Coletta sighed softly: "I was thinking... if you happen to want to rest in Laguna recently, and just so happen to have some free time... I wonder if you would be willing to help investigate it? Just treat it as... a relaxing trip out to sea?"
Her tone carried a cautious anticipation, afraid that this request would annoy him.
Rover was just feeling the need for something less heavy to change his mood. Hearing this, he agreed almost without hesitation: "Sounds interesting. I happen to have nothing going on right now anyway, so I'll go take a look tomorrow."
Coletta instantly breathed a sigh of relief, a bright smile blooming on her face. That smile washed away the maturity she had deliberately maintained just now, returning her to the appearance of a young girl befitting her age: "Really? That's wonderful! Thank you, Rover! I'll have Zanni prepare the ship and everything you need to assist you."
The banquet drew to a close in a pleasant atmosphere. Coletta personally saw Rover off to the gates of the manor.
The night breeze fluttered her silver hair. She looked up at him, those gemstone-like eyes exceptionally bright in the night.
"I'm very glad you're back, 'Cat's Eye'," she said softly, using that uniquely intimate nickname that belonged only to the two of them.
Rover looked at her and smiled slightly: "Thank you for the sumptuous dinner and your trust, Coletta. Leave the matter of the maritime Echoes to me."
He waved goodbye, his silhouette gradually blending into the gorgeous night of Laguna.
The night deepened. Coletta still stood at the manor gates, gazing in the direction Rover had left. Her fingertips unconsciously rubbed the smooth fabric of her dress, a soft smile that she herself hadn't noticed playing at the corners of her lips.
"The person has gone far away, yet you're still looking?"
An old voice carrying a hint of teasing sounded from behind, startling Coletta.
She whipped her head around, only to see her grandfather, the true head of the Mortari family, Francis Mortari, leaning on a cane inlaid with a massive cat's-eye stone. He stood smilingly in the shadows of the pillars.
He was hale and hearty, his gaze as sharp as ever. Right now, he was looking at his most beloved granddaughter with a bit of amusement.
"Grandfather!" Coletta's face instantly flushed red, as if some secret had been busted. She hurriedly lowered her head, "When... when did you get here? Why didn't you make a sound?"
"Heho, I've been here for a while. Seeing a certain little bird gazing with such longing, I didn't want to interrupt." Francis strolled over leisurely, his gaze also cast toward the street where the figure had long vanished. "What, our Second Young Miss, whose eyes are even pickier than gemstones, finally has someone she fancies? Is it that 'Crown'?"
"Grandfather! You... don't make such jokes!" Coletta's face grew even redder, almost burning up. She hastily defended herself, speaking so fast it was as if she were trying to cover up her guilty conscience. "Rover is a distinguished guest and benefactor of our family. I... I was just fulfilling my duties as a host!"
"Besides, he is an important figure from the Black Shores, a great hero who saved Laguna and even more places. How could such a big shot... how could he stay in a place like ours forever?"
"He is destined to continue wandering... I... I also have a lot of family affairs to learn and handle, we..."
She rambled on, finding all sorts of excuses, trying to deny her grandfather's guess while also seemingly trying to convince herself.
The smile on Francis's face deepened. He raised a hand, gently interrupting his granddaughter's increasingly feeble defense.
"Oh? Destined to wander? Won't stay?" The old man unhurriedly pulled a thin report from the inner pocket of his suit and handed it to Coletta. "Then take a look at this. This is a summary of 'non-commercial intelligence' sent back by our family's merchant caravan managers traveling to and from the Seven Hills, Huanglong's Jinzhou, and even the Black Shores."
Confused, Coletta took it and quickly scanned it under the light of the gateway.
The more she read, the wider her eyes grew. The blush on her cheeks was gradually replaced by a trace of paleness and sheer disbelief.
The report clearly recorded:
In the Seven Hills: He has an extremely intimate relationship with a star gladiator named Lupa... coming and going together, inseparable.
In Jinzhou: He is very close with Magistrate Jinhsi and her Counselor Changli... especially having an ambiguous relationship with Counselor Changli.
In the Black Shores: He has a deep relationship with their supreme administrator, the Shorekeeper, and there are even records of frequent interactions with a Floramancer named Camellya and a newly arrived blonde knight, Cartethyia...
"This... this..." Coletta's hand holding the report trembled slightly. It was as if an old bottle of vinegar had suddenly been knocked over in her heart; the sour taste of jealousy instantly spread, mixed with a trace of grievance and unwillingness. "How... how could he... be with so many people..."
She muttered to herself, her previously bright eyes dimming a bit. An emotion mixing jealousy and slight depression seized her.
She didn't understand. Why was Rover willing to be entangled with so many people, yet seemed to have never shown anything beyond politeness toward her? Could she not compare to them?
Francis took in his granddaughter's reaction entirely. He put the report away, his tone becoming gentle and serious: "Coletta, my child, I know what you are thinking."
"But you must understand, this Rover seems to be different from that unromantic 'block of wood' we initially perceived. According to intelligence gathered from all sides, after leaving Laguna, for whatever reason, he seems to have... opened his heart emotionally."
He patted his granddaughter's shoulder. "But this is not a bad thing. On the contrary, it might be your opportunity."
"Opportunity?" Coletta looked up, confusion and a sliver of hope in her eyes.
"Exactly," Francis's gaze was profound. "A powerful hero whose attitude toward emotions has become open, compared to a completely desireless saint, perhaps means more possibilities for this world, and especially for the people surrounding him. He is a man, not a god."
"He... is no longer out of reach."
"Since the gentleman is not without interest, why must the lady wander in hesitation alone, finding excuses like 'I'm too busy with affairs' or 'He is destined to wander' to fob herself off?"
Old man Francis's words carried encouragement and a trace of slyness. "This is not only an investment for the future of the Mortari family, but more importantly, an investment for the lifelong happiness of my precious granddaughter. His return to Laguna this time, and his agreement to help you, is the best possible opportunity."
"Put down your unnecessary reserve and misgivings. Bravely express your heart to him. Let him see that your radiance is not in the slightest bit inferior to any of the women beside him. My Coletta is worthy of the best hero in the world."
Her grandfather's words were like a key, unlocking that tightly shut door in Coletta's heart.
Although the jealousy and depression in her heart hadn't completely dissipated, they were gradually replaced by an unprecedented resolve and sense of crisis.
She clenched her small hands tightly. The radiance reignited in her gemstone-like eyes. It was no longer the shy starlight of a young girl, but the sharp, determined glint of the Mortari family heir who was bound to get what she wanted.
"I... I understand, Grandfather," she said softly, but her tone was extraordinarily firm. "I know what I have to do."
Francis smiled in satisfaction and patted her back gently. "Good, this is what the heir of my Mortari family should be. Go, child, go prepare everything you need for when you meet again. Remember, opportunity is always left for those who take the initiative to grab it."
Coletta nodded. Taking one last look toward the street where Rover had vanished, she turned and walked into the manor, her steps firmer and more powerful than ever before.
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