Neuvillette did not linger long at the Jade Chamber and left quickly.
For him, the meeting with Ningguang was merely a necessary procedure; at this moment, he was more concerned about the little compatriot who had just promised to return home with him.
Neuvillette's steps carried a hint of urgency.
Knowing that the Millelith were watching the surroundings, he did not use his abilities. Instead, he followed the path he had come from and walked back to that secluded coast.
From a distance, he saw the door of the wooden cabin wide open, as if waiting for someone's return. A petite blue figure was sitting on a low stool by the door, chin resting in her hands, gazing at the shimmering sea as if lost in thought.
The "work clothes" she wore were still conspicuous, but under the sunlight, those slightly swaying blue antennae and the tail hanging quietly behind her blended seamlessly with the surrounding seascape.
She looked quite lonely.
Neuvillette pursed his lips and decided to slow his pace to avoid startling her.
However, Lovia seemed exceptionally sensitive to a certain aura. When he approached to a certain distance, she suddenly turned her head, her blue eyes instantly locking onto him.
In that instant, Neuvillette clearly saw a flash of panic in her eyes, which quickly faded as if she had confirmed something. It was replaced by a radiance mixed with nervousness, anticipation, and a hint of relief.
She stood up abruptly from the low stool, her fingers subconsciously twisting together. Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but no sound came out; she just stared at him with wide eyes.
Neuvillette walked up to her, stopped, and let his gentle gaze fall upon her.
"I'm back, Lovia," he said softly, as if he had just returned home after handling an ordinary errand.
"Iud... Iudex..." Lovia called out in a small voice, a hint of dependence in her tone that she herself hadn't noticed. "Did things... go smoothly?"
He noticed Lovia held her breath slightly, and her antennae stiffened nervously.
"Very smoothly." Neuvillette nodded. Seeing her unease, he decided to inform her of the good news as soon as possible. "I have already met with Lady Ningguang, the Tianquan Star, and officially proposed the application to bring you back to Fontaine."
"The Liyue side has agreed and promised to process all the necessary procedures for your departure as quickly as possible." Neuvillette's tone was steady and reassuring. "This means that there are no longer any official obstacles. You can legally leave Liyue and head to Fontaine at any time."
"Re... really?" Lovia's eyes lit up instantly, as if stars had fallen into them.
"Yes. Afterward, Lady Ningguang and I spoke about why you appeared here." Neuvillette's expression became slightly more serious. "I presented my speculation to her: that you likely did not come to Liyue voluntarily, but were instead a victim of a conspiracy by lawless elements."
Lovia: "?"
Huh?? She was actually a transmigrator. What lawless elements? What conspiracy theory?
Lovia opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing. After all, it was better not to tell anyone about things like transmigration.
Thus, Lovia could only lower her head and let out a soft "mm."
Neuvillette interpreted her reaction as fear regarding that potentially painful experience, and his tone grew even gentler. "Her Excellency the Tianquan takes this very seriously. The Seven Stars of Liyue will utilize their intelligence network to investigate this matter secretly and track down any possible criminal chains. The Liyue side has promised that they will never allow such evil deeds to breed or go unpunished on their soil."
He looked at her lowered head and added, "Of course, all investigations will be conducted in secret and will not disturb you. You need not worry; your safety will be the primary consideration."
Hearing this, Lovia's heart was filled with mixed emotions.
On one hand, she was moved by the importance Neuvillette and the Seven Stars of Liyue placed on her and their efficiency; her heart felt a bit sour and soft. They were actually willing to invest resources to investigate a completely non-existent "kidnapping case" for a tiny existence of "unknown origin" like her.
On the other hand, a strong sense of guilt welled up in her heart because she knew the truth was not like that at all. Her arrival was entirely an unexplainable accident.
But she couldn't speak the truth.
She could only bury this guilt deep inside and transform it into gratitude toward them.
"Tha... thank you... and thank you to the others who are helping..." Lovia's voice was a bit choked. She looked up, her blue eyes moist and filled with sincere gratitude. "To go to such trouble for my sake..."
"It is what should be done," Neuvillette replied calmly, as if it were only natural.
He looked at her slightly reddened eyes, thinking she was emotional because she was about to escape the shadows of the past, so he naturally changed the subject and handed the initiative back to her.
"So, Lovia." His voice slowed down with an inquiring tone. "Now that the official obstacles have been cleared, when... do you plan to set off?"
He did not stare into her eyes to avoid putting pressure on her, giving her full respect and space for choice. "Is it according to your original plan, needing some time to handle unfinished business in Liyue? Or... can we discuss a sooner date?"
Sunlight spilled over Neuvillette, coating him in a soft halo. He waited patiently for her answer like a reliable elder.
Lovia looked at his inclusive and gentle eyes. The panic in her heart was quietly smoothed away by this warm sunlight and the other's steady temperament and words.
Official permission had been obtained, a future shelter had been promised, and even the "miserable past" she had fabricated had someone willing to seek the truth and uphold justice for her.
That Yearning for Fontaine and her Melusine companions, along with the inexplicable trust and closeness she felt toward the Iudex before her—all of this finally overwhelmed her social anxiety and her cowardice toward change, overwhelming her uncertainty about the future.
Lovia took a deep breath and looked at Neuvillette with bright eyes.
"I..." Her voice still carried a slight tremble. "I want to go back with you as soon as possible."
She paused and added, much more fluently this time, "I will handle my business in Liyue as quickly as I can. Just as you said before, should I have a Fontaine merchant send you a letter when the time comes?"
Saying this, she felt a great weight lift from her heart, replaced by a light sense of anticipation for the future.
A clear sense of gratification and softness flashed through Neuvillette's eyes. He could feel the courage she had exerted to make this decision.
"Good." He agreed simply and solemnly, the corners of his mouth seeming to curve into an extremely faint but genuine arc. "Then I shall depart first. You may handle your affairs here and pack your bags in peace. When the time comes, I will come to fetch you again. How does that sound?"
"Mhm!" Lovia nodded vigorously, a relaxed and shy smile appearing on her face. "Thank you, Iudex!"
"There is no need for thanks." Neuvillette looked at her gently. "Do you need me to accompany you to buy anything? Do you have enough Mora?"
"N-No need!" Lovia waved her hands hurriedly, her antennae swaying gently with her movements. "Thank you! I have enough Mora... and I don't have anything I need to buy for now."
Neuvillette keenly sensed her slight resistance and did not push. He understood that different beings had their own ways of adapting to the world.
"I understand." He nodded slightly. "Then I shall not disturb you further. Please prepare at your own pace. If you encounter any difficulties during this time, you may seek help from the General Affairs Department."
His thoughtfulness made Lovia breathe a sigh of relief, while she also felt a bit of apology for her own cowardice.
"Okay... thank you."
Neuvillette took another deep look at her, a gaze that was silently confirming her state. "I look forward to seeing you in Fontaine, Lovia. Take care."
With that, he turned elegantly, leaving Lovia space to prepare.
"I-I understand!" Lovia hurriedly responded. Watching Neuvillette's back as he turned to leave, that inexplicable sense of closeness in her heart made her unable to resist speaking again, her voice tiny. "Please... take care on your way."
Neuvillette's steps paused slightly. He looked back at her, his gaze lingering for a moment on the unusual "work clothes" she wore. Ultimately, he didn't ask about the "clothing" again, but said gently, "You also... prepare well. See you again, Lovia."
"See you again..." Lovia repeated softly as she watched his elegant back fade into the distance, as if something were quietly taking root and sprouting in her heart.
She turned back into the small cabin and flopped onto the bed, burying her head in the pillow, feeling her heart beating violently in her chest.
After a long while, she finally looked up to survey this small home she had furnished herself, beginning to think seriously about what was worth taking and what needed a farewell.
Soon, she would follow that iudex to a strange country called "Fontaine."
However, the immediate priority was to prepare for the "farewell."
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