The air in the room, having been released by Oti Alfalfa's departure, relaxed for a moment.
However, due to Jade's sudden action, it tightened once more, permeated by a strange, almost palpable, ambiguous scent.
The wide ceremonial scarf, symbolizing her identity and profession, was gently placed on a nearby rosewood side table, revealing her meticulously styled, smooth, pale violet hair, with a few strands casually falling across her fair forehead, adding a touch of rare softness and allure.
Daziel's gaze remained calm, yet beneath that calm, a hint of imperceptible scrutiny and playfulness seemed to emerge.
Jade's fingers, fair and slender, now rested gently on the first button of her well-fitting, off-white top.
The button was made of exquisite mother-of-pearl, gleaming with a warm luster in the soft indoor light.
Her fingertips trembled slightly, revealing the unrest within her.
She took a deep breath, as if summoning all her strength, before finally steeling her resolve.
"Click."
With a sound so faint it was almost inaudible, the first button slowly came undone.
The lapel parted slightly, revealing a small patch of delicate skin beneath her neck, like fine porcelain.
Her breathing seemed to quicken with it, and the blush on her cheeks, initially a barely noticeable pale pink, gradually spread, like a rose blooming after rain.
She dared not look into Daziel's eyes, merely lowering her gaze slightly, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath her eyes.
The indoor light, streaming through the large French windows, illuminated the motes of dust in the air, making them clearly visible; they seemed to have also ceased their dance due to the congealing atmosphere.
Jade's fingers, with a hint of hesitation, moved upwards, touching the second button.
This button seemed harder to undo than the first; her fingertips lingered on it for a moment, as if gathering courage.
Daziel said nothing, nor did he make any move, merely watching her quietly. This silent gaze, on the contrary, made Jade's heart beat even faster.
Finally, the second button also gave way.
Her top opened further, revealing her delicate collarbones, and the subtle curves beneath, indistinctly.
A faint, elegant fragrance emanated from her, mingling with her slightly hastened breathing, winding around Daziel's nostrils.
Jade's body unconsciously leaned forward slightly, shortening the distance between them further. She could feel the faint warmth emanating from Daziel, as well as his steady breathing.
Her hand now rested on the third button.
This time, her movements were no longer hesitant; instead, they carried a decisive resolve, as if burning her bridges.
As the third button came undone, the front of her top almost completely opened, revealing the silk lining within, and the breathtaking contours outlined by it.
Jade slowly raised her head, her originally cool eyes now shimmering with moisture, carrying a hint of haziness, a hint of allure, and a hint of desperate hope.
She took another step forward, almost pressing against Daziel's body, her warm breath gently fanning his neck.
"Mr. Daziel, this... this kind of compensation, you..."
Her voice was softer than a mosquito's hum, with a distinct tremor, as if about to melt into the air.
Just at this critical moment, as their breaths mingled, Daziel finally moved.
He neither retreated nor reciprocated, his gaze merely remaining on her face, but his tone reverted to its previous indifference, though that indifference now seemed to hold a hint of understanding.
He spoke, his voice calm and unruffled, yet like a clear spring, instantly dousing the burning flames in the air, "The transaction I mentioned refers to my promise to Miss Robin to find a way to rescue Mr. Sunday."
Jade's movements abruptly halted, her entire being stiffening as if under a paralysis spell.
The blush on her face vanished instantly, only to surge back a moment later, this time a pure embarrassment and mortification, so red it seemed about to drip blood.
Her shimmering eyes suddenly widened, staring at Daziel in disbelief. All her previous allure and ambiguity shattered and fractured into a scattered mess of awkwardness.
So that's...
So that's how it is!
She actually...
She actually misunderstood!
She thought his "transaction" meant some... some more private... compensation.
For a moment, Jade felt her face burning, wishing the ground would split open and swallow her whole.
She instinctively tried to pull her lapels shut, but her fingers were clumsy with panic. The shrewd and capable Interastral Peace Corporation executive she was on normal days, now looked as mortified as a child who had done something wrong.
Daziel watched her helpless state, a hint of almost imperceptible amusement flitting across his eyes, before he quickly regained his calm.
He spoke faintly, his tone betraying no emotion, "In any case, this compensation will be collected. You can deliver it directly, that's fine."
Upon hearing this, Jade suddenly looked up, staring at him with some confusion.
His words seemed to carry a certain magic, somewhat calming her wildly beating heart, which had been frantic with embarrassment, yet they also stirred a strange ripple within her.
He...
What does he mean by this?
Does he mean her actions just now weren't completely... in vain?
She looked into Daziel's profound eyes, trying to decipher something from them, but saw only a calm lake surface, bottomless.
After a moment of hesitation, Jade bit her lower lip. The blush that had only just faded now quietly seeped back into her cheeks.
Jade took a deep breath, as if steeling her resolve. Her voice was still somewhat trembling, but with an added hint of determination.
Having said that, she closed her eyes, lifted her head slightly, her soft lips, with a hint of trembling, moving towards Daziel's lips to press upon them.
"Knock!"
Just as their lips were about to meet, the door of the conference room was abruptly pushed open from the outside.
Robin's petite and delicate figure appeared in the doorway, her face beaming with a surprised smile, her clear voice full of joy:
"Oti Alfalfa already told me," she exclaimed, "Daziel, you helped the company resolve the issue of listing in Penacony! The reconstruction of Penacony is also settled... You?!"
Her cheerful words abruptly ceased the moment she clearly saw the scene inside the room, and the smile on her face froze.
Daziel and Jade were frozen in an extremely ambiguous posture—
Jade was slightly tilted back, eyes closed, her lips mere millimeters from Daziel's, while Daziel was slightly leaning forward, looking at her.
The atmosphere in the room instantly shifted from ambiguous allure to extreme awkwardness.
Robin looked at Jade, then at Daziel, her bright large eyes filled with confusion and surprise.
"Did I... did I interrupt you?"
She asked softly, somewhat at a loss, her cheeks also faintly blushing.
Daziel silently thought to himself: No, you came at just the right time.
Jade, however, sprang back like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, suddenly opening her eyes, quickly taking a step back, and widening the distance from Daziel.
She hastily adjusted her open lapels. Though the blush on her face hadn't faded, her expression quickly regained its usual coolness and composure in a very short time.
After all, she was Jade, a high-ranking executive of the Interastral Peace Corporation; she could handle this much.
However, continuing the unfinished "compensation" in front of Robin was something she absolutely could not do.
"Miss Robin,"
Jade's voice returned to its usual clarity, though with a subtly perceptible hint of haste at the end, "Do you have something you need to discuss with Mr. Daziel?"
Robin awkwardly fiddled with the corner of her dress:
"I... I just came to remind Mr. Daziel that the Grand Festival of Harmony is about to begin. Remember to attend..."
After she finished speaking, she secretly glanced at Jade again, seemingly trying to read something from her face.
Jade had already completely resumed her aloof beauty's demeanor. She nodded slightly, her tone calm and unruffled:
"You two talk. Since the company has successfully acquired a stake in Penacony, Miss Robin, regarding your brother's matter...
Robin said gratefully, the slight confusion in her heart temporarily suppressed.
Jade nodded, her gaze turning to Daziel, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
She took two steps forward, and as she passed Daziel, she turned slightly, and in a voice audible only to the two of them, she whispered close to his ear:
"After the Grand Festival of Harmony concludes, I will come to repay... the remaining portion of the compensation."
Her warm breath brushed Daziel's earlobe, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible fragrance.
Having said that, Jade did not linger, turning and walking towards the door. Her high heels clicked crisply and rhythmically on the polished floor, as if announcing the end of her brief loss of composure, and a pending, unfinished agreement.
The door closed behind her, leaving only Daziel and the somewhat flustered Robin in the room once more.
The air in the room seemed to freeze for a moment, the awkwardness and the lingering warmth of ambiguity not yet dissipated.
Robin stood rooted to the spot, unconsciously twisting the corner of her exquisite dress, her clear eyes filled with vexation and unease.
She cautiously raised her eyes, swiftly glanced at Daziel, then quickly lowered her head again, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum:
"I... I'm sorry, it seems I've ruined your good moment, Master..."
Daziel looked at her, so pitifully contrite, and the ripple that had risen in his heart due to Jade's departure was replaced by another emotion.
A curve, neither smile nor sneer, tugged at the corner of his lips. He deliberately drew out his words, his tone carrying a teasing complaint:
"You really came at the wrong time. I was almost 'up to the task,' but you interrupted me, tsk, tsk, tsk."
He paused, his gaze subtly sweeping over her, his tone becoming meaningful, "Now I have a 'reaction,' how do you propose to resolve this?"
Robin's head sank even lower, her face instantly turning so red it seemed about to drip blood, even her small earlobes were tinged with pink.
She could almost feel the frantic "thump-thump" of her heart in her chest.
"I... I will compensate you tonight, I'm... I'm so sorry! Truly sorry!"
Her voice trembled, filled with deep regret and a hint of imperceptible panic.
"Tonight, eh?"
Daziel spoke slowly, as if savoring her words, "I already have plans with someone else tonight."
Robin was momentarily speechless. Her beautiful wings unconsciously fluttered slightly, making her appear even more flustered.
She could feel Daziel's gaze, a gaze that made her whole body uneasy, yet she dared not look up.
Daziel watched her embarrassed demeanor, no longer teasing her. He changed the subject and asked:
"How much longer until the Grand Festival of Harmony begins?"
Robin seemed to grasp at a lifeline, quickly replying: "Only... only half a system hour left. I... ... I've already changed into my dress to come here, I can't let it get messed up, not now."
She added softly, her voice filled with difficulty and pleading. This dress was highly significant to her; it was a symbol of the Grand Festival of Harmony, and absolutely could not be sullied.
Daziel's gaze fell upon the elaborately custom-made, splendid dress shimmering with tiny stars, then moved upwards, lingering on her lusciously red lips, adorned with exquisite lipstick.
He mused for a moment, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes.
Daziel's voice was not loud, yet it carried an undeniable meaning, "When we were at The Reverie, how did you help me relax?"
Robin's body subtly stiffened, and the blush on her face deepened.
Of course she remembered; such memories were hard to forget. She bit her lower lip, her voice faint yet clear:
"Then let's begin."
Daziel's tone was calm, as if discussing the most ordinary matter.
Robin's breathing halted for a moment. She looked up, meeting Daziel's bottomless eyes, which held no hint of playfulness.
She knew she had no room to refuse, nor did she... want to refuse.
She responded softly, her voice carrying a hint of resigned obedience.
Having said that, Robin took a deep breath, as if steeling her resolve.
She lifted her skirt, and carefully, slowly knelt before Daziel.
As she moved, the pair of small, exquisite wings behind her head seemed to sense their owner's emotions, unconsciously folding slightly forward, gently resting on her shoulders, as if seeking some protection, or perhaps expressing some submission.
For a moment, only the faint rustle of fabric and Robin's slightly hurried breathing could be heard in the room.
She slightly raised her head, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows under the light, her eyes holding a few hints of allure, a few hints of nervousness, and a subtly imperceptible hint of anticipation.
Daziel lowered his gaze, watching her slowly draw closer.
Her lips, adorned with exquisite lipstick, carried a hint of cool fragrance, mingling with the elegant scent of her dress, creating a unique temptation.
A moment later, subtle, ambiguously indistinct sounds began to echo in the conference room, isolated from the festive clamor of Penacony's impending celebration outside the window, forming a hidden and unique world.
Robin kept her head lowered, fine beads of sweat seeping from her fair forehead, her exquisite makeup slightly muddied, yet she remained earnest and focused.
Time silently flowed by in this atmosphere.
When everything finally settled, Robin's breathing was still somewhat unsteady, her cheeks flushed. She panted slightly, the wisps of hair on her forehead damp with sweat, clinging to her skin.
Daziel held her chin with his hand, his eyes playful.
Robin's gaze was internal, not daring to meet Daziel's eyes, yet also not daring to break free from his hand.
Her chin twitched slightly.
Daziel began to tease her, his voice imbued with a lazy chuckle, deep and magnetic.
Robin's cheeks remained crimson, like ripe apples. She slightly lowered her gaze, her voice thin, with a hint of still-unsettled panting.
"It's... it's all because Master practiced well with me."
Daziel reached out and lightly patted her pert buttocks, eliciting a crisp sound.
"Oh!"
"The Grand Festival of Harmony is about to begin,"
Daziel said, his tone regaining some seriousness, "Your brother isn't here, so you are now the head of the Oak Family. You should present yourself accordingly. Go quickly; I'll be there soon."
Robin's body trembled slightly from his pat. She nodded awkwardly.
She lifted her skirt, her steps slightly unsteady, moving with an ineffable gait, taking small, hurried steps towards the door.
Each step was like treading on clouds, yet also like striving to maintain some balance. Her meticulously cared-for dress swayed gently with her movements, twinkling with starlight, yet unable to conceal the lingering sensual allure between her brows.
The room door softly closed, sealing off the lingering ambiguous afterglow within the room.
Daziel also found a suit from the room's wardrobe, preparing to change into it.
The Radiant Feldspar's Main Cabin.
The venue for the Grand Festival of Harmony's opening ceremony was already bustling with voices, awash in dazzling lights.
Massive crystal chandeliers cast brilliant light, illuminating the meticulously groomed faces of every guest.
The air was filled with the fragrance of champagne mingled with expensive perfumes.
Daziel leaned casually in an inconspicuous corner, his gaze sweeping through the crowd, and indeed, all the old acquaintances had arrived.
Boothill, with his mechanical prosthetic body, revealing a mouth full of gleaming white, tumor-fish teeth when he smiled, was drinking large gulps of Asturnar White Oak —
According to Boothill, this type of beer is brewed with a bullet steeped in the glass, which adds flavor, but perhaps only his augmented tongue could taste it.
Aventurine, always flipping chips between his fingers, still wore a cynical smile on his face.
It seemed he was truly fine; in this timeline, he didn't even get the chance to be struck down by Acheron.
Dr. Ratio, with an indifferent expression and a sagacious gleam in his stone head; Topaz, shrewd and capable, wearing a professional smile;
and Jade, who always maintained her elegance and composure. She seemed to have noticed Daziel's gaze, and remotely
The Astral Express crew was also particularly conspicuous.
Himeko was as steady and intellectual as ever, while March 7th excitedly looked around, her face full of curiosity about the grand ceremony.
Firefly stood quietly beside Himeko, while Sparkle, in a seemingly attention-grabbing attire, scanned the crowd, occasionally letting out a few soft laughs.
The knight clad in silver armor, holding a long spear, who worshipped 'Beauty' Ena, Argenti, also solemnly attended— even if he was merely a cameo in Daziel's script, with no real chance to appear.
The melodious music gradually subsided, and everyone's gaze converged on the elevated ceremonial stage ahead.
Robin, clad in a magnificent gown, gracefully walked to the front of the stage. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her slightly hurried breathing, a proper and gentle smile on her face.
The spotlight shone on her, and the gown, shimmering with starlight, sparkled brilliantly, making her appear like a goddess descended to the mortal realm.
"Esteemed guests, fellow family members, ladies and gentlemen, friends from across the galaxy—"
Robin's voice, amplified by the sound system, echoed throughout the entire venue, clear and sweet.
"It is a great pleasure to gather with all of you and jointly welcome Penacony's grandest ceremony of this Amber Era, the Grand Festival of Harmony. First, on behalf of the Penacony Family Branch and the Five Great Lineages..."
Here, her voice seemed to pause slightly, before she continued:
"And in... my personal name, I extend a warm... welcome to all esteemed guests, cough!"
She lightly coughed, raising a hand to touch her lips as if to cover it.
Below the stage, Sparkle leaned into Firefly's ear, lowering her voice with a mischievous chuckle.
"How come the wing-flapping girl's voice sounds a little different today?"
Firefly blinked, a little confused.
"How is it different?"
Sparkle's eyes darted, smiling like a cat that had stolen fish.
"It sounds like... her throat's a bit phlegmy?"
Firefly showed a worried expression, "Is she... feeling unwell in her throat?"
Robin on stage seemed to realize the slight abnormality in her voice, clearing her throat again, trying to make her voice sound more stable.
"And for this dream to return to its proper course, it would not have been possible without the aid of Akivili, the Trailblaze. If not for the Astral Express crew, this Grand Festival of Harmony could not have proceeded smoothly—"
Her gaze found the Astral Express crew in the crowd, and she nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
"Therefore, with the unanimous agreement of the Five Great Lineages, the Penacony Family Branch, on behalf of family members across the galaxy, will present a gift to all the Nameless—"
Below the stage, March 7th's eyes lit up. She clasped her hands together, excitedly cheering softly.
Robin's voice was solemn:
"—We are willing to transfer the ownership of 'The Radiant Feldspar' to the Astral Express! It's not much, but we hope you'll accept it!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, the entire hall first fell silent, then erupted in thunderous applause.
Robin raised her voice, her smile radiant:
"Let's give our applause and cheers to all the brave and fearless Nameless! Especially... Mr. Daziel..."
"Nameless! Daziel! Nameless! Daziel!"
The guests enthusiastically cheered, and the atmosphere reached its peak.
Daziel felt the cheers of the crowd, his expression calm, but secretly quite pleased.
The feeling of being sought after by everyone makes it hard not to feel light-headed.
Robin extended her hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down.
When the applause slightly subsided, she raised the wine glass in her hand:
"Now, I propose that we all raise our glasses—"
The guests below the stage raised their glasses one after another, the clear liquid sparkling with an enchanting luster under the lights.
Robin's gaze swept across the entire hall, her voice clear and strong:
The guests below the stage raised their glasses one after another, the clear liquid sparkling with an enchanting luster under the lights.
Robin's gaze swept across the entire hall, her voice clear and strong:
"To Xipe, to Akivili, to the future of Penacony and the galaxy, and also to the generous Patriarch Oti Alfalfa—"
She paused, her smile growing even brighter, "—Cheers!"
Hosts and guests alike enjoyed themselves.
Daziel also raised his glass and emptied its contents in one gulp.
Surely, nothing else could go wrong this time, right? —
As the rich champagne flowed down his throat, Daziel thought this to himself.
____
Unfortunately, two of our stories were removed... so I created a new account to post them: MikuDayo.
_____
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