Chapter 62: The Blessed Maiden's Concern
"In conclusion, I was really wrong this time."
"Is this how you apologize...?"
Faced with Aeron's completely unrepentant attitude, Cartethyia was momentarily at a loss for words.
She glanced at Carlotta hiding behind the desk. The second daughter of the Montelli family was currently curled up behind the spacious office desk, her usually meticulously styled silver center-parted hair now disheveled and clinging to her flushed cheeks as she buried her entire face in her knees.
Even Cartethyia herself hadn't expected to encounter this kind of situation twice. The first time was when he was getting handsy with Phoebe in the room, and this time he'd directly made the head of the family so weak-kneed she could barely stand in Carlotta's study.
To be honest, Cartethyia somewhat doubted how Aeron had managed to get into the Order of the Deep. Would there be a third time like this in the future?
"Well... I know you have your own interpersonal relationships... but this kind of thing... having multiple partners isn't really good, you know?"
"To be honest, isn't your way of putting it a bit strange?"
Really...
Cartethyia turned to look at Carlotta who still refused to show her face, unable to help but marvel at how deviant Aeron could be.
At that moment, the sound of deep breathing came from behind the desk. Carlotta stood up holding the edge of the desk, regaining her elegant demeanor as a young lady.
Though her legs were still somewhat weak, her eyes had recovered their usual cool clarity—if one ignored her still thoroughly reddened earlobes.
"Cartethyia, let me explain, this is just..." Carlotta elegantly straightened her skirt, attempting to salvage the Montelli family's dignity, "a method of relaxation... probably."
"Isn't it possible that this is indeed a method of relaxation, just because you've been—"
Regarding Carlotta's explanation, the perpetrator Aeron immediately began chattering incessantly. Damn it, don't underestimate the traditional techniques you've inherited!
Seeing Aeron like this, Cartethyia smiled as if relieved.
Indeed, Aeron was still the Aeron she knew.
Though less than half a week had passed, their reunion after the brief separation had affected Cartethyia more than she'd imagined.
She knew Aeron possessed that bizarre "can't die" ability, and she knew he always liked to calculate everyone's emotions, but when she truly couldn't see him, Cartethyia still felt as if a piece was missing from her heart.
No matter how others viewed him, in Cartethyia's heart, Aeron was the anchor that supported her in Ragunna.
"Alright, alright, I know you both have your limits."
Cartethyia waved her hand and came before Aeron, looking up to carefully examine his face—that tired, infuriating, yet reassuring face.
"Though the timing isn't great..." Cartethyia spoke softly, her voice faint as a mosquito's buzz yet carrying a weight that struck directly at the heart, "I'm relieved to see you're okay~"
Hearing Cartethyia's words, Aeron was momentarily taken aback.
Facing Little Carte before him, Aeron crouched down to meet her eye level, then gently placed a hand on her forehead.
"?"
"You don't have a fever?"
Feeling the touch on her forehead, Cartethyia froze in place, her mind a chaotic mess.
"Every time I try to show you respect, you just have to open your mouth, don't you?"
Cartethyia swatted away Aeron's hand from her forehead, puffing her cheeks with an expression that clearly said, "I'm rarely this serious, and this is how you react?"
"Do you have any idea how worried we were about you, you heartless bastard? Do you even know what kind of place you were planning to go?"
"It's not that big of a deal, and I didn't end up going anyway?"
"What do you mean 'not that big of a deal?'" Cartethyia raised her voice.
"When we heard the news in Ragunna, we were all stunned, especially Phoebe. Do you know how worried she was about you?"
As she spoke, Cartethyia's expression gradually turned serious.
"Regardless, you need to give Phoebe a proper explanation yourself."
Both Cartethyia's expression and tone were completely serious. She had already made up her mind—if Aeron refused, she would drag him before Phoebe by any means necessary.
Of course, Aeron wasn't that much of a monster. Given how much he usually cared for his junior, he would naturally go see her.
"Of course I'll go see Phoebe. After all, she's my only proper junior. If I can't even secure her position, I'd be a complete failure as her senior."
Aeron answered matter-of-factly, casually pulling over a chair to sit down. His self-righteous attitude was as infuriating as ever.
"Position, position... Is that all you ever think about?"
"What's wrong with an iron rice bowl? Especially one from the early 2010s?"
"She cried her eyes out for you, and here you are, coming back and doing this first thing."
"Well, you can't completely blame me for that..."
As he spoke, Aeron glanced several times at Carlotta, who averted her eyes in embarrassment.
Damn, so the young lady chooses to stay silent when the situation doesn't favor her.
Aeron sighed and continued, "Besides, I'm back now, aren't I? And I'm perfectly fine. I even—"
"Even brought someone back with you?"
This really isn't the time to speak up, young lady!
Sitting in his chair, Aeron's eye twitched. He looked at Carlotta's "let's see how you talk your way out of this" expression, then at Cartethyia who was carefully processing the meaning of those words.
To help Cartethyia understand faster, Carlotta even added an explanation.
"Spent a few days in Fisalia, not only resolved their family crisis but also managed to snag yourself the title of 'Fisalia son-in-law.' I have to say, when it comes to this kind of thing, you're truly in a league of your own."
The moment the word "son-in-law" was uttered, the room fell into complete silence.
Cartethyia's expression went from confusion to shock, then to stunned disbelief—a performance worthy of being included in acting textbooks.
"...?"
She repeated the word, her voice filled with disbelief.
"You joined their family?"
Cartethyia looked up at Aeron, her gaze as if she were looking at some kind of non-recyclable wet garbage.
"Did you finally sell yourself out to avoid twenty years of hard work...?"
Of course.
"Wait, no—is that really the point here?"
"Where is your clerical integrity? Your professional ethics? Your devotion to the Sentinels?"
"If I had any of those, I wouldn't be sitting here right now."
Faced with Cartethyia's rapid-fire questions, Aeron had no choice but to answer truthfully.
"Besides, if we're being honest, it's more of a disguise anyway."
Aeron's gaze fell upon Carlotta, who had regained her composure, hoping she would put in a good word for him.
"Just like my current relationship with the second young lady."
"Please don't elevate personal behavior to the family level—it damages the Montelli reputation."
Tch, what a swift disassociation.
The atmosphere in the room eased slightly afterward. Aeron observed Cartethyia before him, still contemplating how to handle her going forward.
After all, as long as only he and Cantarella knew about this matter, this "fake Blessed Maiden" still served a purpose for him.
If the Order built its rule on deception, wasn't it reasonable for him to use corresponding lies?
As for what would happen to Ragunna afterward—that wasn't his concern. He could either hide behind the family or simply make a quick escape. It was that simple.
For now, as long as Cartethyia could happily stay in the Montelli district and properly play her role as the "Blessed Maiden," that was enough.
"Since you've already thought it through, I won't say more." Cartethyia pursed her lips and sat back in her chair, her posture noticeably more relaxed as she unconsciously twirled a strand of her golden hair.
With Aeron safely returned and the trouble with Fisalia resolved, the weight in her heart finally lifted.
Still... there were some things she felt she needed to do.
"..."
"What is it?"
"Are you free every day?"
"Huh?" Aeron was just planning his next steps when her question caught him off guard. "Why do you ask so suddenly?"
"It's just..." Cartethyia lightly tapped her toes against the carpet, her cheeks flushing as her voice grew softer. "Could you go out with me?"
"...Are you actually running a fever?"
Aeron found Cartethyia's abrupt invitation surprising, but seeing the faint expectation hidden in her expression, he felt refusing might not be appropriate.
Carlotta also found Cartethyia's words somewhat strange, but when she met Cartethyia's gaze, she immediately understood her meaning.
"...Wouldn't that be quite nice?"
Before Aeron could speak, Carlotta cast her vote of approval first.
"After all, you just returned and should reacquaint yourself with Ragunna's atmosphere. Besides, the city decorations have changed significantly before Carnevale. Cartethyia has been staying in the residence lately—it would be good for her to get some fresh air too."
"Ha?"
Aeron looked at Cartethyia's earnest (even overly earnest) expression, then at Carlotta's calm, businesslike demeanor.
He sensed something subtly incongruent about the situation, but Carlotta's reasoning was indeed impeccable—familiarizing himself with the environment and preparing for the festival made perfect sense.
Besides, he did have other matters to attend to.
"...Alright." In the end, Aeron agreed.
Watching Aeron's expression that seemed to say "well, it's a bit troublesome but since you all insist, fine then," Cartethyia quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
She quickly suppressed her flicker of delight, trying to make her voice sound more casual: "Then it's settled! Tomorrow morning, don't be late!"
"Yes, yes, how could I dare to refuse when the Blessed Maiden herself summons me." Aeron waved his hand dismissively, clearly not taking this "outing" seriously and treating it merely as a chore to get through.
Carlotta watched his completely clueless demeanor, feeling both annoyed and amused.
"There's nothing else for tonight, you should go back and get some proper rest."
"Alright, as you command."
"Well then, good night Miss Carlotta!"
After exchanging brief farewells, Aeron left the study with Cartethyia.
"..."
After the two had left, Carlotta also relaxed with a sigh. Though she was reluctant to admit it, Aeron's massage had actually been somewhat effective.
At the very least, she would be able to sleep well tonight.
As for tomorrow... it would depend on whether Cartethyia and that junior could manage to knock some sense into this blockhead.
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