“Well, in order to draw in good luck, you should be honest with yourself. Aren’t you the type who bottles up her emotions instead of letting them out? Even if someone mistreats you, you keep it to yourself and never call them out on it, right?”

“That may be true. It’s unlike me to speak badly of others. Maybe it’s because my mother raised me that way…”

“Ohoho, badmouthingis a normal way to stay healthy, just like eating and sleeping well. But of course, I can see why it’s not for everyone. What if you vented in a place no one could hear you?”

This was three days after my monthly tea party with Alfred, which had been held a week earlier than the appointed time.

As usual, I was playing the role of Madam Gonzales, divining sweet and sour fortunes at an open-air market.

In front of today’s troubled person, I laughed heartily again, ‘Ohoho.’ Then, I closed it once and for all.

“—Do you understand? Badmouthing is such an uplifting thing.”

“U-uplifting?”

“Indeed. Let’s say you encounter someone you absolutely despise. No matter how much you think about it, there’s no way an amateur like you can could up with effective insults on the spot. So, when you get home, jot down all of your pent-up emotions on paper while picturing that person’s face.”

“So, basically, write it down?”

“That’s right, write it down. By doing so, you’ll steadily increase the accuracy of your swearing. The next time that person says something offensive to you, get back at them with all your might! You’ll feel a lot more satisfied by doing so.”

“Eh—… but, I have a tendency to blush and stumble over my words, doing that every time is just…”

“Let me finish. While badmouthing has its merits, it also has its drawbacks. Above all, it hurts others. Not to mention, you’re the type who will feel bad afterwards, so it’ll also hurt you. Also, your reputation may suffer.”

“Certainly, yes.”

“Therefore, your mother taught you well. Splendidly, in fact. However, the biggest benefit of badmouthing is stress relief, which can’t be ignored. Don’t focus on the fact that it’s wrong, just let everything out when no one is around. Write it down, say it out loud, and your stress shall be relieved.”

—Snap!

I unfurled the black fan in my hand, before snapping it shut.

“Once you learn how to say bad thing about him, you’ll eventually start to feel like he’s an insignificant and lowly person. Therefore, being made to feel anxious, sad, and threatened by him would just feel rificulous. Such is the greatest benefit of badmouthing.”

The girl in front of me nodded quietly. She was smiling. She stared at me reverently.

“Thank you, Madam Gonzales, I fell like I’ve been reborn.”

You’re exaggerating.

In spite of that, I comically nodded my head.

Then, she fished for her purse. 2000 rubia were placed on the tray in front of her.

“Thank you.” I said, nodding once more. “How about this? You can vent your frustration to this mascot.”

“Wow, it’s so ugly it’s cute.”

Well, I’m sorry about that.

Nevertheless, the girl held the flashy mascot with great care, and with a quick bow, she left.

“Madam Gonzales, it’s time!”

“Eh, already?”

I stuck my head out from behind the tent. Jack, standing before the carriage, shrugged his shoulders.

“It can’t be helped. Madam was the one who decided on three hours. Also, it’s precisely because Madam leaves like the wind that you give off the so-called ‘premiere’ feeling.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Even so, there were still many women lined up on the other side of the tent, seeking fortune-telling from Madam Gonzales.

“But at this rate, it will only lead to dissatisfaction… Ah! How about making something like, ‘Madam Gonzales’ Word of the Day’ and selling it to those who couldn’t have their fortune told?”

“That’s an amazing entrepreneur spirit. Well, it’s not bad, actually it’s good. We could also provide a guide box to those seeking help. Okay, Jack, once we’re back at the mansion, you can start working on it, chop-chop!”

“Eh, me—!?”

“Ohoho, you were the one who came up with it.”

“Huweeee—”

“Good luck.” I murmured to Jack as he climbed onto the platform, dragging his feet.

“Even so, the number of customers is increasing day by day…”

I hopped onto the carriage as usual. The fortune-telling business had grown significantly. At the same time, I shook my head.

I woke up early in the morning to prepare to work as Madam Gonzales, so I felt tired and sleep-deprived. However, I was also filled with a sense of fulfillment.

“—I mean, what does Madam Gonzales actually do? What you’re doing is completely different from fortune-telling…”

“Well, I’m aware of that too. Did I deviate too far?”

As Jack said, what I did was more akin to life counseling than fortune-telling.

When I first started, I earnestly tried to read fortunes using astrology books and cards.

Yet, I ended up going off-track…

Rather than asking for their names and birthdays so I could refer to a fortune-telling book, I decided to just tell them what I intuitively thought.

In fact, my business was definitely more popular than fortune-telling that involved reading out the contents of a book.

One could get a general idea of an individual’s personality from their speech pattern, appearance, belongings, and facial expressions. I had always been sensitive to the subtle movements of eyebrows and casual expressions of people in front of me.

Additionally, a person’s clothing preferences, accessories, and other belongings were a direct expression of who they were. After all, didn’t all that make it easier to tell at a glance whether someone was strong-willed or weak-willed; showy or subdued?

In my opinion, ultimately, fortune-telling should support those who need help.

Of course, to avoid any controversy, I maintained the attitude of, ‘that’s what the stars and the faeries say.’ Whether I was right on the mark or not, I never forgot to add that the future was up to them.

Maybe it was popular because it was a bit dry. If I only praised the other party and say good things, it would lack credibility, so I made sure to point out their weaknesses and areas that could be improved.

“It’s up to me to create my own bright future. I have to do my utmost for the best possible future for Kyle and Sasha.”

After passing through the bumpy road, I spoke while in a cheerful mood.

“Hm? Did you say something?”

Jack, who was sitting on the driver’s seat, turned around without a single care.

“I said nothing! Focus on the road ahead, for God’s sake!”

—The ‘bright future’ I spoke of might never actually come.

However, my clients would open up to me, feel encouraged, and go home with refreshed expression on their faces. I was doing my best in my own way. Besides, no one had complained once so far.

“So give me more money! It’s wonderful that I made a lot, but most of our goods have been exhausted. Once I get home, I’ll start making more for the day after tomorrow!”

“It’s okay to get excited, but don’t forget to take rest. If you go too far with your societal studies, you’ll collapse.”

“Ohoho, it’s my style not to cut corners when it comes to doing something.”

While laughing out loud, my armpits began to sweat.

Indeed, I told Liz, Jack, and the head chef that I wanted to do societal studies because I was too naïve. Ever since then, I had encountered many people and listened to their problems, so my experience had definitely increased.

“Welcome back, Milady. How was your day today?”

“I’m home. My wares are flying off the shelves. How was your day? Did anything unusual happen?”

As usual, I returned to my room while being escorted by Jack. Liz was already inside sewing at maximum speed.

“Lord Kyle came.”

I rolled my eyes at Liz’s nonchalant reply.

“I told him that Lady Juliane was meditating, but Lord Kyle wouldn’t stop fussing outside the door. He was laughing, saying stuff like, ‘as the next head of the family, what am I going to do with you?’ I ignored him, and before long, he disappeared. I did notice that his voice seemed to be faltering, though.”

“Kyle, huh?” I mumbled under my breath, and then repeated, “…Kyle.”

I told him to report on the territory to my father, so what’s the point of him coming all the way to contact me?

From now on, I want to avoid contact with him.

I’d be withdrawing even more from now on, and in contrast, Sasha would finally be coming forward.

Oh, maybe he’s worried about the arranged marriage? By the way, before Kyle left for the territory, I insinuated that I’d choose a proper young lady for him.

He was around that age, after all, I thought, smiling in the back of my mind as I tallied up Liz’s share and put it in an envelope. When I handed it over along with the statement, Liz smiled warmly.

I suddenly asked her.

“How is Sasha feeling? Have you heard from her maid?”

“Uhm, it seems like she’s still tired and can’t get up.”

Actually, I wanted to send Sasha to the royal castle right away, but if she couldn’t leave her bed, then it couldn’t be helped. I spoke while withholding my frustration.

“I see, she hasn’t recovered even after three days. Well then, let’s take care of Kyle first. Liz, go to the Head Chef and ask him to brew a piping hot, extremely bitter herbal tea. It’ll help me stay awake.”

---

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***T/N: Keeping up with the healthy duke daughter

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