"Open the door," the coachman, Kalvinye, yelled at the waiter.
Without delay, he started knocking on the door. How could he let Noelle who was like her own granddaughter lose her purity. On top of it, she was with someone who had no background. Even if only 1% of the population reached Level 2 at a young age of 16, with Heliio's connections, he could find a perfect match for Noelle.
"Sir, we respect-"
"Otherwise the restaurant will drown in scandals," the figure beside the waiter said. "The door will be broken, anyway."
"Take the key," the waiter freaked when he saw the old man was ready to kick the door open.
The waiter leaped forward and put a key into the key hole to prevent any damages. I am never going to serve wine to kids again, he thought. Suddenly, a hand was on his shoulder and he was gently pulled back.
Inside the cabin, Noelle had failed to remove her top but proceeded anyway towards Trace. She slowly caressed his cheeks with her one hand. Her eyes suddenly closed, in the next moment her forehead was touching Trace's.
"Love, wasn't in your vocabulary. That's why you are the kindest person in the world, Trace…
"You accept me no matter what, always stay with me." ~
Noelle's voice sounded like moans of angels, her heavy breaths was pushing warmth on Trace's face. She put her head straight and tilted a little. Slowly, her lips moved towards Trace's but touched his cheeks instead. She blinked her eyes and tried again.
Noelle closed her eyes again, hoping that their lips would meet this time. She felt coldness, her tongue moved forward trying to determine what was found this time. But it was something cold and flat. Her eyes opened again, instead of Trace's face she was blurry letter.
A big card was separating her face with Trace's. Confused, she looked at the side and Trace was standing there? What happened to his hair? But anyway, she advanced toward the person standing on the door.
Suddenly, the person moved towards the side. And Noelle fell on Kalvinye's arms. A finger tapped on four separate spots on Noelle's neck and she fainted on the spot.
Kalvinye looked angrily at Trace but did not act. He had clearly seen the scene earlier. Also, on the table, he noticed the root cause of the evil.
"How dare you serve vine to Noelle, she is only a kid," Kalvinye directed his anger towards the waiter.
"Sir, I thought- I am extremely sorry about the matter. I must be punished for my foolishness," the waiter bowed deeply.
"Take me to a room where Noelle could rest," Kalvinye snorted.
"From the back alley, we can go to the nursery a few blocks away, unnoticed" the waiter led Kalvinye away.
The man standing on the door went inside the cabin. He patted on Trace's head a few times and Trace slipped into sleep. Then, he sat on the opposite seat and closed the door. It was Trace's master who came just in time to save his apprentice.
Master extended his hand forward and picked up the wine glass which had a bit left. He took a sip and smiled. Looking outside, the streets were busy as they always have been. Only this small spot in the restaurant experienced a little ruckus.
…
The door of fortune telling shop was flung open. Noelle walked inside with heavy steps. Quickly, she reached the table and angrily put her hands on it. But the person sitting behind did not speak, nor physically reacted.
"Where's Trace," a boyish sound questioned.
"He's gone," Master spoke calmly.
"But my problem is not solved," Noelle refuted.
"You are speaking to me so freely, I think it is," Master smiled.
Noelle gritted her teeth and looked towards the door at the end of the room. She rushed towards it. Entering inside, she even headed downstairs and checked all the room.
"Where did he go?" Noelle asked when she came back.
"I have all the reasons to not tell you," Master spoke, still smiling.
"Why? What did Trace say?"
"Trace did not say anything, it is me who doesn't want him to be under your influence anymore."
"I did not do anything," Noelle said.
Master pointed to a book, that was already kept on the table. It was the comic book Noelle had bought for Trace. Then he pointed at another item, it was the purple wig with cat ears.
"You can take them back," Master said.
"No-its not like that…" Noelle's voice broke. "It's not like you think, does Trace also thinks…" Noelle chocked on her own words.
She did not wish to speak anymore. An awful feeling emerged from chest which prevented her from speaking. She regretted going into the Arcade shop to test Trace. If not her classmates would never have approached Trace.
At this moment, she regretted the choice of tampering with her vocal cords to make her voice better. If my voice was like earlier then even if no one believed I am a girl, Trace would have. With red eyes, she rushed out of the shop.
Walking to her carriage, her eyes were attracted to the giant billboard. The tears in her eyes were burning with hate towards the fortune teller. She swore to destroy the fortune teller's building reputation. What if he sends Trace with another girl, someone who would sound like one…
…
Fortune Teller of the Coiling Cradle cheats the Lynn Family of Wysoki.
An article on the newspaper said. The most affective tactics was that it was also mentioned in women's magazines. Various articles debating Fortune Telling popped up in various reports and discussions.
In Central Koyoko. Geographically, right in between Koyoko. A pavilion stood on top of a three-story building. It was a small stage for various hot topics going around the world. Since, long distance voice communication was not possible. The talk show was live with loud speakers.
It was like a stage set where royal decrees where given. Around the pavilion were wide roads that lead in four different directions. And along these roads stood various restaurants and lounges. Customers in them were mostly middle to old aged men and women who chatted while listening to the talk show.
"Next topic, Fortune Telling Real or Fake," a voice traveled out of the pavilion.
"On the request, we collected hundred recorded transmissions."
The voice waited for people to digest the information. A talisman in the shape of a dial was used to record sounds. But that said, it could only be activated by Level 2 Sorcerers. A hundred of them? It increased the chatter of listeners.
"And we have carefully selected 10 out of the hundred, tomorrow, on request, we will play more."
The recordings were played one after the another. A person was sitting inside the carriage that was slowly traveling through the square. Waving his hand in the air, he flashily took out a green card out of thin air. The card had a logo of Binpark Carriages pinned on it.
"Heavens, it will rip my heart away to part with it. But patronage of an esteemed customer like you is an untradeable blessing."
After handing over the card to the person sitting in front, he frowned. Thinking about the recording playing outside. Nine out of ten, talk about the Fortune Teller of the Cradle, thought. Putting the thought, at the back of his head. He looked at the person sitting in front of him and smiled.