”
“...All I have to offer is my upper body.”
“I should report this as a fraudulent transaction. You should have set the conditions right from the beginning. How can you say that some things are allowed and some things are not allowed now?”
“Sylvia, please...”
Randall eventually sighed and covered his heated face with both hands, as if he was about to explode. Sylvia, who saw that, burst out laughing lightly, and the artist laughed together, saying that the couple was really close. After some time had passed. The artist wiped the sweat from his forehead and put down his brush.
“It’s done. Come and see!”
At the artist's words, Randall and Sylvia walked over and checked the painting. For a moment, they admired the painting, which was more beautiful than they expected.
“Thank you. The young man over here will take care of the painting.”
Randall nodded to Jeffrey as he paid the price. While Jeffrey was talking to the artist about transporting the painting, he put Sylvia's hood on and said,
“Thank you for doing me a favor. Later, I change it to a better picture and hang it.”
'It's annoying.'
Sylvia had chosen to take street portraits to avoid the hassle. She countered with a smiling face to hide her true feelings.
“Do you really have to go that far? You can see my face any time you want anyway.”
“...”
Randall's heart was pounding so hard that he thought he might die, so he held his chest for a moment to catch his breath. It was a date when he was trying to win Sylvia's heart, but it seemed like she was taking his heart.
“This is also a bit difficult. Let’s take a short break over there and then return to the castle.”
Sylvia sat down in a secluded spot on the hill to recharge her lost energy. Randall sat down next to her, took off his jacket, and covered her body. Sylvia peeked out her eyes from behind his jacket and said.
“If I fall asleep, wake me up.”
"All right."
Randall thought to himself that she would fall asleep in five minutes and answered coolly. As he had expected, Sylvia fell asleep in the blink of an eye.
The wind blew Randall's golden-brown hair. He looked at Sylvia sleeping with affectionate eyes and suddenly felt his heart pounding.
'Why so...'
Sylvia was lying flat on her back with her hands folded over her stomach. The position was strange, as it reminded him of a dead person lying in a coffin.
‘...I must be mistaken.’
Randall shook his head, trying to push away the unpleasant thoughts. But the preconceived notion was embedded in the depths of his mind like a scar and would not go away.
“...”
When he thinks back later, it was instinct.
'Why so...'
Sylvia was lying flat on her back with her hands folded over her stomach. The position was strange, as it reminded him of a dead person lying in a coffin.
‘...I must be mistaken.’
Randall shook his head, trying to push away the unpleasant thoughts. But the preconceived notion was embedded in the depths of his mind like a scar and would not go away.
“...”
When he thinks back later, it was instinct.
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