My Love Debts Are Everywhere!

"A stall for fortune-telling and predicting the future?"

Leon paused for a moment, then turned to Athena beside him, his expression filled with confusion.

"Are you sure you want to try it? In my experience, stalls like this are usually scams. The owner doesn't really have the ability to tell fortunes," Leon said with a small chuckle, shaking his head.

Though his words were blunt, they were based on truth. If someone truly had the power to predict the future, they would be famous and respected, like Louis, the Third Guardian of Holy Orthodoxy. No one with such abilities would be operating a shabby, out-of-the-way stall like this.

He was certain that the owner of this stall was just a scammer, deceiving the unsuspecting common people.

Athena furrowed her brow and shook her head.

"Even though this stall looks like a scam, there's something... strange about it. I can't shake the feeling that this might not be a scam and that the person inside could actually have the ability to tell fortunes," Athena replied softly, her eyes narrowing.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Her unexpected words clearly caught Leon off guard. He knew Athena well and was aware that she wasn't the type to speak without thought. After all, as a dragon, her perception was sharp—far sharper than his own.

With a slight nod, Leon said nothing more and agreed, "In that case, let's check out the stall."

Coincidentally, they were on their way back to the inn, so it wasn't much of a detour to stop by.

Athena couldn't help but smile, tightening her grip on Leon's arm as they made their way toward the stall.

The area around the stall was quiet and somewhat rundown, with bits of trash scattered about.

Leon lowered his head slightly, then opened the tent door of the stall, immediately taken aback by its interior. On the left, a small cabinet displayed a collection of strange, tree-shaped statues.

On the right, strange paintings adorned the walls, one depicting a massive tree reaching into the sky. Beside it, a portrait of an exceptionally beautiful woman seated on an emerald green throne caught his eye.

The woman in the painting was stunning—her beauty rivaling that of Liliana and Athena. Her green hair cascaded to her slender waist, and atop her head sat a silver crystal crown. Her fair skin, slightly pale, only enhanced the brilliance of her beauty.

What stood out most, however, were her long, pointed ears—an unusual feature. Even the demon race's pointed ears weren't as long as hers.

"That woman... is she an elf?" Leon inquired inwardly, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Although he had never encountered an elf, the ancient books he had read mentioned that only elves had such long ears. Additionally, coming from another world, the woman's appearance closely resembled the elves he had seen in the fantasy novels and movies he had read and watched.

Standing beside Leon, Athena was just as surprised by the painting of the beautiful woman. However, seeing Leon's dazed expression, her own face slowly turned somber.

"My dear Leon, why are you so fixated on that painting? Are you in love with that woman? It seems I'll need to teach you a lesson," Athena said coldly, pinching Leon's waist sharply.

"Ouch!" Leon winced in pain, quickly trying to explain, "You misunderstood, Athena! I was just surprised and curious to see a painting of an elf!"

He attempted to pull away, but her grip felt like an iron clamp, unyielding and tight.

A faint, yet slightly mad, smile curved on Athena's lips as she listened to Leon's words.

"Oh? Is that so?" She inquired, raising an eyebrow before continuing in a cold, jealous tone. "Then why does it seem like you're staring a little too intently at the woman in the painting? Are you sure it's just surprise and curiosity?"

As the man she had chosen, Leon should belong only to her—not to any other woman. Every glance, every bit of love, every piece of his heart, his sadness, his smile—all of him should be hers alone!

If not for Leon's immense strength and his status as "The Fated One," the one her ancestor had been waiting for, she would have taken him to her palace long ago and locked him in her room. That way, no mischievous or wicked women could steal him away from her.

Noticing the cold, grim expression on her face and hearing the sharpness in her voice, Leon quickly realized that this yandere woman was jealous.

And if a yandere was jealous—especially a powerful woman like Athena—it was definitely dangerous and needed to be defused immediately. Otherwise, Leon could only imagine the chaos that might unfold in Rothinia.

Without missing a beat, a gentle smile appeared on Leon's lips as he reached out to stroke Athena's head.

"Don't be jealous," Leon said softly, his tone a little helpless. "As I told you, I was just surprised by the elf painting. After all, it's my first time seeing an elf in person."

Pausing for a moment, he lowered his hand to pinch Athena's cheek affectionately, adding, "Besides, while the woman in the painting is beautiful, you're far more captivating."

Anyone who overheard his words would likely think of him as a scoundrel, but Leon genuinely meant it. The elf in the painting was undeniably beautiful, but Athena surpassed her in many ways.

Upon hearing Leon's unexpectedly sweet and affectionate words, Athena's expression froze. In her entire life, she had never heard such an expression of love, especially not from the man she loved so deeply, causing her heart to race uncontrollably.

A faint blush colored her beautiful face, a rare sight that made her even more enchanting.

Turning her gaze away to hide her embarrassment, Athena pulled her hand back from Leon's waist and snorted coldly, "Humph! I didn't expect your words to be so sweet. As a kind empress, I'll forgive you this time."

Leon couldn't help but chuckle at Athena's rare display of shyness. He hadn't expected her to be so easily swayed, and part of him felt a twinge of regret.

If he had realized this earlier, he would have employed this approach long ago, sparing himself the trouble of ever fearing her.

Just as the atmosphere between them began to soften, an old woman's voice interrupted.

"Ahem! Young ones, what are you doing in my place?"

Reacting instinctively, both of them turned their heads toward the voice and saw a mysterious figure in a black cloak, her appearance completely concealed, standing a few meters away.

Leon and Athena exchanged curious glances, then turned their attention back to the figure.

"Are you the owner of this stall? We came for a fortune-telling," Leon said bluntly.

The mysterious figure was quite short, her head barely reaching his stomach, prompting Leon to lower his gaze slightly to look at her.

Your next chapter is on empire

Upon hearing Leon's words, the figure trembled violently and quickly moved closer with surprising energy.

"Really? You want a fortune-telling? Thank goodness! It's been three days since anyone came, and I haven't eaten a thing during that time!"

Her voice, which had sounded like that of an old woman, now carried the cheerful tone of a young girl. Leon and Athena exchanged startled glances, both confused by the sudden shift.

Realizing her mistake, the figure quickly cleared her throat, trying to regain composure.

"Ahem! Please forgive my impoliteness. I haven't eaten in a few days, so my mind is a little muddled," she said, returning to the voice of an old woman.

Leon fell silent, the corners of his mouth twitching. He had already been doubtful about the stall owner's authenticity as a seer, and now his suspicions were even stronger.

He turned to Athena, shaking his head as he said, "Athena, this person seems to be a scammer. If we stay here, we're just wasting our time."

Athena realized the truth of his words and sighed in regret.

"Sorry, Leon. This is my mistake," she said quietly, lowering her head slightly.

"It's fine," Leon replied with a casual laugh. He then turned his attention to the mysterious figure in the cloak, waving as he spoke. "Sorry for taking up your time. We're leaving now."

Without waiting for a response, Leon took Athena's hand and started to walk away.

As they walked off, the mysterious figure's panic was palpable. If they left now, she wouldn't get any food today!

Her stomach, which had been growling for days, had driven her nearly mad. She couldn't let this chance slip away.

Quickly, she dashed after them. "Wait! Don't—" Before she could finish, she tripped and fell, causing her hood to fly off.

At the sound of the fall, Leon and Athena immediately turned around. Upon seeing the figure's true appearance, their expressions froze, and their eyes widened in disbelief.

"An elf!?"

...

Throne Room...

Sitting on the throne, Velix's expression darkened as he read the letter in his hand.

"A rebellion led by the nobles in Ardonia and Therondia... and now the economy is paralyzed? How did this happen?" Velix inquired coldly, his teeth gritted in anger.

Ardonia and Therondia were twin cities located three thousand kilometers southeast of the capital. They earned the name "twins" due to their close proximity—only twenty kilometers apart.

Both cities were prosperous, densely populated, and key trade hubs. Their wealth, bolstered by natural resources and strategic geographical locations, had made them among the richest cities in the Holy Empire of Elysium.

Now, however, the sudden rebellion of the nobles had brought the economy of these cities to a standstill, filling Velix with both shock and fury.

After all, he had stripped the noble families of their power, leaving them without influence in the government or control over their own armies. This made the situation all the more baffling to him. How could this have happened?

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps interrupted his thoughts, followed by the panicked voice of a soldier.

"Your Majesty! Something serious and urgent has happened!"

With a scowl, Velix narrowed his eyes and asked coldly, "What's going on?"

The soldier quickly bowed, fear evident in his voice as he reported, "Your Majesty, we've received news from Ardalan. A massive rebellion led by the nobles has erupted there!"

Velix's eyes widened in disbelief, but before he could respond, the soldier's next words made his heart almost stop.

"Not just in Ardalan, Your Majesty... The rebellion has spread to all the surrounding cities!"