Liu Yuan didn't speak, quietly watching as Furina played with great delight.
Under Furina's control, the mask shifted endlessly — sometimes becoming the dignified Neuvillette, sometimes the aloof Clorinde, and even transforming into a playful Melusine.
With Furina's acting skills, every role she played was spot-on. Aside from her petite stature, which she couldn't alter, there were no flaws at all.
Liu Yuan didn't interrupt, standing silently at her side, watching. Even without focusing on the colors of Furina's emotions, Liu Yuan could feel how genuinely happy she was in that moment.
After a long while, Furina had completely mastered the mask's use. Under her control, a face from memory slowly emerged.
"Namiya…" Furina whispered. This face — one she had seen when immersed in the script — now appeared in the real world.
Perhaps it was because they shared so many similarities, or perhaps Furina's acting was simply too strong, but for an instant, it truly felt to her as if the queen from that story had stepped out of fiction into reality.
Her heart wavered, just for a breath. Then the face disappeared, revealing Furina's own once more.
Though her emotions stirred, she quickly steadied herself.
"How is it? Do you like it? There shouldn't be any problems, right?"
Liu Yuan's voice came gently from behind. Hearing it, Furina turned, smiling brightly.
"I love it!"
She paused, then locked her mismatched eyes with Liu Yuan's deep blue ones, and said more firmly:
"I love it very much!"
---
On the streets of Fontaine, the sudden clearing of the skies had drawn many people outside. The fresh sunlight after days of gloom always lifted spirits.
Among the crowd, a damsel wandered curiously, marveling at everything around her.
"No one recognizes me, Liu Yuan! It's really amazing!"
"If people see you talking to yourself, Furina, they might misunderstand," Liu Yuan replied calmly.
"It's fine, it's fine! No one knows I'm Furina. Right now, I'm just an ordinary girl living in Fontaine!"
Her tone brimmed with excitement. With the mask hiding her true identity, only Liu Yuan knew who she was. That freedom was intoxicating.
As for misunderstandings? Please — so long as her identity stayed safe, what was there to fear?
Liu Yuan stayed quiet, only noting how different Furina seemed with the mask on. No wonder books often said— 'Some people seem to put on a mask, but in truth, they take one off.'
Watching her lose herself in that freedom, Liu Yuan decided not to intervene. So long as she was there, Furina wouldn't get into trouble.
The book also said: 'When inspiration runs dry, take a walk. Perhaps you'll find it outside.'
That was the true reason Liu Yuan had coaxed Furina out. After all, no one had ever forbidden her from leaving her quarters.
In truth, if she only asked, even Meropide would gladly open its gates for her.
But Furina… Furina always carried shackles.
The title of Hydro Archon was more than a symbol; it embodied all of Fontaine.
Every time Furina went out, she wore that radiant smile. Yet to Liu Yuan's eyes, those smiles always rang hollow. Behind them lurked the dull shades of boredom and irritation.
The moment she stepped beyond her room's door, an invisible chain appeared — locking away her true emotions and leaving only the shell called the Hydro Archon.
That Furina… made Liu Yuan's chest ache.
She couldn't describe the feeling, but it was like a strange pang — not physical, but real all the same.
Out there, everyone called her Lady Furina, Miss. Furina. But to Liu Yuan, they weren't truly addressing Furina. They were speaking to the Hydro Archon, to the god named Focalors.
And the worst part — Furina had grown so used to it, she answered to those names without hesitation.
Wear a mask for too long, and you can't take it off.
Five hundred years was enough to mold a person's world. Enough to form countless habits. Enough to turn someone… into someone else.
Liu Yuan was clever. Furina was defenseless before her. After all this time together, it wasn't hard to understand why Furina acted so differently outside than in the quiet of her room.
Liu Yuan didn't like it.
Furina deserved to have her own thoughts. She deserved to be free to chase what she wanted — without being so painfully empty.
Yes, the shackles had loosened since her long sleep. But they were still there.
Yet now…
Liu Yuan's gaze fell on her. The mask couldn't block her sight. She could see Furina's real smile shining underneath.
This Furina — the Furina before her now — was the girl she knew.
Silently, Liu Yuan resolved — the next chance she got, she would take Furina out to play again.
---
The damsel in front had no idea of the thoughts lingering behind her.
She only knew happiness. Pure, giddy, indescribable happiness.
After five hundred years of acting… of carrying a role day after day, of smiling for an audience that never left… she was finally free.
She wore ordinary clothes, ordinary shoes, and now an ordinary face.
At last — at least for today — she was no longer the Hydro Archon.
.
.
.
_