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Chapter Text

In truth, the Iudex of Fontaine, Neuvillette regrets many of his recent decisions.

Yes, he got back his full dragonhood. He saved the people of Fontaine from the prophecy, forgiving them for the so-called 'sins' placed on them by the Heavenly Principles. He was now the sole ruler of all of Fontaine, praised for his steadfast honor and his unfaltering righteousness by the people.

And Fontaine was on the right path to rebuilding itself. He was glad for the assistance given by Wriothesley, Navia, and Clorinde, truly, he was, but a part of him could not help but resent them, and himself, for the way they handled Furina's trial.

Furina had left the Palais Mermonia in the aftermath of the prophecy. Neuvillette had instantly sought her out once he returned from dealing with the Narwhal, only to find her packing away a few articles of clothing and her valuables into a small duffel bag in her room.  He was no fool and could tell her intentions to leave right away, and it was no wonder she wanted to leave.

Furina had only silently watched as he gently closed the door to her room, his footsteps ever so gentle as his heels clack against the cold marble of the floor. She merely shook her head, bowing her head as she spoke quietly. "Did you meet her? Mirror-me?" 

Neuvillette had then proceeded to tell her gently about what happened; Furina looked neither comforted nor upset with the fate of her divinity, and Neuvillette did not know what to make of it until she whispered.

"Fontaine is yours to rule now. Not that it wasn't always under your rule in the first place. I will...leave now. I'm tired, and I want to rest," Furina gestured toward the duffel bag, all this while never meeting his eyes. His heart squeezed painfully.

They were, in every sense, intimately and romantically involved. 400 years of companionship, centuries of trust and faith...gone in a matter of hours. Or was it all a lie in the first place? No, Neuvillette had thought to himself. Furina had always trusted him, and was the only constant in this world, for 400 years. Her theatrics were a farce, but their relationship wasn't, that much he was assured of.

"...I will make arrangements to ensure you are comfortable, whatever you wish." It was the least he could do for her, after everything. Furina does not respond. She merely hums quietly, and Neuvillette feels his heart sinks as she continues to pack her things into the bag. Not saying anything else as she heaves her duffel bag and left, without a goodbye to her former companion and lover, while he stood in the uneasy silence of her abandon room, the rain outside becoming heavier as he sits down on her unmade bed.

Furina couldn't tell him anything. The truth of her lack of divinity, the secrets she held on so tight, the role of hydro archon she played for 500 years...

She would never hurt him; yes, she lied to him, she was dramatic, theatrical, and hysterical, he found her an annoyance at times, but she never once hurt him or betrayed him. She brought him to Fontaine in the first place, to encourage him to mingle with the humans and love their humanity.

In his haste to prevent the prophecy and still reeling from his argument with her, he did the unthinkable. He conspired against his archon, his lover, and put her on trial, all the while publicly humiliating her in the process. His breath became more ragged as he remembered her trial.

The primordial seawater test, how he agreed to it when they were setting the 'trap'. The way his heart stopped when she dipped her hand into the water. Requesting for Sigewinne to attend to Furina to assess her symptoms from touching the seawater. Refusing to look at her when she pleaded for everyone and anyone to believe her. He declared her guilty, him not doing anything when the Oratrice was carrying out the death punishment of the hydro archon...

He had truly let Furina down. It was no wonder she couldn't stand to be around him, much less look him in the eyes. He lies down alone in the bed, inhaling the faint scent of her as he falls asleep. Maybe, just maybe, he might be blessed with a dream tonight, one where Furina is in his arms, laughing and smiling at him happily.

Furina's mind was a total blank as she lies on the bed in her new rental flat. 500 years of acting as an archon has come to a close, but the relief she thought it would bring was fleeting. Fontaine has averted crisis, and is slowly rebuilding itself under his care. They were moving forward, and they had no place for a fraud who posed as an archon for years. She was the only one without a place in the new Fontaine.

The trial. Furina was human, and humans were prone to extreme emotions. The trial proved to her of how human she was; feelings of betrayal, of anger, of hate manifested in her as she came to the realization she was tricked and conspired against, especially by those that once stood by her side. 

The trial that freed her was also her undoing. Neuvillette had, at the end of his wits and desperate enough to pry her secrets, conspired with others to put her on trial. She didn't know if it was part of mirror-her's plan, but it still gutted her and sent her into a spiralling abyss every time she thinks of it.

But she wasn't faultless at all. The people of Poisson were struck with tragedy and she could do nothing but cry for them. What use was tears when she could not save the ones that deserve to live? Furina was confused. In truth, nothing was in defined colors of black and white, but in various shades of grey. But where does she stand in all of this?

That would be an answer she will have to unfortunately answer later. It was the middle of the night, and this would be the only chance for her to leave unnoticed. Clorinde had stopped by a few days ago, most likely to inquire after her, but Furina ignored her, feelings of anger and betrayal still swelling in her.

She wasn't going to take a chance and stay in Fontaine a moment longer. Quietly, she carries the duffel bag containing a few clothes and her basic necessities, leaving the rental flat she was staying in without a second glance. The streets were wuiet and bare of any people. Just as she expected, and what she needed to leave from Fontaine to Sumeru. Tugging the hood over her head, she casts one last glance at the Palais Mermonia, before turning away, a single tear escaping her eye as she walks away from her past.

"Where is Monsieur Neuvillette?" Clorinde bursts into the Palais Mermonia, out of breath and flustered, unlike her usual composed and elegant bearing. Sedene stares at her, alarmed as Clorinde rushes to the melusine, before composing herself a bit. 

"Miss Clorinde, is something the matter?"

"Good afternoon, Sedene. I need to speak to Monsieur Neuvillette right away. Where is he?"

"Monsieur Neuvillette is currently out for business but will be returning soon."

"I see. But..." Clorinde purses her lips, seeming to be worried over something as Sedene peers at her curiously.

"Forgive my curiosity, Miss Clorinde, but you seem to be worried about something."

Clorinde glanced around the public area of the Palais Mermonia. Though she did burst in a manner that definitely attracted more attention than she should, given the delicate nature of the news she was keeping, she couldn't tell Sedene and risk it becoming public news.

"O-oh! Monsieur Neuvillette! You're back," Sedene exclaims as Neuvillette walks up to them, his small but genuine smile was comforting to see, especially after the days of cloudy skies that followed the aftermath of the prophecy.

"Yes. Clorinde? Is something the matter?"

"Monsieur, a moment of your time. I have urgent news, and it should be discussed in private," Clorinde whispers as Neuvillette nods, leading her into his office.

"What is the news that you wanted to tell me? Did something happen?"

"It's Lady Furina," Clorinde whispers, despite the lack of presence of anyone else but the two of them. Neuvillette's heart stops. Did something happen to her?

"I went to check up on her this morning, but she didn't reply again, like last time. At first, I thought to leave her be and give her more time and space, but I had a sinking feeling that something had happened, so I decided to break into the flat...she left, I'm sure of it. I heard no one saw her leave the house in the past few days, so..." Neuvillette hears glass shattering. He looks down at his feet to see broken glass and water dripping from his table as Clorinde stops shortly, her eyes widening at the sight of the broken chalice. 

The water in the chalice exploded. Neuvillette feels a swarm of emotions swelling inside of him. 

At the trial, it was he who turned on her, the thread of fate connecting them hangs loosely and thinly the moment they conflicted on her identity and secrets.

Today, it was she who severed all their ties and left Fontaine.

It was her cruelest punishment to him.

Chapter Text

Furina made it to Sumeru City relatively quickly. It was a good thing she left in the nighttime; no one was taking the aquabus at that time of night, and the little melusines did not seem to recognize her...though in truth, she had never taken the public aquabus and the melusines on them probably could not recognize her scent, so she suppose that contributed to allowing her to leave so easily and without anyone stopping her. 

Why was she so afraid that people would find out? Neuvillette never said she couldn't leave Fontaine, but she was the former hydro archon, well, a fraudulent hydro archon. Her visiting another archon's nation might just bring up some diplomatic issues, though Furina believes that it wouldn't be a problem at all since she was disposed of and is currently, a normal human. She tries not to think of Fontaine or...him. It was for the best, Furina tried to reassure herself. Her presence would be a nuisance to him, and people would be glad to know that their fraud of an archon was gone.

Yes, it was for the good of everyone; her, Fontaine, and Monsieur Neuvillette.

She shakes her head like a wet dog, trying to dissuade her thoughts as she walks through the busy streets of the underground grand bazaar. Furina had no concrete plan or itinerary in mind, truth be told. Her destination was not fixed, and she didn't particularly desire to do, eat or see anything. 

"...Excuse me," a shy, timid voice came from behind Furina. She jolts up in surprise, turning swiftly around to apologize to whoever she was blocking. 

'Furina, you airhead!' she scolded herself in her head as she tried to apologize to the little girl that reached to about her hips. 

"I'm so sorry for blocking your way," Furina apologizes, bowing slightly as the little girl laughs, her bright green eyes looking up at her with mirth and curiosity. The little girl smiles sweetly at her, as Furina realizes that there is something not right with her surroundings or that little girl. Her aura was strange...it was gentle, kind, and was like the forest; the dendro element...the dendro...archon.

"Lesser Lord Kusanali?" Furina gapes as the little girl laughs, her laughter tinkling in the air. She clapped her hands, seeming pleased as Furina stared at her with fear, wondering if she had just landed herself in a boatload of trouble.

"Very good! I've been wanting to meet you, Lady Furina. You managed to guess it was me without me having to say a word. I'm very impressed."

Furina glanced around them, Sumeru citizens seemed to pay no heed to the two of them, as Nahida giggled.

"I cast an invisible charm around us. But we should talk somewhere else. If you would follow me?"

"Uhm..." Furina shuffled uncertainly in her spot as Lessor Lord Kusanali frowned in worry.

"Is something wrong? Oh. You don't have to worry! I just want to talk to you, a fellow archon. I have never met any of the others, you are the first one!"  The dendro archon exclaims cheerfully as Furina blinks, before muttering quietly, "I'm a fraud, not an archon. I'm sorry to disappoint you, Lesser Lord Kusanali."

"Huh? Do you not think you are an archon?" Lesser Lord Kusanali asks with a frown, seeming disappointed as Furina looks away, feeling ashamed of herself.

"Could you still come with me? I've been waiting for you for ages! I have prepared tea and some Sumeru delicacies. Will you join me, please?" Furina blinks in surprise as the dendro archon cajoles, looking up at her with big, adorable eyes as she feels her heart falter. Her lips curl into a gentle smile.

"I would be extremely honored to join you, Lesser Lord Kusanali," Furina says with a slight bow, as the shorter girl chuckles. "Please, call me Nahida! I would prefer that endearment, so please do use it."

"Yes, Nahida," Furina says with a laugh, as Nahida looks up at her with a big, toothy smile. Furina followed Nahida closely behind, and in her heart, though she had only known the little girl for a few minutes, her heart was at peace in the longest of whiles.

"She is in Sumeru City."

Clorinde didn't know how or when Monsieur Neuvillette got the information, but she was glad that Lady Furina was located so quickly. Guilt fills her chest whenever Lady Furina comes to mind nowadays. Lady Furina was many things; dramatic, frivolous, and love theatrics, but she did not deserve the public humiliation on that fateful day. She turned her back on her Archon, and it will be a moment forever recorded in time. No matter how people now praised her bravery for daring to challenge an Archon, it was a scheme she could never be proud of.

"That's great! So, uh, what do we do from here?" Paimon, the traveler's little floating fairy companion asks, confused as the rest of the people in the room murmur amongst themselves. Navia, who was standing right next to her, whispered, "I can't believe Lady Furina just...up and left like that."

"I can. We betrayed her and publicly humiliated her. Even if it was a time of desperation, we should have been more careful with how we dealt with it," Clorinde whispered, as Navia fell silent, guilt etching her features. Clorinde looks to the right of Monsieur Neuvillette. The traveler was frowning, seeming deep in thought as Monsieur Neuvillette spoke again.

"I was planning to go to Sumeru to find Furina, but..." Neuvillette falls silent, his unspoken words loud enough for everyone to understand. 

"You cannot leave Fontaine now. But Lady Furina may not listen to any of us either...this is an issue, indeed," The magician, Lyney, and his sibling, who were discussing quietly in a corner, voice out the Iudex's concern.

"There is a second issue," the traveler speaks suddenly, as Paimon looks at her blonde companion with wide eyes.

"Huh? There is?"

"Listen, everyone, Furina is, or was the hydro archon. The other archons are not pleased with the way Fontaine's people treated their former archon," the traveler speaks quietly as the room falls silent at his words.

"As I understand it, you have a good relationship with the Anemo, Geo, Electro, and Dendro archon."

"Yes...they have expressed disapproval at our methods...and our intention to have tried to break Furina into speaking," the traveler cringed slightly, before looking guilty and remorseful. The room falls into a hushed silence as Neuvillette looks away. Nobody wanted to be reminded of the trial...much less the Iudex. Clorinde always thought of Monsieur Neuvillette to be too difficult to read and impassive, but he looked the most crushed right now, the most expression she had ever seen on his face.

"So they won't hand her over so easily?" Navia asks as the Traveler nods his head.

"But Neuvillette, at the very least, Furina will be alright. They will watch over her."

Neuvillette remained silent at the Traveler's words. How should he react to it? Should he be relieved that Furina would be safe? But he feels disturbed by the fact that Furina is no longer in Fontaine. She must hate him now, and he probably deserves it...

"If I may, Monsieur Neuvillette. Perhaps...Lady Furina needs the space and time to heal. Sumeru may be a good place for her to heal," Clorinde says quietly as Neuvillette considers the champion duelist's words. Would there be a guarantee of such? He didn't know, but he certainly couldn't just stop worrying over Furina...

"Neuvillette. I can arrange a meeting with Lesser Lord Kusanali for you. One in secret, of course. I believe you wouldn't want people to know Furina left Fontaine. It might make things more dangerous for her. As it stands, some people still hold hostility towards her," the traveler offers quietly. Monsieur Neuvillette nods, seeming less anguished as a small, a broken smile makes its way to his face.

"Thank you, I would prefer that. But other than the matter of Furina, I would like to talk to all of you about the relief work to be carried out across Fontaine."

Clorinde feels a sense of relief flood her as Monsieur Neuvillette begins to talk about the relief operation to be carried out to help the people of Fontaine. Though things may never be the same again after the fall of the hydro archon and the prophecy's failure, at least the people that she cared about were safe, she had thought to herself as she glanced at the person by her side.

"You were imprisoned for 500 years? That's so crazy of the sages! Every single generation blindly followed their predecessor's will...it must have been tough for you, Nahida," Furina says, feeling slightly angry on the child's behalf when she heard of the dendro archon's imprisonment from her birth. Nahida laughs softly, seeming a bit sad as she recounts her life to Furina.

"It was, but...my people, those that believed in me, they rallied together to save me...oh, my apologies," Nahida says as Furina cast her a small smile. Nahida and her both had tragic lives; but Nahida's people, once they realized the error of their ways, banded together to save their archon. But Fontaines did the exact opposite, turning against their archon. Furina's sacrifice was to remain forever unseen, and unheard, and she will go down in history as a deposed, incompetent archon.

"There is nothing to be sorry for, Nahida. I was incompetent, a fraud. I'm not even a real archon..." Furina admits quietly, her voice dropping an octave as Nahida frowns.

"You don't think you are an archon?" Nahida asks, wondering why Furina thought so.

"I'm human. Archons are divine beings, gods. How could a human be a god?" Furina asks, her voice derisive as Nahida seems thoughtful.

"Your strength of will, your cunning tact, you fooled the heavenly principles...how are you not deserving of being an archon?" Nahida asks, genuinely curious as Furina laughs bitterly.

"But I was about to break. For 500 years, I felt so hollow, so alone, and I was so incompetent that all my plans to help the citizens were useless. And I didn't fool anyone. It was all Focalors."

"But you are Focalors. Focalors are merely your divinity. You are her, and she is you. If so, Fontaine's aversion to the prophecy is thanks to you," Nahida explains gently as Furina blinks in surprise. Focalors was her divinity?

"You have the same cunning wit, mind, and bravery. You are the same person. The only difference is that you are the mortal and spirit. She is divinity."

"I never thought of it that way..." Furina trails off. So she was Focalors, and Focalors is her. Nahida giggled slightly and clapped her hands.

"Hehe! This is why it is always good to have multiple perspectives!"

"I see. Thank you, Nahida, for reassuring me."

"Hehe. Oh, there is something else I like to bring to your attention," Nahida mentions quietly, seeming nervous as Furina looks in surprise.

"Is anything the matter?"

"I know you want to live as a normal human, but..." Nahida mumbles quietly as Furina blinks in surprise.

"Hundreds of years ago, you were Egeria's familiar. You were as mortal as other humans. She chose you to be her successor, but you had to be a divine being in the first place. So..."

"That means..." Furina trails, realization hitting her. She/Focalors was once mortal, and then they had to become divine beings before becoming the hydro archon. If it happens once...

"I don't know how your life might play out from here, but I do believe you will become a divine being again."

"Oh," Furina says quietly, unsure how her life might turn out now. Divinity, a second time? She didn't know what to think of it. She could just live a normal life with it, without needing to play a horrendous part in a 500-year-long play.

"You don't know if you want to become a god again?"

"I'm conflicted. What does one do with divinity? Is it a boon, or a curse?" Furina wondered aloud as Nahida seemed surprised by her words.

"Indeed. A long life may very well lead to more suffering. You are prudent and know the consequences of such," praises Nahida as she laughs happily, clapping her hands in excitement as Furina blushes.

"You praise me too much."

"I can't praise you enough! I would love to have you here in the Akademiya...but I can tell you want to travel across Teyvat," Nahida says quietly, as Furina nods.

"Yes, that is my intention...but I'll be staying in Sumeru for a while! And...could we have tea sometime again?" Furina asks, feeling a little shy. Nahida was surprised by the request, before giggling and nodding.

"It would make me very happy to do so. And...if you need a guide across Sumeru, I have a few recommendations," Nahida says with a twinkling look in her eyes.

"Nahida, thank you for agreeing to meet Neuvillette," Nahida smiled up at the traveler, who seemed relieved by the appearance of her old friend.

"It's my pleasure! Though...I'll need to see what Monsieur Neuvillette has to say. Is it only him coming? I thought I would be able to meet the rest of the crew." Nahida asks innocently, her green eyes blinking at the traveler and pain. For a little god that was the epitome of kindness, Nahida's words sting. The traveler looks down at her feet guiltily.

After the event of the prophecy, Nahida appeared in the traveler's dreams, and he knew it was no coincidence that he dreamt of Nahida that night.

"I got too carried away...I humiliated Furina. She didn't deserve that, I...I feel like a monster. I'm no better than those sages..." The traveler hangs his head in shame as Nahida looks up in surprise.

"Okay, I took my guilt-tripping too far there. I'm sorry, traveler. You are nothing like the sages. You tried to save Furina, didn't you? But I'm glad you realized your mistakes. I was not wrong to appoint you as my First Sage," Nahida says gently as the traveler blinks at her in surprise.

"Thank you for the reassurance, Nahida, but I believe I have to make it up to Furina. She is a brave and worthy individual that deserves every bit of respect. She is not my friend, but a person I have wronged and she deserves to hate me, and I can only hope to ask for her forgiveness," the traveler says quietly as Nahida grins at him, obviously pleased by his response.

"I see. Well then, it is almost time for me to meet Monsieur Neuvillette...oh, there he is. It's a pleasure to meet you, Monsieur Neuvillette," Nahida greeted politely as Monsieur Neuvillette bowed slightly.

"Thank you, for agreeing to meet me, Lesser Lord Kusanali, especially on such short notice." 

On the surface, Monsieur Neuvillette seemed perfectly fine. But Nahida, all she could sense was turmoil in his heart. She even feels a teeny bit sorry for the poor man/dragon. 

"I suppose we should get right into things. No reason to beat around the bush," Nahida says, her voice a little more critical as Neuvillette looks away. "I can tell you have a lot to say about her to me."

"Indeed. While her trial was necessary to fool the heavenly principles, the pain, public humiliation, and the betrayal...she should never gone through any of that," Nahida scolds. Neuvillette listens quietly, knowing full well the little archon is right.

"You were her closest companions for 400 years. For 400 years, you were her everything. Her friend, her family, her lover. And you destroyed it all in a matter of a few days when you decided to pry her secrets from her!" Nahida says, seeming to be very angry as Neuvillette stands there silently. It was a good thing the traveler left before they started talking; he would be caught in an awkward position.

"Do you know how lucky you were, Monsieur Neuvillette? I was locked away for 500 years. I could only talk to my people in dreams. I envy you for having Furina to rely on," Nahida glares up at Neuvillette. She may be small, the youngest archon, but she was the god of wisdom and knew to hit where it hurt.

"I will not excuse my actions. I was desperate to know her secrets, one I didn't even know she had. I was furious at the way she dismissed me when I confronted her about it," Neuvillette confessed as Nahida glared up at him. He didn't know why he was pouring out his feelings to this little archon, who was supposed to be his enemy...but she was the god of wisdom. 

"Your actions were wrong, inexcusable...and I disapproved of your methods," Nahida crossed her arms, still frowning up at him before sighing, seeming to relent. Her frown loosens as she outreaches her hand.

"But I can tell you are regretful of what you did." Nahida's voice contains a hint of sympathy for him. But Neuvillette didn't think he deserved it.

"Does it matter...? She never will want to see me again. That's enough of a punishment to me." Neuvillette's mind could only replay the last time he ever saw her. Even then, he couldn't bring himself to beg for her forgiveness. He didn't deserve it. 

"Hmph. If you are going to mope over it, how are you going get her to forgive you?" Nahida asks pointedly, as Neuvillette looks at her conflictedly.

"Do I deserve her forgiveness?" Neuvillette murmurs, but loud enough for the little god to hear. Nahida huffs at him.

"That is not for you to decide. It is Furina's choice. If she doesn't want to forgive you, it is her decision. If she wants to, it's still her choice to make. You can't make it for her," Nahida reprimanded. Neuvillette looks at her in astonishment but falls back into silence.

"Will you...allow me to see her?"

"What makes you think I'll stop you?" Nahida asks as Neuvillette blinks in surprise.

"It is your nation. I would think you wouldn't want me to appear before Furina yet. It seems you consider her a friend."

"I do. She and I are very similar. But you're wrong. I have no right to interfere in your relationship. I can only tell you what I think you should consider. I advise you to wait and let her heal. When the time is right, you can go and see her," Nahida explains as Neuvillette considers her words. The god of wisdom was right; Furina needed time and space to heal, not the man who hurt her and betrayed her trust. Neuvillette nodded in agreement.

"Thank you for your advice, god of wisdom."

"No problem. And don't worry, she will not get hurt in my domain. My familiars will watch over her."

"Thank you, for your kindness. But, I suppose this isn't the only thing you wanted to talk to me about?" Neuvillette says as Nahida smiles up at him.

"As neighboring nations, and with a shared agenda against the heavenly principles, I believe we have much to discuss."

"Sumeru is so pretty..." Furina whispers as she lies down on the grassy field, taking in the sights of Sumeru city from Pardis Dhyai as she feels the wind caress her. Fontaine was beautiful, of course. It had beautiful and clear lakes, rivers, and oceans with the most adorable of creatures, and its people's architectural structures were to be marveled at.

But the sight of Sumeru was so refreshing, so...unfamiliar. It should make Furina uneasy to be in a land she has never been too alone as without...she should stop thinking about home. Her eyes widen. 

Home. Fontaine was no longer her home, not after everything. She shouldn't be thinking about returning there. 

She closed her eyes as she thought of what had gone down weeks ago. She tried to push it all away, but how long could she ever run from it? He was right; all she did was to run away.

There was no point in ignoring the truth. Neuvillette had conspired against her the traveler, her friends, and Clorinde. 

They set up an elaborate trap to force her to reveal her secret. From the traveler luring her into the box, to accusing her of being a fraud, arranging for Clorinde to challenge her to a duel...Neuvillette present for the trial to begin without a chance for her to escape...and that primordial seawater test...

Furina exhaled deeply, her heart squeezing painfully. She was so, so scared. Navia from the Spina di Rosula requested for that test to be allowed and Neuvillette, knowing that she might dissolved, allowed it regardless. Even though it was diluted, they still manage to use it against her.

And he...refused to look at her...was he disgusted by her lies? Ashamed to be working with such a fraud for so long? For 400 years, she must have been a thorn in his side...

But still, wouldn't 400 years mean something to him? It was her, or Focalors who found him and brought him to Fontaine in the first place. And it was him that contributed to her downfall...The feelings of hurt and betrayal overflowed within her, the dam that suppressed those emotions broken as she acknowledged everything that happened to her bitterly. 

How could she ever forgive him? Furina did not know. She felt nausea even just thinking about it, the thoughts in her head leaves a bitter taste in her mouth. She swallows thickly, her heart beat erratic as she felt herself breathless.

But something was very, very wrong with her, she realises. Her abdomen hurts; initially, Furina thought it was a minor case of indigestion or a stomach flu, but the pain was pulsing through her body now, and she couldn't move because of the pain...

What was happening to her...?No...she only just got her freedom back! Things couldn't end like this...not without her living her life...she couldn't...

give up...

now...

Chapter Text

"Master! She is waking up!"

Furina blinks wearily as she hears a young girl's chirpy and energetic voice and the quiet sound of footsteps accompanying it. Where was she? Her vision was hazy and her head was pounding.

"No need to yell, Collei. My ears can hear very well. Now, help me fetch the ingredients I listed here. It would help her manage the morning sickness and other symptoms she might experience," a calmer, male voice speaks quietly as Furina attempts to get up. 

What was going on? Her body felt so weak like all the energy in her was sapped out.

"Are you alright, miss?" 

Furina raises her head to look at her benefactor. "Thank you so much...?" 

Furina's words were caught in her throat when she laid eyes on the person she was speaking to. She blinked her weary eyes, wondering if she was dreaming, or did this man had two long pointy, canine ears, and a big, fluffy tail. Wait, was he even a human? A long tail, and long pointy ears...was he an exotic animal native to Sumeru?

"No, I'm not an animal. I'm a Valuka Shuna, something akin to a kitsune from Inazuma," he explains patiently and kindly as Furina blushes in embarrassment. Was it that obvious? She felt so disrespectful now.

"Sorry..." Furina mumbles, but the Valuka Shuna waves it off.

"It's no big deal. It's not the first time people thought I was a rare, exotic small animal that could speak. My name is Tighnari. Right now, you are in Gandharva Ville, the main base for the forest rangers," Tighnari said in a kind tone. Furina nodded, not saying anything, still feeling very weak as she waited for him to continue talking.

"Now, you must take extra care of yourself, and try your best to not feel any strong emotions. And this is medication for you, to manage your symptoms..." Tighnari continues patiently as Furina looks at him, confused and worried.

"Am I sick?" 500 years of suffering, and she is ill, NOW of all times? Why was she so unlucky? Did she have a chronic illness? She feels bereaved by this piece of information; regaining her freedom only to be struck with an illness...

"Well, they are common symptoms that most women experience in their first trimester. I wouldn't be too worried but do try to be careful with yourself. " Tighnari answers patiently as Furina blinks at what he said. Did he just say the first trimester?

That was only a term ever used in one type of condition. Furina never thought it would happen to her. For the past 400 years nothing of this sort happened, so why now, when she is in this state?

"First trimester?" Furina chokes. 

"Ah, yes. I should have told you that first before rambling off about what to take note of. You are pregnant, and we found you passed out in the grass on patrol," Tighnari explains, seeming oblivious to Furina's growing shock.

"I...how could I..." Furina fumbles, her voice shaking, as Tighnari frowns.

"Please, do take care of yourself. Strong, negative emotions are not good for the child in your belly. It is very fortunate that both you and your unborn child are alright," Tighnari chided gently as Furina hung her head.

"When can you discharge me?" Furina asks, feeling numb again as she squeezes her eyes shut. Tighnari observed her thoughtfully.

"Once I can confirm your condition is stable and a check-up...you can leave. I'll leave you alone to rest up now. But if you feel any pain, just call for my name and I will come right back," Tighnari said kindly.  Furina buried her face in her hands as she cried when he was out of earshot.

She was pregnant. And there was zero question about who was the father of her unborn child.

What could she do? How could she be so careless? Granted, they never used protection in the 400 years they had been together, but she never once got pregnant...could it be because of the curse? Once the curse was removed, she was able to get pregnant? She felt so foolish now. Would he even want this child? Furina didn't know, and she didn't want to know. She cried silently, feeling even more hopeless as she curled into a ball.

"Furina? Are you okay? I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner...the Aranaras came to me, but I wasn't fast enough..." Nahida ran up to her, her eyes filled with worry as Furina shook her head, sniffing.

"I...overheard your conversation with Tighnari. I'm sorry," Nahida apologizes again as Furina shakes her head, trying to wipe away her tears.

"It's alright, Nahida..." Furina doesn't look at Nahida, not because she is angry, but because of the dread in her heart when she realizes she is with a child.

And not just any child, but a child of the hydro sovereign.

"The child...is it...?" Nahida did not have to say his name for Furina to know who she was referring to.

"Will you tell him?" Nahida asks. Furina doesn't respond immediately. There was no way she could tell Neuvillette right now. But she couldn't tell Neuvillette. There was no telling what he might have to say when it came to her unborn child; what if he wanted her to abort the child? She is entirely powerless against him. He was the Hydro Sovereign, now the sole ruler of Fontaine. She was the nation's deposed archon...what power does she have against him?

No. He can never find out this child.

"You can't keep it a secret forever..." Nahida warns gently, and Furina is reminded of her 500-year-long charade as a god, her deepest, darkest secret. 

Furina had just begun her new life, free of the burden she carried for 500 years. This child was given life at the most unfortunate of times and would be born into a relationship where his/her mother's and father's relationship was broken. Abortion was a simple answer to Furina's concerns. Furina wouldn't be burdened with a child; she could live her own life happily without one, and this child wouldn't have to grow up in an incomplete family.

But Furina loves this unborn child of hers. She wanted to bring this child into the world, love him/her and treasure them. She wanted to raise them with love, care, and the warmth she wished she had received. She wanted to be a mother. Abortion was not her answer to this.

"You love this child..." Nahida observes quietly as Furina giggles, still crying.

"Even though now is the worst of times for this child to come into this world, I will love it unconditionally," Furina rubs her still-flat stomach, feeling warmth and love in her heart. Nahida smiles at her.

But Nahida soon frowns, looking worried.

"But still, Furina...eventually, one day, he will find out," Nahida stated, looking a little terrified of the scenario coming through as Furina hung her head.

"I know that. But for now, I don't wish to tell him anything...he doesn't deserve it," Furina says bitterly as Nahida looks at her with surprise. Furina bit her lip. Perhaps she was being too selfish here. It was his child as much as it was hers. She knew he deserved to know. But she was angry and hurt. She also didn't know Neuvillette's thoughts on her unborn child...she was not going to take a risk at all. She made up her mind. She wasn't going to tell him, at all.

"Alright. But what are your plans from here?" Nahida asked as Furina blinked.

In learning about her pregnancy, she neglected one important thing. Furina was intending to travel across Teyvat, there was no fixed destination for her. But now...

"You can stay here in Sumeru," Nahida suggested. Furina cast a doubtful look as Nahida reassured her, "Fontaine may be Sumeru's neighbor, but the desert and ocean are separating you from them. I can help you with anything you need."

Furina considered that Silently. Sumeru was pretty big...but Nahida was so kind to her, even though they just met. Sure, Furina can tell this little god means no ill will, but why?

"Why are you helping me so much, Nahida? We just met..." Furina mumbles. She didn't understand how Nahida was so ready to help her, whom she just met. Nahida looks surprised, before giggling.

"This is nothing, compared to what you and Focalors have done for all of Teyvat. And, we're friends. Friends help each other, don't they?"

Friends. Furina couldn't say she had them in Fontaine; mortal lives were fleeting and passed in the blink of an eye, especially when you were cursed with immortality for over 500 years. Furina twiddled with her thumbs, taking in a deep breath before giving Nahida a grateful smile.

"Thank you so much for the assistance, Nahida. Do you know where I should stay? Sumeru City is nice, but..." Furina trailed off, unsure as Nahida nodded understandingly.

"I know the perfect place for you. But rest up, alright? Once Tighnari discharges you, I'll take you there. But first, I'll have to make some arrangements."

Neuvillette buries himself with work; Fontaine had escaped the fate of the prophecy and its people did not dissolve, but they still had to deal with the aftermath of the flooding. It was lucky that the people's hearts were not disheartened by the floods and that casualties resulting from the flooding were not as bad and still could be fixed.

Now that he was left in charge of all of Fontaine, he had much to do. Despite Furina's frivolousness, she still did her fair share of work. Now he had to do nearly twice more, but he was alright with that.

A distraction from Furina's absence in his life was...welcomed. Neuvillette had underestimated Furina's role in his life, very, very much. How much joy and laughter she brought into it; Neuvillette fully believes that Furina's 500-year act could not hold all this while...and he knows that she was always genuine to him.

"Monsieur Neuvillette. Forgive my intrusion and sudden appearance." A voice says, a little girl appearing before his desk. Neuvillette blinked

"Lesser Lord Kusanali?"

"My apologies, for the invasion of your office."

"It's quite alright. Why are you here all of a sudden? I may not know you well, but I believe you aren't the type to drop in so suddenly without warning."

Unless...warning signals flash in Neuvillette's mind.

"Did something happen to Furina?" Neuvillette asked urgently. Nahida shakes her head.

"No. She's fine. You should be more worried about yourself, monsieur. Did you sleep at all?" Nahida asks. Neuvillette feels himself get slightly embarrassed. He coughed.

"Fontaine may have averted the prophecy, but we still must deal with the aftermath of the flooding. I have been working tirelessly to resolve it quickly," Neuvillette said. Nahida seemed thoughtful.

"I see. Well then, I have a few propositions for you, Monsieur Neuvillette, to benefit both our countries. But first..." Nahida exhaled loudly as she looked up at Neu

"I came bearing a message for you. From Furina."

"What did she say?" Neuvillette asked, his heart caught in his throat. Nahida delivers the message, the words cutting deep into him.

"She said...she never wants to see you again. She wishes for you to never appear before her, never approach her."

Nahida's words, and Furina's message were like a guilty verdict sentencing him. Nahida bows, disappearing in an instant as Neuvillette hangs his head.

Thunder roars outside of the Palais Mermonia. The once sunny sky had turned dark with clouds, rain instantly pouring down on  Fontaine.

He was completely alone now, just as Furina was.

Tighnari had discharged her a few days after Nahida's visit, but not without warning her to take proper care of herself, if not for the sake of her baby. Furina had smiled at that; it was strange to be receiving care about her health from a stranger, even if it was from a healer. 

Furina had proceeded to meet Nahida at the entrance of Gandharva Ville, who had then brought her to Vimara village; a quiet little fishing village that was a few hours away from the main city by boat. It was peaceful and had few interruptions to their way of life, which made Nahida think it would be the perfect place for Furina to raise her child.

"I've prepared a nice little house for you here; don't worry about the costs,  just focus on resting here for now," Nahida told her kindly, Furina giving her a faint smile.

"Thank you, Nahida. But I couldn't possibly just live off your hospitality," Furina said as Nahida giggled.

"I know. You want to stand on your own two feet. Tell you what. You can work for me as a part-time arts coordinator in the Akademiya. Sumeru used to have its own distinct performing arts culture; some of them have been lost to time and are on the verge of being discontinued. I'd like your help in reviving them."

"Really? But I'm not from Sumeru," Furina hoped Nahida was not doing this out of pity for her. Could she be of help to Nahida? Nahida smiles at her.

"Just give it a try. You might find that you are better at it than expected."

"Alright then. I won't let you down," Furina agrees as Nahida grins happily, before hopping along towards the house she had prepared for Furina.

"Also, I'm planning to meet the Raiden Shogun from Inazuma. You know, the electro archon?" Nahida said as she pushed open the door into the house, Furina entering after her. Nahida had already arranged for it to be fully furnished, and Furina rather liked it; Nahida seemed to know her penchant for the color blue.

"I see. Is there something the matter?" Furina asked. Nahida nods.

"Yes. I want you to join us."

"Could I?" Would the electro archon allow that? Furina knows from hearsay that the Raiden Shogun was rather intimidating and had been an almighty warrior in the past(and still is, to this day).

"Of course! No matter what you think, you are one of us. You have our admiration!" Nahida says happily as Furina smiles, nodding at her. "I would be pleased to join, then."

"Wonderful! It's much harder to find the anemo archon and the geo archon though."

Furina furrowed her eyebrows. Wasn't the anemo archon asleep? And the geo archon is supposed to be dead...

"Oh, I heard that they are very much awake and alive. Both are just masquerading as humans in their own nations," Nahida explains as Furina nods, feeling a little shocked by it. Nahida smiles at her. 

"For now, just focus on settling down here and taking care of yourself and your unborn child. That is what's most important. Don't worry about anything else, just let me handle it."

~Three Months Into Pregnancy~

"Please, just call me Ei as you always did."

Furina was three months along when she first met Beelzebul, otherwise known as the Raiden Shogun and the Electro Archon, or as she preferred to be called, Ei. The incarnation of lightning was tall with a slender figure, her eyes an electric violet that Furina found to be very pretty. But still, she was afraid.

Where was Nahida? The little archon had yet to arrive, so she was stuck here alone...with Ei.

Ei was intimidating. Furina gulps, rubbing her stomach in slight fear and apprehension as Ei turns to her. Furina's lips pressed together, feeling all too nervous as Ei sat to her right on the round table set for a tea party for three.

"Focalors, you are pregnant?" Ei stated, soundly curious as Furina blinked, opening her mouth to reply meekly.

"Uhm...I'm not Focalors. My name is Furina, and yes, I'm pregnant."

"Furina...hm. I see that is how you prefer to be addressed these days. Then I shall concede to your request," Ei said with a determined nod as Furina blinked in confusion. Huh? 

"And congratulations on your pregnancy. I never thought you were the type to become a mother. How far along are you now?" Ei's voice was gentle. Furina was surprised by Ei's gentleness; behind the face of a warrior, she was a gentle and kindred soul...Furina smiles shyly.

"Three months."

"I see. Buer has told me, but I couldn't believe it until I saw you with my own eyes..." Ei said quietly, her voice nostalgic with a faraway look in her eyes. Furina wonders what Ei meant. Ei frowns at her, and Furina stiffens up. Did she say something wrong?

"Wait a minute. Do you not remember me?" Ei asked, looking a little...sad(?) as Furina nodded.

"I'm so sorry. I'm not Focalors, just her human version. Did you know her?" Ei looked surprised by her answer.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Furina. But why do you not think you are Focalors? You and her are not two separate entities. But to answer your question, I and Focalors/you knew each other since even before the cataclysm," Ei confirmed her suspicions. Furina widens her eyes.

"Really?"

"Of course, we were friends. Back when my sister was still the archon, I was her kagemusha, and you were Lady Egeria's most trusted familiar. During gatherings, while the archons would convene, their familiars would come together as well. Part of this group included Dvalin of the four winds and Azhdaha," Ei spoke, seeming a little saddened as Furina blinked. Who was Dvalin and Azhdaha?

"I see the two of you already met. It's so nice to meet you, Raiden Shogun," Nahida arrives, as Furina sees Ei nod at her.

"Hello Buer. Please just call me Ei."

"Okay! Then just call me Nahida."

Furina smiled at the two of them; somehow, she knew it was strange that she found kindred spirits and friendship in these two, but she never felt this...at peace. She was apprehensive at first, but now...she was rather pleased with the results.

~Eight Months Into Pregnancy~

"Have you decided a name for the child yet?" Ei had asked Furina. The both of them were watching on as Nahida attempted to stop Venti and Zhongli's bickering. After meeting Ei, Venti, and Zhongli, Barbatos, Barbatos the anemo archon, and Morax the geo archon, were invited to join them for their tea parties and picnics.

"Well...I'm not sure what to name her. No name seemed to stick..." Furina said with furrowed eyebrows. She caresses her baby bump; her child was a girl, according to the doctor. Ei smiles at her.

"I'm sure you will find one eventually. Ah, Dvalin, you are here," Ei notes quietly as the dragon descends behind them, his large body towering over them.

"Ei, Furina. Is Barbatos still clowning around with Lord Morax?" Dvalin greeted, looking rather done with (as much as a dragon's facial expression could show) his archon's antics. Furina smiles up at the gentle dragon.

Initially meeting Dvalin had scared her, he was colossal, after all; Dvalin the Wind Dragon. A gentle creature that was very fond of Furina, for reasons she guessed that he thought she was Focalors, his old friend.

"Venti is just being silly as usual. As much as Zhongli looks annoyed, I do think he enjoys Venti's presence," Furina says with a giggle as Ei nods in agreement.

"It is rather strange they do get along, seeing how they have opposing personalities. But I supposed opposites do attract and balance each other out," Ei said. Dvalin snorted.

"Barbatos would always bother Lord Morax to drink in the past. At first, it was just them, then your predecessors joined soon afterward. All 7 archons would gather in Liyue to have drinks, food, and entertainment together, Such gatherings also became a place for their familiars and companions to meet as well."

Dvalin was reminiscing about the past; Furina was still uncertain that she was Focalors; the other archons and Dvalin believed so. But why couldn't she?

"Azhdaha...it would be a complete reunion if he was here...but alas, he is no longer conscious," Dvalin's tone becomes more solemn and sad as Ei nodded.

"He was a gentle creature like yourself. It's sad to know he succumbed to erosion..." Ei murmured, looking a little distant now as Furina looked down. Azhdaha; Furina never got the chance to meet him because he was already gone. But from Dvalin and Ei's words, she was friends with him as well.

"BARBATOS! Give it back here, you bard!" Furina watches as Zhongli chases a flying Venti, who sticks out a tongue at him.

"Finder's keepers, Morax. You lost it, I found it. It's mine now."

"B-both of you, calm down...!" Nahida chased after them, looking worried as Ei sighed, shaking her head at the two.

But Furina merely smiles; she wishes for these times would never end...she looks upwards at the sky, a hand on her belly.

'Do you know? You are going to have the best aunts and uncles. They made my life so much brighter and at peace...you will be treasured,' Furina thinks to herself happily, knowing she wasn't so alone after all.

She has friends to fall back upon; archons to their respective nations, but for Furina, they were just her friends that would help her in times of need.

She wouldn't have it any other way.

Chapter Text

A young girl was watching silently as boats passed through her little village. She had been here all morning waiting for someone special to her to arrive. Her braided hair swished behind her as she counted the number of boats that passed through the little fishing village in an attempt to curb her anxiousness.

"She's not going to get here faster even if you squirm over there, Alette. Come now, don't stand so close to the water, what if you fall in and catch a cold?" the girl, Alette, heard her aunt Rana chid gently. Alette shakes her head.

"But this is the best spot to watch for the boats! What if I miss Maman's arrival?" Alette said with a pout as Rana sighed, knowing she couldn't convince the stubborn child otherwise. Alette watches as a new boat enters the little river that cuts in between their village; it is a small rowboat carrying some of the other villagers, to her disappointment.

"Is that Maman's boat?" Alette pointed eagerly at a second boat that entered the village; it was much bigger, with Liyuen-style sails and mast, so Rana shook her head.

"Nope, kiddo. Your Maman didn't go to Liyue this time."

"Aw..." Alette looked down at the ground with disappointment as Rana crouched down on the ground, patting her head.

"Your Maman did say she was only returning in the afternoon. It's only eleven. Perhaps we should go back and wait for her...you are sweating a lot, Alette. What if you get sick?" Rana asks, looking worried.

"Okay..." Alette said sadly, hanging her head when she spotted a figure waving energetically at them. Dressed in a blue Sumerian-styled dress with similar white hair as her, Alette instantly recognized her maman. Her eyes widened as she tugged at Rana's clothing and pointed at the waving figure.

"That's maman! Let's go!" Alette cheered as she ran towards the dock area, Rana running after her with a relieved smile.

"Maman!" the girl yells as Furina steps out of the boat, carrying a small suitcase in her hands, a wide smile plastered on her face as she catches sight of her darling daughter.

"Alette, mon trésor, my darling!" Furina exclaims. The little girl giggles as her mother sets down her luggage to pick up the five-year-old girl in her arms, giving her a tight hug, peppering light, loving kisses on her cheeks.

"Have you been a good girl to Aunt Rana?" Furina asks tenderly, pinching Alette's nose, who blinked innocently.

"I was the most well-behaved girl!" Alette boasted as Furina laughed. Rana walks up to the mother and daughter, grinning.

"Was she any trouble for you, Rana?" Furina asks her friend. Rana chuckled.

"This young one cannot keep still...but well, children should be allowed to play and have fun, no? She didn't wander too far this time around," Rana says fondly as she pinches Alette's cheek.

"Oh? Where did you run off to this time, Alette?" Furina asks, setting down her daughter as she picks up her luggage, the three of them walking slowly back to their little house.

"I went to find the Aranara! We went on an adventure to..." Furina watches fondly as her daughter rambles on about her little adventures with Nahida's familiars. Truth be told, she wouldn't have been so reassured leaving her daughter alone if not for the knowledge that those plant-like creatures, the Aranaras were always watching over her little Alette.

"Thank you so much, Rana, for taking care of Alette when I was gone," Furina thanked her friend, who waved it off. They had arrived at Furina's house in the village, and Alette had rushed inside the minute Furina opened the door. Inviting her friend in for some tea, Furina got to work on boiling some water as Rana helped her in preparing the snacks she brought back.

"Alette is a darling. But she missed you so much. Sometimes, she wakes up crying...it breaks my heart to see her like this..." Rana told her quietly, before looking up to the second floor, in case Alette was listening by the staircase. Furina frowned at what Rana said, feeling a little guilty now.

"I know...but I can't escape these trips..." Furina said, her heart feeling heavy as she thinks about the truth behind her trips; Rana was unaware she was the former hydro archon, and even more unaware of what she was doing with those trips in the first place. She didn't mean to hide things from people she cared about. Rana, her close friend who had helped her ever since Alette was born; and her little Alette, her treasure, the light of her world.

"But they are getting longer...a whole month you were gone. Alette was alright in the first few days, but she looked so miserable for an entire month. Is going back and forth from here to Sumeru City the best thing for Alette?" Rana asks, her voice gentle, but her words cut something deep into Furina's heart.

Furina grips the handle of the teapot tightly. Was she being ridiculous about it now? Perhaps she was too paranoid and just making life harder for her...

"But she will miss all of you..." Furina trails, knowing at this point, that the only person she was trying to convince not to move to Sumeru City was her best option was herself. Her trips have become more and more frequent and longer, and at one point, she was going to have to be there permanently...

Furina sighs. Rana was right. But how could she bring herself to leave the place she called home for five years? Vimara Village was warm, quiet, and accepting. Its people were like family, and Alette grew up happily here.

"This place will always be here, and we will welcome you back with open arms whenever you want to visit. We will miss you. How could we not? You brought so much laughter and liveliness when you arrived 5 years ago...But, Alette is your only daughter, your only kin. I'm sure you don't want to leave her on her own for too long..." Rana pats her friend's back as Furina sighs, knowing she lost this conversation when she hears the thudding of little footsteps.

"Maman, I washed my hands and changed my clothes! Can we have tea now?" Alette asks with a little curtsy as Furina laughs softly, patting her daughter's head.

"Yes, mon trésor, we can. Help Aunt Rana set the table, alright?" Furina gestured to the plates as Alette nodded with a big grin, laughing happily as she hoisted the plates towards the dining table, Rana carrying the snacks, not before sending Furina a knowing, soft smile.

Furina silently pours the hot water into the teapot before removing her apron, forcing away her thoughts on the previous matter.

No matter how she tried to reassure herself, she couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding in bringing Alette to Sumeru City; he had yet to step foot in Sumeru until now, but how could she be sure he would never? She couldn't take a chance and risk losing her daughter.

5 years should be nothing for Neuvillette; he was one of the oldest beings in Teyvat, and he had lived in Fontaine for over 400 years. But those 400 years were spent with her, and time felt so short, so, timeless, for that long period.

But the past 5 years he spent alone...Neuvillette sighed as clouds rolled over the city. The moment his mood dives, the weather reflects his emotions. It was an issue. It meant he couldn't dwell on that...trial and the prophecy for too long, lest he accidentally create a thunderstorm.

Fontaine was lucky enough to not experience daily thunderstorms and downpours for the past five years. It was in part thanks to Clorinde and Wriothesley's constant invitations to tea to distract him, as well as Wriothesley sending Sigewinne to pester him to rest, and the other melusines as well, for that matter.

But Neuvillette found the most distraction in his work. He focused intensely on getting Fontaine back on track. Discussions on trade routes from Caravan Ribat to the Romaritime Harbor, reforming the policies and laws of Fontaine, training others to take his place in the courtroom...he tried to immerse himself with work to not think about her.

Until one day Clorinde turned up with Wriothesley, who brought Sigewinne and her melusine sisters. Neuvillette was finally persuaded to stop his months of non-stop working without any sleep or rest by the melusines. Clorinde, Wriothesley, and those who worked in the Palais Mermonia, as well as others who contributed to the trial, were relieved when Neuvillette finally agreed to take a break.

Neuvillette had declined Wriothesley's tea sessions in favor of going to the countryside for a break after working non-stop for months. He remembers sitting in the field of golden grass, watching the water silently for hours.

It was where Furina and him first met. Neuvillette didn't know how Furina managed to find him or how she knew she had to find him and bring him back to Fontaine since she was not privy to Focalor's plans, but it didn't matter much how or why. He had only good memories of this place; untainted and happy memories of meeting her.

Furina. Neuvillette does not let himself indulge in thinking about her. He did not believe he was deserving of it.

It hurts to think of her. When Lesser Lord Kusanali delivered a message on Furina's behalf five years ago, he conceded to Furina's wishes. She didn't want to see him or hear from him and wanted absolutely nothing to do with him.

He lost her completely.

5 years without Furina was torture. Neuvillette thought he was incapable of feeling so much longing and sadness, but Furina, it was always her that made him feel human.

"But you never want to see me...I wished I handled it better..." Neuvillette hates himself.

Furina, his Furina...she loved him so much, the only reason why he was in Fontaine at all...why he was able to love humanity.

It was all her.

"Monsieur Neuvillette, are you alright? You have been staring off into space in this spot for a while now," Clorinde observes. Neuvillette turns to the champion duelist, who was with Miss Navia from the Spina di Rosula.

"Clorinde, and Miss Navia."

"Greetings, Monsieur Neuvillette. What had you in such a daze?"

"...Nothing. I was just...thinking about something," Neuvillette stated in a distant tone, looking sad as Clorinde cleared her throat.

"Wriothesley is holding a tea party soon. He insists on your presence, Monsieur. He told me to tell you that Sigewinne would be very upset if you don't come to this one."

"..."

"Alette, what do you think about going to Sumeru City?" Furina asked her child gently as she was tucking her into bed. After having tea with Rana, the forest ranger left to settle some of her own matters, while Furina spent a nice, quiet afternoon with Alette. She felt that now was the right time to ask her daughter's feelings on the matter, considering that she did have to eventually move to Sumeru City for her business.

Her daughter's purple eyes look up at her with curiosity.

"Sumeru City is that large tree, isn't it? And Aunty Nahida stays there!" Alette exclaims as Furina pats her head. Alette never met Nahida. Well, that was not entirely true if Furina considered the god of dreams entering her daughter's dreams to talk to her to be a meeting, but they have yet to physically meet in real life.

'Yes. Would you like to move there?" Furina asks gently, holding her daughter's tiny hands in hers, kissing them gently as Alette seems to think about it, before looking down. Furina waits patiently for Alette to say something, anything.

Alette shakes her head, a sniffle escaping her as tears run down her face. Alarmed, Furina took Alette in her arms, rubbing her back soothingly as Alette cried.

"But if I don't go...will I be left here? I won't get to see maman again..." Alette wails as Furina tries to soothe and reassure her, all the while guilt pooling in her heart. Alette heard her conversation with Rana. Her daughter was scared of being abandoned. Just like she was, over 5 years ago.

"Oh, darling..." Furina kissed the top of her daughter's head gently, holding her little girl in her arm so carefully like she was a fragile thing capable of breaking any moment.

"I don't have a papa. So I want to stay by your side, Maman..." Alette's little hands clutch onto the fabric of Furina's nightgown. Furina felt guilt swarm her again as she whispered soothing words to reassure her little mon trésor that what she feared would never come to pass.

Alette soon fell asleep in exhaustion from the crying. Furina sat there for a good while, holding her daughter tightly in her arms.

Alette was a curious child by nature. She was sweet, well-mannered, kind, but most of all, curious. Curious of things Furina could not explain to her or give her an answer to.

Curious about why she didn't have a father. Every other child in the village at least knew their father, be it dead, alive, missing, or went to get the milk. For Alette, her father's identity remained a mystery due to her mother's tight lips. But Alette was sensible and sensitive to her mother's emotions. The mention of her father would make Furina stiffen up and look close to tears...and that was why he was rarely mentioned in Furina's presence.

Furina stares down at her child. Her one light in this life of hers, her treasure. She always knew that moving to Sumeru City permanently was the only way to stay close to Alette, since she couldn't give up what she had been working on for the past three years.

Furina loves Alette so, very much. Nothing in this world mattered more to her than her little girl. So for her precious Alette to grow up safe and sound, in a world where she didn't have to fear anything, Furina made a decision three years ago that would have her divinity, Focalors, shaking her head in disappointment.

Furina was once Focalors but without her memories before the cataclysm and her divinity. Furina personally did not care about her divinity; she just wanted her memories back.

She huffed silently. Focalors was a mastermind; a truly devious and brave genius that dared to defy and lie to the heavenly principles...if she could do it once, she could do it again. She could help the rebellion against the heavenly principles.

From the fragments of the memories she had gotten back with help from Nahida and the Wanderer, Furina had been doing investigations in the Akademiya and across all of Teyvat. Minus Fontaine of course, Furina does not want to think about stepping into there at all.

Furina kisses Alette before leaving quietly to her room, her heart heavy. Three years ago, Nahida came to Furina with a proposition. Furina had already by that time shown great talent for planning and investigating during her time in the Akademiya as a part-time scholar, and that was why Nahida asked her to join the rebellion.

"Furina, what I ask of you next might be too much, but will you at least hear me out?" Nahida had asked one day during Furina's most recent trip to the Akademiya; she had come to drop off papers to Nahida and returned home instantly, but her friend's face that day told her she wanted to discuss something serious with her.

"What's wrong Nahida?" Furina asked as Nahida glanced around, seeming a little apprehensive, before turning to Furina.

"Mm..." Nahida looked unsure now, and Furina felt the need to comfort her. Nahida was 500 years old, as old as her, but Furina had at times thought her friend too childlike despite her wisdom. Nahida was too pure for this world; her child-like innocence made it easier for her to speak her mind, but still, even Nahida was sensitive to others' emotions, like any sensible, mature child would.

"I'm not going to be mad, Nahida. I promise you," Furina said encouragingly as Nahida nodded, seeming less uncertain as she summoned something in her hand.

"Furina, for the past two years...I have been working to piece together Focalors, your divinity, along with your past memories from before the cataclysm," Nahida said in one breath as Furina looked at her, stunned.

"What? But why?"

"Before the cataclysm, you/Focalors, according to the records, had followed Egeria for a long time. I thought you might want to know what your life was like before the cataclysm. And...I received this," Nahida held up a book, floating it over to Furina.

"What is this?"

"Well...Ei gave it to me. It seems it was meant for you," Nahida said, as Furina studied it carefully. Ei gave it to Nahida? And what was this, a diary? Furina realizes the book was locked with a magic spell, after trying to tug open the front a few times.

"So it doesn't open even if you touch it. I tried several spells to break it open, but it seems that the protective charm is more complicated than I thought. Ei found this recently and sent it to me. She said that after the cataclysm and before she went into isolation, you had gone to Inazuma and asked her to safe-keep it for you," Nahida said, looking stumped as Furina observed the book.

Ei had known her/Focalors for a long time and had implied they were once close in the past before the cataclysm; maybe that was why her diary was given to her.

"Did she say what I/Focalors told her? And why now?" Furina wondered. How did Ei know now was the time to give it back to her?

"She said you/Focalors told her this: 'Help me to safeguard this book, will you? When the day comes that Fontaine breaks free from the skies, please give this back to me.'"

Oh, so mirror-her basically told Ei to give it back when her plan succeeded. Nahida nods, looking impressed.

"Focalors, or you, was very confident that her plan would work. I know you have doubts that you are her, and I understand that. When you split yourself, are you truly the same being anymore? Are you two separate entities? Even I don't know the answer to that. Furina, do you feel like you are missing a part of yourself? Like you were incomplete?" Nahida asked.

Furina carefully considered Nahida's words. If so, why wasn't she as capable as Focalors in the past 500 years? Would she have attained divinity again if not for the curse? Did Focalors do that to prevent her from attaining divinity again?

She did feel like a part of her was hollow; like there was something she was missing. Furina had so many questions for her other self.

"I take it that the first thing you summoned in your hand is a fragment of my divinity?" Furina asked. Nahida nodded.

"I think Focalors, as selfless as she was, was selfish. One day, she would want to merge back with you, the body and spirit. But did you know Furina, how you/Focalors could be split into two in the first place?" Nahida asked as Furina considered thoughtfully.

Could divinity exist on its own? Furina remembered the first thing she saw, her earliest memories that that she woke up on the Opera Eiclese, close to the Oratrice. She then met Focalors through the mirror, and the rest was history.

The only thing she had was the prophecy...a memory.

Memory...memory...if she and Focalors were one and the same, she should have memories when they split. But she didn't have any, which means...

"When I spilt myself, Focalors must have gotten the memories. So..." Nahida nods at Furina, looking impressed by her answer.

"Divinity cannot exist alone. It had to be built on a conscious. Two things could be considered as a conscious. Spirit, and memories."

"So...with Focalors...or my divinity, are my lost memories..." Furina had so many questions now. For 2 years, she had only lived a quiet life in Vimara village with Alette, she never questioned how she/Focalors could even...spilt them into two in the first place.

"Focalors, your divinity, is dead. Or I prefer the term, shattered," Nahida explains.

"When Focalors enacted judgment on herself, what she did was shatter divinity with enough force to break the hydro throne in Celestia. Wanderer retrieved small fragments of your divinity a year ago. Since then, I've been working on them, hoping to piece enough a big enough fragment for you. If you want your memories back, that is," Nahida said with a smile.

Furina considers Nahida's words. She was curious; Focalors/her seemed to have intended for her to regain her memories, or at the very least wanted her to remember something that was kept in the pages of her diary.

But for the past 2 years, everything was so peaceful. Alette was growing well, she was happy and at peace here in Sumeru. What if regaining her memories would shatter her even more?

Nahida looks at her with concern.

"You know the risks. I won't lie to you, you might experience a mind struggle when accepting unfamiliar memories you cannot remember. But...if you can remember, it would be an even bigger help...against the heavenly principles," Nahida said solemnly.

Furina frowned. The heavenly principles...they were still a threat to all of Teyvat. If one person steps out of line, an entire nation may get burned to the ground. Celestia claims to love humanity...but it was only to fuel their ego, their need for control.

"What makes you think my memories might hold something that can be used to defeat the heavenly principles?"

"From secret records and what the other archons have talked about you in the past, you had incredible foresight. Not the astrological kind, but you knew the outcome. You always could deduce the truth from the strangest of hints. Even now, you are the same as described in the records," Nahida commented, giving Furina a knowing look. Furina blinked.

"Your memories...it might hold a clue to how to win against the heavenly principles. But, do you want to? You must consider carefully. You will be heavily invested in this, and there is no telling of the outcome..." Nahida said, Furina closing her eyes as she sighed.

"Nahida...in this world, Alette means the most to me. Her happiness, her safety. As long as the heavenly principles are in power, she isn't safe. I'm not safe. I want to help you, and I want to defeat the heavenly principles...if my memories could give a clue, then I'll do it," Furina agrees, holding out her hand as Nahida gasped at her, seeming shocked by her fast resolution.

"Furina...you are truly selfless."

"I am selfish. I want my daughter to live in a better world. The heavenly principles...they are not in that equation for the better world I envision," Furina said with a confident pose. Nahida nodded, walking over to Furina with the divinity fragment.

"Then, let us begin. Relax your mind. Clear it of thoughts, as though it is a blank slate, there is an empty box that..."

"Maman, what is that girl doing?" Alette points at a teenage girl behind a stand. Furina notes that the girl was talking to two cats perched on the stand, before turning to her customers. A fortune teller, it seems.

"Telling a fortune, it seems," Furina and Alette had just arrived in Sumeru City; within a week, Furina quickly found a nice house in the city for her and Alette, but not before bidding farewell to the villagers of Vimara village with a heavy heart. They had just arrived and were done unpacking, but Alette was still energetic and wanted to see the city; Furina decided to take her out for a stroll and find some lunch before they went over to meet Nahida for dinner.

"Ooh! Maman, can I? Please? Please?" Alette begs, and Furina considers for a moment before nodding with a grin. She supposed it wouldn't hurt for Alette to have her fortune told; most of the time, they aren't even real. 

Furina prepares the mora as Alette skips to the stand.

"Hm? Hello, girl. Do you want your fortune told?" the teenage girl asked in a mysterious voice. Furina thinks it's overkill; no one sounds like that normally, only a fake...

"Yes!"

"What prospects do you want to know?" The teenage girl asks Alette as Furina passes her the mora.  Alette seemed to consider this, thinking long and hard as Furina wondered what Alette wanted to know.

"I don't know. I guess anything will do. I just want to see if what you say will come true!"

Furina hides a smile at her child's curiosity; the teenage girl blinks in shock at Alette's answer, before resuming her confident and mysterious facade.

"Oho? I have a little challenger on my hands. Let me think...ah. What about your destiny prospects?" the fortune teller asked Alette but was looking at Furina for her consent. Furina nodded. It wasn't problematic and she would probably just say some nice stuff for Alette to hear, so she was alright with that.

"Do you want a reading on your destiny?" Furina asks Alette, who nodded happily. The fortune teller took that as a sign of consent and held out her hand to them.

"Hmm...The gods have spoken. The truth shall be revealed," the fortune teller says solemnly as Alette looks at her with wide eyes.

"Hm...? You'll soon meet a...dragon?" The fortune teller said, looking shocked as Furina felt her throat go dry.

What did the fortune teller just say?

"A dragon...who will bring you into a world you never knew. One that was kept from you, one that was your right from birth..." the fortune teller continues, looking confused as she scratches her head and stares at her cats. Alette looked at her with starry eyes. Furina did not share her daughter's wondrous look. All she felt was horror; her face turned a pale white as she took a step back, her heart beating erratically.

Dragon...a world Alette didn't know about...a world kept from her...her birthright...No, no, no! Furina's mind spiraled out of control. Did the fortune teller just foretold her daughter's destiny? How could it be? No...she refuses to believe it! There was no way it could be true...

"Really?" Alette asked excitedly, seeming to believe what was being told of her destiny was a good sign, oblivious to her mother's horror by her so-called destiny.

"Harut, Marut, are you trying to play a joke on me?" The fortune teller scolds her cats. Both were too busy with the strange fortune to notice Furina's extremely discomforting response to it.

What did it mean? Was Alette going to leave her? To go to...that place? Will she...

...will she meet her father soon? Furina shuts away that thought, trying to reassure herself with the facts. She and Alette were in Sumeru. He was in Fontaine. She wasn't leaving Sumeru, he was not going to leave Fontaine just yet. There was no way for them to meet...yes, there was no way...

'But what if there was? What would you do then?' a treacherous voice whispers in Furina's mind, and a cold sweat runs down her back.

Could she run away forever? Nahida had warned her a secret wouldn't remain a secret forever. Her secret was going to be outed one day, and she could only face it. But she didn't want to; she couldn't risk it, she couldn't lose Alette to...to...

"What else, what else! Tell me, Ms fortune teller!" 

"No, Alette. No more fortune-telling. Let's go now," Furina stops her daughter, her hand taking Alette's in hers tightly. Alette looked confused. Furina pulls Alette away from the fortune teller.

"But Maman...I want to know..." Alette looked at her sadly. Furina stiffened, startled to death by the fortune told, now on edge and in a very, very bad mood.

"No mean no, Alette! I will not have you listen to such nonsense." Furina raises her voice slightly, her tone stern as Alette immediately fell silent at her mother's words.

Furina rarely scolds Alette; in truth, it was more accurate to say, that Furina had never truly scolded Alette before. It was the first time Alette was being treated so sternly by her mother.

The mother and daughter pair walk in awkward silence amongst a bustling area of people. Walking a little helped Furina to let off some steam; guilt pooled in her heart as she realized how she treated Alette just now.

How could she ever yell at Alette? Ok, she didn't yell, but she never once raised her voice at Alette...her treasure, her precious girl. Furina turns to Alette but finds that the hand holding Alette's is now empty. It was like a switch was turned off in Furina.

She frantically looked around her surroundings, but not a single trace of Alette anywhere. "Alette? Alette!" Furina calls out, her voice hoarse as she realizes she lost her daughter in the busy crowd. The same cold feeling crawled across her skin; where did Alette go?! How could she allow this to happen?! If only she never raised her voice at her...never let go of her daughter's hand...never allowed the fortune telling in the first place...

"Alette...!" Furina cries out, her heart feels like it is about to burst out as her vision blurs. She stumbles, knocking into someone behind her. 

"Tch. You can never take care of yourself," a familiar voice speaks as Furina feels her body being supported by someone else and guided to a less crowded spot. Furina does not register who she is speaking to, her mind hazy from the minor panic attack she had.

"Take in a deep breath, and calm down. Why are you so worked up?" Furina's head pounds as she takes in a few deep breaths, finally registering who she is speaking to.

Wanderer. Furina wouldn't say she disliked him, but he wasn't very likable either. But now she didn't have a choice, and she would take any help she can get.

"My daughter is missing! Alette, Alette is missing...I lost her in the crowd," Furina explained quickly, her voice weak as Wanderer glanced behind him.

"You aren't going to be able to find her like this and not in that crowd. You nearly fainted."

"But Alette..." Furina protests as Wanderer holds up a hand to stop her.

"Let's go and find Nahida. She'll be able to locate Alette even faster than you could from just wandering in the crowd."

"But where is Nahida?"

"The Akademiya. Let's go."

"Alright, let's hurry!"

"..." Alette had never disobeyed her maman before. 

Alette only had her Maman; she never knew her papa, unlike most other children her age. Maman never liked any mention of her papa, and Alette learns to not pester maman about her papa, or her maman would cry herself to sleep at night for weeks.

"..." Alette walks towards the fortune teller stand.

Why did Maman raise her voice at her? Did Alette do something wrong? Why was Maman so upset with her fortune? It sounded so good to Alette. She would be like the heroes in the fairy tales maman read to her at night.

"Maman is angry at me...she will be so disappointed and angry with me..." Alette sniffles as she squats silently in a corner of the street, crying to herself as people walk past her, not noticing Alette at all.

"Are you alright kiddo? What's wrong?" Alette looks up in surprise as a man towers over her. She clamps her little hands over her mouth, terrified of the man who realizes why she now looks so scared.

The man bends down to her level as Alette shuts her eyes and looks away, still terrified of the strange man dressed in strange clothes. 

"Hey there, little miss. Sorry for scaring you, are you hurt?" the stranger asks, his voice friendly as Alette opens one eye to peek at him. Her voice trembling, she denied, "I'm not scared!"

The man chuckles. "Okay, little Miss Brave, why are you crying alone here in the alleyway?"

Alette puffs her cheeks at the man.

"My Maman says I shouldn't talk to strangers. Shoo!"

The man stares at her, looking stunned as he looks away thoughtfully, before turning back to her. "And where is your maman?" he asks with a knowing look. Alette sniffles at that question, starting to bawl her eyes out again. 

"Wah...!" Alette cries as the man, alarmed by her crying, attempts to comfort her." Okay, okay...don't cry..."Alette hides away from him, curling herself tighter into a ball as she hears more footsteps.

"Why did you stop here? A...girl?" Alette hears sharp clacking sounds against the pavement as she takes a second sneak peek. This time it was a lady dressed in similar strange clothes...and she didn't look too friendly either.

"Did you scare her?" the woman asks the man, who looks offended.

"No! She just started crying all of a sudden...I think she got separated from her mother."

"..." Alette watches the two strange adults timidly. Maman said never to talk to strangers but...what if they could help her find Maman?

"Are you alright, little girl?" the woman asks. Alette nodded, looking down at her feet.

"Could you help me find my maman? I promise I won't cry or scream at you..." Alette mumbled as the strange man chuckled. "Ok then, little miss. Now, can you stand up? Or do I need to carry you?" 

"Uh...I'll walk myself..." Alette stood on her unsteady, sore legs as she tried to dust off some of the dirt on her dress from sitting on the pavement.

"Do you know where she is?" the woman asks as she holds out a gloved hand to Alette, who looks at it unsurely. The woman had probably noticed her apprehension and clarified.

"I just do not want you to get lost in that crowd."

"Oh. O-okay," Alette holds the woman's hand unsurely as the man walks on her other side.

"Any clue where your maman might be?" the man asks.

"No..." Alette shakes her head as the woman holds onto her, and Alette looks up at the sky and at the Akademiya. A light bulb went off in her head.

"Ooh! I know...that place!" Alette points to the Akademiya, both strange adults looking in the direction she pointed in.

"The Akademiya?"

"My maman and I were going there...and my aunty Nahida works there!" Alette said cheerfully as both adults looked at each other and then back at her.

"What a coincidence, we were heading there too. Wait, where is Monsieur Neuvillette anyway?" the man asks the woman, who crossed her arms at him.

"Well, we were walking and then realized you were gone, so I went to look for you. He's gone ahead to the Akademiya already," the woman said as the man chuckled.

"What? You thought I'd get lost?"

"Yes. And you needed my assistance," the woman says as she glances down at Alette.

"..." Alette stares up at her wordlessly.

"It's very crowded ahead. Do you mind if I carry you instead?" the woman asks as Alette agrees, as the woman hoists her up gently with minimal effort. The man grins at him.

"Huh, look at you. I never thought you would be this good with children."

"I'm superior to you in this aspect, then."

"Ha!"

"..." Alette remains quiet as the two strange adults bicker as they walk towards the Akademiya; she supposes they were pretty funny, their arguing sounded more playful than serious...

Yes, Alette thinks they are okay people. A little strange and dressed in strange clothes, but they are okay.

Chapter Text

"Why are you here?!" Lesser Lord Kusanali gapes at Neuvillette, the displeasure on her face was an obvious indication of her disapproval of his sudden appearance here in Sumeru, he notes. 

 He knows it was very, very sudden and last-minute, not to mention discourteous to not give prior warning to the ruler of the nation before visiting, but he didn't have much choice either in coming to Sumeru. Given the choice, not coming at all would be his first option.

But as it stands, the situation has gotten dire enough for Neuvillette to take certain actions to curb it.

"I apologize, Lord Kusanali, for not notifying you in advance that I will be coming here today. However,  this is an urgent issue that I need to speak to you in person about," Neuvillette stated as Lesser Lord Kusanali's frigid look lessened at his words, clearly more willing now to hear what he had to say.

"What happened?" Lesser Lord Kusanali asks as Neuvillette begins to recount the strange series of events that has happened in the last week.

"A strange phenomenon is happening at the borders of Sumeru & Fontaine. Abyssal activity over on the desert side had increased significantly, while the waters of Fontaine on the border side have been tested to be contaminated by some strange energy."

"Is that so? That is cause to worry about...but why did you have to come personally?" Lesser Lord Kusanali questions with narrowed eyes as Neuvillette shakes his head.

"The most worrying thing is that people going through most of the travel routes from Sumeru to Fontaine at the border area have disappeared in the past week, and they reappear as...dead bodies."

"What?" Lesser Lord Kusanali squeaks in shock, her face horrified by the news. Neuvillette understood how she was feeling; they were the respective leaders of their nations. So, to prevent any more tragedies...he was going to investigate this personally. he has already closed off the borders and issued a warning to his citizens. But even then, it was only a temporary measure.

"I came here to inform you of this as I thought you deserved to know the full situation. There has to be some Abyssal operation happening there, and I need your help in investigating it."

"Alright, thank you for telling me...I had no idea. For now, I'll send out people to block off that portion of the desert...we will discuss this again tomorrow. Let me make preparations first..." Lesser Lord Kusanali agreed as Neuvillette nodded.

"I've brought two people along to help...they should be on their way here, but any further discussion will wait tomorrow."

He brought along Clorinde and Wriothesley with him for this trip; for Clorinde, it was because...well, she was a champion duelist and she was his direct subordinate. For Wriothesley, it was a matter of selecting a second person who could deal with the delicate nature of this event.

There was no doubt what they might discover in this investigation required high confidentiality. For Neuvillette, that meant selecting trustworthy people and people with high tolerance to strange phenomena.

"I'll make arrangements for your accommodations," Lesser Lord Kusanali offers as Neuvillette waves it off politely. 

"It's quite alright. I already made arrangements myself," he did foresaw the likelihood of this investigation taking a while; though Neuvillette would prefer to return to Fontaine as soon as possible.

It did not sit right with him to stay in Sumeru for a prolonged period, for certain...reasons.

"I see. Then, excuse me. I have other matters to attend to," the young god says, not rudely but not quite polite as well as she walks towards the door when it flies open before she has the chance to reach it.

"Hey, are you in here? Lesser Lord Kusanali?" a boy walks languidly into the office, shouting for the little god who frowns up at him.

"Hat guy, we have a guest...." The lesser lord gestures to Neuvillette, before turning back to the boy to give him a frown, but the boy scoffs at him. Neuvillette raises an eyebrow. What was his problem?

"Monsieur Neuvillette, right? Hat Guy."

"Nice to meet you...Hat Guy," Neuvillette wasn't sure what kind of name was Hat Guy, but he didn't comment on it. Hat Guy doesn't say much more to him, turning to Lesser Lord Kusanali.

"What's wrong, Hat Guy?" Lesser Lord Kusanali asks as Hat Guy shakes his head.

"Just come with me," Hat Guy's eyes dart from the Lesser Lord to Neuvillette and back to her. Neuvillette frowns. Was there something Hat Guy didn't want him to find out? His behavior and body language were certainly strange and indicated something suspicious.

"Okay..." The lesser lord looked confused as the two of them exited the office, walking off in another direction as Neuvillette walked to the entrance of the Akademiya, intent on leaving when...

"Nahida! Wanderer found you! I..."

Neuvillette froze in his spot at the sound of her voice. It's been 5 years since he last heard it, but it was like only yesterday that she bid him farewell with it. No, wait. She didn't even say a single goodbye. He turns around, his breath hitches when he lays eyes on the figure speaking to the Lesser Lord;  it is Furina.

Furina looked...unrecognizable. Her hair which was cut short after the trial was now longer and tied into a bun. She no longer donned the trendy, fashionable Fontainian clothes that had frills and lace all over. Instead, she wore a simple, elegant Sumerian-style dress in her favorite shade of blue. She was just as lovely, just as beautiful now as she was in Neuvillette's memory from five years ago. 

Furina had not noticed Neuvillette. Lesser Lord Kusanali had glanced at him before turning her full attention to Furina. The way the little god looked at him was clear; make himself scarce before Furina sees him. 

He feels sadness overwhelmed him; how could he dare to approach her now? He can only gaze at her from afar, for that is what she wanted of him. Never see, never hear from him again. Her last message to him.

Neuvillette turns away from them. It's better to leave now before she sees him. She didn't want to see him or hear from him...and even if he wanted to go to her now, he would put her wishes first before his own.

He walks slowly towards the doors of the Akademiya when it opens automatically to reveal Clorinde and Wriothesley with a little girl. Neuvillette blinks at them in surprise, looking between the three.

"Who is this child?" Neuvillette asks, as Clorinde and Wriothesley stare at each other then down at the girl, and then finally at Neuvillette.

"..." The girl silently stares up at him from Clorinde's arms. Wriothesley coughed, looking like he was about to laugh.

"We found her alone on the streets. She got separated from her mother, so we brought her here...she said her aunt Nahida works here," Wriothesley said with a shrug as the little girl hopped down from Clorinde's arms.

Neuvillette stares silently at the girl. Why does she seem so familiar? White hair with purple eyes...just like, his? The girl stares at him as well, looking curious, before breaking out into a smile filled with curiosity and wonder.

"Mister, you have the same eye color as me!" The girl points out as Neuvillette smiles at her.

"Why yes, it seems...what is your name?" Neuvillette squatted down to look at the little girl, who giggled.

"My name is Alette! What about you, mister?" Alette? That sounds like a Fontaine-style name. It was a nice name. "My name is Neuvillette."

"Nice to meet you, Mister Neuvillette! What about those two strange adults? Are they your friends?" Alette points to Clorinde and Wriothesley, who in particular looked silently offended by the term, 'strange adult'.

"Hey! I'm not a 'strange adult'...and my name is Wriothesley, this is Clorinde. In all that commotion, I forgot to even introduce myself..." Wriothesley rolled his eyes good-naturedly at Alette, who giggled. Neuvillette smiles at the little girl; he hadn't felt this at peace in ages. Perhaps that was the wonder of child-like innocence.

"Lady Furina?" Clorinde whispered. Neuvillette is instantly reminded of who was only a few meters away from him, but he couldn't approach her now, or ever again.

Alette turns around as well. Her eyes instantly lit up as she ran towards the other group, Neuvillette watched on, not quite processing what was happening until...

"Maman!" Alette yelled as she ran towards Furina, who immediately noticed the little girl running towards her. Neuvillette feels his breath hitched. The Fontainian endearment term for mother, Maman.

"Alette!" Furina held out her arms and instantly took Alette into her arms, hugging the child so tightly as she cried. Mother and daughter stood there as Furina comforted her daughter, oblivious to who else was watching on. 

"Monsieur..." Clorinde's usually composed voice falters, her impassive face was one of shock and perplexity. Wriothesley frowns, shaking his head as he looks away.

"That child looked so familiar, she is..."

"..." Neuvillette just stood rooted at the same spot, staring at Furina and Alette. His heart hammers in his chest as his throat goes dry.  

Alette just called Furina Maman. Furina was holding Alette so tightly in her arms, as if she lets go she might lose her child forever. Alette who had the same purple draconic eyes as him, a dragon sovereign.

Clorinde and Wriothesley turn to stare at him now.

5 years ago...no, for 400 years...and now...

Lesser Lord Kusanali and Hat Guy meet his eyes. In Hat Guy, he understood the young man knew as well. In Lesser Lord Kusanali, he saw her terror of knowing that he pieced it all together. She knew it all along.

He would honor and put Furina's wishes before his own. But why...just why...how could she not tell him about this? About their child?

And finally, Furina raises her head, and her eyes make contact with his for the first time in five years. Her eyes widen as she looks away, Neuvillette feels the surge of his power as he rushes forward and grabs onto Furina, ignoring the yells from Clorinde and Wriothesley, as well as from Lesser Lord Kusanali.

"Mister Neuvillette? Why did you grab my maman?" Alette asked, looking confused as to why he was holding onto her mother's free wrist, as well as how he managed to move over so quickly. Neuvillette smiled bitterly as Furina looked away from him, still holding onto Alette, who now clearly sensed something was wrong with the atmosphere.

"Alette," Neuvillette said gently as Furina flinched at his voice. Neuvillette turns to Lesser Lord Kusanali, who seems just as terrified as much as Furina and doesn't want to look at him.

"I need to speak with your maman alone. Could you wait with Lesser Lord Kusanali?" Neuvillette watches as Alette, his child, his daughter considers that before looking at her mother, who was staring at the ground in silence.

"Maman...?"

"...Go with Aunty Nahida, Alette. Don't worry," Furina snapped out of her trance-like state to soothe and reassure her daughter, though her body was trembling as she hugged Alette before Alette ran off to Nahida, who gestured to Hat Guy to follow her.

"..." Neuvillette holds on tightly to Furina as he watches Nahida take his daughter to someplace else with the others to distract her and keep her occupied, waiting until they completely disappear from view.

"Stand up, Furina."

Furina doesn't so much as move or respond to him. Neuvillette's eyes darkened, his anger rising as he pulled her by force into the office Nahida and he was talking in just now. Furina said nothing as he slammed the door behind them, him towering over her as Furina silently stared at the ground.

"Look at me."

"..."

"Furina, look at me," Neuvillette grabs Furina by her shoulders, crouching down to look at her in the eyes. Furina looks at him wordlessly.

"When you left Fontaine without telling me, I was so worried...but I didn't follow you because you needed space, I wanted to respect that," he croaks out.

"Then Lesser Lord Kusanali brought me a message saying you never wanted to see or hear from me ever again...I accepted that too. But why? Why did you hide Alette from me? Why FURINA?" Neuvillette's voice trembles but Furina still doesn't respond.

"Alette grew up without a father for five years...because I didn't know. Because you never told me. Why does she have to suffer for something that wasn't her fault? Say something, anything. How could you do this to Alette? To ME?" Neuvillette wants an answer. She was angry at him, and rightfully so after he tricked her into a trial. But THIS...how could she do this to him? Deprive him of the right to know his child?

"..." Furina doesn't say anything still; it was slightly unnerving for Neuvillette to see Furina so unresponsive...was this her true nature under all those dramatics and hysteria Furina pulled in her act? Or did he do this to her...

"Furina...I'm begging you, please, just please..." give me an answer, Neuvillette begs. But Furina remains unresponsive, her eyes hollow and downcasted, her body frozen like an ice statue that could break if not careful. Neuvillette kneels to her as she instinctively turns her eyes away. 

Why didn't she want to look at him? Did she hate him enough to deem him an unworthy father? Even so, she should never deprive him of the right to know Alette. Neuvillette thought at the very least, Furina knew that he deserved to know the existence of his child...that he wanted Alette. A tear slips from Neuvillette; hatred at himself for tricking Furina into a trial and treating her so cruelly during it, anger at Focalors for the intention to set Furina on trial in the first place, and finally, anger at Furina for hiding his daughter away from him for so many years.

"...Alette isn't yours," Furina finally spoke, opening her eyes and looking straight into his as she told this lie straight to his face. Neuvillette looked at her in shock. The shock turned into anger as Neuvillette grabbed her wrists and pinned them to the chair. Furina whimpers from the pressure he was exerting on her, her eyes downcast, and Neuvillette she was lying to deflect him. Again.

"Did you just try to lie to me?" Neuvillette hissed. Furina had lied and distracted him with well-thought-out lies and excuses for 400 years, but Neuvillette could accept her deception as part of the plan to save Fontaine...but this? This was not something he could excuse.

"How could she not be mine? Think very carefully about your next words, Furina."

"400 years. We never had a child in those 400 years. What makes you think Alette would be yours?" Furina said with a scoff as Neuvillette laughed bitterly. She had no intention of giving up, but this was Furina he was talking about. Furina was stubborn and would never yield; as seen in her trial.

"Your immortality curse was removed 5 years ago. The curse could have suppressed your ability to get pregnant. It's the most plausible answer."

"And that's why she cannot be yours. We didn't do anything after my curse was lifted." Neuvillette unconsciously tightens his grip on Furina in his anger. He spoke his next words in a low and dangerous tone.

"She has my eyes, no one but a child or descendant of mine would have eyes like those. And to further support my claim..." he continues quietly, releasing his grip on one of Furina's wrists to trace her lips.

"The last time we had sexual intercourse was only days before your curse was lifted. We can even verify further with Alette's birthday...and you'll have to list out who else could be Alette's father...do you really want to do this, Furina? Just say that she's mine." Neuvillette practically growls as Furina looks away, knowing she lost.

"So what if Alette is yours? Why would that change anything?" Furina asks in a hollow tone as Neuvillette stares at her in disbelief. Why would that change anything...why would that...how could Furina even think that he would care?

That was the last straw for Neuvillette, the polite, patient Iudex of Fontaine.

"...I DESERVED TO KNOW, FURINA! I'M HER FATHER...AND YOU KEPT HER FROM ME FOR YEARS," Neuvillette yelled, and Furina stiffened. He rarely, if ever, yelled.

"Alette was fatherless for 5 years...5 YEARS, FURINA! Even not for me, think about her! How could you be so selfish?"

"Selfish?" Furina parrots as she stands up from the chair, walking away from Neuvillette.

"Selfish? I was selfish? I was trying to PROTECT HER," Furina hisses, her eyes blazing as Neuvillette stares at her sternly.

"Protect her from who? Or what?" 

"Protect her from my past. Protect her from Fontaine's judging of how she is a child born from their new ruler, the hydro sovereign, and their deposed, disgraced hydro archon," Furina said emotionlessly, moving further away from Neuvillette.

"Protect her from the knowledge that her father schemed against her mother to pry her secrets, forced her into a trial, humiliated her, and declared her guilty! Protect her from her father who watched silently as her mother was nearly executed!" 

Furina yelled in a voice filled with bitterness as Neuvillette stiffened. It all circles back to the trial. The damned trial; the one Focalors always intended to happen to fulfill the prophecy...Neuvillette wordlessly stood across the room from Furina.

"You want to be in Alette's life? Why don't you try to explain all of that to her first? I don't want Alette to grow up in a broken family and pay for our mistakes," Furina cried, her voice in agony as she collapsed on the ground. Neuvillette silently walks to the crying Furina, a dull pain throbbing in his heart as he kneels to her.

He reaches out a hand, one that Furina smacks away before it can touch her.

"...Don't touch me," Furina said in a choked tone, tears streaming down her face as Neuvillette silently watched her.

"I meant it when I said I didn't want to see or hear from you ever again," Furina spat out in a venomous tone as Neuvillette gritted his teeth, now reminded of Lesser Lord Kusanali's silence on this matter as well.

"I respected your decision for 5 years. Did you respect my right to know my child?" Neuvillette demanded as Furina looked away at the ground, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"You don't have any right to know Alette." Neuvillette raised an eyebrow at her words. That was very untrue.

"All laws in the 7 nations, including that of Sumeru and Fontaine state that both mother and father have equal rights to the child unless one of them gives up their parental authority or commits an act such that they will lose said parental authority," Neuvillette stated sternly as Furina falls silent, her lips trembling at the reminder.

"You doing this in a transgression against the law. You may lose all parental authority over Alette if I choose to pursue this matter." Furina's head snaps up at that, her eyes cold with fury.

"You want to take Alette away from me?" Furina asks in a low tone, her face red with unconcealed furiousness, her voice shaking as Neuvillette instantly regrets his words; he had no intention of doing so, it was never his intention to do that. All he wanted was for Furina to understand he had an equal right to know Alette...and she couldn't stop him.

"No. I would never do that to you," Neuvillette said softly, calming down slightly. He is still very much furious about Furina's deception but he manages to compose himself a little; saying things he did not mean may just further aggravate his very delicate relationship with Furina. Furina's glare does not subside.

"What do you want then?" Furina asks, her tone cold, her eyes looking at him with suspicion. Neuvillette looks away. As much as he wished it possible, reconciliation with Furina was unlikely...and it was a hard pill to swallow.

"I know I have no more right to be in your life anymore. What I did hurt you immensely...and I was blind to your suffering for hundreds of years," Neuvillette stated solemnly as Furina stiffened at his words. They had never fully talked about the trial. Furina had just walked out of his life without so much as a warning or a goodbye, and Neuvillette never got the chance to attempt to reconcile it with her. But 5 years gone by and Furina was still very hurt over it; and rightfully so.

But if they just had the chance to talk about it, would things be different? 

"I just want to be able to see Alette frequently. Or, if you would allow, let her stay with me as well," Neuvillette added quietly. 

"And if I say no?" Furina asks, a faraway look in her eyes as Neuvillette deflates at that; would she do this to him? Deny him the chance to know Alette? To be a father to her?

"...As much as I hate to admit it, I was wrong to keep Alette from you," Furina says quietly as Neuvillette blinks at her in surprise.

"I will allow the first one...But the second request is a no," Furina said, looking neither too pleased nor upset by her choice. Neuvillette doesn't smile either. It wasn't the ideal solution, but at least he could be in Alette's life, and by extension, Furina's, even if it meant to her, he would just be Alette's father, and not her lover. 

Furina writes something on a piece of paper and gives it to Neuvillette.

"What's this?"

"My home address. Come tomorrow evening. We'll have a lot to explain to Alette...and to discuss which days you want to visit as well as how many days you can visit," Furina states quietly as Neuvillette looks down at the address.

"...Alright," Neuvillette agrees as Furina nods at him before walking off, probably to get Alette as Neuvillette stands there in complete silence for a good while.

Their relationship had truly deteriorated to the point of no return. Not once in the 400 years they spent together before...all of the prophecy events had caused their relationship to deteriorate until this stage, and Neuvillette mourns it every time he is reminded of their relationship. Yes, he never could fully understand Furina, her thoughts, or her actions. At times, he found her to be too hysterical and an annoyance...thoughts he finds himself now to be guilty of after knowing the full truth.

"Monsieur Neuvillette?" Clorinde and Wriothesley poke their head into the office, their faces ones of concern and disbelief.

"Wriothesley, Clorinde," Neuvillette turns to his subordinates, who look at him with worried gazes.

"We saw Lady Furina pick up Alette and leave...but you were nowhere in sight. So we came to look for you. Is Alette...?" Wriothesley asks, the question incomplete but Neuvillette knows what he is asking about.

"She is my child. Please do not speak a word of this to anyone," Neuvillette requests, even though he knows Wriothesley and Clorinde would never blabber. The both of them nod as a third figure appears at the door. Neuvillette narrows his eyes at her; Lesser Lord Kusanali looks at him with a mix of regret and disappointment.

"Lesser Lord Kusanali," Neuvillette greets, his voice a little cold as Lesser Lord Kusanali nods at him.

"Monsieur Neuvillette, I understand you are upset...and rightfully so."

"You helped Furina hide Alette from me," Neuvillette states, anger seeping into his voice as Lesser Lord Kusanali shakes her head.

"Yes, I did. But I was only trying to look out for Furina's best interests...I admit, she should have told you about Alette eventually. Furina was utterly heartbroken by what you," Lesser Lord Kusanali glares at him before looking at Wriothesley and Clorinde, and then back at Neuvillette.

"And they did to her. She had already suffered alone for 500 years, but you made it worse by tricking her and treating her so cruelly during her trial. She felt like the whole world was against her, and the one person she thought she could rely on, the one person that had her full trust, and the one person she was the most real with...did all that to her. She tries to hide it, laugh it off, or even deny her emotions...5 years did nothing significant to mend the wounds you all caused..." Lesser Lord Kusanali said as she glanced at  Clorinde. Clorinde looks away as Neuvillette wonders where Lesser Lord Kusanali is going with this.

"But I will help you, for Furina's sake," Nahida said quietly, looking away Neuvillette looked at her, confused.

"But why? And how?"

"Because Furina is my friend, and she is suffering. If you reconcile with her, she can put it all behind her. And as for how...I'll have my ways. You just need to be patient and treat her delicately...do we have a deal?" Nahida offers her tiny hand to Neuvillette, who takes it almost immediately without hesitation.

"Deal."

Chapter Text

Furina sat alone in the darkness of her living room; her body was rigid as stone as she slumped against the back of the sofa.

"Maman..." Alette tugs at the fabric of her mother's sleeve. Furina snaps out of her trance-like state to look at her child, who is peering at her with worried eyes. Furina gives Alette a small, barely there smile as she gently caresses the top of her daughter's head, trying her best to hide the chaos in her heart.

"What's wrong, mon trésor? I thought you went to sleep," Furina asks in a soft tone as she pats the seat next to her on the couch. Alette hops up beside her, snuggling close to Furina as mother and daughter sit there in complete silence for a few seconds.

"Alette?" Furina asks quietly, with no immediate response from her child as she turns to the side to look at her daughter. Alette looks at her quietly, as Furina wonders why her daughter was being so mysterious today.

Ever since they returned from the Akademiya, Furina made sure to keep up her calm and happy facade in front of her daughter throughout the rest of the day; she did not want to cause unduly worry to Alette, who seemed to believe everything was alright when they left the Akademiya.

But now...

"Maman, is there something bothering you?" Alette asks, her voice shaky. Furina's heart felt even more turbulent at her child's question and trembling voice as if her daughter dared not ask her mother. "Why so, my darling?" Furina asks with half-lidded eyes and a sad smile. Alette looks down at her feet, lips trembling.

"What did you and Mister Neuvillette talk about? Why did he look so mad at you? Why does he have the same eyes as me?" Alette asks a barrel of questions so fast and sudden that Furina feels her heart stop at them, the smile on her face dropping instantly the moment Alette brings up Neuvillette.

It was like she was standing on an unstable platform that crumbles beneath her, leaving her to fall into the Abyss the moment Alette asked about Neuvillette. A single tear falls from Furina's cheek. What should Furina tell Alette? What could she even tell Alette?

That her father had caused her mother to lose everything? Or that her mother kept her a secret from her father for years? Two wrongs never make a right. Neither were things Furina wanted to tell her daughter, who was still innocent and free of the world's troubles. Even if only for a few more years, Furina would protect her child from this cruel world.

But she was not afforded that precious amount of time to protect Alette from the truth any longer. "Maman?" Alette hugs Furina, her tiny arms encircling her mother's waist as Furina pats her head, her laughter choked as tears run down her face.

"Darling, Maman's fine," Furina tries to reassure Alette, who sniffles into Furina's dress, not saying anything as Furina pats her child's head, her heart sinking as she realizes that she couldn't do anything to protect her child from the truth any longer.

Neuvillette knows the truth; Furina was warned that he would learn about Alette one day, but she didn't want to listen, and now she had no choice but to bear the consequences of her mistake.

"Alette, what do you think of Mister Neuvillette?" Furina asks softly, her voice strained. Even though she and him had their issues, there was no reason for Alette to suffer because of their broken relationship. She knew deep down that she was at fault for keeping father and daughter from knowing each other, and Alette deserved a relationship with both of her parents.

Furina lavishing her child with love and attention could only do so much to fill in the void of a father, and that was something Furina wished she had considered before deciding to keep Alette a secret from Neuvillette. The only thing to do now was fix her mistakes, even if it hurt her to let him back into her life.

"Mister Neuvillette?" Alette asks her mother, who nods at her. "Yes, darling."

It was the only path forward now. How far could she run from him? What lengths would he go to just to find them? Furina considered making a run for it with Alette, but she knew it wasn't the right or best choice to make when considering Alette's well-being and life for the future.

"...Is he the reason why Maman is sad?" Alette asks, her voice tiny as Furina shakes her head gently, hoping her child will not catch on to the broken state of affairs between her parents.

"Do you like him?"

"Mm, he's nice and gentle, why did you ask Maman?" Alette asks, not a single hint of suspicion on her face as Furina bops her daughter's nose, her heart feeling a little tighter. Of course, Alette would think that way; Neuvillette was always described as the ideal father by the Melusines, whom he shared a special bond with.

"Mister Neuvillette will join us for dinner tomorrow."

Because Furina would have to tell Alette the truth tomorrow. Alette’s reaction to the news was one Furina fears; would Alette hate her? Would she cry and deny her mother for keeping her father from her?

"Really? That nice mister is joining us tomorrow for dinner?" Alette asked looking excited as Furina nodded, a sad smile plastered on her face. Alette always enjoyed having guests over for dinner, but she didn't know the identity of the man who would join them tomorrow...or his connection to them.

"Darling, it's late," Furina said softly as she bundled up her child in her arms. She didn't want to think about this for a second more; Alette snuggled into her as Furina carried her to her room, kissing her tenderly on the forehead as she tucked her child into bed.

"Rest well, my little treasure."

The next morning, after Furina drops off Alette to her classes, she goes to the Akademiya for her work. Her feet felt heavy as she practically dragged herself to the House of Daena. There was a chance Neuvillette was here...along with the other two he brought.

Clorinde and Wriothesley. Furina did not acknowledge their presence yesterday when she found them with Nahida, Alette, and Wanderer, but understood from Alette's word that it was them who found and brought Alette back. A part of her is grateful to them for saving Alette but for the most part...

Wriothesley wasn't a member of the group of people that helped to plot a trial against her; Furina does not hold any ill-will to him she feels rather sympathetic towards him after witnessing his trial years ago. Furina remembers leaving the trial early because of how upsetting his plight was. For some strange reason, Wriothesley had been giving her copious amounts of high-quality tear for years after he became the administrator of the Fortress of Meropide. It was strange, but Furina still accepted the tea nonetheless in the past; he had good taste in tea, anyway.

But Clorinde...Furina frowned as the thought of her former guard entered her mind. For years, Clorinde stood by side and protected her loyally, until the trial. It leaves a bitter taste in her mouth every time she thinks about it, and she couldn't bring herself to see Clorinde the same way ever again. She ignored her former guard when she attempted to visit her after the prophecy was proven to be untrue because she couldn't stand the feelings of hurt she felt when Clorinde drew her sword against her.

Furina figured both of them, as well as Neuvillette's presence in Sumeru, meant something urgent and tragic enough had happened for him to decide to leave Fontaine with two of the most trusted subordinates he has. Unfortunately for her, his impromptu appearance caused her entire life which she had painstakingly built for 5 years to come crashing down.

"You're late." Furina gives Wanderer a resigned smile. Despite his accusingly phrased comment, it wasn't said with any mean-spirited or malicious intent. He had witnessed the scene yesterday, and perhaps he was feeling sympathetic towards her, with an unrecognizable gaze in his eyes. He sighed, before shaking his head.

"I thought you would call in to rest today."

"No reason to put work on hold," Furina said simply, not quite understanding where Wanderer was going with this. He snorted. "Your child's father just appeared and your entire life for the past 5 years is in shambles. I think it's reason enough to not come to work." Furina stiffens.

"Why do you care?" Furina asks, her eyes narrowing. Was he trying to pick a fight? Despite his annoying comments from time to time, Furina quickly learns that Wanderer is not a malicious person. Nahida had told her before that Wanderer had a difficult past, and to an extent, Furina sympathizes with him even though she does not know his circumstances.

They weren't nemeses, but they weren't friends as well. Wanderer looks away from her, muttering quietly, "I just don't understand why you are alright, I suppose."

Furina looks at him with surprise. "Did you think I would be broken by this?" It almost sounds like Wanderer cared about her emotional state. Wanderer gazes at her unsurely.

"It's not like I don't know you were once the hydro archon or the fact that you were put on trial by the Iudex of Fontaine. And yesterday, I pieced together that he is the father of your child. I just don't get why you would forgive him...he turned against you and caused you to be deposed from your role. I think you were right in hiding your daughter from him," Wanderer said, an uncharacteristic seriousness in his eyes.

Furina was astounded by Wanderer's words. She wasn't shocked Wanderer knew she was the former (fraudulent) hydro archon, or that he knew Alette's parentage from just yesterday's events. It was just...Wanderer agreed with her decisions? He sympathized with her plight. Those were new, as well as him talking to her about anything outside of work.

"I didn't forgive him," Furina said, looking away as she heard Wanderer scoff.

"Maybe not, but you are on the way to forgiving him for what he did to you." He had pointed out as he sauntered off, Furina frowning as she ran after him.

"I'm not," Furina insisted, but her voice faltered as Wanderer shook his head.

"You shouldn't forgive him that easily. Betrayal is not something that should be taken lightly; it has serious trust consequences..." Wanderer said with a faraway look as Furina watched him silently. It was as if he was speaking from experience, the same distant look in his eyes as hers.

"No matter what, he is still the father of my child...that is one fact I will never be able to deny." Furina knows she was wrong to take away his right as a father, so she would allow him that much. Neuvillette deserves to know Alette as much as she should have been allowed to meet her father.

"But I suppose you are doing this for Alette?" Wanderer asks, an uncharacteristic look of softness on his face as Furina nods.

"My daughter comes first. Any issues we have will have to come second," Furina states, as Wanderer raises an eyebrow at her words.

"Interesting, though I can't say I would agree. Whatever, this is not my problem; let's just get to work. We don't have a lot of time today," Wanderer said with a sigh as he pushed open the door to the lab, Furina entering after him. Furina frowned at his words.

"Are you sure? The entire day was set aside specifically for us to work on restoring a portion of my memories..." Furina said with a sigh, looking disappointed as Wanderer shook his head.

"An urgent matter came up. It has to do with why those Fontainians are here," Wanderer spoke, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Really? Are you involved in it as well?"

"Nahida asked me to."

"I see." Furina falls silent, her afternoon now completely free as Wanderer shrugs.

"Don't worry, your afternoon is not going to be a complete waste. Nahida wanted to clue you in on the matter as well. She has reason to believe it has to do with you."

"Me?" Furina blinks at that. Wanderer nods.

"I doubt she will ask you to go to the place to investigate. From what she knows, an abyssal operation is happening there. But the situation is more grave. The Fontainians reported people had disappeared mysteriously and showed up again by the borders dead. Nahida believes that the abyss is stealing people's life forces for some operation," Wanderer said solemnly as Furina's eyes widened in shock. People are dead? Furina feels sorry for them and their families...but why did this have to do with her?

"But why does she think it has to do with me?" Furina asks, confused. Wanderer shakes his head, not privy to Nahida's reasons either.

Though they started to restore her lost memories from her shattered divinity, Furina did not regain much; the memories were too fragmented to piece together a full memory, much less restore everything to her.

The only thing she remembers was a memory of her sitting in an unfamiliar room writing something furiously, with various contraptions around her, much resembling some of the tech that could be found in Fontaine now. Even then, it wasn't particularly helpful. They couldn't find the location of the place in her memory, so Furina and Nahida decided to try to restore more memories until they had a full clue...till now, they had no luck.

Furina sighed when she heard a knock on the door. Furina opens it slightly to reveal Nahida on the other side.

"Nahida?"

"Furina, Wanderer."

"Why did you come here?" Wanderer asks as Nahida enters the lab, turning to look at the two of them.

"To inform Furina of what I found out," Nahida said as she turned her bright eyes to Furina, who looked at her blankly.

"Furina, do you have your diary book?" Nahida asks as Furina nods, taking it out to give to Nahida, who frowns as she observes it.

"What's wrong?" Furina asks, worried. Did her diary have something to do with the abyssal operations?

"The seal on the book... it's exactly as what was described by a survivor of the incident..." Nahida murmurs, looking conflicted as Furina gapes at her in horror.

"The same seal on the book...on what?" How was she connected to the spooky events?

"A locked door in a hidden area of the Vourukasha oasis. The survivor said that they were conducting a...ritual in front of it. I presume it's to break the seal..." Nahida said, looking confused as Furina gaped at the book.

What did she do in the past? What kind of seal she did place on her diary and that door that required human sacrifice? Furina was utterly horrified. Nahida shakes her head, looking at Furina with sad, gentle eyes.

"It's not your fault, Farina. Most seals are like this. Fulfill the requirements set by the caster, or break it by force using...less ethical methods," Nahida said, her voice tinged with sadness as Furina gritted her teeth. It still wasn't right. She had to get to the bottom of this, it was still her fault to begin with

"Let me join, Nahida," Furina asks, immediately making up her mind as Nahida looks up at her, concerned.

"But...this investigation will be conducted with Monsieur Neuvillette and his subordinates. Are you truly alright with that?" Nahida asked her eyebrows furrowed as Furina nodded. If it was anything else, she could care less about it...but this had to do with something she/Focalors had left behind before ascending to Archonhood...as well as her past.

Her mysterious past; the only memory before...before her 500-year act as archon, was her first and only meeting with her other self, Focalors. It was strange she had no memories of her/Focalors' life before Archonhood; why were they missing? Who was she before becoming Furina?

She wanted answers.

"Alright. Then I suppose we should discuss this with the Fontanians," Nahida said quietly as she walked out, Furina falling silent as Wanderer grunted.

"Are they already here?" Wanderer asks, crossing his arms as Nahida turns around, nodding.

"Yes. So we can start discussing now. Time is of the essence, so come along now."

"Why is Furina here?" Was this Lesser Lord Kusanali's attempt to get them to reconcile? Neuvillette couldn't say he was fond of her methods; aside from the fact this was a serious matter that was causing unrest in both Fontaine and Sumeru, Neuvillette did not like the idea of Furina going for a dangerous investigation like this.

Furina had a strong will and mind, but those qualities were hardly enough in a dangerous setting involving the abyss, where danger lurks in every corner. Neuvillette frowns, but Lesser Lord Kusanali does not acknowledge the disapproval on his face.

"Because this matter involves her. You said that the witness saw a seal like this, right?" Lesser Lord Kusanali shows him, Clorinde, and Wriothesley a sketch of the seal that fits the description given by the witness moments before his death.

"It is indeed as the witness described," Neuvillette agreed. From the descriptions of the witness, the abyss operation was casting a powerful spell using the life forces of the people who were unlucky enough to be caught. For the reason why they were doing this, Neuvillette speculates that it is to break the seal.

"You probably concluded why the abyss order needed human life forces to cast a powerful spell," Lesser Lord Kusanali said as she walked over to Neuvillette, who immediately responded.

"To break that seal. I just don't understand why the Abyss wants to break that seal..." it was rather confusing for Neuvillette. What did the Abyss Order want to get from that seal so badly? Neuvillette is no stranger to Abyssal operations but this...this was a complete mystery to Neuvillette. 

He supposes he will only get answers by going there himself.

"But...Lady Furina. Why is she involved?" Clorinde asks quietly. Neuvillette detects worry in her voice, and he completely understands her concerns. How could he bear to see Furina in possible danger? What if she got hurt, or worse? Neuvillette feels his throat tighten as intrusive thoughts of various scenarios flood his brain.

"Furina casted that seal," The Lesser Lord stated as a hushed silence fell on the room. Furina casted that seal? Neuvillette could not believe it; what was Furina hiding, again?

"But she doesn't know what that seal is protecting either," Lesser Lord Kusanali continues as a baffled silence spreads through the room, as Furina coughs awkwardly.

Neuvillette blinks in surprise. Huh? Furina cast the spell but she didn't know what it was protecting? Furina was also visionless and did not have the means to cast a powerful spell such as this seal. None of it added up, but Lesser Lord Kusanali wouldn't mislead them either, or let the blame fall on Furina...

"To clarify Nahida's statements, the seal should be cast by me before my...around the time of the cataclysm," Furina said, her words careful, all eyes turned to her.

"The cataclysm?"

 Neuvillette has heard about the destruction of Khaenri'ah. 500 years ago, Khaenri'ah fell, and 4 of the 7 archons died. He is unaware of what happened during the conflict, but he knows it was by the order of Celestia, the Heavenly Principles for Khaenri'ah to be destroyed.  The reasons why? Neuvillette didn't know, but given the overly inflated egos of the usurpers, he could guess that it was for a so-called 'sin' the Khaenri'ans committed.

"Yes."

"Forgive me, Lady Furina, but why did you cast the seal?" Wriothesley asks as Furina turns to him with an awkward look. 

"Ah...I don't remember," Furina admits quietly, exhaling loudly. Neuvillette frowns. Was she hiding something again?

Was he really that untrustworthy in her eyes? At that moment, Neuvillette realizes how little he knows Furina. Her life before playing her role in the 500-year act, the loneliness and pain she suffered for those 500 years...the endless secrets that she keeps. Did he even truly know her, or was it always the mask, the facade that he had known for the past 400 years?

How much of it was real?

"Monsieur Neuvillette, what do you think?" Lesser Lord Kusanali asked as Neuvillette swerved his head to her, feeling a little spooked by the sudden address from the little archon. 

"Monsieur Neuvillette?"

"Ahem, sorry. I missed what you said," Neuvillette apologizes as Lesser Lord Kusanali raises an eyebrow, before nodding.

"The site of the Abyssal Operation is somewhere in Vourukasha Oasis.  The problem is infiltrating the operation and stopping it safely. Any thoughts on the infiltration, Monsieur Neuvillette?" 

Lesser Lord Kusanali asks, hands on her hips. Neuvillette considered Lesser Lord Kusanali's question carefully. Other than stopping the abyssal operation, it would be a good chance to interrogate the Abyss Order Denizens as well.

"Given this is a matter that requires high secrecy, the number of personnel involved should not exceed the people in this room," Neuvillette points out as the Lesser Lord nodded.

"Given that most of us can wield the elements, we should be alright, but Furina can't..." Neuvillette trails off, unsure as the room falls into an uncomfortable silence. His eyes instantly turn to Furina. The lady in question skewers him with a cold glare, her arms crossed, an indication she is not pleased by the meaning behind his uncertainty.

The tension in the room seemed to only build up more as the meeting progressed; and at this very moment, it was like it was about to boil over the pot. Neuvillette furrowed his brow; he did not mean to say Furina was weak or worse, useless. No, he could never think of her that way.

To him, Furina was stronger and braver than he could ever be. She had willpower that exceeded that of most humans, a mind strong as a steel trap, a true archon till the end to the end of time. She was everything to him, she was someone to love, praise, and admire, deserving of that power.

"I have a solution for that," Neuvillette corrected him quietly, as all eyes turned to him again, with looks of curiosity and confusion. Neuvillette closed his eyes for a brief moment, before opening them to look directly at Furina. Furina stares at him with clear confusion as a soft ball of light appears in front of her, a translucent ocean blue gem set in a clamshell metal frame falling into her outstretched hands, everyone else in the room is looking at the scene in front of them in shock and wonder.

"..." Neuvillette watches as Furina examines the shiny jewel with bewilderment, though he detects a hint of excitement in her before she turns a suspicious gaze to Neuvillette.

"This vision..." Furina's voice was cold as Neuvillette prayed - to whom, he did not know, for who could a Dragon Sovereign pray to? The Usurpers? - she would not outright reject his gift.

"Celestia does not have dominion over Hydro any longer. But why did you give this to me? Visions are meant for those with strong ambitions," Furina asks quietly, holding it out to Neuvillette. She refused to look at him as if requesting him to take it back.

Neuvillette shakes his head. "It's yours to keep and use. I will not take it back."

He was determined of that much. Furina deserves it so, and it was long overdue; who else could he share his power with, if not the one person in the world that made it all possible?

"Spare me your sympathy, Monsieur Neuvillette. I have no need for it," Furina scoffs as Neuvillette gazes at her quietly. He half-expected this reaction. Her words stabbed at his heart; sympathy? Did she think he did this out of pity? Never, never  would he dare pity on Furina. 

To him, Furina was owed an immense debt of gratitude and apologies. For her 500 years of sacrifice, her unwavering devotion to her people, for the pain she was put through, for the lack of care he gave her for the past 400 years...

"It is not sympathy. It is neither a gift nor a reward. It is what is rightfully yours," Neuvillette stated, as Furina gazed at him unsurely, unsure if his words were the truth or a lie.

"At the very least, keep it with you during the investigation. It will help to protect you," Neuvillette just wanted to ensure Furina had the means to protect herself. How else could he otherwise ensure her safety?

"Fine," Furina agreed quietly as she thrust the vision into her pocket. Neuvillette feels a sigh of relief overcome him; at least, she accepted it in the end. 

"Then I believe we should move back to the topic of the infiltration. It would be best to set off as soon as possible."

"Tomorrow would be a good time to set off for the Desert. Investigating immediately will prevent the operation from proceeding even further," the Lesser Lord suggested. Everyone nodded their heads in agreement, as Neuvillette looked to Furina discreetly, a look of worry on her face.

Was she worried about this infiltration? A small part of Neuvillette hopes she will back out and not subject herself to such unnecessary risks. But her worried look turns into one of bemusement as a contemplative look falls on her face.

"...So there's that. We will meet back at Caravan Ribat tomorrow afternoon and head out from there together," the Lesser lord confirms the details, effectively ending the discussion as the room falls into another awkward silence. 

"I'll leave first, Nahida. Nilou is expecting me," Furina said quietly as Lesser Lord Kusanali nodded at her. Furina rushes out without another word as Hat Guy snorts.

"She's sure in a hurry to leave," Hat Guy said in a lazy voice, his line of sight trailing towards the two Fontainians and the Hydro Sovereign.

"Where did Furina go?" Neuvillette asks though he wonders if this would count as intruding onto her life. Lesser Lord Kusanali turns to him, her bright eyes shining with understanding.

"To conduct some business on my behalf. She's been a terrific artistic consultant for Sumeru's developing art scene. Bringing back the performing arts from the desert and the forest that were lost to time..." Lesser Lord Kusanali said, her voice filled with admiration as Hat Guy shook his head at her.

"You got off topic again."

"Oh, did I? Hehe, I supposed I did." The pleased expression on Lesser Lord Kusanali indicated otherwise as she turned to the three of them.

"Monsieur Neuvillette, despite the grave circumstances of your visit, why not take the chance to look around the city? I'm sure you wouldn't want to stay all cooped up here or in the hotel until tomorrow."

"..."

Chapter Text

"Furina! Over here!" Nilou waves at Furina enthusiastically. A small smile made its way to Furina's face as she caught sight of her friends. Despite the recent string of events, seeing them brings her a little comfort. They were a reminder of the good, peaceful life she led in Sumeru for the past 5 years, a part of her life that she cherishes dearly.

"About time ya got here!" Dehya grinned at her as she patted the back of Furina's shoulder. Dunyarzad giggled from behind them, holding her arms to Furina, who immediately accepted the hug. The warmness of the hug makes Furina feel slightly more at ease; she feels herself relax into the hug, and for a moment, she feels respite from the troubles she has been facing for the past few days.

"It feels like ages since we last saw each other. How is everything?" Dunyarzad asks as Furina breaks away from the hug. The smile on her face freezes, threatening to undo itself at the harmless, well-meaning question.

"It's...alright," Furina said with a distant look in her eyes, her tone a little detached. The other three looked at her in surprise. It wasn't like her to be so distant from them.

Her friends were a part of this life of hers that she treasured so much; though she never told them of her former role as the Hydro Archon, Furina does not keep up a mask with them like she once did in her 500-year-long act. They treated her with sincerity and kindness, so how could Furina dare to give them back any less than what they had given her?

"Sounds like something happened," Dehya said casually as put an arm around Furina, guiding her around the Grand Bazaar. Furina glances around the area. In recent years the Grand Bazaar has become something of an unofficial gathering ground for the arts, a festive center where the Desert Dwellers and Forest Folks could meet, gather, and connect to celebrate with song and dance.

Nahida had expressed interest in saving the history and culture of both the desert and the forest; both of which were lost to time. Furina had been all too willing to help Nahida. She was provided refuge and friendship by the little archon, so the least she could do was to help her friend in an area where she was an expert.

Granted, she was Fontainian, not Sumerian, and had to do research and much investigation to find practitioners of arts lost to time; she helped to give artistic direction in the various festivals that Nahida brought back and was often the brains behind most of the operations.

She was finally needed, she had a purpose.

"Ran into issues when moving here from Vimara Village? Oh, and how is Alette? I thought we get to see her..." Nilou asks, looking a little disappointed that Alette isn't here. Furina smirked. Her friends adored Alette, Nilou especially. Furina never took Alette to the city, but her friends would often visit her and Alette in Vimara Village.

"I think you miss Alette more than me, Nilou."

"Hehe, Alette's such a cute child! You know, everyone here wants to see her. They are all very curious about your beloved daughter," Nilou said with a smile as Furina blushed.

"Yes, yes, I know how adorable Alette is. I'm her mother. Of course, she's cute," Furina said with a smug grin. Dehya lets out a guffaw at her silliness, clapping at her back.

"We know, you are very proud of having an adorable kid like Alette. Who wouldn't be? But hey, now is the perfect time for the whole crew to get together again. Cyno and Tighnari are back in the city."

"They are? That's rare." Tighnari was her attending doctor throughout her pregnancy, and Furina had formed a friendship with the forest ranger during that period, as well as continued that friendship well after Alette was born.

Cyno was the second person of the entire crew she had met after Tighnari. She had first met General Mahamatra himself at one of his visits to Tighnari and Collei at Gandharva Ville; it wasn't long until after that she had worked as the arts coordinator then she began forming a friendship with Cyno himself.

"Everyone is coming here for lunch! It would be great if Alette could come as well," Nilou said, as Furina considered. Well, she supposed she could pick up Alette early from class today. The rest of the afternoon was free, and she should introduce her daughter to her other friends. That being said, Furina had to ask them for a sudden favor.

"I was planning to pick up Alette after lunch but...I can go and pick her up before the lunch. Everyone can finally meet her! Oh, and...I have a favor to ask of you Nilou," Furina looks away nervously, feeling a little guilty about imposing on her friend this last minute.

"It's a little sudden, but could you take care of Alette for me for the next few days?" Furina asks hesitantly. Rana was in Vimara Village and on such short notice, there was no way to bring Alette there and give the rundown of the circumstances to her friend in time before she had to leave.

"Of course!" Nilou had immediately agreed to her request, looking a little excited as Furina held back a big sigh of relief; that was one issue tackled.

"But, this isn't quite like you to ask of something as important as this so last minute. Did something bad happen?" Nilou probes gently with worried eyes, her initial excitement fading away. Furina falls quiet. It was uncharacteristic of Furina. Despite her very spontaneous personality, Furina plans; she wasn't someone who left things to the last minute, especially when it was matters regarding Alette.

But what could she tell Nilou? That her former Iudex, her ex-lover came here and caused her entire life for the past 5 years to unravel and crumble in a single day? The one to set her on a trial that caused her very undoing, her fall from grace, but also gave her the salvation she had been waiting for, releasing her from the torturous 500-year act as archon?

How could she tell her friends that her past had come back to haunt her, the memories she tried so hard to suppress became all the more vivid the minute he came back into her life. That she was a disgrace, a villain in the history of Fontaine in the eyes of the people? An incompetent archon that was never revered or respected, just a jester, the entertainer for the people?

She tried her best to hide it all; she didn't want pity from her friends, she didn't want them to know the skeletons she kept in her closet.

"Some last-minute Akademiya work," Furina stated with a strained smile, as Dehya raised an eyebrow.

"You don't mean the recent string of events happening at the border, do you?" Dehya asks, her voice skeptical as Furina gapes at her in surprise for a moment, before quickly composing herself. News spread fast, Furina thinks to herself, but she shouldn't be surprised Dehya of all people knew. Furina nodded as Nilou gasped, while Dunyarzad had an equal look of horror on her face.

It seemed everyone already knew, so Furina guessed she could skip the explanations.

"But why? It's dangerous Furina. People have mysteriously died for no reason. I know you work for Lesser Lord Kusanali closely, but you were never on the investigative side of things."

"Yes, I know...but this is something I have to do," Furina stated, her voice cracking ever so slightly. Dunyarzad and Nilou exchange concerned looks with each other, as Dehya stares at her silently. Furina knows they would try to persuade her otherwise. They were good friends, they cared about her well-being.

"Besides, I have this," Furina gently takes out the vision she was given. It was cold to the touch, but it made Furina feel a flurry of emotions. She had always wanted control over the elements. But this came from him, and she should not have accepted it. It only gives another reason for him and her to be connected again, and she will be reminded of him if she keeps this vision with her.

Against her better judgment, Furina accepted it. She knew he was right. Without control over an element, without a vision, she could not defend herself if something bad were to happen. She feels frustrated whenever she thinks of the conversation she had with him over this vision. He knew exactly what to say to persuade her otherwise, to accept the vision.

'He just wants to keep you safe', a small part of her reminded Furina. A part of her that acknowledges Neuvillette's care towards her, conflicts with the side of her that had years of bottled-up resentment and anger towards him.

"..." Furina does not say anything as her friends gasp at the vision.

"That's so amazing, Furina! But it seems different from regular ones..." Her friends studied the vision intently, looking at the object with amazement.

"I am a Fontainian, so the frame is different from Sumerian Visions."

"I've seen Fontaine visions before, but this...it feels different." Dehya plucks out the vision from Furina's hand, inspecting it with a scrutinizing frown before handing it back to her.

"Does it?" Furina asks, looking down at the vision. It was granted by the Hydro Sovereign himself, so perhaps it was different from other visions. Appearance-wise, the difference from other ordinary visions was the 4 claws holding the shiny gemstone in place; dragon-like claws, to be exact.

The power of hydro. How did visions even work anyway? Furina saw many vision holders in her 500 years, how adept they were in wielding the elements effortlessly in battle, melding them to suit their needs and fighting style.

"Why don't you try with the fountain first? I'll help to guide you," Nilou offers as the four women turn to the fountain behind them. Furina holds out the vision in her palms, concentrating on the vision as she follows Nilou's instruction.

"..." Furina closed her eyes as she focused on the energy that was surging through her veins; it was as if the rivers and seas of Teyvat were pulsating through her, resonating with her deepest desires, like she was on the edge of a cliff, about to freefall into the ocean...

"...!" The loud rush of water made Furina open her eyes, her mouth gaped open as she stared at the fountain. The gurgling fountain that was like a little stream was starting to spew out water everywhere, jets of water shooting off as everyone scrambled to get away from the out-of-control fountain.

"Whoa! Watch out!" Dehya grabs Furina and pulls her to the side just as a torrent of water shoots at the spot she was standing, nearly missing her by a few inches. Furina steps away warily from the fountain. The water spews from it rapidly compared to the gentle gurgling of water during its normal state, but it wasn't as bad as the brief eruption just now.

Nilou and Dunyarzad ran over to them, having checked up on the other Grand Bazaar people who were within the vicinity of the fountain.

"That was so terrifying, but amazing as well! I have never seen anyone with this much affinity for hydro or any element before," Nilou said, looking at Furina with amazement. Dehya nodded, clearly impressed by Furina's strong affinity to hydro.

It made sense when you considered Furina is in fact a humanoid oceanid. Oceanids were pure hydro energy creatures so they would have more affinity for the hydro element, wouldn't they?

Furina stowed the vision away immediately, partially because she was afraid that the longer she held it, the fountain would explode again. Dehya grins at her. "Don't worry. Practicing will help you get used to it and gain greater control over the element. We'll help you." Dehya motioned to Nilou, who nodded.

"Thanks, this means a lot to me," Furina said, patting her pocket lightly. Her friends smiled at her as they started to walk through the grand bazaar again, now discussing their lunch plans.

Furina smiles to herself as she walks with them. Her life was different now. She fell from grace and lost her purpose, her place in Fontaine. But she found a better, happier life for herself in Sumeru. She has friends to depend on, who care about her.

She only hopes that this peaceful way of life will never change.

"I can't believe her, this is her scheme to force me to socialize..." Neuvillette hears Hat Guy grumble under his breath. He was annoyed that Lesser Lord Kusanali saddled him with the task of entertaining the visiting Fontainians, as well as of the opinion that it was to force him to socialize.

"Don't be so Cyno-nical, Hat Guy," General Mahamatra Cyno said with a straight face. Neuvillette was introduced to the leader of the Matra by Lesser Lord Kusanali, who had requested him to serve as a guide for him, Clorinde, and Wriothesley around the City alongside some of his colleagues and friends.

"Can you please, stop? My ears cannot take it any longer..." Forest Watcher Tighnari groans at his friend, looking positively done with his weird statements that Neuvillette did not understand either. His long pointy ear flopped down as if he was in physical pain.

Neuvillette stares at the trio of Sumerians with mild interest. He had seen his fair share of humans, but these three were by far the most interesting bunch that he had met.

Every time Cyno said something strange, it would be followed by an action or statement from Tighnari that would indicate something Neuvillette believes to be akin to annoyance or exasperation. 

Hat Guy was more silent, preferring to silently skulk behind them with the occasional grumble about Lesser Lord Kusanali's 'scheming'.

"Sumeru has some interesting characters," Wriothesley commented with a little chuckle, looking rather entertained by their new acquaintances' little quips and banter. 

"They certainly have been good hosts to us so far," Clorinde agreed. Cyno suddenly stops, pointing towards a downward slope that leads into the large tree of Sumeru City.

"The Grand Bazaar is underground of Sumeru City, down this path," Cyno explains as he walks in that direction, everyone else following him. So far, they were given an extensive tour of the Akademiya before being brought to Treasures Street, and now they were heading for the Grand Bazaar.

As the door swings open to reveal a blinding light, Neuvillette notes the increase in noise levels as they enter the Bazaar, as well as the startling amount of people in the crowd.

The area was also heavily decorated, with much song and dance by the people that Neuvillette could assume a festive mood was in full swing.

"It's more crowded here than usual," Cyno comments, looking positively puzzled by the large crowd.

"So this crowd isn't normal?" Wriothesley asks Cyno, who shakes his head.

"No, it's usually less crowded, but a festival is happening soon, so I guess there is a festive fever across the city," Tighnari said with an irritated frown, his ears flopping down as he used his hands to muffle his ears further. "It's so loud in here."

"I'm sure Nilou would have earplugs for you. Let's go to the center stage, our friend Nilou should be there. She's quite a famous dancer here in the Bazaar," Cyno said as he pointed at the open stage in the center of the Bazaar. The group navigates their way to the stage, pushing their way gently through the crowd. Cyno looks around the vicinity of the stage, turning back to them with a frown.

"Strange, I don't see Nilou anywhere. She should be here though. We were supposed to have lunch with them," Cyno crosses his arms, looking around just as two women ran up to them.

"Cyno, Tighnari, there you are. Finally, you are here just in time. And these are...?" The lady with yellow cat-eyed pupils turns to Neuvillette, Clorinde, and Wriothesley with mild curiosity. She eyes them up and down, no doubt confused by their attire that was foreign to Sumeru.

"Meet Dehya and Dunyarzad. They are our friends. Dehya, Dunyarzad, these are delegates from Fontaine. Monsieur Neuvillette, Wriothesley, and Clorinde," Cyno introduces them the lady called Dehya nods at them.

"Delegates, huh? I don't suppose they are here because of the things happening at the borders?" Dehya asks, looking quite solemn as she successfully deduces why they are here. Cyno and Tighnari looked at each other, not privy to the reasons why they were here in the first place. Neuvillette nods.

"Quite right, Miss Dehya. We are here to investigate the matter at the borders," Neuvillette confirms as Dehya frowns at him. Dunyarzad nudges her friend lightly by the elbow, whispering to her, sneaking a furtive glance at him. Neuvillette does not know what to make of the actions, and neither does he know what warranted such a reaction, seeing they just met.

"Listen, Monsieur Neuvillette...a friend of ours is going on the same investigation as you are," Dunyarzad said, her eyes darting to him, her voice cautious. Neuvillette was stunned. A friend of theirs was on the investigation as well. Among the six, only three were from the Sumeru side. It's highly unlikely for it to be Lesser Lord Kusanali, or Hat Guy from the scowl on his face to be the friend they were talking about, which leaves only one other person to whom they were referring.

"Hey! Everyone's here, that's wonderful. Oh, but who are you three?" A woman with fiery red hair that contrasted her sweet voice and a cheerful smile ran up to them, before turning to Neuvillette, Clorinde, and Wriothesley with mild confusion.

"Hey guys, you sure came earlier than expected...hm?"

Sure enough, it was Furina. She was carrying Alette in her arms, a few paces behind the red-haired woman. 

"..." Furina stares at him wordlessly, her body visibly tensing up. She was upset to see him so soon again, not even a few hours since the morning meeting. Alette, on the other hand, had the exact opposite thoughts of her mother.

"Maman! That's Mister Neuvillette, and Clorinde, and Wriothesley!" Alette tugged at Furina's sleeve, pointing at Neuvillette who smiled at her. At least his child was excited to see him, even if she was currently unaware of their relationship.

"Hmph, it seems like this little rascal forgot some people," Dehya had walked over to Furina and Alette. She pinches Alette's nose teasingly, smirking down at the child. Alette giggles, her arms reaching out to Dehya, who sweeps up the child in her arms. 

Neuvillette watches as Dehya twirls Alette in her arms, before setting her down gently on the ground. A small part of him is glad that Alette grew up well in his involuntary absence from her life. But for the most part, he was dejected at the realization of the number of years, all the precious moments of Alette's growing years that he had missed.

"Auntie Dehya! Alette missed you very much!" 

"And what about us, Alette?" Cyno and Tighnari walk closer to the mother and daughter. Cyno squats down to Alette's level, receiving a hug from the child as Tighnari stands over them.

"Uncle Cyno, Uncle Tighnari!" Alette grins impishly at the two men. Tighnari patted the top of her head fondly. 

"Have you been good, Alette? You didn't run off again, did you?" Tighnari asks Alette gently, a knowing look in his eyes. Alette turns away sheepishly, but she sneaks a glance at Clorinde and Wriothesley, both of whom looked slightly amused that the forest ranger guessed it right.

Neuvillette wonders of Tighnari's connection to Alette and Furina. Alette looked very comfortable with Tighnari, and Furina seemed to know him well. They weren't attached, were they? Jealousy claws at his heart, the wild assumption causing him to feel very discomforted the more he stares at them.

"How do you know everything, Uncle Tighnari..." Alette mumbles under her breath, pouting at him.

"That's because I know you cannot sit still for even a single minute. This little one made Collei run all over Gandharva Ville chasing after her during her latest visit back home," Tighnari explained, shaking his head fondly.

Dehya suddenly turns to them, as if remembering that they were there. She asks Alette, "So, you know these people, Alette?"

"They saved me yesterday! They helped me find Maman yesterday after I got lost..." 

"Lost?" 

"Alette got separated from me yesterday at Treasure's Street. It was Clorinde and Wriothesley who brought her back to me," Furina supplied quietly.

"I see! Well then, please do join us for lunch," the redhead offers cheerfully, and Neuvillette could tell she was sincere about her offer.

"Oh no, we shouldn't impose on all of you," Clorinde replied politely, as Neuvillette nodded in agreement. Cyno shakes his head.

"There's no need to be so formal with us. You helped one of us, and are honored guests of our archon," Cyno glances at Furina, who nods at him in agreement, but a more hesitant look overcomes her as she accidentally looks at Neuvillette again, before turning away immediately.

"Well then, since you don't mind, we'll join you. It's rude to refuse their invitation," Wriothesley accepts the offer on their behalf, casting a knowing look to Neuvillette. Any protests Neuvillette had died in his throat as the group walked towards the stage, where there were tables set up and food spread waiting for them. Well, there was no point in backing out now, and at least, Furina looked like she hated his guts less.

Neuvillette finds himself seated, however, on the far end side, while Furina and Alette, were seated on the other. Not knowing whether it was intentional or not, he finds himself sitting right across Dehya and Dunyarzad, who stare at him and Clorinde silently.

It was almost as if they had something to say to him, or rather, something to request of him.

"So...about that investigation," Dehya said awkwardly, turning to Dunyarzad, who shook her head at her friend.

"Uh..." Dehya casts a furtive glance in Furina's direction, before turning to whisper to Neuvillette and Clorinde, who was seated next to him.

"Furina, I assume you two met?" More than just that, they were together for over 400 years, they were partners, companions, lovers. But now, they were just a little less than strangers, in 5 years, everything they supposedly had was gone.

"Yes, we know each other," the words on his tongue felt sour and bitter,  but he tried his best to not let his emotions seep into his voice.

"She's the friend that we were talking about. The one going on the investigation."

"Well, we were hoping you could keep an eye out for her. We don't know the specifics of the investigation, but we know it's dangerous. Furina is smart and can think on her feet, but she's not experienced in dealing with any possible threats..." Dunyarzad explains quietly.

Ah, so that was what it was. Her friends were worried about her, and her well-being. Truthfully, Neuvillette feels comforted to know Furina made friends here in Sumeru. 'One of us', Cyno had said. Furina was now one of them, an integral part of their group, someone they cared for.

She had been happy with her life all this while, it was clear to Neuvillette, and it makes him wonder morosely, if he had barged in on her life and made it a wreck, again.

"To be perfectly honest, I would like to join the investigation," Dehya said suddenly. Neuvillette raised an eyebrow at her.

"To ensure Furina's safety?" 

"There's that, but also because it's happening in the desert. That place isn't exactly navigable for anyone who's not a seasonal merc like me. Speaking of which, how many of them are you?"

"There is me, Clorinde here, Wriothesley from the Fontaine representative side. Then there is Hat Guy, Lesser Lord Kusanali, and Furina."

"So six of you. It seems this investigation requires a high amount of confidentiality."

"Indeed. We are trying our best to keep the numbers to a minimum, as such." Having more people join would make things safer, but Neuvillette would rather keep what happens in the investigation under wraps to prevent any public unrest.

"This investigation does require a high level of secrecy, given how it is dealing with an abyssal operation," a man suddenly sits down next to Dehya, as Neuvillette blinks at his sudden appearance.

"Sorry for my interruption."

"Al Haitham, about time you got here!" Dehya grins at the man, who offers a small smirk at her.

"Sorry, I got caught up in an argument with someone," Al Haitham said with a sigh, shaking his head as Dehya snorted.

"No guesses who you were arguing with. But hey, you know about the investigation?"

"I found some interesting leads about it and have reported as such to Lesser Lord Kusanali. And you must be Monsieur Neuvillette, the Iudex of Fontaine," Al Haitham turns to Neuvillette, his green eyes seeming to scrutinize the man sitting diagonally across him. Neuvillette could not tell what he was thinking, for he was never an expert on reading human emotions.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Al Haitham, right?"

"Indeed. Ah, and you must be Clorinde, the champion duelist," Clorinde looks to Al Haitham in surprise as well. It seems that this Al Haitham knows who they were, though Neuvillette wonders why and how, not that they keep their identities a particular secret, of course.

"You know us?"

"It's hard not to, if you know what I mean, Miss Clorinde and Monsieur Neuvillette," Al Haitham does not smile at them, but his words carry no malice. His words are vague, and it does not refer to any particular incident, but Neuvillette knows he is referring to that trial, the one that allowed for the prophecy to be fulfilled and the people to be saved.

What Neuvillette did not understand, was how Al Haitham knows about it. Fair enough, none of them attempted to keep it a secret, that they plotted against their archon and set her on a trial that utterly humiliated her when all she wanted to do was save them. Furina's Sumeru friends did not seem to realize who they were, what they did to Furina, or even who Furina was.

Except for Al Haitham, that is.

"Oh? Sounds like something interesting happened involving them."

Yes, something very interesting that Neuvillette believes would get him on the end of many glares from the group. They consider Furina one of their own, a part of their group. Neuvillette and Clorinde, for all their efforts to try to be gentle with Furina, had still hurt her grievously with the trial.  If her friends knew, there was no doubt Neuvillette would draw their ire. The last thing he wanted to do was make an enemy of Furina's friends. 

"No, they are just very highly profiled people in Fontaine," Al Haitham said, directing away the initial curiosity implanted in Dehya and Dunyarzad with his short explanation, but his eyes stated otherwise, that he knows about everything that had transpired in Fontaine.

"That's interesting to know, I guess. The Iudex and a Champion Duelist..." Dehya trailed off, looking a little more wary of him now that she was more aware of his identity as the Iudex. 

"Well, it doesn't matter who are, does it?" Clorinde asks politely. Dehya seemed to consider the question, before nodding in agreement.

"No, I suppose it doesn't. Sorry about that."

"It's quite alright," Clorinde nods at Dehya, who grins at her.

The rest of the lunch went on smoothly. Neuvillette does not get a chance to talk to Furina or Alette, but he learns snippets of what their life has been like so far in Sumeru from her friends.

Furina was currently an arts coordinator who was working for the Akademiya and was in charge of the many festivals held in Sumeru, as well as any other arts-related events. It was clear the trust she and Lesser Lord Kusanali had, as well as how much Sumeru appreciated her.

It makes Neuvillette wonder what could have happened if she had stayed in Fontaine instead of leaving. Would they have been able to talk it out, and he could have watched Alette grow up instead of this predicament? They could have never fallen apart the way they did, and Furina would still be with him, ruling Fontaine together.

Furina is still, very much beloved by the people of Fontaine. Of course, there was much discourse on how Fiorina handled the prophecy. But after everything has settled down, the people still remember Furina's contributions over the past 500 years. 

Neuvillette had only handled the government side of things. Any technological advancements Fontaine had were attributed to Furina's and Focalors' brilliant minds. Fontaine only stood second to how technologically advanced they were to Snezhnaya, something Neuvillette found to be proud of. Furina will go down in history as an archon worthy of praise and adoration, and Neuvillette will ensure that to the very end, for it was what she deserves.

"Mister Neuvillette! Are you going back home with us?" Alette had run over to him, hugging his leg. Furina was not too far behind but stood a good few paces away from him. The rest of the group had scattered across the Bazaar, and now it was just them left.

"Yes, Alette." Neuvillette pats Alette's head, smiling at her fondly, but his heart feels heavy as Furina comes closer to them. The stoic look on her face made it clear she was still unable to accept him back in her life.

It hurts to see her treat him so coldly. The 400 years they spent together, Furina would often seek his company, pestering him for afternoon tea, or evening walks by the sea, things that he eventually took for granted. No matter how horrible their arguments, Furina had never given him the cold shoulder, or looked at him with so much indifference in her eyes.

"Let's go home now, Alette," Furina gently pulls Alette away from Neuvillette, scooping her child up in her arms, not before casting a glance at Neuvillette, who follows her close behind.

Despite being only a few paces behind Furina, the distance between them felt wider than the stretch of the borders between Fontaine and Sumeru. If he didn't feel awkward before, he sure did now.

Last night, all Neuvillette could think about was how to tell Alette the truth and explain his absence from her life. Realistically speaking, there was no chance that Alette would not hold some resentment towards him, and he might find himself kicked out of the house by Furina if Alette did not take it well.

There was also the second issue of when and if Alette found out why her parents were separated in the first place. For a young child such as Alette, it would destroy her world to know the broken relationship between her parents, of what her father did that hurt her mother.

"We're here," Furina said softly, stopping at a modest house that was located not too far from the Akademiya. She unlocks the door and pushes it open, stepping into the house. She was very careful to not wake Alette, who had fallen asleep on the walk back to the house.

"I'll go tuck Alette into her bed, just make yourself at home first," Furina turns to walk down the corridor, Alette snoozing on her shoulder. Neuvillette sits down on the couch, waiting for a good few minutes before Furina emerges again, carrying a plate with two cups.

"Here, some water."

Furina offers one cup to Neuvillette. He accepts it, taking a small sip. He savors the taste of it. As the hydro dragon, he was sensitive to the depth of flavor that could be tasted of water. Sumeru's water has a rich and complex taste profile, one that he would usually enjoy if not for the palpable tension in the room.

"What will you tell Alette?" Furina asks suddenly. She looks down at her lap, looking a little regretful. Of what she had regretted, Neuvillette did not know, though he hoped she was reconsidering her decision to keep Alette away from him.

"I'm not sure, to be honest."

"I thought you wanted her to know you were her father."

"I do, but it won't be that easy for her to accept me so quickly."

Furina's face turns conflicted at his words. She sighs as she puts down the cup.

"I'm sorry. Even if we had a fallout, I should not have kept Alette from you. I'll explain to her that it's my fault you were not there in her life," Furina offers quietly, but her voice shakes at her own words. Neuvillette knows she fears Alette will be mad at her instead. Neuvillette felt very uneasy at the thought of Furina taking all the blame, while he got away scot-free.

No matter how they look at it, neither of them was completely free of fault. He shakes his head.

"No, I can't let you do that."

"Why? Alette would hate you less."

"It doesn't make me any less at fault. I was the one that created this situation in the first place," Neuvillette said quietly. Furina flinches, biting her bottom lip as she looks away. 

She hated being reminded of that trial, he knows. How could she not? It was a reminder that he had betrayed her, turning his back on her when she needed him most. He believed the words of a harbinger, a traveler he had known for less than a few months over her word because he couldn't trust in her enough.

And it cost him everything.

"I'm sorry."

He could say a million stories, and even then it wouldn't soothe the hurt he causes or repair the damage that has been dealt with.

"I know you regret it, so just don't talk about it anymore," Furina said with a sigh, clearly wanting him to drop the topic. Neuvillette opens his mouth to argue. It was something that bothered them both and will continue to affect their lives. They never did get the chance to talk about it, and the resentment from that day continues to fester, resulting in their situation today.

He would have continued to pursue this topic, if not for Furina to have some closure when he heard a thud from behind Furina. Both of their heads swerve to the source of the sound. Alette, who should be sound asleep, who should be napping in her bedroom, was crouching behind a small table in the dark, unlit hallway, well within earshot of their conversation.

Alette was staring at them with an unreadable gaze. She doesn't get up from her position, her tiny hands clutching the leg of the table tightly. Furina approaches Alette slowly, holding out her hands to her child, who shrinks away from her.

"Alette? Did you...did you..." Furina's voice trembles with terror, and she falls to her knees as Alette starts to cry loudly. Alette heard everything, and she now knows he was her father, that he did something untoward to her mother that caused him to be absent from her life for the past 5 years. 

Neuvillette swallows thickly, attempting to get closer to both mother and daughter. Alette's head suddenly snapped up, her purple draconic eyes that were sweet and full of innocence when they first met now filled with a different emotion. Anger and hatred swirl in those eyes that were the same as his, directed at him for all that he has done wrong.

Alette does not say anything to him. Instead, she pushes her mother's hands away and makes a run for her room, shutting the door behind her.

Furina recovers from her shock, rushing over to the door she tries to open it, only to discover it is locked. Neuvillette watches as Furina knocks on the door, calling for Alette to open the door. But Alette refuses, screaming for her mother, for them to go away and leave her alone, as Furina cries at her daughter's anger.

"Alette...Maman's sorry...!"Furina cries out for their child, choking on her tears as she begs for Alette to open the door. Neuvillette moves slightly to support Furina, who does not push him away this time. His arms support her shoulders just in time as she collapses to the ground, her exhaustion overtaking her as she continues to weep in his arms.

"Alette..." Neuvillette's heart hangs heavy as Furina buries her head into his chest, crying out for their daughter who refused to see either of them. He hears the sound of thunder and the storming rain, a reflection of his inner world, his emotions, as a single tear slips from his eyes. 

It was the third time he ever cried. The first time was when he witnessed Focalors, Furina's divinity, kill herself to give him back his authority.

This time, it was for his daughter, who found out the truth of her parentage.

Chapter Text

"Where is it? Where is the key?" Furina mumbles to herself, her hands running through the drawer in her haste to find the key to Alette's room. She felt a slight sting on her fingers but ignored it in favor of feeling for the object she was looking for.

How long has it been? It felt like an eternity for Furina since Alette locked herself in her room, and Furina's worry was only growing by the second. She should have kept the key properly, she had blamed herself. If she did, she wouldn't have to be overturning the entire house to find it.

No luck, the key was not in here either. Furina slammed the drawer shut, an irritated sound bubbling in her throat as she turned to the next drawer, her knuckles turning white around the handle as she wrenched it open.

"Furina, calm down." Furina turns to Neuvillette, who stares at her quietly. He had been searching the cabinets and drawers on the other side of the living room, but had stopped to come over to tell her to what, calm down?

Anger wells up inside of Furina. She could not understand how Neuvillette could be so calm, when her, no, their child locked herself inside her room after learning the truth of her parentage. In contrast to his calm demeanor, Furina was a mess of emotions.

How could she not be? She was worried about Alette, worried her child might harm herself (whether by accident or...no, she shouldn't think like that), worried of how she could ever resolve this, worried that Alette would hate her, worriedthatAlettewillneverforgiveher-

"Furina, rest. I'll continue searching for the key," 

Furina shakes her head vehemently at the suggestion, her eyes shooting daggers at Neuvillette for even daring to ask her to do that. She was not going to risk leaving her daughter alone for even a second longer. Neuvillette sighed, frowning at her with clear disapproval.

But Furina could care less about what he thought of her now. Her priority was to unlock the door and ensure Alette was safe; whatever opinions he had were irrelevant.

"Alette will be scared to see you like this, Furina. Listen to me, just sit down for a while and try your best to calm down."

Something in Furina snaps at Neuvillette's words. 

"I CAN'T calm down," Furina hisses, the anxious look on her face contorting into anger. Neuvillette fell quiet at her outburst, his outstretched arms falling to his sides. She glares at him. What did Neuvillette even know? 

Nothing, absolutely nothing. He was completely absent from Alette's life for the past few years, how could he know the worry of a mother? Of a parent?

'But you never gave him a chance, did you?' a voice whispers in her mind. Furina forces it away before the guilt overwhelms her again. No matter how much she regrets her decisions, what's done is done, and now she can only focus on the present.

"Let's continue searching. The faster we find the key, the better," Furina said as she turned away from Neuvillette, but he stopped her, grasping onto her forearms in a stronghold. She twisted her arms in an attempt to break away, but unfortunately for her, his strength exceeded hers. Furina scowled at him.

"Let me go." They were wasting time fighting like this. All Furina wanted was to find the key, unlock the door, and make sure her baby, her precious daughter was fine. Why did Neuvillette have to stand in her way? If anything ever happens to Alette, she will never forgive him, or herself.

"You need to rest, Furina," Neuvillette insisted sternly, trying his best to set her down on the sofa. Furina laughs bitterly, scowling at him. How dare he pretend to care about her, care about her well-being after all that has happened.

"What? So you care now?"

She wanted nothing to do with Neuvillette, except for the undeniable fact he was Alette's father. Anything else was irrelevant to Furina. She didn't care that they spent 400 years ruling Fontaine together, or the fact that they stood together side by side for centuries. 

None of those memories mattered now. Furina had convinced herself of that the moment she left the Palais Mermonia, to let go of their past that was tainted with bad memories.

They were better off without each other.

"I have never stopped caring about you."

"Lies," Furina spits out, attempting to wrench out of his iron grip again. He, cares about her? Ha, she doubts it. Their relationship was broken beyond salvation. She lied to him for years because she could not share the burden of the truth, but he hurt her with that stupid trial.

He was the rightful Sovereign of Hydro. She was a fraudulent archon, one of the usurpers. They were never meant to be together.

"Furina, I mean it. You are not in the right state of mind. You have to rest," Neuvillette insisted as he pulled her down to the sofa. Furina feels a wave of dizziness hit her, a warm sensation on her back supporting her. A cup is held in front of her, her lips parting gently as water flows into her mouth, quenching her thirst.

"I'll continue to find the key."  Neuvillette gently places the cup of water into her hands, getting up from his seat beside her, and continuing the search. Furina does not object this time round, for she was far too tired to argue with Neuvillette again. She stares at the water, observing her reflection. Her eyes were red and puffy from all the crying, and her hair stuck up in all directions.

Neuvillette was right, Alette would be even more terrified to see her mother like this. Furina attempts to smoothen down her messy hair, combing through the strands gently as they fall as Neuvillette walks over, carrying a familiar pouch. Furina's eyes lit up at them.

"The keys!"

Furina takes the pouch from Neuvillette's outstretched hands, opening it up to find the keys they had been looking for. She felt relief flood her as she gingerly carried the key meant for Alette's room, inserting it into the keyhole. The lock opens with a soft click, as Furina gently pushes the door open. She peeks into the room, her heart plummeting when she sees the state Alette is in.

"Alette..." Furina rushed over to her child who looked up from her fetal position to stare at her mother with bloodshot eyes.

"Go away...!" Alette wailed loudly, turning her body away from her mother as she buried her head under the pillows. 

At that moment, Furina felt she was the worst mother in the entirety of Teyvat for allowing this to happen. She had failed to protect her child, failed to protect the truth from Alette before the time was right before Alette was older and ready to know everything.

"I'm sorry, my darling..." Furina's voice cracks, her arms reaching out to engulf Alette in a tight hug. Alette does not push her away, burying her tiny head into her mother's warm embrace as her crying dies down into soft sniffles. Furina continues to whisper soothing words to her daughter as she tenderly rubs at her daughter's back.

"Maman..." Alette sniffles quietly. Furina softly kisses the top of her daughter's forehead, rocking Alette gently back and forth to comfort her. Feeling a pair of watchful eyes on her, Furina turns her head slightly to see Neuvillette by the door. He had been watching them silently, not moving an inch from the same spot he had been standing in.

Alette's head shifts against Furina's chest to look at Neuvillette, who stares back at her, no, their child with an inscrutable gaze. Alette lets out a small whimper. She buries herself deeper into her mother's chest and she starts to cry loudly again, flailing her arms about as she screams at Neuvillette.

"GO AWAY GO AWAY GO AWAY!" Alette's sudden outburst shook Furina to the core. Her child who was always so well-mannered and sensible never threw a single tantrum once in her life. Furina never had to deal with any before. Was this the price to pay for her mistake?

"Alette..." Furina tried to calm her child down but was cut off by Alette's screeching.

"I HATE HIM I HATE HIM I HATE HIM I HATE HIM!"

Neuvillette's face utterly falls at Alette's words. Grief overtakes his features as he turns away from them, his arm supporting him against the doorframe. The drizzle outside had become a thundering rainstorm, ceaseless and getting worse with each passing second as the tension grew.

Alette's intense feelings of anger at her absent father were not lost on Furina either. She gulps at the sheer amount of anger radiating from her daughter's tiny little body. It terrifies her to see this much anger from Alette, who was always a cheerful and carefree child. 

Alette, was also angry at her mother for keeping the truth from her, keeping her a secret from her father.

"Maman kept me a secret from Papa!!! Alette thought Papa did not want her, but Maman never told Papa...but Papa did something wrong that made Maman very sad, very angry that she didn't tell Papa about me...Alette is so confused..."

Alette cried out loudly again, the words fell off her lips incoherently as Furina's heart sank.

She holds Alette's crying figure closer to her, though it does nothing to soothe the heartbreak that befell her child when she learns of her parentage in the cruelest way possible.

Was this her punishment for keeping Alette a secret? For believing Neuvillette had zero parental rights to know Alette? Alette was now hurt because of her fears and hatred for what Neuvillette had done to her.

Alette was utterly innocent and deserved to be happy with both parents.

"Alette...Maman is sorry..." Furina whispered, rocking their bodies back and forth.

"Maman should have told Papa about you...don't be sad, my sweet child," Furina's voice cracks as she feels tears prick at her eyes. Maybe if she told Neuvillette from the start, she could have spared Alette all of this heartbreak.

But now Furina could only look forward, for what's done is done. She could not rewrite the past and prevent all this from happening, but she will protect her daughter from this kind of heartbreak again.

She stares at the hunched figure of Neuvillette by the door. He was lost in thought, staring at the ground in complete silence. He had yet to say a word to Alette, for what could he say? His daughter just said she hated him.

Furina feels guilt for Neuvillette, whom she had left behind in the Palais Mermonia 5 years ago. Neuvillette, never knew about Alette until he learned of her by accident. Alette was Furina's secret that she had intended to keep a secret for her entire life if she could. Furina's anger was justified, but not enough to deprive Alette of a father.

"Alette, your father made mistakes." 

Furina had to make a choice. One that would change her life again, but for better or worse, she did not know yet.

What she does know it was that it had to be done for Alette's sake.

"But he loves you. From the moment he knew about you, he wanted to be there, in your life. So don't hate your father..."

Furina had considered not speaking up for Neuvillette. He was absent from her life for 5 years and she had intended to keep it that way forever. She could have kept it that way. Furina could have forced Neuvillette to take full blame and deny him the chance of being a father to their child, again.

 But Furina couldn't inflict that kind of pain onto him. She was not that unreasonable or cruel. But if Alette refuses to acknowledge her father...then Furina supposes she would have nothing to do or say with her daughter's choice.

It seemed to Furina that Neuvillette did not expect her to speak up on his behalf (she had deduced that from the befuddled look on his face). He took an unsteady step towards them as he kneeled in front of Alette, his eyes softening when faced with his child. Alette's body stiffens in Furina's arms, but she does not yell at Neuvillette this time.

"Alette...papa is sorry. I know it will take time, it will take a lot of effort for me to be in your life after being absent for so long...but Papa loves you very much."

Alette does not respond to her father's words, staring at him silently before looking towards her mother with a blank gaze. The tension eases a little with his confession, but an uneasy silence remains until Alette pries herself out of her mother's hold.

"Alette wants to rest..." Alette had mumbled as she got under her blanket,  turning away from them as she curled up on her bed with her stuffed toy otter.

"But Alette, you haven't had dinner yet."

Furina couldn't let Alette go to sleep hungry throughout the night. Her child was only 5, after all. She had to eat at least something before sleeping. But Alette does not budge, not even at the mention of dinner.

"M'not hungry. I want to sleep," Alette replied quietly as Furina tried to coax her child again, but Neuvillette stopped her with a shake of his head.

"Alette is tired, we should let her rest. It's been a long day for her." 

As much as Furina wanted to protest, Neuvillette was right about this one. She gently tucked Alette into her bed, her child not saying another word as she pretended to fall asleep. Their conversation from before was cut off abruptly, but it was far from over, one that had to be resolved.

Furina reluctantly leaves Alette alone in her bedroom, though she feels less anxious now that she has the bedroom keys. Neither of them said another word until they were far down the hall and back in the living room, where they were sure now that Alette was not listening in again.

"Alette needs time to warm up to you."

"I know. I am determined to have a relationship with her, and..." Neuvillette gazes at her with an intense emotion in his eyes that Furina recognized all too easily. He looked at her that way many times in the comfort of their private living quarters when they were hidden away from the rest of the nation's prying eyes.

It was the way she had looked at him constantly for 400 years. 

Furina played her role as Archon impeccably, for no one had questioned her identity as a god for 500 years. But she could never hide or feel the need to hide her romantic feelings towards her Iudex. 

She loved him for 400 years. Centuries of feelings like that do not magically disappear overnight, though Furina wished they would. Love and hate were not mutually exclusive, after all. She desired to have him as much as she scorned the way he had set her up and pushed her over the brink.

Many sleepless nights did Furina yearned for Neuvillette to come to her, to hold her in his arms, to reassure her of his love for her. But on some nights, the very thought of him brought her back to the day of her judgment. 

Furina always thought Neuvillette of all people would understand her reasons, but how wrong she was. The second she saw him up in the Judge's stand, she knew that he had colluded against her. Her heart still breaks whenever she realizes he set her up to be trialed by him, to learn her secrets.

When he turned away, refusing to look at her when she made her final plea for anyone to believe her, it was the last straw before she gave up entirely. She had given up her act as Archon at the same moment her faith in him shattered.

"Furina, I..."

"Don't, Neuvillette," Furina turned away from him, her voice feeble. It would be so much easier to forget him and move on. Find someone else and love another man or woman. She could finally leave behind the love she had for him in the past and heal from everything; the trial, her 500 years of trauma.

But she couldn't, because she loved him as much as he had hurt her. 

"I know I don't deserve you or your forgiveness, but hear me out Furina, please," Neuvillette begs quietly. His usual polite and impassive voice was filled with regret and longing, so much so that Furina falters.

They never did get the chance to talk about what happened; she had left the Palais Mermonia the minute her act was over, for being there a second longer tortured Furina to no end. Soon after, she had left Fontaine altogether, and the rest was history.

Furina does not object to his plea, but neither does she agree altogether. But Neuvillette takes her silence as agreement.

"I have no excuse for trying to pry your secrets out with that trial. But I never intended to hurt you, Furina."

He never intended to hurt her, but he still did anyway. His betrayal was what hurt her most. Not the traveler, not Clorinde, not the loss of faith of her people, but him, her dear Iudex. He was the one person Furina had wanted to believe in her when she was placed on trial, but he turned away from her when she needed him most.

"It doesn't change the fact you did. The moment you set me up on that trial, you lost me," something in Furina cracks as she turns to look at Neuvillette. She places a hand on his chest, over where his heart is. Neuvillette does not react to her touch, and if he is discomforted by the seemingly intimate action that contrasts the somber mood, he does not protest it either.

"The trial was necessary to end everything, to fulfill the prophecy and save Fontaine. That much I can accept as a necessary evil."

A bitter pill to swallow it was, but Furina knows the trial was necessary to save the people and release her from her 500 years of suffering. It was how the trial was handled that made it difficult for Furina to forgive Neuvillette.

"But did you have to treat me that way? To force me into a corner like a beast you were hunting down? To let others mock me while you watched on silently?" 

Furina wanted to know what Neuvillette was thinking when he plotted against her. That trial was what he called a gentle trap. What a joke it was. If it was that harmless, they wouldn't be in this state today.

Shame washes over Neuvillette's features at her words. He does not answer, because he probably could not answer her. His heartbeat quickens, Furina could feel it through his clothes.

"I was angry that you didn't tell me anything. The situation was dire at the time. People were losing their lives, Furina. I could not just stand by and do nothing."

He looks at her pleadingly, as if willing her to understand where he was coming from, as if he had no choice in his actions. But he did have a choice. He was fully involved in the plan to set her on trial, or dare she say he was the one who suggested the plan in the first place. Furina had thought about it over and over again.

He could have prevented the insurrection against her Navia had planned to lure her into the trap they set. He could have objected to the House of the Hearth's children's humiliating way of bringing her onto the stage. He could have asked another champion duelist instead of Clorinde to be set to duel her. He had the choice to not make it a spectacle, to not allow the stupid traveler and that annoying flying pixie to play with her trust.

And finally, the primordial seawater Navia had brought to see if she was an ordinary human. That was what did it for Furina. Why, just why did Neuvillette allow it to be used in court? If they hadn't diluted it, she could have died. She was prepared to die to keep her secret, to buy Focalors more time. He allowed it as the judge, and Furina rather not think of whether he had approved of it as well when they were plotting against her.

Furina could think of so many other ways they could have lured her into the trial and done it in a way that wouldn't cause her to utterly lose any trust she had in Neuvillette. He had tough choices to make 5 years ago, and Furina had understood that. But he still allowed them to be cruel to her, to humiliate her. Focalors said Furina was a perfect human. That meant she could scorn the way they had treated her when all she wanted to do was protect them, didn't it?

"You couldn't trust me enough, that is," Furina narrowed her eyes at Neuvillette.  He does not protest this, because there was no other reason he had behind his actions. He hangs his head as he looks at her in utter defeat.

"What indication did I have that you had it all under control? Poisson suffered many casualties, but you just told me to trust in you. The whole of Fontaine was at stake at the time, I had to do something. You forced my hand, Furina."

Neuvillette's voice was pleading with her to see the reasons behind his past actions. Furina knows, she knows the reasons why. She knows he did it for Fontaine, she always knew that. She was grateful for that. But she couldn't accept that he treated her so cruelly during the trial, that he allowed it to go that far.

500 years of acting to keep her secret was torturous for Furina. But Neuvillette was always her one respite from her solitary act, the only person she did not have to keep up an act for. But even he could not see past her layers and understand her reasons.

It was a wonder she could even trust anyone else again after all that had happened.

"Whatever. I don't care if we can agree on what happened during the trial or not. It doesn't matter to me. It doesn't change anything." The words felt bitter on Furina's tongue. Neuvillette shakes his head, his gaze now resembling what Furina would describe as akin to a wet sopping cat.

"But it matters. You were hurt by my actions, and rightfully so. I know I was wrong for letting it go as far as I did. I should have never allowed any of it to happen. I wish I never hurt you with the trial, Furina. Believe me when I say this."

Furina knows Neuvillette meant what he said. But it doesn't ease the hurt she had felt, not in the slightest. 

"You can't change the past, Neuvillette."

"Then let me make it up to you. Let me earn your forgiveness, earn your trust back."

Neuvillette kneels before her, gently grasping her hand in his as he kisses her knuckles tenderly. Staring down at him as he made his final plea, Furina had a hard choice to make.

Furina shouldn't, she really shouldn't give him a second chance to hurt her again. Wanderer's warning from earlier today came back to haunt her. She had said, claimed that she wasn't going to forgive Neuvillette, but here she was, faltering in her decision of 5 years the moment he re-entered her life again.

But here she was, overturning her decision to leave the past in the past, against her better judgement.

Furina meets Neuvillette's eyes, a single word leaving her lips, but one that changes everything between them yet again.

"Alright."

Chapter Text

"Alette?"

Furina knocked hesitantly on the door of the bedroom. She strains her ear to hear for any sound from Alette's bedroom. She glanced at Neuvillette, who frowned at the lack of response from Alette. He placed his hand on the doorknob, twisting it open gently just as Furina clamped her tiny hand over his much larger one to stop him.

"What are you doing?" Furina hissed quietly, glaring up at him. Neuvillette raised an eyebrow, not understanding why she had stopped him.

"To see if Alette is awake?"

"She's awake. She just..."

'...She just doesn't want to come out,' Furina thought to herself miserably. She could not help but blame herself. Her child's current state was a wreck, and there was nothing she could do to mend Alette's broken heart. There was no easy fix for what happened last night, and Furina feared there was no way to fix it at all.

No, there has to be. She needed to be patient, to give Alette the space she needed. Given how Alette reacted last night, Furina had decided to wait for Alette to come to her willingly. Alette needed time to process her feelings a little before listening to her parent's apologies and explanations.

Only, Furina could give this much amount of time. It was almost seven in the morning, and they had to leave the city by eight if she and Neuvillette wanted to make it to Caravan Ribat on time.

"We still have to bring Alette to your friend. Given the time, we cannot delay any longer," Neuvillette reminded in a hushed tone. Furina narrowed her eyes, instantly retracting her hand that was place over his moments ago as though she was stung.

"If you are worried about being late, you can go first," Furina said in a sharp tone as she crossed her arms against her chest. She stared up at Neuvillette, daring him to challenge her words.

He just had to insist on coming back here in the morning. Neuvillette had wanted to see Alette before they left for the investigation, and offered to accompany Furina to bring Alette to Nilou today. After some back and forth, she had agreed reluctantly to his request last night, though she wished she did not now.

Neuvillette shakes his head, frowning slightly at Furina.

"If we just stand here outside the door, Alette will not come out, no matter how long we wait," he reasons. Furina scowled. She hated it when Neuvillette was right. But she knows when to admit when he makes a very valid point. Alette would not come out, but if they went into her room without her permission...

Furina didn't know if she could handle Alette's heartbreaking tantrum again. She had never seen Alette react like that. Her daughter was a darling who never throwed a single tantrum in her entire life, up till last night.

The tragedy that was yesterday's event only proves that her choice to hide away Alette from her father was a mistake; and one that had severe repercussions on her daughter. 

One that Furina wanted to take back so badly.

"Furina."

Her line of thought was interrupted when Neuvillette said her name softly, his hand grabbing her wrist in a firm but gentle grasp. She tilts her head up slightly to look at him in the eye, but the words she had wanted to say to him caught in her throat when she saw the expression on his face.

A kicked puppy who just lost his favorite toy; that was the only way Furina could describe the expression on Neuvillette's face. 

Neuvillette was capable of feeling emotions; unlike how most of Fontaine sees Neuvillette as an immovable slab of stone with little emotion, the truth was far from that. She has seen many sides of him; happiness, anger, irritation...but sadness? Furina rarely saw him upset.

But she could count the times when she did. The first was when the news of Carole's death had reached him. The second was when Vautrin was sentenced to the Fortress of Meropide by his hand.

And the third...when his daughter rejected his existence in her life.

"Fine. But I'll go in to see first," Furina eventually relented. As much as she hated it, Neuvillette's reasoning was right. Alette wasn't going to come out willingly, at least, not any time soon.

And she was also getting nowhere quarrelling with Neuvillette over it; especially because he was right.

Taking a deep breath, Furina turns the knob slowly as she pushes the door wide enough to peek into the room, her heart hammering in her ribcage as her eyes settle on the small figure curled into a ball sitting at the foot of her bed.

Alette was fully dressed, hugging her stuffed toy blubberbeast as she sat on the floor in complete silence as she stared the door.

Oh. Alette had been watching the door. She had been listening to them squabble, yet again.

Furina gulps as she locked eyes with Alette. Alette just stares at her silently from her spot on the floor as she hugs on tight to her blubberbeast. It was unnerving to see Alette so quiet like this, but at least, she wasn't telling them to go away, right?

Right?

Maybe it would have been better, more reassuring if Alette yelled at her. Alette never threw a tantrum as bad as last night's one, but she was by no means a quiet child. It was more accurate to describe Alette as a cheerful little chatterbox; and so, Furina had decided, the silence was worse than any tantrum Alette could have thrown.

"Alette, Maman made breakfast. Have some before I bring you to Aunty Nilou, okay?"

Furina's voice trembles as she inches closer to Alette. She was terrified. Would Alette flinched away from her? Would she stare up at her maman with a cold gaze, angry at her maman for her deception?

Would Alette choose to forgive Furina for her lies?

"Maman is leaving?"

Alette's words came out no louder than a whisper, but it breaks Furina out of her spiraling doom of thoughts nonetheless. Furina bit her lip as she watched Alette pull a sullen expression on her face, hugging her toy blubberbeast tighter.

Guilt courses through Furina's veins. The accusation hidden in Alette's words did not escape her, and the barely concealed sadness in her daughter's words only made it worse for Furina.

"Maman will be back in a few days, okay?" Furina tries to explain. But for what reason? Was it to reassure Alette, hoping her child would understand her reasons? Or was it for her own selfishness, to placate the guilt in her heart?

Furina didn't know the answer to those questions; or maybe, she didn't want to admit the answer to them. But now, she had to get Alette to eat breakfast first, and get her ready afterward to be sent to Nilou to be looked after for the next few days.

"I made your favorite pancakes for breakfast, shaped like Navigateur Baleine. Come out to the living room to have them before I bring you to Aunt Nilou, okay?" Furina coaxes her daughter, who shakes her head vehemently at her words.

"I don't want to eat breakfast!" Alette said in an insistent tone, her voice raised up a notch. Her tiny arms visibly tighten around her blubberbeast,  her head petulantly turned away from her mother in defiance.

Furina frowns in concern.

"But you haven't eaten anything since last night, mon trésor. Eating something first before we set off okay? Be a good girl and come out—" Furina tries to coax Alette again when she hears a strangled noise erupt from her daughter's throat.

"I DON'T WANT THEM! I'M NOT HUNGRY!" Alette screams at Furina, who reels back in shock at her outburst of anger.

"Alette..." Furina immediately tries to soothe her, but Alette only lets out a strangled cry, swatting away her mother's arms away from her hysterically. Unfortunately for Furina, Alette manages to push her away with enough force, causing her to stumble and fall to the ground.

"Ow..." Furina mutters to herself as she rubs her elbows, trying to soothe the pain from the impact of falling down.

And unfortunately, in her little one-sided squabble with Alette, it had briefly escaped her mind that there was a third person watching them from the corridor in completely silence. But perhaps what was most unfortunate was that Furina also forgot that he had quite a temperament, and certainly did not take well to disobedience either.

The quiet but dooming clank of his cane against the smooth wooden floor only fills Furina's heart with dread. She looks up at Neuvillette's imposing figure towering over Alette, who looks utterly terrified by the sight of her father.

Furina immediately wobbles up to stand up on her feet, intent on stopping Neuvillette before he made the situation worse with his lack of finesse, but it was too late.

"Enough of your tantrum throwing. Apologize to your mother immediately, Alette," Neuvillette stated in a stern tone, his eyes narrowed down, clearly unamused by Alette's little outburst.

Furina stares Neuvillette in horror. How could he say that to their daughter, now of all times?! Was he trying to cause her to only hate him more?!

If Alette was on the verge of tears before, she was certainly not anymore after being scolded so harshly by her father. Now full-on bawling her eyes out, Alette turns away from her father, her body shaking in fear as she tries to scramble to reach for her maman, who immediately crouches back down to take her into her arms.

"Wah...! Maman, he is scary...! I don't want him here! I don't want him as my papa!" Alette wailed, burying her face into Furina's shoulder, her cries muffled as Furina levels Neuvillette with a glare, who met it with a frown of his own.

Why, just why, was he so insensitive? Could he not see that Alette was in a fragile state and should not be upset further?

"Shh...don't cry, mon trésor. There, there..." Furina soothes, patting her daughter's back rhythmically as she peppered kisses on the top of Alette's head. She doesn't give Neuvillette so much as a second glance as she slowly makes her way to the living room, gently prying Alette tight clutch over her to sit her daughter down before her breakfast.

"Eat a little bit of your pancakes, alright, darling? Have them while they are warm," Furina says in a gentle tone, leaving one final peck on the side of Alette's forehead.

"Okay, maman...Alette is sorry for screaming. Don't be angry, okay?" Alette said tearfully, reaching out both arms to grasp onto her mother, who smiled tenderly down at her.

"Don't be scared, darling. Maman is not mad at you. Maman is just worried that you are hungry. Eat slowly, alright? Maman will get ready the rest of your things while you eat."

 Furina lightly bops the tip of Alette's nose, giving her daughter one last smile before turning to  walk back to Alette's room, where Neuvillette was standing in alone in silence.

Furina scowls at him as she closes the door behind her.

"What were you thinking?" Furina hisses at Neuvillette, who frowns at her, clearly not understanding why Furina was mad at him.

"Alette should not have been so rude to you, much less shove you to the ground. She could have hurt you," Neuvillette rebukes her question automatically, clearly not understanding how harsh and how wrongly timed his words were.

Furina wanted to laugh hysterically at him. He of all people cared so much whether someone was being rude to her or her being hurt? Where was this energy five years ago during her trial, or when the traveler and her flying pet insulted her time and time again? Where was his concern when she was being insulted in her trial?

Oh wait, she forgot he was behind her trial as well. Maybe he had every intention to humiliate her as well.

"Alette is in a fragile state of mind, I must remind you, seeing that you forgot how Alette reacted LAST NIGHT," Furina emphasizes, her eyes twitching in anger and frustration. 400 years. 400 years of living with humans, and he still could not read between the lines or tell he should be extra gentle when dealing with his daughter?!

"You coddle her too much, Furina. If you allow her to continue to be this unruly, she will think it is alright to throw a tantrum to get what she wants," Neuvillette stated in an unyielding tone, and Furina thought she finally had enough of Neuvillette at the current moment.

"Well maybe she is throwing a tantrum BECAUSE she is upset, like any child would be given the situation. Her attitude is not as problematic as you are implying, Neuvillette. And for the sake of the archons, she is YOUR daughter as well. How could you be so harsh to her? I should have never..." 

Furina stops her tirade almost immediately when she realizes where the conversation was going. But even then, Neuvillette seemed to have guess what she was going to say.

"You promised to give me another chance," Neuvillette's expression was dour, his tone accusatory as Furina grimaces.

Yes, she did agree to give him another chance, didn't she? A promise now she sorely regrets making once she rode off the high of sentimentality from last night.

Still, what's done is done, and she could not take back her words and promise. There was also the undeniable fact he was Alette's father, and he had parental rights to be in her life just as much as Furina.

Either way, Neuvillette was going to be a permanent fixture in her life from now onwards, whether Furina likes it or not. For Alette's sake, she was going to have to make her and Neuvillette have at least some sort of an amicable relationship; of course, that goes without saying Furina is finding that to be ridiculously tough to do, considering everything that had happened.

"I said I would give you a chance to earn back my trust and forgiveness. You aren't getting off scot-free that easily," Furina huffs, feeling thoroughly irritated by now. What did Neuvillette expect her to do after agreeing to give him a second chance? For her forgiveness and trust handed to him on a silver platter? In his wildest dreams.

"I know you are still angry, and I do not expect it would be easy for me to earn back your trust and love after everything that has happened," Neuvillette said with a sigh, pausing as he stepped a little closer to Furina. Furina feels her body stiffen, but she doesn't shunned away from him.

Where was Neuvillette going with this?

"But I fear, I have nothing without you. Time apart has made me realize that sorely," Neuvillette murmurs, the expression on his face contorting to something that of pain, his eyes meeting her's as Furina feels her heart lodged itself in her throat at his words.

Her decision to leave Fontaine all those years ago was not something she had decided on a whim. For days after the prophecy was 'fulfilled', Furina had constantly debated on whether she wanted to leave the only home she ever knew. As much as Fontaine was her homeland, it was also the place that caused her great despair and suffering, and so Furina had chosen to leave.

Leaving Fontaine also meant she was going to abandon her past life altogether, and that included Neuvillette.

The pain from the great betrayal at her trial was too much to bear; the heroic traveler who she heard grand tales of across Teyvat, the guard she had entrusted with her life, the spirited and kind president of the Spina de Rosula, the fatui children, and most of all, him, the man that she loved, Neuvillette.

With that kind of pain that lived in Furina's heart the longer she dwelled in Fontaine in the days after her trial, the only choice she could have made to soothe the pain was to leave the problem itself.

Furina's heart was numbed by her grief all those years ago, but it still pained her to leave him. No matter what, and no matter how much their relationship had deteriorated over the years even before the trial, they had been together for 400 years. He was her only constant in this ever-changing world, the only one she could fully trust.

"It's almost time to set off, I should bring Alette to Nilou now. It...would be better for me to bring Alette by myself, so meet me at the Grand Bazaar in thirty minutes. Here's the key to lock the house...I will be going now," Furina mutters under her breath, dropping the spare key into Neuvillette's hand as she grabs the last of Alette's things and leaves the room quickly, not being able to stand the convoluted mess of emotions that rise within her after Neuvillette's confession.

The walk to the Grand Bazaar was quiet. On a normal morning, Alette would be happily skipping along the pavement while chatting off her mother's ear with questions or just anything in general, whether it was about the weather, the aranara or her singing and dancing classes.

"Maman."

"Yes, darling?" Furina immediately stops in her tracks to crouch down to Alette's level, putting on the most understanding look on her face that she could muster. Alette looks at her in silence.

"Do you hate him, maman? Do you hate..." Alette asks, her voice tiny and squeaky like a mouse, and Furina understands who she was referring to even without her child mentioning him at all.

"It's...complicated, Alette. My relationship with your papa, its..."

Furina would not lie to her child any longer. Granted, she never lied about Neuvillette's existence to Alette, but her silence on the matter of him for years was no better than a lie that he did not want to be in her life.

"...It's hard to say, but someday, you will understand. But know this as well. Alette, you are our daughter. We both love you. But it is because of maman that your papa did not know about you until now," Furina said softly, taking her daughter's tiny hand, engulfing it in her much larger ones.

"But papa hurt maman first, he made maman sad! I don't want him as my papa," Alette said stubbornly with tears in her eyes. Furina pats Alette's head tenderly.

"Alette, mine and your papa's issues are not yours to bear. And he is your papa, the only one in the world. He loves you, so don't be mad at him, alright?" Furina said softly, trying to hold back her own tears now.

Alette falls silent at Furina's words, seeming to think over what her maman just said.

"Oh, hey! There you are. I was wondering where you two were."

Furina turns at the sound of Nilou's voice just as they enter the grand bazaar. Furina smiles apologetically at Nilou.

"Sorry, I'm so late. Some things happened and well, here's Alette!" Furina said with a nervous laugh, feeling a little self-conscious now. Nilou cocks her head to the side, clearly curious about Furina's sudden burst of nervousness, but doesn't question it.

"Oh, it's fine! Don't worry about it. Hey, Alette, since you are new to Sumeru City, you don't know many other kids your age yet right? Why don't you go over there by the stage? Yusuf! Come, meet Alette," Nilou calls over a boy who looked not too older than Alette herself, making the perfunctory introductions not before letting the boy bring Alette over to the group of children Nilou had pointed out to Alette.

Furina smiles at Nilou gratefully, thankful for her friend's consideration.

"Thanks, Nilou. I was a little worried Alette would miss the company of her friends back in the village, so I'm relieved she seems to be able to make friends her in the city as well."

"Well, Alette is a delight to have around! It's no big problem. But uh...I'm worried about you Furina," Nilou said quietly, her eyes darting to where Alette was playing with the other kids, before looking back to Furina, who looked confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, uh...I don't mean to pry, but it's just that we are all so worried and..." Nilou said, appearing a little nervous now. Furina shakes her head in assurance.

"You aren't prying into my affairs at all Nilou. But I am a little confused, so maybe you would like to explain a little?" 

"Well...yesterday, after lunch ended. Well, I noticed that you and Alette left with that man from Fontaine...Monsieur Neuvillette was it?"

Oh. So that was what it was about. Furina did not make an effort to be sneaky about the whole thing, but she didn't expect Nilou to have noticed either.

"Yeah." Furina feels her throat dry. Was this where everything else comes to light as well?

"And well...Cyno and Tighnari noticed he was walking with the two of you back to your house...and that he was walking from the direction of your house late at night yesterday," Nilou stated in concern, as Furina lowered her gaze onto the ground, feeling foolish for her carelessness.

"I..."

"You don't have to say anything you don't want to until you are ready. But we are always here to listen and help you," Nilou said in a sweet and understanding tone, and Furina could not help but feel guilty for being so evasive with her friend.

"I'm sorry for worrying you and everyone else. It's just..."

"Just?"

"That man...he is...Alette's..." Furina said with a troubled sigh, feeling unable to admit the truth to Nilou. Her eyes naturally wander to where Alette is still playing with her new friends. Nilou's eyes followed to where Furina's line of sight was, and the redhead seemed to have understood what Furina could not say out loud.

"Oh my...! That man is..." Nilou's hands instantly covered her mouth as she looked around to see if anyone had noticed her outburst, before leaning in closer to whisper to Furina.

"Is he Alette's father?" Nilou asks quietly, and Furina can only stare at her quietly before giving a small nod.

"So Tighnari and Cyno were right..." Nilou murmured, looking at Furina with concern.

"Last night, Tighnari and Cyno came back to the Grand Bazaar to tell me what they witnessed. They also had suspected as such...I didn't notice until Tighnari pointed out the uncanny resemblance between that man and Alette..." Nilou said with a shake of her head as Furina grimaced. Nilou, having noted her expression, waves her hands at Furina.

"Tighnari and Cyno were really worried! But they didn't know how to ask about it...so that was why they came to me about their concerns. Don't worry, only the three of us know."

"I understand. I just wished I could tell everyone the truth earlier.." Furina said with a derisive laugh, as Nilou gazed at her with concern.

"Does Alette know?"

"She found out. She didn't take it well..." Furina said with a shake of her head, and Nilou sighed.

"I see. Well...how are you feeling, Furina?"

"Me? Well, I...I don't know," Furina confesses. Nilou tilts her head at her in confusion but waits for Furina to explain what she means.

"We parted on bad terms. He didn't even know about Alette until now. But seeing him again left me conflicted. I was angry at him. I still am. But deep down...I still..."

'I still love him, even after everything. And it is torture for me.' 

"I see. You never mentioned anything about Alette's father, so everyone assumed he was a taboo topic not to be brought up. But it seemed it is even more complicated than anything we imagined," Nilou said with an understanding nod. Furina gives her a weak smile.

"Thank you, Nilou. I feel a little better getting that confession off my chest. It's almost time for me to go." And Neuvillette was about to arrive any minute now.

"Alright. Take care on your journey. The desert is unpredictable, hot, and dangerous. Even for season mercenaries like Dehya. So be careful, okay?"

"Okay. Thanks again, for looking after Alette."

"Hey, it's no problem! What are friends for?" Nilou said with a cheerful smile, waving goodbye to Furina as she left to resume her duties around the grand bazaar. 

And with apparent great timing, Furina hears the sound of a cane and footsteps approaching from behind her.

"It is time to go," Neuvillette states simply in that rich, baritone voice of his. Furina nods in agreement.

"So it seems. Where are Clorinde and Wriothesley?" Given how Neuvillette was their superior, Furina had thought they would be traveling there with Neuvillette, but they were nowhere to be seen. While she does have reservations about traveling alone with the people who she once ruled over, especially a certain guard who had at one point in time held a sword up to her throat, she supposes it was better than the alternative.

"They went to Caravan Ribat by themselves first."

Oh. So they already left. But then what about—

"Only the two of us are left here in Sumeru City. Lesser Lord Kusanali and Hat Guy have already made their way to Caravan Ribat earlier to make preparations," Neuvillette said, having guessed exactly what was on Furina's mind. She just stares at him in mild horror.

Oh no, so she was left with THE alternative after all?! This was horrible, absolutely horrible! The worst of worst outcomes, ever!

"It is a good chance for us to talk as well, would you not agree?" Neuvillette questions with an arch of his eyebrow. Furina's eyes shoot arrows at him. No, Furina does not agree! She did not agree to have one-on-one time with Neuvillette!

But what other choice did she have right now? Go alone and make things worse? Or sit through an awkward journey with Neuvillette. Neuvillette looks at Furina expectantly, and she sighs, giving in.

"Let's go. We should get a move on if we want to make it on time..."

"Yes. Let us make our way to Caravan Ribat now."