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Chapter 78 Part 8 – The fortune teller ‘Mother’ appears. The 「True History」 is starting to be revealed little by little. Our love story is beginning to move. Carrying various emotions, the curtain rises on the night of the dance ball.

My mother, who was not familiar with the social world at the time, probably did not know this, but it was taboo to ride in an uncovered carriage to a formal banquet or ball held in the evening. This is especially a big problem for nobles who value tradition and formality. It is a serious situation not to be taken lightly

Covered carriages are used during the evening and for formal events. Uncovered carriages are used during the day. A two-wheeled carriage that can make a sharp turn would be used for a quick trip around the neighborhood or for single male nobles. In this manner, the nobles are particular about the proper use of different types of carriages.

This is because a carriage is one of the status symbols for the nobility.

The reason for this is the astonishing high price and maintenance costs. It’s even more expensive since they also have to include the cost of taking care of the horses and the labor costs of the coachmen and stablemen. That is why the nobles insist on always having multiple carriages for the right purposes. Because it can be a show of power. And yet, Marquis Vygod and his wife intentionally sent my mother out in the wrong carriage.

The blood drained from my face as I imagined the amount of scorn the noble ladies had heaped on my mother 14 years ago.

「I heard that Duchess Wilhelm arrived with a carriage without a roof.」

「Well, maybe she’s going to put up a parason on this moonlit night.」

「How splendid. I guess since she grew up in the wild, she doesn’t feel comfortable unless she can see the outside. Or perhaps she wants to show off her fine appearance to the wild beasts.」

「Oh my, no wonder the forest is so noisy. I bet the mice and bats are overjoyed that their friend has finally made her social debut.」

It felt as if I could hear the sound of their giggle in my ears. I bit my lip in anger and frustration.

The fact that Marquis Vygod and his wife had prepared the best uncovered carriage was also nasty and malicious. They did it to make her sense of being out of place more pronounced.

…… Those bastards.

I clenched my fists.

Whether this is a hallucination or a time slip, I don’t care anymore. I’m here for you now, mother. I won’t let you be the laughing stock of the red nobles again. It’s fortuitous that this eight-horse luxury carriage was unharmed after we went through such a fierce battle. The price of the carriage was still considerably low because it was manufactured in our territory, which owns a silver mine and a precious metal crafting workshop, but in other territories, the price would have been enough to ruin the management. It was the equivalent of a carriage for the royal family when they go to an official function. It would not be outdone by any noble’s carriage. God is telling me to avenge my mother. I’ll overwhelm them and scare them out of their wits.

But first,

「Bradd. Can’t you do something about my mother’s memory by manipulating her blood flow?」

I always ask Bradd when I feel stumped.

「I’ll try that …… Ugh!?」

In response to my request, Bradd was about to step toward my mother, but suddenly, he clutched his chest and groaned in pain.

「Bradd!?」

We were about to rush over to the crouching Bradd, but then we froze in place.

Bradd’s body is shrinking. Both his height and his clothes. Then, in a zap, a jet-black drape swept down his back. It was waist-length black hair that was so long you would have thought it was a mantle. When he raised his head, we could see the innocent expression on his face. The troubled feelings reflected in his almond-shaped eyes with long lashes left a deep impression on me.

…… Oh, it’s the usual Bradd. But what’s going on with that outfit and hair ……

「Uwah, this time my hair grew longer!?」

We were all taken aback, but Bradd himself was nonchalant. He touched his chest and crotch and breathed a sigh of relief.

「It’s okay. It didn’t inflate and it’s not gone. Only my hair and outfit have changed. Sca-chibi, could this be the power of the True Emperor’s Ruby?」

H-How vulgar …… That’s too straightforward ……

「I don’t know either ……」

Bradd’s body turned back to a young boy again, but this time he was wearing a black high-waisted dress. The dress had a large, lacy fabric that hung from the neck that could be mistaken for a short cape. The décolletage was modest, so there was no need to worry about the chest revealing his gender. The gigot sleeves are puffy at the top of the shoulders and are decorated with a cluster of ribbons, including a large bow that adorns the chest. The skirt is made up of a long single fabric that is rolled up and gathered at the back to create pleats.

What is this? This is a type of dress I have never seen before, even in my days as queen in the previous 「108 times」.
Why are you the only one dressed in something completely different from the common sense of this world?

「He transformed!? A-Are you guys wizards or something ……!?」

Mother asked with a twitching face.

I see, at the same time as when we became adults, my mother returned to her appearance and memories of 14 years ago, so this is the first time she sees a transformation.

「C-Could it be that this carriage is made out of pumpkins ……」

That’s Cinderella. That behavior of hers of throwing out a comedy line no matter what situation she’s in. I guess blood will never lie ……

「I also have no idea about what’s going on here. And what’s going on out there? Seraphy. How about the Imperial Guards and the Orange Privateers?」

Seraphy, who had entered the carriage late, would probably be more aware of the situation.

However, unexpected words came out of Seraphy’s mouth.

「In regards to that, there is someone more qualified to explain this situation than me. ‘Mother’, please.」

Seraphy opened the half-open carriage door. The moonlit forest was in full view.

Moving silently, she stood at the entrance of the carriage. Even though we were inside a luxury carriage, there was no more room to accommodate any more people. Seraphy tried to make room for her by jumping out of the carriage, but she stopped him with a hand gesture that seemed to say ‘It’s okay, I’ll just stand outside’.

Bradd gasped in surprise.

「…… No way. I couldn’t sense her presence at all until just now ……!!」

The beautiful woman with beautifully curled blond hair and a lightweight, loose-fitting outfit reminiscent of the Romalian era shone in the moonlight, and her slit eyes arched from a sweet smile. She looked as if she was glowing. She didn’t actually glow, but her presence gives off that illusion.

「It’s finally my time to make an appearance. I’m tired of waiting. Fufufu, good evening everyone. I am ‘Mother’. I’m not a magician, but a humble fortune teller. Pleased to meet you all.」

There was no need for her to introduce herself.

Because, except for Bradd, everyone already knew her. Among the nobles of Hydrangea, she was perhaps even more famous than His Majesty the King. The best fortune teller in Hydrangea. She boasts an astonishing accuracy rate, and even the royal family, as well as the nobles, are willing to pay her an unbelievable price to employ her, but she refused all the offers and continued to lead a wandering life. Even when the nasty aristocrats try to kidnap her in frustration, or when rogues try to kidnap her for her looks, she avoids all danger by using her fortune-telling skills. She is now a half-legendary figure.

「Seraphy, you’re acquainted with ‘Mother’?」

I was surprised. Not even the royal family could make ‘Mother’ push back her own plans.

But Seraphy replied with, 「No, that’s not it. I just met her.」

What!? There can’t be such a convenient coincidence!? Moreover, this forest is blocked off by the seven phantoms and their demon dogs!! There’s no way that a woman would be alone in a place like this at night!!