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During the court break, in a private room at the Opera Epiclese, Furina and Neuvillette sat facing each other, indulging in some cakes and tea. From an outsider's perspective, the scene appeared peaceful, but an underlying tension hung in the air.
"I've told you a thousand times, please be mindful of your whims when court is in session," Neuvillette began, his tone reproachful.
Furina, however, remained defiant, her arms crossed. "So what? It's so boring that I nearly fell asleep just by watching."
"Aren't you the one who wanted to demonstrate the magnificence of an Archon? The least you can do is exercise some patience," Neuvillette sighed. "You, of all people, should understand how much your words affect the common people—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Furina abruptly stood up, interrupting him. "And where are you going, Lady Furina?" Neuvillette asked, exasperated by her impulsive behavior.
"I'm not needed here anyway, unlike our oh-so-precious Chief of Justice," she retorted as she left the room, her departure marked by her usual dramatic flair. For those familiar with their dynamic, it was just another episode in their ongoing drama, not something to be overly concerned about.
[Did I sound too harsh... Well, she'll return to her usual mood and come back later.]
Neuvillette briefly contemplated the interaction but ultimately pushed it to the back of his mind, focusing on the tasks at hand.
However, unlike what he had anticipated, Furina's "later" seemed to be taking longer than usual to arrive that day.
--------
After her dramatic exit from the Opera Epiclese, Furina decided to seek solace and cool her heated mood at a cozy coffee shop nestled within the Court of Fontaine. Deep down, she knew that Neuvillette's scolding held some truth, but her mercurial temperament often got the better of her. In moments like these, she preferred solitude, distancing herself even from the vigilant guards tasked with her protection.
Having ordered her special blend of tea, Furina settled elegantly at a corner stall. The soothing aroma of tea filled the air, and the ambiance of the quaint coffee shop provided her with a welcome respite.
Sipping her tea and gazing out at the picturesque views of Fontaine had always been a reliable source of relaxation for her. Observing the prosperity of her people never failed to lift her spirits. She reveled in the heartwarming sights that unfolded before her – children joyfully playing, dedicated gardes tending to their duties with diligence, and charming melusine gracefully going about their tasks.
Amidst this tranquil tableau, Furina's attention was abruptly seized by the approach of four strangely familiar figures. Their presence bore an uncanny foreboding, signaling the potential arrival of unwanted trouble that could soon disrupt the peace she cherished.
"Oh hey. Isn't that Focalors? Heyyyy," Out of the four, The green one that dressed like a bard noticed her and wave at her enthusiastically.
"!!!" Furina, caught off guard by the unexpected greeting, nearly spat out her tea in surprise. The quartet approached her seating area, their cheerful greetings contrasting with her own flustered state.
"... why are you people here..." Furina inquired, discreetly dabbing her mouth with a handkerchief. While her outward demeanor appeared amiable, her inner thoughts couldn't have been more different.
[Nothing good ever comes with these guys together.]
Such were her cynical musings as she observed the unexpected gathering of these four eye-catching archons: Anemo, Geo, Electro and Dendro.
Furina harbors a deep desire to escape from her current situation, yet she understands the importance of upholding her dignity as the god of Fontaine. Her responsibility weighs on her as she silently prays that these particular visitors of hers won't bring chaos to her beloved country. She shakes herself out of her contemplation, realizing that more and more people are starting to take notice of their presence in this public space.
It appeared that her attempt to maintain incognito had been shattered during the surprise encounter. Internally she couldn't help but sigh. The weight of her divine duty and the watchful eyes of her people compel her to remain composed and cautious in this tense moment.
"Before that... let's go somewhere else."
Furina carefully leads the other four archons to the secluded rooftop of Palais Mermonia. Under normal circumstances, she would have escorted them to a formal guest room, but given their unique identities and the sensitive nature of their meeting, discretion is paramount. This impromptu tea party demands a private setting to avoid unwanted attention.
She exhales a silent sigh of relief, knowing that Neuvillette is currently engrossed with his work at the Opera; his absence ensures that he won't sense their presence. Furina can't help but shudder at the thought of the Sovereign Hydro Dragon encountering the other archons, particularly Barbatos and Morax, two of the original seven.
Upon their arrival on the rooftop, Furina uses her divine powers to conjure five elegant bubble chairs, each with a soft, cushioned seat, and a gleaming white marble table adorned with an array of delectable confectioneries. The table's surface is meticulously arranged with trays of delicate pastries, fresh fruit, and dainty tea cups.
With a graceful wave of her hand, a beautifully crafted teapot appears on the table, radiating warmth. She pours fragrant tea into each cup in front of her esteemed guests, the aroma of the tea leaves filling the air and adding to the ambiance of their intimate gathering.
"I hope the tea is to your liking." Furina remarks, a subtle nod to its exceptional quality, a gift from the Duke himself.
"It would have been nice to have wine though," Barbatos whined, displaying his perennial affection for the beverage.
"Your love for wine remains unchanged, Barbatos. However, I don't have any on hand, so please make do with what we have," Furina responded firmly.
"Aww, stingy," the green-clad bard pouted, though he accepted the situation with good humor.
In truth, Furina could have easily summoned wine if she desired, but she refrained from doing so. She was well aware of the potential consequences if the Anemo Archon indulged too heavily and caused diplomatic issues. Fortunately, the other Archons present proved to be more reasonable and composed. Morax showed a particular fondness for the tea, while both Ei and Nahida delighted in the pastries, their eyes sparkling with enjoyment. Observing this, Furina felt herself begin to relax.
"Since we're gathered here like this, it might be better to use our current names rather than our formal titles," Venti suggested, breaking the ice. "I'm Venti the Bard."
"In this form, I go by Zhongli, working as a consultant," Zhongli added with a nod.
"I'm Ei," the Electro Archon chimed in, still stuffing her mouth with the strawberry tart.
"And you can call me Nahida," the God of Wisdom introduced herself.
"I see. Venti, Zhongli, Ei, and Nahida. Well, you've likely heard my name on the streets; I go by Furina," she replied with a hint of amusement, pleased to be addressing her fellow Archons on a more informal basis.
Furina couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the motley crew of Archons that had unexpectedly descended upon her. She couldn't fathom what had prompted this unusual gathering.
"So, what's the purpose of this sudden Archon expedition, especially with these... unexpected members?" she inquired, a playful smirk dancing on her lips.
Zhongli, the voice of reason among them, cleared his throat and began to explain, "You see, one day I happened to hear from an old friend about a hidden sanctuary in Fontaine."
Before he could continue, Venti, who had a knack for involving himself in other people's business, chimed in with his characteristic enthusiasm, "And of course, I couldn't resist suggesting that we all go explore it together!"
Zhongli nodded in agreement, "Yes, and then, in the spirit of making things more... 'fun', we decided to make a detour to Inazuma and invite Ei, who had nothing better to do than read light novels."
Ei, who shot Zhongli a bombastic side-eye, picked up the story, "After that, we figured, why not invite Nahida as well?"
Nahida chimed in with a wry smile, "It truly was a surprise to suddenly have a group of Archons paying a visit."
"I found the whole idea rather intriguing, so that's why I decided to join in," the Dendro Archon explained.
"And so, here we are! Ta-daaa!" Venti exclaimed with his usual exuberance, as if presenting a grand spectacle.
"That's certainly an... unusual way to plan a visit," Furina remarked, finding the whole situation both bewildering and amusing.
[Well it does sound interesting actually.]
Nahida chimed in, asking, "Why don't you join us, Furina?"
"Yeah, considering this is your territory, you must know Fontaine like the back of your hand," Ei added, nodding in agreement.
The idea of exploring a hidden place in her own domain, something she wasn't aware of, was undeniably tempting.
The idea of exploring a hidden place in her own domain did pique Furina's interest. "I suppose I could join you all for a while," she conceded, thinking it might be a fun diversion. She decided to inform Clorinde about her brief absence.
[Just a few hours of adventure should be harmless, right? Plus, with five Archons in tow, what could possibly go wrong?]
Furina thought naively, not realizing that such overconfidence was often the precursor to unforeseen mishaps.
-------------
A few hours had passed and the trial today took longer than he expected. In the grand hall of the Opera Epiclese, Neuvillette, having finished his duties, found himself lost in thought. He couldn't help but wonder about the Hydro Archon's absence. It was unusual for her to miss the trial today, given her penchant for involving herself in such matters and yet he didn't even sense her anywhere near Erinnyes today.
As he descended the ornate staircase, the disquiet in his heart grew more pronounced. It was then that he was greeted by two familiar faces – Navia and Wriothesley. Wriothesley, as casual as he is greeted Neuvillette first while Navia gave a respectful nod.
"Good evening, Chief of Justice. I trust the trial went smoothly?"
Neuvillette acknowledged him with a nod and a faint smile. "Indeed, it did. What brings both of you here?"
As Wriothesley and Navia engaged in conversation with Neuvillette, each with their own business to discuss, their exchange was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of Clorinde.
"Monsieur Neuvillette, sir," Clorinde, stoic as ever, looks worried. Neuvillette sensing the urgency has a bad feeling about whatever news she's bringing. Navia swiftly ordered her men to stand by outside the hall, and Wriothesley, though appearing nonchalant as ever sipping his tea, adopted a more focused stance.
"What's the matter?" Neuvillette asked.
Seeing how they are the only one there, Clorinde informs the group that Lady Furina is nowhere to be found and it is past the time she promised to come back.
"She hasn't come back yet?" Neuvillette examine the letter that Furina had given to Clorinde a few hours ago. It was her handwriting without a doubt. She didn't specifically tell where she was going only that the appointed time she was supposed to come back.
"Wriothesley, Lady Navia. I apologize. Can we set the meeting on another day."
"Don't worry about it. This matter is more concerning after all." Wriothesley went to his serious mode. Just in case, he makes a mental note to ask his informant if they knew anything.
"I will ask my men to search as well." Navia too looked worried and chimed in.
Neuvillette gave them a brief but appreciative nod. "Thank you."
As everyone went their separate ways to investigate Furina's disappearance, Neuvillette retreated to a secluded spot. He tapped his cane in an attempt to sense her whereabouts, but an unsettling discovery awaited him – something seemed to be interfering with his divine senses. He tried again, but the results remained unchanged.
With the dawn breaking, there was still no sign of Furina's return. Clorinde and Navia approached him with somber expressions, both conveying their inability to locate the missing Archon.
"I apologize, but even with Spina di Rosula's network, we couldn't find Lady Furina's whereabouts," Navia admitted with evident concern.
Clorinde added, "The gardes have been searching diligently as well, but we still have no leads."
Neuvillette's emotions swirled with a sense of helplessness. Dark clouds gathered overhead as he cast his gaze upon the sea.
"Furina... where are you..." he whispered softly, a deep and unsettling worry gripping his heart.
---------------
Back in the company of the Archons, they found themselves trapped inside the sanctuary. While getting to the location had posed no significant challenges, a small miscalculation, coupled with Venti's carelessness, had led to the activation of numerous seals, effectively imprisoning them.
"Gahhh!!! What should we do now?!" Furina exclaimed in a state of panic.
Zhongli, ever pragmatic, suggested, "Should I smash this place into pieces?" He readied himself to summon a colossal rock from the sky.
Ei, her sword already at the ready, chimed in, "Or we can cut this place into oblivion?"
Furina, knowing well how strong these two are, scolded them sternly. "Don't either of you dare, you natural disasters. I'm going to sue both of you if you dare destroy this beautiful area." She then turned her gaze toward the bard, who was the source of their predicament. "And you! We are in this mess because of you! Wait... Where did you even get that wine? This isn't the time to be drunk, you stupid bard!!"
Furina, desperate for a solution, turned to Nahida and implored, "Nahidaaaa~ can't you find a peaceful way to get us out of this mess? You are the God of Wisdom here. Please enlighten us on how to escape this."
Nahida, her demeanor as calm and collected as ever, smiled knowingly. "Actually, I did take some action. We just need to wait."
The revelation seemed to surprise and puzzle the other Archons, who exchanged bewildered glances. With Nahida's assurance, they settled into a somewhat comfortable wait, trusting in her wisdom.
---------------
Three days had slipped away, and for Neuvillette, describing his current emotional state as simply "worried" would be a gross understatement. While the Hydro Archon did have a habit of disappearing from time to time, he usually possessed a general sense of her whereabouts. However, during these three endless days, unrelenting rain had drenched Fontaine. His heart ached to cease the downpour, but it remained stubbornly deaf to his pleas.
Furina's absence weighed heavily on him, making it nearly impossible to focus on his official duties. It was an uncanny irony, as he had often wished for moments of solitude, but now he found himself discontent without her vibrant presence. After hundreds of years together, Neuvillette had grown so accustomed to her lively presence that the halls of Palais Mermonia now felt eerily quiet in her absence. If he knew this would happened he should have stopped her from going out at that time. Unable to concentrate, he decided to take a walk through the streets of Fontaine, hoping to clear his mind.
As he strolled through the streets of Fontaine, he unexpectedly spotted the golden-haired Traveler in the company of two unfamiliar individuals.
"Hmm.. Isn't that..."
Though he had never dealt with the military in Inazuma before, he recognized one of the two people accompanying the Traveler. It was Kujou Sara, the royal retainer of the Electro Archon. Beside them was a short figure in blue with a distinctive large hat. At first, Neuvillette hesitated to approach them, but the mention of Archons in their conversation compelled him to do so.
"Traveller, I apologize for intruding on your conversation," Neuvillette began, addressing the Traveler directly. "May I inquire about the details of the topic you've been discussing?"
A surprised "Neuvillette?!" came from Paimon, drawing the attention of everyone in the group. The Traveler hesitated briefly but ultimately chose to share the unfolding situation with the Chief of Justice.
"Well, I suppose it does involve Furina as well," she began, her tone somber. "The truth is..."
------------
"How long would it take for them to come and rescue us?" Furina asked, her gaze fixed on her cards.
While they waited for rescue, the five Archons had played multiple games over the past three days, including Snake and Ladders, Mahjong, and Blackjack. Venti would entertain them with a song or two and Furina would join in for a duet. Currently, they were engaged in a game of Old Maid.
"They have already arrived here in Fontaine and are currently talking to your Chief of Justice," Nahida replied casually as she picked a card.
Furina nodded, though her outward composure masked a deep sense of panic. Inside, she couldn't help but worry.
[Yep, I'm in trouble. Neuvillette is going to scold me for this.]
Furina felt slightly guilty since they parted ways after an argument that day. It felt like a long time since she saw him and honestly she kind of missed his presence. That guy had always be by her side afterall.
[My sense of time is a bit off here so I'm not sure how long we have been stuck here. I'm not sure how he would react in my disappearance but I should give him some assurance at least.]
In the midst of their card game, Furina leaned over to Nahida and asked her to relay a simple message to her beloved Iudex.
As boredom began to settle in, Ei suggested, "Should I cook something while we wait for them?"
"NO!!" The other four achon vehemently refused with all their might. An unknown deadly matter is the least they want at that moment.
-----------
Back at the Court of Fontaine...
"So General Kujou is here because the Electro Archon suddenly left a message saying she was going to Fontaine." Neuvillette began.
"Yes.Lady Yae told me to bring her nack before she cause some kind of problem." Sara sighed.
Neuvillette then nodded and continued, "Mr Wanderer, on the other hand, got contacted by the Dendro archon that she and the other four archon were trapped somewhere near an old underwater ruin."
After recapping the events, everyone in the group collectively sighs.
"Well, that explains it. I would like to accompany your party as well since our Hydro Archon was also involved in this." Neuvillette asked.
"Suit yourself," says the Wanderer with his usual mood. Sara on the other hand doesn't mind the company. She had heard many stories about the Iudex of Fontaine. He would certainly be a big help, especially diplomatically.
"Thank you." Neuvillette said gratefully.
"Oh and the midget told me to relay a message from your hydro archon, 'I'm fine so don't worry too much,' she said."
Relief washed over Neuvillette. "Yes. Thank you, Mr. Wanderer." With a sense of reassurance, they continued to discuss their plans to aid the Archons and went off to the place with the Wanderer guiding them.
-------------
After growing bored of their card game, the group of Archons decided to share some stories. Venti regaled them with tales of his mischievous antics, which didn't come as much of a surprise to the other Archons. They found his stories entertaining, but they also couldn't help but offer silent condolences to any unfortunate souls who had been caught up in the whims of a god.
Zhongli, on the other hand, delved into historical narratives, which had a somewhat sleep-inducing effect on most of his audience. Only Nahida seemed genuinely interested in his stories, her curiosity shining through.
Ei's tales revolved around her favorite light novels and interests. Her passion and enthusiasm were evident as she discussed her likes, and it was endearing to see her burning with zeal while talking about them.
Nahida's stories resembled children's storybooks, filled with heartwarming anecdotes that matched her naturally cute demeanor.
As for Furina, she decided to share stories about the operas she had attended and some of the intriguing trials she had overseen. What truly piqued the group's interest, however, was the frequency with which she mentioned her Iudex throughout her stories, leaving them curious about their relationship. Venti who could help to start teasing her decided to bring some spice to the group.
"Aww.. You sure are attached to that dragon boyfriend of yours?" Venti casually inquired, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"B-b-boyfriend??? We're not—Eh, wait. How did...?" Furina stammered, her cheeks turning a noticeable shade of pink.
Venti chuckled, leaning back. "What can I say, the winds are pretty chatty sometimes. Whether it's about your Chief of Justice being the second-generation Hydro Sovereign Dragon or that you've been pining for him for a couple of hundred years, the stories tend to circulate if you listen closely."
Zhongli, ever the stoic observer, chimed in with an approving nod, "A reincarnation of the Sovereign Dragon, huh. You have a good taste there milady."
Ei who found the situation intriguing also added in. "I do think it's rather romantic. The 'enemies to lovers' trope is quite popular in the current trend of light novels."
Nahida joined in the teasing, her voice gentle but playful. "So, when are you planning to confess, Furina?"
Furina, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sudden barrage of questions and comments, couldn't help but protest, "Wait, why are you all ganging up on me, even Nahida too?"
""""Because it's interesting""""
Their collective response came in unison much to the hydro archon dismay.
"The wind told me that you have been trying to be with him as much as you could."
"Can you please tell you wind to keep away from other people private life?"
"Furina, it's okay to have feelings, you know. There's no harm in having someone special in your lifetime."
"My duty to Fontaine comes first. I don't have time for romance."
"Do you ever think about settling down, Furina? Finding someone who truly understands you?"
"I've made my choices. Let's not discuss this further."
"Sometimes, the heart knows what it wants, Furina. Are you sure you're not denying your own feelings?"
After a series of these probing conversations, Furina who had finally reach her breaking point, yell in frustration. It is also at that moment the rescue party also found them.
"Lady Furina--" Neuvillette began, trying to call her name, but he was abruptly cut off by Furina's own voice.
"FINE, I DO LIKE HIM. Could you please get off... my case... now?!!"
It's too late. An awkward silence hung in the air at that moment, as her confession echoes in the space.
"The entrance had been opened. Thanks guys. Gotta go, bye-bye," Venti chimed in.
"See you. Thank you for the rescue. Again the tea was good," Zhongli added, and just like that, they both vanished from the scene.
"Sara, you came to pick me up. I'm okay now, so let's go~," Ei said as she hurriedly led Kujou Sara away from the scene, making a quick escape.
"We're also taking our leave. Goodbye, Furina," said Nahida who nodded to the Wanderer, and they both soared away into the sky.
"Uh... Well, Paimon and the Traveler also have somewhere else to be. See you both later," Paimon announced. With that, they followed suit, waving goodbye as they dispersed in different directions in the speed of light, leaving Furina, alone with Neuvillette.
[Those bastards, not just they set me up but they even left me here in this awkward situation.]
Those people had become the least of her concerns now. More pressing was the fact that she had impulsively blurted out something quite bold, and the intended recipient had undoubtedly heard it. Furina attempted to sneak a glance in Neuvillette's direction, but his expression remained as stoic as ever. Observing this, Furina could only let out an internal sigh, unsure of what to make of the situation.
Little did she know that her Chief of Justice was grappling with an emotional turmoil of his own. He hadn't realized that Furina had feelings for someone else, and for reasons he couldn't quite fathom, his heart ached with an unfamiliar pain. The revelation had stirred unexpected emotions within him, leaving him in a state of profound contemplation.
As Furina attempted to diffuse the awkwardness of the moment, she couldn't help but remember that her abrupt disappearance had likely caused worry and concern. She turned to Neuvillette, who stood beside her, with a solemn expression. In this moment, she had no desire to maintain a facade of high-handedness, especially with only the two of them remaining.
"Sorry. I must have made everyone worried," she admitted, her eyes shifting to the ground. She knew it had been raining for an extended period, and the concern for her well-being must have been palpable among the others.
Neuvillette, having snapped out of his own inner turmoil, reassured her. "It's fine. Just tell me the details later when you're up to it." He could tell that her honesty in this moment was a rarity and that whatever had transpired had likely drained her emotionally and physically. He decided to shelve his own worries for the moment, prioritizing Furina's well-being. Yet dark clouds looming around Fontaine.
He extended his hand as a silent gesture of support and guidance, and together, they made their way back to Furina's room in Palais Mermonia. The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken thoughts and feelings, rendering the trip a solemn and introspective one. Neuvillette make sure to asked the gardes to inform everyone involved that their goddess have been found.
After ensuring that she was safe and sound in her room, Neuvillette turned toward the door, only to be halted by a gentle tug on the back of his clothes.
"Neuvi..." Furina began hesitantly. "I... about what I just blurted out... I..."
"It's alright," Neuvillette reassured her with a forced warm smile. "I didn't know you had feelings for someone. I'll make an effort to be more mindful of our relationship from now on."
"Huh? Wait, no! You've got it all wrong!" Furina exclaimed, a blush coloring her cheeks. As their eyes met one another, her next words stuck in her throat. It's only just a few words and yet her voice is barely audible. Even so, she still tries to strung her words one by one. She had a feeling that it is now or never for her to clear this misunderstanding.
"The person I like is... you.." she said. With her fingers still tugging his clothes, she cast her eyes downwards and said, "So please don't distance yourself from me."
Her confession hung in the air and left Neuvillette wide eyed stunned. He was happy. Extremely happy. His heart felt like it could burst into a thousand pieces just by hearing her words.
Furina on the other hand couldn't bear the heavy silence any longer and decided to gloss over the confession she had just made, hoping to salvage whatever remained of their relationship. "You know," she began, her voice shaky, "you don't have to answer. Let's just continue as we normally do."
Furina couldn't deny the sting of rejection, and she hesitated before adding, "Yeah, let's—"
"Furina."
Her words were interrupted by the gentle sound of Neuvillette calling her name. She looked up, meeting his gaze. To her surprise, Neuvillette chuckled softly, breaking the tension. "Well," he said with a genuine warm smile, "I guess we're both in the same boat then."
Her heart skipped a beat as he leaned in, his fingers gently wrapping around her hand. He planted a tender kiss on the back of it, and with heartfelt sincerity, he whispered, "Furina, you truly have my heart. I love you too." His words were like a soothing balm to her wounded heart and tears couldn't stop overflowing.
Neuvillette cupped her cheeks and wiped away her tears. He then pull her into his arm and hugged her. She felt like she is melted inside his embrace. His warmth and smell is truly comforting. Neuvillette noticing a long silence decided to call our her name.
"Furi--" Before he could complete saying her name, a quiet snore was heard. She had been on the edge in those three days which made her so tired that she instantly fell asleep while hugging him. Neuvillette seeing her state could only sigh. He gently picked her up and laid her on her bed. After tucking her in, he gently stroked her bangs. A small smile appeared on his lips.
"Sleep well, my lady," he whispered tenderly, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. After days of relentless worry, he decided to lay beside her and close his eyes. In the silence of the night, he offered a silent prayer, hoping beyond hope that everything that had transpired tonight was not a mere product of his imagination. With that, he surrendered to the embrace of sleep, holding the other hand.
----------
The next day, Furina found herself waking up in the embrace of her beloved dragon. The memories of the previous night flooded back, causing her cheeks to flush. As comfortable as she felt in his warmth, she realized she had an urgent need to use the restroom. Fortunately, Neuvillette seemed to be a sound sleeper, allowing her to carefully extricate herself from his embrace. She tiptoed towards the washroom but halted when she sensed elemental energy emanating from in front of her door.
Curiosity piqued, Furina cautiously pushed open the door and was met with a jaw-dropping sight – a towering mountain of gifts arranged before her.
To her astonishment, her doorstep had been transformed into a stage for an extravagant display of generosity by the other five Archons. Each gift was accompanied by a heartfelt congratulatory card.
"Wait, five?" Furina scratched her head in confusion.
The first gift, from the bard Barbatos, was a special bottle of Mondstadt's finest wine, personally selected by the Archon himself. Furina couldn't help but chuckle.
[That bard really needs to consider joining a wine club.]
The second gift, courtesy of Zhongli, was a beautifully crafted piece of jade symbolizing prosperity. Furina raised an eyebrow.
[Well, prosperity is always welcome. Maybe he's giving financial advice next. Oh wait. Scrape that..]
Ei's gift, the third one, was a set of exquisite handcrafted kimonos for the bride and groom, adorned with intricate Inazuman designs. Furina couldn't help but blush.
[We're just starting our relationship. Marriage might be a bit...fast.]
Nahida's contribution was a beautifully calligraphed scroll filled with profound wisdom and advice for a happy and harmonious relationship. Furina smiled.
[Aww...]
The final gift, from the enigmatic Cryo Archon of Snezhnaya, left Furina utterly flabbergasted.
[Wait... How on earth did she know about this?]
It was a small, ornate keepsake infused with Cryo magic, symbolizing the Archon's blessings for a lasting and unbreakable bond. Furina couldn't help but chuckle once more.
[Seems like even the icy Cryo Archon has a warm side. Or maybe she's just cold-hearted, who knows?]
She couldn't help but to wonder what kind of information network they got, and the fact that these people could manage to even prepared the gift this fast. It just happened last night right... As Furina admired the gifts, Neuvillette who just woke up went to her side and hugged her from behind. Furina who leaned back to him, called him with an intense smile.
"Neuvi..." she began, "I think it's high time we invest in some Mora for better security and privacy around here!"
From that day on, the sales for locks and security systems in Fontaine skyrocketed.
The end.