"...It was a pleasure chatting with Ms. Furina. I hope I'll have the opportunity to share lunch with you again sometime."
"It was my pleasure as well, The Knave."
Furina smiled politely. She watched as The Knave rose with her usual composure, bowed slightly, and departed, guided away by the maid at the door.
The moment the door clicked shut, Furina instantly deflated, slumping into her chair.
"Phew... finally over... that was exhausting..."
She let out a sigh of relief before reaching for the cake she'd been eyeing all along, biting into it with unrestrained happiness.
"Mmm... delicious!"
The lunch had lasted for about an hour. Aside from the uncomfortable probing incident at the beginning, most of the conversation had been harmless chatter — Fontaine's recent changes, the Opera House's best new performances. The Knave was undeniably skilled at conversation, even tailoring her topics to Furina's interests. Before long, Furina had almost forgotten her irritation at the attempted psychic probe.
"Eating too much cake isn't good for you, Furina."
Liu Yuan's calm voice broke in. The words immediately made Furina pout.
"But I was hungry..."
"You already ate five slices of cake, two macarons, a cream bun, a cup of black tea, and an ice cream sundae while speaking with The Knave just now."
Liu Yuan began tallying her indulgences one by one. Furina froze, cheeks warming with guilt, unable to meet Liu Yuan's eyes.
Ever since waking from her long slumber, Liu Yuan had been strict about her health and eating habits. 'You need to regulate your diet after such a long dormancy,' she had said, and Furina had readily agreed back then.
But when the table was set with so many tempting desserts — especially when The Knave had even brought rare limited cakes from outside — how could she resist?
She had tried to nibble slowly and gracefully, but restraint only went so far.
Furina's hand unconsciously drifted to her stomach. Surely... I won't get fat, right?
"Your body is unusual," Liu Yuan observed thoughtfully. "There's a special energy within you that keeps your vitality stable and replenishes you. But it isn't limitless. Right now, your body is craving sugar, water, and other essentials. That's why you couldn't stop yourself."
Her clear eyes shifted toward the half-eaten cake Furina still held. After a pause, she added:
"Just for today. I'll monitor your condition in the coming days to prevent excess."
Furina's expression lit up immediately. "Yay, Liu Yuan is the best!" she declared, happily diving back into her cake.
Liu Yuan said nothing further — just stood quietly at her side, watching with gentle patience.
---
Night soon fell.
After lunch, Furina took a short rest before rejoining The Knave, several Fontaine officials, and reporters to inspect the construction of Gu'er Yuan and a few Fatui-sponsored welfare projects.
Finally, she attended the evening banquet.
But halfway through, Furina slipped away alone, climbing to the second floor with a glass of juice in one hand and a strawberry cake in the other.
Placing her plate on the balcony railing, she closed her eyes against the cool evening breeze.
The banquet below was nothing more than Fontaine and Snezhnayan merchants networking, officials exchanging interests. Furina, with her exalted position, was little more than a mascot. A few people had approached her politely at the start, but beyond that, she had sat alone.
And so she chose to retreat — where she could chat with Liu Yuan instead.
Hmph, who cares if no one talks to me? I have Liu Yuan.
Furina took another forkful of cake, smiling mischievously.
"This is the last piece for today," Liu Yuan reminded softly.
"Mhm, mhm~ the last one, I promise."
Of course, Furina knew perfectly well that Liu Yuan would never truly stop her. Every time she tried to impose limits, Furina only needed to put on her most pitiful face. Without fail, Liu Yuan would avert her gaze, unable to resist.
Heh, hmph! See? I, Furina, have discovered the way to manipulate Liu Yuan!
Liu Yuan let out an inexplicable sigh, bemused by her own constant indulgence.
Why do I always give in to her? Is this... favoritism?
She watched Furina, bathed in moonlight, quietly eating her cake with such simple joy.
Before long, the plate was empty. Furina leaned on the balcony railing, looking out at the glittering night streets, and felt her chest lighten.
So this is what it feels like when the weight on your heart begins to fade... It's really nice...
"Liu Yuan," Furina murmured, "wouldn't it be wonderful if things could stay like this forever?"
Even if she had to keep up her façade as a god, with Liu Yuan at her side, Furina no longer feared that lonely, endless future. As long as Liu Yuan was there, even another five hundred years would not feel empty.
She hesitated, then whispered the question that had sat buried in her heart:
"Liu Yuan... will you always stay with me?"
The instant the words escaped, Furina's eyes widened. Too relaxed, she had spoken without thinking! Panic welled — she turned quickly, ready to excuse herself.
But then she met Liu Yuan's gaze.
Those deep, pure blue eyes fixed on her with unwavering sincerity.
Without hesitation, Liu Yuan answered:
"Yes."
.
.
.
_