Ragunna, Montelli Residence.
The night deepened, and a fine rain began to fall outside the window.
Perhaps because memories of the past were too vivid, Carlotta had never liked rainy days in Ragunna. On nights like this, her mood would always inexplicably sink a little further.
But for some reason today, that feeling was stronger than usual.
Strange. Is it my imagination?
She quietly gazed out the window.
The lights of Ragunna City scattered in the puddles, refracting into rainbow-like halos, swaying gently like ripples in a beautiful woman's drunken eyes.
"Carlotta."
A low voice gently pulled her from her thoughts.
Carlotta paused briefly, then turned to meet her grandfather's gaze.
"You seem distracted. Are you too tired lately?"
The silver-haired young woman shook her head gently, offering a reassuring smile. "No, it's nothing. I was just... thinking about some other things."
"Other things?" Francesco took a cigar from the drawer and instinctively moved to light it, but then seemed to remember something and gently placed it back. "Ah, I think I know. You're thinking about that young man, aren't you?"
A faint blush colored Carlotta's cheeks, but she quickly regained her usual composure. "Grandfather is overthinking it. I wasn't considering that at all."
Francesco let out a hearty laugh. "What's there to be shy about? Your grandfather was your age once, how could I not understand your feelings? I know you've been busy in Septimont lately, with little chance to see him. How about... I give you the day off tomorrow?"
"Really, I could—" The young woman's eyes instantly lit up, but then she gave a light cough and pretended to be serious. "Better not. The family still needs me. I can't let personal matters interfere with everyone's work."
The moment the words left her mouth, Carlotta regretted them.
Wait, why did I refuse?
We've never even had a real date!
This was Grandfather giving me a special opportunity!
Seeing Carlotta refuse so decisively, Francesco was slightly surprised. "Alright then, work is almost at the finishing stage anyway. Since you want to push through to completion, I won't stop you."
Carlotta's smile remained, but the muscles at the corners of her mouth twitched quite noticeably.
"I've finished reporting today's work, Grandfather. I'll take my leave now."
Maintaining her faint smile, Carlotta turned and walked out of the room. Only when the door softly closed behind her did the forced composure crumble, a shadow of gloom and helplessness spreading across her brow.
She walked to the shadowy corner of the hallway, finally stopped, took a deep breath, and covered her face with her hands.
"What am I even doing..."
"Grandfather practically offered me a day off..."
"And yet I...."
She looked up, gazing out the window. Ragunna City was still shrouded in the continuous rain, much like her mood, which was hard to brighten.
Maybe it was that lingering sense of responsibility in her heart, quietly sabotaging her.
Anyway, the date with Cat's Eye would have to be postponed again.
"Speaking of which... what's that Cat's Eye doing right now?"
Carlotta unconsciously leaned forward, her fingertips gently pressing against the cold glass. That chill seeped through her blood and into her heart.
Is he thinking about me?
Or...
is he flirting with other girls?
Like that blonde from the Order!
Looking at all of Ragunna, Phoebe seemed to be the only real threat right now.
As for Luno and Lupa... they were still in Septimont, their reach not yet extending this far.
And about Phrolova...
Carlotta lightly bit her fingertip, the scene of her confrontation with Phrolova that day once again surfaced before her eyes.
"What did she mean by those words?"
Could Ray really have some unknown past?
If so, why had he never mentioned it to her?
Or.... did even he himself no longer remember?
Thinking about it carefully, Cat's Eye was indeed surrounded by too many unsolved mysteries.
An untraceable past, a Resonance ability beyond reason, and...
Anby.
That mysterious little creature wasn't just symbiotic with Ray; it could even devour the Dark Tide, something no ordinary Echo could achieve.
Whether it was Cat's Eye or Anby, their very existence seemed to hide secrets even they themselves hadn't discovered.
But delving into that now might be premature.
"I feel... a bit uneasy." Carlotta murmured to herself. "Maybe I should contact Cat's Eye and see what he's doing."
She took out her terminal and dialed Ray.
After a brief waiting tone, the familiar, reassuring voice came through the receiver:
"Second Young Miss, is something the matter?"
Just hearing his voice seemed to gently brush away the fatigue accumulated throughout the day.
She leaned softly against the wall, her tone unconsciously softening. "Nothing urgent... Just finished today's work and wanted to ask what you're doing."
"Uh... me? I'm not doing much, just resting at home."
Resting at home?
That made sense.
He didn't need to go to the Averardo Bank anymore, after all.
"Bored? Need me to come keep you company?" The corner of Carlotta's mouth lifted slightly, her tone gaining a meaningful edge. "Tonight... my schedule is quite free."
"Better not. The Second Young Miss has had a long day; you should get some rest."
This unexpectedly proper response caught Carlotta off guard.
Just yesterday, he'd asked if she could come see him...
Why the change of heart today?
Could it be...
She unconsciously furrowed her brow, her expression gradually darkening.
She felt a slight heaviness on her head, as if pressed by some invisible weight.
"You... you're not with another woman right now, are you?"
A chill crept into the young woman's voice.
"How could that be? It's this late. Who else would I be with?"
Who else would he be with?
That question actually stumped her.
At the moment, the only possibility was Phoebe.
But the Order of the Deep strictly regulated its clergy, and Phoebe was such a pure and dutiful soul; she would never break the rules to be with Ray late at night.
As for Phrolova, with her cold demeanor toward everyone, she was even less likely to do such a thing.
"See? You can't think of anyone either. So, Second Young Miss, you should trust your partner a little more!"
Carlotta lightly bit her lip. Something felt off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
"Alright, maybe I was overthinking it."
"So, Second Young Miss, it's late. You should get some rest. I won't disturb you."
"Mhm."
Just as Carlotta was about to end the call, she suddenly heard a woman's cough.
Her gem-like eyes instantly lost their sparkle in that moment. It seemed something had forever dimmed. "That voice just now... who was it?"
"Uh... TV. I was watching TV. You know how Anby is curious about everything. It insisted on watching something strange."
"Something strange?"
"You know, romance stuff. Anby's interested in that."
"Abby's interested in that?"
"Yeah." His voice obviously lacked confidence. "Anyway, if you don't believe me, ask Anby later!"
Hearing him bring up Anby, Carlotta's expression softened slightly. She confirmed half-doubtfully, "Really?"
"Absolutely true, Second Young Miss! My loyalty to you is clear!"
"...Alright, I'll trust you this once."
Ending the call, Carlotta let out a long sigh, her tense shoulders relaxing.
Yes, she really should trust her partner more.
Though her suspicions weren't completely unfounded, when she thought about it carefully, besides that little blonde from the Order of the Deep, there really wasn't anyone else to worry about.
With that possibility ruled out, the problem naturally solved itself.
It wasn't like Cat's Eye could be on a date with Cantarella, right?
This ridiculous thought almost made Carlotta laugh out loud.
Might as well guess he was on a date with Zani.
Those two had no connection whatsoever, and on top of that, Cat's Eye had clashed with the Fisalia family a few times before. How could he possibly have anything to do with Cantarella?
"Mmm really..." The young woman stretched her slightly stiff body, tossing all those jumbled conjectures out of her mind. "Looks like I'm really overtired. My mind's starting to wander. Alright, time to wash up and rest."