Chapter 183: Her Own Terms
"What is… this?"
When the pistol came into view, Carlotta's pupils trembled slightly. She recognized it, from the day her grandfather had brought her into the Montelli family, she had seen it countless times, holstered at his side. It was more than a weapon. It was the family head's token.
In her memory, this gun had never left her grandfather. And now, he had sent Ray to bring it to her. That could only mean—
Carlotta fell into a brief silence, her fingertips hesitating in the air before finally reaching for the gun in Ray's palm.
"The old man told me many things." Ray's voice sounded in her ear. "He said he doesn't want you to be burdened by ideals imposed by others, or to be trapped within a set framework."
His gaze rested quietly on her as he pushed the gun slightly closer. "So, he's returning the choice to you. The gun is here. The choice is here."
Carlotta pressed her lips together, her eyes flickering with indescribable emotion. She wasn't sure if she truly had the right to take this gun, this token bearing the family's fate. Her hesitation didn't come from fear or lack of confidence, but from something deeply rooted in her bloodline… insecurity? Perhaps.
As a collateral descendant of the Montelli family, if not for her grandfather's recognition and guidance, she might still be wandering the streets of Ragunna, struggling for tomorrow's meals. The ideals she had pursued all these years were indeed endowed at first, to repay her grandfather's kindness, she had honed herself day after day, striving only to be worthy of the title "Second Miss of the Montelli Family."
She had never dared to ask for more. Everything she did was for the family.
In the past, she needed the Montelli family. Now, the Montelli family needed her.
So....
"…Phew." Carlotta let out a soft breath, a faint smile forming on her lips as she took the gun. "It seems I have no choice, do I? Grandfather was right. The ideals I started with were indeed given to me. But I've never intended to be bound by dogma. Not in the past, not now, and not ever. I will lead the Montelli family to new heights, in my own way."
As her words faded, a reassuring stillness filled the room, flowing gently between them. The young woman's tone and expression retained that innate composure, no matter what choice she faced, Carlotta never lost that ingrained elegance.
She looked up at Ray, then lightly rose on her toes and leaned close, resting her forehead against his chest. Her murmur was as soft as a dream. "And no matter what the future holds, please, always stay by my side."
Ray paused, looking down at Carlotta, who had suddenly pressed into his embrace. In this moment, she had shed her usual sharpness, looking more like a girl from next door. He couldn't help but smile helplessly, reaching out to gently circle her slender waist and pull her closer. "Mm."
After a moment of silence, as if suddenly remembering something, he asked softly, "By the way, Second Miss, where exactly are we? And who was that person who looked just like you?"
Carlotta looked up and explained. "This is a trap my uncle set for me. This Sonoro Sphere reads the memories of the first person who enters it and constructs an illusion best suited to trap them. My uncle used false information to lure me here to stop me from interfering with his plans. But he clearly underestimated my resolve. I do hate that rainy night, but that doesn't mean the shadows of the past can break me. My uncle underestimated me. And he underestimated Grandfather."
"As for the 'Carlotta' you met earlier, in a sense, she really is me. But more precisely, she's an illusion created by Echo energy using my memories."
Her voice trailed off. Suddenly remembering that Ray had spent time with that other Carlotta, she asked in a subtle tone, "By the way, what were you two… doing just now?"
Doing just now?
Ray paused, sensing a strong hint of jealousy in Carlotta's voice. Really? Getting jealous of herself? The explanation on the tip of his tongue took a detour as a bold idea popped into his head.
A flicker of mischief passed through his eyes. He deliberately stammered, avoiding eye contact. "Well… uh… I was just… momentarily bewitched."
"Huh?" Carlotta clearly froze, then narrowed her eyes, her voice carrying a dangerous edge. "What do you mean, 'bewitched'? Explain yourself."
Ray suppressed a smile, continuing to act with feigned sincerity. "You know me, Second Miss. I've always been… ahem… devoted. So when I was faced with a 'Carlotta' who looked exactly like you, I, I couldn't really resist…"
"…You actually have the nerve to say you're devoted?" The corner of Carlotta's mouth twitched.
"Details aside." Ray put on a serious expression. "The point is, that 'Carlotta' used your face to say she would satisfy any request I had. So I just…"
Carlotta's eyes widened in disbelief. "So you agreed?"
"She insisted."
"And if she insists, you give in?"
Ray deliberately pouted, turning his face away and mumbling, "It's not like the Second Miss ever agrees to my requests… When another 'you' suddenly says she'll do anything, how could I resist?"
"Y-You!" Carlotta bit her silver lip in frustration, her cheeks flushing. "How could I just agree to those shameful requests… cold feet are for walking, and, and that place…"
"Not necessarily."
Carlotta was both angry and embarrassed, but completely helpless. If it could be called cheating, in a sense, that person really was her. To say he hadn't cheated… it wasn't really her after all. This contradiction left her feeling at a loss.
"You're such a jerk…" She crossed her arms and turned away, letting out a soft snort.
Silence lingered between them for a moment, until she finally couldn't help stealing a glance at Ray from the corner of her eye. After another long pause, she spoke, her voice barely a whisper.
"O… okay! Those requests… fine… I'll do them… Is that good enough?"