Chapter Text
The clouds were grey. It wasn’t a downpour, but it was still a cause for concern, so Sigewinne made got to the Palais Mermonia as quickly as she could.
Entering his office, he seemed calm. That didn't mean anything though. He always seemed calm.
Looking up from his paperwork, a human would've noticed the slight crack in his facade, "Ah, Sigewinne, I didn't expect to see you so soon after sending the letter."
"Well, your letter worried me slightly, Monsieur," she softly spoke, sitting on one of the sofas in his office, helping herself to a pastry from the coffee table, leftover from his earlier meeting with Sedene.
"I see. In the future, there's really no need to rush so much," he said, is composure still seemingly calm as he stood up, walking over and taking a seat on the couch opposite her.
"Are you sure? Your letter seemed really important,"
"Ah, apologises for that. I was feeling rather emotional whilst writing it, I doubt I thought my language through too much."
Too many times in one day Sigewinne was able to see through someone's facade. Somethings really wrong with the world.
“So, what was the matter you needed advice on?” she asked curiously making Neuvillette stiffen, before sighing. He called her here for a reason, he needs to say it.
“It... it’s about The Duke,” he sighed, his fingers subconsciously running through the end of his ponytail, which he lay over his shoulder, a nervous habit of his.
Unfortunately, Sigewinne’s first thought that it was something bad, “Is he okay? Is his job okay? Is-”
“Apologies, Sigewinne, I should've been clearer. It's nothing bad, per say,” he interrupted, not wanting her to worry, “I... I believe I am, er... developing feelings for him...”
His body language made it obvious he was uncomfortable and embarrassed. Yet again, even a melusine could tell. Something real wrong with the world.
Sigewinne, on the other hand, perked up ever so slightly. So, the feeling was mutual. As much as she wanted to tell either of them that it was mutual, she knew she couldn’t do that.
"It's, erm, difficult for me," Neuvillette continued, taking a sip of water, "obviously with..."
He hesitated to continue, but they both knew who he was talking about. Vautrin.
"And anyways, I doubt that he would... reciprocate... even if I did have feelings for him..." He mumbled, at this point just rambling to himself.
Sigewinne, noticing the way he was starting to get into his head, suddenly jumped in, "Monsieur Neuvillette, calm down! I'm sure it's all fine. Besides, you don't know how he feels, right?"
Sighing, he set his glass of water down and began fiddling with his ponytail once more, seemingly calming him down.
"I... I suppose you're right, Sigewinne. Thank you, I got a bit ahead of myself. So.. what do you suppose I do?"
___
Usually, Wriothesley wouldn't leave the Fortress, let alone when Sigewinne had as well. It was a rare occurrence, and it had happened recently when they went to Hotel Debord.
So, it was incredibly strange that Wriothesley was currently wondering the streets of the Court of Fontaine.
He mumbled to himself as he walked around, recalling directions he'd received ages ago from Clorinde, "Up the stairs... past the fruit stall, and..."
There it was. The florist.
Clorinde had told him about it once during one of their 'business meetings' (gossip sessions) when she first asked Navia out. I mean, it'd worked for her, right?
Looking at all the bouquets, he sighed. He didn't know anything about flowers.
The woman running the stand, a short, (though everyone was short compared to Wriothesley) kind-looking woman with long light brunette hair looked up at him with a soft smile, "How can I help you, sir?"
"Uh, I'm looking for some, er, flowers to send to someone."
"A partner?"
"N-no, just a friend," he said quickly, caught off guard by the question.
The woman smiled, realising the situation. A friend.
"Right. A 'friend'. So, do you know what kind of flowers this 'friend' likes?" She asked, beginning to look around at her stock.
Wriothesley paused. He decided to get flowers for a man who, for all he knows, doesn't like flowers.
"Uh, not entirely sure, no. Erm, I recon they'd like Romaritime Flowers."
She nodded, "D'you think they'd like flowers from other nations? Or only Fontaine? And tell me more about this person."
"Yeah, I think they'd like some more diverse flowers..." He coughed, feeling awkward. He wasn't sure how to delve into Neuvillette's personality without exposing too much.
As he went into what he was like, the woman smiled slightly. It was clear he cared a lot about this person.
After some discussion, they picked out the perfect bouquet together, with extra Romaritme Flowers. Wriothesley figured that he'd want some, they were a beautiful colour, and they were a plant that flourished when in contact with water. It was perfect for him.
After heading to a post stop, he sent it to Neuvillette's office at the Palais Mermonia, without signing it. That was a step too far at the minute.
Turning the corner to go to the elevator's, Wriothesley heard a familiar voice.
"It's just around the corner!"
Fuck.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
That voice was unmistakeably Sigewinne. She'd left to see Neuvillette, so he immediately assumed that's who he was talking to. He backtracked instantly, hiding behind a bush.
"I got these tea leaves for his birthday a few years ago, he'll love it if you give it to him!"
Sigewinne and Neuvillette were getting tea leaves for him?
Oh.
Oh.
Wriothesley's heartrate skyrocketed, and his face went bright red. As soon as the two passed him, he went to the elevator's
The entire way back to the Fortress, he was deep in thought, flopping back onto the couch, the same position he'd been in before he'd left, his hair falling over his eyes.
__
After his day out with Sigewinne, where he bought Wriothesley some tea leaves and enjoyed some time with Sigewinne in general, Neuvillette arrived back at his office, to see a bouquet on his desk. Every now and then when Neuvillette was out, a girl would spot him and send him flowers.
Whilst it was... sweet, he didn't enjoy it. They usually didn't appeal to him, the Romaritime Flowers made him hesitate. They were beautiful. The nature of them did give Neuvillette a slight soft spot.
Whilst he usually didn't do this, he kept the flowers out, displaying them on his coffee table.
Whoever that random girl was, she guessed his preferences pretty well.