"What should I call you, madam?
"My name? I thought you knew it," Vienna said with innocent eyes.
"Ah.. I'm sorry, but in order to find out about you, I have to find out at least your name, then your life will appear in a crystal ball.
_magic and enchantment are prohibited by law, and if she really could cast magic, she would be executed by guillotine._
"I'm Viella.
"Viella? Beautiful name, Don't you have a last name?
"My family... our title was confiscated.
And an aristocrat without a title is completely a Beggar.
"I see, so what is your last name?
"Nate.
I'm Viella Nate.
"So, let me see... are you 20 years old?
"Yes..
"Are you engaged?
"Yeah
"You...have been in love with him for a long time?
"Do I have to answer?
"If you want to know your exact fate, then yes.
And if it's superficial, then it isn't necessary.
_and what should I answer, I'm engaged to Reinhard, and I've never met him before, then..._
"I...I fell in love at first sight with him...
Hmm..
She began to spin the ball and smear her hands over it, her gaze became serious and she began to mutter something under her breath.
"VIELLA NATE, or rather Vienna Edingberg!
The one you are engaged to will become your first and last love, you will get married and be together until your death.
_what? How did she find out my real name..? also.._
"You! How did you know that he's my first love?!"
_I'll pretend to be a fool, I don't think she really foresaw the future._
"Oh, and...we won't have children?
"Hmm.. I didn't hear the children's screams, the only thing I will tell you is that fate can't be changed. You will fall in love with him to the point of unconsciousness and will even be ready to die for him.
Beware of the future, but don't try to change the course of fate.
_her voice sounded so serious, for a moment I even believed in what she foreshadowed for me..._
She closed her eyes and began muttering to herself.
The woman looked about 40 years old.
She had large black eyes like her dark curly hair.
The eyelashes are long, the nose is large with a mole, and the lips are painted scarlet.
Her skin was brown and covered with scars and burns, showing the hardships of her life.
"Thank you for your help, Madam Fortuneteller, but... how did you find out my real name..?
"Nothing can hide the truth... a transparent world covered with spots is open before my eyes.
_and what kind of answer was that...maybe she actually practices witchcraft?_
Leaving the dark room, she looked around and returned to her companion.
"So?" asked Argen
Were you able to find out anything?
"Yes! ha..ha... answered the girl with a break
I..haa..was able to find out what she looked like, even though she was wearing a cape, her face could be seen.
"What does she look like?" asked the young boy
"Well, she's not young, you can see the wrinkles, her hair is black as pitch.
And her bloody scarlet lips...instill fear.
She has some distinctive features, a mole on her nose and under her left eye.
"That's her...
"Who?
"That woman... the one who comes to the lord for some documents...
Putting his hand on the girl's shoulder and straightening a lock of her hair, Argen said in a quiet voice:
"Great job..
"But we haven't solved the main problem yet," Vienna objected.
"I don't think we can solve this whole puzzle in one evening, so I advise you to return to your place.
"Then...," she said with a voice full of hope.
"I'll send you a letter and we'll set a new time and meeting place.
And for you guy, it's better to lie low for a while, in 4-5 days we'll meet here in the same place.
"Ah..yes
"I would like to take you, ehh...
sighing he continued
"But if you disappear somewhere, then our whole plan will go to waste, you know, right?
"Then see you next time.
---
"It's already getting brighter," Vienna said, yawning, blinking several times, she rubbed her eyes, in response to which he grabbed her wrist and said.
"Don't rub your eye so much, your eyes will swell... when you return home, first of all pretend to be sick, so no one will suspect why you are so lethargic.
"I don't think I should even pretend...
"What..?" pulling her closer to him, he placed the back of his palm on her forehead.
"It seems like you don't have a temperature... the wind blew? Do you feel any pain in your muscles? What about your throat?
"Yes, it seems..Kha..Kha..there's a little ick in my throat.
"Then, I'll accompany you, and you can rest well at home.
"Fine.
Leading her to the back entrance, they said goodbye and she immediately entered the room and lay down on her bed.
----
Early in the morning, when the sun had just risen, there was a commotion in the estate.
No one warned the servants about the arrival of Mrs. Edingberg, Vienna's mother, while at the same time Vienna, not suspecting anything, lay in bed with a sore head and a hoarse voice.
---
Vienna lay in bed all day and no one really came to her, it seemed strange to her, so she decided to go out and examine the situation at home.
Everyone looked gloomy as in bad weather, and approaching Hilda she decided to find out what had happened.
"Hilda!
"Yes..my lady..
"Why is everyone so downcast? What happened?
"Umm...your mother, the marquise...arrived, and everyone was busy serving her.
"What? Since when does she come to this estate, and without warning?
_damn, another problem on my head, just not to listen to her strict disposition from early morning until late at night._
---
"Vienna!
"Yes..mother
"It's not the first hour I've been in this place, and even after learning about it, you didn't bother to come down and inform me properly.
Have you miss etiquette lessons for a long time? Looks like you'll have to resume your training.
_she behaves this way only in the absence of her father, when he is nearby, she can't even look straight_
"Greetings to you Marquise Leila Edingberg, sorry for such a late greeting, but I was ill and only recently learned about your 'unexpected' visit, so I'm late, I sincerely apologize.
"That's better, you understand that discipline comes first, especially you, being a lady who made her debut among the toffs.
"Yes, mother.
"And so, you haven't yet found out the reason for my arrival.
"No
"Well then, go get ready, we're going to have a tea party.
_what? She doesn't care about my well-being at all? I said that I'm sick... and she wants to drag me to a place where all the possible gossip-mongering ladies will gather..
I'll never understand what's going on in her head..._
"We are going to Viscountess Marderby's tea party, she has a daughter your age, I hope you can get along, you don't need to be reminded how important connections are in our world?
"No, mother...
"And, also, my main purpose of coming... The ball... it will be in a week, I received an invitation from Count Wyle, he organized it in honor of his recovered daughter 'Mina Wyle'.
Due to her illness, she couldn't integrate into society, but her condition had stabilized recently, so he decided to take such a step.
_I also received an invitation and was planning to come, I think they sent a second invitation because I delayed responding for a long time.
If so, I wouldn't have seen this woman in front of me._
'such meetings always required impeccable appearance and exceptional elegance.'
They approached an old carriage drawn by two magnificent horses.
Vienna struggles to get into the carriage, her face pale with fever. The carriage moves slowly, the wheels creaking rhythmically along the road, accompanied by the sounds of leaves falling from the trees in the autumn.
It was cozy and warm inside. Vienna froze, admiring the window through which the autumn forest was visible. The leaves on the trees changed from bright shades of green to orange and gold. They twirled in the air like dancing fairies. She could not take her eyes off this magnificent sight.
But she also sat in the carriage, looking down and curled up in the corner. She felt weak and exhausted from the fever that still gripped her body. Her mother, Leila, sat nearby, motionless and indifferent to her suffering. The daughter looked at her with bitterness and disappointment. Her mother had always been like this - cold and selfish, always thinking only about her own well-being.
The carriage slowly rolled along the dark autumn streets, a gray fog enveloped the city, giving it a gloomy appearance. The girl hardly raised her eyes, her gaze stopped at the dirty and gloomy buildings that flashed outside the window. She desperately wanted to be safe, away from her mother and this endless tea party.
As the ride progresses, the carriage climbs a mountain and Vienna begins to feel better. She peers through the carriage windows to admire the beautiful autumn views outside.
The carriage moved slowly along the road, and a few hours later they arrived at Baroness Marderby's estate. It was located on a hill surrounded by beautiful gardens. The snow-white walls and majestic columns created a superb impression.
Finally, the carriage arrived at the estate. A grandiose building with tall columns and luxurious facades towered in front of Vienna. Her heart sank with sadness and anxiety. She hated these events, these lifeless meetings where only show and humiliation could be found.
Vienna wearily got out of the carriage, they were met by servants dressed in extravagant uniforms. They led the guests into the hall, where the hostess and her daughter were already waiting. The women were dressed in the most luxurious outfits and jewelry.
"Welcome, Vienna and Mistress Leila. You are so beautiful," Baroness Marderby said with awe in her voice.
"You are simply amazing, Baroness. Your house looks wonderful," Vienna's mother replied, bowing.
Entering the estate, Vienna felt terrible vibrations in her stomach. Everything around her was made of obsidian and ivory, the stunning elegance and shades of luxury seemed disgusting to her. She saw Baroness Marderby with her daughter "Noah" - a meek and gentle girl, whose nature contrasted with the richness of her appearance.
First of all, Leila began communicating with other guests. Her sullen and toxic small talk filled the room, making the atmosphere even more unbearable for Vienna. She sat in the distance, desperately trying to find any sign of sympathy or understanding. But all she saw were only false smiles and empty talk.
Vienna slowly moved towards the small table where tea was being served. She involuntarily caught Noah's gaze. The girl smiled at her, feeling her hidden suffering. Vienna withdrew her smile, feeling some relief at their unspoken union. But suddenly Vienna felt her mother's hand on her shoulder, she pointed her hand at the beautiful young woman in front them and whispered something in her ear.
"Are you sure you don't want to get up and meet your old friend?" Leila asked, looking with a grin at the girl, who was still smiling at Vienna.
Vienna slowly turned to her mother and quietly replied, "I'm trying to go through this to please you, mother. But I can't take it anymore. I just can't."
Layla looked at her with a furious look and whispered: "You must accept this, Vienna. This is your role, this is your responsibility. Don't forget who you are."
Vienna shook her head and said in a quiet voice, "I know who I am, Mom.
And with that, she walked out of the estate, leaving her mother standing there in a sullen setting, sophisticated and cold, lost in her own well-being. The girl believed that her own happiness and her own identity were much more important than empty social games and angry dialogues in the living rooms of this world.
After some time, she gradually joins the conversations. She meets guests and conducts conversations about various topics: the latest fashion trends, literary novelties and the political situation.
Among the guests she discovers friends and acquaintances, and her mood begins to lift. She forgets her fever and enjoys the fellowship and atmosphere of this noble gathering.
After they returned, Vienna felt relieved and tired.
She immediately went to her chambers and told Hilda not to disturb her.
She was in a lousy mood from all this performance and pretense, she was really disgusted by those small talk, and especially by her mother's wariness.