Chapter Text
Alone, in the quietness of his office, Neuvillette ponders about a certain dilemma.
Deep down, Neuvillette has already made the promise that he will make sure that Furina will never cry like she did ever again, he couldn’t be there for her the first time, he will make sure there won’t be another.
It is well known that dragons hoard treasure, Neuvillette is no different, his treasure would be considered simple and frivolous to anyone else, yet for him it was priceless, his treasure, was Furina’s smile.
Yet, Neuvillette was at a crossroads, he was dealing with a burden far too heavy, even for him.
Besides returning to him the authority over the hydro element, Focalors handed him another responsibility, Furina may not be aware of it, but, her curse has not been lifted, and Neuvillette was now the one holding on to it.
In other words, Furina’s chains now belonged to Neuvillette.
‘Why didn’t Focalors lift it?’ ‘Why hasn’t he lifted it?’
He held no animosity towards Focalors, the one he judged the most harshly, was himself. He, didn’t want to let go, he didn’t want Furina to be a mortal, yet, he had no excuses, not even to himself as to why he held so dearly to her chains.
Why must he hold her like so? Why must it by him who holds her from her freedom?
It was knowledge that only him held, revealed to neither Lumine nor Furina, and the longer he kept quiet, the more it ate at his conscience.
He didn’t expect he would be holding onto it even for a day, it has now been months since he first received it and each time he even considered it, he was overwhelmed by nothing but dread and sadness.
Today was yet another one of those days he was reminded of her, as today, he was going to see Furina act in a play, it has been quite some time since she finally recovered some of her self-confidence, and this time, Neuvillette wanted to be there to encourage her, from the sidelines he wanted to support her, just like he has been doing up to now.
The play wasn’t something really ambitious, helping another little troupe, and she was under an alias, not wanting her name to give unwanted attention to such a small play, Furina simply didn’t want something flashy or high profile.
‘Furina…’
When the image of Furina enters his mind, he is reminded of the chains he holds.
The Palais Mermonia never felt so empty, ever since she moved away, it was as if the soul within the building had left, Neuvillette wasn’t the only one who felt this way, but, he was the one most affected, sometimes bringing with him Furina’s favorite pastries after going outside, mostly out of habit.
Many of the employees did comment on the melancholy of the Iudex as he walked around the hallways, Neuvillette may be inexpressive, but by no means does that mean he is unfeeling.
Left like this, the issue will likely linger for an unknown amount of time, and Neuvillette felt that he may have to act eventually.
His conversations with Lumine have helped him immensely, now he has reached the conclusion that he needs to say something to Furina, otherwise, things between the 2 will never change.
That of course, will come after going to Furina’s play.
-----
Of course, the play did attract far more attention than Furina would have wanted, as much as he wanted to be secretive about it, the Iudex himself attending might as well be rolling a red carpet and having a fireworks show, there is no such thing as low profile when he makes an appearance.
As annoyed as Furina was at him, the peace offering of pastries and a bouquet of Lakelight Lilies he gave her after the play was over, was enough for her to forgive him. He prepared that as a simple gift, but due to the circumstances, he had to get creative so she stopped pouting at him.
“Don’t think I will forgive you so easily!” It was hard to take her seriously, as the smile she had from being able to eat sweets after another successful play betrayed her.
Per Furina’s request, she was alone in her dressing room, another little measure she took to avoid unnecessary attention, especially from the pestering journalists, of course, Neuvillette was an exception she allowed to visit.
Silently, he watched her eat, enjoying the sight of a smiling Furina, still, he couldn’t help but wonder at how much about her was the act.
They have known each other for far too long, but, where does the mask end, and the real Furina begins? A question he has pondered so many times since she left the Palais Mermonia, how much of Furina has he actually seen? Who is the real Furina?
“Aren’t you tired of standing? Come,”-Furina pointed at another seat-”join me with some tea, like in the… Olden days.” The melancholy in her voice… It made it clear to Neuvillette that she too has had it hard since the change.
Taking a seat, he silently watched her once more.
He simply didn’t know what to say, ‘We… No, I miss her.’ A simple statement, yet so hard to voice, he too had to stop his own draconic nature from forcefully taking her back, he felt that the one who had the right to be selfish at this very moment, was Furina, not him.
He will first lock himself in The Fortress of Meropide, rather than allowing his own draconic instincts harm his beloved treasure.
Still, Furina could notice Neuvillette’s uneasiness, “Is there something on your mind?” Even thought she understands he won’t pursue her crimes of deception, Furina still knew that something was eating at him, he may still be a massive enigma to her, but, all those years together still amount to her being able to read some emotions of Neuvillette.
Her question, such an innocent question, yet it opened his eyes to what’s in front of him, ‘What am I doing? I am making her worry.’
At his silence, Furina felt awkward, “I did tell you that you needed a vacation, have you ever taken one even?”
“I have given that proposition some thought, and, it seems that it wouldn’t be a bad idea to do so.”
“*Chuckles* The Iudex taking a vacation, now that truly is a change in Fontaine. Is there anywhere you have in mind?”
“I would like to stay near Fontaine, as an emergency can always happen.”
“You always have your work in your mind, it is commendable, but please Neuvillette, you too need to take it easy from time to time, so, where are you planning to go?”
Neuvillette knew his answer will be strange, yet, he felt that no change will come if he didn’t dare to take that step, all his conversations with Lumine now finally paying off, “I have been interested in your current living arrangements Furina, it has now dawned on me that I truly do not understand the living conditions of the average fontainer, and I wish to experience it first hand, by spending the time in your current residence.”
Furina’s eye widened, her mouth agape, “I didn’t know you could tell jokes, when did this happen? Was it Lumine?”
“No, this is not in jest, I mean every word I have spoken, this is what I desire.”
“Do you miss me that much my dear Iudex?” Furina tried to be sassy.
“Your presence has surely been missed in The Palais Mermonia, and… Yes, I too look back in melancholy at those idle days we used to enjoy before.”
Furina couldn’t even joke anymore, Neuvillette was saying such things with a straight unflinching face, she knew quite well he is speaking the truth, ‘What are you telling him Lumine?’ It was obvious who the culprit was, a certain Traveler and a Pixie who can’t help but to get involved in all manner of situations.
“But, my current living arrangements wouldn’t be a suitable place for a vacation, would they? Wouldn’t arranging a simple vacation home would be for the best?”
“Perhaps so, but, I wish for a place in which I can be at ease and comfort, and that would surely be, beside you Furina. Besides, I am also quite concerned about your living arrangements.”
Furina blushed, she couldn’t help it, ‘Is Neuvillette flirting?’ ‘Who taught him that?’ ‘Is this all a set up?’ ‘When are Lumine and Paimon going to appear and laugh at the situation?’ ‘Are the walls real this time?’ A situation so strange to her, that she didn’t know how to react.
“Do you have a fever Furina?!”
“No, no, is not that, I… I don’t know how you can say that so… Brazenly…”
“Brazenly? I do not understand what you mean Furina.”
“Why are you worried about me? I told you, being apart is for the best, right?”
“I… Do not know.”
It was clear to her that Neuvillette misses her, and, she would be lying if she said she didn’t miss being with him enjoying the days quietly in his office while he worked, yet, Furina simply didn’t know how to proceed, she simply thought that moving away will just work, would going back be a sign of weakness?
“I told you! I don’t deserve to live in The Palais Mermonia! I don’t deserve any of that, I am a liar! A deceiver! Why won’t you judge me as such?!”
“I cannot.”
“Why?!”
“I… Do not know.”
“Neuvillette!” Furina was pouting again.
He truly did not know enough about the feelings he held to confidently put them into words, still, he has allowed his own personal feelings to affect his judgment, yet, he truly believed it was the right call, but, Furina wanted to be judged, ‘Perhaps it is time.’
“Your curse, it hasn’t been lifted.”
“Wh- What?!” Furina seemed upset, yet, her anger didn’t last long, her expression quickly changing to one of relief and, resignation, “So, you did judge me…”
“I…” Neuvillette was having a hard time thinking about what he should say, “indeed, for your crimes of deception you shall bear your curse and see what your actions have done to Fontaine for the years to come.” He had to improvise, but it seemed like a workable lie, still, Neuvillette couldn’t help but to judge himself the most yet again, ‘It seems my talks with Lumine haven’t had the desired results…’
An awkward silence fell upon the room, Furina knew that Neuvillette was being kind towards her, his punishment isn’t as harsh as she would have wanted, yet, she didn’t feel like questioning his decision, convincing herself that she deserved it nonetheless.
Still, Neuvillette didn’t mind being the one who shall carry that weight, he understood the responsibility he held by not being able, or rather, being unwilling to lift her curse in the first place.
“Now… What should I do?” Furina looked at the tea in her cup, “This curse… I have endured it for centuries, what are a few more centuries, right?” There was a tint of sadness, as the feeling of realizing her wings have been clipped just as soon as she wanted to fly was too real to her.
“Furina…”
“No… I… Don’t mind, Neuvillette, the Iudex must judge, the criminals must be judged, that’s… How things are.” Furina was tearing up, even though she said she was okay with it, deep down, she was still saddened by the news.
Neuvillette couldn’t bear to see such a display, no more tears from Furina, that is something he will never allow, never again, by seeing his treasure in such a state, this time, he was overtaken by instinct, not the draconic one, but the human one.
In a moment, he stood up, surprising Furina with how sudden it was, then, he approached her, gently taking the cup from her hands and placing it on the table, right in front of her he stood, just as suddenly, he fell on his knees, and proceeded to hug Furina.
“N- N- Neuvillette?!”
“I am sorry Furina…”
“Sorry for what? You didn’t do anything!”
“Sorry that I didn’t do anything, I couldn’t see how much you were hurting, I couldn’t be there to hold back your tears.”
Furina remained silent, ‘Even Neuvillette can feel like that…’ Still, she returned the hug, to her dear Iudex, no, her dear friend.
“Sorry for making you worry, Neuvillette.”
-----
Furina was making sure everything was sparkling and at a presentable state, now that Neuvillette will be staying for a few weeks, she wanted him not to worry about her accommodations.
Usually she did the bare minimum, today it was different, fearing that he might drag her back to the Palais Mermonia if it was too bad.
There was a slight problem, her home is only meant to house 1 person, therefore, she only had one bed, knowing Neuvillette, it would be likely that he will insist on taking the couch, but, it will be unbecoming of her to allow her guest to do such a thing. And, there is no way that Neuvillette will allow her to sleep on the couch either.
Turning towards her bed, ‘Its big enough for both of us…’ The idea came into her mind since she agreed to his proposal, ‘Sharing a bed with Neuvillette…’ Furina blushed at the thought, she and Neuvillette didn’t have THAT kind of relationship, still, she wasn’t against it, the thing will be, to convince him to share the bed.
Still, she decided to brew some tea to welcome him properly, making sure to use the leaves she bought at Qiaoying Village.
As she finished her preparations, she proudly looked at her handiwork, tea, sweets, a clean home, there will be no way that Neuvillette will find a fault, ‘I will show him how much I have matured!’ Puffing her chest, she waited for her guest.
*Knock* *Knock*
Speak of the devil.
With a smile on her face, Furina welcomed Neuvillette into her humble abode, a far cry from the Palais Mermonia for sure, but, it was still serviceable.
Ushered inside by Furina, Neuvillette looked around, with an obvious sigh of relief, he made Furina aware that he was indeed worried about how she was faring.
“See, I can take care of myself!” A proud Furina commented.
“It seems my worry was unfounded, I am proud of you Furina.” A slight smile could be seen in his face.
Furina smiled, her attention now on his luggage, fitting for Neuvillette’s pragmatic nature, she had a few doubts that so few luggage is enough for him, but, its Neuvillette, he likely pondered over every single item he packed.
“I prepared some tea to welcome you! Come, we can sort your luggage later.” Furina wanted to discuss the issue with the bed while having tea, as first she must make Neuvillette relax a little so she can convince him of her plan.