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Rover was late to return to Porto-Veno Castle that night. However, that didn't bother the Fisalia matriarch. He is a desirable man, and Cantarella minded little the occasional night shared with another, be it a night of passion or otherwise. She stuck to her usual evening routine, gathering poison ingredients in the garden, namely the usual Sea Apples and Jellyroses.
Then, she found him. Rover looked utterly exhausted, his eyes- What did Carlotta compare them to? Cat's eye gems?– were heavy and his legs shaky, barely carrying him. "Hello, Cantarella. Sorry for the late visit, I got into more trouble than I expected," He greeted and apologised.
The Fisalia shook her head and sighed theatrically, “It seems like you’ve had another long day, running around everywhere, haven’t you, dear? You look awful, but at least you aren’t injured. If you don’t take care of yourself, how can you protect others? You’re almost too selfless sometimes... But I like that about you. Well then, come with me. Let’s get you to bed before you collapse. You may sleep in my bedchambers instead of your own room tonight if you wish. Please lean on me.”
“That would be wonderful, Cantarella. Thank you,” Rover said before doing as asked, leaning on her, his eyes half-closing. The butler greeted them at the entrance, “Ah, the Laureate is finally back. Do I need to prepare anything for the guest?” Cantarella shook her head, “No need, Sebastian. He’ll be sleeping in my room tonight. I’ll take care of everything.” Sebastian bowed and said, “As you wish, my Lady,” letting them enter.
The pair made their way across the hallways towards the familiar study, reaching a bookshelf in the room, and Cantarella pressed a button nearby to reveal a hidden doorway to the bedroom. “Please undress to your comfort and put your clothes in the closet. I’ll be preparing some things in the meantime.” As Rover removed his jacket and trousers, folding them and placing them in the closet, Cantarella lit a few aromatic candles, instantly making him more relaxed. As their gazes met again, she explained.
“There we go. This fragrance has a special pollen that helps improve blood circulation and eases muscle tension. While I often use it as an aphrodisiac, it is also a potent sedative in larger doses. That’s why I lit a few extra candles. While I wouldn't be against that proposition under better circumstances, you're clearly not in the right state of mind to consent. I shan't force such a thing on someone I fancy."
The blatant, provocative admission barely registered in Rover's currently slow-running mind, but he understood her point. Cantarella, a woman thought by many of Ragunna's citizens to be a treacherous, dangerous wretch, was here to help him fall asleep, treating him with love and care. He could almost get used to it, he thought.
Her voice broke him from his musings. "Are you ready, darling? Then, come closer. You may lie down beside me on the bed… Or even on me if you prefer. My lap makes for a wonderful pillow, as I'm told." She lets out an amused chuckle at the tease, and Rover is all too quick to comply, resting his head on the Fisalia's ample thighs, part of his view of the ceiling being blocked by another ample pair as she looks down upon him. And what a wonderful sight it is.
"Soft, isn't it? I bet you're enjoying the view." She leaned down to kiss his forehead in an affectionate gesture. "Speaking of view… I have an idea of a way to help you relax even further. Do you remember what effects my Forte has other than resisting poison and inflicting it on others?"
"Seeing people's deepest desires, right?" Rover answered, and Cantarella nodded. "Correct. Do you always have such a good memory, Rover, or is it reserved for people you care for?" She teased again, before her voice grew more serious, with a gentle smile on her face. "Well, how about I use that part of my Forte on you? Do you trust me with seeing your dreams, darling? Good dreams are key to peaceful sleep. With my assistance, you won't have a single nightmare plaguing your thoughts tonight. I assure you, it won't hurt or poison you. I swear my goodwill on the Sentinel."
"Of course. I have nothing to hide," Was Rover's simple yet decisive response.
"Hehe… Alright then. Close your eyes, relax, and let the seawater gently envelop you as you drift off into the depths of slumber. Whatever happens, don't fight the sensations, understood? It takes deep focus to use my Forte without causing any physical harm."
Rover nodded, already beginning to drift to sleep as he felt a thin film of water begin to surround his form.
"Sweet dreams. After I'm done looking, I'll ask you about what I've seen, and… Comfort you if necessary," Was the last thing Rover heard before he passed out.
'Let's see here…' Cantarella muttered to herself as she took a look at the swirling sea of memories forming Rover's dreams. Near the surface was what pretty much everyone knew he was doing: Hunting Tacet Discords, Exiles, and Fractsidus members, helping individuals with various troubles… Saving stray cats was oddly prevalent, for some reason. It was truly endearing how Rover was willing to help pretty much anyone who asked for it. It was no wonder he's been so overworked.
But just beyond that, sinking deeper into the depths, Cantarella saw Rover's moments with other women, one after the other. At least half a dozen of them, some of them unfamiliar.
First, a hardworking, dark-haired researcher from Huaxu Academy. He noticed she was getting too caught up in her research for her own good, so he offered her a chance to 'relax'.
Next, a mysterious, red-haired patroller and investigator. The woman has an odd affinity for electric threads. 'Hm, very intriguing. So, he seems to be into that sort of thing from time to time,' Cantarella mused to herself before diving deeper.
And then... But of course. Her dear long-distance friend, Changli, Counsellor to the Magistrate of Jinzhou. She'd invited him to a game of Weiqi, and a lost bet led to a night of passion. She should've expected as much from the cunning and strategic lady.
Speaking of, the aforementioned Magistrate was soon to follow. Rover was truly going places. A date to Mount Firmament's famous hot springs, under the guise of a lesson in proper etiquette. There was only one way that could end. It seemed like she wasn't the first or last maiden to favour that specific excuse for lovemaking.
Going deeper, getting close to the ocean floor of memories… She found Carlotta. Of course, she knew that already. The two ladies have already come to some semblance of agreement over him, after all. She knew much about it already, so she only spared a mere glance before getting to the deepest layer she could see. There… Oh, that vision was very different than the rest. That woman (or was it even a human?) was particularly important to him. His feelings for her seemed pure, deep, and less lustful than the rest… Almost like a family member. They seem to have known each other for a long time, perhaps even before he lost his memories.
Her curiosity beating the need for air, she decided to take a closer look at that vision, doing her best to catch glimpses of the conversation, the sounds of which were muffled by the seawater. Rover looked much the same, but there was a significant metaphorical aura of seriousness and torment around him. He had a weight on his shoulders truly fitting one of the most important political figures in Solaris-3, and much less of the carefree nature he has now. He must have suffered much loss by the time this event took place. Beside him, that same woman, who apparently goes by Shorekeeper, from what she could gather. She was the picture of refinement and elegance, looking modest and demure, latching onto his arm, and looking into his cat's eyes for approval of her words, not like a colleague or a lusting fling, but a life partner. They were standing in a field of white flowers in Whisperwind Haven, negotiating with… By the Sentinel, was that one of her ancestors in the Fisalia family?! Oh, how she wished she could hear what they were discussing. Perhaps there are any records left of that conversation in the vast library of the castle. However, what bothered her more was how much unhappier Rover seemed to be before he lost his memories, even though he had a woman who seemed to love him more than anyone does his present self.
Diving back to the surface and out of Rover's head, the feeling of water enveloping his body dissipated as he slowly opened his eyes. "I see you are awake, good. About what I've seen… I feel like I understand you slightly better now. Your heart is as vast as the ocean, and the wuthering waves upon it are too turbulent to be tamed. You're not one to enjoy individuals restraining your freedom. I understand. However, I do not require you to decide anything just yet, except for allowing Porto-Veno Castle to be a place of rest and comfort for you whenever you like. There is still something I'd like to discuss, if you're up for it?"
Rover smiled at her response, understanding the implication. But as she mentioned having something more to discuss, he replied, "Of course. Did you see anything that bothered you?"
"Not quite, but it was quite surprising. Do you perhaps remember if you and the woman called Shorekeeper have visited Rinascita together in the past?"
"I think so. With my connection to Sentinel Imperator, I must have visited this nation in the past I've forgotten. But I have reason to believe that trip wasn't mine alone, but with who I consider my closest companion."
"I see. I have to attempt to do some research on that. Perhaps one of my ancestors had contact with you years or even decades before we met. The Fisalia family line is rather long-standing, after all, with thirty-five Matriarchs before me. It's quite a poetic turn of events that a similar meeting may have taken place on the same seashore years apart, don't you think?" Cantarella mused, not realizing that her words could be used much more literally for another major event in Rover's long life. "But that's an ordeal for another day. It's getting late, so I should get changed as well. I'll rejoin you in just a moment. Just lie down, relax, and stay the night with me. I'll be with you for as long as you wish."