Chapter 68: What is the Language of a Steel Scouring Pad...?
"Well... Cantarella... isn't this a bit..."
Before Aeron could finish his sentence from the sofa, Cantarella leaned closer to him once more. Her subtle fragrance enveloped him, plucking at the strings of his mind.
"Hehe~ It's fine. Besides... have you forgotten what our relationship is now?"
Cantarella's fingers lightly traced the collar of Aeron's shirt, her blue eyes shimmering with playful amusement. "Or could it be that after just a few days apart, your 'fiancée' already feels like a stranger to you?"
"I wouldn't dare even if you gave me ten lives..."
Aeron shrank back, trying to suppress his growing excitement while creating some safe distance between them. "It's just... I came here to discuss serious matters. It's easy to get distracted when you're like this."
"Distracted?" Cantarella chuckled softly. Instead of retreating, she followed his leaning posture, her fingertips sliding down to his waist and giving a light tap.
"Is being distracted by me something to be ashamed of, my dear 'fiancé'?"
...Sweating bullets here, man, sweating bullets.
"I-it's mainly because Carnevale is coming up soon, and I really should be focusing on that..."
"Oh?"
Hearing Aeron mention serious business, Cantarella toned down her seductive demeanor. She elegantly crossed her legs, resting her elbows on her knees and supporting her face—a face that combined both beauty and majesty.
"If I recall correctly... Carnevale affairs are jointly handled by the family and the Order... What exactly do you need to worry about?"
"What if I said it's my duty as a citizen of Ragunna? Would you believe me?"
"If you were that conscientious, so many people wouldn't have to worry about you all the time."
"You make it sound like I'm some troublemaking problem child..."
Though Aeron had indeed been causing frequent incidents lately, that was different, right?
Seeing Aeron's expression of wanting to talk back but having nothing to say, Cantarella couldn't help but laugh aloud, deciding not to tease him further.
"Alright then, tell me... what do you want me to help you with?"
Finally getting to the main topic, Aeron immediately composed himself, putting on a serious expression.
"Cantarella, you know I've never asked anyone for anything in my life... Only you can help me with this matter. Please don't mention it to anyone else."
Hearing Aeron's words, Cantarella's eyes sparkled with even greater curiosity.
"Well then, please speak~"
"...I need a medicine that can suppress Resonance Power."
Cantarella tilted her head slightly, a few strands of purple hair slipping over her shoulders. She leaned forward slightly, observing Aeron with a scrutinizing gaze.
"May I ask first, what do you need something like that for?"
"Precautionary measures."
"Has anyone ever told you that you don't even bother drafting your lies?"
"Please, Cantarella, help me!"
"...I don't have the ability to pull props out of my pocket."
Looking at Aeron's expression that suggested he was about to kneel and cling to her leg while pleading, Cantarella let out a soft sigh. The sigh carried seventy percent helplessness, thirty percent speechlessness, ninety percent indulgence, and a hint of "I really don't know what to do with you."
"Since it's your request, I won't pry any further."
"Really? Then it needs to be temporarily weakening, preferably fast-acting, with a short duration, and effective even against stronger Resonators."
Damn, he's really listing his requirements now.
Cantarella secretly resolved to properly adjust Aeron's settings after this matter was settled.
"It's a minor matter. I'll have someone deliver the medicine from Porto-Veno Castle right—"
"That won't be necessary. Just the prescription will do."
"?"
Hearing Aeron's words, Cantarella was momentarily stunned.
"What I'm about to do next will likely put me in opposition to Montelli's second daughter, and the protagonist of Carnevale."
"Fisalia has finally emerged from the shadows. Let's not engage in shady dealings anymore."
"The rest, I can handle alone."
Cantarella fell silent for a moment, watching Aeron before her. The confident smile on her face faded considerably.
"Alone is enough?"
She repeated Aeron's words, the last trace of amusement instantly vanishing from her eyes. Removing her hand from her chin, the atmosphere in the room suddenly grew heavy.
"Huh?"
Damn, what did I say wrong this time?
"Aeron... you remember what happened at Porto-Veno Castle, right?"
"R-remember? Of course?"
Aeron didn't expect the conversation to suddenly jump there, feeling momentarily confused.
"Let's not worry about that now. Anyway, for me it's not—"
"Not what? Not a big deal?"
Cantarella interrupted Aeron, leaning closer to him.
"You absorbed Threnodian's corruption targeting Fisalia, then 'died' once. You used one of your deaths to buy Fisalia breathing room, and to establish a stronger foundation for our cooperation—that's what you said yourself, right?"
"....?"
"Good." Cantarella sat up straight, folding her hands on her knees.
"Since you used the word 'us,' since you tied yourself to Fisalia, then at least one of your lives is connected to Fisalia. You used it to make a deal, and I accepted it. So until I declare the transaction complete, you have no right to casually risk it again."
She paused, speaking each word clearly: "Understood?"
"...Understood."
Overwhelmed by Cantarella's presence, Aeron couldn't think of anything else to say. Damn, is this the pressure of the family head?
Thus, silence fell in the room for a few seconds.
"I'll give you the prescription." Cantarella suddenly said, her tone returning to its usual amused lilt. "But before that, there's something for you."
She stood and walked to the bookshelf, rummaging through a compartment for a while before returning with a small box tied with a purple silk ribbon.
"Here, for you." She handed over the box.
"This... it's not something strange, is it?"
"Won't you know if you open it?"
Looking at Cantarella's smile, combined with their previous conversation, Aeron had a bad feeling about this.
But still, the head of the family probably wouldn't give anything too strange... right?
Thinking this, Aeron untied the ribbon and opened the box—then fell silent.
A steel wool scrubber.
Yes, inside lay a steel wool scrubber that had never imagined it would appear in such a setting even at the factory.
"...Cantarella, I'm still young and want to strive for a few more years."
"Ara, what a pity~"
As Cantarella said this, she took back the box Aeron had just opened... Wait, why was she retying the ribbon?
Though Aeron did desire wealth and status, he hadn't reached the point where he needed to endure such things!
"Then, let's treat that as a joke just now~"
"So it wasn't a joke earlier?"
Cantarella winked at Aeron, playfully sticking out her tongue, the resonance marks on it faintly visible.
Then, she temporarily left the parlor and retrieved a narrow, long wooden case from her bedroom.
"This is what I actually intended to give you."
Aeron took the wooden case and opened it. Inside was an elegant and ornate swift blade sheathed in a pure white scabbard. He naturally knew the name of this blade—"Bloodpact's Pledge."
"...Cantarella, what is this?"
"The Proof of Bloodpact between you and Fisalia. Never betray, never abandon, until the last drop of blood is shed... Quite fitting, isn't it?"
Fitting? Extremely fitting! Aeron had long wanted to wield such a cool blade!
But unfortunately, this item couldn't achieve its full potential in Aeron's hands.
The reason was simple: if you checked the game's stats, its attribute was "Energy Regen," but Aeron didn't even possess Resonance Power. Holding it, it was no different from an ordinary blade.
Still, this was the head of the family's goodwill. If Aeron refused, it would likely upset Cantarella even more.
Moreover, this item could still be of great use later during the Carnevale.
".Then I'll gratefully accept it?"
"As you wish." Cantarella smiled contentedly, sitting back on the sofa and resuming her composed demeanor. "As long as it remains by your side."
Then, she picked up a draft paper nearby and wrote down a prescription.
"The ingredients aren't too rare... You can find most of them at an apothecary. I've written the usage and precautions on here."
Finally, Aeron had obtained what he needed.
"Alright then, thank you, Head of the family."
"You're welcome. After all—" Cantarella drew out her tone, her gaze shifting between Aeron and the wooden case containing the "Bloodpact's Pledge," her smile deepening. "Helping you is also helping my future 'husband.' The sooner you're prepared, the sooner I can rest easy, right?"
Aeron: "..."
He decided to give up arguing—there was no winning anyway.
"Then I'll take my leave now. There's still plenty to do afterward..." Aeron stood up, holding the case and prescription, wearing an apologetic expression as he prepared to make his escape.
"Go ahead." Cantarella waved her hand gracefully without stopping him. "Remember what I said. Your life no longer belongs entirely to you now. Think twice before you act."
"Received," Aeron responded while striding briskly toward the door.
Watching Aeron's departing figure, Cantarella sat alone on the sofa, her fingertips lightly tapping the armrest as the smile on her face gradually faded.
"This time... I won't let you run wild alone."
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