Ray slowly opened his eyes.
The familiar ceiling of the Fool's Troupe gradually came into focus.
He was back.
Time's hourglass seemed to have been flipped once more. He wondered how much of the waking world had slipped away during this latest passage.
Hazy memories flooded back like a tide. He vaguely recalled the final scene, sitting beside Cartethyia beneath the flower shade, sharing the knight novel between them.
The young woman's soft breaths rose and fell with the story's rhythm, until her long lashes drooped like butterfly wings and her golden hair gently rested on his shoulder as she sank into a peaceful sleep.
He must have been brought back here in that quiet moment.
A trace of warmth still seemed to linger on his shoulder, like the fading echo of a dream.
He had left without saying goodbye.
He hoped that when Cartethyia woke up...
she wouldn't blame him.
Ray sat up slowly, pressing his fingers against his slightly throbbing temples.
Ciaccona wasn't here.
Where had she gone?
Just as he was looking around, the wooden door was pushed open gently. Ciaccona entered, holding a small tray. Seeing him awake, she paused briefly, then smiled. "You're awake? How did you sleep last night?"
"Rather than sleeping..." Ray rubbed his brow, still feeling a bit dizzy, whether from overexertion of mental energy or some other reason, he couldn't tell. "It's more like I traveled elsewhere in a different way. My body isn't tired, but my mind hasn't relaxed at all."
"It sounds like you saw Cartethyia again, didn't you?"
Ciaccona, holding a plate of delicate pastries, walked lightly to the table and set them down, her voice soft. "These are small treats I made myself. Would you like to try one?"
The freshly baked pastries gave off a warm, enticing sweetness, wafting into Ray's nose and instantly stirring his long-neglected appetite.
Thinking back, he had been so busy running around lately that he hadn't had many proper meals.
Ray picked up a small, delicate pastry and took a bite.
In an instant, a rich, mellow flavor spread across his tongue. His eyes lit up, and he exclaimed sincerely, "Wow, this is really good! I never expected that a traveling bard who wanders the world would have such skill."
Ciaccona lifted her chin slightly, let out a soft hum, and said with a touch of pride, "What kind of part-time jobs do you think I do? Don't underestimate the skill set of a working woman! Besides singing and playing, other life skills come easily to me!"
"By the way, you did see Cartethyia, didn't you?" Ciaccona picked up a small cookie, curiosity sparkling in her eyes as she looked at Ray. "After I used my ability, you just fell asleep holding the stone tablet."
"Yes." Ray nodded. "Thanks to you, I broke through Leviathan's blockade and saw Cartethyia again."
Ciaccona asked, "So, is the Blessed Maiden doing well?"
"Nothing seems to be wrong so far."
"That's good." Ciaccona breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes full of sympathy. "To be alone in such a lonely, eerie place for twenty years... I was afraid her mind might not hold up. But as expected of the Blessed Maiden, her spirit is incredibly strong."
"However, for Cartethyia now, you might be her only companion in this world. Please remember to spend time with her and give her some warmth and comfort."
Ray replied matter-of-factly, "Of course. Though Cartethyia appears strong on the outside, I can sense that she's still quite fragile."
"Perhaps it's because she's been alone too long. If we could keep her company more often, or even bring her out of that Sonoro realm..."
He sighed helplessly.
Unfortunately, everything about that Sonoro realm remained a mystery for now.
Who knew when Cartethyia could finally be brought out of that prison?
"With just my own strength, I can't break through Leviathan's blockade."
"So, to make that happen, I'll still need your help, Ciaccona."
As he spoke, Ray paused briefly, as if suddenly remembering something important, his eyes fixed expectantly on Ciaccona. "By the way, Ciaccona. Where do you usually stay?"
Ciaccona tilted her head. "Wherever the road takes me. I'm a bard, after all. Wherever I go, that's my home."
"Then here's the problem." Ray mused. "If I need your help, how do I find you?"
"..."
That question made Ciaccona pause too.
Yes, how would he find her?
"Maybe..."
Ray suggested, "You could stay at my place? That would be more convenient."
"Huh, can I?"
...
...
Ray had been out of contact for two whole days and nights.
Though Carlotta already had a vague idea in her mind, suspecting that he was most likely with the Fool's Troupe, worry still spread through her heart like ivy.
Not that she was worried about his safety.
After all, she had complete confidence in Ray's abilities.
No matter what dangerous situation he encountered, she believed he would always turn it around and come back safely.
What worried her most was his luck with women!
She was afraid that in those two days and nights, he might have stirred up some tangled romantic troubles.
Perhaps others might think she was overreacting, but based on Carlotta's past experiences, she couldn't shake this uneasy feeling.
When she thought about it carefully, wasn't that the case with both Iuno and Lupa?
Just being away for a moment, and that man would meet some girl from somewhere, and soon they'd be "hitting it off," chatting and laughing with an inexplicable tacit understanding.
I'm clearly his girlfriend!
Thump, thump, thump—
The sound of a gentle knock broke the room's stillness.
The girlish unease in Carlotta's eyes disappeared the moment she looked up.
She lightly smoothed her skirt, lifted the corners of her lips into a flawless curve, and her voice regained its usual composure. "Come in."
The door opened.
A subordinate in the Montelli family uniform entered respectfully and placed a document on the desk.
"Second Miss, the draft itinerary for the weekend has been prepared. Please review it."
"Leave it. I'll look at it later."
"Yes."
The subordinate bowed and withdrew, the door closing silently behind him.
The room returned to silence, leaving only the itinerary lying on the corner of the desk and the troubled thoughts resurfacing in her eyes.
This weekend, the Montelli family would hold a formal meeting with their longtime allies or rather, longtime rivals, the Fisalia family.
Brokered by her uncle, the family's nominal heir, Capollo Montelli, under the pretense of seeking a resolution to the two families' long-standing feud.
"Fisalia..."
Carlotta murmured softly.
"I wonder if that disgusting jellyfish spirit will show up..."