Chapter Text
Neuvillette learned something. He was not stubborn, no. He would also not tell you what he learned, but he was not stubborn.
The pain wouldn’t really go away.
There were moments, fleeting and yet just as sharp. The knife would plunge down, right through the muscle and bone and lay its tip over the thrumming heart.
Neuvillette was not stubborn. He was frustrated.
He would often flip through the pages with his fingers pressing down hard and with his claws scraping the cover of the book, out of frustration. He’d check it once, twice, even thrice on days where he felt irritable.
He’d done everything right– he’d kissed Wriothesley. He called that man his lover, of all things. And still, that knife in his chest would lay its tip on top of his sternum, then press down and further through the muscle and bone, and lay its tip against the thrumming heart.
Neuvillette had done everything right. The book told him to talk about his feelings, find a friend, and he’d done more than just that. He had more than just a friend, he had a lover. But the knife would not un-plunge itself from his chest and he was frustrated because of it.
He’d have to check the book again.
—
“Clorinde.”
“Yes, Monsieur?” She answered back.
“I, uh, ahem, heard something,” He stammered. He was not one to stammer, it was sort of embarrassing.
“... May I ask what you heard?” Clorinde replied back, an eyebrow raised. Neuvillette realized he was being awkward.
“I.. heard you were going to have dinner with Miss Navia.”
“O-Oh!” Clorinde blinked. “Uh,” she composed herself, “yes, I am. Is there something you need me here for?”
Neuvillette shook his head. “I understand you are trying to… court her? I heard it is common for people to invite others for dinner or such.”
“... I am, Monsieur,” she muttered weakly with a faint tinge of pink on her face. “I’m planning on confessing tonight. I cannot stay at the Palais Mermonia tonight, if you were plan–”
“No, I was not,” Neuvillette cut her off. “... I want to join you.”
Clorinde blinked. “What?”
“W-With Wriothesley, ahem, I meant. You see, I believe I have formed a relationship with the Duke and I heard it is necessary for those in relationships to have these meetings with one another,” Neuvillette said.
“You and Wrio–” Clorinde scoffed incredulously, “you managed to get him to say he loves you?”
“Well, we shared a kiss or two. We also–”
“I don’t need to know, Monsieur,” Clorinde cut him off quickly. “I was just shocked that he confessed, he was harboring these feelings for quite some time.”
“Oh. Was it obvious that he was?”
“... Yes, Monsieur.”
Neuvillette blinked. Human emotions were confusing indeed.
“Well, I suppose all is right then. Also, you never answered. Would you mind if Wriothesley and I were to join you?”
Clorinde shrugged. “If he laughs when I tell Navia, I’m hiding his tea for a month.”
Neuvillette chuckled. “You two are good friends, I see.”
She smiled softly, despite it all. “You could say that, I suppose.”
“Alright, I will notify Wriothesley of this meeting. Have a good day, Clorinde.”
Clorinde nodded. “You as well, Monsieur.”
Except, Neuvillette had one more question. He’d developed a habit of doing this, he realized.
“Clorinde–”
“ Knew it,” she muttered under her breath. “Yes, Monsieur?” She chose to say instead.
“Are we friends?”
“I would like to think so, yes.”
Neuvillette smiled softly. “Alright, that is all. Thank you for your time, I mustn't keep you long.”
—
Neuvillette was not stubborn. He’d learned something, but he was not stubborn. What he learned was rather shocking, but only to him. Having to learn human emotions was a grueling task that consisted of never ending torment and anguish, and he was growing irritated.
Truthfully, he wished he realized this sooner– it was rather obvious and his ego was bruised from only realizing this now.
Firstly, it was not loneliness that hurt him. He had just missed Wriothesley. It was hard to differentiate, but he realized he had no reason to be lonely, so why would he feel lonely? Of course, there lied the solution: he wasn’t lonely. Still, Neuvillette had plans to meet Wriothesley tonight, and he was looking forward to it. He didn’t enjoy missing Wriothesley.
Secondly, and this one was the most shocking of it all– and he felt just the tiniest bit hurt despite laughing about it when he first realized, and he knew it was on purpose, because why would it not be–
Clorinde never told him where to meet her.