Morning, Palais Mermonia.
At this moment, many guards were standing by in Palais Mermonia, while outside, reporters with Kameras were waiting for something.
The Hydro Archon, who hadn't shown her face for half a month, was set to reappear and meet with the Knave, a Harbinger from the Fatui of Snezhnaya, today.
This wasn't only the Hydro Archon's first public appearance in half a month but also a major diplomatic event between Fontaine and Snezhnaya.
Therefore, Palais Mermonia was much livelier today than usual.
However, a series of complaints were currently spilling from Furina's room — only to be muffled by a thin Hydro Elemental barrier, blocking them from escaping.
"Why are there so many things to do today? From eight in the morning until twelve at night?! Ahhh, help me!! Liu Yuan... I'm unhappy..."
Furina whined.
In the past, perhaps she would have quietly endured this unhappiness. She had always believed that these were duties the Hydro Archon should shoulder and that she shouldn't complain — since it didn't fit the rules of playing the Hydro Archon.
But now, with five hundred years of pent-up negative emotions finally gone, and with Liu Yuan by her side to confide in, Furina no longer bottled up everything in her heart. Instead, she let herself speak out — just like now.
"Do you need me to stop them for you?"
Liu Yuan's voice was calm, but her arm lifted slightly, dense Hydro Elemental Power gathering in her palm. Her deep blue eyes stayed fixed on Furina, as though ready to act the moment Furina gave the word.
"Stop! Calm down! Put it away quickly! It's fine, it's fine, I just wanted to complain a bit— I wasn't serious!"
Seeing Liu Yuan about to take her words literally, Furina quickly waved her hands. She knew that if she didn't stop her, Liu Yuan really might seal the entire room again and refuse to let anyone in.
---
The events had begun a day earlier. After the incident with Liu Yuan's sudden "confession," Furina had slowly regained her composure and decided to leave her room.
After having Liu Yuan remove the Hydro Elemental Power that cloaked the entire space, Furina walked out and headed directly for Neuvillette's office.
The guards spotted her almost immediately. When they realized she was going to Neuvillette, they silently made way.
As always, Furina pushed open the office door without knocking.
Under Neuvillette's expressionless gaze, she plopped into the chair across from his desk.
Neuvillette studied her. His instincts told him something had changed — Furina no longer carried that dull, secretive aura. She seemed brighter, more relaxed, and...
His eyes narrowed slightly at her somewhat "arrogant" posture. Was she more confident now?
Indeed, she was.
The corner of Furina's eye caught the white-haired figure beside her, and a strong sense of security swelled in her chest.
Hmph, hmph, hmph, I have Liu Yuan— who do I fear?!
Confidence bloomed in her heart. After witnessing Liu Yuan's overwhelming combat ability, Furina felt untouchable.
Now she understood why certain opera characters acted so recklessly when they had powerful backers...
Neuvillette finally spoke, voice calm:
"Ms. Furina, long time no see."
"Long time no see," Furina replied.
Then... silence.
Neuvillette didn't know what to ask. He had long suspected Furina was hiding something, and her sudden half-month seclusion only reinforced that suspicion. But he had asked before, and she had always brushed it off or stayed silent. So, over time, he stopped pressing.
This time, too, he doubted he would get anything out of her.
Furina, on the other hand, was baffled. She had carefully prepared an excuse — yet he wasn't even asking?!
"Um... don't you have anything you want to ask me?"
She leaned forward. "I worked so hard to come up with an excuse, don't you dare not ask!"
"No, I don't."
Neuvillette's tone was flat.
Furina's expression stiffened. ...Was she really just a mascot?
"Since Ms. Furina has returned, will you have time to attend some diplomatic matters tomorrow?"
He continued evenly.
Although most of Fontaine's affairs fell to Neuvillette, Furina, as the "Hydro Archon" and symbolic deity, was still required for diplomatic duties.
Her sudden disappearance had stalled some arrangements. This was the first time in five hundred years that she had vanished for half a month. While it hadn't caused major upheaval, it had unsettled many.
And with this upcoming diplomatic exchange with Snezhnaya, the Knave herself had specifically requested lunch with the Hydro Archon. The meeting had already been delayed once.
To avoid further repercussions, Neuvillette had to confirm her presence.
"T-Tomorrow?"
Furina froze, her brain lagging.
It was like finally relaxing, only to suddenly remember she had work in the morning — and no way to skip it.
After a long pause, she forced herself to nod.
"Diplomacy? Indeed, such matters cannot be without me. So... let's settle it."
"Understood, Ms. Furina. I will make the arrangements."
With that, Neuvillette said no more.
Furina left, sulking.
I thought of an excuse for so, so long, and then you tell me you weren't even going to ask?!
She felt as deflated as a student who had made countless cheat sheets and prepared with confidence — only to have the teacher announce there would be no exam.
.
.
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