I'm in Mota, and they all want me to confess my feelings!

Officially, she went to Qiqiu to manage the family business.

But in reality, it was just that her grandfather wanted her to take this opportunity to catch her breath and rest for a while.

Koleta naturally understood her grandfather's meaning. In the past, she might have declined the job and continued to bury herself in the daily routine of an executor.

But now...

A certain self is awakening.

Perhaps, besides "Motari", the girl also needs to be a part of "Coletta".

This does not mean that she abandoned her family responsibilities.

Simply because a proper Motari would not consider the Motari as everything.

Koleta Motari, she will always be needed, she will never be abandoned again.

But if you remove this restriction, she is already free enough.

Of course, she is not yet ready to reveal more about the parts of Koleta that belong only to her—the only exception being the cat's eye stone.

Despite their different identities, he was different from others. He didn't deliberately distance himself from her because she was Motari, nor did he feign closeness. He always maintained a reassuring and just-right attitude.

Although their identities are disguised, if they have more opportunities to spend time together in the future, the relationship between "opal" and "cat's eye stone," that fictional connection, will quietly transform into something real.

—As for what kind of relationship the two of them will have at that time?

Deep in her heart, the girl harbored a secret expectation.

"Miss Koleta?"

Just then, a girl's quiet voice came from behind.

Koleta turned her head slightly, and what came into view was a lovely blonde girl—Phoebe.

The two had met a few times; their relationship wasn't exactly close, but it wasn't that unfamiliar either.

Moreover, because of Duanmu Yan, the two seem to have more interactions now.

“Phoebe?” A hint of surprise flashed across Koleta’s eyes.

Although the previous misunderstanding had long been cleared up, as the second young lady of the Motari family, she naturally wouldn't take those trivial matters to heart.

—The premise is that she only sees all of this from the perspective of the family's progress.

But standing here now are mostly girls named Koleta.

That faint, lingering resentment in my heart cannot be hidden from myself.

However, this does not mean she will take out her anger on Phoebe.

"Good afternoon, Miss Coleta. May the Lord bless you."

Phoebe smiled serenely and waved gently to Colette.

"Good afternoon," Koleta replied with a polite smile. "Is today a day off? Why did you come all the way to the docks?"

“Ah, no.” Phoebe shook her head gently. “Mr. Duanmu asked me to wait for him here.”

Coleta: "?"

Colleta.jpg

Book 1: Chapter 77 Phoebe's First Time

Eh?

Phoebe came here to...

Cat's eye stone?

Moreover, it was Cat's Eye Stone who arranged the meeting with her?

Hey, why?

Wait a minute, shouldn't I be the leading lady today?

What exactly does that guy with the cat's eye stone mean?

Between them...

Isn't he innocent?

Why did you arrange to meet at this time?

Or……

What really happened between them?

Imagine a pure and devout blonde girl and a handsome and talented young man.

Because of her life-or-death experience in the deep sea, Phoebe mistakenly believed that she was attracted to him—in psychology, this is called the suspension bridge effect.

So, on a sweltering night, the girl couldn't suppress her excitement and, in a daze, accepted everything about him...

—That must be right!

Koleta's fingertips trembled slightly, and she unconsciously took a half step back.

Phoebe blinked in confusion as she watched the changing expressions on her face.

Why did Miss Koleta's expression suddenly become so strange?

"Is there something on me?"

Despite her many questions, Phoebe didn't ask any further. She simply took out a carefully wrapped pastry from her handbag and gently handed it over.

"Oh, by the way, Miss Coleta, these are some pastries I made myself."

"Although this is my first time trying it, the taste may not be perfect..." The girl lowered her head shyly, "I hope you won't mind."

"Pastries?" Koleta paused slightly, taking the still-warm paper package. Suddenly, she seemed to understand something. "Wait—so you came all this way just to give this to Cat's Eye Stone?"

“Cat’s eye stone…?” Phoebe was a little confused by the unfamiliar term, and it took her a moment to realize, “You mean Mr. Duanmu? Yes… this pastry is indeed intended for him.”

When the girl uttered that name, her originally serene smile took on a special meaning, like icing on candied fruit.

The candied fruit was already sweet, but this garnish made the sweetness last even longer.

She unconsciously lowered her eyes, her fingertips twirling the ends of her golden hair, a faint blush rising on her fair cheeks.

"Back in the Rijoli Islands... I owe a great debt to Mr. Duanmu. I've always wanted to thank him properly, but I didn't know how."

"So, I thought I'd make some pastries for him myself..."

"I just don't know if he'll like it?"

Koleta took in the girl's shy and timid appearance.

As an art investor in Laguna, she has seen countless paintings and met countless people, and has long since developed the ability to discern people's true intentions from subtle details.

And at this moment——

Alarm bells rang in her mind.

Based on her years of experience, she could almost conclude:

The girl named Phoebe in front of you is definitely in love!

And the person I'm dating is my boyfriend!

—Although it was a disguise.

"Phoebe, Miss Phoebe. Have you met yet?"

At this moment, Duanmu Yan walked towards them with a warm smile.

The girl, who was already experiencing the stirrings of first love, blushed even more deeply the moment she saw him.

“Mr. Duanmu.” A hint of panic flickered in her iris-purple eyes, but her tone remained polite. “These are pastries I made myself. Although it’s my first time trying them… I hope you’ll like them.”

"Is this Phoebe's first time? Then I'll have to savor it properly." Duanmu Yan chuckled as he accepted the carefully packaged pastries. He untied the ribbon, brought the delicate Laguna traditional pastries in the box closer, and smelled them. "Mmm, so fragrant."

"It smells so good!" A flash of golden light, and Abu jumped out of the sound trail, staring longingly at the pastries. "Abu wants some too!"

"Don't worry, of course there's a portion for Abu." Phoebe smiled and took out a small bag of snacks specially prepared for him.

"Thank you, Miss Phoebe!" Abu happily accepted the gift and eagerly began to devour the food.

Duanmu Yan picked up a piece of pastry and put it in her mouth. The sweet cream and honey aroma melted between her lips and teeth. It was just the right amount of sweetness, not cloying at all, but bringing a gentle comfort, and the fatigue of the past few days seemed to disappear with it.

"It tastes great, Phoebe."

"R-Really?" The girl's purple eyes brightened slightly, but there was still a hint of uncertainty in them. "Because it's my first time trying it... I was worried that it wouldn't suit your taste."

"How could that be?" Duanmu Yan smiled broadly. "As long as it's Phoebe's intention, I will cherish it."

“Ah, I…” This straightforward response made Phoebe’s ears turn red. She hurriedly lowered her eyes, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her skirt. “If Mr. Duanmu likes it… that would be wonderful.”

Duanmu Yan nodded with satisfaction: "Next time you have any new snacks, Phoebe must bring them back for me to try."

"And Abu!" The little guy's mouth was stuffed full, and he didn't forget to raise his paw.

Seeing that her efforts were so appreciated, Phoebe smiled perfectly and replied softly, "Yes, I'll definitely try making some other desserts next time!"

Amidst the laughter, Koleta stood quietly, like a shadow forgotten in the sunlight, silently watching this heartwarming scene.

—It turns out that people's joys and sorrows are not shared; she only felt that they were making noise.

"What is this?"

"Am I now the superfluous one?"

"Should I... not even be here?"

“Well… I’ll head back to the monastery now. Goodbye, Mr. Duanmu, Abu.” Phoebe waved goodbye lightly, then turned to Koleta beside her, “Goodbye too, Miss Koleta.”

"Be careful on the road."

Duanmu Yan watched the girl's figure gradually disappear into the distance until that golden hue completely blended into the bustling crowd before he let out a soft breath.

What a good child.

It's just a pity...

She was a member of a religious order.

Hopefully, Phoebe will never know the darkness hidden beneath the light.

"Second Miss, then we—"

Duanmu Yan had just turned around and was still speaking when he met a resentful gaze.

Koleta bit her lower lip, her eyes swirling with complex and unfathomable emotions, which made Duanmu Yan's heart tighten.

"Second Miss?" he called out tentatively.

"You seemed quite happy just now." There was an undisguised sourness in her voice.

“After all, it’s a gift from Phoebe, and… it really tastes delicious.” Duanmu Yan took a piece of pastry from the box and gently brought it to her lips. “Would you like to try some?”

This sudden closeness startled Koleta slightly, and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. She turned her face away, her fingertips unconsciously twirling a strand of hair behind her ear, then she tiptoed slightly and carefully took a small bite from his hand.

"How's it going? Not bad, right?"

Koleta glanced at him, then turned and walked forward: "Hmph, time to get going."

but……

This dessert is indeed delicious.

Perhaps what matters more to her is the way this sweetness is shared.

Meanwhile, a scarlet flower born on the other side of the river quietly bloomed in a hidden corner, witnessing all of this, yet remaining silent.

Volume One: Chapter Seventy-Eight Alas, Capital

As dusk fell, the ferry slowly docked at the port of Qiqiu.

In stark contrast to the Laguna Order's rigorous interrogation of visitors to the Seven Hills, the Seven Hills are much more lenient towards travelers from Laguna—as long as they are not there to preach, the Seven Hills welcome all guests from afar.

After all, tourism is a vital economic pillar of Qiqiu.

Upon setting foot on the land of Qiqiu, Duanmu Yan keenly sensed that the landscape here was vastly different from that of Laguna.

Whether it's the pedestrians' clothing or the atmosphere of the street, everything exudes a completely different charm.