At the Xiao Market.
Charlotte was wandering through the stalls with two intern reporters from the Liyue Newspaper Agency, searching for potential story leads.
As they turned a corner, they spotted a hooded girl operating a small street stall — in front of her was a curious item: an Astrology Orb.
A small crowd had gathered to watch.
Charlotte's interest was piqued, and she walked over for a look.
"Your son said he'd become successful? He's lying."
"You and him have no future. He'll be leaving soon."
"You won't get rich this year. Even prayers at Yiyan Hall won't help."
…
The girl made blunt, brutally honest predictions.
Several patrons turned red with embarrassment or anger and stormed off.
Before long, no one else was lining up for a reading. Most people even began avoiding the area altogether.
The girl didn't seem to mind.
She wasn't here to earn money through divination. She just found the Xiao Market fun and wanted to join the vibe and leave a memory.
Yep. That's all it was.
Charlotte, driven by her sharp journalistic instincts, felt there was a real story behind this astrologist girl.
She stepped forward.
The girl looked up.
"Are you here for a reading?"
"How does it work?"
"One Mora per reading."
"That cheap?"
"[Astrology is the solemn art of seeing truth and fate, not a tool for profit.] I'm only reading today because I'm in a good mood. Normally, I wouldn't bother."
"That so?"
"[It's about dignity, and mindset. If an astrologist believes astrology can solve everything, the stars will abandon them.]"
"Well said."
Charlotte handed over one Mora.
As the girl took the coin, Charlotte thought — or maybe imagined — that she saw a flicker of greed in her eyes. But when she looked again, it was gone.
One Mora, though… surely no one's that desperate… right?
Had to be her imagination.
The girl pocketed the coin and asked, "What would you like to know?"
Charlotte pondered, then said, "I want to know if I'll be able to return to Fontaine smoothly next year."
The girl looked surprised. "You're from Fontaine?"
Charlotte nodded. "Yep."
The girl gave her another once-over. "Got it."
She picked up the Astrology Orb and began her reading.
Within the orb, starry patterns shimmered.
The girl's expression grew more serious.
Charlotte couldn't help asking, "What is it? What did you see?"
The girl set the orb down. "You'll return to Fontaine next year."
"Really?"
"Of course. [My astrology never fails.]"
"When exactly?"
"That question… isn't covered by your original query."
"Oh! I see. So I need to pay again, right? I'll do another reading!"
Charlotte cheerfully pulled out another Mora.
The girl took it and declared solemnly, "It's not about the money. It's about principle."
"Mhm!"
She pocketed the coin and resumed the reading.
More star signs swirled within the orb.
Again, her expression subtly shifted.
Charlotte couldn't help herself. "What did it say this time?"
The girl looked up. "You'll return to Fontaine in the second half of next year."
Charlotte frowned. "Huh? Why so late?"
By her calculations, she'd be done helping Lady Ningguang set up the Liyue Newspaper within a month — training the interns, getting everything running smoothly. After that, even if she left, the paper should function on its own.
Once that was done, Lady Ningguang would fulfill her promise to use diplomatic channels to resolve her situation in Fontaine, and she'd return to the Steambird to resume her post.
Even with delays, she expected to be home by the first half of next year — so how could it take until the second half?
Was this fortune even accurate?
Was this girl a scammer?
Charlotte eyed the girl suspiciously.
The girl, sensing her doubt, said coldly, "You don't believe my reading?"
Charlotte's eyes flickered. "It's not that I don't believe…"
The girl shot her a look. "You're just a little reporter from Fontaine who's pissed off half your homeland's elite — and you still think you can go back so soon? Better let things run their course."
Charlotte froze, stunned. "How do you know that?"
"How could I not?"
"Wait… are you saying you actually divined that?"
"Hmph. [Let me say it again — my astrology never fails.]"
"..."
Charlotte stared at the proud astrologist girl. She was sure she'd never met her before — and the reason for her assignment in Liyue was highly confidential. No ordinary person could possibly know.
Which meant the girl had almost certainly figured it out via actual astrology.
This wasn't a scammer.
Which meant… her earlier prediction was probably true as well.
Realizing this, Charlotte's eyes lit up with excitement.
Whether she returned early or late didn't matter. What mattered was — she'd finally found a genuine, skilled astrologist.
Back in the Steambird, there had been a popular "Constellation Column" — a segment for astrology enthusiasts and professionals that drew a huge following.
After the Liyue paper stopped milking Lady Ningguang's gossip, its entertainment section had felt a little flat.
Charlotte had always wanted to launch a Liyue version of the column to fill that gap — but had struggled to find a reliable contributor.
That was why she had approached this girl in the first place, with a flicker of hope.
And now, that hope had bloomed into something real.
Charlotte looked at the girl and said seriously, "Pardon me. Let me formally introduce myself — I'm Charlotte, current Chief Editor of the Liyue Newspaper Agency."
The girl replied calmly, "I know. The earlier reading already told me."
Charlotte nodded and asked, "Your astrological abilities are incredible. Would you be interested in writing for our constellation column?"
"Write… for it?"
"Yes. You'd publish your astrological insights in our newspaper."
"Well…"
The girl looked slightly tempted.
"Of course, we'll pay handsomely. Ten thousand Mora per article."
"How much? Ahem — no, no, the payment's not important. What matters is that I want to share the wonders of astrology with the world."
"Exactly! That's a wonderful goal, Professor! May I ask your name?"
"I am Astrologist Mona Megistus."
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