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There weren’t many things in life that could surprise Clorinde.
As a person, she might not say much. However, she saw things with complete objectivity, analyzed them critically, and connected them, almost like a foresight. Those skills made her invaluable in her jobs; as a former bodyguard to the Archon and a Champion Duelist.
Observe. Analyze. Think. And most importantly, act.
Of course, Clorinde’s foresight wasn’t reserved only for her job. Unlike the Iudex she worked for who was constantly baffled by human interaction and relations, Clorinde knew how to read people. She may be far from the quintessential people person but she knew what to anticipate from those around her.
Once more, hardly anything surprises Clorinde.
Occasionally, something managed to slip past her sharp judgment and eyes. And when it does, Clorinde often found herself staggered by the discovery, as if she had tripped over an invisible wire. A clumsy mistake that was beneath her to make.
Right now, the invisible wire that pushed her off balance was the cause of her many grievances.
What was the surprise flavor of the year? It was something Clorinde had thought would happen, even if millennials would pass.
It was the President of Spina di Rosula and Fontaine’s Iudex.
Navia and Neuvillette.
Her childhood friend and her boss.
And their not-so-secret pining for one another.
And somehow Clorinde found herself as an unwitting spectator to their serendipitous play of slow-burn romance.
The catch? Neither of them was willing to acknowledge that they were in the middle of performing a romantic comedy.
It aggravated Clorinde to no end.
Somebody save her.
It started with Neuvillette. It had to be Neuvillette. If it had been Navia who first dropped her guard and displayed a hint of interest, Clorinde would have missed it. She wouldn’t think twice about it because Navia was just the type to be outwardly curious about everything and everyone around her. The Chief Justice, however, was a different story.
It took place a few weeks after the mysterious disappearance case had been solved. Clorinde had just concluded a meeting with Neuvillette about her upcoming duels and trials when suddenly Neuvillette asked:
“So, Miss Clorinde, I understand that you have been seeing Miss Navia more frequently as of late?”
Clorinde blinked at the unexpected question. Rarely would Neuvillette bring up topics that didn’t pertain to work. Still, she decided to humor him. “Yes, I have. Since we finally have closure over Callas’ death, we felt that there was no reason to distance ourselves from one another.”
Navia and Clorinde began to mend the rift that formed between them ever since Callas’ death. They started to meet for regular tea whenever their busy schedule allowed, catching up like old times. Naturally, Clorinde was told of Navia’s exchanges with Neuvillette and how surprised the Spina President was to know that Fontaine’s Iudex was not as stone-cold as he appeared.
“That’s good. I believe that friendships and camaraderie should be maintained,” Neuvillette nodded. A pause. Then he asked, “How have Miss Navia been faring?”
Clorinde almost raised her eyebrows at his inquiry. Almost. If she was a person with less self-composure and awareness, she would have done so. Alarm bells began to ring in her head at the Iudex’s unusual and overt interest in her friend’s wellbeing.
“She’s doing fine. Spina di Rosula affairs keep her occupied as always,” she replied.
“Right. Of course,”
A beat of silence.
“Do you need her for something?” Clorinde finally offered. “I can convey your message to her if you’d like.”
“That is not necessary,” Neuvillette replied, a little too quickly. “I actually met her around a week ago. We shared a brief afternoon tea.”
Hold on. Why hasn’t Clorinde heard of this? Navia was easily an open book and she would have told Clorinde this, considering Neuvillette was someone Clorinde worked with.
“I didn’t realize that you two have grown that close,” she remarked coolly.
“Not at all. I still feel very much distant from her. That meeting was by chance and she insisted that we chatted a while longer than exchanging customary idle talk. I didn’t have the heart to refuse,” Neuvillette explained. “It was brief but… quite pleasant. She allowed me to have a taste of her homemade macarons and I have to admit, they were among the best I have eaten in Fontaine. She told me she would bring some to Palais Mermonia in the upcoming week. The week has passed and I have not heard of or seen her.” The Chief Justice brought his hand to his chin, his face deep in thought. “I wonder if I should extend an invitation for tea to her. To thank her for the time she had set aside for me. Reciprocity is an essential part of human interactions, after all.”
Clorinde had a difficult time believing her ears. Was Iudex Neuvillette, the man who prioritized impartiality and avoided forming relationships outside established procedures, considering a personal rendezvous? Has someone finally been able to penetrate the unshakeable barrier that Neuvillette puts around himself?
Was Neuvillette that much of a common man inside that he was able to be won through his stomach?
It was extraordinary. Unbelievable. Clorinde had never once deemed this a possibility before Yet, now that it had happened, Clorinde had to admit that if anyone would be able to change the Chief Justice’s mindset, it would be no other than Navia. She always had that uncanny ability to influence others, whether she was aware of it or not.
“I think that is a decision that you should make by yourself, sir,” Clorinde replied. “And since it is of personal matter by nature, it is beyond my scope to place an opinion.”
“Yes, it is a rather personal matter. I apologize for inflicting this upon you, Miss Clorinde,” said Neuvillette. He cleared his throat. “Well, since our discussion regarding the trials had ended, you are dismissed.”
“Yes, Monsieur,” Clorinde nodded, standing up from her chair to leave Neuvillette’s office. She may be dismissed, but Clorinde found herself hard-pressed to dismiss this discovery she unwittingly came upon.
It didn’t take long for Clorinde to notice reciprocity. Once she started to spot the signs, it was hard for her to look away and ignore them.
She was in Poisson with the most unlikely group of people; Lumine, Paimon, the three House of Hearth ‘children’, and Neuvillette. They were about to discuss the idea of ‘trapping’ Lady Furina into confessing everything she knew of the prophecy.
“Ahem! Lend me your ears everyone,” Navia announced as she waltzed into the meeting area. Ever the one to easily command attention. “Hmm. Or perhaps one of you would like to start us off? How about you, friend?” the Spina President turned to the quietest of the three House of Hearth members. What was his name again? Right, Freminet. He hung his head low and his shoulders slightly hunched. He immediately refused, taken by surprise at Navia’s decision to put him in the spotlight.
Clorinde knew Navia didn’t have any ill intention behind her action. That was just who Navia was. Though the blonde relishes being the center of attention, she also dislikes seeing anyone being excluded in a group setting. If possible, she would make sure that everyone has their say.
“Then, how about you, good sir?” Navia then asked Neuvillette who had been standing quietly away from the rest of the crowd, his back turned on them.
Hm , Clorinde hummed, eyes fixed on the pair like an eagle observing her prey.
“I fear that I will cause the mood on this boat to be as somber as it is in court…” Neuvillette remarked, finally turning to face the group.
Clorinde didn’t miss the easy chuckle Navia threw at the Chief Justice nor the slight upturn of the man’s lips at her, as if they had briefly exchanged an inside joke.
Navia then proceeded to recount the agenda of the meeting. One thing led to another and somehow Clorinde ended up finding herself at the center spotlight.
“I thought you would be the one facilitating this meeting?” Clorinde said with deadpanned eyes at Navia.
The blonde merely smiled, a little too brightly for Clorinde’s liking. “Oh, come now, your work doesn’t involve much public speaking, right? This is a good chance to practice — you might even pick up some fancy oratory tricks to impress your boss with in the future.”
Clorinde raised an eyebrow at Navia’s reasoning. Of course, the Spina President had to rope in the Chief Justice into her explanation.
“I see,” she remarked. She turned to Neuvillette. “And what does my boss say?”
Neuvillette cleared his throat, bringing a hand over his mouth to cover the smile on his face. “He is glad that you consider him your boss. Do go on.”
At the insistence of both Navia and Neuvillette, Clorinde was left with no choice but to lead the conversation. As she strode past them, Clorinde noticed the smiles that the two exchanged with one another. It felt like a private moment she had intruded upon.
Interesting , she thought to herself though she didn’t allow herself to ponder on it too much. She opened the meeting with the topic of hunting. The conversation flowed well. Most had contributed to the discussion on their thoughts on hunting and their experiences in it.
“What about you, Monsieur Neuvillette?” Navia prodded the Iudex who hadn’t shared his thoughts on the discussion.
At this point, Clorinde was convinced that Navia reserved a special kind of attentiveness to the Chief Justice. She felt even more vindicated of her conviction when her friend’s face softened as Neuvillette expressed his desire to set a gentle and merciless trap. The way Navia’s eyes lit up when Neuvillette finally decided to take over the conversation, commandeering with his courtroom presence, also didn’t go unnoticed by her.
Clorinde sighed.
Her friend was beginning to fall.
Her boss was also showing signs of falling.
Soon enough it will become a race on who would fall the hardest.
And for once, Clorinde couldn’t place a guess on who the winner would be.
“Well, I’m glad for one thing,” said Clorinde.
“What?” Navia asked.
“That you didn’t bring me along to help you disrupt a court proceeding.”
They were both sitting front-seat in the Opera Epiclese theater. It has been a week since the prophecy had passed and Fontaine neither drowned nor dissolved. Furina had stepped down as an Archon. The Oratrice Mecanique d’Analyse Cardinale was no longer utilized in the court. That afternoon, a courtroom trial was taking place.
The case was nothing extraordinary. A crime of theft. However, what made this trial extraordinary was that for the first time since present Fontanians could remember, a trial would take place without an Archon and the final verdict of the Oratrice. The outcome would depend solely on the judgment made by the impartial Iudex.
Many people flocked to watch the historic trial. That included Navia. Clorinde wasn’t particularly keen on seeing the proceeding but Navia insisted that she come with her to see the ‘monumental’ event.
(Clorinde greatly suspected that Navia’s real interest in the trial did not lie in the case. Rather, it was in the ordainer himself.)
“Now, why would I do that?” Navia scoffed.
“Because that’s what you often do whenever you decide to make your presence in the courtroom,” Clorinde explained nonchalantly, “and I would rather not have to choose between taking your side or my boss’ in the aftermath.”
“Hey! I’ll have you know that I’ve been good as of recently,” Navia retorted quietly.
“Silence!” Neuvillette’s voice echoed with a loud boom across the court, accentuated by the loud tap of his cane against the wooden floor. The audience immediately fell into pin-drop silence.
“After taking into consideration extensive evidence and testimonies from both sides, the Court hereby declares the defendant…guilty.”
The opera audience broke into a roar of applause, a reaction mainly incited by the notion that a judicial conclusion had been made without the helping hand of a Celestial entity. That, and the deep-rooted, morbid fascination of Fontainians with the drama that takes place in a courtroom.
“It’s quite amazing how different Neuvillette is in the court and as a person, right?” Navia spoke, her eyes fixed at the ordainer seat where Neuvillette presided.
“Uh, I suppose?” Clorinde replied. She glanced to her side, at Navia. The blonde heed her no attention, completely bewitched by the sight of Neuvillette looking over the court. Clorinde darted her eyes back to the stage in front of her, right at the seat of the ordainer.
If she squinted, Clorinde thought she could see Neuvillette smiling. His eyes trained on Navia, easily separating her from the crowd like a diamond in a haystack.
“So tomorrow, I will be facing off Bernard who was charged with the murder of his brother-in-law, and then two days later against Alphonse who was accused of money laundering his whole company, is that correct Monsieur?” Clorinde asked, reading her schedule off the paper in her hand. There was no response. Clorinde looked up from her document to Neuvillette. They were walking along the outskirts of the Court of Fountaine.
Something had captured Neuvillette’s attention. Curious, Clorinde sauntered to where Neuvillette stood. She followed the direction of the man’s gaze, at the sandy coast that stretched below the Court of Fontaine. Her eyebrows shot up, for far in the distance by the sea was Navia. She was alone, aside from the stray otter scurrying around her. Navia seemed to be talking and laughing at the otter, enjoying the one-sided conversation she was having with the creature who circled her curiously. Then, out from her pocket, Navia took out a large, pink shell and handed it to the otter. The blue, furry creature gingerly sniffed the shell before grabbing it away from the blonde’s grasp and hugging it close to its tummy, happy with the offering it was given.
Clorinde shifted her eyes to Neuvillette. There wasn’t a word more suitable to describe the state of the man other than ‘entranced’. He hardly even noticed her approaching him. The seriousness of his face was replaced by a fondness she had not seen on him before. Not even to the Melusines. Completely transfixed, Neuvillette was watching Navia as if she were the most precious thing in the world.
Clorinde hated to be the one to break him out of his little moment of reverie. She really did. But a job was a job and she had places to be and things to do.
“Ahem. Monsieur Neuvillette,” Clorinde called him, adding more volume to her voice for extra measure. It somehow worked. Neuvillette snapped his head to Clorinde, eyes wide in surprise.
“Miss Clorinde! Yes, you were saying?” the Iudex spoke as if only remembering that he was not alone.
“My upcoming duels,” Clorinde held out the paper to him, “I want to make sure that they were confirmed.”
“Of course, allow me to have a look once more,” Neuvillette replied quickly, taking the paper from Clorinde’s hand. “Yes, everything should be in order by now.”
“Noted,” Clorinde nodded.
There was a beat of silence. Neuvillette cleared his throat. “I apologize for earlier. I assure you I’m not one to be lost in thought frequently.”
“It’s alright, Monsieur,” Clorinde replied. Her eyes flickered for a second to where Navia was before meeting the man’s silver eyes once more. “It happens to the best of us.”
“Right…certainly,” Neuvillette nodded, though he seemed less than convinced. “And, uh, Miss Clorinde,” the Chief Justice continued. His hand was over his mouth and, was he… flustered?
“Yes?”
“I’d appreciate it if you would not tell a soul of what you had witnessed. Certainly not Miss Navia herself. In fact, please try your best to forget that anything earlier has happened.”
Clorinde blinked. To have the Chief Justice of Fontaine begging her for a favor was a situation she never thought she would find herself in. There was no manual or protocol for this.
A lesser person would have used this opportunity to one-up and claim a special favor from the Chief Justice. Fortunately for Neuvillette, Clorinde had no interest in that behavior.
The Champion Duelist gave him a reassuring smile. “I’m not even sure what you’re talking about, Monsieur Neuvillette.”
She saw him let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Clorinde.”
It wasn’t as if she went out of her way to probe further into whatever was currently developing between Navia and Neuvillette. On the contrary, Clorinde tried her best to stay away and keep herself out of it. Relationships are fickle. Messy. She would rather leave everything it entailed in the hands of the parties involved than to meddle in and find herself partly responsible when things turned sour. Life was complicated. There was no need to voluntarily carry other people’s baggage.
That was the plan. But as much as she planned, the universe seemed to have other schemes at play for her. As if it wasn't enough that Clorinde had to endure the increasingly obvious curiosity both Neuvillette and Navia had for one another and pretending that friendship as an excuse for their behavior change was acceptable.
(Friendship. Ha. Clorinde has a few friends herself but if she ever caught herself looking at one of her friends the way Neuvillette and Navia had been staring at one another, she would immediately question her life choices.)
It was a leisurely afternoon. Clorinde found herself free of any pressing tasks to do so she decided to have a relaxing, solitary afternoon coffee at Cafe Lucete. Just her and her coffee. Peace and quiet.
Clorinde was only one sip into her cup when she spotted them . Neuvillette and Navia, deep in conversation with one another as they took an afternoon stroll. They were heading in her general direction and Clorinde found herself scrambling for her next steps. She was not in the mood to deal with them but she couldn't leave the cafe yet. Her conch madeleines were still in the kitchen.
Thankfully, it didn’t seem as if Cafe Lucete was their destination. They stopped by a bench mid-way and sat, still immersed in the conversation they shared. Navia was talking. Neuvillette was listening intently to her, nodding and occasionally giving his thoughts. Regardless, their attention was fully on one another that they didn’t even notice the whispers of the bypassers around them. Lurkers who were most probably gossiping about the closeness Fontaine’s Iudex shared with Spina di Rosula’s President.
How nice it was to be your own little world to the point that the outside noises couldn’t even touch you. Clorinde could never relate. She picked up her cup and took another sip of her coffee.
“Clorinde. Hi!”
Clorinde turned to the voice that called her name. “Lady — I mean — Miss Furina. Hello.”
Furina sauntered to her table. “Just Furina is fine,” she smiled. “It’s been a while.”
“It has,” Clorinde nodded, “are you here for some afternoon tea?”
“Well, I was considering it. I was taking an afternoon stroll looking for inspiration for the next opera I’m helping direct —”
“Here you go ma'am,” a waiter suddenly approached her table, placing a plateful of madeleines on her table. Clorinde noticed Furina eyeing the treats on her table. Her lips curled up slightly.
“Would you like to join me, Furina?” she asked.
“Oh! No, no that’s okay. I wouldn’t want to intrude in your alone time,” Furina quickly replied, waving her hand across her face.
“It’s no bother at all. After all, it has been a while since we met one another,” Clorinde replied.
“Are you sure?”
“Please,” Clorinde nodded, sliding the tray of madeleines in the former Archon’s direction.
“Well…if you insist,” said Furina. She gingerly slid down into the chair across Clorinde.
“So,” Clorinde began, “you were talking about a new opera project?”
“Oh yes!” Furina’s face instantly brightened at her question. “The story of the play goes like this…” Furina then began to ramble about her new theatrical venture, once in a while asking Clorinde’s thoughts on the plot of the story.
Clorinde liked Furina. She liked her back when she still maintained her Archon status and even now when she decided to live her life as a regular person. Sure, the woman was a little on the eccentric side. Sure, she concealed many secrets when she was Focalors. But throughout the time Clorinde had spent with her as her personal bodyguard, she saw genuine care and love over the wellness of Fontainians from her. Clorinde was glad to see her taking a role she thrived in more now.
“How about you, Clorinde?” Furina asked. “How have you been as of late?”
“Same as always,” she shrugged. “Helping Neuvillette with court cases when needed and then keeping a keen eye on any changes happening in Fontaine.” As she spoke, Clorinde couldn’t help but shift her gaze to where Navia and Neuvillete were. They were still there, on the bench. Navia was currently giggling at something Neuvillette had said to her. They were no longer the Iudex or Spina’s President. They have transformed into two prepubescent kids who have only started navigating the idea of romantic attraction.
Clorinde sighed for the umpteenth time.
“Are you watching that as well?” Furina asked.
“Watching what?”
Furina cocked her head in the direction of Navia and Neuvillette, a knowing smile on her face.
“I think everyone in Fontaine is watching,” Clorinde remarked, “and the only people who are unaware of their situation are those two themselves.”
“Tell me about it,” Furina grumbled. “I met with Neuvillette just recently and the whole hour we talked, I have lost count of the number of times he brought up Miss Navia. Miss Navia this…oh Miss Navia said that. I may not know her that well but after that brief rendezvous with him, I felt as though I’ve known the demoiselle my whole life!”
Clorinde couldn’t hold back her snort. “Well…I’m sorry about that?”
“Oh, I didn’t mind. It made for a much more interesting conversation than hearing him talk endlessly about boring courtroom cases. I’ve known him for a long, long time and I’ve never heard him speak so enthusiastically of another person before,” Furina’s lips curled up, a mix of satisfaction and fondness painted her face. “I’m glad that he’s getting the full human experience though, and if I have to say, they suit each other rather well.”
“Oh?” Clorinde remarked. “What made you think so?”
“Well, Miss Navia’s exactly what he needs,” Furina explained. “Someone who could show him the ropes in being human. Kindness, compassion, and companionship, she’s fluent in all those is she not? Not to mention that she doesn’t hold anything back and is willing to point out his misgivings when necessary,” Furina took a bite from the madeleine in her hand. She swallowed before continuing once more. “But do you think he’s suitable for her?”
Clorinde hummed as she thought through her answer. “Monsieur Neuvillette might seem distant but he is gentle and thoughtful inside. He’s certainly devoted once he found his cause. Navia’s been through a lot in her life and I trust that he would be the last person to hurt her.”
“Right,” Furina nodded enthusiastically. “And moreover, they are both leaders, despite their differences in personalities. They can sympathize with each other’s grievances more than others. In a way, they are quite similar to each other.”
“Similar in their obliviousness, unfortunately,” Clorinde retorted.
“Well, that is something only they can realize by themselves. And as audiences, we can only watch silently as the play progresses.”
Yes, indeed. They were mere audiences, Clorinde thought to herself. She watched as Navia and Neuvillette finally stood up from their bench and began to walk off together. The gap that they had maintained between them had decreased just ever so slightly. Close enough that their arms could brush against one another if either of them decided to be bold and take the next step.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Wriothesley grinned at her from behind his desk.
Clorinde rolled her eyes as she climbed the last staircase into the Duke of Meropide’s office. “I don’t need to have a reason to come here each time.”
“A heads up would be nice,” the dark-haired man replied.
“Why? It’s not like you are any busier than I am.”
“That’s true,” replied Wriothesley. He stood up and circled his desk towards Clorinde. “But if you had warned me in advance that you’d be coming, I would have prepared the office for your arrival. You know, have some flowers set, get some pillows for the couch.” His muscular arms found their way around her waist, pulling her close to him. “Make sure that Sigewinne would be occupied the whole day,” he continued, throwing her a wink.
Clorinde gave him a lop-sided smile. “Sorry, Your Grace , but I’m too exhausted for that today.” She wriggled out of his grip and walked over to the crimson sofa in the room. Clorinde placed her hat on the coffee table and let her long, purple hair loose before plopping down on the plush cushion. Wriothesley joined her, an arm wrapped around her as he sat next to him. Clorinde let out a content sigh as she rested her head against his shoulder.
“Another rough week?” the man asked.
“I never really liked pulling the trigger on my opponents,” Clorinde admitted, “not ever since Callas. I now constantly second-guess whether the men I have killed were truly guilty.”
“Guilty or not, those who have chosen to face you know the risk and consequences they are taking,” said Wriothesley, “all of them have the option to yield but those who pursue defeat in your hands have chosen their fates. You are only doing what you’re supposed to do.”
“I know,” the purple-haired woman replied. Still, it was easier said than done.
“Let’s talk about a lighter topic then,” Wriothesley said quickly, “how’s our monsieur and demoiselle doing? Any progress?”
Clorinde groaned. “Don’t get me started on them.”
“Oh, come now. I want to know the details. Have they finally held hands? Profess their utter and deep devotions to one another? I don’t know about Navia but I know Neuvillette would probably go on a one-hour soliloquy about her eyes …or something like that.”
“No,” sighed Clorinde. “They are still playing the slow dance.”
“Bummer,” the Meropide Duke replied. She felt his lips on her temple briefly. “Why can’t they be more like us.”
“Because unlike us, both of them have a lot at stake.”
“What do you mean? You and I are both high-profile people. That didn’t stop me from pursuing you.”
“I mean,” Clorinde began, “both of them wear their hearts on their sleeves. They will love deeply but heartbreaks would also crush them body and soul. They need time to make sure that once they’ve given their heart away, they will remain safe with each other until the end of their lives. That’s just who they are.”
“You’ve suddenly turned real poetic,” Wriothesley commented.
“I’ve been watching this drama far too long for my liking,” Clorinde grumbled.
“Then how about a bet?” the man said with newfound vigor. Clorinde raised an eyebrow and turned to face Wriothesley.
“What’s at stake?”
“In three months, those two will finally acknowledge their feelings for one another,” Wriothesley said, “and if I win the bet, you will live with me at Meropide for two weeks.”
She scrunched her face at the thought. As much as she cared for the man, to come home every day for two weeks into the large, prison complex didn’t exactly thrill her. Clorinde liked the open, fresh air up above.
“And if you’re wrong?”
“Well, how do you want to punish me?” he threw her a devilish grin.
Clorinde thought deeply for a few seconds. A smirk formed across her lips.
“I have something in mind,” she said, “but you’ll find out what it is once you lose the bet.”
Three months? No way. Navia and Neuvillette have been in this slow-burn drama for almost half a year. It would probably take them another six months for either of them to pluck the courage and acknowledge how they truly feel.
“Deal.”