Chapter 61: The Second Young Miss Has Become Strange!
"...."
Aeron slumped in his chair, vision blurring.
He never imagined that after leaving Fisalia, he would still experience a day of such complete physical and mental exhaustion.
"Ara, what's wrong? Can't handle even this much?"
In the dimly lit room's enclosed space, Carlotta's eyes sparkled with mischief, her lips curved into a sweet yet dangerous smile.
"N-no more, Second Young Miss... I can't take it anymore..."
"That won't do~ There's still so—much left unfinished here~"
As she spoke, Carlotta pulled out another stack and placed it before Aeron.
"It's rare for us to be together, we should properly see everything through to the end~"
"...."
Aeron struggled to lift his head from the desk, his eyes filled with utter weariness.
"No matter how you look at it, this is just too much!"
Seeing the mountain of documents piled around him, Aeron let out a cry of despair.
"Now now, I used to handle this all by myself before. Besides, you're just reviewing the documents I've already approved—it shouldn't be that difficult, right?"
"Second Young Miss, would you like to hear what you're saying?"
Aeron never expected that immediately after returning to Montelli, before he could even properly rest, Carlotta would drag him to the study to help handle matters related to Carnevale.
"Alright alright, this is the final batch. Once we finish these, we'll call it a day~"
Saying this, Carlotta brought over another stack of documents and placed them in front of Aeron.
"Is there overtime pay?"
"Getting to be in the same room with a beautiful girl like me doesn't count?"
"No, it doesn't."
"Hehe, you might want to reconsider your words."
Indestructible workhorses just end up becoming perpetual motion machines? Damn, these capitalists are so wicked, they might as well just give you the Nobel Prize!
Although Aeron would indeed review these documents again later as a precaution, having this originally postponed work suddenly pushed forward was undeniably frustrating.
The remaining workload wasn't actually that much. Since he couldn't resist, he might as well enjoy... no, better to finish this quickly!
Gritting his teeth, Aeron picked up his fountain pen again.
[Instant Mastery!]
Instantly, Aeron felt his mind clear as if cooled suddenly, refining all these obscure and difficult official documents in mere moments!
Swish swish swish swish swish—
The fountain pen left afterimages on the paper; if one didn't look carefully, they might think he was just scribbling randomly.
...Is this ability meant for this?
No wonder some people are born to be workhorses.
After that, the study fell into a rhythm filled only with the rustling of turning pages and the scratching of pen tips.
It must be said, just as Carlotta had anticipated, although Aeron complained incessantly, his handling of those complex clauses involving the Order and the entangled interests of various major families was so skillful that it secretly astonished Carlotta.
This guy truly possessed surprising talent when dealing with matters that required balancing multiple competing demands. Those tangled interest relationships and regulatory loopholes resembling messy hemp ropes were neatly organized by him in just a few moves.
Snap!
Aeron slammed his pen on the desk and slumped back into his chair like a deflated balloon, staring blankly at the ceiling.
"Done. Wrapping up. Clocking out. Goodbye."
"I haven't even said anything yet! Don't just decide to leave on your own, you jerk."
"What is it now, Second Young Miss? Even exploiting labor should have its limits."
Aeron stopped in his tracks and turned around. Though he complained verbally, he could tell something was off about Carlotta's state.
Carlotta tilted her head, gazing at Ragunna's gloomy nightscape outside the window. Her usually meticulously maintained silver hair hung somewhat loosely around her shoulders.
"During those days when you were sent off on the Pilgrimage Ship and your whereabouts were unknown... I kept wondering if you might just never return."
"...I thought you were going to scold me some more."
"Rewards and punishments must be clearly distinguished—that's Montelli's way of navigating the world too, Father... no, Mr. Aeron."
Carlotta let out a self-deprecating laugh and raised her arms in a stretch. As she moved, her form-fitting clothes tightened, accentuating her graceful curves.
"Besides, I'm not stupid. I can still distinguish between those who treat me well and those who don't."
"I know. Otherwise I wouldn't have sought you out, Second Young Miss."
Hearing Aeron's words, Carlotta paused momentarily, then snorted lightly and turned her head away. Though she didn't speak, her tense shoulders visibly relaxed.
"Fine. Considering your flattery was somewhat pleasing to the ear this time, I'll forgive you."
She moved her neck, producing an unsettling cracking sound, her brows furrowing in pain.
"Ouch... But the cost is that after rushing to meet deadlines these past few days, I feel like my neck is about to break."
"!"
When Aeron heard this, he latched onto the key phrase.
"...?"
Noticing Aeron's gaze, Carlotta looked at him somewhat puzzled, feeling as if he had suddenly become a different person.
She saw Aeron rub his nose, all traces of laziness and fatigue completely vanishing from his demeanor.
"...What do you want to do?"
Under that intense stare, Carlotta instinctively shrank back into her chair, crossing her arms protectively over her chest as she watched him warily.
"What's with that look? I'm warning you, even though we're alone now, if you dare have any improper thoughts—"
"What are you thinking? Do I seem like that kind of person?"
Aeron interrupted her impatiently. As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves and slowly approached her.
"I get the feeling you're thinking something very rude, you know?"
"How could that be? Do I seem like that kind of person?"
Carlotta remained seated as Aeron came up behind her. Though somewhat suspicious, she didn't voice any refusal, allowing his hands to rest on her shoulders.
"You know how to do this?"
"Hmph, don't underestimate me, Second Young Miss."
Looking at Carlotta's pale shoulders, Aeron harbored no improper thoughts in his heart, only complete confidence in his skills.
"Bear with it, Second Young Miss. This might be a bit intense."
"What—Ah!!"
Before Carlotta could react, Aeron's thumb had already pressed accurately and firmly on a stress relief point at the back of her neck.
It was an electrifying sensation that made her scalp tingle. Carlotta's entire body stiffened abruptly, her hands gripping the armrests of the chair tightly.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch! What are you doing?!"
"Pain indicates blockage; relief comes when it's unblocked!" Aeron not only didn't stop but instead seized her shoulder blade firmly.
"Mmm... You bastard... Can't you be gentler...?"
Carlotta's voice trembled with a hint of tears, yet her body honestly didn't pull away. Instead, after the initial sharp pain, she felt a wave of warmth spreading along her meridians.
"Gentle won't work! Endure it—I'm going deeper now, the force must penetrate!"
"Ahhh!!"
Aeron's technique was bold and unrestrained, each press precisely targeting the points of fatigue. Gradually, Carlotta's cries of pain turned into suppressed, sweet moans. Her body, initially resistant, grew limp, her once-straight spine involuntarily leaning back, almost pressing against Aeron's chest.
"Don't... don't touch there... It's too strange..."
Carlotta's mind was now a complete mess. Her proud rationality crumbled under Aeron's seemingly magical hands.
"Strange is right—this is the lumbar muscle strain point, caused by prolonged poor posture."
"What are you talking about—Eek!"
In that instant, Carlotta felt as if her waist had melted. Her previously tense legs instinctively straightened and rubbed together under the table.
"Haah... Haah... Stop, stop... I can't take it anymore..."
Carlotta's cheeks were flushed like ripe apples. Her usually sharp gaze was now dazed and unfocused, veiled in a misty haze. Sweat dampened the silver hair at her temples, clinging to her fair neck. With each rapid breath, she exuded a hormone-charged aura that was utterly tantalizing.
"No! Strike while the iron is hot—we're on the final push, Second Young Miss. Endure it a little longer."
"—!!!"
Then, Carlotta's entire body convulsed violently before collapsing bonelessly into Aeron's arms, only her chest heaving rapidly as broken moans escaped her lips.
After ensuring all the joints in Carlotta's upper body were thoroughly loosened, Aeron finally wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Whew—my apologies for the rough treatment!"
It seemed the skills he had honed in his previous life hadn't faded. Indeed, only his techniques and craftsmanship would never betray him!
However, the current scene might be a bit problematic.
Wait, if things continue like this, wouldn't that mean—
"Aeron? I heard you and Carlotta were here. I've been knocking on the door for ages—"
Cartethyia stepped inside carrying a tray, only to be met with the sight of a disheveled Carlotta and Aeron standing behind her.
"...My apologies, I'll take my leave—"
"Persona!"
"Not this again!"
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