This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [351]

Charlotte was at a loss for words, unable to respond.

Luo Qing, however, merely chuckled softly. With a deliberate motion, he gently lifted Charlotte's chin, his golden eyes gleaming like flames.

"Mr. Luo... Luo Qing..."

The golden glow in Luo Qing's eyes seemed almost hypnotic. Despite the fear bubbling in her chest, Charlotte found herself unable to look away.

In the blink of an eye—

The world around her spun wildly, leaving her disoriented. When she regained her senses, she was stunned to find herself in a completely different setting.

"Huh..."

Charlotte glanced around the room, momentarily dazed.

This is... Luo Qing's home? How did I end up here all of a sudden?!

"Mr. Luo Qing, this place is..."

"My house," Luo Qing replied with a serene smile before calling upstairs, "Theresa, we have a guest!"

"Huh?"

Charlotte was utterly confused.

Before she could make sense of the situation, the sound of light footsteps echoed from the stairwell. Soon, a violet-haired girl in a silky, semi-sheer nightgown descended the stairs. Her fair skin gleamed faintly in the dim light.

Their eyes met.

Theresa glanced at Charlotte, her gaze lingering on the Cryo Vision strapped to her thigh.

"A new one?"

"Uh...?"

"Never mind. I'll go make some tea."

Theresa sighed in a lazy tone, her expression one of pure nonchalance, as she disappeared into the kitchen.

"Mr. Luo Qing, what is the meaning of this?"

Charlotte still couldn't grasp Luo Qing's intentions. Why had he brought her here?

A short while later, Theresa returned with a tray of tea and snacks, setting it down on the table. She yawned and settled down beside Luo Qing, her posture casual and languid.

"Miss Charlotte..." Luo Qing took a sip of tea, his tone calm yet pointed. "Let's continue with our earlier discussion."

"If I really were a Fatui Harbinger, what would you do?"

"Wh-what?!"

Charlotte was shaken to her core.

Luo Qing's words were as good as an admission—he was a Harbinger!

"I..."

"Miss Charlotte, you don't seem particularly skilled in combat. I doubt you'd even fare well against a Hilichurl," Luo Qing said nonchalantly. "Yet here you are, investigating a Fatui Harbinger all by yourself. Don't you think you're underestimating the danger of this situation?"

"I..."

Charlotte swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay calm.

"So, the information was correct. You are the Twelfth Harbinger..."

"Indeed~" Luo Qing nodded slightly, offering no denial.

"Let's be honest, Miss Charlotte. You suspected me all along, didn't you? You just lacked concrete evidence, so you decided to investigate me in secret. Am I wrong?"

"I..."

Charlotte fell silent.

Luo Qing's words had hit the mark—they were exactly what she had been thinking.

"Now then, as the prisoner of a Fatui Harbinger, Miss Charlotte, how do you think I should deal with you?"

"I..."

Charlotte pressed her knees together, her anxiety mounting. Her eyes darted toward the door and the windows as she frantically calculated her chances of escape.

If I freeze Luo Qing with Cryo energy and run for it, I might make it... The streets outside should have patrols. This is Fontaine—he wouldn't dare act recklessly in public.

Yes, that's the plan.

Having resolved herself, Charlotte quickly activated her Cryo Vision. A faint blue glow emerged from her Vision as she unleashed a burst of ice, freezing Luo Qing's feet to the floor. Without hesitation, she bolted toward the door.

Step by step, the door grew closer.

But just as her hand touched the doorknob, Luo Qing's calm voice rang out from behind her.

"Miss Charlotte, I'm afraid you can't leave just yet."

In the next instant—

Charlotte felt an inexplicable force take hold of her body.

The door was right in front of her. All she needed to do was push it open, and she'd be on the streets, in safety.

But her body wouldn't obey.

Turning to look back at Luo Qing, she saw his golden eyes gleaming faintly.

A peculiar thought surfaced in her mind, one that she couldn't shake. Before she realized it, she found herself walking back to the sofa and sitting down obediently.

"What did you do to me?"

Panic gripped Charlotte as her mind raced.

The Fatui's reputation in Fontaine was abysmal, and Luo Qing was not just any Fatui member—he was a Harbinger.

She could only imagine the horrors that awaited her...

"I simply ensured that you wouldn't wander off before agreeing to cooperate with us," Luo Qing replied with a smile.

"Cooperate?"

Charlotte frowned.

"Forget it. I would never cooperate with the Fatui!"

Luo Qing chuckled, shaking his head.

"You shouldn't be so hasty."

"All I'm asking is that you don't reveal our identities for the time being. That shouldn't be too difficult for you, right?"

If it had been anyone else, Luo Qing would have resolved the matter with a simple memory wipe. But this girl had a Cryo Vision, which meant she could very well be a future wife candidate.

He couldn't bring himself to be too harsh...

"Ha! You just want me to keep quiet so the Fatui can continue causing trouble in Fontaine, don't you?" Charlotte retorted, her voice sharp. "I'll never agree!"

"Then I'm afraid I have no choice..."

Luo Qing glanced at Theresa.

Understanding the silent cue, Theresa stretched lazily as she stood, then turned to Charlotte with an expression of sleepy indifference.

"Alright, newbie, let me show you around the house. Get cleaned up—we'll be heading to bed soon. Ugh, I'm so tired..."

"Bed?! What?!"

Charlotte was completely dumbfounded. What kind of punishment was this supposed to be?

Theresa grabbed her hand and began leading her upstairs. As they walked, she spoke in a tone that was oddly comforting, yet utterly perplexing to Charlotte.

"I've done the math. You're number ten in the lineup. Once we're back, I'll introduce you to the other sisters. Here, these are your pajamas. Go freshen up. Starting now, you can forget about work~"

"Huh?"

Charlotte was thoroughly confused.

What is she even talking about? Sisters?

"What exactly are you people planning?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

Theresa shrugged, yawning again.

"The boss wants to put you under house arrest. You'll stay here until you're ready to cooperate."

"House... arrest?!"

Charlotte was horrified. "You can't! This is a blatant violation of Fontaine's laws!"

"We're not forcing you."

Theresa lazily pointed toward the window at the end of the hallway.

"If you really want to leave, just jump out the window. You've got a Vision—it's only the second floor. Shouldn't be too hard, right?"

"I..."

Charlotte glanced at the window, then back at Theresa.

She wanted to leave—truly, she did—but every time she looked at the exit, something deep inside her resisted.

It was as if an invisible force was anchoring her to this house.

---

T/N: well tbh its her fault like WHY WOULD U FOLLOW A POTENTIAL HARBINGER???

"..."

- Gardevoir

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