The four of them boarded the Gondola Echo boat together. Lucian held Phrolova and Rover sitting on his lap, while Carlotta sat elegantly across from him.
Lucian looked down and discovered that Phrolova was actually leaning against his chest, snoring away. Did the Comical Eyepatch have this kind of effect too?
It must be the drowsiness brought on by her calmed state of mind.
But to become his hostage and still sleep so soundly—this truly caught Lucian off guard.
Was she just that carefree?
The Gondola beneath them expressed that it had borne a weight it shouldn't have at this age.
The group was now above the Sea of Clouds, with specks of fluorescence floating on the surface.
As the Gondola glided across the sea, the light points swirled around it.
Like stars traveling through the cosmos, illuminating the path for visitors.
In this serene environment, Carlotta's soft voice rose:
"All sounds fall silent, the earth enters dreamland, in the quiet midnight, the bright moon shines on all sides…"
"The stars are so bright, the song echoes far. Beautiful Lorelei, no more sorrow…"
"Before the black night falls, come to my boat. Dawn is coming soon, no more hesitation…"
As if in response to Carlotta's murmur, a ethereal song arose, dreamlike and illusory.
Rover asked in puzzlement, "Where are these songs coming from?"
Carlotta said, "You heard them too?"
"That's Lorelei's song."
"She guides the passing ships, ensuring they don't lose their way in the Sea of Clouds."
"But her song today seems different from before."
"There's a hint of sorrow and pain in the melody."
"Perhaps it's just my imagination. In any case, following the song will allow us to traverse the mist and storm, reaching the depths of the Sea of Clouds."
"But regarding the matter with Lorelei, I still have to ask you to help investigate."
"I'm not actually heading to the Cloud Pavilion this time; I have a more important family matter."
"But I will also ask Zani to assist you."
Rover cleared her throat twice. "Understood…"
"But speaking of Zani, I have a question, Miss Carlotta."
"…Between me and Lucian, who has the higher priority?"
She had said before that whoever had the higher priority, Zani would prioritize serving them.
As long as her own priority was higher than Lucian's, she could have Zani help Phoebe establish the correct view of love.
Of course, that was no longer the most important thing.
If Lucian's priority was higher, then Lucian would demand Zani's black stockings.
So, compared to helping Phoebe establish the correct view of love, preventing Lucian from getting Zani's black stockings was clearly more important.
In Rover's eyes, Zani's threat was obviously much greater than Phoebe's.
After all, Zani was flawless in both looks and figure.
If there was one flaw, it might be her rather heavy dark circles…
Carlotta furrowed her delicate brows, somewhat puzzled. "Priority?"
"Miss Rover, forgive me, but I don't quite understand what you mean."
"You and Mr. Lucian are both the Montelli Family's most important guests; your statuses in our eyes are the same."
Rover's expression was serious. "No!"
"You have to decide today who's higher!"
Carlotta: "…?"
She was truly baffled. Was this priority that important? Was some major event about to happen?
Seeing this, Lucian helplessly explained it to her.
Carlotta fell silent upon hearing this. She had thought some big event was about to occur.
To think it was just because of this…
Did Lucian and Rover consider something like this a major event in their eyes?
She wasn't sure whether to call them overly confident…
Under the expectant gazes of the two, Carlotta still found it hard to decide.
After all, they were indeed the Montelli Family's—and her own—most important guests, with no distinction between high and low.
Speaking of which, Zani was clever to have tossed the problem to her.
But since she could toss it to her, she could toss it right back.
"Zani is an employee of the Montelli Family."
"And as an employee, she naturally acts according to the Montelli Family's will."
"You two are both our most important guests, with no distinction between high and low."
"So it's normal that Zani can't decide."
"But that's just her work. In private, you can still seek her help."
"The premise is, if she's willing."
Rover: "…"
Are you two just passing the buck here?
Then what if Lucian demands Zani's black stockings in private?
What do I do then!?
Zani's personality was rather free-spirited; she probably wouldn't refuse outright.
And with Lucian's silver tongue, he would surely succeed.
Lucian chuckled. "Exactly right. Zani is free."
"Rover, we shouldn't force her to help us with anything."
Rover crossed her arms in dissatisfaction. "Then you can't force her to give you her personal clothing either."
Lucian laughed. "Hey! That's not fair."
"If I also give Zani a gift in return and then ask for her personal clothing…"
"She surely wouldn't refuse. That's called reciprocity."
"How could that be called forcing?"
"But you making her help Phoebe—that's the real forcing!"
"Think about it: Phoebe is a priestess of the Order of the Deep, so devout."
"While Zani is someone who doesn't believe in religion."
"Having a non-believer help a believer establish her view of love… isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
Rover grumbled, "What's inappropriate about it?"
"Belief and views on love don't conflict."
Lucian smiled lightly. "But Zani hasn't even been in love herself. How could she help Phoebe establish a view on love?"
Rover snorted coldly. "Though Zani has zero practical experience, her theoretical knowledge is still very high."
"Helping a naive and innocent little priestess establish the correct view of love is more than sufficient."
Lucian shook his head slightly. "Wouldn't that just be armchair strategizing?"
Then, as if struck by inspiration, he suggested, "How about this: Let me have a passionate romance with Zani, so she gains practical experience."
"That way, she should be able to help Phoebe establish the correct view of love."
Rover: "???"
"Are your abacus beads clacking so loud that even Carlotta across from you can hear them?"
Carlotta inwardly grumbled: At this distance, how could she not hear?
But she hadn't expected that in such a short time, Rover was already planning to team up with Zani to help Phoebe?
She knew of Phoebe too—a young priestess from the Order of the Deep who wasn't very old.
But… view of love?
At Phoebe's age, she probably wasn't at the stage for romance yet, right?
Had something happened?
Carlotta glanced at the grinning Lucian; her intuition told her this matter was related to Lucian.