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“And with that, the curtains close on yet another trial. Everyone at the opera house may leave.”
Neuvillette bit back a sigh-he was glad these cases were finally getting the closure they deserved after years of investigating, but he had to admit he was starting to feel exhausted with trial after trial coming right after the other. His mortal body could hold on for so long.
He got up and glanced at the prosecution box-a now empty box. Once again he had to restrain himself from planting his face on his palm. Of course Lady Furina had to make her dramatic exit instead of staying back and arraging the files, as she put it all those years ago when they had their first proper conversation. After Egeria died and Focalor came into power.
Neuvillette shook his head. Those days were long gone. He was now the Chief Justice of Fontaine, a bringer of justice alongside the Archon. Even if said Archon acts like a sixteen year old.
He made his way down and towards the door, ready to finish the day when voice yelled out, “Monsieur Neuvillette, please wait a minute!”
Ah, that voice. Neuvillette’s ear twitched as he turned to meet the golden haired woman who ran up to him, her two bodyguards standing aside. Navia halted in front of him and gave him a small smile, which he returned. Their relationship has improved as of late, after unexpectedly meeting up at Poisson along with Lumine and Paimon. Still, he couldn’t help but feel the guilt gnawing away in his stomach everything he saw her face.
“Ms Navia,” Neuvillette began to say, shoving those negative thoughts aside for now. He could worry about those later. “I’m sorry, I forgot to properly thank you for your help in solving this case.” He hid the mild embarrassment he felt realizing he forgot. Once again this mortal body is taking a toll on him.
However, the Spina de Rosula president didn’t take it in offence. Instead she crossed her arms and shot him a mild glare. “How many times have I told you to not apologize? Monsieur Neuvillette, if I must I will take a class on how to understand humans better. I’m sure you will greatly benefit from it. No charges.”
This was…interesting. Neuvillette chuckled. Navia certainly had the flair for dramatics. Unlike Clorinde. Some things don’t change over time he supposed. That was a good thing.
“I would gladly accept the offer, however my position as the Chief Justice barely leaves me with any free time, and now with the increase in trials and cases, all I have time for is to eat and sleep.”
At that, Navia’s expression shifted into one of guilt. “Ahh,” she said softly. “Right, I forgot. This must be exhausting for you, having to preside over every trial, and if I may be so bold to add, to put up with Lady Furina’s antics.”
“She can be a handful at times,” Neuvillette agreed, rubbing his temples. Whenever she wasn’t around he always relished the silence until she came barging in without a care in the world. “Still, her sense of justice is one I do admire, even if she makes every trial a show.”
“I don’t think I will ever accept her views on how a trial should be held,” Navia murmured staring at the prosecutor box. “These trials are meant to bring out the truth of horrendous crimes and free the innocent. How would they feel if the crowd is constantly jabbing cruel words just because you were a suspect? Doesn’t it hurt their feelings? All because they believe their “main star” is the Supreme Guardian of the law? That’s only proving the whole prophecy by saying everyone is guilty. Just because they all jump into conclusions.”
As always, Neuvillette found himself unable to answer her. He knew he didn’t have a good handle on his emotions, despite being in the human world for centuries. Navia had always reminded him from time to time, and he has been trying his best, but he knew his best wasn’t enough.
But right now, even though he was tongue tied and brain rattled, he understood her. The feeling of…something bubbled in him. He couldn’t tell. It was so, so strong. But at the same time it felt foreign.
All sorts of thoughts begun to creep up in his mind, and all he wanted to do was to get out and get somewhere safe.
“I-will make sure to pass on your views,” Neuvillette said, hiding the light tremble in his voice. “I am terribly sorry Ms Navia, but can you please excuse me? I have some paperwork that needs attending to in my office.” He didn’t know what else to say, and he did have a few forms to fill…
It seemed lady luck was on his side for once, because Navia backed up a little, waving her hands. “Ah, I’m sorry for taking your time. It momentarily slipped my mind you have a lot of work. May I meet you in the Palais when your free?”
“Certainly.” And without looking back, Neuvillette made a beeline out of there, hoping he didn’t look like he was running.
The Fountain of Lucine shone in the sun, designed and constructed piece by piece carefully by a Kshahrewar architect from the Sumeru Akademiya. The water glistened in the sunlight, pure water flowing through it. Mora was scattered everywhere inside, with couples wishing for their children be born strong and healthy. To Neuvillette, it meant a symbol of the nations glory and power. He was never a power hungry person, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have that sense of pride. To him, the Fountain meant everything and more.
Or so he thought. That fateful trial changed his perspective on everything. In fact, almost every trial has him thinking about humans and how they work. The icing on the cake had to be one with Navia’s father.
He sighed and sat down on the ridge near the plaque. Usually he’d take rest when there aren’t people praying or Melusines skipping along the road. The water always gave him comfort. A water dragon out of the sea. It was weird to imagine, but he promise he’d stay on the land. And in any case, the people of Fontaine could no longer return to the water.
But he could.
But he still stayed for his people.
And for one person.
“Another long day I see. I can only wonder when they’ll let you retire.”
'Ah, speak of the devil.' Neuvillette looked up to find the very person he was thinking about. Meeting Wriothesley was probably one of the best thing that happened. The man was the best at his job working in the Fortress of Meropide. Combined with his little partner Sigewinne (whom he had a soft spot for) the duo was well known all over Fontaine. They always met in the court house, and that’s how their friendship developed.
And now look at where they were, with Wriothesley knowing all of Neuvillette’s thinking spots when he felt overwhelmed and had to recharge. And in turn, Neuvillette knew where he would be at almost every hour of the day. Almost, because sudden cases whisks him away to places he couldn’t go to, with his status of Chief Justice.
Lazy afternoons like this after something meant they’d somehow bump into each other. Thanks to the intense heat, the people were either locked up in their houses or out somewhere cool. Which meant they had the area all to themselves.
“You know the dreaded state the court will be in if I step down,” Neuvillette said in mild humor. He heard Wriothesley chuckle and a hand on his shoulder. “Especially in todays trial. This time we couldn’t use the Oratrice because of the…incident.”
“And you still believe that the Oratrice should be the one to decide upon the final verdict? After all that has happened?” Wriothesley asked softly. He let his hand trail down to Neuvillette’s elbow. “You know my faith in the device has always been questionable at best. Now it seems I’ve been proven right.”
“And yet you still allow it to function.”
“Now that isn’t fair,” Wriothesley mumbled, shaking his head. “I’ve always upheld the law and brought criminals down my way. Even if you sometimes disagree with it.”
Neuvillette chucked, allowing a small smile to appear on his face. He couldn’t necessarily argue with that. He appreciated the line of work Wriothesley was a part of just like everyone else. Being the Duke of Meropide was no easy job, and Wriothesley had his work cut out for him on numerous occasions, but that didn’t stop him from doing his job properly by dishing out the approptiate sentences for each criminal. Even if his work only confines him to his office.
In some ways, Neuvillette admired the man next to him. His understanding of justice intrigued him at times, but it was one he promised himself he'd try to understand.
Wriothesley hummed. “Sigewinne wondered what happened to you last night. You know that?”
Neuvillette made a small questioning noise. “I’m afraid I don’t know. May I ask why she did?”
The Duke shot him what appeared to him a sad smile. “You’ve been quiet. Unusually quiet. Sigewinne thought the scary monster she claims to be living under her bed started to make you feel under the weather.”
“She does have quite the imagination,” Neuvillette said, remembering the time the little girl went into full detail about how she was convinced there was a demon in her room that came out at night to scare her. Poor Wriothesley had to coax her out of her tears whenever she barrelled into her room crying uncontrollably. Not that he minded though. “She’s a sweet girl.”
“And she isn’t wrong.” Wriothesley’s voice was low. Too low. Low and soft. To Neuvillette, it felt like he just touched a white hot iron rod.
“I-“ the man began to say, clearly at a loss of words. Neuvillette looked down at his feet, nodding his head in silent encouragement. He would wait patiently for him to get his thoughts organized. See how close he was to the truth. Or, whatever part of it.
He heard Wriothesley suck in a sharp breath before continuing. “I don’t know what’s going on in your brain, and you don’t have to tell me, but know me and Sigewinne are here for you, OK? You entrusted me with your secret, and I’m assuming it’s something related to that that’s bothering you. But I won’t be able to help if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”
This was what scares Neuvillette. No, not scare, in fact. It terrifies him. He wanted to protect them at all costs. Letting him on his past-a past he struggles to remember-essentially meant involving them in affairs they shouldn’t be a part of.
He knew Wriothesley was more than capable of protecting himself, but Sigewinne was a child. A sweetheart, kind and vulnerable, who still is learning about the human world. But she’s safe in Wriothesley’s care, and the Duke takes good care of her. No, he doesn’t need to bring others down with him. Not the people he loved.
So he exhaled softly through his nose and held the hand on his shoulder and slid it down so that their entwined fingers were now on his lap. He rubbed gentle circles on his skin, conveying a thousand messages. A thousand stories. They knew each other after all.
And what choice did Neuvillette have? This was a path he had to walk on his own. He wouldn’t let anyone get hurt. Not again.
In a low, soft voice, he said, voice cracking just a tiny bit, “I’ll be fine in a few days. I’ve been stressed these past two weeks with the amount of trials that I’ve been attending. Were it not for Lumine and Paimon’s help-and even Ms Navia, quite frankly, I might’ve lost my sanity by now.”
“The people are certainly getting the entertainment they’ve been wanting,” Wriothesley said, chuckling dryly. He untangled their palms. “Well, if you say so I suppose. That you’ll be alright. But I don’t want you to think you need to shoulder everything on your own.”
“Your tone tells me otherwise.”
“I do trust you Neuvillette, I really do,” said a now frustrated Wriothesley, who ran a hand through his hair. Neuvillette long knows by now that anger wasn’t directed at him. “I’m just- ever since that day I told myself I’d won’t let anything happen to you and Sigewinne. But everyday I wake up thinking, am I doing a good job? Sometimes I find Sigewinne looking utterly broken and dismayed when she hears of a patients death in her care, and I am absolutely powerless to stop her tears.” Wriothesley’s choking on his words at this point. “And I can’t stand seeing you weep silently in your office, thinking no one can see you, when in reality I can sense your helplessness every time I pass through that tower.”
The sky grows dark, grey clouds replacing the crystal blue sky as Neuvillette desperately reined in his emotions. Great, now he had his best friend worried. Isn’t he pathetic? Why couldn’t he get a grip on his emotions?
(He isn’t human like the rest. He wasn’t meant to be like the rest. Who was he, in this society? Who would he be, if he weren’t the Chief Justice? The Iudex of Fontaine?
A nobody, that’s who)
“If you start to talk shit about yourself, I will punch you with my gloves into whatever universe you start accepting yourself. And I’ll make sure the last thing you see are Sigewinne’s stickers.”
‘Well wasn’t that just great?’ “Did I say those out loud?” Neuvillette asked sheepishly, turning around in hopes of hiding his flush on face, which was growing fast.
He was the Hydro Sovereign for Archons sake, and he couldn’t even act like it. What would the other Sovereigns have said, should they have seen the state he was in? Would they have mocked him? Declared he wasn’t fit to look over Fontaine? Shivers went down his spine at the prospect.
Warmth spread through his hands once more, being gently held by Wriothesley. The Sovereign felt rough, calloused fingers under his chin, and let them turn his face so that icy blue met liquid magenta once again. The Duke had a smile on his face, the smile only meant for Neuvillette’s eyes to see.
“I don’t know what goes in that brain of yours that makes the skies weep intensely, causing trees to be uprooted and concrete and bricks to crack, but I know I can help you if you let me. I care about you Neuvi, whether you realize it or not. You’re the reason why I’m the Duke of Meropide, and I’m grateful every single day. Do you think, from my perspective I can just stand by and watch you cry without doing anything?”
Neuvillette made a move to speak, but Wriothesley pressed a finger to his lips. “I’m not done yet, Iudex. If you interrupt now I may never get to say the things I want to. I may even have to press charges against you.”
A chuckle involuntary escaped out of Neuvillette’s mouth. He rolled his eyes. “On what grounds, my Grace?”
“Simple, my own.” The smile on Wriothesley’s face wad smug. Taunting. But not cruelly. “Don’t forget I’m an officer Chief Justice. I have my own set of rules.”
“And one of them is to lock the Hydro Sovereign behind bars under the guise of a ‘timeout?’”
“Its worked before, hasn’t it?” Wriothesley said, shrugging. Almost immediately his expression turned serious. Slapping his cheeks he semi-yelled, “Wait, don’t distract me! Your distracting me! What were we talking about again?”
This time Neuvillette laughed-a proper laugh. Not one of those tiny giggles he hide behind his hand whenever Wriothesley did something either funny or stupid.
Opening his eyes he was met with the other man looking at him fondly, eyes sparkling. Pure adoration and endearment filled Neuvillette’s heart, and letting out a few stray giggles, he asked, “what’s so funny?”
“You’re finally smiling,” Wriothesley said, pulling him into a hug. “I hope that smile never leaves your face. I want you to be like this forever.”
“I wish I could to as well,” Neuvillette whispered into Wriothesley’s collarbone. And he it was true-he didn’t want to cry all the time or feel such deep emotions and cause all this weather mania and trouble for the people. But why is that even after so many years his heart was still as it was when he was first born?
“That’s just who you are,” was what Egeria had told him on one fine day. “It is in your nature to feel sorrow for the innocent, to feel anguish for the guilty, and their motives. And I’m just like you. Its not a bad thing, these emotions. They are what defines you after all. I’m glad I don’t have a Chief Justice that has a stone cold heart with no feelings. It really puts my mind at ease Neuvillette. I’m happy with how you are. Please, do not change for anyone, even after I’m long gone.”
Ah.
So that’s what she meant.
Wriothesley hugged him tighter, his head buried in his long white and blue streaked hair. “Remember I’m here for you Neuvi. I’m not gonna leave. Not now, not ever until my last dying breath. If you need anyone to talk to, I’m always available. For you, mon dragon.”
Oh doesn’t that make his heart squeeze. He gasped softly under his breath when he felt warm lips press themselves against his forehead, careful and excruciatingly gentle. So this is how it felt to be loved. It felt quite nice.
They parted, and the grey in the sky slowly dissipated, blue bleeding back in with fluffy white clouds. Neuvillette was surprised and relieved the change happened quicker than usual.
Even Wriothesley picked up on it, for he laughed and said, “You know, I think you should resign as Chief Judge and become a weather forecaster. Or maintainer. You so have a knack for that.”
Neuvillette huffed and punched his arm. Uncharacteristic of him. But there was no one around. He was acting soft anyway, he might as well continue.
Wriothesley chuckled. “But hey, since the weather is sorta back to normal, why don’t go somewhere green and have a little tea party? I’ll bring Sigewinne and those new pastries the Traveller recommended me. If you want to that is.
And really, who was Neuvillette to refuse? It had been long since it was just the three of them, enjoying nature and sipping tea, watching Sigewinne draw with her crayons and plaster stickers on Wriothesley’s gloves. Oh what wouldn’t he give to listen to listen to Wriothesley’s jokes or feel Sigewinnes tiny fingers in his hair when she braids it.
So to that, he grabbed Wriothesley’s hand and stood up, pulling him up in the process. “I would very much love that my Grace,” he said teasingly, grinning.
Wriothesley blinked owlishly once. Twice. Thrice. Then let out a hearty laughter. “Then I’ll meet you at that new café in an hour.”
Neuvillette nodded. “Sounds nice.” And with that, the pair parted, with Neuvillette feelings bit better about himself than before, knowing now he could count on someone to lift him up.