Chapter 59: Carlotta is Pissed
Aeron was currently in the familiar Montelli district, surrounded by familiar faces, yet his heart was racing with anxiety.
Feeling the occasional glances from others, Aeron could only pray they wouldn't recognize him. It was only in moments like these that he felt grateful for his current attire.
However, the situation was entirely different for the person before him.
Carlotta sat opposite Aeron, scrutinizing him with an unsettling gaze.
That alone would have been manageable, but the problem was—
"Oh my? You seem rather nervous. Is something the matter?"
Cantarella Fisalia sat elegantly beside Aeron, legs crossed, completely unbothered by their close proximity.
"N-n-no, I-I'm perfectly fine."
"Your lips and hands are trembling."
Damn it, Second Young Lady, must you chime in at a time like this...
Carlotta watched Aeron's unnatural reaction and the inexplicable intimacy between the two, feeling deeply unsettled.
What on earth had happened while she was away? These two seemed utterly suspicious!
"...Let's focus on business for now," Carlotta suppressed her emotions, set down her teacup, and forced her attention away from their glaringly close interaction. "Regarding the arrangements for Carnevale... The Montelli family will handle the public-facing preparations. What support can the Fisalia family provide?"
She fixed her gaze on Aeron's face, trying to dispel her irritation with a businesslike demeanor.
"—And what about your plans? How do you intend to proceed?"
Hearing Carlotta's words, Aeron smiled faintly.
"Don't worry, Second Young Lady. Everything you mentioned has already been prepared."
As the oldest family in Ragunna, the Fisalias were themselves a symbol of authority. With just a word from Cantarella, no other family in Ragunna would dare oppose them, ensuring their compliance with the arrangements.
As for the Montelli family, as Carlotta had said, they would handle most of the public-facing arrangements for Carnevale. Being the most youthful and energetic family in Ragunna, they were best positioned to garner public support.
In essence, the Order of the Deep's plan was to collaborate with Fractsidus during Carnevale. They would play the roles of hero and villain, creating an illusion where the Order resolved the crisis, thereby reinforcing its rule.
Aside from Fenrico, there was little to worry about from the Order. Fractsidus had no reason to interfere with the Montelli and Fisalia families, but if anything unexpected occurred... guess what Aeron's "Demon King's Guard" was for?
Since Fenrico intended to win over Ragunna's populace with a pre-written script, their task was to sway public sentiment at the critical moment.
"Rest assured, you only need to handle the preliminary work. The most challenging part will be dealt with by me personally."
Whether it was Fractsidus or Fenrico, if they dared make a move, Aeron wouldn't hesitate to retaliate.
Moreover, Aeron still had a trump card to fall back on. His goal was to push the climax of Carnevale to unprecedented heights by any means necessary.
"Fenrico, you just wait in that church. When Carnevale comes, you'll get what's coming to you!"
Aeron spoke these words with a steady tone and clear reasoning. Watching him like this, Carlotta felt the previous dissatisfaction in her heart being replaced by a more familiar sense of trust, along with a somewhat reassured emotion.
Carlotta.
Yes, this was still the Aeron she knew—someone who would never be ambiguous about such matters.
"I've already informed Ciaccona and Zani... Zani in advance. If you need any help, you can go directly to them."
Carlotta nodded slightly. This style was indeed characteristic of Aeron's methods.
But...
Recalling the previous work, Carlotta suddenly felt somewhat dizzy.
She was a crucial part of Aeron's plan. He trusted her so much—what if... just what if she failed to meet his expectations?
Once such thoughts emerged, they clung stubbornly to Carlotta's heart. She looked at Aeron who was speaking confidently before her, as if everything was under his control, then glanced at Cantarella beside him.
He already had more powerful assistance now, more special relationships. And if Carlotta couldn't even handle what he entrusted to her...
"Miss Carlotta?"
Cantarella's voice interrupted Carlotta's thoughts. When she came back to her senses, she found Aeron staring directly at her.
"So, do you understand what I said?"
"O-of course. You just need to handle your own matters, Montelli will show you—"
"But didn't I ask what we're eating tonight?"
Hearing Aeron's words, Carlotta froze.
While she indeed hadn't been listening, what kind of person would suddenly jump from grand plans to discussing what to eat tonight!
Thinking this, Carlotta's cheeks couldn't help but grow slightly warm.
"H-how did we suddenly get to that? About that aspect, Montelli will—"
"Just kidding. I actually didn't mention what to eat either."
Carlotta hardened—her fists hardened.
"What's wrong? You don't seem like the type to drop the ball at critical moments, Second Young Lady."
Although Aeron did feel that Carlotta resembled a certain black twin-tailed character who liked wearing red clothes—they even shared the same Japanese voice actress—at least in this aspect, Carlotta didn't have that kind of setting that made people anxious just by looking.
".... Nothing."
Carlotta remained silent for a moment, thinking many things, but what finally came out was just this one sentence.
...Who the hell are you trying to fool.
Aeron could tell at a glance that something was wrong with her, but since Carlotta didn't want to talk about it, he wouldn't press the matter.
The atmosphere grew somewhat stagnant for a moment. Carlotta averted her gaze, trying to suppress the inexplicable restlessness in her heart and the slight annoyance of being seen through.
"Speaking of which, there's one small matter I need to explain to Miss Carlotta."
At this moment, Cantarella, who had been observing Carlotta for some time, took the initiative to break the silence.
When Aeron heard the knowing laughter in her voice, he couldn't help but gasp sharply.
He had already told Carlotta everything that needed to be said—except for that one thing he didn't want to bring up personally.
Head of the family, should I say it? Now? Here?
Sensing Aeron's flustered gaze, Cantarella's smile deepened, a flicker of amusement flashing in her eyes.
She leisurely took Aeron's hand and turned her attention to Carlotta, who wore a slightly confused expression mixed with lingering displeasure from Aeron's earlier teasing.
"Regarding Mr. Aeron's stay in Ragunna, for the convenience of subsequent operations and better coordination between Fisalia and Montelli, we've arranged a... minor identity adjustment for him."
"Identity? Wasn't one already assigned before?"
While Carlotta was still puzzling over Cantarella's words, Aeron had already donned a pained expression.
"Yes, but I felt that identity was inadequate. So, I specially prepared a more suitable one for him~"
"More suitable?"
Carlotta furrowed her brows, her eyes shifting between Aeron's pained expression and Cantarella's composed smile. That uneasy feeling was creeping up again.
"Indeed." Cantarella's smile widened as she pulled Aeron's entire hand into her embrace.
"During his time in Ragunna, Mr. Aeron will publicly act as my, Fisalia's 'son-in-law.' This will make many things much more convenient. Of course, his partner is me~"
"...What?"
Carlotta's expression froze solid.
...?
His partner is... Cantarella?
It took her brain a moment to connect the term with the current situation. Aeron? Fisalia's son-in-law? Cantarella's nominal...
"Yes, husband." Cantarella repeated cheerfully, even lightly patting the back of Aeron's hand with her fingers in a gesture that felt unnaturally natural.
"An identity convenient for all parties. What does Miss Carlotta think?"
Cantarella's tone remained quite lighthearted, carrying a hint of amusement, while Aeron was already sweating profusely.
Survival instinct made Aeron subconsciously try to withdraw his hand, but Cantarella held him firmly.
An indescribable feeling surged in Carlotta's heart, stuck in her throat—both bitter and suffocating.
"...I see."
Carlotta heard her own voice speaking, maintaining a calmness she hadn't imagined possible.
Now, only one thought occupied her mind: Just what had this guy Aeron done back in Fisalia?
Seeing Carlotta like this, Cantarella merely smiled before finally releasing Aeron's hand and slowly rising.
"There are still some family matters to attend to, so if you'll excuse me~"
"Huh? Didn't you say you were done with everything—Mmph!"
Before Aeron could finish, Cantarella covered his mouth.
"Good luck~"
After giving the frozen Carlotta a meaningful smile, Cantarella elegantly released her hold, turned, and strode directly out of the study, even thoughtfully closing the door softly behind her.
Click!
Goddammit, Aeron felt he was developing PTSD from the sound of Cantarella locking doors.
"...Shit," But the laughter coming from behind him made Aeron even more uneasy.
"Aeron."
Carlotta's voice rang out, devoid of discernible emotion but several notes lower than usual.
Aeron swallowed hard and slowly turned around. Carlotta remained seated, hands folded on her lap with her back perfectly straight, yet her cyan eyes were locked firmly on him, swirling with something he couldn't quite decipher but instinctively knew was very troubling.
"Explain. To. Me."
"..."
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