Chapter 97: Chevreuse's "Confession"

Chevreuse studied Luna's face carefully.

"You've changed your appearance again."

"But the texture feels exactly the same, doesn't it? Want to test it?" Luna tapped her cheek playfully.

The original Chevreuse would have refused outright.

But now?

Instead of answering, Chevreuse lifted her hand and touched Luna's smooth cheek with her fingertips. Her motion wasn't gentle; rather, it felt like she was committing this sensation to memory.

To recognize Luna's true form at critical moments later on.

If pressed, one might call it... analysis.

"How is it?" Luna asked, completely unfazed, her laughter light.

She glanced at the fingers resting on her face, then returned her gaze to Chevreuse's eyes.

Lips brushed against the fingertips, removing the faint traces of food. A barely perceptible warmth slid across the skin. Chevreuse's heartbeat seemed to skip a beat.

Chevreuse withdrew her hand immediately, eyes sharp. "What are you doing?"

"Tasting the flavor."

"...If you want it, order your own."

Luna made a gesture with her hand, smiling. "How much for a serving of Chevreuse?"

"Priceless."

"But a Phantom Thief White Cat only needs a kiss. It's quite valuable."

A flicker of disdain crossed Chevreuse's eyes.

Luna crossed her arms. "Don't look at me like that. I've never lied about this matter."

"But it doesn't mean anything to you. You'd say the same even if it wasn't me, wouldn't you?" Chevreuse's tone remained calm.

Luna tugged at Chevreuse's hem and looked up. "Jealous?"

"You're delusional. I'm just pointing out your logic. Since it means nothing to you, you wouldn't lie."

Chevreuse swatted away Luna's hand, then grabbed her shoulders.

Though she didn't use much force, Luna's back still pressed against the wall, the shadows cast by leaves obscuring their faces.

"Am I wrong?" she murmured.

"...Do you know what we look like right now?"

"What do we look like?"

Luna wrapped her arms around Chevreuse's neck and whispered huskily, "Like we're up to something."

"..."

Chevreuse glanced around, noticing they'd already drawn attention.

"Mother, what are they doing?"

"L-Let's just... strengthen our friendship," Chevreuse said, her rare embarrassed expression evident as she sighed deeply. Her breath brushed against Luna's skin, sending ticklish sensations.

"...Let's move somewhere else."

"What about your date?" Luna asked with a smile.

"Don't use such misleading phrasing. I'll make her wait."

Chevreuse turned around, letting out a soft snort. "After all, you wanted me to cooperate with you, didn't you?"

"You're truly clairvoyant."

"...But I understand you even less now. Oh, and remember to return the server's uniform."

Chevreuse walked back into the store without looking back. Luna shrugged helplessly - what else could she say?

After returning the server's uniform, Luna waited outside the shop. Before long, Chevreuse reappeared before her, thumb held up and pointing south.

"Let's go to the harbor."

The harbor bustled with activity, far from quiet. Yet within such a lively crowd, hidden pockets of stillness often existed.

Luna leaned against the railing, shoving a fry into her mouth.

"Want some? They're not poisoned."

Chevreuse ignored her, even when Luna repeatedly poked the fry at her lips, growing increasingly persistent.

A damp wind swept past as Chevreuse asked, "Why?"

"Why do you think that is?"

"Don't play word games with me."

"Then—"

"Don't give me that 'no reason' nonsense either. I won't believe you."

Chevreuse pressed further: "Everything you do has a purpose. That public humiliation of the judges on stage—was that all for that woman Sally?"

A little investigation would have revealed this. Besides, Navia had already told her.

Luna bit off half a French fry. "Miss Chevreuse certainly enjoys inventing backstories for others."

Chevreuse's gaze pierced Luna's skin. Though not meant as an interrogation, the icy stare made Luna distinctly uncomfortable.

"Take a bite, and I'll tell you." Luna didn't flinch. Instead, she extended the remaining half-fry.

"...Give me a fresh one."

"No."

Chevreuse sighed.

Between being driven half-mad by this girl and getting answers, she chose the latter. She took the half-fry, hesitated a second, then put it in her mouth. As expected, it tasted only of fried potato, with no trace of anything else.

Yet somehow, she still found it hard to swallow.

"I just wanted to steal her treasure."

"An insincere sinner remains a sinner," Chevreuse said. "It won't make you any more endearing."

Luna tilted her head back. "If you don't believe me, then don't. I have no reason to make everyone believe every word and action of mine."

"Rather, those who believe in the Phantom Thief are just little fools."

She licked the crumbs from her finger and chuckled softly. "Am I right, my little fool of a Captain?"

This wasn't flirtation so much as provocation.

Yet Chevreuse's expression remained unchanged.

"Whether to believe you isn't your choice to make. Answer my original question."

Luna turned around, shaking the fries in her hand. "What's the problem? Being with Captain Miss is so reassuring that I almost forgot why we even came here."

"Why are you making yourself a target?"

Luna tilted her head and locked eyes with Chevreuse.

"Aren't you overthinking this?" she sighed.

Seeing Luna's disappointment, a thought flashed through Chevreuse's mind—perhaps she had miscalculated.

But she quickly pulled herself back.

"Don't treat me like the person I was at the beginning. Claiming all the credit for yourself, taking all the glory—it won't do you any good."

"Because you are a criminal, one without any support from Fontaine."

No medals, no commendations, and certainly no rewards.

Only reputation.

Luna rested her chin on her hand, nodding as if she were admiring Chevreuse's reasoning. "Then what if I say I want fame?"

"That's even more impossible. You don't care about anyone's expectations—reputation means nothing to you."

Luna extended a finger.

"What are you doing?" Chevreuse frowned.

"Bite it, and I'll tell you the answer."

Chevreuse smacked her hand away and murmured, "You want the mastermind to set their sights on you."

Luna gazed unwaveringly into Chevreuse's eyes.

The determination gleaming within them was utterly captivating—far more dazzling than any gemstone Luna had ever seen. A fleeting urge to protect, to kiss, flickered through her mind.

Unfortunately, Chevreuse would never allow her to do such a thing.

"Miss Chevreuse seems overly concerned about my affairs. May I speak candidly?"

"Go ahead."

Luna's expression was indifferent. "Does this have anything to do with you?"

"Yes."

Chevreuse's response was unexpectedly firm.

A faint smile surfaced on Luna's lips. "And what exactly is our connection?"

"You need me to help cover your lies."

And…

Chevreuse seized Luna's wrist.

"—Only I can hold onto you."