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

As soon as I pushed open the door of the pharmacy, a faint, pleasant fragrance quietly entered my nostrils.

Duanmu Yan was familiar with this scent—he had smelled a similar fragrance when he last met Cantrella.

It wasn't a strong, pungent perfume; rather, it was a refreshing fragrance derived from nature, capable of soothing mental fatigue.

"Welcome. Ah, is this Priestess Phoebe? It's been a long time."

The shop wasn't spacious, and the only employee—who was also a pharmacist—was a cute young girl.

—Rosemary.

Her voice was flat, and her face showed no emotion whatsoever. She was like a delicate doll, mechanically executing a set work procedure.

“Hello, Miss Rosemary,” Phoebe smiled slightly at her.

"Need to prepare a potion?" Rosemary tilted her head slightly, her tone as calm as a still lake.

“Yes.” Phoebe nodded. “The children at the orphanage have caught a cold and we would like you to prepare some medicine to boost their health.”

"You have a cold? I understand."

Rosemary put down the pestle and turned to walk toward the medicine cabinet behind them.

But just as she brushed past Duanmu Yan, she suddenly stopped, her small nose twitching slightly.

Then, she slowly turned her head, her empty gaze falling on him: "You... have the scent of the head of the family."

These words left Duanmu Yan and Phoebe stunned—especially Phoebe, who was staring at him with disbelief.

"Mr. Duanmu, you're actually connected to the head of the Fesalie family?"

"But don't I remember the rivalry between the Motari and Fesari families was quite fierce?"

"Would Miss Koleta be angry if she found out?"

A series of questions flashed through Phoebe's mind, but she ultimately didn't ask them aloud, silently keeping her doubts to herself.

Duanmu Yan's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

He never expected that Rosemary could tell he had been in contact with Cantrell based solely on scent.

can only say……

Fortunately, the second young lady is not here.

"How did you know?" he asked, unable to hide his surprise. "I did meet Miss Cantrella; she invited me to Portivino Castle, but that was a few days ago."

Rosemary bowed slightly: "So you are a guest of the head of the family. My apologies. As a pharmacist, smell is our second pair of eyes."

"The head of the family once personally instructed me, and I can't forget her aura. Although I don't know the relationship between the guest and the head of the family, since she took the initiative to invite you, please put down your guard and trust her."

A barely perceptible ripple appeared in her calm tone, like a gentle breeze sweeping across a still lake.

"The head of the family... is actually a very gentle person."

Gentle? Cantrella?

However, based on current interactions, Cantrela seems to differ significantly from the rumors surrounding her.

Otherwise, why would this vicious woman have helped me on that day?

"Don't worry, I've met Miss Cantrella a few times. Her character is not what the rumors suggest."

"I am not someone who cannot distinguish right from wrong, so please rest assured about that."

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable seriousness.

"—I have the utmost respect for Miss Cantrella."

……

……

After some time, Duanmu Yan and Phoebe left the potion shop.

He planned to send Phoebe back to the order and then go to meet Cantrell.

"Mr. Duanmu, do you know Miss Cantrella?"

On the way, Phoebe finally couldn't resist her curiosity and asked in a low voice.

Duanmu Yan nodded: "Yeah, I guess so. We've met a few times before. Has Phoebe met her too?"

Phoebe tilted her head slightly and thought for a moment: "I met him once in the monastic order a long time ago. Although people outside say that the head of the Fesari family is a deep-sea ghost who poisoned the previous head of the family in a dishonorable way to take that position."

"But... I always felt that Miss Cantrella wasn't as scary as the rumors said. Even though we only met once..."

The girl murmured softly, but then suddenly raised her head and looked at Duanmu Yan with an unusually serious gaze.

"By the way, Mr. Duanmu. Miss Koleta... she really won't be angry?"

Koleta?

Why did Phoebe suddenly bring up the second young lady?

"I remember the relationship between the two families has always been tense, hasn't it? Mr. Duanmu went to see Miss Cantrella without Miss Koleta's knowledge... Is that really alright?"

Duanmu Yan: "..."

The silence was deafening.

So, Miss will forgive me, right?

"But that's okay!"

"If Mr. Duanmu is scolded by Miss Koleta, you can come and confide in me!"

Volume 1: Chapter 123 Patriarch, Let's Try to Only Talk About Work

The sun sets in the west.

As the last rays of the sun sank to the edge of the world, Duanmu Yan stood on the Desalai Ridge.

Looking into the distance, a majestic ancient castle stands quietly atop the rugged sea ridge, its dark outline emerging in the deepening night.

Portivino Castle.

This secluded and mysterious ancient castle carries the history and heritage of the Fesari family for hundreds of years.

Strange plants from the deep sea swayed silently in the evening breeze, and a pale purple mist draped the castle's spires and high walls like a veil...

It is like a vortex leading to the unknown, quietly waiting for visitors drawn by its charm to step into it.

Duanmu Yan gazed at the ancient castle standing in the twilight, a lingering unease still settling in his heart.

He knew, of course, that Cantrella might not be as cold-blooded and vicious as the rumors suggested, but...

Recalling the unpleasant incidents with the members of the Fesalie family in the past, and now having to step into their core territory as a guest, anyone would feel somewhat lost in this change of position.

He took a deep breath of the cool sea breeze and calmed himself down.

In any case, now that Cantrell has accepted the invitation, there is no reason to back down.

If it can really help her, then this trip will be worthwhile.

As Duanmu Yan ascended, he could clearly feel the gazes from all directions—whether it was members of the Fesalie family or the occasional monks, they all scrutinized his unfamiliar face with a critical and inquisitive look.

It seems that in this isolated land on the sea ridge, outsiders are a rare sight.

When he finally reached the summit, and the majestic ancient castle was right in front of him, a figure blocked his way.

"Your Excellency Duanmu." The other party was a middle-aged man with meticulously combed white hair, dressed in a well-tailored black suit, whose demeanor exuded the style of an old-fashioned gentleman. "I am here to await your arrival on the orders of the head of the family."

He bowed slightly, his movements elegant and graceful.

“The patriarch has been waiting for a long time. Please follow me.”

Duanmu Yan remained silent, only nodding slightly in response.

The butler pushed open the heavy castle gates for him, revealing a mysterious and magnificent hall.

The hall was dimly lit, but through the circular glass dome, one could clearly see schools of fish swimming leisurely in the water.

The light refracts through the water, casting shimmering light throughout the hall, making one feel as if they are in the deep ocean.

In the center of the hall stood a huge statue of the Lord of the Year—its form, with a horse's head and a fish's body, was exactly the same as the one enshrined in the monastery.

The Faisal family has maintained good relations with religious orders for generations and has always been devout in their faith in the Lord.

but why……

The statue is getting dusty.

For a believer, allowing the statue of God to be covered in dust is tantamount to blaspheming their faith.

Logically speaking, the Fesari family shouldn't have made such a basic mistake.

But why?

“Your Excellency, the head of the family is waiting in the study.” The butler stepped aside and gestured, “Please come with me.”

Duanmu Yan glanced one last time at the dusty statue of the Lord of the Year, then looked away and silently followed the butler into the depths of the castle.

The two stopped before a heavy, carved wooden door. The butler bowed slightly and respectfully reported into the dim light inside:

"Master, the guests have arrived."

After a moment of silence, the door opened silently inward.

Inside the study, Cantrela was leaning against a soft couch, holding an ancient book in one hand and a teacup in the other.

Only after Duanmu Yan entered the room did she leisurely put down the ancient book, look up at him, and a lazy yet charming smile appeared on her lips.

"It seems our little guest...did not refuse my invitation because of Faisal's reputation."

Duanmu Yan walked towards her expressionlessly, but his tone was exceptionally humble: "After all, Miss Cantrella has been kind to me, and after these few interactions, I also think that the rumors circulating outside may be a bit too exaggerated."

"Is that so?" Cantrela gracefully crossed her legs, a subtle, elusive glint in her azure eyes. "It seems my little guest doesn't appreciate following the crowd. But what if I told you... that most of the rumors about me are true?"

Duanmu Yan's expression remained unchanged, and he calmly replied, "I only believe what I see with my own eyes. At least in my limited interactions with Miss Cantrella, you are not as cold-hearted as the outside world portrays you. Otherwise, why would you have lent me a helping hand at sea?"

Hearing this, Cantrela smiled slightly and gently pushed a cup of hot tea in front of him: "The world is never black and white, but unfortunately people only want to believe the truth they want. Even if the facts are right in front of them, it is meaningless to those who are already convinced."

Duanmu Yan did not hesitate, picked up his teacup and took a small sip: "Why haven't I seen that traveler from Huanglong?"

"You mean Changli?" Cantrela's eyes gleamed with amusement as she looked at his face. "She set off for Huanglong a few days ago. What, young guest, are you interested in her? Hmm... perhaps you'll meet again someday."

"Just out of curiosity." Duanmu Yan changed the subject casually. "Speaking of which, Miss Cantrellella specifically invited me here. What is it about?"

Cantrell closed her eyes slightly, savored a sip of tea, and said in a gentle voice, "I just wanted to use the help of this little guest to solve a problem that has been troubling me for many years."

"A problem that has plagued us for years?" Duanmu Yan became more wary. "Could it be related to the Motari family? I'm sorry, Miss, you've been very kind to me. If it really is related to the family's interests, then please excuse me."

Cantrell opened her eyes slightly, then the surprise on her face was replaced by a relieved and helpless smile.

"What? Of course not. The conflict between families is not a binary opposition. Don't worry, I will not harm Motari, much less Koleta."

She rose gracefully, walked behind him, gently placed her hands on his shoulders, and whispered in his ear.

"What I'm looking for... is something far more dangerous than that."

Her breath was warm, and her words fell softly.

"only……"

"The young guest is really quite protective of that second young lady."

"It really makes me... a little jealous."

Duanmu Yan sat there, unmoved by her provocations.

Cantrella is no little girl; she did this to gain control of the conversation.

“Miss Cantrella, let’s try to talk about work only.”

"Oh? You really are unmoved by his charms." She chuckled, straightened up calmly, and slid her fingertips away from his shoulder. "However, without such self-control, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to take on this responsibility."

Just as Duanmu Yan was about to continue the conversation, an untimely communication came through.

He glanced at the display and said apologetically, "Sorry, it's Miss Er."

Cantrella sat back down in her original spot, picked up her teacup, and nodded slightly to him, indicating that she would remain quiet.

Volume 1: Chapter 124 Koleta: Is my hat green?

Motari Mansion.

As night deepened, a light drizzle began to fall outside the window.