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Fontaine glittered beneath a clear sky. The fountains shimmered with bluish lights, and small white flowers adorned the gardens of the Palais Mermonia. Today was Furina’s birthday, and although she had received congratulations from close friends, presents, and a cake she insisted was far too small for such an important occasion, something was still missing, or rather, someone.
“Neuvillette!” Furina exclaimed when she found him waiting for her in the garden. “May I ask why you summoned me here without giving me any explanation? I hope it’s something extraordinary! I had to leave everyone in the middle of my own party!”
“Ah, Furina. You’re here, I’ve been waiting for you this whole time,” he said, approaching her with elegant strides until he stood right in front of her.
“Happy birthday, My Lady Furina.”
He offered her a small blue box. Inside lay a delicate silver ornament shaped like a droplet of water, set with an aquamarine gemstone that shone like Fontaine’s sky after the rain. Furina gazed at it in delight.
“It’s beautiful… Did you choose it yourself?”
“Yes. I wanted to give you something that would remind you that, no matter how much time passes, there will always be someone who cares about you and wishes to celebrate the day you came into this world.”
Furina’s smile slowly faded, replaced by an expression of genuine surprise, Neuvillette held out his hand to her. As their fingers intertwined, the fountains in the garden began sending tiny droplets of water floating into the air around them, reflecting the stars like little crystals.
“…There’s something else I’d like to give you,” he said.
Furina tilted her head, curious.
Then Neuvillette knelt down, and for the first time in a long while, Furina was rendered completely speechless. He opened a second box. Inside rested a gold ring set with a pale blue gemstone, surrounded by delicate details reminiscent of ripples on a lake.
“For centuries, I have wondered why I was born in human form, and where I was supposed to direct my life. Before coming here, I remember always carrying a feeling of hatred and vengeance toward the gods who rule over Teyvat, but when you invited me here, I began to experience other things. New feelings. I discovered new perspectives and began to observe how others built their lives.
“I had always limited myself to watching their stories unfold. I had seen people be born, grow up, marry, and die, but you taught me that I could wish for a life of my own, too, instead of remaining a mere spectator. You taught me that I could belong here as well, and have a life in which I could share my days, my joys, and even my moments of silence and hardship with someone I love.”
His violet eyes met hers.
“That someone is you.”
“Furina, I cannot promise you that every day we share will be perfect. But I can promise you that, for as long as you allow me to stay by your side, I will never stop choosing you. I will never stop loving you, and I will never stop adoring you for who you are, for everything you have done for all of us, and for the legacy you have left upon our nation. Would you grant me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Furina covered her face with her hands, blushing deeply. the tears began to roll down her cheeks, though a delighted laugh escaped her lips.
“You’re a cheater, Neuvillette! How am I supposed to answer something like that without crying on my own birthday?”
“Hehe… I can wait as long as you need.”
“Then you won’t have to wait a single second!”
She leaned toward him and threw her arms around him with such force that she nearly knocked him off balance.
“Yes! Of course I will, you idiot! I… I’ve loved you for far too long!”
Neuvillette smiled as he slipped the ring onto her finger. The droplets of water around them began to glow, transforming into tiny lights that rose into the night sky. Furina admired the ring before leaning in to kiss him softly.
“This has been the best birthday of my life.”
“I’m glad I could be a part of it, my dear.”
With that, Neuvillette kissed Furina on the lips, the movement slow and passionate.
When they finally parted, she rested her forehead against his, smiling through her tears. And beneath that star-studded sky, Furina realized that her birthday wish had already come true.