IDOCFT 06

 Chapter 6

I Really Don’t Like an Overly Capable Fortune Teller

“Are you talking about that contract you haven’t even signed yet?”

Perion still smiled calmly, looking refreshingly handsome even in this situation.

And my bad feeling was not wrong.

“Instead, I’ve decided to change the reward.”

Again, it felt like the important part of his sentence was being left out.

Don’t tell me… you don’t like it?

‘I hate it! I hate it!’

No matter how much his face was my type, right now Perion’s smile looked like the devil’s grin.

But I couldn’t say that out loud. In the end, I had to bring out my secret move.

“I am but a humble servant, but I worry that His Majesty may hear unpleasant words because of me.”

In other words, “this is absolutely not my intention.” A tactic.

I could almost hear Perion snickering.

“You’re quite impressive.”

Anyone could tell that tone was sarcastic. Even without seeing his face, I could imagine his expression clearly.

“Who would dare speak ill of me?”

I slowly raised my head and looked at Perion. He tilted his head slightly, as if telling me to answer.

That gaze—just like before. He was testing me again.

With no choice, I quickly thought of a name and blurted it out without filtering.

“…Duke Bordy?”

In an instant, the temperature in the room felt like it dropped.

The moment I saw his cold expression, I realized I had said something I never should have.

That was a name I should never mention in front of Perion.

“I-I mean, no one. No one at all! I will follow Your Majesty’s command…!”

My voice got smaller and smaller at the end.

Then the head steward standing next to Perion walked over and handed me a paper and a pen.

“Please sign here.”

It was a contract.

More precisely, it was no different from a slave contract.

One line stood out painfully in my eyes.

[Party A (Emperor Perion Sol Kardicel) may maintain this contract for as long as he wishes. If Party B violates it, they shall atone with their life.]

I had no choice but to sign a clearly unfair contract while fully aware of it.

My hand shook violently with disgust as I signed.

When I handed the document back, the steward took it with quick, efficient movements and passed it to Perion.

Perion slowly read it over—and then, as if nothing had happened, his cold aura vanished.

‘That bastard… he was definitely acting.’

As I trembled in frustration, Perion’s clear voice rang out.

“A copy will be delivered today.”

Without even looking back, Perion and the steward left the room.

Left alone, I felt such despair that I started hitting the pillow, imagining it was Perion.

“You insane emperor!”

And just as I was about to deliver the final blow, the door opened.

A maid walked in.

Thump!

My final strike made the pillow explode, feathers scattering everywhere.

The maid stared at me wide-eyed in shock.

But as expected of a veteran, she quickly composed herself and bowed politely.

“From today onward, I will be assigned as your attendant. I will guide you to your private room.”

“…Private room?”

At that dangerous phrase, my face turned pale.

‘Perion… just how far have you planned this?’

Later

The room I was guided to was only two doors away from the Emperor’s office.

It was clearly arranged so I could be watched at all times.

The maid opened the door.

Inside was the space where I would now “work.”

At least it wasn’t filled with skulls or lizard skins, which I had briefly feared.

‘It’s… somewhat normal.’

Just as I thought that, the maid said something that nearly made me collapse.

“His Majesty has ordered that your bedroom be set in the same room you slept in yesterday.”

“…Excuse me?”

I thought I misheard.

Sleep right next to the Emperor?

Even if this was surveillance, this was too much!

I grabbed my head in despair, then remembered the maid was still there.

She had short orange hair with freckles, and while she looked a bit playful, her impression wasn’t careless.

Especially her deep green eyes gave her an oddly noble atmosphere despite being a maid.

“Um… what should I call you?”

“You may call me Benji. And please speak formally to me.”

‘…Benji?’

I froze at the familiar name.

Why is she here?

No, that wasn’t important right now.

“Uh… okay, Benji. Could you leave me alone for a moment?”

“Please ring the bell on the desk when you are done. My orientation is not finished yet, so please call me.”

Benji spoke politely and formally. I could not sense hostility toward me, but there was no warmth either.

She left the room.

Only then did I finally feel like I could breathe again and collapsed onto the sofa.

I truly couldn’t understand what the Emperor was thinking.

All I wanted was to escape this empire—or at least the palace—and yet this was happening.

A luxurious room, the title of palace fortune teller…

It meant I was valuable enough to be kept here.

But was I really that capable?

Then a thought flashed through my mind.

‘If I’m being kept because I’m too useful… what if I act useless instead?’

But I quickly dismissed it.

If I seemed useless, the Emperor who hated fortune tellers would never let me live.

There were only two choices.

Die, or become a useful fortune teller.

I didn’t like either option.

Then fine. The answer was simple.

If I was already caught, I would tighten the rope even more.

Honestly, Perion’s lifeline right now was half-rotten.

But what if I repaired it and turned it into a diamond rope instead?

Then my future under the Emperor’s protection would be secure.

After that, I could ask for retirement once I made Perion a proper emperor.

‘Or I could run away before that.’

Yes. If I fail to turn it into a diamond rope, I’ll just escape.

I’ll make Perion trust me as a loyal, hardworking fortune teller first—then disappear when he lets his guard down.

‘Then what should I do first?’

I need people I can rely on.

I took out paper and pen from the desk drawer.

Then I started listing people from the novel who might be useful.

First: Benji

In the original story, she was the female lead’s personal maid.

For some reason, she had been assigned to me instead.

In the story, she becomes the female lead’s loyal servant after the saint heals her mother’s illness.

If I use that differently, I might be able to gain her loyalty.

‘Come to think of it, the Emperor’s injury wasn’t healed by the female lead either.’

Second: Ju-na Lee (original female lead)

The woman who was originally a modern Korean transported into this world.

If she exists here, she could become the most reliable ally.

‘She could become the leash for the Emperor.’

Originally, her appearance should already be shaking the empire as a saint—but she hasn’t shown up yet.

Where did she go?

I might need to find her.

Third: Ririka Romero

Daughter of the Romero Count family, and in the original story, a devoted follower of Ju-na.

She’s cheerful and easily influenced, which means she would be easy to befriend—or use.

That was all I could think of for now.

I also considered Lucia Bordy, daughter of Duke Bordy, but she was part of that house—too dangerous to approach.

At the bottom of the paper, I wrote two more names.

Hwi-on Agon, Perion Sol Kardicel.

The two main figures of this story.

Hwi-on Agon was the high priest of the main temple and the future pope candidate—the male lead.

Perion Sol Kardicel was the sub male lead… and the tyrant emperor.

Hwi-on was kind and saint-like, while Perion was an unstable troublemaker obsessed with Ju-na.

I wasn’t sure if either of them could help me.

I stared at the names for a while.

Then, annoyed at Perion’s name, I drew harsh lines over it.

‘You’re not even qualified as a male lead.’

Even though his face was my type.

Strangely feeling a bit refreshed, I didn’t forget to burn the paper completely in the candle flame.