That afternoon, Furina didn't feel the slightest trace of fatigue while reviewing documents.
How could she possibly be tired? She had company, music to listen to, and a gentle breeze drifting through the room.
The young guard, Leo, had been playing the organ for her the entire afternoon, performing every melody he had learned from his master. By the end, his fingers were red from playing.
On the way back to her room, Furina recalled what Leo had once said while they were out in the wild. She tilted her head and asked,
"Didn't you say you have a poor sense of tune and play badly?"
Scratching his head in embarrassment, Leo replied,
"It's true… maybe I was just comparing myself to my master."
"Then why did you sing so badly before?" Furina pressed, curiosity flashing in her eyes. After all, when they were out in the wilderness, Leo's singing had been dreadful.
"Uh… well, I was embarrassed at the time. After all, Lady Furina, your singing is so beautiful."
Hearing such straightforward praise, Furina's smile bloomed happily. This little guard is so sweet.
Once inside, Leo headed straight for the kitchen with practiced ease, ready to prepare dinner for the evening. Furina, meanwhile, sat down on the sofa, opened her bag of sweets, and contemplated which dessert to eat first.
Each one was delicious. Each one was the best. She wanted to eat them all at once!
But just as she was about to choose, the memory of the afternoon—organ music flowing with the gentle wind—floated back to her mind.
As Leo opened the refrigerator to take out some meat, Furina suddenly announced,
"Let's go out for dinner tonight."
Leo blinked. "Huh? Go out to eat?"
"Yes. Let's go out, and it'll be your treat!"
Going out for dinner? Isn't that basically a date? Leo thought, his heart leaping. He nodded eagerly.
"Of course, Lady Furina! What shall we eat?"
Standing tall, Furina placed her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes playfully.
"Let's just take a walk first. We'll see what looks delicious."
"Alright!"
Turning off the stove and faucet, Leo followed Furina out with a broad smile. To him, this wasn't just a night stroll—this was a date.
Seeing his obvious excitement, Furina felt warm inside. It was such a relief not to be performing or acting. The night wind seemed to sweep away her worries, as though she had stepped back five hundred years—before she had taken office as Hydro Archon.
By the time they left the Palais Mermonia, the sky was deepening into twilight, the most relaxing hour of the day.
"Lady Furina, where should we go first?" Leo asked.
Resting her chin on her hand, Furina glanced around.
"Let's wander the streets of Fontaine for a while. I haven't gone shopping in ages."
"Not in ages? Well, it's true… I haven't shopped much these past two years either," Leo admitted.
"Gods are very busy, you know. We don't exactly have the luxury of strolling around."
They continued chatting as they walked.
Fontaine at night could be called lively, or not—it depended on how one looked at it. Compared to Liyue, at least in Leo's eyes, Fontaine's evening streets felt somewhat quieter.
Soon they arrived at a food stall. Spotting a very familiar dish, Furina immediately pulled Leo toward it.
"Boss, one plate of Fontaine-style foie gras, please!"
Hearing that familiar voice, the stall owner looked up. He was stunned to see the Hydro Archon herself standing there with her hands on her hips. Just as he was about to bow with formal respect, his eyes darted to the stern-faced Leo at her side.
"Oh! Lady Furina—right away, right away!" the man stammered.
Leo paid quickly, handing over a couple of Mora notes, then glanced back at Furina.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Feed me." Furina turned her back to the stall owner with mock imperiousness.
"Oh, uh…"
Taking the small fork, Leo carefully picked up a piece of foie gras and raised it to her lips.
Furina took the bite and nodded. The taste was good, though a little greasy.
Behind them, the stall owner nearly dropped his ladle. What did I just see? The Hydro Archon being fed by her guard? Can I apply for that job instead?
Leo prepared another bite, but before he could offer it, Furina stepped back, snatched the fork, and turned it toward him.
"Lower your head—you're too tall."
He bent quickly, and she popped the foie gras into his mouth. It was delicious.
The stall owner nearly keeled over. What in Celestia am I witnessing?
When they finished, Furina looked thoroughly satisfied. Together, she and Leo continued their stroll, sampling delicacies all throughout the Court of Fontaine.
Finally, Furina sighed with contentment.
"In the end, desserts are still the best."
Behind her, Leo burped lightly. "Lady Furina, you're absolutely right."
Indeed, almost 80% of the dozen snacks they had tried had ended up in Leo's stomach. He was close to bursting.
Then Furina's eyes lit up. They had arrived at a high-end clothing boutique. She turned to study Leo closely.
His black hair was fine, but his dark, ordinary clothes didn't suit him at all.
"Lady Furina?" Leo asked uncertainly. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Come with me."
"Oh—okay!"
She pulled him inside the shop.
Looking around at the endless racks, Leo felt dizzy. How can there be so many clothes in the world?
Furina, however, was completely focused, eyeing different outfits and comparing them to Leo's build.
Leo followed nervously, still unsure what she had in mind.
At last, Furina's eyes landed on a set that made her heart leap:
—Slim black trousers paired with polished shoes trimmed in gold.
—A finely tailored white shirt, also lined with subtle golden embroidery.
—And the pièce de résistance: a flowing cape, black on the outside and white within, gilded with intricate golden patterns.
The whole ensemble radiated nobility. And to her delight, it matched perfectly with Leo's black sword, which already bore gold decorations.
"Try this on! It'll look amazing," Furina insisted, thrusting the outfit into his hands and practically shoving him into the fitting room.
Her mind was already running wild with images of how he would look. So dashing, so perfect! And once she had his hair styled properly—it would be flawless.
Inside, Leo stared at the ornate clothes helplessly, unsure where to begin. After fumbling for a while, he managed to dress himself in the trousers, shirt, jacket, and shoes.
He turned to the mirror. For a moment, he hardly recognized himself.
Is that really me?
He swallowed, adjusting the cape over his shoulders. The reflection staring back at him looked like a proper gentleman… though with a hint of awkwardness.
Reaching into the pocket, he found a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. When he slipped them on, the transformation was
complete.
Out in the shop, Furina sat surrounded by attendants presenting her outfits, but she waved them all off. Clothes for herself? She had more than enough. Tonight was about her little guard.
Then the fitting room door opened.
Every head turned. The entire boutique froze in stunned silence.
Furina's lips parted slightly. Her gaze fixed on Leo, dressed in black and white with golden accents, the cape falling perfectly over his shoulders.
The glasses… oh, the glasses. They made him look like an utterly rakish scoundrel.
"Lady Furina," Leo whispered nervously as he walked toward her, acutely aware of all the eyes on him. "Does it look good?"
Furina hesitated, swallowing hard, then nodded vigorously.
"It looks incredible. Perfect! I'll take this set—and I'll order a custom duplicate too!"
The attendant hurried to prepare the paperwork, leaning in to whisper discreetly, "Lady Furina, the two sets together come to two million Mora. Would you like to proceed?"
"The bill goes to the Palais Mermonia," Furina replied coolly. "Neuvillette will see that it's reimbursed."
Without another thought, she took Leo's arm to lead him away.
The attendant called after them nervously, "Lady Furina, what about the clothes he wore into the fitting room?"
"Throw them away!" Furina declared, sweeping out with Leo in tow.