32 SEDUCTION ATTEMPT; FAILED?

Although she said that she will be taking a rest in her room, in truth she only went there and stayed for a few minutes before leaving the room again. She walked around the hot spring resort, taking note of all of the places where she could go in and go out without anyone noticing her. She also asked some of the staff if they knew the place that she was looking for.

"It's a little bit far from here. If you walk, you can get there in about thirty minutes," the staff said while pointing her finger at the map that Belle was holding. "Did you notice the fork in the road before getting here, there should be one before you get to this resort."

"Yeah, I did."

"The other direction would lead you to Arayat Village. It may be far from the city but this village almost got everything. Most of the time, we get supplies from them as well."

"What about this small forest that surrounds you and separates you from them? Does anyone own it?"

"Uhh, I am not sure about that. I never asked anyone about the forest."

Belle smiled and nodded her head in understanding. "Thank you so much for your help. I appreciate it."

"No problem, ma'am. If there's nothing else, I'll return to work now."

The woman walked away and went back to her work while Belle started devising her plan. With Eli and Neon in the picture, she has to be careful since they might notice something odd about her. She can't afford to make Eli suspicious of her.

When evening came, the three of them had dinner together and a few minutes before coming over, Ceres took over Belle's body and decided to be naughty. (I'm warning you, girl. Don't do something immoral.)

[You promised that I can do whatever I want as long as I won't be touchy-feely with him. Don't go back on your words.]

(I am not. I am just reminding you.)

Ceres only grinned and did not respond to her words anymore.

Wearing a black yukata, Ceres made sure that it was properly tied around the waist but was still enough to showcase her chest. She has no qualms about doing so. When Belle noticed this, she was awed at this woman's shamelessness, and not just that, she was quite shocked that she was actually gifted with her chest. It wasn't that big and too small either. She thinks it was just the perfect size.

[You'll know it's the perfect size if it fits in his hands.]

(What the hell are you thinking?!)

Ceres giggled as she made her way to the kitchen and found Neon with Eli there. The two men, a small one and a big one, must have been talking about something funny because Neon laughed. The sound of his laughter stunned Belle for a moment before a smile slowly form on her lips.

[We have to protect that laughter and smile.]

(I know.)

"Hi, guys," she greeted them and sat on the cushion next to Neon. "Did you check the onsen already?"

"We did," Eli answered softly. "How about you?"

"I looked around earlier and the place seemed nice."

Eli looked away with the tips of his ears turning red. "Let's start ordering now," he said and a knock on the door timely came. Apparently, the staff was just waiting outside for the masters of the room to order what they like for dinner. "Neon, you can choose whatever you like to eat."

"What about me Eli?" Eli's attention instantly shifted to Belle but he, then looked away as if looking at her was a sinful thing to do. His face was now turning a little red as well. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I just felt a little stuffy here."

The staff who waited for them to order was a little bothered by their words. She wasn't feeling hot at all and the room temperature was naturally set to 22 degrees Celsius due to the location of the area. It doesn't get hot in there.

Ceres shamelessly sat there with her yukata exposing a lot of her skin. Neon was already ordering the food he likes to try, not bothered with the world of the adults. Only Eli couldn't seem to move on from what he saw. It was lingering in his head.

"I'd like to have your best full-course meal here."

"Then, I'll just share with your food," Ceres said almost instantly. "I don't eat much for dinner since I'll be soaking in the bath. I'll have my fill in the morning."

"O-okay. I wasn't really asking for an explanation."

"I just wanted to."

Neon looked at the two of them with a frown. He was observing their faces carefully wanting to figure out if these two adults with him were fighting or not. He couldn't seem to fathom them and his sister's expression seemed off. It felt like she was teasing Eli all this time.

"Eli."

"Hn?" he responded without even looking at her. He was busy looking everywhere else but her.

Ceres cocked her head to the side and wondered by Eli wasn't looking at her. She has done her best to make her fall in love with her but he isn't even showing any interest.

(For god's sake, Ceres! I told you he's in love with Jillyanna Madrid!)

[That woman is married. He can't love someone who won't ever be his for the rest of his life.]

(Of course, he could. Besides, why are you trying to make him fall in love with me? I don't need that damn kind of relationship with him!)

Belle pulled the collar of her yukata together and secured herself from anyone prying eyes. Since she got her body back, she instantly became a proper lady. Ceres couldn't do anything about it anymore. She failed to seduce him.

(Don't ever bother doing it again. You will be wasting your time with him.)

[Without any conclusive evidence, I will continue to believe that Eli and General Joaquin are the same people.]

Belle sighed audibly and this caught Eli and Neon's attention. They were both looking at her with questioning gazes but she only smiled at them with no words to say.

Eli stared at Belle for a long time, not even bothering to hide his curious expression. He didn't know how to say it or if he should tell his opinion to Belle; that he thinks she has a split personality disorder. One moment, she was demure, proper, and gentle then, she would turn all haughty with confidence and would oftentimes tease him. He had been thinking about this thing for a little while now.

[Nah! That can't be the case. Maybe she's just someone who suppresses her real character to fit into society.]