Chapter 171: Dream
When Phoebe woke up, she felt as soft and weak as if she were still floating in last night's dream.
That dream about Mr. Ray.
In the dream, she and Mr. Ray...
"Mmm—!"
She grabbed a pillow and buried her whole face in it, as if that could squeeze those romantic images out of her mind.
Dreams should have dissipated like morning mist once the sun came up.
But this time was different.
Those images were too clear, every detail stubbornly clinging to her memory, impossible to shake.
"What's wrong with me..."
To have such a shameless dream.
Sentinel above, please forgive me.
Today was Phoebe's day off.
Priests had days off too, of course.
Though it was a day off, she still had to wear her Order of the Deep uniform properly; she just didn't have to work.
She usually went to the Breezy Waterside to secretly spend time with her Echo companions.
Today, that was her plan too.
Burying her face in the pillow, the memories of the dream she had tried to forget still lingered in her mind, refusing to leave.
This wasn't the first time she'd had such a strange dream.
Ever since that day, when she mustered the greatest courage of her life, rose on her tiptoes, and kissed Ray's lips, she had felt as if her soul had been drained away. She was always absent-minded.
Even her colleagues at the Order of the Deep had noticed something was off, asking her with concern if she was feeling unwell.
Phoebe could only shake her head in a panic, covering it up with a smile.
She wasn't uncomfortable, of course.
After all, how could she reveal those unspoken girlish thoughts to others?
Even as a priest, she still had a small world of her own hidden in her heart.
I want to see him.
This voice kept lingering in the young woman's ears.
But she couldn't.
Or rather...
she didn't dare.
Phoebe didn't know what version of herself to use to face Ray.
She also didn't know where she had found the courage that day, it had just been a momentary impulse, without considering the consequences, and she had gone along with it naturally.
In the end, she even regretted it a little.
Because after taking that step, she could no longer interact with Ray as just a friend, like before.
What role should she assume...
Phoebe didn't know.
"Anyway, I need to cheer up today."
Phoebe took a deep breath, patted her cheeks to chase away the morning drowsiness, and prepared to welcome the new day.
After washing up, she put on her Church uniform and headed to the Breezy Waterside to meet her Echo companions.
On the way, she passed by her usual bakery, stopped for a moment, and chose her favorite cream bread for breakfast.
"Some cream bread, please. Thank you."
She placed a few shell coins on the counter and was about to turn away when a familiar voice came from behind, making her body tremble slightly.
"Phoebe?"
The voice was like a gentle breeze, tugging at her heartstrings.
She spun around like a startled fawn, her eyes meeting Ray, who had somehow appeared behind her.
"M-Mr. Ray?!"
Ray walked closer, the familiar faint smile on his lips. "Buying breakfast?"
"Ah? Yes, y-yes..." The young woman hurriedly lowered her head, her gaze not knowing where to rest. "W-Well, if there's nothing else, I... I'll be going now."
An indescribable emotion stirred in her chest, like a trapped fawn in the forest, restlessly bumping against her heart.
She suddenly realized how contradictory she was, she had been looking forward to this unexpected encounter every day, yet when it finally happened, her first thought was to run away.
"Wait, Phoebe."
Just as she turned to flee, Ray gently caught her wrist.
The touch was very light, yet it rooted her to the spot.
"Why have you been avoiding me these past few days? And you haven't replied to my messages."
"I-I haven't." Her voice grew smaller and smaller. "It's just... work has been so busy lately..."
That's what she said, but the obvious fluster in her voice betrayed her true feelings.
Ray said leisurely, "Phoebe, priests aren't supposed to lie. The Sentinel is watching."
"Well, I..." The young woman's body trembled slightly, then she lowered her head and mumbled, "I-I'm sorry, Mr. Ray."
Seeing the young woman's pitiful appearance, Ray could only smile helplessly.
He knew that the reason Phoebe was acting like this was probably because of that kiss.
Come to think of it, it was strange. The soft-spoken young woman had actually done something so bold.
But it was understandable. Humans were creatures driven by emotions, weren't they?
There were always moments when the heart's pounding would overwhelm reason's dam, making one do things that even surprised themselves.
And once the tide receded, they were left with a bewildered self.
Phoebe was now standing in the middle of that tide.
"Why are you apologizing?"
"I..."
Phoebe stood there, stammering like a child who had done something wrong, unable to form a complete sentence.
Looking at her like this, Ray's eyes showed understanding.
He knew this personality well, the more you pressed, the more she'd retreat into her shell.
Some hearts could only be opened with patience and gentleness.
What he needed now was to take it slowly.
So he stopped asking about that night, softening his tone instead.
"Alright, don't overthink it." He naturally changed the subject, his voice the same as usual. "Where are you going today?"
Phoebe finally timidly lifted her eyes. "Today's my day off. I'm going to the Breezy Waterside to see Beni and the others."
"Oh, those little things." Ray looked down the street, then asked, "How about we go together? Anby's been complaining that no one plays with it. It could use some playmates there."
"Huh, Mr. Ray wants to come too?" Phoebe's cheeks flushed again, her voice unable to hide its flutter.
Ray tilted his head, looking at her. "What, I'm not welcome?"
"N-No, not at all!" She hurriedly waved her hands. "I-I'm just a little surprised..."
"What's so surprising about that?" Ray smiled. "Actually, I'm happy when I'm with Phoebe too."
"Mmm—"
The young woman's pupils trembled slightly, as if those words had struck the softest place in her heart.
Her little face flushed from pink to a deep crimson, like a steam girl, almost as if a puff of steam was rising from her head.
"Th-Then... alright. Mr. Ray, come with me..."