A quiet stillness fell inside the house, broken only by the faint sound of waves coming from outside the window.
Neuvillette chose a relatively open-ended question, hoping to gently guide her into sharing some information without making her feel interrogated.
Lovia's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, her pupils contracting slightly.
Here it was. The question she most dreaded being asked.
How should she explain? Say she had inexplicably arrived from another world? Say she was too afraid to go to Fontaine for fear of being punished by its laws because of her 'human-like' appearance, so she had hidden herself in the relatively unfamiliar Liyue, refusing to return, and kept herself wrapped up tightly?
Telling the truth was out of the question, but concocting a perfect lie exceeded her brain's processing capacity at that moment.
Lovia sighed silently in her heart, then lowered her head, staring at her fingertips, still damp and fishy from handling the catch. She said softly, "I... I don't remember very clearly either... I opened my eyes, and I was here."
This wasn't exactly a lie; the process of crossing over was indeed a chaotic and blurry mess for her.
She avoided the specific details of 'how she came' and instead emphasized the result and her feelings: "I found this place... quite nice, very quiet, so I stayed for a while."
Neuvillette listened quietly, not interrupting.
Her vagueness and evasion, in his view, could be a well-intentioned lie, or perhaps she truly didn't know. And this, precisely confirmed his earlier speculations.
That experience was likely filled with painful memories she was unwilling to recall—perhaps she had been imprisoned, or perhaps she had undergone some kind of accident she couldn't comprehend or control. Perhaps that pain had caused her memory to become fuzzy or selectively erased.
And choosing to settle in an unfamiliar place pointed even more directly to her profound unease about her own 'difference' and her fear of the outside world.
It's alright. Take it slowly. He would help her.
Neuvillette's gaze swept over the crudely altered 'work clothes' stained with fish scales and blood on her body once more, and the pity in his heart deepened.
Her so-called 'quiet' was probably a last resort born of isolation and helplessness.
"I understand," Neuvillette did not press for details, as that would be no different from tearing open a wound. He changed direction. "Then, during your time in Liyue, have you encountered any... difficulties in your daily life?"
He tried to make his tone sound like ordinary concern, not pitying charity.
"Difficulties?" Lovia repeated subconsciously, then quickly shook her head. "N-no, none at all!"
As if afraid he wouldn't believe her, she hurriedly added, "See, I can cook for myself, I'm quite strong, and I even modified this house with my own hands!"
She pointed at the small pot inside, then at the roof and walls, trying to prove her 'capability,' unaware that to Neuvillette, this only confirmed the 'hardship' of her having to shoulder the burden of survival alone.
Neuvillette looked at her eagerness to prove she was 'capable.' His heart softened slightly, yet a pang of sorrow also struck him.
Was she afraid that showing weakness would lead to rejection?
"I am not doubting your abilities, Lovia," Neuvillette explained gently. "It's just that living alone in a foreign country always comes with many inconveniences. If there is anything you need help with, please don't hesitate to ask."
Lovia blinked, seeming to digest this kindness.
She stole a glance at Neuvillette. His gaze was calm and sincere, without the pity or scrutiny she had anticipated.
"Actually... it's really okay," she said softly, this time with a bit more genuineness in her tone. "It's just... sometimes I don't really dare to go to crowded places."
This was the honest truth. Before contacting her father, she would become extremely anxious every time she went to crowded places, her mind racing with worries, terrified someone would notice her abnormality. As for now not daring to go, it was purely due to social anxiety, but it was much better than before.
This statement undoubtedly hit precisely on Neuvillette's understanding from the letter that she 'disliked contact with people.' He nodded slightly. "Is the fear of crowds rooted in worry about your own differences?"
Lovia was stunned for a moment, then nodded vigorously, a flicker of being understood stirring in her blue eyes. "Yes, I look different from others. I'm afraid... afraid that others will be scared of me, look at me strangely, or dislike me."
Also, afraid of being taken to the Meropide Fortress... Immediately after, her antennae drooped slightly along with her words, looking somewhat dejected.
Seeing her like this, Neuvillette's resolve to take her back grew even firmer.
In Fontaine, Melusines are everywhere. Although Lovia's situation is somewhat different, at least she would be an existence that could be accepted.
Neuvillette softened his voice, as if soothing a frightened animal. "In Fontaine, you need not worry about that. The Melusines are our friends and family. No matter their form, they are respected."
"Moreover, in Fontaine, you are not the only Melusine with a human-like form. If you wish, I can take you to meet her."
Looking into her eyes, which still held a trace of unease, he offered a more concrete promise: "I promise you, after returning to Fontaine, others will not fear you because of your differences. You can also continue to live in a quiet place, without forcing yourself to adapt to the bustle. Everything can be arranged according to what you find comfortable."
This was his second promise.
She looked up. Her eyes, though still holding a hint of timidity, now held a glimmer of resolve.
"I... I believe you, Iudex," she said softly, her fingers tightly clutching the hem of her clothes. "I will finish handling things here as soon as possible. When you... come next time, I will return to Fontaine with you."
Saying these words took a great deal of her courage.
A glimmer of relief flashed in Neuvillette's eyes. He could see her fear hadn't completely vanished, but this courage to take a step forward was already precious.
"Good," he agreed succinctly and solemnly. "I will wait until you are ready."
Neuvillette's gaze remained gentle. He pondered for a moment, then asked, "During your time in Liyue, how have you primarily sustained yourself? And just now, you mentioned needing some time. There must still be unfinished matters, I presume? Is there... anything I can assist with?"
He asked very tactfully, careful not to touch her sensitive pride.
"Sustenance?" Lovia blinked, seemingly not expecting him to ask this.
She subconsciously glanced at the large bookshelf against the wall, the scattered papers on the desk, and the Liyue fountain pen, a trace of guilt appearing on her face.
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