"Lady Furina, are you… crying?"
Neuvillette, seated solemnly at the judge's bench, furrowed his brow. He had heard the soft sniffle and turned his gaze toward the Hydro Archon. Again? What now…
Snapping back to reality, Furina wiped her tears and burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Me? Crying? I am the Hydro Archon, Focalors! Surely you jest. A speck of dust merely flew into my eye. Pay it no mind, Clorinde."
Seeing Furina brush it off, Clorinde chose not to press further.
As the trial below continued, Furina's thoughts drifted. Her expression froze. Wait… I'm Focalors now. If the prophecy isn't resolved… I'll have to pass my power to Neuvillette. And if I do… I'll die. Just like Focalors did. That sly goddess! You tricked me!
No way I'm going down like that. Furina clenched her fists. I need answers. I'll head to Liyue and ask Zhongli. He's the oldest god around—if anyone has insight, it's him.
She turned to Clorinde. "Clorinde, has anything major happened in Teyvat lately? Like… a dragon disaster?"
Clorinde nodded. "There was one in Mondstadt. But it's been resolved."
"Let me guess. A blonde traveler handled it? With a little white floating companion?"
Clorinde nodded again.
Furina sighed, muttering, "So the timeline's still on track… a few years left."
"Lady Furina?"
"Nothing, nothing." She waved it off with a smile.
After the trial, Furina returned to the Palais Mermonia. She stared at the mountain of paperwork on her desk and groaned.
"Someone! Get in here!"
A guard rushed in. "Lady Furina, is something wrong?"
"Take all this and give it to Neuvillette." She rubbed her temple and pointed at the stack.
Just as the guard stepped forward, a hand landed on his shoulder.
"Neuvillette, sir!"
"I'll take it from here," Neuvillette said calmly, holding a plate with a slice of Proustis cake.
He walked over and placed it in front of Furina.
"Eat. I'll handle the rest."
Furina blinked, then smiled. "Thanks, Neuv." She took the cake and flopped onto the sofa, savoring the sweet bite.
Watching Neuvillette work, she thought, He really is good looking… I wonder which lucky girl...or guy will end up with him someday.
"Oh, Neuv, I might head to Liyue soon. Fontaine's affairs are in your hands."
Neuvillette glanced at her, amused by her regal tone as she nibbled cake. In his memory, this so-called Archon hadn't done a single serious thing in 500 years. If anything, she was either watching drama—or being the drama.
"Lady Furina, a little travel might do you good. You haven't exactly been… productive."
"What do you mean I haven't done anything? I'm present at every trial!"
"And what do you do at those trials?"
Furina deflated. Okay, fair… but still!
"Look at Mondstadt's Archon. A drunkard! He doesn't do anything either!"
"I've heard of him. The God of Freedom may be idle now, but he stands tall when it matters. You, however…"
Furina's eyes flared. "Neuvillette! I sentence you to one count of disrespecting the divine!"
She huffed and returned to her cake.
Neuvillette, you big dummy. Who talks to a girl like that? No wonder you've been single for 500 years. Whoever falls for you must be blind!
"Stay safe." Neuvillette said softly, already immersed in paperwork.
Furina grumbled, "Okay…"