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At the beginning of her existence, separated as the human part of a Goddess, Furina had learned to smile.
She had learned to do it even when she was afraid, even when she didn't understand what was happening around her, even in those moments when she didn't even know where she stood, even when she felt that the weight and fate of Fontaine rested on her shoulders and that any mistake could condemn them all because of her, an enormous responsibility, and she had never been prepared for this, but it didn't matter.
Smiling was part of her role, being extravagant was part of her role, fulfilling and making real the vision of what people believed a God should be was part of her role.
Being the Hydro Archon was part of her role and that responsibility went hand in hand with one fact, one that no one had been able to give her during all those years of acting, a place where she could stop acting, in her mind she had already accepted the fact that this would never happen, at least not until all of this was over, although she didn't even know if this would end soon or much later, she acted, lied and continued a pattern that had already been part of her life.
Until she found someone who didn't need her to pretend.
Neuvillette.
At first he had only been the Iudex, an extraordinarily competent man whom she could entrust with responsibilities.
Then he became her companion.
Then her friend.
And, without Furina being able to point out exactly when it had happened, he became something much more dangerous.
He became her emotional refuge.
...
—Here again?
Neuvillette raised his gaze from his documents.
Furina was sitting on the windowsill.
—Huh? Again what?
—Watching me.
—I wasn't watching you.
—You've been looking in this direction for ten minutes without saying a word.
—I was...thinking.
—That's even worse considering that there is actually something that can keep you still for a good while.
Neuvillette put down his pen.
—What's wrong?
Furina lowered her gaze.
—Nothing.
He waited.
She hated when he did that, he didn't insist, he didn't pressure her to speak.
He simply waited, watching her with a reassuring look, and precisely because of that she always ended up talking.
—I was thinking about...the prophecy.
Neuvillette became completely still.
Furina played with her fingers.
—Sometimes I think about what would happen if that day really comes, would I be strong enough?
—You will be.
—How can you know that?
—Because I know you and I trust you.
She let out a small laugh at the complete confidence with which Neuvillette said those words.
—Do you really think that?
—More than you think.
Furina raised her gaze.
—And what if it isn't like that? What if I'm not prepared?
Neuvillette stood up from his seat and walked toward her.
They both stood facing each other and then Neuvillette said:
—Then you won't be alone on that path, I will be by your side under any circumstance that may arise in the future.
Furina felt a lump in her throat.
—Are...are you promising me that? You're not lying to me?
—That's right, I have never lied to you in all this time, Miss Furina, much less about this, I mean it completely.
—Even if you discover what I'm really like?
Neuvillette frowned slightly in confusion.
—What are you really like? I'm sorry but I don't know what you mean by that question.
Furina forced herself to smile even harder this time.
—Nothing, forget it.
He watched her for a few seconds.
—Very well, in that case I believe I should return to continue with my duties, if you need anything else, call me.
—Hehehe, I will, thank you so much!!!
In her thoughts she was focused more on those words he had said: "You won't be alone...I will be by your side under any circumstance..."
She placed her hand on her chest and for the first time in a long time, she felt a weight inside her become lighter, she felt like she could breathe.
...
After that she began to seek him out more and more.
If her fears came back, she went to Neuvillette.
If she was sad, she went to Neuvillette.
If she had a nightmare, the next day she found some excuse to visit him.
If someone questioned her decisions, she only needed to hear that he trusted her.
And above all, she needed to know one thing, that he still believed in her, at all times.
One morning, a small Melusine named Sedene found Furina waiting outside the office.
—Lady Furina!
Furina smiled.
—Oh, hello little one.
—Are you waiting for Monsieur Neuvillette?
—No.
Sedene tilted her head.
—But you've been waiting here in front of his door for twenty minutes.
—That doesn't mean anything!
—I was told that you also came yesterday.
—That's just a coincidence.
—And the day before yesterday too.
Furina looked at her, thinking about saying another excuse.
Sedene simply smiled innocently.
—You know, I think you really like Monsieur Neuvillette.
Furina put a hand over her chest.
—O-Of course I like him! He's my dear Iudex!
—It doesn't seem like you only like him as your Iudex.
Furina fell silent.
The Melusine smiled politely.
—It's nothing, I was just thinking out loud.
—What do you mean?
—Well, when you're with him, you seem happy.
Furina slowly lowered her gaze.
That sentence made her think more than she expected, because it was true.
With Neuvillette she didn't have to pretend anything, she could remain silent for a long time, she could show her vulnerable side, sometimes she almost forgot that she was acting, with him she could simply...exist.
And that had begun to become a necessity. She saw him as her refuge, she began to associate him with something that was only for her, something that belonged to her. that no one else could have in this way, she thought that their relationship was special and unique and that no one else could replicate this.
...
However, the problem appeared a few months later, no longer in a future event, but in a person.
Her name was Laurence, she was a young Court official, very intelligent, who earned a high position in the Court in a very short time, polite and far too interested in the life of the Supreme Judge Neuvillette.
At first Furina ignored her, then she began to watch each and every one of her actions more and more.
This woman...was looking for any excuse to talk to her Iudex.
She brought documents personally to his office, she asked him questions that could perfectly well be answered by another competent lower-ranking official.
She smiled too much.
And, on one occasion, Furina heard her say:
—It would be an honor to accompany you one afternoon when you're free, some of my colleagues and I are really interested in knowing a little more about the elegant and always-perfect Monsieur Neuvillette outside of work.
Furina felt something twist inside her. Her head hurt just thinking that she was trying to get closer to him in a non-professional way.
Neuvillette answered politely:
—I appreciate your invitation.
Furina smiled, and said nothing about it.
...
That night she was lying in bed trying to sleep, however, she couldn't, she thought about Laurence, that woman...she thought about her attitude, the way she looked at Neuvillette, she thought about how easy it would be for someone like her to get close to him, if she were given enough time to do so.
She thought about how easy it would be for Neuvillette to end up trusting someone else more, after all, they didn't need to limit themselves to an act unlike her, she didn't want to feel this way ever again.
She imagined a scenario in which Neuvillette no longer trusted her and was no longer loyal to her, because someone else had come and taken him away from her, she wasn't going to let them take him away from her, she didn't want another person to get that close.
And then a thought appeared, brief and clear.
But terribly simple to carry out from her position.
Make her disappear.
Furina quickly opened her eyes, she stared at the ceiling for several seconds.
Then she began to laugh.
—Hahahahaha! What an absurd thought...
She covered her mouth, turning her body to one side of the bed, her laughter disappeared in an instant.
—Yes...
She remained silent for several more seconds.
—Absurd.
...
The next morning, Laurence received a permanent transfer, far away from the Palais Mermonia, far away from Fontaine.
Far away from Neuvillette.
Furina never asked who had signed the order, she didn't need to.
...
—Did you do it?
Neuvillette's voice echoed as she approached his desk.
Furina raised her head.
—Do what?
—Laurence's transfer.
There was a momentary silence.
—I don't know what you're talking about.
—Furina.
She smiled.
—You trust me, right?
—...
Neuvillette didn't answer immediately.
That made her tremble.
—Why are you asking that?
—Because I need to know.
—I trust you, I've told you multiple times.
Furina lowered her gaze.
—Even if I do things you don't understand? Or that don't make sense to you?
—As long as you don't harm innocent people.
She remained silent.
—Furina.
—I didn't do it.
Her lie came out too quickly, to which Neuvillette noticed, but finally he didn't insist.
And Furina felt relieved.
And at the same time, something similar to fear, because a part of her had expected him to insist, she knew that what she had done was wrong, she wanted him to discover everything, to stop her, to tell her that she was crossing the line.
But he didn't, he simply approached, which Furina took advantage of to demand an order.
—Come here.
Neuvillette obeyed.
Furina hugged him, she closed her eyes.
—Do you still trust me?
—Yes.
—More than anyone else?
—...Yes
Furina tightened her arms around him, too tightly.
—Tell me again!
—I trust you.
—Again!!
—I trust you, Furina.
She hid her face against his chest.
—Thank you.
Her voice trembled.
—You don't know how much I need to hear it. —She said, feeling the pain and anxiety disappear.
Neuvillette gently stroked her hair, slowly lowering his hand until it reached her cheek, which he caressed as well.
—You don't have to earn my trust every day.
Furina closed her eyes and in her mind she said:
*You're wrong...I do have to make sure you never find a reason to stop trusting me, I have to make sure you'll always be loyal to me*
...
As the days passed, the Melusines of the Court began to notice the change.
Furina was more affectionate, more possessive, she always wanted to be close to Neuvillette, if he worked, she sat next to him, if he walked, she took his arm, always pulling him toward her, if someone spoke to him, Furina appeared.
One little Melusine even joked:
—Lady Furina, I think Monsieur Neuvillette needs a little space.
Furina smiled, looking in her direction.
—Space?
She quickly turned to look at Neuvillette.
—Do you want space?
—Not particularly.
Furina turned her gaze toward the Melusine again.
—See? —She smiled with complete pride.
The little Melusine laughed.
—Hahaha! Alright!
Furina tightened her grip on Neuvillette's arm.
—Besides...
She lowered her voice.
—I don't like being away from him, or when he leaves without telling me.
Neuvillette took note of that comment and looked at her.
—I have noticed.
—Does that bother you?
—Honestly, no, I've already gotten used to it.
She smiled.
—Perfect!
...
That same night, Neuvillette found Furina alone on the balcony of the Palace.
—Miss Furina, it's unusual to see you at this hour of the night. Can't you sleep?
—...no.
—Anything in particular?
She sighed and nodded.
—You already know what it is.
Neuvillette walked over and stood beside her.
Furina rested her head against his shoulder.
—I'm scared.
He said nothing.
—Not of the future.
Her fingers desperately searched for his.
—I'm afraid of losing you.
Neuvillette intertwined his fingers with hers.
—You won't lose me.
—How can you be so sure of that?
—Because I love you, there is no reason for you to lose me.
Furina quickly raised her head to look at him, she stopped breathing for an instant.
—...What?
Neuvillette froze for a second, he seemed to realize what he had said, perhaps a thought had slipped out.
—I...
Furina used her hands to touch his cheeks, and pulled his head toward her.
—Say it again.
—Furina...
—Say it again!!! —She wanted to prove that she wasn't crazy.
He looked directly at her, obeying.
—I love you.
Furina's eyes filled with tears, she smiled.
A huge smile, the biggest Neuvillette could have ever seen on her.
She was so happy, one could even say she was euphoric.
—Again! Tell me again!
—I love you.
Furina hugged him, clinging to his body.
—Again!
Neuvillette closed his eyes, obeying her orders.
—I love you.
She began to laugh uncontrollably through her tears.
—Then it's okay.
—Hm? What's okay?
Furina raised her gaze, looking directly into his eyes.
—EVERYTHING! —She said it almost in a shout.
She quickly moved closer and kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck
First softly, then she began doing it more desperately.
And again, there were moments when they quickly separated to catch their breath and then began kissing again.
Each kiss seemed to confirm something she had needed to hear for centuries, something she needed to feel, a feeling that she now knew was mutual.
Neuvillette returned each of her kisses, wrapping his arms around her hips.
Furina clung to him.
—Don't leave me.
—I never will.
—Never?
—Never.
She rested her forehead against his.
—Then I can endure it.
Furina smiled.
—Everything.
Her fingers slowly traced the lapel of his suit.
—As long as you're with me.
Neuvillette watched her in silence, Furina kissed him again...
They separated, breathing slowly, their hands still clinging to his clothes.
—Neuvillette.
—Yes?
—If one day everyone turns against me...
—That won't happen.
—But if it does...
She looked at him intently.
—Will you still trust me despite everything? Would you still have faith in me?
Neuvillette answered without hesitation.
—Absolutely.
Furina closed her eyes, happy in her heart
—Then I don't need anything else.
She hugged him again, she leaned toward his ear asking him for her final request for the night
—Please, come with me to my room and sleep with me tonight~
She didn't need to say it again, to which Neuvillette responded
—With pleasure.
...
The next day, a little Melusine who had seen Furina that afternoon was talking quietly with another.
—Hey, did you notice how Monsieur Neuvillette and Miss Furina went up to their private Aquabus?
—Honestly, I didn't see them.
—I always wonder what they do inside it, they always keep it a secret.
...
Furina didn't think too much about the others anymore, after all, there were much more important matters, such as the prophecy, Fontaine and Neuvillette.
And that little promise that now occupied a much deeper place in her heart than any other divine command:
"You will never leave my side."
She didn't know how long she could keep Fontaine safe, she didn't know what fate would demand of her, but she had discovered something, she didn't need to endure it completely alone, she had the only person she needed to have by her side.
And if the whole world ever turned against her because of her masquerade...Furina was sure of one thing.
She could endure it, as long as he continued looking at her that way.
As long as he continued saying and blindly believing in her as his Goddess:
"I trust you."
Those three words had become her comfort, her need, her obsession.
And perhaps, without Neuvillette knowing it yet, they had also become the reason why Furina would never allow anyone to come between them, not even him, if the day ever came when he dared to forget what he had promised her.