The interactions between the damsel and Liu Yuan revealed their feelings unintentionally, but unfortunately, Liu Yuan had not yet recognized her own heart. Meanwhile, the damsel was still afraid that Liu Yuan might be dragged into trouble and get hurt because of her.
What they needed was an opportunity — an opportunity for both to bare their true feelings.
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Time passed slowly. Nine days had gone by since the banquet ended, and in those nine days, Furina felt nothing but exhaustion.
She had been asleep for half a month, leaving a mountain of accumulated tasks. It took her a full nine days to restore everything back to order.
Fortunately, this time she had a dedicated "butler" by her side. Liu Yuan carefully noted down every matter, and even acted as a teleprompter when Furina forgot her lines during speeches.
At night, after finishing yet another grueling day, Furina sprawled out on the sofa, a pillow tucked beneath her, script in hand, seemingly lost in thought.
Beside her, Liu Yuan multitasked effortlessly. She leaned against the bookshelf, reading a book while simultaneously using Hydro energy to knead Furina's back.
Under Liu Yuan's control, the flowing water massaged Furina with just the right amount of strength, releasing the fatigue she had carried all day.
Furina's body was, after all, mortal. Each day she was running all across Fontaine — from speeches in the morning at Palais Mermonia, to watching trials at the Opera House in the afternoon, then attending performances in the evening, and often banquets at night.
Fortunately, she had Liu Yuan.
"Liu Yuan… what would I do without you…"
The words slipped out instinctively. Liu Yuan was truly, truly, truly amazing.
She seemed omnipotent, capable of mastering anything quickly and supporting Furina whenever she needed it most. Because of her, Furina's days felt a little less overwhelming.
As Liu Yuan's Hydro massage worked its magic, Furina gradually relaxed, her thoughts beginning to drift.
Liu Yuan is so amazing… compared to her, I feel like I'm not very useful…
At this thought, Furina's antenna-like tufts of hair drooped. Her gaze fell upon the script in her hand — then suddenly perked up again.
The script… I can definitely give it a perfect ending!
Indeed, what Furina was holding now was the very same script that had caused her to collapse into slumber for half a month.
As it was, the story was crude, like the work of a third-rate playwright. It abruptly stopped midway, unfinished, with no clear direction — completely hollow.
But Furina had lived that story firsthand. She didn't want it to simply end that way. She wanted to give Namiya and Ghost a true conclusion.
Not the hollow "non-ending" it currently had.
She wanted to change the story.
In her five hundred years, Furina had watched countless operas — many tragedies among them. At first, she had felt sorrow each time, but gradually, she had grown numb. The tropes became familiar, predictable.
She had revised scripts before, sometimes as a consultant or director, sometimes even on stage to make roles fit better. She could anticipate almost any development.
But now, perhaps because Liu Yuan was beside her, she no longer needed operas as a "mask" to escape.
Perhaps it was because it had been a long time since she'd seen a story that truly stirred her. Whatever the reason, Furina had the rare impulse to write.
This script, though crude, was special. Because she had been part of it herself, it resonated deeply. And Namiya — so much like her — deserved something better than tragedy.
Gradually, the fatigue melted away under Liu Yuan's care, and drowsiness washed over her.
Her eyelids grew heavy. Thoughts scattered. Finally, Furina succumbed to sleep, the script slipping from her hand onto the sofa.
Sensing her steady breathing, Liu Yuan closed her book. She marked the page, returned it to the shelf, then walked toward the sofa, dismissing the Hydro massage.
Her gaze fell upon the script. With a flick of her hand, it floated up and landed in her palm. She skimmed it quickly — it wasn't long, and she had read it before.
But at the end, she froze.
The last few blank pages now bore two written endings — labeled "Ending One" and "Ending Two." There was even a third page, titled "Ending Three," though unwritten.
Her eyes flicked to Furina, then back to the script.
After a moment's thought, Liu Yuan set it aside on the table and slowly bent down.
Her form began to shift — the translucent figure solidifying into flesh. The white-haired, blue-eyed girl descended truly into the world.
For the first time, she felt the difference of a real body. She could hear Furina's soft breaths, feel her warmth — she could touch her.
Carefully, Liu Yuan slid her arms beneath Furina and lifted her from the sofa.
The damsel didn't resist. Whether from exhaustion or recognition of a familiar aura, she instinctively nestled closer into Liu Yuan's embrace.
Liu Yuan stiffened for a moment, then steadied herself. Cradling Furina gently, she carried her to the bed, laid her down, and pulled the blanket over her.
Her eyes lingered on Furina's peaceful sleeping face. Unconsciously, Liu Yuan pressed a hand against her chest.
Her heart was beating wildly.
.
.
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_