After eating at the food stall, they looked around the other stores that were displayed. There are accessories that are for sale at a cheap price.
"They don't seem valuable and they are so cheap." Yelena said with a frown.
"That's what you think. Look, nobles don't even know those things exist. However, it is different for the commoners. We have different perspectives on life. Especially that we live with hierarchy." Avyanna licked the ice cream they bought.
"Also, if you plan to be the crown princess and claim the throne, you should know all of these beforehand. An empire without its people is just a piece of land. The people are what makes an empire." She added as she smiled widely while glancing at Yelena.
"You're.... right." Yelena was in deep thought.
She roamed her eyes everywhere. People are smiling and celebrating. You can see the happiness in those smiles.
She said that the things she called cheap and not valuable bring smiles to everyone, and she can see that they are content with those simplest things.
The Nobles are the opposite. The more they have, the more they want. Even those who have everything want to have more.
'Why can't we just live in simplicity if that makes us happy?' Yelena thought. 'However, I know they need a leader. A wise ruler who will make the best decision for them. Not just for show.'
"Yannaaaaaa!! Catch me!!"
Yelena turned her gaze to Avyanna, who was shocked with her arms open. A woman came running and jumped on Avyanna.
"Hehe. I miss you!" France kissed Avyanna on the cheeks, which made Yelena feel bitter.
"Lady Gabrielle!"
A man in a suspicious cloak came to them while huffing.
"Ah. Lady Brooke, you're here, too. And... Yelena?" It turns out that the man in the cloak was Arci Rye Hill.
"Hi."
"Are you two together?" Avyanna put down France, who then wrapped her hand around Avyanna's arm.
Yelena's expression became darker and the bitter feeling grew larger. Frustration is all over her system, and she is certain that the cause of it was France's actions.
"Yep. We're helping out each other on something." France answered joyfully.
"Really?" Avyanna glanced at Arci, who turned his gaze away.
"W-we have some business going." Arci said, with his hand on the back of his head.
"Oh really?"
"How about you two?" France frowns at Yelena.
Once again, a heavy and dark aura surrounds them.
'These two can't just get along.' Avyanna thought, and she clapped her hands. That made the tension disappear.
"Have you two looked around?" Avyanna asked.
"Ohh! Yes!" France exclaimed, and excitement was in her voice. "I found a shop that does fortune telling for just a single nickel!"
"Really?" Yelena said. "Do you actually believe in such a thing? So childish." She snorted.
France just rolled her eyes. "Hmph. Well anyway, the person told me a confusing phrase."
"What was it?" Avyanna asked.
"The future was predicted by your companion for a long time. Your life is saved because of a certain person. The Red-Eyed demon is what they call him." France said straightforwardly.
The words gave shivers down Avyanna's spine. The fortune teller's words are true. But who is the Red-Eyed Demon?
"I know the companion is you because we have really been friends for a long time. And you've predicted the future? Do you know this, Yanna?" France asked once again.
"Doesn't the Red-Eyed Demon just suit His Majesty Arci?" Yelena said that made them look at Arci's direction.
With his eyes shining bright red, Arci immediately covered his eyes.
"The hell? You're believing such words?" Arci said in a low voice.
"Impossible." France immediately disagreed.
"Yeah. Probably." Yelena agrees.
"Yena, should we go there?" Avyanna suggested.
"What are you, a kid?" Yelena asked, her brows raising.
"We're not going to lose anything, do we?"
Those might be Avyanna's words, but she's feeling something. It's not a bad feeling or a good feeling, but she's sure that she must find out.
"Tsk. Fine." Yelena said in defeat.
"France, lead the way." Avyanna said.
They did go on to the place France mentioned. The entrance only has an ordinary sign.
"It's one person at a time, so you must go inside alone and, sadly, a companion should just wait here." France explained.
"I want to try it. Wait here, guys." Avyanna said, smiling.
They just agreed, and she entered the room. It was dark and the only light was in the center, where a woman with a veil is sitting.
"Good Day.... Otherworlder."
Avyanna immediately became vigilant. She sensed a strong aura coming from the person. However, the aura that surrounded the woman was warm.
"Relax, otherworlder. I'm not going to harm you. Come and sit down." The woman invited.
Avyanna, who was still alert, sat on the seat prepared.
"So, you really are the real deal."
"I am." The woman smiled. "You're here to know your fortune, right?"
"I suppose."
"The days ahead of you are bright. Along with the person destined for you. But be aware of the soul that doesn't belong here. And your destiny to be killed by her again."
Avyanna was aware of the warning. However, she's confused about the last phrase.
'My destiny to be killed by her again? Again? And who's this person who will kill me?'
"You can go out now. I don't need money from you. That was just a warning. Allow the other woman who came with you to enter. I have to tell her something."
"What are you going to tell her?" in Avyanna's voice was a demanding tone.
"It won't be a thrill if you know it. This isn't the time for you to learn it." A smirk forms on the woman's lips.
"You better not have anything up your sleeve." She said coldly before going out.
"Yena, the fortune teller, said that she wanted to tell your fortune too." She smiled at her.
"Me? What? I don't want to." Yelena said quickly.
"Come on. Don't be a paupper. Nothing's going to lose." France said.
"Money. Money is going to lose."
"My, I never knew the Royal Duchy was short on money. Don't worry. I'll lend you---"
"Ugh! No need!" Yelena groans and she enters the room.
Avyanna was obviously worried about what might happen. She'll just ask her what the woman told her once she is out.
Minutes had passed and Yelena came out of the room with emotionless eyes.
"Let's go." She said this after coming out.
Worried and confused, Arci, France and Avyanna followed her. They can see that Yelena is not in her right mind.
"What happened there?" France whispered.
"I'll ask her later. Something might have happened." Avyanna said in worry while looking at Yelena, who was just walking there and lifeless.
****
After the day is over, Yelena is still not responding to her. The carriage has stopped at the Baron's mansion.
Avyanna reaches for Yelena's hand and the latter turns her gaze on her.
"Yena... Did something happen?" She asked in a low voice.
The sparkles in Yelena's eyes are back, and she blinks many times before answering with a smile.
"I'm fine. You should retire now. I'll go back to the Duchy. See you some other time."
"You're... Not gonna tell me what she told you?" Avyanna asked.
"Uhm... It's something personal. You wouldn't understand... At least for now." It was a warm and affectionate response.
Yelena's response was somewhat unfamiliar to Avyanna. It's like she suddenly became more gentler and responsive.
Yelena was a tsundere type of person. That was what she thought. It added to the latter's charms.
But the way she was just a minute ago made Avyanna comfortable. She felt like she had already seen that side of Yelena, but she didn't know how, where or why.
The thought couldn't get away from her mind even after Yelena was gone from her sight.
She couldn't understand what had made Yelena change her way of talking. But she is sure that it has to do with the woman who told their fortune.