Unlike the Montelli family, the heart of the Fisalia family wasn't within the city of Ragunna itself, but far outside it, on the Thessaleo Fells.
Though they still maintained their own district in Ragunna, it was that ancient castle standing atop the cliff that was the true, sacred heart for every Fisalia.
The Fisalia family's businesses were spread across every corner of Rinascita.
If the Montelli family controlled the lifeblood of banking and finance, then the Fisalia family firmly held the keys to healing and medicine.
They were especially skilled in extracting poisons.
Of course, whether something was "poison" or "medicine" depended entirely on the intent of the user.
Though rumors about the Fisalia family never ceased, even branding them "Ragunna's hemlock," this never shook their position in the city.
After all, in one's lifetime, who could guarantee they'd always be free from illness or disaster?
"...The Rosemary Apothecary."
Ray looked up and softly read the signboard aloud.
He had heard a little about this shop.
It was said the apothecary here came from the Fisalia family. Though young in appearance, their skill in preparing medicines was exceptionally adept.
Perhaps because of the "Fisalia" name, the shop always seemed quiet.
Even when the occasional customer did come, they mostly chose the dead of night.
Today, however, Ray wasn't visiting because he was unwell and needed medicine. He had come along with Phoebe.
"Is this the place, Phoebe?"
He turned to look at the young woman beside him.
Phoebe still wore that serene, gentle smile.
She lightly tipped her hat and nodded in response. "Yes, this is it."
The two had met by chance on the road.
Ray had originally planned to head to Porto-Veno to meet Cantarella, but happened to run into Phoebe, who was buying medicine for the children with colds at the orphanage.
She had probably chosen this "Rosemary Apothecary" because the Order of the Deep and the Fisalia family had always been on good terms.
For Ray, this was an opportunity, he could use it to get a feel for the Fisalia family's style in advance, preparing himself for the upcoming meeting with Cantarella.
As soon as he pushed open the door to the apothecary, a faint, subtle fragrance quietly wafted into his nostrils.
Ray was familiar with this scent, he had smelled something similar during his previous encounter with Cantarella.
It wasn't a strong, pungent perfume, but more like a fresh fragrance from plants, capable of soothing mental fatigue.
"Welcome. Ah, is that you, Priest Phoebe? Long time no see."
The shop wasn't spacious. The sole employee, who was also the apothecary, was a young woman with a cute face.
Rosemary.
Her voice was flat, and her face revealed no emotion whatsoever. She was like an exquisite doll, mechanically going through predetermined work routines.
"Hello, Miss Rosemary." Phoebe offered her a faint smile.
"Need some medicine prepared?" Rosemary tilted her head slightly, her tone still as calm as a still lake.
"Yes." Phoebe nodded. "The children at the orphanage have colds. I'd like you to prepare some medicine to boost their constitution."
"Colds, is it? Understood."
Rosemary set down the pestle in her hand and turned to walk toward the medicine cabinet behind them.
But just as she brushed past Ray, she suddenly stopped. Her small nose twitched slightly.
Then, she slowly turned her head, her hollow gaze falling on him. "Your scent... has the head of the family's fragrance on it."
These words left both Ray and Phoebe stunned on the spot especially Phoebe, who was now looking at him with an expression of disbelief.
'Mr. Ray has connections with the head of the Fisalia family too?
But didn't I remember that the rivalry between the Montelli and Fisalia families was quite intense?
If Miss Carlotta found out about this, would she be angry?'
A series of questions flashed through Phoebe's mind, but in the end, she didn't voice them. She simply silently tucked her doubts away in her heart.
The corner of Ray's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
He never expected that Rosemary could tell he had been in contact with Cantarella just by scent.
All he could say was... good thing the Second Young Miss wasn't here.
"How did you know?" He couldn't hide his surprise. "I did meet Miss Cantarella. She invited me to Porto-Veno, but that was days ago."
Rosemary gave a slight bow. "So you are the head of the family's guest. My apologies. As an apothecary, our sense of smell is our second pair of eyes."
"The head of the family personally instructed me. I wouldn't mistake her scent. Though I don't know what your relationship with the head of the family is, since she personally invited you, please let go of your suspicions and trust her."
A barely perceptible ripple stirred within her calm tone, like a faint breeze passing over a still lake.
"The head of the family... she's actually a very gentle person."
Gentle? Cantarella?
But based on their interactions so far, Cantarella seemed noticeably different from her reputation.
Otherwise, why would this so-called scheming woman have helped him that day?
"Don't worry. I've met Miss Cantarella a few times. Her character is nothing like the rumors."
"I'm not someone who can't tell right from wrong. Rest assured on that point."
His tone was calm, but carried an unwavering seriousness.
"I sincerely respect Miss Cantarella."
...
...
Some time later, Ray and Phoebe left the apothecary.
He planned to see Phoebe back to the Order, then go meet Cantarella.
"Mr. Ray, you know Miss Cantarella?"
On the way, Phoebe's curiosity finally got the better of her, and she asked softly.
Ray nodded. "Yeah, you could say that. We've met a few times. Have you met her too, Phoebe?"
Phoebe tilted her head, thinking. "A long time ago, once, at the Order of the Deep. Although people outside say the head of the Fisalia is a phantom of the deep sea, who poisoned the previous head with dishonorable means to seize the position."
"But... I always felt Miss Cantarella wasn't as scary as the legends say. Even though we only met that once..."
The young woman murmured softly, then suddenly looked up, fixing Ray with an especially serious gaze.
"Oh, Mr. Ray. Miss Carlotta... she won't be angry, will she?"
Carlotta?
Why did Phoebe suddenly bring up the Second Young Miss?
"I remember the relationship between the two families has always been tense, right? Mr. Ray going to see Miss Cantarella behind Miss Carlotta's back... is that really okay?"
Ray: "..."
The silence at this moment was deafening.
'So, the Second Young Miss will forgive me, right?'
"But it's okay!"
"If Mr. Ray gets scolded by Miss Carlotta, you can come talk to me about it!"