Lynette calmly stirred her black tea clockwise as she watched Furina suddenly grow excited. Although she felt that Furina's plan would likely end in failure, she didn't intend to stop her.
It wasn't that Lynette wanted to see Furina make a fool of herself, in truth, their goals aligned. With foreign rivals looming, unity was essential.
It's just that Lynette knew very well: Richard had no intention of leaving Fontaine anytime soon. Furina's worries were unnecessary… though, to be fair, a little show of strength never hurt.
At the very least, it would keep Liyue from looking down on them, thinking the proud goddesses of Fontaine couldn't even take advantage of being "closest to the water."
"Lady Furina, are you planning to wear that outfit?" Lynette asked, clearly referring to the casual dress Richard had custom-made for her.
Furina had only worn it once, the day it arrived, to show her friends. Since then, it had stayed untouched in her wardrobe.
It wasn't that she disliked it, quite the opposite. She loved it too much to wear it casually. After all, Furina had no shortage of clothing. Over five hundred years, countless designers had begged for the honor of dressing her. Even among them, Chiori ranked among the best. The reason Furina hesitated to wear that dress again had nothing to do with fashion, it was sentiment.
That dress was the first one Richard ever gave her. And that alone made it precious beyond measure.
To Lynette's question, Furina answered with firm conviction, "I'll wear it!"
Good steel should be used on the blade's edge, and now was the time to make a statement to their "rivals across the sea."
What, was she supposed to wait until Richard was stolen away and only then pathetically wear his gift to win him back through sentiment?
No. Never. Her pride wouldn't allow it.
"Will you wear the whole set?" Lynette pressed.
"The… whole set?" Furina blinked, then realized what Lynette meant.
When Chiori had delivered the dress, she'd also included a set of intimate garments, delicate, barely-there fabric that clung perfectly to the skin. Comfortable, yes… but definitely too revealing, even for underwear.
Still, Furina had tried them in private. No one else would ever see, so what did it matter?
"Oh, you mean the undergarments? They're pretty, sure, but if no one's going to see them, what's the point of wearing them?" she said innocently.
Lynette just shook her head. 'Pure, naive Furina completely missed the implication.'
Every design had its day to be seen, just as diaries supposedly written "for oneself" always risked being discovered. Lynette had faith that one day, those undergarments would find their moment.
After all, she'd received her own "gift" from Chiori, one that was beautiful, functional, and, well… better left undescribed.
To be honest, if decency allowed, selling those would make far more money than formal gowns.
Lynette had even tried hers once, though an unfortunate spill of red wine ruined the night.
"There's a difference," Lynette said with a knowing smile. "It just hasn't become obvious yet. But someday, it will."
Clorinde, standing nearby, subtly adjusted her shoulder strap, because she was wearing one of Chiori's "gifts."
The fabric might've been minimal, but the comfort was unmatched, especially for something tailor-made. The only flaw? It tended to slip loose during "intense movement", and by that, she meant combat, not exercise.
Since becoming Furina's secretary, Clorinde rarely accepted dueling commissions, so it wasn't much of an issue. And with the number of outfits she'd ordered from Chiori, she had plenty of extras.
"Someday, huh…" Furina muttered, replaying Lynette's words. Slowly, she began to understand the real meaning behind them.
She wasn't a naive girl, she'd read enough literature to know where this was going.
Her face reddened as she realized what Lynette was implying.
"L-Lynette," she stammered, "I understand what you meant. You don't have to explain. A-anyway, your suggestion is… noted. Just, uh, don't bring it up again."
She quickly changed the subject. "Let's get back to work. What's on today's agenda?"
Lynette and Clorinde exchanged knowing looks, Furina had called them over herself, and now she wanted to work? Truly unpredictable, their dear Archon.
The most famous landmark in Fontaine was, of course, the Lourvie Springs. But its most iconic building? None other than the Opera Epiclese.
Unlike the politically charged Palais Mermonia, the opera house radiated pure artistry, a must-see for every visitor to Fontaine.
And today, in one of its luxury boxes, sat two of Teyvat's most influential women: Ningguang of Liyue, and Furina de Fontaine.
Furina had chosen this very box and tonight's performance for symbolic reasons.
This was the same box where she had once signed a contract with Richard, her "home-field advantage," so to speak.
And the opera being performed? A musical Richard himself had commissioned for her.
Regardless of his motives back then, the fact remained, it had been made for her.
Add to that her dress, her ring, everything he'd ever given her… and her confidence soared.
Advantage: Furina.
Maybe it was unfair, but in love, as in war, there were only victors and the defeated.
She sighed inwardly. "Sorry, but this time… I'm not holding back."
With poised confidence, she began, "Lady Ningguang, have you seen a musical before?"
"I have," Ningguang replied with a serene smile. "About nineteen years ago. A certain gentleman took me to a famous teahouse in Liyue. A Fontaine troupe happened to be performing that day."
She even named the troupe.
Furina froze, it was the same troupe whose director had worked with Richard on her musical.
'…Really? Out of all possibilities?'
'What kind of absurd coincidence was this?!'
But Furina quickly steadied herself. She still had plenty of cards to play.
"Personally, I prefer Liyue's traditional opera," Ningguang continued. "Are you familiar with it, Lady Furina?"
"Of course. I've watched many of Liyue's performances. My favorite is 'Glazed Lily', it's an exquisite piece."
Glazed Lily was one of Liyue's most celebrated operas, award-winning, beautifully composed, and deeply moving.
Its story followed a young girl who refused to accept mediocrity, worked tirelessly, and eventually succeeded with the help of a benefactor.
Tragic yet inspiring.
But as Furina replayed the plot in her mind, she felt a chill of recognition.
'Wait a minute…'
'The girl's story, wasn't it exactly like Ningguang's?!'
'Young entrepreneur, aided by a mysterious benefactor, who later leaves her…'
'It was practically a one-to-one copy!'
"You mean to tell me," Furina said carefully, "that the heroine's story is somewhat similar to your own?"
Ningguang smiled faintly. "You noticed? The playwright did borrow from my life. I even co-produced the opera myself, in fact, I was the main investor. At first, it was just a way to… convey something to someone who had left without a word."
'So it was true.'
Furina's expression stiffened. She had liked Glazed Lily once, but now, knowing this? It felt… uncomfortable.
'Was Richard's commissioned musical inspired by this?'
Her heart sank, then quickly rallied. 'No.'
Richard had commissioned her musical for her, with his own money. That alone proved she'd won this round.
Barely, maybe, but a win was a win.
Advantage: still Furina.
She took a sip of tea, gathering her composure.
And before she could redirect the conversation, Ningguang struck again, eyes glancing toward Furina's left hand.
"I've been meaning to ask," she began gently, "your ring… it's quite unique. And I recall that, in Fontaine, the placement of a ring carries special meaning, does it not?"
Of course it did. Especially when worn on that finger.
Furina's heart leapt. 'Perfect.' This was her chance.
She coughed lightly, adopting a faint blush, the perfect mix of restraint and pride.
"Well," she began softly, fingers brushing the smooth metal, "it's not that I didn't want to tell you… it's just hard to put into words."
Then, with a smile equal parts shy and triumphant, she said-
"This ring… was a gift from Richard."
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu