Before Daelan could even leave the reception room, a sneaky blue hat appeared at the doorway, followed by a single white strand of hair sticking out.
Daelan couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the bobbing strand, shaking his head with a smile.
"Furina… Arlecchino's already gone. No need to be so sneaky."
His tone was as gentle and calm as ever, like an old father soothing his startled daughter.
Hearing Daelan's words, Furina, who had been too nervous to poke her head out, cautiously peered around the room. After triple-checking that the "bad woman" was nowhere to be seen, she finally stepped forward.
Patting her rather flat chest with lingering unease, she looked at Daelan and asked, "So… how did your talk with her go?"
Daelan shrugged and said, "She didn't refuse, but she didn't agree either. But the moment she saw the invitation letter and chose to come…"
"That already shows her stance is leaning toward 'agreement.'"
"I'll keep an eye on the Fatui's movements from now on, so you don't need to worry anymore, Furina."
Seeing that familiar, gentle smile, Furina's cheeks flushed slightly. To cover it up, she quickly sat in the spot Daelan had just occupied, poured some tea into the cup in front of her, and started nibbling on the sweets on the table.
"Furina, don't—!"
Just as Daelan was about to warn her that the cup was one he'd already used, Lady Furina had already pressed her lips to the rim, eating sweets and sipping tea.
The girl looked up, puzzled, at the man with a shocked expression, her face involuntarily turning red.
"W-What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Furina asked, stumbling over her words.
Daelan shook his head lightly, deciding to keep the truth to himself, and smiled instead.
"Eat without worry. I made most of these myself, after all—they're for guests. If the great Archon has no other business, I'll head off to see Neuvillette."
Furina didn't respond, only nodding silently.
Daelan, used to this by now, quickly left the reception room, closing the door behind him.
Having served as Fontaine's advisor for four hundred years, Daelan knew exactly when his Archon needed her space.
"I just hope… she can live a healthy, happy life when all this is over."
A hint of helplessness flickered in Daelan's eyes as he gazed out through the glass windows of Mermonia Palace.
"Who could've imagined… that the prophecy haunting Fontaine for centuries would rest entirely on the shoulders of a single girl?"
Daelan thought to himself.
"Enough of that. I'll go find Neuvillette first and take care of what's in front of me."
…
As Daelan headed to Neuvillette's office, Furina stared at the delicate, adorable macarons in front of her, then at the cookies at the bottom of the pastry tray, her expression growing distant.
Daelan had helped her far too much.
Whether in daily life or in her "performance," he was always by her side, like the most dependable, trustworthy assistant.
"But… it can't be…"
A ripple of sorrow passed through Furina's heterochromatic eyes.
Since she'd chosen to bear that "responsibility," she had to bear the corresponding "cost."
Even Daelan, the advisor whose appearance hadn't changed in over four hundred years… couldn't change that.
"How much longer… will this life go on?"
Furina looked up blankly, her beautiful heterochromatic eyes fixed on the reception room's door, lost in deep thought.
"When… can I live openly with you?"
…
Unaware of Furina's musings after he left, Daelan calmly arrived at the Hydro Dragon's office.
He knocked lightly on the door, waiting until a deep "Come in" echoed from within before pushing it open.
"Mr. Daelan? Is this about pushing forward the establishment of the 'Abandonment Crime' law?"
Neuvillette asked softly, looking at the blue figure in the doorway.
"No, if anything… it's somewhat related, but not directly."
Hearing this, Neuvillette set down his documents, stood up slowly, and poured two glasses of water from a nearby table, handing one to Daelan.
"I'm all ears."
Daelan took a polite sip of water before speaking naturally.
"Mr. Neuvillette, what do you think about having some kind-hearted Melusines, who may lack physical or innate talents, work at the newly built welfare institute to care for the orphans?"
At Daelan's words, Neuvillette frowned slightly before responding.
"You're well aware, Mr. Daelan, that the Melusines' visual and other differences from humans are quite significant. Having them care for human children… might not be a good idea."
"It could lead to unnecessary misunderstandings, Mr. Daelan."
Hearing Neuvillette's concerns, Daelan shook his head with a smile.
"Let the Melusines look after the children's daily needs, but have human chefs handle the three meals a day. Doesn't that solve the issue?"
"Besides, it's precisely because of these differences that we need to encourage more interaction between the two races."
"When people gradually understand the Melusines' traits and genuinely accept their differences as 'common knowledge'…"
"Do you still think it'll be hard for the Melusines to integrate into human society?"
Neuvillette paused at Daelan's words, then nodded lightly.
Daelan was right. While his efforts had accelerated the Melusines' integration into society, that didn't mean humans fully accepted their unique traits.
Otherwise… there wouldn't have been a need to pass a law specifically stating that Melusines couldn't be referred to as "it."
With this in mind, Neuvillette nodded gently.
"A fine proposal, Mr. Daelan."
"If you're prepared, I can start arranging the work immediately."
Neuvillette said softly.
"Since you're on board, Mr. Neuvillette, the rest will be straightforward."
"For now… most of Fontaine's orphans have been taken in by the 'House of the Hearth.' I've spoken with that Harbinger, and there's still room for cooperation."
At this, Neuvillette nodded lightly, raising his ornate silver cup and clinking it gently with Daelan's before saying, "On behalf of all Melusines, I thank you for your kindness, Mr. Daelan."