The silver moonlight gently caressed the streets and alleys of Capitoline Hill City. Leaves rustled beside the road in the night breeze, as if adorning the border between reality and dream with flowing fragments of light.
Iuno sat at the corner patisserie, while Lupa skillfully ordered a few desserts.
Freshly baked cookies were soon served.
Iuno picked one up and took a small bite, the aroma of cream and honeyed fruit instantly bloomed on her lips.
"Oh, it's candied olives. I love these the most."
Ray sat beside Lupa, but his gaze couldn't help drifting to the woman opposite them.
Her figure was slender, her skin fair. At first glance, she seemed flawless, like the silver moon hanging high in the starry sky, pure and untainted by even a speck of dust.
And her face was beautiful, a kind of beauty that needed no embellishment or adornment.
Among all the young women Ray had met, this visage was enough for memory to automatically filter and reserve a clear place for her in his heart.
Iuno.
Was she the so-called Oracle Maiden?
Capable of glimpsing others' futures, yet unable to alter the destined outcome.
"Why are you staring at me?"
Perhaps Ray's gaze was too blatant, drawing the woman's attention.Iuno tilted her head slightly, her gaze toward him mixed with a hint of puzzlement.
"Sorry." Ray said. "I've just heard the Second Young Lady mention Oracle Maidens and you. So I was a bit curious."
"Second Young Lady?" Iuno repeated softly, a flicker of confusion passing over her face. She pondered for a moment, her long lashes fluttering slightly. "You must mean... the one from the Montelli family?"
"Other than her, which Second Young Lady could it be?"
"Her?" Iuno showed a slightly surprised expression upon hearing Ray's confirmation. "It's been a long time since I last saw Carlotta. Where is she? Didn't she come with you?"
Iuno and Carlotta were old acquaintances.
Since the Montelli family's banking business needed expansion in Septimont, they had visited nearly every notable figure in the city. Family members naturally couldn't avoid meeting with Septimont's upper echelons.
This included the Oracle Maidens of the Tetragon Temple though they lived secluded lives, they held absolute sway in this city.
However, most of the Maidens of the Tetragon Temple were indifferent, with almost no interest in politics or commerce.But Iuno was different.
She detested rules the most. Even as an Oracle Maiden, she would never compromise herself.
Because of this, whenever Carlotta appeared with all sorts of novel gadgets, Iuno always showed great interest.
Thus, back and forth, they became acquainted.
"This time, what new little gadgets did she bring me?"
As Iuno spoke, she unconsciously leaned forward slightly, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Faintly, a subtle, sweet fragrance seemed to linger around his senses.She smells nice.
"For that, you might need to ask the Second Young Miss yourself."
"Come to think of it, shouldn't an Oracle Maiden stay within the Tetragon Temple?" Lupa couldn't help interjecting. "Iuno, why are you in Capitoline Hill City?"
Hearing this question, Iuno lazily propped her chin on her hand, her gaze drifting to the bustling traffic outside the window, a touch of grievance in her tone. "What can I do? Staying in the Tetragon Temple all day is simply stifling."
"So, you snuck out?" Ray asked.
"What do you mean 'snuck out'?" Iuno immediately withdrew her gaze, crossing her arms with a light huff. "I walked out openly."
"Aren't you afraid the Senate will give you trouble?"
"I'm not afraid of those old fossils." Iuno raised her chin dismissively, casually sweeping her long hair over her shoulder. "Besides, if the sky falls, the taller ones will hold it up. Since Augusta took office, she's been cracking down on corruption and reforming the tournaments, really shrinking the moneybags of those Senate folks. Right now, when would they have time to bother with me?"
Augusta?
Oh, right.
The current Ephor of Septimont.
"Though, I left in a bit of a hurry this time and forgot my terminal and purse. If I hadn't run into you, I might have really had to barge into the Ephor's Palace." Iuno said, stretching like a lazy cat. "Not sure what new things have popped up in Septimont lately. Gotta enjoy them to the fullest before Grandmother Lillibet finds me."
"Lupa, you shouldn't have any particularly important matches during this time, right? Can you take me around to have some fun?"
"Me?" Lupa was momentarily taken aback, lowering her head to think. "I don't have matches, but the Silvan family has signed me up for quite a few endorsements. My schedule is packed; I probably can't carve out a whole block of time to accompany you."
"I see..." Iuno pouted, dissatisfied. "Right, even the Tetragon Temple is plastered with your endorsements. Sigh, does that mean I have to wander alone again?"
Lupa picked up a cookie, her gaze shifting between Iuno and Ray before her eyes suddenly lit up. "Hey, how about... you two explore together?"
Hearing the suggestion, Ray was momentarily stunned.
He didn't have any objections to strolling around with a beautiful woman.
But...
'You want me, an outsider, to show a local around Septimont?Seriously?
Who's the tourist here?'
"I don't have any objections, of course." Ray stated. "It's just, I'm not familiar with Septimont at all."
"That's fine, actually, I'm not that familiar either." Iuno let out a light sigh, a trace of helplessness in her expression. "Since I was chosen as an Oracle Maiden as a child, I've mostly lived in the Tetragon Temple, far from the city center. It's only recently I've been able to sneak out occasionally. Besides, Septimont has changed too fast these years. Apart from the old districts, I don't even recognize the roads in the newly built areas."
"Sounds pretty tough. By the way, about the Second Young Miss—"
Before his words even finished, a sudden, urgent vibration came from the terminal in his pocket, a communication from Carlotta.
Once connected, the young lady's voice came through immediately, faster than usual: [Ray, something came up unexpectedly on my end. I might not be back tonight. Go back to the hotel and rest first. Use that pass I gave you earlier. You... haven't lost it, right?]
Maybe it was his imagination, but Ray could pick up some chaotic human noises in the background of the call.
The voices were indistinct, only a few stern phrases drifting over.
[Has the family traitor started talking?]
[Bring him in here, make him sit down!]
[Speak, what was your mission in Septimont!?]
Ray: [Uh, Second Young Miss, are you...?]
Carlotta: [It's nothing, just caught a few little rats.]
Ray: [...Alright then, Second Young Miss, be careful.]
After ending the call, Iuno looked at Ray curiously and asked, "Was that Carlotta just now? When will she be back?"
"Uh, the Second Young Miss... ran into some trouble. Probably won't be back today."