"Suddenly craving some ice cream."
On the way back to the hotel, Luno suddenly stopped, her gaze fixed on the dessert shop window at the street corner, glowing with warm light. Without saying a word, she just tilted her head slightly and let her smiling eyes drift lightly between Ray and Carlotta.
Ray / Carlotta: "..."
They instinctively glanced at each other, then quickly looked away. Both read the helpless resignation in the other's eyes.
What else could they do?
Could they refuse those eyes, so full of expectation?
It was just an ice cream.
For now, they'd indulge this small whim.
Ray sighed softly and resignedly walked toward Luno. "Didn't we just finish dinner? You sure you can still eat more?"
"It's just ice cream, what's the big deal?" Luno crossed her arms and gave a light hmph. "Besides, it's summer now. Eating ice cream is perfectly normal, you know?"
"Alright, alright, fine."
Ray looked at Luno's cute little expression. Even knowing she was being willful, he couldn't bring himself to get upset.
Ah, what could he say? Looks really do rule the world.
"Second Young Miss? Want to try some too?"
Ray turned to look back at Carlotta, only to find her seemingly lost in thought. She didn't snap out of it until his voice reached her ears, then nodded slightly, a bit flustered.
"Huh? Oh, sure... It's a bit warm tonight, ice cream sounds like a nice way to cool down."
"Then let's go in and take a look."
The three entered the dessert shop together. There weren't many customers inside, just a few scattered people slowly browsing in front of the counter.
Although Luno had sworn she'd only get ice cream when she walked in, once inside, her eyes were immediately drawn to the shimmering glass jars of honeyed olives on the side.
"Ray, Ray, I want this!" She tugged at his sleeve, her voice bubbling with delight.
As a hardcore sweet tooth, Luno's favorite was these honeyed olives, no complicated processing, just letting the natural fruit lightly steep in honey, enough to conquer her discerning palate with pure, simple flavor.
"If you like them, then get some."
"Really? That's great! Don't worry, once I'm back at the Tetragon Temple, I'll pay you back for sure!"
Seems this Oracle Maiden wasn't completely without limits, after all.
But the money was nothing to Ray, the Second Young Miss's bonus was more than enough; he could spend however he liked!
Meanwhile, Carlotta was thoughtfully examining the small signs on the counter, murmuring the words aloud. "'Poof Mee Mee, So Good It'll Awaken Your Resonance!' flavored ice cream... just shout the name at the clerk and get a 30% discount?"
She frowned slightly, a trace of doubt rising in her mind.
Would anyone actually... shout something so embarrassing in public, just to save a little money?
Just then, the bell on the shop door jingled brightly.
A tall woman with short silver-blue hair pushed the door open. Without so much as a glance at anyone else, she walked straight to the counter, completely ignoring Carlotta standing nearby. Then, in a tone as serious as a public announcement, she said to the clerk.
"One 'Poof Mee Mee, So Good It'll Awaken Your Resonance!' flavored ice cream, please. Extra large. Thank you."
Carlotta: "?"
People like this actually exist in the world?
Does she feel no shame at all?
Under Carlotta's incredulous stare, the woman coolly accepted the embarrassingly named ice cream and walked out without a backward glance.
But just as she brushed past Ray, her steps faltered for an imperceptible moment.
The pause was so brief it felt like an illusion. Then, without looking back, she pushed the door open and disappeared into the night outside.
...
...
Deep in a secluded alley, lit only by a faint glow from distant streetlights.
The woman leaned against the mottled wall, slowly savoring the ice cream in her hand.
The cool sweetness melted on her tongue, as if briefly suppressing the eternal fire burning within her, granting a fleeting, shivering moment of stillness.
"That feeling just now..." she murmured to herself, a slight frown creasing her brow.
[The Dark Tide.]
A voice sounded directly in her mind.
Yet there was clearly no one around her.
"It really did feel similar," her fingers unconsciously traced the cup's rim. "But the frequency was too faint... I can't be sure if it was just an illusion."
[Why don't you just devour him?]
"Hmph." A light scoff of disdain escaped her.
[Admit it. Your hunting desire is urgently craving satisfaction.]
"Satisfy yourself. I have bigger plans." She gave a cold snort. "Don't forget, we're still exposed under the Resonance's gaze. If I die, you won't survive either."
[Hmph, stubborn and unyielding.] The voice, tinged with anger, gradually faded into silence.
Soon, the extra-large ice cream was completely finished.
She stretched contentedly, joints emitting soft pops.
"So, what did Leviathan say to you today?" she asked, as if casually.
[Go to hell, Galbrena.] The voice in her mind responded with pure malice.
"Friends, already friends."
...
...
Back in the hotel room, the warm yellow lights did little to dispel the shadow lingering on Carlotta's brow.
She was still somewhat distracted, her fingers unconsciously twisting strands of her hair.
She was still hesitating whether to muster the courage to confront the stirring deep in her own heart.
Or perhaps... to confront the answer that might exist in his heart.
What if the final outcome was just a wishful fantasy of her own?
The thought crept over her like icy water, causing her to unconsciously wrap her arms around herself, shutting out that potentially heartbreaking hypothesis.
"Tch, what am I even overthinking?"
"Presuming a failed outcome before things have even begun... that's not like me."
She took a deep breath, resolutely casting all negative emotions from her mind.
Locking in the future, it was indeed a tempting proposition.
Right before her was an Oracle Maiden capable of glimpsing the threads of fate. By borrowing her power, she might actually be able to glimpse the answer ahead of time.
But Carlotta Montelli wasn't going to do that.
Deep in the young lady's heart, there remained a small pride that absolutely refused to let her bow to fate, or to any unknown.
Aside from that one person, she wouldn't reveal even a corner of her true heart to anyone else.
So, she drained the remaining wheat ale from her glass. The cool liquid seemed to inject a final dose of courage into her veins, and a perfectly clear plan crystallized in her heart.
Mm. It was decided.
Right after Luno fell asleep!
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