It was around seven in the morning. The mist hadn't fully dissipated yet, and the moist air carried the scent of grass and earth.
A faint glimmer of sunlight peeked through the horizon, tinting the clouds with a translucent hue.
Light and shadow dappled the room. Morning light filtered through the branches and leaves, casting scattered, dancing patches of brightness onto the soft bed.
The outline of the distant mountains gradually became clearer. A mother-of-pearl colored ribbon condensed along the ridgeline, like a bright edge meticulously painted by an artist.
A calm, pleasant murmur sounded in his ears, like the ceaseless hum from within a seashell.
On the bed, Ray's fingers trembled slightly, then fell still again. He buried his face deeper into the pillow before, after a moment, finally lifting his eyelids once more.
A faint, subtle fragrance filled the room.
He couldn't quite place the scent, but it was softer and warmer than any perfume, even the familiar fragrance on the Second Young Miss paled in comparison.
And...
even the pillow smelled so good.
Wait, pillow?
The fog of sleep suddenly receded as reason reawakened.
He sat up dazedly and looked around, this was a completely unfamiliar room. And his clothes...
Ray looked down at his bare upper body, then glanced at the neatly folded clothes beside him. He froze for a moment.
Wait, what's going on?
How did my clothes get taken off?
Last night, I remember... being coaxed to sleep by Cantarella, right?
As for what happened after that, Ray couldn't remember.
But considering last night, this sleep was the most peaceful and comfortable one of his entire life.
"...Could Cantarella have taken them off? Did she 'make a move' on me last night?"
No, no, impossible.
From their interactions over this period, Cantarella couldn't be that kind of person.
Besides, I was sleeping so soundly last night, completely unresponsive. Even if she had any ideas, she wouldn't have been able to do anything.
"Anby."
Ray raised his right hand and looked at the Tacet Mark on its back.
He could sense that Anby was sleeping deeply within his consciousness. No matter how he called, the little guy still didn't respond.
It seemed Anby had also slept very soundly last night.
That meant he couldn't get any more information from it.
Anyway, he should go out and take a look first.
Ray quickly dressed and carefully examined the room.
The furnishings here didn't look like an ordinary guest room at all, elegant yet dim, secluded yet full of charm.
If there was anyone who could match such an atmosphere, besides Cantarella, there was probably no other candidate.
Could this be...
Cantarella's bedroom?
But I haven't even been inside the Second Young Miss's boudoir.
Ray shook his head, temporarily suppressing his chaotic thoughts, and gently pushed open the closed door.
Outside was a deep, secluded corridor. The only source of light came from flickering blue flames on the walls, which fit the Fisalia family's mysterious atmosphere perfectly.
"Sir Ray."
Before Ray could closely examine the flickering blue flames, the butler's voice suddenly sounded beside him.
Turning around, he saw the same butler who had guided him into the castle standing silently behind him, seemingly having appeared there unnoticed.
"The Matriarch ordered me to await your awakening."
"Cantarella?" Ray immediately pressed. "Where is she now?"
"The head of the family is in the castle's garden," the butler said. "Please, follow me."
With that, the butler turned and walked ahead, with Ray following closely behind.
...
...
This garden was located in an open area at the other end of the castle.
It was less a garden and more a cultivated plot where various strange medicinal herbs grew in scattered profusion.
Cantarella was holding a watering can, softly humming a melodious tune as she carefully tended to each plant.
Only when Ray's footsteps drew near did she stop, lift her violet eyes, and cast a gentle smile in his direction.
"Awake? I thought you might sleep a while longer."
Ray walked toward her. "Yes, I'm awake."
"How was your rest yesterday?" Cantarella's eyes slightly narrowed, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over his body before finally settling on him with a meaningful gleam.
This strange scrutiny made Ray feel as if something really had happened between them last night.
But strangely, he had no memory of it at all.
If that were the case...
had he come out ahead or lost out?
He couldn't even remember.
"I slept very well." Ray's expression was perfectly composed as he looked around. "How is this garden different from the one yesterday?"
"The Fisalia family has always been renowned for its 'poisons.'" Cantarella turned back to continue watering the plants. "But whether 'poison' or 'medicine,' both are nothing compare to these herbs. Every single one here is a treasure I've meticulously cultivated. Even outside, they would be priceless treasures with no market price."
"That precious?"
Ray was slightly surprised. He bent down to closely examine the nearest flower, an unusual variety he had never seen before, its name unknown to him. He leaned in for a light sniff, and a strange fragrance seeped into his heart and mind.
"Such a unique scent. What effect does this flower have?"
Cantarella heard his question and followed his pointing finger. She paused briefly, then couldn't help but cover her mouth with a light laugh.
"It seems our guest has truly picked out a fine treasure at first glance. For you, this is indeed a treasure."
Ray looked bewildered. "What do you mean? Why for me?"
She gracefully came before him, her smile flickering like blue light in the deep sea.
She leaned close to his ear, her breath soft.
"This is a herb... used to make moments of pleasure last longer."
The words hung in the air like a delicate invitation. Cantarella's violet eyes sparkled with mischief as she watched his reaction, her fingertip lightly tracing the flower's petal. The air between them grew warmer, charged with the subtle promise of what such a plant could unlock prolonged, exquisite indulgence that blurred the line between ecstasy and torment.
Ray's face flushed. He quickly stepped back a few paces, gave a light cough, and cleared his throat. "This... well, it is indeed a good thing, but I don't need it yet."
"It seems our little guest is quite confident in himself." Cantarella's fingertip lightly traced her cheek. "But if it's just talk, what meaning does it have?"
How had the conversation suddenly drifted in such a strange direction?
Was Cantarella perhaps a bit too suppressed?
Probably the weight of responsibility on her shoulders was too heavy, keeping her constantly tense. Now that she'd rarely glimpsed a glimmer of light, how could she easily let it go?
Although...
Ray wouldn't mind helping her relax a bit either.
Wait, what was he thinking?
How could he do something to betray the Second Young Miss!
Though he already had.
Seeing Ray's embarrassed expression, Cantarella couldn't help but laugh softly. "So you can make that face too."
Then, she gracefully reined in her smile. "But enough joking. Could you tell me in detail about Cartethyia?"