Regarding what had happened last weekend at Chiori's boutique, Furina and Lynette knew nothing. Clorinde certainly wasn't about to run over and tell them: "Your beloved is quite nice. I like him a lot. But don't worry, I don't want his heart, I just want to look at his body… maybe even touch it."
That would have been the fastest route to tendering a resignation.
As for Richard, that scoundrel wasn't about to tell Furina and Lynette either.
"Gosh, Clorinde, that dress looks stunning on you, it suits you perfectly!" Furina circled Clorinde again and again, her eyes brimming with admiration.
She hadn't expected the effect to be this good. Clorinde, in a gown, looked like a completely different person, transforming from an icy policewoman into a queenly figure, the Iceberg Empress of the banquet hall.
Furina elbowed her teasingly. "On Wednesday, you have no idea how many people you're going to leave absolutely bewitched~"
"It's not that exaggerated, Lady Furina. Please don't make fun of me," Clorinde said, a bit embarrassed. She knew the gown looked nice, but she couldn't believe it reached the level Furina claimed.
"No, no, no, you underestimate your own charm." Furina wagged her finger, giving her another full-body glance. "I'd bet money that with this outfit, you'll be the brightest star of the whole evening. Right, Richard?"
After all, her figure was overwhelming, and Chiori's design was dazzling.
"I think so too." Richard nodded in full agreement.
Furina noticed him staring at Clorinde, her smile faltering. She glanced at Clorinde's towering peaks… then looked down at her own toes.
Suddenly, her mood soured.
What a tragic story.
Richard, ever perceptive, noticed her gloom. He tried to comfort her: "It's fine, Furina."
She didn't understand what he meant until he glanced at her chest and added:
"Small can be cute too."
Furina used bite.jpg
"Ughhh…"
Richard clutched his right hand in pain. Her bite had left a faint mark on his glove; thankfully, he hadn't tensed his muscles, or her teeth might've snapped.
After this small punishment, Furina felt that even the act of crossing her arms over her chest seemed odd.
Clorinde could cross her arms, and it looked seamless. But Furina… well, her elbow bend could probably fit a bundle of chopsticks.
"No more looking!" Furina furiously clamped her hands over Richard's eyes, though it felt like covering her ears while stealing a bell.
She had been born small, and no amount of hiding could erase the fact that she didn't even qualify as a "small hill."
Dejected, she slumped back in her chair, the world turning gray, retreating into sulking mode.
Lynette approached, carrying tea and desserts, meaning to comfort her. But as Furina's gaze drifted upward, it froze, and her mood sank further.
Even Lynette was at B+ full grade. Compared to that, her own A- wasn't even in the same league.
"It doesn't matter… It's just useless fat anyway…" Furina muttered in self-comfort.
Clorinde's frosty face softened into a small smile. This kind of playful office banter felt oddly relaxing. She couldn't help but say: "Maybe I shouldn't wear this dress tomorrow after all…"
"Why not?" Furina blinked, then realized Clorinde's concern. She flipped her hair dramatically and declared, "No matter how good your figure is, you can't steal my spotlight. Remember, I am the Queen of All Waters, All Lands, All People, and All Laws, Furina de Fontaine!"
The radiance of a god could never be overshadowed by something as trivial as a pair of giant breasts! Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
Wednesday arrived. After enduring a tedious, boring speech, the banquet began at Palais Mermonia.
As expected, Clorinde, dressed in her new gown and walking beside Furina, instantly became the center of attention.
The men in the hall whispered to each other, asking who the stunning woman at Lady Furina's side was. When they learned she was Furina's personal secretary, the single men grew restless.
Not only was she breathtakingly beautiful, but her job was impeccable, and she was the perfect partner. Marrying her might even create connections with Lady Furina herself. What a bargain!
Even some married men were tempted, thinking: If she happens to like me, then married can be unmarried.
Maybe she even prefers taken men?
Soon, the number of eager suitors around Clorinde grew visibly larger, pushing Furina to the side. Apparently, a generous chest could not only block divine radiance but also shove aside the goddess herself.
"Seems Lady Furina's prestige isn't always enough," Richard remarked, handing her a glass of wine.
She accepted it, taking a sip. The red wine deepened the glow of her lipstick, making her lips more alluring.
"This suits me fine. I prefer the peace," she sniffed, dismissing the shallow men circling Clorinde.
"They're only this enthusiastic because she's your secretary," Richard explained. "For those profit-driven types, beauty is nice, but benefits are better. Clorinde happens to have both, so she's irresistible."
"Don't you think any of them are good enough?" Furina asked curiously.
After all, attendees at this banquet were among Fontaine's elite. By average standards, they were far above the usual suitor market.
For women, the pool of excellent partners was narrow. Yet the men surrounding Clorinde represented most of Fontaine's top young talents.
If none of them could satisfy her… then who could?
Subconsciously, Furina overlooked Richard himself. Perhaps, deep down, she already considered him hers.
"Lady Furina is very concerned about Clorinde's love life?" Richard teased.
"It's only natural," Furina replied. "She's my secretary. I want her to have a good match. Women must marry eventually, after all." In her long life, she'd seen too many women ruined by poor choices. As a friend, she wanted Clorinde to find happiness.
"Then… has Lady Furina considered who you yourself might marry?" Richard asked suddenly.
"Wh-what? Why ask me that?!" Furina nearly spilled her wine, startled.
"Just curious," Richard said, eyes locked on hers. "Haven't you thought about your own future?"
Nervously, Furina wanted to touch the ring on her left hand, but her right was holding the wine glass. Instead, she fidgeted with her collar and looked away. "No. Not until the crisis is resolved. Until then, I won't."
"Fair. If the prophecy comes true, and everyone dissolves except you… love would only add to the sorrow." Richard nodded understandingly.
"Can't you say something less depressing?!" Furina snapped, rolling her eyes. Then, as if offhand, she asked: "And you? Haven't thought about marriage?"
To her shock, Richard sighed. "Lady Furina, I'm still a child."
Furina: ???
"By elven standards, I'm still an adolescent, not even of age."
"But you're not actually an elf."
"Exactly. Dragon lifespans are even longer. Technically, I'm still a hatchling."
"…You're joking."
Yet his feats hardly resembled a child's. Who else could pin a berserk Dvalin to the ground with just words, without lifting a hand?
If this were a hatchling, then Dvalin should cry out: This kid's eight?!
"Lady Furina doesn't believe me?"
"Of course not."
He was too sly to trust.
"If I were lying, your mark would react," Richard said.
"React?"
"Yes. If either of us lies to the other, the mark on the other person burns hot."
"It can do that?!" Furina was stunned. She'd never realized her mark had such an ability.
But… why had she never felt anything before?
"Of course. Just now, mine burned several times. Scalding hot. Want to feel?" He extended his right hand.
She touched it, sure enough, it was hot. Which meant… her earlier evasions in front of him…
"You, you…"
"Let's see. It started when you said, 'This suits me fine, I prefer the peace.' Then again, when you answered my question about who you'd marry…"
"Stop!" Furina's face burned as hot as his hand.
Her cheeks, ears, and even her neck flushed crimson.
"Like a ripe apple," Richard thought.
He leaned close to her ear, whispering: "So… can you tell me who your chosen person is?"
"It's definitely not you!"
But then he smiled and waved his hot hand again.
"Burning again, Lady Furina."
Her face turned redder than the wine in her glass.
And then he struck the final blow, clinking her glass lightly, draining his own, and murmuring so only she could hear:
"Actually, you're on my list."
'What… what did that mean? List?'
Furina instinctively touched her left hand. No heat.
Her head spun, like floating on clouds. Her legs weakened, and she nearly dropped her wine. She had to steady herself on the table.
Richard gestured to a waiter. "Two apple juices, please."
Apple juice was a mild remedy against drunkenness. Furina had barely drunk anything, but she was clearly dizzy.
He needed a plausible excuse; otherwise, she'd blame him later.
"Drink some apple juice. Seems you don't drink often, Lady Furina. Even a little gets you tipsy."
She wanted to argue, but after recalling her earlier reactions… she chose silence. Maybe it was better to just admit she was drunk.
She quietly accepted the juice and sipped.
Then Richard said calmly, "Sorry, Lady Furina. I lied earlier."
She looked at him, confused. She touched her mark, no heat. So how was it a lie?
"That thing about the mark burning from lies? I made it up."
Furina: !!!
Before she could explode, he added: "But that was the only lie I told you tonight."
And just like that, all her anger vanished, leaving only her flushed cheeks and a pounding heart.
Pulled along.
While Furina was still reeling from Richard's teasing combo, Clorinde finally broke free from the crowd of suitors. Seeing Furina's dazed state, she gave Richard a probing look.
He answered smoothly: "Lady Furina can't hold her liquor."
Clorinde understood immediately.
So Lady Furina had been toyed with by Richard again.
Then she noticed Richard's faint, knowing smile aimed at her, and her heart skipped a beat.
If Furina's round had ended, then it was her turn next.