Chapter 181: Through the Mirror
The roles had reversed. Ray, who usually took the lead, was now firmly pinned beneath Cantarella, forced to be the passive recipient.
After a futile struggle, he sighed inwardly, relaxed his tense body, and let Cantarella do as she pleased. What else could he do?
Just let her kiss him. It's not like he was losing anything.
The problem, however, was that, Cantarella showed no sign of stopping.
At first, Ray thought it would be a brief kiss. How long could it possibly last? But as the seconds ticked by, he felt the air in his lungs grow thin, his breathing quickening. His once-clear thoughts began to blur, as if sinking into a warm sea, surrounded only by her sweet scent and the persistent, undeniable softness of her lips.
Cantarella kissed him with slow, deep hunger, her tongue sliding against his in long, sensual strokes that left him dizzy. She straddled his lap fully, her dress riding up her thighs as she rocked her hips against him in deliberate circles, letting him feel the heat of her body through their clothes.
Her full breasts pressed firmly against his chest. One gloved hand cradled the back of his neck while the other roamed down his torso, nails scraping lightly over his shirt.
This dizzyingly long intimacy lasted nearly ten minutes before Cantarella finally, slowly, pulled away. She gently licked her lips, as if savoring the taste, one hand lazily propping up her cheek as she gazed at Ray's slightly flushed face with reluctant eyes.
"Ah…" She sighed contentedly, a lingering gleam in her eyes. "I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to go all the way."
Ray slowly sat up, his breathing still a bit unsteady. He looked at Cantarella with unprecedented astonishment. It was the first time he had ever felt so flustered in front of a woman. Just how pent up was Cantarella?
But on second thought… If you counted back, she had known Cartethyia twenty years ago, and they were around the same age. That meant Cantarella had long since crossed the threshold into her thirties. Though Cartethyia still had the face of a young girl.
Not that Ray minded. After all, as the saying goes: A woman is like fine wine, aging only makes her more mellow. Especially a woman as wonderful as the head of the Fisalia family. Not only was she beautiful, but her heart was also uniquely exquisite.
Well then, he would reluctantly bear this burden for the sake of the world.
"Well, Miss Cantarella, I… I'll be going now." Whether from lack of oxygen or something else, Ray felt a bit lightheaded.
"Mmm." Cantarella smiled and waved at him. "See you later. Of course, after this is all over, remember to come keep me company." Her voice grew softer. "Next time, we can continue… what we left unfinished."
…
…
When Ray stepped out of the Fisalia residence, the twilight was already deep as ink. A light rain began to fall, silver threads interweaving under the streetlights.
Ray took out his terminal and called Carlotta, but several calls went unanswered. "What's going on? What's the Second Miss doing?" he murmured to himself. Could she be on a mission?
He stepped into an open-air café that was still open, planning to take shelter under the awning, when he saw an elderly man walking slowly toward him through the drizzle. Though advanced in years, his upright posture and extraordinary bearing still drew the eye. The elderly man, draped in a black overcoat, walked straight up to him.
By the dim yellow streetlight, Ray recognized the face and immediately bowed respectfully. "Mr. Francesco."
Francesco Montelli, the current head of the Montelli family, Carlotta's grandfather.
"Mr. Francesco?" The old man frowned slightly at the address, his deep voice tinged with a hint of helplessness. "Well… you and Carlotta aren't officially married yet."
Ray stood there respectfully, saying nothing. He had absolutely no idea what to say. After all, just an hour ago, he had been basking in the warm embrace of the rival family's head.
"You've been with Carlotta for some time now." Francesco's tone was calm, without a trace of superiority. "I can see that Carlotta has been very happy lately. In fact… this is the first time I've seen her smile so genuinely."
"The Montelli family has never been bound by blood; we value ability. So, as long as Carlotta is willing, I won't interfere in your lives. Besides, I've heard about your abilities."
"Only…" Francesco's tone shifted slightly. "Though Carlotta calls me grandfather, I've always thought of her as my own daughter. So, for her lifelong happiness, as a father's selfish wish, I had to look into your past. I know this is rude, but I hope you can understand."
"But for some reason, after much effort, I still haven't been able to uncover your origins. You said you're from Huanglong, and I did find some vague traces related to you in Jinzhou, Huanglong. Also the Black Shores… though the records are unclear, the abilities described match yours perfectly. So, don't you have any memory of this at all?"
After hearing this, Ray's face was full of confusion. Jinzhou, Huanglong? The Black Shores? He had never even been there. How could there be records of him? He had clearly come from another world. How could Francesco have found his past?
"I'm sorry, Mr. Francesco. I have no memory of any of this."
Hearing this answer, Francesco showed neither anger nor any other emotion. He just nodded thoughtfully, his gaze like a lamp piercing through the rain, deep and unfathomable. "Is that so? Then perhaps… you do carry some hidden secrets."
The old man paused, then continued earnestly, "In any case, when the past finally catches up with you, I hope you will always remember the Montelli family, and never forget Carlotta."
Though Ray couldn't fully grasp the meaning of his words, his gaze remained firm. "I may not fully understand what you mean, but I promise you, I will never forget."
Francesco let out a long sigh and stepped forward. From inside his coat, he produced an exquisitely crafted old-fashioned pistol and solemnly handed it to Ray. "Here. Give this to Carlotta."
Ray looked down at the heavy token in his hand, confusion in his eyes. "This is…?"
"The family head's token." Francesco's tone suddenly grew heavy. "Though I've stepped back, that doesn't mean I'm unaware of the changes within the family. Capollo's cowardly actions have proven him unworthy of inheriting the family. Harming his own kin, betraying the family."
The old man's voice trembled slightly. "Even if he is my own flesh and blood, he must pay the price."
"The ideals Carlotta holds today did indeed originate from my expectations. But I never wanted her to be bound by someone else's vision, to live within a set framework. What I truly hope for is that she and the one who walks beside her will find the path their hearts truly desire."
The sound of rain tapping against an umbrella echoed softly as he continued. "Now, Carlotta is the family's only choice. But before that, the choice is still hers. Go find her at the dock. Put this gun in her hands. She will understand its meaning."
…
…
The Dock.
After receiving Francesco's message, Ray rushed to the dock without a moment's delay. But the dock was empty. Only the damp sea breeze, carrying a salty tang, blew in his face.
"Strange. Didn't he say the dock? Why can't I see anyone?"
He looked around, his gaze sweeping over the silent pier and the moored cargo ships, but saw no sign of Carlotta.
"Sniff, sniff—" The Tacet Mark on his hand suddenly glowed faintly. Anby, who had been sleeping for a long time, awakened, its voice alert. "Ray, can you feel that? There's a strange energy around here."
"Strange energy?" Ray looked down at his hand, frowning slightly.
Anby's voice was puzzled. "I can't explain it… I just feel like there's some abnormal energy fluctuation in this space."
Just then, an ethereal voice sounded from behind without warning. "Looking for me?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Ray smiled and turned. "Second Miss—"
His words stopped abruptly.
Before him was or rather, looked like, Carlotta, leaning elegantly against a full-length mirror. She wore a dark dress he had never seen before, its skirt flowing like liquid night. The unfamiliar attire gave her a mysterious aura.
"Why are you… wearing different clothes?" Ray asked, confused.
"Want to know?" The 'Carlotta' before the mirror curved her lips in an enigmatic smile. "If you want to know, come find me."
The moment the words fell, she turned lightly and, as if stepping into water, melted into the mirror.
Ray's pupils contracted sharply. Without thinking, he rushed to the mirror—
Before he could react, a pale hand suddenly shot out from the mirror's surface, grabbed his collar, and pulled him into it!
In just an instant, the surroundings had completely changed. This seemed to be a windowless chamber. The only light came from faintly glowing patterns on the walls.
And 'Carlotta' was straddling him, pinning him to the floor, a familiar yet unfamiliar look of pleasure on her face.
"Oh dear." She leaned down and whispered in his ear, her breath carrying a slight chill. "You really followed me in."
"Second Miss—no, you're not the Second Miss."
"No, no, no. I am your Second Miss."