Both sides felt someone had stolen their precious cabbage

Hotel Bouffes d'ete

The flames in the fireplace flickered quietly, casting Arlecchino's slender silhouette onto the cold wall.

Arlecchino was enjoying her afternoon tea. Two straight days of worry and exhaustion called for a timely moment of relaxation.

Knock, knock, knock. Three measured knocks suddenly sounded outside the quiet hall.

"Come in," Arlecchino called, pausing as she lifted her teacup.

The door was gently pushed open, and the siblings Lyney and Lynette walked in one after the other.

"Father!" Lyney bowed to Arlecchino. "Our informant in Poisson reports that Xingsu arrived in Poisson today, escorted by Clorinde, the Court of Fontaine's Champion Duelist. He appears to intend to stay there long-term."

Lynette stood quietly beside her brother without interrupting, simply waiting for Arlecchino's instructions.

"Poisson... the Spina di Rosula..." Arlecchino considered it for a while. She had taken the initiative to contact this local civilian organization when she first arrived in Fontaine and began building her intelligence network.

Callas was still in his prime and decisive in his actions, wielding considerable influence both in the underworld and among Fontaine's people.

On the surface, the Spina di Rosula was merely a civilian organization sheltering displaced people, but in reality, it commanded an extensive network of information channels. Even those involved in many of the Court of Fontaine's gray-area affairs would show Callas some consideration.

Moreover, Fontaine's three Aquabus routes had also been completed several years ago under the Spina di Rosula's leadership, bringing it considerable prestige among the people.

For precisely that reason, perhaps having Xingsu settle under the Spina di Rosula's protection truly was a sound approach.

"Tell the children in Poisson to continue monitoring developments in Poisson and Xingsu's movements. Remember to stay concealed." Holding her teacup in one hand, Arlecchino lightly tapped the fingertips of her other hand against the tabletop, making a series of soft taps. Little showed on her face.

"One more thing, Father. The informant mentioned that Xingsu frequently interacted with Miss Navia of the Spina di Rosula while touring Poisson, and that they seemed close..." Lynette added.

As her words fell, a single crisp sound rang out.

Clink.

Arlecchino suddenly set the teacup she had been holding lightly onto its porcelain saucer.

The somewhat relaxed atmosphere instantly froze. She lowered her eyes, her tone betraying no disturbance as she said flatly:

"...Understood. You may leave."

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

The siblings answered in unison. Not daring to linger, they quietly withdrew from the office and closed the door behind them.

Once again, only the dancing fire remained in the spacious room.

Arlecchino sat alone at the table, watching the tea sway in her cup. The thoughts she had only just managed to settle grew tangled once more.

She raised a hand and rubbed between her brows, forcing herself to calm down.

Only after leaving the mansion's corridor did Lyney finally lower his voice and look at his sister with some puzzlement.

"Lynette, do you know something? That didn't feel like your usual style."

Lynette's tail perked up lightly. She rested her small hands on her hips, tipped her chin up, and secretly cracked one eye open to cast Lyney a sidelong glance, her tone carrying a touch of tsundere pride.

"Hmph. Stupid brother."

With that, she offered no further explanation and walked ahead on her own, leaving a bewildered Lyney standing there, pondering the little thoughts his sister was hiding.

"L-Lyney." Freminet had appeared behind him at some point and called to him timidly. "Father just prepared a batch of supplies and said the scheduled collaboration with the Spina di Rosula had been moved forward. Father also attaches great importance to this collaboration, and will even go to Poisson herself to discuss it with Mr. Callas. Um, what do you think..."

"The Spina di Rosula... Poisson... Xingsu..." Lyney suddenly seemed to understand Lynette. It seemed he had learned a secret that could not be spoken aloud.

"Ahem, understood, Freminet." Lyney suddenly lowered his voice. "Let's keep this to ourselves. Make sure not to tell anyone else."

Freminet did not understand, but Freminet was obedient.

He nodded shyly, then went to prepare the supplies as Father had instructed.

Up ahead, Lynette's ears twitched and her tail swished smugly. She was very satisfied with her brother's belated realization.

"Eggs, sugar, almonds-I brought them all."

Navia flashed a confident smile and excitedly clenched her fists. "Hehehe, all right! I've got to show my new friend what I can do. Special macarons made by the Spina di Rosula's very own young lady!"

Xingsu stared in surprise. "You actually carry macaron ingredients around with you?! And where did you pull that cooking stove out of?!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Melus's steady voice came from the side. "I make thorough preparations so the young lady can enjoy her baking hobby whenever she wishes."

"Same here." The mysterious man in sunglasses who had brought Navia's ingredients suddenly cupped his fist in greeting to Xingsu from beside them.

"And where did you pop out from?! Hey!"

"Perfect timing. Let me introduce them. This is Melus, who just showed you around Poisson, and the cool-looking one in sunglasses is Silver. He only joined the Spina di Rosula recently, but he's proven very reliable!" Navia enthusiastically introduced them to Xingsu.

"Uh, hello..."

"Hello to you as well, Mr. Xingsu. The experiences and knowledge you shared along the way have demonstrated how exceptional you are. It is an honor to meet you." Melus inclined his upper body slightly toward Xingsu in respect.

"Ahaha, you really flatter me." Xingsu waved his hands, a little embarrassed.

"The Spina di Rosula is short of well-informed, knowledgeable talents like you. Would you be willing to join us?" Silver extended an invitation at just the right moment.

"Ah... since you've invited me yourself, of course I'm willing, but as for Mr. Callas..."

"Rest assured, this is also Mr. Callas's wish. Before I left headquarters, the boss told me to pay particular attention to you. I believe your excellence must have caught his eye as well," Silver said confidently.

That probably wasn't what he meant, was it?!

Navia immediately patted her chest and cheerfully dispelled his concerns. "And you've got me, the Spina di Rosula's young lady, right here! As long as you want to join, I do have that much authority."

"Ahaha, th-thank you. But is this really all right..." Xingsu forced a smile. Mr. Callas's face, veins bulging, seemed to suddenly appear before his eyes.

"Hmph, as long as you're capable, let's see who dares say no! All right, the ingredients are pretty much ready. Let me show you what this young lady can do." As she spoke, Navia skillfully began making macarons.

That wasn't what I meant either...

Forget it. Since things have come to this, let's eat first.

Ah, delicious.