Wuthering Waves: I Was Hired by Carlotta Montelli

If it was more than just a gift, then what could it be? Ray didn't ask. Perhaps, deep in his heart, he already had an answer.

Cantarella sat quietly beside him, so close that their arms nearly touched. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze drifting as it lingered on the young man's handsome profile.

"Well, do you like it?" Her voice was very soft.

Ray started slightly, as if awakened from a brief reverie. He nodded, his gaze returning to the dark, shimmering longsword resting in the box. "Yes, I like it. It's just…"

"Just?" Cantarella's tone lifted slightly, carrying a hint of playfulness.

Ray scratched his cheek awkwardly, his voice hesitant. "Isn't this gift… too precious?"

"Precious?" Cantarella covered her mouth with the back of her hand, letting out a very soft laugh. Her eyes glinted with even more teasing. "Compared to what you've done for the Fisalia family, this is nothing but a modest gift. Or…"

She paused deliberately, her body leaning slightly toward him and bringing with it a wisp of faint, alluring fragrance.

"Do you think a mere 'Blood Oath' isn't enough to satisfy you? Are you subtly hinting that you want… more?"

As she spoke, her slender hand, clad in delicate silk gloves, gently reached out. Her fingertip first touched his chest right over his heart, feeling the steady beat beneath, then slowly, with an irresistible and deliberate pace, slid downward.

She stopped just above his lower abdomen, going no further.

Ray took a deep breath. Fortunately, his self-control was decent, and he managed to suppress the budding flame at the last moment. Of course, the main reason was that the Second Miss had drained him dry the night before.

"Not even a reaction?" Cantarella's gaze unconsciously swept downward. Then she puffed out her cheek slightly, as if pouting, her voice tinged with a touch of grievance. "You… am I really that unattractive to you?"

"I'm just too tired," he evaded.

"Too tired?" Cantarella narrowed her long eyes, her scrutinizing gaze roaming over his face. "You and Carlotta last night… never mind. In any case, being so indifferent in front of a lady is quite rude, you know."

She spoke with righteous indignation, as if Ray had truly committed some unforgivable sin.

"You call that being a… lady?" he couldn't help but mutter.

Cantarella was still smiling, but there was no warmth in it. "What, you have a problem with that?"

Ray sensed the danger and finally shook his head. "I wouldn't dare."

Hearing this answer, Cantarella nodded with satisfaction and withdrew her restless hand. She elegantly picked up the steaming cup of black tea on the table, took a small sip, her eyes shimmering with an elusive light. "Then, let's move on to the second surprise."

Ray was visibly stunned for a moment, surprise clear in his eyes. "A second surprise? There's… a second one?"

Cantarella nodded slightly, the corner of her mouth lifting. "Of course. You are an honored guest of the Fisalia family, and also…"

She didn't spell it out, only looking at him meaningfully. After a brief silence, she continued softly, her tone carrying an intimate recognition. "In short, for us, there's no need to distinguish between you and me anymore."

"Well, I'm flattered." Ray pressed. "So what's the second surprise?"

"As for the second surprise…" Cantarella deliberately teased. "Do you still remember that important data the Montelli family lost due to internal issues?"

"That incident?"

Though quite some time had passed, Ray remembered it clearly. It was because of that incident that his fate had become intertwined with Carlotta's. How could he forget?

"Yes." Ray nodded. "Of course I remember. It's because of that incident that I came to know the Second Young Miss."

"Oh, so you two got together because of that?" Cantarella's tone was slightly helpless. "If I'd known, I would have asked you before Carlotta did. Then the one standing with the Fisalia family now would be you."

"…"

Cantarella sighed softly and continued, "Though thanks to your efforts, the lost data was eventually recovered, preventing further losses for the Montelli family. But Carlotta must have told you, the traitor lurking within the family still hasn't been found."

Ray frowned, thought for a moment, and realized it seemed to be true. Though he hadn't been involved in Montelli family affairs since that incident ended, he occasionally heard Carlotta complain about such trivial matters. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find the mole in the family.

Now Cantarella was bringing up this issue. Could it be that…

His pupils suddenly contracted. He looked up sharply at Cantarella. "You know who the traitor is?"

Cantarella smiled calmly. "You could say that. The news was just confirmed recently. Even I was surprised when I learned his identity."

"Who is it?"

She leaned forward slightly, close to his ear. "It's Carlotta's uncle, the designated next head of the Montelli family, Capollo Montelli."

"It's… him?" Ray's pupils trembled violently. The shock of this news nearly stopped his thoughts. Because Capollo was the current head's own son, the acknowledged heir to the family. His position was rock-solid, his future bright. So why would someone like him betray his own family?

"How do you know?" Ray blurted out, then realized his rudeness and softened his tone. "It's not that I don't trust you. It's just that this answer is too explosive."

"Because the Fisalia family has close ties with the Order of the Deep. I learned this news from them." Cantarella continued. "Capollo is actively pushing for a reconciliation between the Montelli and Fisalia families to resolve their centuries-old feud. But can such deep enmity be so easily set aside? Even if I agreed, would the Order of the Deep consent?"

"Of course they wouldn't. So…"

Before Cantarella could finish, Ray interrupted. "So this meeting between the two families has the Order's approval, doesn't it?"

"Very clever."

"But why?"

"Because compared to Carlotta, Capollo is weak. He has decided to surrender the family's core technology to the Order of the Deep as a sign of submission, and to use this opportunity to end the century-old feud with the Fisalia family."

Ray looked shocked. "So Capollo plans to surrender to the Order of the Deep?"

"Yes." Cantarella nodded, her voice suddenly turning cold. "For the sake of temporary stability, he would rather sacrifice the entire family's future and Ragunna's future. The Fisalia family only borrows the Order's protection, but he truly wants to kneel at the hem of their robes."

"His shortsightedness is appalling. The Order's promises are nothing but a gilded cage, yet he willingly trades away the Montelli family's century-old core technology for it."

"Though we have always been rivals, I must admit the Montelli family has brought vitality from the outside into the closed-off city of Ragunna, breathing new life into this stagnant city-state. If they were to fully side with the Order of the Deep, it would be bad news for the Fisalia family. Once the Order's power becomes unbalanced, the next target would be obvious."

"This is why I'm making an exception to share this information with you, so you can pass it on to Carlotta. It's not only to maintain the balance in Ragunna, but also… for our shared future."

Ray listened, then nodded solemnly. "In that case, I need to tell the Second Miss this news as soon as possible. So, Cantarella, I'll be going now."

With that, he rose to leave, but in the next second, an irresistible force pulled him back. He fell back into the soft sofa, and Cantarella smoothly pinned him down.

Her purple hair cascaded down like a waterfall, brushing lightly against his cheek. Her eyes shimmered with an elusive light, and the faint smile at the corner of her lips seemed to hide a thousand thoughts.

"After all I've done, aren't you going to give me something in return?"

Ray was trapped beneath her, unable to move, and could only stammer, "Uh, wasn't this a surprise?"

"It is a surprise, of course. But this surprise… comes with an extra charge."

"Charge?"

Before he could finish his question, he caught a glimpse of sly mischief in her eyes. The next moment, she leaned down, and her warm lips gently pressed against his.