However, before Yuto could even leave the reception room, a sneaky blue hat appeared at the doorway, followed by a white, unruly strand of hair.
Yuto couldn't help but chuckle at the bobbing strand of hair, then shook his head with a smile.
"Furina… Arlecchino has already left, there's no need to hide like this."
His tone was as gentle and calm as ever, like an old Father comforting his startled daughter.
Hearing Yuto's words, Furina, who had been hesitant to show her little head, first peeked out and looked around. Only after repeatedly confirming the bad woman was gone did she dare to step out.
She patted her somewhat meager chest with lingering fear, then looked at Yuto and asked:
"How did you… talk to her?"
Yuto shrugged and said, "She neither refused nor agreed, but when she chose to come after seeing that invitation letter…"
"It already proved that her attitude would lean towards 'agreement'."
"I will keep an eye on the Fatui's movements from now on, so there's no need to worry anymore, Furina."
Looking at that gentle and familiar smile, Furina's pretty face blushed slightly, then her gaze fell on some desserts and black tea on the table.
As if to cover something up, she sat down without hesitation in the spot Yuto had just occupied, poured some tea into the teacup in front of her, and began to eat the desserts.
"Furina, don't…!"
Just as Yuto was about to remind Furina that the cup was actually his… Miss Furina had already pressed her lips to the rim of the cup, eating desserts and drinking black tea at the same time.
The young girl looked up at the astonished man in front of her with some confusion, her face involuntarily… reddening.
"Wh-What's wrong? Why are you looking at me so strangely?"
Furina stammered the question.
In response, Yuto gently shook his head, deciding to keep the truth to himself, and then said with a smile:
"Eat at ease, a large part of this was made by my own hands. After all, it's for entertaining guests. If God has nothing else… should I go find Mr. Neuvillette first?"
Furina did not speak, merely nodded silently.
Yuto, accustomed to this, quickly exited the reception room, closing the door behind him.
As the Assistant Administrator of Fontaine for four hundred years, Yuto naturally knew what kind of space his God needed at any given time.
"I only hope… she can live a healthy life after all of this ends."
A hint of helplessness flashed in Yuto's eyes, then he looked out through the glass windows of Palais Mermonia, which were made of glazed tiles.
"Who would have thought… that The Prophecy that has plagued the people of Fontaine for hundreds of years would completely rest on the shoulders of one young girl?"
Yuto thought to himself.
"Oh well, I'll go find Neuvillette first. It's better to get the current matters done."
...
While Yuto was on his way to Neuvillette's office, Furina looked at the small, cute macarons in front of her, then at the cookies at the bottom of the pastry plate, her expression momentarily lost in thought.
Yuto had already helped her too much.
Whether in life or in her "performance," he had always been by her side like the most competent and reliable Assistant Administrator.
"But… I can't…"
A ripple of sadness appeared in Furina's heterochromatic eyes.
Since she chose to bear that "responsibility," she must also bear the corresponding "cost."
Not even Yuto, the Assistant Administrator whose appearance hadn't changed in over four hundred years… could be an exception.
"How much longer must this life… continue?"
Furina looked up blankly, her beautiful heterochromatic eyes quietly gazing at the reception room door, sinking into prolonged contemplation.
"When… can I live openly with you?"
...
Yuto was unaware of Furina's murmuring after he left. He arrived at the Hydro Dragon Sovereign's office with a calm demeanor.
He gently knocked on the door, and only after hearing a deep "Please come in" from inside the room did Yuto push the door open and enter the office.
"Mr. Yuto? Is this about advancing the establishment of the 'Abandonment Crime'?"
Mr. Neuvillette asked softly, looking at the blue figure at the doorway.
"No, if I had to say… it's somewhat related to that matter, but the connection isn't particularly obvious."
Hearing this, Mr. Neuvillette put down the documents in his hand, slowly stood up, poured two glasses of water from a nearby table, and handed one to Yuto.
"I'm all ears."
Yuto politely took a sip of water first, then spoke quite naturally:
"Mr. Neuvillette, how do you feel about having some kind-hearted Melusine, who may not be in the best physical condition or have exceptional talents, care for the orphans at the newly built welfare center?"
Hearing Yuto's words, Mr. Neuvillette first frowned, then said:
"You should be well aware, Mr. Yuto, that the Melusine's visual and other senses are quite different from humans. Caring for human children… might not be a good idea."
"This will cause unnecessary misunderstandings, Mr. Yuto."
Hearing Mr. Neuvillette's concerns, Yuto shook his head with a smile and said:
"Let the Melusine care for the children during the day, but the three meals a day will still be handled by human chefs. Doesn't that solve the problem?"
"Furthermore, precisely because there are differences, the two races should have more contact."
"When people gradually understand the characteristics of the Melusine and genuinely regard every difference in their daily lives as 'common sense'…"
"Do you still think it will be difficult for the Melusine to integrate into human society?"
Mr. Neuvillette was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then gently nodded.
Yuto was right. Although the Melusine were integrating into society quite quickly due to his efforts, this did not mean that humans could accept some of their lifestyle differences.
Otherwise… there would have been no need to specifically legislate that the Melusine should not be referred to as "it."
With that thought, Mr. Neuvillette gently nodded.
"A good suggestion, Mr. Yuto."
"If you are ready, I can begin to arrange the work now."
Mr. Neuvillette said softly.
"Since Mr. Neuvillette has agreed, the rest will be easy."
"Currently… most of Fontaine's orphans have been absorbed by the House of the Hearth, and I've also spoken with that Executive, so we still have the possibility of cooperation."
Hearing this, Mr. Neuvillette gently nodded, then raised the exquisite silver cup in his hand, clinked it simply with Yuto's, and said:
"On behalf of all Melusine, I thank Mr. Yuto for his kindness."