Ragunna.
The acquisition and integration work for the Fasciaspina family's assets had finally reached a temporary conclusion.
After several consecutive days of high-intensity work, Carlotta could finally catch her breath.
"Mmm—!"
In her office, the young lady stretched leisurely, as if trying to shake off the accumulated fatigue of many days.
"After working overtime for several days straight, it's finally all taken care of."
She picked up the still-warm coffee and walked slowly to the window. Sunlight filled the streets outside, a scene of peaceful tranquility. A long-absent sense of calm quietly spread through her heart.
So, this rare upcoming leisure time...
Where should she go?
Family matters, for now, didn't need to be worried about.
Uncle would handle everything.
Carlotta gazed at the distant skyline, her eyes inadvertently falling on the uniquely designed camera at the corner of her desk. This wasn't an ordinary digital camera but an instant-print imaging device from Huanglong, a clever fusion of classical aesthetics and cutting-edge technology, a product interweaving science and art.
In Ragunna, a city that revered art, such cameras were far more favored than cold, impersonal digital devices.
She gently picked up the camera, her fingertips tracing its smooth casing, lost in thought.
"Come to think of it, the family's banking business recently planned to expand to Septimont..."
"Should I personally go to Septimont to take a look?"
"And while I'm at it, try promoting this camera there?"
Carlotta murmured softly to herself, a familiar figure involuntarily surfacing in her mind.
That guy would probably be interested in something like this, right?
Perfect timing. Could also invite Ray to come to Septimont for a walk, treat it as a trip.
Oh, right, that jerk Ray...
...He must be having a great time right now, right?
So many days, not a single call, not even a message.
Using my money to wine and dine other women...
At this thought, Carlotta's expression immediately darkened. But after just a few seconds, she simply let out a long sigh.
What else could she do?
That was Ray's private life, and it was also the reward he deserved.
Since the money was given, however he spent it, who was she to interfere?
She understood all these reasons.
But somewhere in her heart, it still felt like a pebble was lodged there, an indescribable discomfort.
Carlotta picked up her terminal, hesitated for a moment, but still dialed Ray's number.
After a few rings, the call connected.
"Hello, Second Young Miss... wh-what's wrong? Is something the matter?"
For some reason, Ray's tone sounded strange, breathing heavily as if replying while running.
"What are you doing?" Carlotta frowned. "Why do you sound like that? I think I also hear... someone panting?"
"I'm—"
Before Ray could finish, a soft, faint moan from a girl suddenly came through the terminal, carrying a timid plea.
"I don't want anymore, Mr. Ray... I'm a bit scared."
"You have to continue even if you're scared! If you're scared at this step, what will you do later?"
"Ugh... it's s-so cold! I don't want it!"
"You have to persevere!"
"Ah... it's going in! Mr. Ray, I feel so uncomfortable..."
"Be good. Once you get used to it, it'll be fine. It'll feel better gradually."
Carlotta stiffened at first, then as if understanding something, abruptly cut off the call.
She slumped back into her chair, covering her instantly flushed face with both hands, her body trembling slightly.
'That bastard... what on earth is he doing?!
So impatient?
Jerk! Jerk!
I... I'm his girlfriend!'
...
...
Meanwhile, at the Riccioli Islands.
"That's right, Phoebe, just like this, swim slowly... starting to get used to it, aren't you?"
Ray held Phoebe's hand, patiently guiding her through movements in the shallow sea. Having heard Phoebe mention earlier that she couldn't swim and feared the ocean, he decided to take this opportunity to teach her.
Though afraid, with his and Anby's successive encouragement, Phoebe cautiously stepped into the sea.
"Then I'm going to let go, okay?" Ray looked at Phoebe, who was so nervous she had her eyes tightly shut, and softly tested the waters.
"No! Absolutely not! If you dare let go... I'll never speak to you again in my life!"
Hearing he might let go, Phoebe immediately shook her head in panic, her hands clutching his arm tightly, her entire body frozen in place.
Ray had no choice but to laugh and sigh.
At that moment, Anby dragged his terminal over to his ear, and he finally remembered the earlier interrupted call.
"Second Young Miss? I was just teaching Phoebe how to swim."
"Hello? Second Young Miss? Can you hear me?"
"...Weird, why did she hang up?"
Forget it, never mind.
I'll explain to the Second Young Miss after we're done here.
Right now, the most important thing was to teach Phoebe how to swim.
"Huh? Finished the call already?"
Anby tossed the terminal back onto the sand, rubbed its eyes, and yawned.
"I'm so sleepy... gonna go sleep for a bit. Wake me up when it's dinner time."
Before the words finished, it had already transformed into a golden light and burrowed back into the tacet mark on Ray's hand.
"M-Mr. Ray... is that enough?" The golden-haired girl flailed in the seawater, her hands tightly gripping Ray's arm, her voice trembling. "I... I think it's really okay if I don't learn to swim! Can we please go back to shore now?"
"No, you can't give up halfway." Ray shook his head decisively, his tone firm. "Besides, you're a Acolyte of the Order. You should learn to overcome your fears."
"But I really—"
"Don't say any more, Phoebe. Come on, next I'm going to speed up!"
"N-no! That's too fast; I won't be able to handle it!"
...
...
On the evening beach, the setting sun dyed the fine sand a warm golden color.
Phoebe sat on the sand, hugging her knees, burying her slightly flushed cheeks in the crook of her arms. Only when Ray handed her a fresh coconut did she look up, traces of lingering grievance still in her eyes.
"Angry?" he asked softly.
Phoebe shook her head, took the coconut, and took small sips through the straw. The clear, sweet liquid slid down her throat, allowing her to relax a little.
"No... I know Mr. Ray is doing it for my own good."
Her voice gradually softened.
"It's just the sea..."
The girl lifted her face, a fleeting, elusive pain passing through her violet eyes.
In that instant, she seemed to return to the icy seawater that had swallowed everything in her childhood.
But immediately, another image surfaced in her mind, in the pitch-black abyss at the sea's bottom, it was he who had grasped her hand, like a beam of light piercing through all fear, making her heart pound in response.
That was a miracle, small yet real, belonging solely to her.
The girl unconsciously rubbed her fingertips, blinked hard, discreetly wiped away the moisture at the corner of her eye, and looked once more at the figure beside her.
"Mm! I won't let Mr. Ray's expectations down!"
"Why suddenly so motivated?" Ray tilted his head, looking at her, then smiled in relief. "But it's good you're not angry. I was just thinking, if you really got mad, how would I manage to cheer you up?"
He continued in a light tone. "But someone as gentle as Phoebe, no matter what I do, as long as I apologize sincerely, you'll forgive me, right?"
"...That's true, but..." Phoebe puffed out her cheeks slightly. "Hearing it from Mr. Ray's mouth, it somehow feels a bit strange."
"In any case, even though I always forgive Mr. Ray, Mr. Ray can't deliberately make me angry!"
"Got it, got it."
Scattered lights twinkled beneath the sky, lingering on the dusk-embraced beach, wandering between the waves.
No clamor of people, no roar of vehicles, only the sound of the breeze rustling leaves, and the miraculous... heartbeat between them.