Chapter 9: Changing Clothes
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Being close isn't like this!
Furina sighed to herself about her spirit. Liu Yuan was truly strange — sometimes she understood everything, and other times she was as dull as wood! She was simply a bookworm!
Hmph!
Although… although I don't dislike it, you can't just call me that so casually!
"Don't… don't call me that, got it?!" Furina snapped.
"Mhm…" Liu Yuan nodded seriously, looking like she understood.
However, it was obvious the dull Liu Yuan hadn't actually understood. Noticing this, Furina puffed out her cheeks, glared at Liu Yuan, said nothing more, and turned to leave the room.
Liu Yuan, whose movement was restricted, blinked in confusion, then was pulled along by that invisible force to follow Furina out of the room.
Did I say something wrong?
The girl who only wanted to make the damsel happy was extremely puzzled. Suddenly she remembered a sentence from a book she had read a long time ago. The last page had a line: "A girl's thoughts are the hardest to guess, so the contents of this book are for reference only and cannot be taken as absolute truth."
Suddenly, Liu Yuan thought she probably understood the situation. Maybe… she hadn't guessed her thoughts?
Watching Furina bite down on a sandwich piece by piece, as if taking out her frustration on someone, Liu Yuan gradually found a small answer in her heart.
Unfortunately, although Liu Yuan had an excellent memory, she processed knowledge like putting books on a shelf; she wouldn't usually think of them until the moment they were needed, at which point they would naturally present themselves.
So she had missed another sentence at the end of that book.
"If a girl blushes at you, then don't hesitate any longer— grab her, and never let go. This is an experience left by someone who missed their chance…"
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After breakfast, Furina returned to her usual demeanor… well, the Hydro Archon's demeanor.
"Oh? Are these the gifts my subjects have sent recently?"
"Yes, Lady Furina. These have been inspected and confirmed safe. Would you like me to open them for you?"
Lorena, the Melusine, asked softly. It was a routine question— part of her duty to handle the Archon's daily affairs, which naturally included presents.
"Open them? No, no need. After all, these are kind offerings from my subjects. It's better if I open them myself."
Lorena nodded. "Very well, Lady Furina. I shall take my leave."
"Mhm, you may go."
With Furina's permission, Lorena quietly stepped out and gently closed the door behind her.
With a soft click, the door shut, and Furina's posture immediately loosened. She relaxed into lazy ease.
If it were before, Furina wouldn't have been so at ease. After all, she had once been an ordinary damsel without special protections— unable to predict an intruder or tell if she was being watched. Except for the private time at night under her covers, she always wore the mask of the Hydro Archon and maintained that pose.
But now… she had Liu Yuan.
Although Liu Yuan wasn't capable in all ways, she was amazing.
No— correction! Furina wasn't incapable, was she? Mhm… Liu Yuan is my spirit. Liu Yuan is amazing… which means I'm amazing, right?
That's right! I— Furina! — am super amazing!
Anyone who disagrees can have Liu Yuan teach them a lesson!
In short, with Liu Yuan around, she no longer worried about someone suddenly entering the room. Liu Yuan was incredible! She had learned to control Hydro just by watching Neuvillette, and then gradually developed spiritual perception.
Now, Liu Yuan could cover the entire Palais Mermonia with her perception. Due to Liu Yuan's unique nature, her spiritual perception was unusually discrete— undetectable to anyone, even the Chief Justice.
This was Liu Yuan's unique gift.
And such a powerful ability was currently used only to guard Furina, which both of them took as perfectly normal.
"This is… a gift?"
"Mhm, yes. From the citizens of Fontaine to me— the big star! How about it? Pretty impressive, right?"
"Mhm mhm, super impressive…"
"So perfunctory…"
"Mhm mhm, super impressive!"
"So exaggerated…"
"Mhm mhm, super impressive!"
"So bland…"
Furina had given up hope of getting a sincere reaction from her spirit— this was how Liu Yuan was every day.
Meanwhile, Liu Yuan pondered the emotional performance she'd given earlier. I acted pretty well, didn't I…
Gently tearing the wrapping, Furina unboxed the gifts one by one.
First came some toys and dolls, then some food. Furina placed the items aside carefully and continued opening packages. Suddenly she paused and drew out a blue dress from a box.
Its color was deep as the ocean, exuding calm elegance. The tailoring was exquisite, a figure-hugging cut designed to accentuate graceful curves.
Made from silk from Liyue, it felt soft and comfortable; delicate lace trimmed the hem, adding a touch of romance. Crystals glittered across the fabric, catching the room's light.
The overall design was luxurious— clearly suited to evening parties, banquets, or balls.
"This is a sample from Chioriya Boutique… it's as beautiful as ever…" Furina murmured, marveling at the exquisite garment. It was truly stunning.
Every girl loved beautiful things, and Furina — beneath the Archon's mask — was no exception.
"Sample?" Liu Yuan asked.
"Mhm. Chiori, the owner of Chioriya Boutique, is renowned for her craftsmanship throughout Fontaine. About a year ago— can't recall precisely— Chiori offered to design several outfits for me. Of course I agreed.
She'd send clothes occasionally. Sometimes casual wear, sometimes these exquisite gowns— like this one. She designed them all."
Furina explained, then held the blue dress against herself and looked at Liu Yuan with a smile.
"Does it look good?"
Liu Yuan hesitated for a moment; her expression flickered, then smoothed into a gentle smile as she nodded.
"It looks good."
"Do you want to see me put it on?"
Furina blinked at the offer, her cheeks warming for reasons she couldn't explain.
Liu Yuan's expression paused again, but Furina— lost in a swirl of feelings— didn't notice.
"Yes…"
"Mhm… then I'll go change right now!"
Furina hurried into the changing room, and Liu Yuan, placing a hand over her chest, felt something odd— her heart seemed to beat.
"This feeling again… so strange…"