Furina stopped in her tracks, her pupils trembling slightly. She blinked rapidly, then suddenly turned around, placing her hands on her hips.
"Hahahahaha! You must have misheard. I am the Hydro Archon Focalors! Is there anything in this world that could trouble me? Hiding in my room and crying? Would I ever do such a thing? I simply didn't feel like eating cake at the time."
Furina narrowed her eyes, her face radiating confidence.
Fidelle stared at Furina for a long moment before nodding gently.
"I understand, Lady Furina. The guards must have misheard. I'll have them replaced immediately."
"Replaced? That's not necessary... I mean, they just made a small mistake. It's not serious enough to warrant replacing them."
"As you wish, Lady Furina."
Fidelle suddenly sensed something and whirled around, peering behind a nearby building.
Finding no one there, Fidelle was about to investigate when Furina suddenly grabbed her hand.
"Enough of this, Fidelle. Let's go home. This time, I'm going to watch you cook."
"Uh..."
Pulled along by Furina, Fidelle didn't dare resist and could only quicken her pace in the direction she was being led.
After the two left, Lyney and Freminet cautiously poked their heads out from behind the building Fidelle had noticed earlier.
"Freminet, what were you doing? Stalking Furina? You almost got caught!" Lyney's tone was stern.
"I-I'm sorry, Lyney..."
"That was too dangerous. You absolutely can't do something like that again."
"..."
Lyney: "Was this Father's mission?"
Freminet shook his head. In truth, he hadn't been stalking the Hydro Archon at all, but rather...
Lyney's face darkened as he pulled Freminet away from the area.
-
That evening, at Palais Mermonia, after dinner, Fidelle packed up a generous amount of leftovers.
"Enough, enough, Fidelle! The Duke can't possibly eat all this alone..." Sigewinne protested.
"He has quite the appetite, Sigewinne. Trust me."
Sigewinne's Vision came with a small personal space, so carrying the food wasn't a problem at all.
With the packing done, Neuvillette temporarily set aside his work and decided to personally escort Sigewinne to the Fortress of Meropide, with Clorinde following close behind.
After the group departed, Fidelle turned back to Furina, who was sprawled in her chair, sated from dinner.
"Lady Furina, let's take a walk to digest."
Furina squirmed in her chair, reluctant to go out so late. But then she remembered Fidelle was right beside her now. With Fidelle's protection, there was absolutely no danger!
Furina sprang to her feet. "Let's go!"
"Wait."
Fidelle suddenly grabbed Furina by the shoulders from behind and, as the latter looked back in surprise, fastened a blue necklace around her neck.
"Lady Furina, this is a gift I brought you from Liyue. It will protect you."
Furina gently stroked the blue necklace, her eyes momentarily misting over before she quickly wiped them away.
"Is this your offering to your God? I accept it."
A smile bloomed on Fidelle's face. "Lady Furina, you must wear it at all times! When I'm not by your side, it will protect you in my stead!"
"When you're not by my side? Where are you going? Listen here, you're Focalors' guardian! You can't just resign on a whim. You must, must have my consent first!" Furina declared sternly.
Fidelle lowered her head slightly. "I won't resign. I'll always stay by your side, Lady Furina. But just like last time, there will be times when I can't be with you. Knowing you're wearing the necklace will ease my mind."
Furina scoffed. "I'm a God! Who could possibly harm me? Still, this necklace carries your heartfelt sentiment. Rest assured, I'll keep it with me always!"
Furina glanced down at the necklace around her neck. The blue gem perfectly complemented her complexion. She loved it!
"Thank you!"
"It pleases me that you like it, Lady Furina."
(Spy-HAHA, You thought the only genshin fics I do are Furina fics? @WiseTL Well...wait...hmm...I got one that isn't)
-
Snezhnaya.
Angie delivered the letter Zhongli had given her to the Tsaritsa. Shortly afterward, she received the Tsaritsa's order:
Remain in Snezhnaya. You are forbidden from leaving!
Refusing to accept the command, Angie personally went to the Zapolyarny Palace.
"Your Majesty," she said, "you know me well. I cannot remain idle. Please rescind this command!"
The Tsaritsa sat high upon her throne. After Angie finished speaking, she replied:
"The Pure Soul within you is of utmost importance. Should the Abyss gain possession of it, we would struggle to resist. Do not act rashly."
"Your Majesty," Angie countered, "you should know I possess Morax's Profound Shield, Barbatos's Cecilia Flower, and the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's Garland. If anything goes wrong, I will immediately use them. There will be no accidents!"
"That is unacceptable," the Tsaritsa insisted. "By remaining in Snezhnaya, I can better ensure your safety. 'The Knave' will complete the Fontaine mission. There is no need for you to go."
Angie argued further, but the Tsaritsa remained unmoved. In the end, she could only request to accompany Capitano to Natlan.
The Tsaritsa granted Angie's request.
Having long understood Angie's stubborn nature, the Tsaritsa knew that while preventing her from going to Fontaine might have been possible, stopping her from heading to Natlan would be a futile effort.
Emerging from the palace, Angie glanced at her older brother Tartaglia, who was waiting outside, his head bowed.
"Go inside. I'll be staying in Snezhnaya for a while."
Knowing Angie was in a foul mood, Tartaglia refrained from further comment and strode into the palace.
Watching his retreating figure, Angie's mind wandered.
Her brother would face numerous trials in Fontaine, though his life wouldn't be in danger.
If he still had the Black Bracer, he likely wouldn't have been knocked flat by Neuvillette's punch. But now that he'd given it to her and adamantly refused to take it back...
Even if he could instantly don his Foul Legacy Transformation, it would probably still be a one-punch knockout by Neuvillette.
Sigh... Preemptive condolences to you...
About five minutes later, Tartaglia emerged from the palace, casting a wary glance at Angie before saying:
"Little Sister, I need to head to Fontaine soon. Stay safe in Snezhnaya until I return... Ouch! That hurt!"
Tartaglia clutched his ear and retreated a dozen meters from Angie.
"Brother, be careful on this trip to Fontaine," Angie warned.
"Mhm, mhm," Tartaglia nodded quickly.
Angie: "You'll probably be gone for quite a while. Before you leave, how about we siblings spar?"
"Heh, uh, that won't be necessary. I need to set off immediately."
Angie suddenly appeared beside Tartaglia, grabbing his arm. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. Relax, I'll go easy on you..."
Tartaglia grimaced. Go easy? That's what you said last time!
He enjoyed fighting, but he certainly didn't enjoy getting beaten up...
No! I need to tell Mom and Dad to have us both come home for dinner tonight! That way, Little Sister won't be able to go all-out!