Wuthering Waves: I Was Hired by Carlotta Montelli

The sky was overcast, the air heavy with the distinctive dampness that precedes rain. Each breath felt thick and sticky.

Perhaps soon, a downpour would fall from the sky, washing over everything in the world.

"This should be the place."

Ray stopped, looking at the street before him, just an alley away from Bank Street.

Though they weren't far apart, the atmosphere was completely different, this was the Fisalia family's territory in Ragunna.

Just like the Montelli district, as one of the oldest families in Ragunna, the Fisalia had their own domain.

Though the Montelli were now the more powerful, and the Fisalia's glory had faded, as an old aristocratic family with deep foundations, it was only natural that they still held their own place in the city.

But most Fisalia still preferred the tranquility of Porto-Veno outside the city.

Just as Ray stood at the entrance to the street, wondering how to meet Cantarella, a familiar figure appeared before him.

Sebas wore a crisp, dark uniform, his hair meticulously combed.

He stopped three paces away, his right hand pressing lightly over his left chest as he bowed. "Sir Ray. By the Matriarch's orders, I have been waiting here for some time."

Ray looked at him and nodded. "Yes. Take me to the Matriarch."

"As you wish."

Ray followed Sebas into a large manor.

They walked silently through the empty corridors, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpet, only the flickering light of the wall sconces casting swaying halos.

Finally, they stopped before a door. Sebas stepped aside, clearing the way.

"The Matriarch is waiting in the study."

Ray raised his hand and lightly knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Cantarella's voice was like honeyed waves, languid yet full of anticipation.

He pushed the door open, and a cool, faint fragrance greeted him, different from her usual sweet incense, this scent was like night-blooming flowers under the moonlight, carrying a soothing, calming magic.

"This scent…"

"What, you like it?" Cantarella reclined on the sofa, her fingertips still holding a half-read poetry collection. The colored-glass lamp cast colorful halos on her earrings. "I modified one of the family's secret recipes and specially prepared this incense."

"Yes, I like it."

What other answer could he give?

Ray walked to the chair across from Cantarella and sat down.

Cantarella set down her book and snapped her fingers lightly. A faintly glowing jellyfish emerged from the void, its translucent tendrils wrapping around the teapot to pour Ray a cup of tea.

"You came quickly." Cantarella suddenly leaned closer, her tone subtly teasing. "Didn't your Second Miss stop you?"

"The Second Miss isn't here."

"Oh, I see." Cantarella made an exaggerated expression of sudden understanding, then mused, "So, does that mean our little guest is sneaking around?"

Long accustomed to such teasing, Ray met her gaze without flinching. "If I haven't had a taste yet, how can you call it sneaking?"

Cantarella paused briefly, then covered her mouth with a soft laugh. "So, our little guest is already planning to sneak a taste?"

She spoke as she leaned even closer.

Ray's breath caught slightly.

The overwhelming pressure, transmitted through the fabric, was distinctly different from a young woman's inexperienced touch.

He suddenly thought of Carlotta's still-developing figure and couldn't help but compare them in his mind

Could the Second Miss's future ever be so great?

"Ahem—" He forced himself to look away. "Miss Cantarella, why don't we talk business? Like… this surprise of yours?"

"Why the sudden change of subject?" The corner of Cantarella's mouth lifted. "Is our little guest all talk and no action?"

No action?

What a joke!

It's just that right now…

having been thoroughly drained by the Second Miss yesterday, there wasn't a drop left.

So, for now, Ray was willing but physically unable.

"Just a bit exhausted, that's all." He met her gaze frankly, a note of helpless honesty in his voice.

Before Cantarella, he had long learned not to feign modesty.

If she wasn't afraid, what did he have to fear?

He certainly wasn't losing anything.

This answer gave Cantarella pause. Then she leaned close to his neck, closing her eyes and sniffing gently. "Mm… though you've bathed, I can still smell it. That scent of being completely… possessed."

She then moved back a little, returning to the sofa with a soft sigh. "Sigh, I'm so envious of Carlotta. It seems I was a step too late. But—"

Drawing out the last word, her pink tongue flicked across her lips like a jellyfish tentacle testing its prey.

She re-anchored her gaze on Ray, her fingertip stroking her cheek as she bloomed a meaningful smile. "I don't mind those things. A being as special as our little guest shouldn't be monopolized by anyone. Even a deep-sea jellyfish sometimes longs for a warm light, you know."

Her gaze slowly traveled down, finally resting at his lower abdomen, her voice full of anticipation. "I'm really curious about what kind of unique existence our future bloodline will create."

Ray looked helpless. "Nothing's even happened yet, and you're thinking that far ahead, Matriarch?"

"Not yet now, but what I'm talking about....." She rose and approached, whispering in Ray's ear. "....is the future."

The room fell into brief stillness, only the incense curling delicately in the air.

Cantarella elegantly snapped her fingers, and a few small jellyfish glowing with faint blue light fluttered over, carrying an intricately carved wooden box.

"Now, it's my turn to express my gratitude." Cantarella's fingertips gently stroked the exquisite box. "This is a gift specially prepared to thank you for your help last time."

"A gift?"

"Why don't you open it and see for yourself?"

The moment Ray lifted the lid, his breath caught slightly.

Resting on black velvet lining was a longsword or rather, it looked less like a weapon and more like a work of art.

Ray's pupils contracted slightly. "This is…?"

"Blood Oath." Cantarella's explanation came with the rustle of fabric as she drew closer. "A symbol of your unbreakable bond with the Fisalia family."

"This weapon is forged from the finest black stone. It can cut through steel like mud, and it also has a suppressive effect against remnants."

Ray's fingertip hovered above the pommel, sensing the faint energy fluctuations. This weapon was exactly what he needed.

"Each head of the family may only commission one in their lifetime." She suddenly took his wrist, guiding his hand to touch the hilt, and pressed her lips to his ear, whispering softly, "This is a gift. But—"

"—it's more than just a gift."