It had been only a few days since their last encounter, but to Cadi, every few hours apart had pretty much felt like a lifetime. The all-consuming love never left her mind, her heart and body constantly craving Theodore.
Yet despite that, she remained strong and steadfastly went about her duties. Admittedly, her first few days as an island manager had been tough, because she had no clue about far too many matters. Fortunately, due to the help of a lot of kind workers around and being quite quick on the uptake, it all worked out. Somehow.
By now, the initial hectic period was basically over, and she could squeeze in a bit of cultivation time every now and then. It hadn't been as difficult as she thought, and she was surprised to see herself breeze through the last few realms of the Initial Ascension Stage without an issue.
She would have loved to break through to the Dawning Numen Stage already, but she had been told that it was a rather time-consuming process. If she was quick, then it would take her a few days–and she simply was still far too busy to be able to afford to take that much time off.
Nonetheless, when she heard that Theodore was calling for her, she dropped everything right then and there, rushing to the agreed-upon meeting spot. Her mind was filled with nothing but elation and joy at the thought of getting to see him again, so she didn't mind the couple dozen minutes of wait time at all.
Almost like that of a puppy, her tail swished back and forth in anticipation. Humming a happy tune, her eyes were glued on the reinforced room's entrance. Then, eventually, her patience was finally rewarded.
Before the door handle had even begun to turn, her heartbeat had already started to accelerate like mad, painting her cheeks in a deep red flush.
'I can feel it! He's here!'
As soon as he entered, she shot him the most heart-warming, amorous smile in her arsenal, yet stayed obediently silent. However, her excited tail movements gave away her true feelings.
"Thank you for coming, Ms. Owain."
The corners of his mouth rose a little as he spoke, this very tame sign of goodwill almost sending her heart into a frenzy. Swallowing heavily once, she put on a prim and proper expression.
"It's my honour, Mr. Winter. How may I be of service this time?"
With a hint of amusement in his gaze, he followed her tail's motions for a moment, then he focused on her properly again. Even in her love-struck state, she could still tell that he had become more serious and solemn.
"I'm not sure if you're aware, but you appear to have a close connection to one of my competitors in the Heavenly Succession. That emblem on your neck is the seal of a Supreme Pillar–the Losta Family. They're mostly made up of Succubi, in case you're wondering. I don't yet know how they've done it, but you are evidently related to their schemes in some way, shape or form."
Widening her eyes in surprise, she instinctively touched the symbol with her right hand, feeling a very faint, warm pulse emanating from it. It was exactly in tune with her own heartbeat, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary–yet now that she had some more information, she grew apprehensive of it.
'How come I have their seal? And what–or who–is it linked to? Is it related to that voice who helped me endure my transformation?'
Narrowing her eyes, she recalled that moment. Despite feeling an intimate connection to it, she had always been suspicious of it as well. With new input from Theodore, she grew even more wary. As for distrusting what he had said? Naturally, she wouldn't do that. Nay, she was completely incapable of it!
"Back when I became who I am now, when the pain was at its worst, I 'heard' a voice speak to me in my mind. Its exact words were: 'Oh my, how fascinating!' It was very gentle and kind, and felt near and dear to me. Somehow, it healed all of my various wounds and aches, and let me successfully make it through. It only spoke once, though, and never again. Do you think that might have been that Losta Family competitor?"
Having laid bare everything that she knew, she eagerly awaited Theodore's analysis. From the changing look in his eyes, she could tell that he was a smidgen confounded and felt a bit conflicted, yet also relieved.
"It's impossible to tell whether or not the Losta heiress was referring to your own personal transformation, or to something else that she noticed when she gazed upon you and your circumstances–so, possibly me. It is good that there appears to be a direct connection between you two, though. We can work with that."
Tilting her head in a deliberately adorable manner, Cadi's eyes were clouded in confusion.
"How?"
Instead of responding instantly, he took his sweet time double-checking all of the Arrays that he had prepared, for every eventuality. Then, he stared directly at her, his intense gaze almost making her swoon uncontrollably.
"Please attempt to contact that voice. As for how? Think. Just–and only–think. Let your mind be filled to the brim with the desire to seek her out. If it helps, then mentally repeat the words: 'Theodore Winter wants to have a chat, please respond.' Perhaps, that will make it easier for you."
Gulping audibly, Cadi nodded, reclined a little and relaxed. Closing her eyes, she did exactly as she was told... but it wasn't easy.
Every time that the name 'Theodore Winter' flashed past her thoughts, love and lust would intermingle within her, staining the message with deep personal affection. It was akin to someone being asked to deliver a letter, but by the time that the recipient got their hands on it, the messenger had left a couple of kiss marks next to the name of the sender.
Eventually, it all transformed into a resonant chant, one that repeated over and over again ad nauseam.
'Theodore Winter wants to have a chat, please respond. Theodore Winter wants to have a chat, please respond. Theodo–'
'I'm here, I'm here! I get it already. You can stop now!'
Cutting her off abruptly with what felt like an exasperated sigh, the same familiar yet unfamiliar voice entered Cadi's mind. She was just about to respond, when she suddenly felt her own eyes opening, the look in them drastically different from before. It was collected and serene, yet there was also a hint of excitement and kindness in there.
'I'll be borrowing you for a moment. Sit back and don't panic, alright?'
Before Cadi got too worked up, the gentle voice soothed her into a sense of security. Her resistance to the physical takeover gradually tapered off, until she felt like a distant observer in her own self.
With the internal matters settled, 'Cadi' lowered her head slightly in respect, a minute but lovingly charming smile on her lips.
"Don't worry, the girl is fine. I've been waiting for you to reach out, Theodore. I'm Linda Losta. It's a pleasure."
Despite her speaking in Cadi's voice, the emotions and sensations that were conveyed were entirely different. She was like a breath of fresh air, or a gentle embrace. Even with him merely being indirectly in her presence, a sense of peace and comfort began to settle in his heart.
'... based on experience, I can tell that she's not attempting to charm me. This is a genuine feeling born directly within me, simply in response to her interacting with me. I'm not sure if I should be relieved at her not having turned hostile, or be terrified at how flawlessly and smoothly she practically infiltrated my emotions. Well, it's not like she has actually done anything–but that's the scary part!'
Alarmed by this development, he let none of it show on his face, responding to Linda in kind. There was not yet any reason for them to clash, therefore he would present a friendly demeanour for the time being.
"The pleasure is all mine. My apologies for only now contacting you, despite being aware of you for a while. It's been a bit hectic over here, so I wanted to wait for the right time."
Chuckling softly, her smile widened.
"Oh, I'm aware. I have no intention of hiding this from you, but it's exactly as you've suspected: This girl here can effectively function as my eyes and ears. In your shoes, I would have proceeded this carefully as well. But be not alarmed, I mean you no ill will. Quite the opposite, in fact."
Her being this open with him was not entirely unexpected, yet also seemed far too good to be true. Raising an eyebrow, he made sure to keep his guard up as he inquired further.
"Do you seek an alliance or a friendly cooperation?"
Contrary to what he had anticipated, she shook her head. Evidently amused by how all of this was developing, yet not surprised, her eyes curved into crescents.
"Not exactly. I couldn't care less for becoming the Heavenly Empress. All that I'm here for is to find myself a proper husband and soulmate to spend the rest of my eternity with."
This time legitimately taken aback, Theodore remained silent for a while. Even though it wasn't unusual for those from Named Families or Pillars to behave as such, pretty much everybody from a Supreme Pillar who had been made to join the competition was in it to win it, or to help their relatives become the victor.
Admittedly, though, the Lostas had always been very unlike the rest. He certainly wouldn't put such a strategy past them. It wasn't a bad one to begin with–it was simply not in line with how those at their level usually acted.
"So what you're saying is that this is practically a sort of marriage meeting. Am I right?"
Nodding unabashedly, she didn't shy away from confirming it.
"That's correct. You've been on my personal shortlist ever since I became aware of you."
Smiling wryly, he once again felt conflicted. In general, it wasn't unwelcome to hear such a thing from a lady, of course. Yet the Losta Family was really quite infamous.
"Forgive me for any potential offence, but I don't know how to feel about this. You should be very well aware what your family is like. Every heiress has countless husbands. My own personal feelings on the matter aside, my father would never agree to such an arrangement."
Her smile widening further, Linda felt even more amused by this conversation. If Theoderick's heir would remotely have been interested in sharing, then she would have been outright astonished and flabbergasted.
That man was well-known for being extremely possessive and protective of his wives, therefore this trait should also be present in his children to some extent. Whether they be male or female, they were practically 'hoarders' when it came to those who they were in relationships with.
Naturally, if she was a regular Losta heiress, then she would never even have considered Theodore as a potential partner–because there was absolutely no way that it would ever work out.
"No offence taken. You're completely correct about my family–but you do not really understand me. My mother has ensured that I'm quite different from the rest. I'll only ever be able to have one singular partner in my life. So, when I'm saying that I'm looking for a husband, I truly mean it. And it will be anything but simple to earn that spot."
Almost as if daring him to take up the challenge, she shot him a provocative, suggestive look. If anybody ever wanted to be at her side, then they would genuinely and thoroughly have to win her heart.
Not falling for her bait in the slightest, Theodore nonetheless felt a bit dazed. This woman was simply too atypical. As a masterful actor himself, he could not detect any falsehoods in her statements, meaning that she either was telling the truth, or far surpassed him in this regard.
'But if she isn't lying, then what exactly are the Lostas up to? They couldn't possibly be simply gunning for a happily ever after for their most cherished descendant. Don't make me laugh!'
He had too many doubts and questions to count, yet none of the answers. Eventually, he just showed an intrigued smile.
"I'll be honest: You're not what I expected."