Archive of Our Own

Today was one of those rare days that the Palais Mermorina was not packed full of people and it was rather quiet. The majority has left for home in the evening, enjoying their free time with family and friends.

Monsieur Neuvillette put away the last document in one of the many cabinets, returning to his seat shortly. Letting out a quiet sigh, he opened the drawer on his side, taking out a neatly folded letter and started reading it.

The bubble-like words on the letter made Neuvillette smile, he cannot help but wonder how Sigewinne was doing in the Fortress of Meropide. 

He was the one who sent her down to the fortress, he regretted sending her down to the place where sinners are gathered. However, he was the figure of the law in Fontaine, he must uphold it and cannot let his emotions get the better of him.

But seeing now she was fine and happy in the Fortress, and under the Duke’s supervision, he is now sure maybe sending Sigewinne down to the fortress may not be a mistake after all. Especially now his dear melusine is staying with the Duke, keeping her safe under his care.

A soft knock dragged the Iudex out from these thoughts, bringing him back to reality. The large door opened before he could welcome the other person on the other side. A pair of cotton candy coloured horns came into his view and smiled at him. 

“Hope you’re not too busy? Hee-hee, we’re here!~”

His beloved melusines, Sedene and Sigewinne, both chuckled when they met Neuvillette’s surprised eyes. It was clear that the dragon did not expect a visitor when he was about to leave the office, and was mildly shocked. 

“Sigewinne, it is nice to meet you too.” Neuvillette stood up and walked up to them, giving head pats to the two of them. Sigewinne giggles, delighted that Monsieur Neuvillette is glad to see her.

“I assumed you will be here a few days later, I did not expect to see you this soon, I am glad.” The dragon’s lips curled up slightly, he hadn't seen the head nurse for quite some time now so he got a bit too excited for their reunion.

“Yeah, it was uneventful in the fortress lately, so I thought I could bring Sigewinne with me when I come to visit you.” Another voice joined the room as the front door opened. That big grin accompanying the tall black figure made Neuvillette smile.

“Duke Wriothesley, I am most delighted to see you.” All of them walked towards one of the couches sitting in the Iudex’s office, while Sedene walked out to grab drinks for everyone. 

“Really? Well, Sigewinne has been asking about you non-stop just yesterday. I’m afraid if I don’t bring her to the overworld sooner, I’ll have to drink one of our head nurse's tasty milkshakes…”

“Hmph, my milkshakes are nutritious and do not taste ‘desolation’. In fact, you should drink more of it.” Sigewinne was giving him a small pout at first, but then when she mentioned the second half, her eyes beamed at the Duke, encouraging him. 

Wriothesley rolled his eyes playfully before walking towards the left couch and taking a seat, acting as if this was his office instead. “So, how has work been, Iudex Neuvillette?” 

While the melusine’s horns twitched rapidly and was displaying a grumpy pose at the background as his grace just refused to continue the topic on her milkshakes, the Iudex chuckled at this insignificant reaction and took a seat on the other side of the couch, leaving some space for Sigewinne in the middle after she has finished her attempt at protest.

“Just Neuvillette is fine. It was quite calm in the Palais Mermornia as well. I was looking forward to your visit, yet I was not expecting you two to come by so soon.” The judge quietly replied, lips curling upwards ever so slightly.

Wriothesley’s sky blue eyes were so eye-catching that Neuvillette could not help but stare at it. Although he has been seeing the Duke for a long time in various meetings and in the Opera Epiclese, he never really realized that his eyes were so charming.

As soon as the Duke got the feeling that Neuvillette was over staring at him a bit, he cleared his throat and signaled him to wake up from his fantasies. When he finally noticed what he was doing, he embarrassingly glanced in the other direction, hoping that Sigewinne and Wriothesley did not notice the red flush on his cheeks.

Soft steps were heard from the corridor and Sedene came into their view with a tray in her hands. Fancy glasses were on the tray, but Wriothesley took a glance at the glass and knew what was inside of them.

“Really? Water in those lavish glasses?” The Duke gave a shit-eating grin as he picked up a glass and Neuvillette which resulted in the other huffing. 

“Water comes in many flavors, and it is much healthier than those sugary drinks. You ought to drink more water.” Neuvillette commented while swirling the water inside the glass, bringing up the glass up to his nose and inhaling the mild smell of Liyue water before taking a small sip.

Sedene giggled when she saw the Duke rolling his eyes at the hydro dragon, thinking it was ridiculous to taste the plain water with such precision. “Duke Wriothesley, here. I also brought you a tea bag from your favorite tea brand store in the pantry outside.” She handed over the tea bag to him and Wriothesley acted like the tea bag was his savior, as Sigewinne and Neuvillette huffed at his childish actions.

“You know, your Grace, Monsieur Neuvillette is right. Drinking plenty of water is good for the body…” The head nurse did not continue on because she knew full well that someone would help her finish the rest of the argument. 

“The head nurse is right, water can help your digestive system and nutrition absorption. Did you know that water contains the flow of emotions? You can sense the memories that it carries throughout… “

“Tea contains caffeine, but water does not. Therefore it is beneficial to…”

At some point Wriothesley spaces out into the distance, not paying attention to what the Iudex is saying. However, his smoothing voice is preventing him from drifting off, because he would not miss out any opportunity to listen to Neuvillette’s lovely voice.

Turning the keys to his house, Neuvillette switches on the lights to his living room, letting Sigewinne and Wriothesley enter first. The melusine gently placed her bag on a shelf while Wriothesley just tossed his onto the couch, making a loud thud which made Neuvillette jump.

He looked up with a frown at Wriothesley while the other just laughed, proud of himself that he just made the supposed emotionless Iudex pout. Sigewinne, on the other hand, sighed at the Duke’s actions.

“Your Grace, you really should mind your manners.” Sigewinne sighed, she moved his belongings onto the shelf and placed it next to hers. “Even though Monsieur Neuvillette agreed to let us stay in his house, we shouldn’t toss the luggage anywhere we want.”

Neuvillette was pleased that his sweet melusine was mildly scolding Wriothesley for his bad actions but, “it is quite alright, Sigewinne. I invited you two to be guests and I would like you both to stay here for the night. I am delighted that Wriothesley is treating himself like he is back in the fortress.” Neuvillette smiled slighted, eyeing Wriothesley with such a gentle glance.

“Alright, enough chit chat. I’ll be making dinner now, you two go relax and catch up a bit. I’ll tell you guys when dinner is ready.” Before Neuvillette could give his thanks, he already disappeared into the kitchen.

Neuvillette sat down next to the head nurse and chatted for a while. He was glad to hear that other melusines began to visit her down at the fortress and are keeping her company. Other prisoners in there are also treating Sigewinne nicely (even though he would never realise that melusines would define ‘nicely’ differently as humans do), and she is enjoying her stay down there.

Sigewinne has indeed grown a lot. Although he regretted sending her down to the fortress, seeing her living her life out to the fullest down there made Neuvillette feel less sorrow.

They were in the middle of their talk when Wriothesley shouted from the kitchen. As both of them walked to the dining table, Wriothesley just placed the last plate on the table and gave a big grin to them both.

Wriothesley wolfed down his own signature dish as soon as they started to dine, Sigewinne took big bites out from her food while Neuvillette took small bites. Wriothesley was the one to start a topic about how the inmates of the fortress would always see him as a powerful and unforgiving figure in the fortress. But in reality, he joked about how Sigewinne is the real boss here as she always ‘threatens’ Wriothesley to drink her nutritious drinks. Sigewinne madly opposed his opinion while Neuvillette finds this oddly amusing. This light atmosphere encompassed them as Sigewinne acted as if she remembered something.

“Ah I almost forgot!” Sigewinne shouted while all three of them were enjoying their dinner. “I penned a letter to Mademoiselle Navia and Mademoiselle Clorinde about some herbal tea. They said they wouldn’t mind trying the medical drink I recommended!” 

Wriothesley was chewing halfway when he shot a glance at Neuvillette, the black haired man started an unspoken conversation and it went like:

Should I… alert Clorinde?

Why should you?

Well… Because I’m worried about their safety.

Dear… Sigewinne is only making herbal tea, she isn’t going to harm them… I’m sure it will be safe for humans to drink.

Alright, if you say so… 

“So, what have you been to lately?” Wriothesley closed their distance between them, raising his hand up to trace the other’s face. Neuvillette practically melted in his touch, purring ever so silently. 

“I miss your scent… It has been a while since we last met, has it not?” Neuvillette whispered, noting that Sigewinne was still taking a shower and she could hear them.

“Sigewinne isn’t an outsider, she knows as well. You know, we could let her know our little secret.” The taller figure placed a small kiss on his forehead, earning himself another louder purr from the dragon.

“I know… But I just think it is not a good time to tell her this news yet as we just started. I would like to keep us as a secret for a little longer.” Neuvillette murmured into his shoulder, burying his face into it as he inhaled Wriothesley’s unique scent. 

They both stay like this for a while, in each other’s warm embrace. It was so comfortable that drowsiness crept up behind Neuvillette and lulled him into sleep. He yawned into Wriothesley’s chest, oh how he had hoped that he could sleep in his lover’s embrace…

Wriothesely chuckled at the small commotion, gently stroking his gorgeous pearl white hair as he placed his chin on top of the other’s head, enjoying this private time together. “Hey, you wanna go to bed?” Wriothesley whispered, whereas the dragon just mumbled something unclear. But Wriothesley got the message nonetheless, easily picked him up and lifted him up the stairs to Neuvillette’s bedroom, putting him down on top of the bed and pulled the covers over him. 

Just as the dragon began to drift off, the turning sound of the door knob raised his awareness of his surroundings. He was lying on the bed, but he sat up before the door to his room was opened. 

Sigewinne entered with a towel on her shoulder to prevent the water dripping everywhere onto the floor from her hair. The Duke was just standing beside the bed while the Iudex was sitting up in the bed yawning, seemingly tired. 

“Alright guys, it’s almost 11pm already, time to go to bed. Sigewinne, you’re staying with Neuvillette as usual, I’m going to the guest room a’ight?” With that being said, Wriothesley held Sigewinne up and put her down on the bed beside Neuvillette. Before he closed the door of the room, he wished them goodnight and left.

The hydro dragon pulled out all the hydro droplets away from the melusine’s sky blue hair, with a swift motion of his hand, the water droplets dissipated into thin air. She giggled and laid beside Neuvillette, before she dozed off, she gave the sweetest good night to Neuvillette. 

“Are you sure that I do not have to come with you?” Neuvillette asked anxiously as he stood beside the couch and looked towards the front door, focused on Sigewinne tying her shoelaces. He couldn’t help but feel a tinge of worry when he knew she would be going out alone.

“Yep! I could defend myself if anything happens. Although I would very much like staying inside the Court, wild romaritine flowers are best used in brewing tea. But please do not worry, Monsieur Neuvillette, I’ll stay out of trouble as best as I can.” Sigewinne looked back at the violet eyes as she smiled, reassuring that nothing will happen on her trip to get romaritime flowers.

“Hmm I trust your judgment, stay safe.” Neuvillette nodded. Sigewinne gave one last smile before she closed the door. Wriothesley yelled from the bedroom to say goodbye as well but Neuvillette doubted that Sigewinne heard it. 

“You really don’t have to be worried, you know. She’s more than capable of protecting herself.” Large, gentle hands wrapped themselves around the dragon’s waist, placing a kiss behind the ear. Neuvillette shivered to the sudden sensation, practically melting into Wriothesley’s hold.

“So, can’t believe you would take a day off just for us.”

“Do you wish for me to go back to the Palais Mermorina and work? I am quite sure that Sedene woul–”

“Nope! Love to have you all for myself today now that Sigewinne has her own plans. Whaddya wanna do today hmm?”

Neuvillette hummed, his thoughts were slowly going blank while drowning on his partner’s scent. When Wriothesley did not receive an answer, he thought of another idea.

He gently shoved Neuvillette to a nearby wall with the hold of his waist, Neuvillette yelped and opened his eyes when the motion stopped (he didn’t even realize he closed them), locking eyes with those blue gems. Not knowing how to react, Neuvillette just stood there blushing like a tomato.

Wriothesley was so proud of himself for making the impartial and supposedly emotionless Iudex blush like a high school girl, he could stop this teasing, but why would he do that?

So instead, he moved his right leg right under Neuvillette’s inner thighs, carefully placing both arms on the wall, effectively trapping the poor dragon in his embrace, pressing his chest forward and closer to the other. Wriothesley only stopped closing in the distance when he would hear the soundless rapid breaths and small whimpers the dragon was making.

Neuvillette was beyond overwhelmed at this point – on one hand he was scared, they just started dating and this is unbecoming; but on the other hand, his draconic instincts were giggling joyfully since someone was trying to mate him. He was… unsure how to react.

“Hey, want to do something fun today? Something exciting? Something both you and I will enjoy? ” Wriothesley whispered to his ear, keeping his voice low and full of lust . 

“W-what may that be…” Neuvillette allowed himself to ask quietly. He would never admit that he was looking forward to whatever Wriothesley was hinting at. He was the impartial Iudex of Fontaine, the Hydro Dragon Sovereign, the–

His train of thought was interrupted by the deep, passionate kiss Wriothesley offered, catching the other’s rosy lips and chasing the sweet sensation. At this point, Neuvillette was burning hot, embarrassed with how the Duke had the control over him. 

“How about…” Wriothesley finally breaked the kiss after a few minutes, he just couldn’t stop himself from parting with his beautiful darling. He kept his voice no louder than a whisper, the atmosphere becoming unbearable for the dragon as he became more heated.

“... we go fishing?”

…

Huh?

“F-fishing?” 

“Yea fishing! It has been a long time since I caught some fish up on the surface. Ya’know, there aren’t many opportunities for me to fish down there because well, we are surrounded by the waters already. Ha, how ironic…”

All Neuvillette could do was to stare blankly into the Duke’s chest, he was really hoping the activities he meant were–Ahem! However, even though he was a bit disappointed, as the Duke had left his side and started roaming around the room for fishing gear, a part of him was glad that the Duke did not continue pressing further. 

“So, what do you think darling? Wanna go fishing together?” Wriothesley greeted him with the biggest grin Neuvillette had ever seen. Seeing how Wriothesley was so excited just by mentioning the activity, he just could not refuse.

“Of course.”

Little did the dragon know, that grin means the success of flustering Neuvillette.

“Dear, I could help you carry some equipment…” They got on the Navia line towards Erinnyes , as Wriothesley claimed the best fishing spot was somewhere near the Opera Epiclese. Apparently, Wriothesley has volunteered to carry all of the heavy fishing equipment for the whole ride. Despite knowing Neuvillette could help him out, he refused to do so since he wanted him to see how powerful he was as a human when his partner was the Hydro Dragon. 

“Nah, I’m alright moving these. My sweetness just needs to move along and enjoy the fresh morning breeze while I do all the work. You have been working for a long time in the Palais I’m sure, so it’s my time to handle this now.” Wriothesley replied as he adjusted his posture, and he gave a reassuring smile to the dragon. 

Neuvillette did not respond to his comment, as he knew the black-haired man would never give up at any point. So they just continued their walk to the designated spot, enjoying the spacious area in the morning. They trekked hills and river streams to reach the place Wriothesley mentioned.

Wriothesley set down everything on the ground, finding a place to sit down and taking a deep breath of the fresh air surrounding them. There aren’t anyone near them in the morning, the only creatures surrounding them were the wild animals and some vishaps. 

The Duke handed a fishing rod to the other, patting the grass next to him to signal Neuvillette to sit by him. Neuvillette took the fishing rod after he thanked him, starting to cast the bait out into the pond. 

They have sat there for a while, waiting for the fish to take the bait. As they waited, they started some small chat. Wriothesley started with how fishing is a relaxing activity and he could find solitude and quiet. 

Somehow, Neuvillette managed to change the topic of their small talk from the perks of fishing to… water tasting again. However, even though Wriothesley has failed to taste the difference from various waters, listening to Neuvillette’s ongoing comment was not boring at all. He was sure that he could listen to him all day.

Not to mention Wriothesley could talk about different brands of tea for hours, so he just decided to let Neuvillette have this one. 

“Say, Sigewinne mentioned she wanted to find some romaritime flowers outside the court right? Do you think she’s coming our way?” Wriothesley spoke up when he turned his head to their back and saw some fresh, blooming hydro flowers.

Neuvillette flinched slightly, silently groaning at the thought of getting caught by his daughter. The duke took note of the sudden tight grip of the fishing rod and placed his own hand to try to calm him down. 

“Hey, it’s honestly no big deal. She’s gonna know about us sooner or later, you wouldn’t want to keep our little secret from her and other melusines forever yea?” Wriothesley wrapped his arm around him gently, keeping him close and comforting him. The dragon immediately showed signs of relaxation when his mate’s scent enveloped him. 

“I know. I will find a time to reveal it soon.” The taller man placed a small kiss on the other’s temple, Neuvillette was going to return another kiss to Wriothesley but he backed away as soon as he saw fish take his bait. 

It bothered Neuvillette that Wriothesley did not notice his actions as he also refixed his gaze back to his fishing pole. Even though he could really just catch all the fish with ease, it is more about the experience and the time spent with his beloved. 

“Aha! Gotcha!” Wriothesley yelled, putting the wiggling fish inside one of the buckets with water. The hydro dragon watched him carefully remove the hook from the fish’s mouth curiously as if this was all new to him. Wriothesley took note of this and chucked at his cute partner. 

They just kept chatting as they fished and knew a lot more about each other. Neuvillette thinks his long hair is quite troublesome when it gets onto some ornaments of chairs, while the inmates of the fortress would think that Wriothesley is some mysterious person that obtains information. In truth, he’s just an ordinary person with two eyes and two ears. 

They got a good laugh out of stories from both sides and it also made their connection with each other much closer. Neuvillette has never felt this connected to another person other than the melusines. Most of Fontaine look up to him as the Chief Justice of Fontaine instead of a sentimental being. 

His tone was cold and emotionless in court cases, that other citizens would also assume he was always very distant from human civilization. Wriothesley however, treated him like any other normal person would, and that his intelligence has figured out that he was the hydro dragon all along. 

Although he has pieced out the puzzle to Neuvillette secrets, it still doesn’t change his attitude towards the Iudex. And this has somehow charmed Neuvillette into having feelings for the Duke.

And they found themselves with two buckets full of fish after learning more about their perspective stories. They have been so immersed in their conversation that it was dusk already when they were about to leave. 

Wriothesley never thought that they would spend so much time fishing together (but honestly most of the time was spent chatting), but with the bucket full of fish which they couldn’t possibly eat them all, Neuvillette gave away most fish to the nearby vishaps. The hydro dragon confidently stroked one of the vishaps’ heads calmly as the others ate their feast as the black-haired man stood a few meters behind his partner.

Wriothesley watched as the scene of the impartial Iudex fed his kin unfolded, he just couldn't help but wonder how much emotion was hidden behind that inexpressive dragon.

The soft knocking of the door dragged the dragon from his gaze at some court cases to the door. He signaled Wriothesley from the kitchen that he will open the door, and the sight of the tiny figure melted Neuvillette’s heart. 

“Monsieur Neuvillette!” Sigewinne tackled the taller man with a hug, a welcoming smile found its way up to the dragon’s lips. It has only been half a day and he has already missed her so much, maybe he should consider asking Wriothesley to give her more holidays so that she could visit him more often…

“I am most delighted to see you come back safe and sound, Sigewinne.” Neuvillette closed the front door after she had taken a seat on the couch. “So how was your day?”

As Sigewinne begins to lay out what she has done for the day and how she observed the facial expressions of the girls when she handed out the tea, Neuvillette helped her take off her tiny shoes, and helped her take off her accessories, something that a father would do for hi- no, their daughter. 

Just as the head nurse was expressing how much she had learnt about human facial expressions and their reactions, Wriothesley finished placing the last steaming dish from the kitchen. He politely invites them both for dinner by stretching his hands for the two of them. The duo gladly accepts it and heads for the table.

While all of them ate in silence, Wriothesley sent a side eye to Neuvillette. The dragon caught note and immediately knew what the other was signalling. He supposed that Wriothesley was getting a tint impatient about their little secret, even though it wasn’t the best time to reveal this little surprise… 

“Sigewinne, I- no, we have something to tell you…”

The melusine looked up from her dish, mid-chewing as curious eyes met icy blue and lavender.

“Wriothesley… has been a trustworthy man. If anything happens and I require assistance, Wriothesley would be the one that comes to my mind… um…”

Neuvillette visibly blushed, he is currently eyeing Wriothesley and quietly asking for help as he has no idea how to say it out loud to someone so close. 

Wriothesley acknowledged the clueless and flustered expression that Neuvillette wore, and laughed out loud. Obviously, this made Neuvillette more embarrassed and oblivious. After catching his breath from laughing hard, Wriothesley caressed the pouting dragon’s cheek with one hand and turned his head to glance at Sigewinne.

“Sigewinne, just as Neuvillette said, we supported each other whenever we needed. For a while, we have stepped into another’s hearts without ever realising it… ah, what I mean to say is that Neuvillette and I are n-”

“Now dating each other?”

…

…

… Huh?

No reaction was shown. But to the melusine, the ever-so slight twitch on the cheek, the faint blush on the tip of the ears, the stare of widened eyes meant everything. Sigewinne only gave a small giggle before continuing her dinner.

“I knew it all along.”

“But how?” Neuvillette was too stunned to speak, so Wriothesley spoke up for him. He expected her to know since she has been under his wing for quite a while now, but he was just a tad bit shocked that she really did know.

“Well, you would use any excuse to go up to the surface to see Monsieur Neuvillette, not to mention when you buy gifts for time, your facial expression shows that you were beyond delighted. When Monsieur meets you, his horns twitch, it means that he is happy. I observed many humans in my time, and I came to the conclusion that you two are either close friends or close partners . My assumption was correct when I saw you two today fishing together.”

“You… were there today?” Neuvillette was beyond disbelieve, not because Sigewinne was right there behind them, but because he was not aware that she was behind them all along. 

“You little sneaky rascal. Why didn’t you come greet us?” Wriothesley asked with a big grin, he was by no means mad, he was just amused with all the reveal and reactions.

“I wouldn’t want to ruin the atmosphere between two love birds.” Sigewinne replied with a giggle, while Neuvillette was busy covering his flushed face with his hand and Wriothesley was still humoured by this whole situation. 

They continued their dinner in silence, but this time, it is because Neuvillette was too flustered to start or even join in chats. He just couldn’t believe their relationship was so easy to figure out, they could have been more careful next time…

“So, how was today? Enjoyed the little date together?” Wriothesley asked as he sat on the edge on the bed with his back facing the dragon.

“It was alright…” He held a book close to his face in an attempt to hide his blushing face.

“Couldn’t believe Sige was behind us today, we really did put our guard down when we lost ourselves in each other.”

“I agree, we ought to be more careful in the future…”

Wriothesley just hummed, but as soon as he took note that his beloved was blushing, he immediately went teasing him. 

“Remember when I said we could do something fun before I suggested fishing, I think we have some time left to do something fun… ”

“ Wriothesley! ”