Don’t tell the stars

The monotonous gray everyday life in the carriage was diluted by the aroma of milk tea and a game of Satis. A traditional game of the Nadal Empire — which was first invented in the astrological order several centuries ago. It was quite simple.

Players were dealt a deck of cards, each of which had a specific astrological meaning. Participants could choose one of the twelve houses of the horoscope. And depending on how quickly the players fell out the right cards, and determined the outcome of the game. The one whose house had several planets (from three and above) was automatically considered the winner. Everything depended on luck, and one game could last ten minutes or several hours.

The rules were not complicated, and both adults and children could play Satis. In this case, the game perfectly brightened up boring hours on the road. The players, a young man and an elderly gentleman, had been playing since the morning. A third companion was next to them as an observer.

— Why do I always get Mercury? — The old man clicked his tongue irritably when that unfortunate card appeared in his deck again. He had been dealt that card several times in a row.

— Ho-ho, I'm lucky,» the young man smiled broadly, «Jupiter. I've already got one planet, which means I can make a few more moves.

He defiantly showed his lucky card and took a few more from the deck. Thus, his victory in this game was becoming very obvious.

— It's all because you have the first house. Isn't it the easiest? — The old man snorted, «Try to win if you have the eighth house.

— Mr. Samuel, I think I have a natural talent,» the young man said bluntly, «Isn't it obvious? I started playing not so long ago, but I've already almost beaten you.

The senior ranked astrologer squinted his eyes.

— Huh, you've got a lot of nerve.

The guardian of the Central Astrological Tower and the young valet played as equals, forgetting the difference in their statuses for the time being. Benedict Samuel wore a blue robe, and a gilded cassock jingled at his belt. Around his neck he wore a long rosary with huge beads, which he tossed from time to time. A fragrant aroma of spices wafted from the man.

The young man beside him was young and in the prime of life. His breath was clean and fresh, and his face was bright and ruddy. Unlike his older opponent in the game, he wore not a robe, but the classic black and white uniform of a servant. After all, although he served the family of the Supreme Astrologer, in fact Orson was not a member of the astrological order.

— Mr. Samuel, you invited me to play with you. And now you're complaining about me.

Despite his modest status as a valet, Orson had an amazing ability to make people feel at ease and find common ground with everyone. Even the tower keeper, usually serious and pedantic, sometimes laughed at his jokes. He looked at the young man sternly, but he was not afraid.

— The boy!

Orson had enough shame to lower his eyes.

— Yes, Guardian? — The man spoke in an unusually even tone.

— To hell with you. Make your move before I change my mind,» the old man grumbled.

— Hehehe.

Even if this kid was a bit brash, Benedict Samuel couldn't deny that he had ability. At least, among all these old men, he was the only one who could play with him as an equal. Could he lose such a valuable playing partner so easily? At his advanced age, there wasn't much cause for amusement left.

Meanwhile, the young servant's gaze slid smoothly to another part of the spacious carriage. A light breeze from the ajar window played with her auburn hair. The girl's face, as collected and imperturbable as ever, created a sense of impregnability that was hard to overcome.

Liana Daehsin took a long look at the scenery flickering outside the window, occasionally listening to the game going on in the background.

She had always been insanely busy with an endless stream of things to do, leaving almost no time for herself. But now, due to her father's order, she had to drop everything and travel to the capital from her country residence.

She was accompanied on the trip by Orson, her personal assistant, who was always by her side, and her keeper, who was returning from a business trip nearby. Very soon they should have arrived at the gates of the capital by now. Liana took no part in the game, completely immersed in her thoughts, which, again, were related to work commitments. She was brought out of her deep thoughtfulness by Orson's question:

— Mistress, would you care to play with us?

Though seemingly disengaged from the situation, Liana reacted to the servant's question almost instantly.

— I think I will refrain,» she shook her head, «My skills are no match for those of a guardian.

The guardian smiled. His right hand was fingering the wide beads.

— It's not often I get to hear you praise me. Even if it is to get us off your back.

Liana grinned.

They were traveling over a bumpy road at the moment, and the carriage tilted slightly.

— Okay,» the old man sighed absent-mindedly, putting the cards back in the deck, «Playing with that boy is a frustration anyway.

In the end, the three-hour game ended in a draw. Orson was sure he had the upper hand.

While the tower keeper folded his hands on his stomach and was about to take a short nap, the young servant had found a more interesting pastime. The expression on his face became sly, and he even moved closer to his mistress.

— Mistress, are you so quiet because you're worried? — Orson chuckled. Since they had known each other since childhood, the valet could afford to talk on more intimate topics.

— Why would I be worried? — Liana frowned.

— Of course you would. Won't you meet your fiancée at the banquet?

When the servant broached the subject, Liana's dispassionate gaze went back to the window. She was not interested in discussing her wedding.

The marriage between the Dehsin and Carter families was the talk of society. They were hailed as the perfect couple, destined for each other by heaven. One was the heiress of the most powerful faction of the empire, and the other was the eldest daughter of the grand duke. It seemed that an engagement between them was inevitable. Back when Liana was just a child, her father had announced to her that she would marry this girl in the future.

At that time, Liana took it for granted that it was just another of her duties as the family's heir.

Liana Daehsin's noble disposition ensured that she would not abandon her bride and fulfill all her wedding obligations, but that was the end of it. Orson, who perceived Liana as somewhat more than just a mistress, was concerned.

— Are you going to be all right? — He suddenly asked.

— What do you mean?

— You're engaged and about to marry someone you don't even love. You'll have to live with her for the rest of your life, and I'm asking if you'll regret it.

Orson realized that he was sticking his nose into his own business, but the thought had been bothering him for too long to just keep silent.

However, his words seemed inappropriate to the successor to the supreme astrologer, and she replied skeptically:

— In our society, most relationships are built by arrangement. Especially someone like me. Don't make a tragedy out of it.

Orson took a deep breath. «That sort of thing is more likely to apply only to you…» In fact, he was sure that Halias Daehsin would never force his youngest daughter into marriage. Even if Gardenia had wanted to stay in her parents' home for the rest of her days, the man would have willingly agreed to it.

But when it came to Liana, things were completely different. She was the heiress and the main hope of the family. No decision could be entirely hers. Ever since she was a child, she had too much responsibility on her shoulders to bear. Sometimes Orson felt sorry for his mistress.

— My marriage will not affect my happiness,» Liana closed her eyes briefly in thought.

— Yes…» Orson muttered reluctantly.

— Besides, I'll be the head of the family in the future, and I'll have to get married anyway,» she said, shrugging her shoulders, «So I'll just take the best possible option.

Katrina, the eldest daughter of Duke Carter, was indeed perfect for the role of a bride. Besides, she was gifted with a lucky star, which played an important role.

Liana Dehsin didn't care about her personal life. She had given up on it a long time ago. From now on, the girl thought only about her younger sister. So that Gardenia everything turned out well and she was happy. And Orson was not surprised at this answer. After all, despite her usual restraint and even coldness, Liana was infinitely tender toward her little sister. In many ways, she had replaced Gardenia as the mother the girl had been deprived of at birth.

Yet the valet decided to make a joke of it:

— Don't say that. We never know what might happen to us. Perhaps you will meet your destiny tomorrow? Or even today.

In response to the servant's ridiculous chatter, Liana only laughed.

— Enough idle talk. We'll be there soon enough.

— I know, I know…

Orson grumbled unhappily as the keeper sitting next to him on the neighboring seat snored peacefully for a long time. A little while later, the crew arrived at their destination. There was a huge queue lined up ahead, which they could have easily overcome by using a golden pass to enter the city. It was a limited-edition pass that only the highest-ranking individuals in the empire carried.

But Liana suddenly discerned something in the window and ordered it to stop. The tower guardian snorted and woke up from this sudden braking.

— А…? What is it? — The old man mumbled in his sleep.

Orson was also surprised, especially when he saw the expression on Liana's face. It suddenly brightened up. The chamberlain wanted to ask why they were staying here, but his mistress suddenly spoke to someone. Just then, the young servant stared at her in surprise. «Why… Mistress is acting like this?» The only word he could use to describe her current behavior was… Playful?

The chamberlain was puzzled, as it was the first time he had caught such emotion on the usually impassive expression of the young head.

The girl's conversation with someone continued for some time. Then Liana ordered the coachman to turn around and continue on his way. Then Orson took advantage of the moment and finally asked what was the matter.

— I met Princess Rania,» she explained briefly, «We know each other a little. I'm going to help them get into the city.

When the valet realized what had happened, his eyes grew huge. Even the keeper sobered up abruptly.

— Rania… Rania…» he mumbled, remembering something, «That's the youngest daughter of the Carter family, isn't it? The one they married to the cursed princess?

Liana Daehsin nodded affirmatively.

The senior astrologer was first taken aback and then became angry.

— Young head, how could you do such a thing! — The old man even forgot that there were other people around them and started shouting.

— What do you mean?

— You know! — exclaimed the guardian, when his cassock rattled from the sudden movements, — How could you… How could you get in touch with these lowlifes? Can you imagine how angry His Eminence will be when he finds out about this?!

— I'm only helping my sister-in-law,» Liana said dryly, «She's my fiancée's sister. Isn't it normal to help your relatives?

The Guardian was not convinced by this argument. Who would take a girl cursed by an unlucky star seriously as a relative? The members of his own family wanted nothing to do with her. So what was the point of helping her?

But Liana Daehsin was determined.

— Mr. Samuel, even if you don't mind, this time it's the young head's orders.

— What?

The old man's further indignation was interrupted by the jolt of the carriage as it accelerated. Orson could barely contain his laughter as he was rocked from side to side, unable to utter a word. Only unintelligible curses came out of his mouth. By the end of the trip, the senior astrologer became deathly pale. Meanwhile, the valet noticed that his mistress looked unusually pleased.

«I wonder why that should be?» — puzzled the young man.