Chapter Text
Iudex Neuvillette was not easily startled. He’d seen it all at this point. However, he was not expecting any visitors in his office today.
The past few days had been packed with loads of paperwork to sort through, and Neuvillette had pointedly asked Sedene not to let anyone in unless it was truly urgent.
The big double doors to his office opened anyway, the person behind them not even bothering to knock, distracting him from his work.
”I’m sorry, but unless the matter is of uttermost importance…” Neuvillette started, looking down at the paper in front of him.
”I know you’re busy, Monsieur Neuvillette, but I wouldn’t have come up here if it wasn't important.”
Neuvillette shot his head up the moment he heard that voice, eyeing the other man in disbelief. It wasn’t often that Wriothesley left the Fortress of Meropide, much to Neuvillette's disappointment.
”Your Grace?”
Neuvillette could not bring himself to deny the excitement that took over him. It was a lost battle already.
He and the Duke had a cordial relationship, a friendship maybe. That much he could admit. Every time they met each other it was comfortable and pleasant, and Neuvillette knew he could trust the man with any necessary matter. He had grown quite fond of Wriothesley in the end.
So much so that Neuvillette found himself missing the man, constantly hoping he would suddenly appear in front of him, much like what just happened. Every time someone knocked on his door Neuvillette sucked in a breath and almost prayed to see that black, tousled hair.
Because of their busy schedule and Wriothesley not leaving the Fortress often, their meetings were scarce, to say the least. Which only accentuated Neuvillette’s longing. Longing for what, he wasn’t sure. After all that time among humans, he had come to understand them better, but he didn’t feel like he could ever participate in their relationships. Neuvillette had a duty to the nation of Fontaine, and he wouldn’t let any flimsy infatuation get in the way.
He was also convinced Wriothesley would never see him in the same light, so he did as best he could to keep to himself without risking the friendship they had so carefully built.
So, Neuvillette spent his time waiting for the few times the Duke came to the Court of Fontaine. Waiting for himself to have a perfectly understandable reason to go visit the man, so he could at least have a moment with him.
And now, Wriothesley was in front of him. Even if deep down he was delighted, Neuvillette was more than used to hiding behind a neutral expression, the perfect picture of professionalism.
Wriothesley, on his part, looked a bit distressed, as if he had run all the way to the Iudex’s office.
”Two inmates are missing.” The Duke blurted out.
”What do you mean missing?” Neuvillette asked, lifting his brows.
”I’ve searched everywhere, as subtle as I could. That Fatui Harbinger sure made an example of his escape, so I can’t allow this incident to transpire. I don’t want any other inmates getting any ideas, but that means we can’t interrogate them or raise suspicion.” Wriothesley ran his hand through his hair anxiously.
”That leaves us with no information to begin with.”
”I know. That’s why I need your help. Clorinde is already involved in this mess. And there’s no one else I trust this much.” Wriothesley almost begged.
Deep down, Neuvillette knew he should send someone else in his stead. He simply had too much work to do, and there were plenty of melusines he would trust with a problem this serious. But there was something in Wriothesley’s demeanor that told him he wouldn’t take a no for an answer.
Neuvillette was not foolish enough to let his feelings get in the way of his choices. He had a duty to fulfill. Being objective and impartial was not up for debate, and being selfish was out of the question altogether.
But this wasn’t selfishness, he told himself. Of course he wanted to take this opportunity to spend more time with the Duke for personal reasons. However, this went beyond that.
Wriothesley had spent years building his own society within the Fortress and not only was it incredibly important for him to sustain it, if it all fell apart the consequences would not be beneficial at all for the entirety of Fontaine.
He could ask anyone to go through the paperwork for him, but he had to do this investigation himself, he decided.
”Alright. I’ll go with you. Just give me a moment to ensure someone will take care of all… this.” Neuvillette said, gesturing to the pile of papers on his desk.
Wriothesley looked immensely relieved, if not a little surprised, like he came in there expecting Neuvillette to put up a little fight.
Maybe Neuvillette was a bit weak, after all.
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Wriothesley felt bad for dragging Neuvillette out of his office on such a busy workday and down the Fortress of Meropide, but it was truly an emergency.
”I wouldn’t have looked for you if I hadn’t searched every nook and cranny myself already. I know you have a lot on your hands, so I didn’t want to waste your time..”
”This is more important than any of it. Those contracts and applications can wait for now. Someone will take care of that eventually, but we need to solve this as soon as possible.”
Wriothesley had no time to enjoy Neuvillette’s company, as much as he wished to. It was hard enough for them to meet, and only if there was some business to sort out.
The Duke wanted nothing more than to spend some time with the other man outside of work, but it wasn’t that simple. Their respective responsibilities left them little to no free time, not to talk about Wriothesley never leaving the Fortress for too long. He wasn’t about to make someone as distinguished as Neuvillette spend longer than necessary inside the prison.
There was another reason, too. Someone like Neuvillette would never think of him as more than an acquaintance. Friends, if he was lucky, but nothing more. Neuvillette was too detached and too involved in his job to notice any possible advance he made, if he had the chance to make one at all.
But he couldn’t think of that right now.
”The last time the inmates were seen, they were turning in for the night.” Wriothesley said. “I saw them leave the canteen, but this morning there was no sign they made it to their dorms.”
“Is that the only information we have?” Neuvillette said behind him.
”Unfortunately, yes.”
Ahead of them, Clorinde was waiting at the entrance to the Duke’s office.
”Any news?” Wriothesley asked once they were inside.
”There’s guards searching the air vents, but other than that, nothing.” Said Clorinde. “We’re monitoring every possible exit just in case.”
”There’s one place I haven’t searched yet. The abandoned production zone.” Wriothesley rubbed his temples. “Monsieur Neuvillette and I will go down there while you wait for any report. The access mechanism to that area can only be activated between two people, it can’t be a coincidence.“
”Are there any possible exits from there?”
”Not anymore. I made sure it was sealed for good. But the archons know what these two have been up to.”
”Alright, good luck. I’ll stay here standing guard.”
“Thank you, miss Clorinde.” Said Neuvillette as they both went out the door again.
Wriothesley and Neuvillette took the elevator down to the deepest area of the Fortress. Once they were in motion, Wriothesley looked at the other man’s semblant, trying to decipher it. He always looked so neutral and unbothered that the Duke had often wondered if he felt something at all when they first met. Now, though, he knew better. Neuvillette cared deeply for all citizens of Fontaine, the melusines, his job as Chief Justice, and many more.
That didn’t make his predicament any easier. Neuvillette never put himself first, and Wriothesley knew the other man never contemplated having any relationships with other people.
What a waste of a handsome face. He should invite Neuvillette for tea more often anyway.
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After a few seconds, they arrived at the bottom floor of the factory. At first glance, nothing seemed out of place, so the two men started looking more intendly.
It hadn’t passed Neuvillette how Wriothesley had looked straight at him while on the elevator, but he decided to pay no mind to it. The ride wasn’t that long for it to mean anything, and they had more urgent matters at hand.
Neuvillette didn’t know this area of the Fortress as well as Wriothesley, so he followed him around, scanning the rooms for anything amiss and helping with the mechanisms.
They couldn’t talk much either, advancing stealthily for fear of missing any strange noise or alerting the inmates in case they were hiding somewhere.
The factory seemed to stretch on in all directions, and Neuvillette made a mental note to ask Wriothesley later if he’d thought of repurposing all this space.
Finally, after a while searching, they did find some clues. They were in a room used for storage, looking around old metal boxes, when Neuvillette found some mechabot parts scattered through the floor, clearly placed there recently. They weren’t dusty or decayed like the rest of the room.
Neuvillette took one of the parts in his hand. Up close, it looked more like a whole, working component rather than a scrap of metal.
”Your Grace, you need to see this…”
”Neuvillette, put that down.”
Wriothesley rarely called him by his name, which was enough to distract him for half a second.
”I beg your p…”
”It’s a trap! Put! It! Down!”
Neuvillette obeyed, but before he could drop the item, Wriothesley had already moved close and was ripping it from his hands, moving away just as fast.
Not fast enough though.
The component exploded just as Wriothesley began throwing it away, sending them both to the ground with force. At the same time, the mechanism for the door activated from the outside, locking them in.
After the first shock, Neuvillette managed to get up, luckily unharmed. His head was spinning a little, but he forced himself to focus, well aware that Wriothesley had taken the worst of the impact. He tried to swallow the lump in his throat as he looked around for the other man.
The Duke was lying on the floor a few steps to his right, still conscious but clearly wounded, his face contorted with pain. Neuvillette hurried to his side, crouching next to the man to inspect him better. He steadied himself as best he could despite the anxiety he felt.
Wriothesley’s right hand had taken the worst of the blow, so Neuvillette started ripping his tunic to cover the wounds.
”Wriothesley, can you hear me?” Neuvillette breathed, voice full of worry.
”Loud and clear.” Wiothesley answered through clattered teeth.
”We need to get out of here fast.” Neuvillette said, eyeing the closed doors.
”They’ve locked us in from the outside.” Wriothesley tried to sit up with effort. Neuvillette steadied him, passing his arm through the other man’s back and pulling him a little closer for better support. “It won’t be that easy.”
“They don’t know who they’re dealing with.” Neuvillette whispered with anger.
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Before getting up, Neuvillette had inspected Wriothesley for any other bleeding wound. He found none, thankfully. The explosive, being quite rudimentary and improvised, had only harmed up to his right arm, but the impact against the metal boxes and finally the ground would leave Wriothesley bruised for a few days. His back hurt, but he managed to stay up.
He felt guilty for getting Neuvillette into this mess. He wouldn’t forgive himself if he were injured.
His head was still spinning, but he could see Neuvillette approaching the double metal doors, an air of confidence and power about him. Wriothesley had never seen Neuvillette having a Vision, but knew he didn’t need one.
A bright blue light blinded Wriothesley for a second, before a torrent of water emerged from the ground with an impossible strength, forcing the doors open, almost breaking them off their huge metal hinges.
The mechanisms in the Fortress were proofed against Vision wielders, but there was no locking the Hydro dragon.
Wriothesey watched the show of power with awe. It was a shame Neuvillette didn’t use it more often, it was something magnificent to watch and Wriothesley would never grow tired of it.
It made Neuvillette all the more unreachable, though. A reminder of their differences.
The torrent of water illuminated Neuvillette’s profile with a light of its own, making him even more breathtaking. Wriothesley forgot about the pain he felt, unable to turn his gaze.
Once the water dissolved and the gap between the metal doors was big enough for them to loosely fit through, Neuvillette turned to Wriothesley again, carefully helping him into a standing position.
The lighting was back to normal, and yet, in Wriothesley’s slightly blurred vision, Neuvillette still glowed.
Neuvillette didn’t release him right away, holding his left hand and lower back, until he was sure Wriothesley had stopped swinging and wouldn’t fall again.
”You really are something to behold.” Wriothesley blurted out.
Neuvillette smiled at him, flattered, but didn’t address the comment.
“This must be part of a plan, we need to go back as soon as possible. Can you walk on your own?” Neuvillette said instead.
”I believe so.”
His first few steps were a little wobbly, but Wriothesley managed to recompose himself despite the pain and the bruises. Nothing he hadn’t been through before.
”So, we fell right into their trap. I should’ve known better. I’m sorry.” Wriothesley said on their way back.
”I’m the one who should apologize, I shouldn’t have touched any suspicious object. It’s my fault you were harmed.” Neuvillette looked uncharacteristically agitated. It would be endearing in any other situation.
”You came all the way down here to help me and I just put you in danger. You have nothing to apologize for.”
Neuvillette stopped in his tracks and fully turned to face him. “Wriothesley. You protected me from the explosion. I will be blunt, I am incredibly grateful for your actions. Even if I feel guilty, I deeply appreciate that you would put yourself in danger for my sake.”
Wriothesley felt like Neuvillette’s piercing gaze was about to rip him open and expose him. But truly, it was the Iudex who was exposing himself. And Wriothesley didn’t know what to think of it.
”Any time.” Wriothesley all but whispered, at a loss for words.
Neuvillette closed his eyes for a second and sighed before talking again. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
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Neuvillette turned towards the exit, leaving a frozen Wriothesley behind. Good, he didn’t think he could hide his mortified expression right now. Maybe he’d said too much just now. It was too late now, anyway.
Wriothesley caught up to him in a few strides, grinning like a little boy. Wasn't he in pain a moment ago?
“Hey.” Wriothesley said. “I’ll be blunt too. You should come down here more often for tea, when you have the time. I promise there won’t be any more explosions.”
Neuvillette turned to look at the other man again, genuinely surprised. “It would be my pleasure. I owe you.”
Wriothesley full on smirked at that, all his wounds seemingly forgotten as he marched forward with a new determination. “You don't owe me anything.”
“Then I accept your offer because I willingly choose to.”
Neuvillette wasn’t stupid. He wasn’t sure of the Duke’s innermost intentions, but it was undeniable that the man wanted to spend more time with him. He’d never been too shy about it. Neuvillette wanted the same, but couldn’t be that selfish. Still, Wriothesley had shielded him from harm, so the least he could do to repay the favor was to actually give in for once.
Guilt or not, the truth was Wriothesley had given Neuvillette the perfect excuse to go visit him more often. Owing to him or not, he’d still need to check up on the situation down here.
The two men finally reached the elevator, Wriothesley already limping a little from the effort. Neuvillette offered him his arm for balance, at least while they were out of sight.
“I haven’t even asked. Are you alright?” Wriothesley said.
”You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll be fine as long as you let Sigewinne take care of you.” Neuvillette looked at the other man accusingly.
”Yeah, yeah, I’ll ask for help, don’t give me that look.”
As the elevator doors started to open, Wriothesley straightened himself and steeled his expression, showing no pain and standing on his own like nothing had happened except for the cloth covering his right arm and hand. Both of them got momentarily excited about their new agreement, but now it was time to focus: two inmates had really messed up, and neither of them was happy about it.
The main floor of the Fortress was pure chaos. People were running around, followed by guards or mechabots. They spotted Clorinde escorting the infamous inmates, their hands tied and heads lowered.
”Ah! Here you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you two.” Wriothesley said calmly. He was way scarier like this than angry and shouting, Neuvillette thought with a shudder.
”I’m guessing their plan was to distract you long enough to organise a mass escape. They thought they could disarm the mechabots and fight the guards if enough people joined them.” Clorinde explained, looking at the two inmates with disdain.
”Did you really think it would be that easy? That I’m the only one watching over this place? And even if you managed to get out, then what? Do you really think you would make it to the harbour and into a boat to Sumeru unscathed?” Both men were too scared to look Wriothesley in the eye, instead flinching with each word. “Clorinde, take them out of my sight, I’ll deal with them later.”
”You heard him. Come on.” Clorinde didn’t have to tell them twice, as they almost broke into a sprint towards the upper floor.
Around them, things had calmed out a little upon seeing them, most people not wanting to be the target of the Duke’s anger. Inmates went back to their rooms obediently, guards filled them in on the details, and mechabots returned to their posts. Neuvillette followed Wriothesley around, helping as best he could.
Only when everything went back to normal and the guards were dismissed, did Wriothesley allow himself to crawl back into his office, throwing himself in defeat and exhaustion on his chair, his face again contorted by pain after climbing up the stairs.
Neuvillette couldn’t bear to see him like this any longer. “I’m going to get Sigewinne.”
“She will be busy enough with all the commotion.” The Duke said through his left hand, now covering his face.
”Wriothesley.” Neuvillette said severely.
”It’s funny. I’ve never heard you call me by my name so many times before.” Wriothesley tried to say smugly. It came out in rasped breaths instead.
”Don’t try to distract me.”
”Is it working?”
”It’s only making me worry even more.” With that, Neuvillette went down the stairs again and out of the office.
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While he waited, Wriothesley pondered the situation. Even if he didn’t show it completely, he was incredibly furious. He’d had to ask Neuvillette if this infraction was enough for a new trial. Either way, he had to punish the two men accordingly. But now wasn’t the moment to decide that. He was in pain, and his anger clouded his judgment.
Instead, he thought about how worried and expressive Neuvillette had been just now. He really seemed to care. He always did, in his own way, but this felt different. Like Wriothesley was seeing him through a crack in his armor. It had only taken a trap and a bomb for Neuvillette to really show his true colors.
The man in question appeared soon after, followed by a distressed Sigewinne.
”Wriothesley! Neuvillette told me what happened on the way here. Let me see your arm, please.” The man obliged, and Neuvillette sat down while the melusine inspected the visible wounds.
After a few minutes, Sigewinne turned to Neuvillette. “Um. Given the situation you’ve been in, I should advise you to rest, Monsieur. If you’re sure you’re fine and you don’t need any medical attention, you should go back to the surface. I will take it from here.”
Neuvillette looked at Wriothesley, his face almost sad, but recognized the melusine was right.
”I should let you rest too, once Sigewinne tends to your wounds.” He said, his eyes never leaving Wriothesley. “But I’ll be back when I can to check on you. Please know I don’t regret coming here with you today.”
”And I don’t regret taking the blow for you.” Wriothesley looked back at him with the same intensity.
It was a hard task, turning away and leaving the room, but Neuvillette managed to get back to the entrance to the Fortress before he could change his mind.
It was night time outside, the Opera was deserted and the Court of Fontaine was quiet and calm. Once in his office, Neuvillette noticed the pile of paperwork had greatly diminished, and made a mental note to thank his helpers the next morning.
Only after he lay down in his chamber, on the upper floor of the Palais Mermonia, did the events of the day catch up to him. Wriothesley could’ve been seriously hurt, while also being locked away so deep underwater no one would have noticed until hours later, if the inmates’ plan had been successful. It drove him mad just to think about it.
Maybe it wasn’t so bad to show his feelings from time to time. Maybe showing appreciation and fondness for someone wasn’t just a distraction. If Wriothesley hadn’t trusted him, he wouldn’t have come to ask for his help, and would have gone down the old production floor with someone without the means to get them out safely.
Maybe caring for the people of Fontaine also meant being a little selfish and cultivating his personal relationships. A few of them, at least.
With that thought in mind, he drifted off to sleep.
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The morning after, Neuvillette arrived early to his office, looking for something to occupy his mind other than the events of the day before. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he should have stayed in the Fortress of Meropide. It took all his might not to run back the moment he woke up. It was too early though, and Wriothesley was probably still resting.
Neuvillette tried to spend his morning as ordinarily as possible. He signed documents, he thanked his staff for the help, he attended a meeting.
He welcomed a couple of people into his office. Each time someone knocked, a part of him still hoped the door would open to reveal the Duke had come to visit, and each time, he had to remind himself that the man had been injured and couldn’t possibly come to see him.
One of his visitors did take Neuvillette by surprise. Furina was standing at the entrance of his office, and she quickly made her way to his desk.
”Neuvillette! I heard of what happened yesterday and I was worried sick!”
”Lady Furina, I’m alright as you can see. No need to overreact. Please, don’t tell me the Steambird has written about the incident.” News of the Fortress hardly ever reached the surface, and this should be no different, Neuvillette thought to himself.
“Oh, please. I still have my sources. You need to tell me every detail.” Furina rested her elbows on Neuvillette’s desk. She wouldn’t let this go easily.
Neuvillette sighed. If there was one person in Fontaine who could keep a secret, it was her. “It was a simple trap, yet we fell right into it. The disappearance of two inmates had to be investigated right away, so I don't have any regrets, only that the Duke was injured.”
”Wriothesley? How is he?” Furina sat up immediately.
“I don’t know. It wasn't too severe, so I went back home. I can only hope he’s resting. Sigewinne wouldn’t have it any other way.” Neuvillette ached to know more, but tried to remain calm and collected on the outside.
”Do you mean to tell me you haven’t checked on him all day?” Furina was scandalized. “Why?”
”I intend to, but I can’t allow my work to go unattended. Yesterday was an emergency, but I’m sure the Duke can take care of himself. I wouldn’t want to intrude too much either. I’ll visit when I can.” The man couldn’t help the slight sadness that washed over him like an almost imperceptible wave.
Furina was having none of it. “Oh, come on. As if the Duke didn’t look at you like you hung the stars. You need to go see him!”
”What do you mean?”
”Sir, let me put it differently. Wouldn’t it be polite to go ask him how he’s doing? Making time for the people you care about is the best way to show you care, don’t you think?”
Once again, Furina read him like an open book. Always had.
”I promise I won’t let the day go by without a visit.” Neuvillette conceded.
”Wonderful! Please keep me posted.” Furina winked at him and ran for the door.
”Furina, there’s something you’re keeping from me.” Neuvillette raised his voice a little as she walked away.
”I could say the same about you! I, on the contrary, have definitely said too much!”
And with that, she was gone, leaving Neuvillette alone with his thoughts. Was he so blind? So absorbed in his work, his duty?
Concentrating on paperwork proved a challenge for the rest of the afternoon.
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By the end of the workday, when the sun was beginning to set, Neuvillette couldn’t wait any longer. He made his way to the elevator behind the Opera and descended into the Fortress, his conversation with Lady Furina still on his mind.
Everything had gone back to normal down here, as if nothing had happened at all. The only sign of yesterday’s events were the slightly fearful looks he got from a few inmates he crossed along the way to the main building. Neuvillette guessed his upset expression wasn’t helping either.
He wasn’t sure whether Wriothesley would be in his office, but he tried anyway. The guards at the doors confirmed the Duke was inside and let Neuvillette in, relief washing over him. Wriothesley wasn’t staying in the infirmary, and he took it as a good sign.
He ascended the stairs to the office itself, and was greeted by Wriothesley beaming at him, a blinding smile appearing on his face upon seeing him.
”If it isn’t my dear friend. To what do I owe the pleasure?” The Duke wasn’t even trying to hide his enthusiasm, much to Neuvillette’s satisfaction.
He couldn’t help a smile of his own. ”Your Grace. I wanted to know how you were feeling. Is it that surprising?”
”I just thought you’d be too busy to visit so soon. But I’m glad you’re here. I’m fine, I’ll be back to normal in a few days.” Wriothesley stood up from his chair with a bit of effort, but clearly in better shape than the last time they’d seen each other. Bless Sigewinne.
”That’s good to hear. I will admit I was a little worried, so I made some time to visit.” Because I care, he almost said.
”I’m so flattered, but I’ll have you know I’m the one worried about you. You’re capable of hiding your pain all too well. I understand why Sigewinne made you leave last night, but I can’t shake the feeling you should let her check you up, just in case.”
”I’m not hiding anything. I have nothing to recover from, I promise. Unlike you, I was not injured. It’s yourself you should focus on.”
”You don’t make that an easy task, Monsieur Neuvillette.” Said the Duke, taking a step forward.
How could he respond to that? Wriothesley could be a little playful with people he trusted, but this was pushing it. At that moment, Neuvillette wished he was good at comebacks. Instead, he froze, averting his gaze.
Wriothesley had the audacity to look proud of himself while he made his way to the low table right of his desk. “Care for some tea? If you have the time.”
”I do.”
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The two men fell into pleasant conversation, their worries forgotten for a moment. Wriothesley felt touched by Neuvillette’s gesture. He knew the Iudex wouldn’t make time for just anyone. Wriothesley would’ve thought Neuvillette had agreed out of guilt, if it wasn’t for the softness in the man’s eyes and his warm smile. It made the Duke’s head spin a little.
It also wasn’t as if Neuvillette was ever cold and distant, quite the opposite, but he always carried himself with an air of refinement and formality that felt like a gap between them. A living reminder of the different lives they lead. His usual way of conveying cordiality and friendship was more aloof than that of a normal person, or human, in general, even if he did care deep down. Wriothesley also understood the responsibility that came with being in his charge, and the necessity of being impartial.
That’s why he thought he could never cross that gap. That they’d ever remain friends, at best, and he’d have to live a life of unfulfilled longing several miles underwater.
But Neuvillette had proved him wrong. Well, maybe that was stretching it a little, but Wriothesley was feeling hopeful. And Neuvillette was looking at him with a shine in his eyes, surely matching his own.
None of them had forgotten the incident, though, and soon enough the conversation turned in that direction.
”Is everything solved, then?” Neuvillette asked.
Wriothesley hated how the other man’s face hardened at the thought of it all. His did too.
”Well, the escape plan was a complete failure, so I’m positive no one will try anything stupid in a while, but I still have to make an example of those two fools. I haven’t come up with a fitting punishment yet, every time I try to think about it I get too mad to be unbiased.”
”I understand. Have you considered asking someone else to make that decision for you? Asking for a bit of advice, at least.” Asked Neuvillette.
”Interesting idea… Would you be up for it?” If Wriothesley trusted anyone’s judgement, it was obviously the Iudex’s.
”Me? I…” Wriothesley had never seen Neuvillette hesitate like that. “I’m afraid I would be biased too.” Neuvillette averted his gaze, placing his hands on his knees and squeezing lightly, almost like a fidgety child. How unlikely of him.
“You? Iudex Neuvillette?” Wriothesley pushed.
“I was there with you, was I not?” Neuvillette looked up at him again, unreadable.
The Duke let it be for the moment, much to his disappointment. “You’re right. I guess I’ll ask around for advice and go from there. Excluding you, for once.”
”I’m sorry I can’t help you with this matter.”
”Don’t be. You helped me a whole lot yesterday, I don’t want to ask too much of you.”
”Your Grace, you know you can always ask for my help. If it’s in my hand I’ll be happy to oblige.” Neuvillette said, instinctively placing one hand on Wriothesley’s arm.
”Even if you’re behind a pile of work taller than yourself?” Wriothesley asked, arching his brow.
”I can make some time, if it’s you.”
”Hey, Neuvillette. Can I ask something of you right now?”
”What is it?” Neuvillette tilted his head in curiosity.
”Let’s drop the titles.” Wriothesley almost whispered, as if it was an improper suggestion. It was, in a way.
Neuvillette was caught off guard. But he melted into a grin after the initial shock, surely remembering all the times he had called the Duke by his name the day before, and Wriothesley could feel the gap between them closing slightly.
”Of course, Wriothesley.” Said Neuvillette with the softest expression he’d ever made, smiling until it fully reached his eyes.
And it was the most beautiful thing Wriothesley had ever seen.
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Furina was right, Neuvillette thought as he climbed down the stairs of Wriothesley’s office reluctantly. For someone as busy as himself, making time for another was a clear sign of care and affection. The Duke had not tried to hide how grateful he was, and it made Neuvillette warm inside.
Wriothesley followed him down and out the door, heading for his dorm. It was fairly late, the guards of the night shift their only company.
“It’s been a delightful surprise seeing you here tonight. Thank you again for your time, Neuvillette.”
”I couldn’t think of a better use of said time.” Neuvillette said with honesty. “Please, take care of your injuries.”
”Sigewinne will drag me to the infirmary herself if I don’t show up anyway, so you can rest assured I will.” Wriothesley smiled. “So, will I see you soon, or am I pushing my luck?”
”You might get lucky. I have a few points to discuss with you, regarding our repurposing project for the abandoned production zone. We can’t let all that space be wasted, can we?”
”Sure thing! You’re welcome here anytime to talk about it over some tea.”
”It is a deal then. Good night, Wriothesley.”
”Good night, Neuvillette.”