Chapter 74: That's All the Ambition You Have!
"Uh... so what did you need to come here to discuss?"
"Of course it's something important."
"Then what are you doing now..."
"Just checking our surroundings, of course. With Montelli being this big, it would be troublesome if someone were eavesdropping."
After everyone had left, Aeron brought Little Carte alone to his guest room in Montelli.
Cartethyia watched Aeron's sneaky behavior, so afraid of being seen by others, and couldn't help but feel somewhat curious about what he was going to say next.
And of all places, why here...
After bringing Cartethyia to his room, Aeron went in and out of the door several times, each time glancing at Cartethyia upon returning.
"Brant isn't here, and there's no trace of the poet either... The others should all be held up by Cantarella..."
Along with occasional mysterious muttering coming from outside.
What is he trying to...
Cartethyia's curiosity grew heavier by the moment—what could possibly make him so cautious that he had to hide it from everyone else? 1Ekds
Swish—
Finally, Aeron turned and drew the curtains closed, then faced Cartethyia with a determined expression, as if he had made up his mind about something.
And he's being so serious... completely different from usual.
And what's with all this drama!
Although it was currently afternoon, Aeron had made the environment so dim that only faint beams of light could penetrate the room, unconsciously heightening Cartethyia's senses.
"...Cartethyia."
"Y-yes!"
Suddenly hearing her name called, Cartethyia's body involuntarily trembled.
Aeron stood before her, blocking most of the light coming through the curtain gaps. His gaze pierced through the dim room, his tone filled with unprecedented seriousness that even made Cartethyia feel somewhat flustered.
"What I'm about to say might be somewhat sudden, but it's very important."
Aeron deliberately lowered his voice, making it particularly clear in the dim room.
"This is something I can only tell you, and... I must tell you before Carnevale."
And it's especially... likely to make one's imagination run wild.
"?!"
Cartethyia's heart tightened slightly, one hand secretly clutching the hem of her clothes.
Something he can only tell me... and must tell me before Carnevale...
Before Cartethyia's brain could process what this meant, Aeron immediately continued speaking.
"You remember, right? I said that from the moment we met, I was determined to stay with you until the end."
"That did happen... huh?"
Aeron's words momentarily left Cartethyia stunned.
Why is he bringing this up now?
"I've been thinking about how to explain this matter to you... but unfortunately, this is the best way I could come up with."
"...What?"
Cartethyia's heartbeat quickened again, a bold idea beginning to form uncontrollably in her mind.
No way no way no way...!
Unlike Cartethyia who was too flustered to respond, Aeron took another step forward, further closing the distance between them.
So close... and this atmosphere...!!!!
This isn't right! Something's terribly wrong!
It was already strange enough for an iron tree to blossom—after all, he was the crush of her best friend Phoebe, the son-in-law of the Fisalia Family, and also Montelli's business partner...
...This kind of situation...!
Cartethyia tried to calm herself down, but her cheeks kept getting hotter, her heart pounded fiercely in her small chest, and her breathing became strained.
Her wretched imagination began to run wild, gradually taking over her thoughts: Aeron had deliberately avoided everyone to bring her to his room, drawn the curtains, and was speaking in such a solemn tone about words meant only for her.
"...!"
As Cartethyia recalled everything she'd experienced with Aeron since they first met—how he had almost unconditionally helped her with everything, including risking his life...
C-Could he really...?
"I'll take responsibility for what comes after, but before that... I must entrust this matter to you. Listen carefully to what I'm about to say."
"G-Go ahead!"
Cartethyia tensed up, her mind going blank. She didn't know what to do, but whatever Aeron was about to say, she had nowhere to escape.
If... if it's that kind of thing... should I agree? But at a time like this... yet he... Mmm, sorry Phoebe!
"If... if it's you... I'm ready, bring it on!"
After saying this, Cartethyia instinctively closed her eyes, not even daring to look at Aeron's face.
What followed was silence...
...
...
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
Aeron was the first to break the silence.
"...Ha?"
Cartethyia's expression instantly changed, her eyes filled with confusion.
Clearly, what Aeron had said was about as far from what she had imagined as here to Rinascita.
So after all that, he actually wanted to discuss serious business?
Hearing Aeron's words, Cartethyia lowered her head, placed both hands on her legs, her entire body trembling uncontrollably.
"Are you cold?"
"You're really something else!"
"...I'm sorry."
"Do you think three words can erase that slap you just gave me?"
Aeron held his face, feeling the stinging pain, completely bewildered about why Little Carte had just slapped him.
"Who told you to say things like that..."
"Everything I said was perfectly normal. After all, this concerns our success or failure at Carnevale."
Just as Aeron had said earlier, these were words he could only share with Cartethyia, and she would also be responsible for the most difficult part of the entire plan.
Considering Cartethyia's identity and experiences, Aeron had always tried to keep her out of previous operations, but this time was different.
As for this blockhead before her, Cartethyia admitted that expecting anything from him in this regard was indeed wishful thinking on her part.
"I'm quite curious about what matter requires such caution from you."
In the dimly lit room, having regained her composure, Cartethyia sat with Aeron on the bed. After being disrupted by Aeron like this, it was as if she had been doused with a bucket of cold water—she immediately calmed down.
"To lay my cards on the table. After all, it's you, the Second Young Lady, and Rover who will be taking the stage tomorrow. Some things can't be shared with them, so I can only speak with you."
Indeed, Aeron was still the Aeron she knew—not much had changed.
But since he was being so serious, Cartethyia naturally wouldn't allow herself to be swayed by emotions any longer.
He had done so much for her; now it was her turn.
And, more importantly, for Ragunna and all of Rinascita.
"...Yes, I will do it."
Cartethyia took a deep breath, turned her head, and looked resolutely at Aeron, awaiting the mission he would impart to her.
"Kill me at Carnevale."
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