Chapter 5: Rest Day
Today was a long-awaited day off — no trials to attend, and no theatrical troupes performing at the Opera House.
Not all cases are brought to the Opera House for trial, only those with doubts and disagreements between both parties are presented.
Hmm… if Furina were to put it in her usual tone, it would be:
"Such un-dramatic trials are not worthy of being 'performed' at the Opera House."
But thinking about it, it's true. If every case had to be tried at the Opera House, then even if it ran day and night without pause, it would still be impossible to handle them all.
Most cases don't have much suspense; with the sharp instincts of the Melusine and the professionalism of the Gardes, the trials staged at the Opera House are always the ones with uncertainty.
Her consciousness was still hazy; even after waking up, Furina needed a while to clear her head.
It took a few minutes before clarity finally returned. Then, remembering her empty schedule for the day, her mood brightened considerably.
A long-awaited day off!
It was rare — today's time belonged entirely to Furina.
And yet, even on her day off, Furina wouldn't wander the streets of Fontaine. She would stay in her room all day.
If playing the role of a god was her job, then the moment she stepped outside, the mask would return.
Day after day, year after year, only a handful of days in a year allowed Furina to truly rest.
Taking a deep breath, her gaze swept the room — quickly finding the figure sitting on the carpet not far from her bed.
The first thing Furina did upon waking was always to check if Liu Yuan was still there.
Unconsciously, after barely a month together, Furina had already grown accustomed to her presence. The wariness she once held had gradually shifted into… familiarity.
And seeing that familiar figure, Furina let out a small breath of relief.
"Good morning, Liu Yuan."
The girl's voice pulled Liu Yuan from the world of books.
She looked up, and in the morning light, her smile bloomed — pure and effortless. Even her deep hydro-blue eyes seemed filled with amusement.
"Good morning, Furina."
This simple greeting had already become a quiet routine between the two.
Liu Yuan lowered her gaze, placed a bookmark on the page she had just read, and reluctantly closed the book in her hands.
Hydro Elemental Power lifted it gently, carrying the book titled Fontaine Historical Research back to the bookshelf.
A week ago, after observing Neuvillette use Hydro, Liu Yuan had naturally learned to wield it herself.
With Hydro, she gained the ability to interact with the world around her — not merely watch from the sidelines.
With Furina's permission, her attention had turned toward the bookshelf.
In the quiet nights, besides watching the varied expressions on Furina's sleeping face or tracing the strange movement of stars in the sky, another pastime had been added — reading.
Furina's bookshelf was vast, filled with tomes from many nations.
Poetry from Mondstadt, ancient records from Liyue, light novels from Inazuma, plant encyclopedias from Sumeru, gear technology from Fontaine, war chronicles from Natlan, and cold-blooded military treatises from Snezhnaya.
All of it fascinated her.
Perhaps due to Liu Yuan's unique nature, the words seemed to come alive when she read, dancing before her eyes and pulling her into the scenes described.
Although not real, it felt as if she had truly been there.
Noticing Liu Yuan's reluctance as she closed the book, Furina frowned.
What's so good about books? Is it really necessary to look that unwilling?
Unconsciously, Furina had grown used to revealing her truest self around Liu Yuan.
She had her little tantrums, overslept, sulked, and got upset over trivial things.
The image of an imperfect, flawed, ordinary girl.
Besides Furina, no one could even see Liu Yuan. Not even in front of Neuvillette could she reveal herself so freely.
That freedom from the heavy burden of performance made Furina indulge in it more and more.
"What's on the schedule today?"
Not noticing Furina's subtle expressions, Liu Yuan dismissed the Hydro and turned to face her.
"Nothing… Today is a day off. No plans at all."
Furina wasn't particularly cheerful; after the initial excitement of remembering it was a rest day, her enthusiasm quickly waned. After all, even on a day off, she was confined to this room.
The moment she stepped outside, the mask of "Hydro Archon" would return.
So rather than venturing out, it was better to remain here.
But… staying in the room alone was unbearably boring.
Wait!
Furina's eyes suddenly brightened as her gaze locked onto Liu Yuan, who had just stood up.
Isn't this… a "person"?
She stared intently at her companion, eyes sparkling with sudden excitement.
"Furina?"
"Ah, sorry, sorry, um… Liu Yuan?"
"I'm here…"
Liu Yuan hesitated, some instinct told her she shouldn't answer too readily.
"Play with me!"
Furina stood with her hands on her hips, her tsundere tone making her seem less like a god and more like a playful girl demanding attention.
She didn't even bother to hide it — this was her truest self.
"…Okay."
Liu Yuan, still pure and innocent, didn't realize what this meant. She instinctively agreed, as if it was only natural.
Somehow, without even noticing, Liu Yuan had reached the point where refusing Furina felt impossible.
And perhaps… that was the beginning of a new story.