NOVEL NEXT Chapter 216: Caught
They looked at her in confusion because there were no chairs opposite her at all.
The only things visible in the dimly lit chamber were the black-draped table, the glowing crystal orb resting atop it, and Madame Estessa herself. There was nothing else.
Azel kept his eyes fixed on her calmly, while Nari and Lorraine shifted uncomfortably.
Charlotte noticed their hesitation.
With a casual wave of her hand, the air rippled, like a pebble had been tossed into a pond.
Then, right before their eyes, a couch appeared opposite the table.
It was plush and elegant, with velvet cushions and polished wooden arms, it looked as though it had always been there.
Both Nari and Lorraine gasped softly, their eyes widening in wonder.
The surprise on their faces said everything — they hadn't expected such a display.
Without waiting, they sat down, and Azel joined them, lowering himself carefully onto the couch that had supposedly appeared from nothing. It was just wide enough to fit all three of them, their shoulders brushing as they settled in.
Azel leaned back and remained silent.
Charlotte's smile didn't change as she looked them over.
"So, you came here to know your futures," she said smoothly, adjusting her hood so that her face was partly shadowed.
Then she tilted her head toward Nari. "Didn't you tell them how it's done here?"
Nari straightened, puffing her chest out slightly. "I'll be paying for them," she said confidently, reaching into her storage ring.
With a small flash of light, she produced a gleaming gold ares and placed it delicately onto the table.
For the briefest moment, greed flickered in Charlotte's green eyes. It was there only for a heartbeat, but Azel caught it.
Then it vanished, hidden beneath her mask of elegance. With practiced grace, Charlotte swept her hand over the coin and it disappeared instantly, as though swallowed by the table itself.
"Very well," Charlotte said, folding her hands neatly. "Now, what would you like to see?"
Nari folded her arms and leaned back smugly.
"I don't doubt you, Madame. I'm just here to make them believe." She turned her gaze to Lorraine. "Lori, why don't you start first?"
"Me?" Lorraine's head snapped toward Azel, her eyes wide with hesitation.
He was staring straight ahead, his expression was blank, as though he was looking at something she couldn't see.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She wanted to prove herself… but what if this was embarrassing?
Still, she swallowed her nerves.
"I'd like to see who I end up with," she said firmly, her voice trembling just slightly at the edges.
Azel's brow quirked, but he said nothing.
Charlotte, however, nearly smirked.
'You've already given yourself away.'
She raised her hand slowly, letting the movement draw the girls' eyes.
'This will be the easiest gold I've made yet.'
Human hearts always betrayed what they wanted most. With just a bit of observation, with a glance at the way someone looked, shifted, or blushed, she could unravel their desires.
Once you knew that, the rest was simple — you told them what they longed to hear and if they came back saying it was wrong, you could tell them fate had changed or these were the trials in order for a peaceful life.
Lorraine gasped softly as the orb began to glow, brighter and brighter until it rose into the air.
Charlotte's eyes slid shut, her hand moving gracefully, as though guiding the floating crystal through invisible currents.
The orb rippled with light, swirling colors across its surface.
The entire time, Charlotte's eyes remained closed. But her movements were perfect and confident, like a dancer following music only she could hear.
At last, she smiled and lowered the orb back onto the table. Opening her eyes, she reached forward and gently took Lorraine's hands into her own.
Her palms were soft and warm, truly a beautiful woman.
"Miss Lorraine," Charlotte said warmly, her voice dripping with assurance. "Your future is bright."
Lorraine's breath caught.
"You will be married to a warrior with silver hair," Charlotte continued, her green eyes gleaming knowingly. "And you will have three children with him. A happy and peaceful family awaits you."
Lorraine's entire body went stiff.
Her face turned scarlet in an instant, so hot it felt like steam might start pouring out of her ears.
This… this was exactly what she wanted.
She didn't need to ask.
She already knew who the silver-haired warrior was.
Her throat tightened as her imagination betrayed her.
'Three? Three children?'
She wanted to sink through the floor. She could almost picture it: her, with Azel, raising children together, living that kind of dreamlike life.
The thought alone made her chest flutter so hard she could barely breathe.
'Three times?' she thought, dizzy, 'He really… he really would give me three?'
She clutched her knees together, trembling from head to toe.
"Thank you…" she whispered, her voice small but sincere.
Pulling her hands back quickly, she turned away, attempting to hide her blush.
Anyone with eyes could see how red she was.
Charlotte allowed herself a satisfied smile.
'One believer gained.'
Then her gaze turned to Azel. She sighed softly, adopting the demeanor of someone who had done this countless times.
"What do yo—" she began.
But Azel cut her off.
"I'd like to speak to you in private."
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.
Lorraine looked up sharply. Nari blinked, caught off guard.
Charlotte tilted her head, studying him.
But she didn't find anything out of normal, was he coming to debate on the fact whether miracles were true? That would be the fifth person he would see this week.
"Very well," she said after a moment. Rising gracefully, she gestured for him to follow.
The shadows thickened, forming a pathway into the darkness beyond.
Without hesitation, Azel stood.
He glanced back at the girls briefly, offering a calm smile that did little to reassure them, then stepped into the darkness behind Charlotte.
The shadows swallowed him whole, and soon, his body vanished from sight.
…
In the silence of the hidden chamber beyond, Charlotte finally turned, her lips parting.
"Okay, what did you want to talk ab—"
But she didn't finish.
Because Azel was smiling.
"I know who you are, Charlotte," he said evenly. "How does it feel to be caught… scammer?"