Chapter 168: Delivery
A cool breeze blew by, carrying the soft rustle of leaves.
The gentle moonlight draped a thin veil over this coastal city. Stars dotted the sky, like someone had casually scattered a handful of diamonds.
"Goodbye, Sister Phoebe."
"Goodbye."
Phoebe stood at the orphanage gate, gently waving to the children. The faint smile on her lips was like melted honey, especially bright under the moonlight.
Today, the orphanage was holding a small celebration. She had come with her senior to help prepare, working busily from morning until now.
In her hands, she carefully carried a box of pastries, homemade.
She had made many batches today, but this one she had set aside.
Of course, these treats were not for her own indulgence. They were for someone who had not been seen for days.
It had been several days since Phoebe last saw Ray.
She had long grown accustomed to her daily routine without him, those chance encounters had always been nothing more than insignificant miracles in an ordinary life.
And she had never dared to entertain any expectations of such miracles.
But somehow...
after learning about the relationship between Ray and Carlotta, something inside her felt like it had shattered.
Phoebe could not put the feeling into words. It was just that a certain place in her heart had suddenly felt empty, as if someone had gently taken a piece away, leaving a void that could not be filled.
She should have given up, but something stubborn deep within her refused to be convinced.
Perhaps...
it was because she still harbored a faint, hopeless expectation.
As night deepened, the young woman walked alone through Ragunna's empty streets. Her shadow stretched long under the streetlights, making her look even more solitary.
"Would I be disturbing Mr. Ray if I went now?"
She lowered her gaze, the streetlight's glow dancing in her eyes.
"And Miss Carlotta... would probably be there too, right?"
As she murmured to herself, the image of Carlotta's expression from that day surfaced again. Though she had not shown any anger, anyone would have been upset by what happened.
With that thought, her steps slowed. Finally, she stopped at the edge of the streetlight's halo, looking at the warm yellow light ahead and hesitating.
"But I'm only delivering pastries." She took a deep breath, as if trying to convince herself. "Miss Carlotta... probably wouldn't mind, right?"
How could she not mind?
They were boyfriend and girlfriend.
Should she just give up?
She shook her head firmly, dispelling the thought as soon as it appeared.
She looked at the box in her hands and said softly, "These are from the first batch baked today. Every piece was carefully prepared for Mr. Ray. Now that I've come this far, how can I turn back?"
Besides...
As long as they were not married, that meant she still....
This thought flashed through her mind like lightning, making her cheeks flush crimson.
She quickly closed her eyes and patted her hot cheeks with her cool palms, as if trying to shake away those forbidden thoughts.
What is wrong with me?
Why am I thinking such sinful and shameful things?
I can't steal someone else's love! If the Sentinel knew, surely He would inflict divine punishment!
No, no, I can't do this!
I'm just... family?
Yes, family! Mr. Ray did say that I'm already his family.
So then, delivering pastries to family isn't anything to be ashamed of!
With those thoughts, the young woman mustered her courage, took a step forward, and continued on her way.
Though the reason was quite flimsy, at least she had convinced herself.
After that, Phoebe followed the familiar path to Ray's front door.
Standing outside the closed door, she could glimpse the warm light inside through the crack.
He was home.
Phoebe softly swallowed, summoned all her courage, raised her hand, and finally pressed the doorbell.
A moment later, heavy footsteps sounded from inside the room.
The young woman's heart grew increasingly flustered. The opening lines she had prepared were shattered by her current panic.
"Hm? It's you."
A girl's voice came from inside.
It was not Carlotta, but rather...
Phrolova?
Phoebe remembered her.
She slowly opened her eyes, which she had pressed shut in nervousness, and looked at the young woman leaning against the doorframe.
Phrolova stood coolly against the doorframe, thoughtfully studying Phoebe outside.
Huh, why is she here?
Oh right, I almost forgot.
Miss Phrolova is temporarily staying here.
Phoebe felt a slight sense of relief.
If someone else was present, perhaps the pressure she faced would be a little less?
Phoebe formed a delicate smile, her voice soft. "Miss Phrolova, is... Mr. Ray home?"
Phrolova shrugged, her tone flat and unreadable. "That guy? I haven't seen him for days. Maybe he's gone off deepening his ties with someone else again."
A faint, hard-to-place bitterness lingered at the end of her words.
"Deepening his ties?" Phoebe murmured, half understanding. "So where did Mr. Ray go?"
"Who knows?" Phrolova tilted her head slightly, studying the golden-haired young woman before her. The corner of her mouth suddenly lifted into a small smile. "Did you come specifically to see him?"
"Well, I..." The tips of the young woman's ears warmed. Finally, she nodded lightly. "I made some pastries myself and wanted to give them to Mr. Ray."
"So that's how it is."
Phrolova's voice drifted down softly, as if she understood something, or perhaps as if she had said nothing at all.
She was used to it.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from a nearby corner.
"Hurry, no one's here."
"Really?"
"Why would I lie? Got any candy?"
"...That's true."
Phrolova and Phoebe both turned to look and caught two sneaky figures popping out from the shadows.
"Ah, it's Mr. Ray?" Phoebe was momentarily stunned. "And the person next to him is..."
Though she could not see the face clearly, the figure's outline clearly belonged to a young woman.
At the same time, the other person noticed her gaze.
"Damn! It's someone from the Order!" the girl's voice was panicked.
"Shhhh keep it down!" Ray quickly lowered his voice. "We've barely managed to sneak in here. Can't blow it now... It's Phoebe. Trust me, she's different from the others in the Order of the Deep!"