They had been on their way toward the rose stalls when, somehow, Maude found herself drawn—almost bewitched—into a small tent offering flower readings.

Kyle didn’t object, so they ended up sitting side by side on the cushioned bench inside.

“You’re very much in love,” the fortune-teller said cheerfully.

Maude blinked at the small porcelain bowl before her, where seven petals floated atop the water—exactly matching the number of times the woman had asked whether she was in love or not.

“You see this last petal?” The fortune-teller tapped it lightly with her finger. “This one means love.”

Her voice rolled the word on her tongue like something sweet, like cotton candy melting away. Maude’s eyes narrowed as she stared at the oversized petal, her skepticism plain.

The fortune-teller clapped her hands, smiling broadly. 

“What a picturesque couple you two make!”

Maude only blinked, slow and unimpressed. Her expression said clearly, 

‘I’ve seen through you already. Not convincing at all,’ she thought. ‘Not even a little.’

Anyone could pluck petals and chant “love, love, love.” Clearly, the woman was just trying to make some quick money during the festival. Still, Maude couldn’t bring herself to criticize her out loud. Life was hard enough—if this was how she earned her living, who was she to judge?

The disappointment was sharp, though. She had half-hoped for something mysterious or exciting. Well, it couldn’t be helped. This too was part of the festival’s charm, she supposed.

‘Still… maybe her other readings are better…’

As Maude turned away, pretending not to notice the sign that read Specialist in Love Fortunes, something else caught her eye: a neat stack of cards laid out on a violet cloth, exuding a faint, flowery scent.

The smell reminded her of wild blossoms after summer rain—soft, natural, comforting. Each card was illustrated with personified flowers: a fairy-like child for geranium, a youthful boy for anemone. Whimsical and strange, but somehow enchanting.

She couldn’t look away.

“My real specialty is card reading,” the fortune-teller said proudly, gathering the deck in a swirl of deft movements. The cards danced between her hands—front to back, back to front—with a showy flick of the wrist.

Her confidence was almost dazzling.

‘This might not be much different from the flower reading,’ Maude thought dryly.

And yet, despite herself, curiosity won. She nodded slowly.

“Let’s see,” the fortune-teller said. “Your business will go well, your land troubles will resolve themselves… So perhaps today, you should ask about what you need most.”

Her bright smile was disarming. Somehow, she seemed to be reading Maude’s mind. For the first time since entering the tent, Maude felt a flicker of interest.

“What do I need most?” she asked.

“Love,” the fortune-teller answered instantly. “Romance, of course.”

Maude almost groaned. ‘Of course.’

She could feel Kyle’s gaze shift toward the woman, his expression unreadable. He blinked once, slowly.

‘Romance, huh.’

By the time Maude’s lips curled into a reluctant smile, the fortune-teller had spread the deck before her like a blooming garden.

“Think of the person on your mind,” she said, “and draw four cards.”

Naturally, Maude thought of Kyle. Whether a contract was involved or not, a romance was still a romance.

Her fingers hesitated over the cards, and she let out a small, embarrassed laugh. She hadn’t meant to take this seriously—but her hand moved of its own accord.

In the end, she picked four cards from different parts of the deck: one from the start, one from the middle, one from near the end, and one somewhere between.

The fortune-teller collected them with a smile.

“Without a doubt,” she said, laying them out, “it’s love.”

“…”

‘Not even close.’

“Let’s look closer, shall we?”

‘Definitely a scam.’

“Wisteria, sunflower, tulip, and rose,” the fortune-teller read.

Maude glanced down and nodded vaguely. This was going to take a while—a long stream of vague interpretations she’d have to agree with politely.

Her gaze drifted toward the tent’s small window on the right. Through it, she could just see Kyle’s back. He sat still, his posture calm and unyielding as stone.

Then he looked up—and met her eyes.

That brief moment stretched endlessly.

Her heart skipped. She looked away first, suddenly finding the cards fascinating again, though she couldn’t focus on a single one. The urge to bolt out of the tent was growing stronger by the second.

“The cards represent the past, present, and future,” the fortune-teller said, her voice low and soothing, cutting through Maude’s scattered thoughts. “The last one is advice—something for you to take to heart.”

Maude blinked as the woman winked playfully, her tone turning mysterious.

“You’re the type who doesn’t waver once you’ve made up your mind,” she said. “You don’t let suspicion or uncertainty bother you. Risk excites you—because you know that the greatest rewards often come from it.”

On the wisteria card, a small fairy held a bow and arrow, smiling far too sweetly. The fortune-teller’s gaze flicked toward Kyle, her lips curving knowingly.

Naturally, Maude followed that gaze.

Kyle, as always, looked effortlessly radiant—light seemed to gather around him wherever he went.

‘A great reward earned through great risk…’

Maude echoed the words in her head, her eyes lowering to the cards. The thought came to her—how fragile it all was. Like water cupped in her hands: something you could hold only for a moment before it slipped away.

“You found your match in one try,” the woman said warmly. “That means happiness.”

“…”

“Eternal love,” she added with a wink.

Maude hesitated, then gave a small, forced smile. “I see.”

‘Eternal love, huh.’ That sounded like the kind of nonsense least suited for her and the captain.

The sweetness of the lie left a bitter taste in her mouth.

She fidgeted, unable to keep her gaze steady. Then the fortune-teller leaned forward slightly.

“Ask the gods,” she said softly. “Ask them to grant you a love without secrets.”

The tulip card shimmered under the lantern light.

“Hide nothing,” the woman murmured.

Maude smiled faintly. “I’ll do that.”

Her tone was light, but her expression betrayed annoyance. The fortune-teller arched a brow.

“Don’t make him cry too much, all right?” she teased. “The sea goddess favors him.”

Maude blinked. “Me? Make him cry?”

Apparently, the reading really had been about her and Kyle. The thought made her laugh despite herself.

Still half-embarrassed, she glanced his way—and found him already looking at her, chin resting on his hand, that faint, knowing smile tugging at his lips.

‘Now you understand,’ his eyes seemed to say.

“—I think I understand why those men cried over you.”

His earlier words echoed in her ears.

“Yes,” the fortune-teller said softly. “Only you could make a man like that cry.”

Her sly smile was infuriating. His amused one was worse. Maude’s pulse thundered in her chest.

That was it. She couldn’t take it anymore.

She stood abruptly, sliding a few coins across the table. 

“Thank you for the reading!”

And before anyone could stop her, she was gone—out of the tent, out into the evening air.

Kyle sighed and rose, shaking his head. He couldn’t let her wander off alone.

He picked up the money she’d left, replaced it with his own, and gave the fortune-teller a courteous bow.

He was just about to leave when the woman spoke again, her voice suddenly low and grave.

“When the time comes, you’ll want to die,” she said. “But don’t waste the chance that comes from sinking deep.”

He paused. “You mean… live for the gods?”

“No,” she said, lifting the sunflower card, its golden petals catching the light. “Live for your lover.”

Kyle’s smile thinned. “You’re mistaken.”

“Am I?” she said softly. “The goddess only wishes for your happiness.”

A god who wished for his happiness, when even he did not—that was almost funny.

He gave a quiet laugh and turned to leave.

The fortune-teller’s words scattered behind him like petals in the wind.

He stepped out into the sunlight— toward his lover.