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His birthday was a reminder of his sins.
He used to love it, once upon a time when his days were filled with unbridled innocent joy.
He had many siblings, and so there were many birthdays to celebrate. There was so much cake to go around, and they’d started sharing them with passersby, one even being the Hydro Archon, Lady Furina herself, as she strolled through the city, dragging a dissatisfied-looking Ludex.
As thanks, Lady Furina serenaded them with the most beautiful tune, lifting spirits and bringing smiles to all who heard. The ability to bring joy, he wondered if those feats were only possible by the divine.
But unlike the Archon and the High Justice, who remained the same throughout the hundreds of passing years, his happiness only lasted a few.
***
On the day of the trial, when asked for his birth date, he’d replied ‘today.’ The old him had died with his innocence. The happy life he’d known had all been a lie. A delusion not worth remembering.
When asked for his name, He’d replied, ‘Wriothesley,’ remembering a name he’d seen in the obituary. The man had lived to a ripe old age. Perhaps deep down, it was his desire for a better life.
Before the Archon and the Ludex, he’d confessed guilty. The crimson stains spreading through the floorboards was a sight he could never forget. The screams of his so-called ‘parents’ still ringing in his ears.
Silence echoed the Opera Epiclese as he finished. The public was uncertain about what to do with a child murderer who killed his even more vicious parents.
“Bo-ring!” The Hydro Archon’s voice broke the tense silence as she stood up from her throne. “My dear Ludex. I’ll leave this trial to you.” She said, her lips wide with a yawn as she wiped away her tears, immediately leaving the room.
Perhaps such mortal disputes were below the interest of the divine. But if Wriothesley saw her shoulder shake and her body stumble as she exited – just like how his siblings would act before they cried – he gave no indication of it.
With a deep breath, the Ludex continued the procedure. The Oratrice delivered his guilty verdict in a flash of light, signaling the end of the trial.
***
A deluge of rain prevented him from being immediately taken to the Fortress of Meropide. The guards escorted him to the waiting room where the Ludex was waiting, gesturing for Wriothesley to sit. His pristine clothing and elegant face were a direct contrast to Wriothesley.
“Apologies for Lady Furina’s words.” The Ludex started, surprising Wriothesley.
“That’s fine. I wouldn’t want to watch my own trial either.”
Instead, his attempt at a joke drew a saddened frown from the High Justice. Panicked, he quickly changed the topic.
“Is Lady Furina alright?” He’d asked, turning the Ludex’s frown into an expression of surprise before he quickly gathered himself.
“Yes, she is.”
“So…. What do you want with me? Besides apologizing for the Hydro Archon.”
“The tragedy that happened… It was an oversight on our part, and for that, we deeply apologize. Rest assured. Your siblings will all be provided for. On that, you have both my word and the Hydro Archon’s.”
He could feel the sadness and sincerity from the Ludex’s words. It was ridiculous that this divine figure was apologizing to a murderer like Wriothesley. He’d heard about the rampant criminals and injustices the High Justice crushed. The shining Fontaine they have now was a direct effort of Neuvilette’s hard work. But even with all his might, one couldn't stamp out all the world’s evil.
“I-it wasn’t your fault. But thank you.” He mumbled out, turning away to wipe the dust that got in his eyes as he attempted to collect his thoughts, the sound of their breathing their only companion.
The creak from the door ended the silence as three Melusines entered the room. Two held the trays and teas, while the other had a lavishly decorated cake.
“W-what?” Wriothesley mumbled, confused by the entire spectacle.
“The cake is a gift from Lady Furina. She expressed her condolences that your birthday coincides with this tragedy. The water from Mondstadt is a gift from me. Though I have been told such a gift alone is inappropriate, so I brought along this tea from Liyue to enjoy it with.”
The cake was the best he’d ever tasted. And the tea, the bitter drink he’d once avoided, somehow became the most exquisite flavour he’d known.
The rain was but a drizzle as he was escorted to the Fortress of Meropide. The soft showers caressed his skin as if they were whispering secrets. That everything would get better.
***
Somehow, within the span of a few years. Wriothesley had risen to the top of the hierarchy within the Fortress of Meropide.
Even more surprising was the title of ‘duke’ being offered to him by the Court of Fontaine. A title he refused, citing his busy schedule within the Fortress.
By his third refusal, he met with a serene-looking Ludex waiting in his office.
“Erm. Hi-” The Ludex cut him off before he could begin any small talk.
“Since you are beyond occupied with your duties. I have taken it upon myself to offer you the title of Duke personally. A title you will no doubt accept.” Though his words were calm, they sent chills up Wriothesley’s spine, and he knew he had no choice but to accept.
“Fine. Fine.” He groaned as he slumped into his chair. His reply finally tugged a small smile from Neuvilette’s face.
“And you are to report to the Palais Mermonia every quarter personally. It wouldn’t do for a free man to be cooped up in prison all the time.”
He groaned again but acquiesced. “Fine. Fine. Anything you want, Lord High Justice, Monsieur Neuvilette.”
His mood somewhat lifted when he saw the Mondstadt water in Neuvilette’s hand. Those matched best with Liyue’s tea.
“A shame there’s no cake.” He muttered as he sipped the divine liquid. “Anyway. I must ask. Are you the one sending me fancy cakes every year?”
Neuvilette replied with a slight chuckle.
“I do not believe so.”
Well. Now, he definitely knew where the cakes were from. He guessed it was time to procure fancy teas for his Archon.
***
Groggily, Wriothesley opened his eyes.
The light trickled in from the gold inlaid mirrors, revealing the spectacular view from the Palais Mermonia.
The space beside him was still warm. Neuvilette must’ve just left.
Yawning, he left the bedroom to find Lady Furina and Neuvilette chatting in the living room.
Despite her lack of station and much more subtle voice, she looked the happiest he’d ever seen.
He still couldn’t believe she was human. One who acted as the Archon for over five hundred years to protect everyone. He was still disgruntled by the lack of appreciation towards her efforts. She deserved at least a National Holiday in her honour for her magnanimous efforts.
The nerve to even put her on a trial. Even if Poisson got flooded, she was still their Goddess.
And in hindsight, he was clearly correct. Without Lady Furina's actions, everyone in Fontaine would have already been dead. Perhaps a few hundred years earlier.
He argued with Neuvilette for the first time because of this matter. Though it ended quickly after Lady Furina rushed in, her luggage still in her hands, pleading that Neuvilette only wanted to save Fontaine as tears streamed from her eyes, forcing them to have cakes and tea and reconcile.
Still, he would be having words with Clorinde, Navia, and the Traveller for their disrespect.
“Happy Birthday, Wriothesley.” Neuvilette’s baritone voice resounded, snapping him from his patriotic thoughts.
“Good morning, Duke Wriothesley, and Happy Birthday.” Lady Furina said. Beside her the lavish Pour de Justice cake that he knew she personally baked.
“Thank you Neuvilette. And thank you, Lady Furina, for your wonderful cake, as always.”
“Lady Furina? Just Furina is enough. I’m not the Archon anymore. And, with you and Neuvilette sleeping together and all.” She laughed, earning a chiding from Neuvilette.
They’d been through this many times. Wriothesley insisted that she would always be his Archon no matter her powers. He complained how she deserved more gratitude and praise for shouldering the burden and saving them for the past five hundred years. And anyone besmirching her name should be punched down to the Fortress of Meropide. But alas, that wasn’t what she wanted.
The cake was delicious as always. The tea sublime beyond compare. And the company, more pleasant than any he could imagine at fifteen.
His old self would never enjoy another birthday. But as Wriothesley, he looked forward to all the upcoming ones.