Furina held her breath for a long moment before squeezing out a single word—from between her teeth, no less.
This… What was this situation supposed to be?
A dragon coming straight at her face?
He wasn't even back in Fontaine yet, and this man had already lost his mind.
With a sharp snatch, Furina grabbed the envelope straight out of the maid's hands and slammed the door shut.
BANG!
The maid jumped, stumbled backward, and quickly scurried away.
In her heart, she could only silently admire the secretary.
Honestly—only Secretary Ye Luo had the ability to make Furina this furious.
Ever since he left Fontaine, none of the maids needed Furina to say anything; they all knew perfectly well she was lonely.
Her life was lively, yes, but it lacked someone who could tease her, who could play along, who could keep up with her antics.
And every month, the only time she'd genuinely brighten was when the letters arrived.
But this time?
This time Secretary Ye seemed to have eaten gunpowder—or maybe he'd found a lover in Sumeru and decided to challenge the Archon of Fontaine from across the ocean.
If he had someone he liked, fine.
If he was dating someone, fine.
Nobody said he couldn't.
But WHY in Hydro's holy name would he report THAT to her?!
Furina sat on her velvet sofa, still trembling with anger.
Her delicate brows arched high, her aquamarine eyes narrowed, and she stared at the envelope as though it personally offended her existence.
In her eyes, this letter wasn't the usual monthly update anymore.
It was a declaration of war from some mysterious woman outside of Fontaine.
How dare she?!
Who was the one who personally elevated Ye Luo into the position of secretary?
Who was the one shielding him for five hundred years whenever he caused trouble?
Who was the one constantly covering for his messes and calming down the Court?
And THIS was his gratitude?
Running off, finding some woman, forgetting his homeland and his water god?!
Furina felt a pressure on her chest—annoyance, frustration, and a faint, sour sliver of something she would never admit aloud.
She inhaled sharply.
Fine.
She would drag him back.
He was Fontaine's talent—her talent.
Why should outsiders steal him away?
But she was still angry.
Very, very angry.
Wolf-hearted thing! White-eyed beast! I worry myself sick and YOU—YOU go living your pleasant little life in Sumeru?!
Furina gritted her teeth, took a deep breath, and finally tore open the letter.
Maybe… maybe it's a misunderstanding.
Maybe it isn't as bad as it sounds.
She braced herself.
**"Dear Lady Furina, my most esteemed Hydro Archon,
It's been miserable ever since you took office…"**
She froze.
Then her expression twisted.
The letter continued:
"…The foolish people of Fontaine never appreciate my noble intentions. They only say their secretary causes trouble every day."
"…Let's say, hypothetically, that you kicked me out of Fontaine and I 'hid my talents' in Sumeru."
"…Suppose I've been pretending to be loyal in my letters, pretending to long for the chance to return to my post…"
"…And after traveling with the Outlander, I return to Fontaine and cause a complete uproar."
"Tell me—when the time comes to assign blame, who do you think they will target first?"
—Luo
Below the letter were several cheerful photographs of him and the traveler—smiling like idiots, posing like tourists on vacation.
Furina's eyebrow twitched.
Her chest rose and fell sharply.
"Very good," she hissed between clenched teeth.
"Very, very good."
Not since becoming the Hydro Archon had she ever felt this level of wrath.
If she weren't bound to Fontaine—
If she could step outside the nation even for a day—
She would've traveled straight to Sumeru and dragged Ye Luo back by his collar.
How DARE he?!
She could already imagine it: that blond troublemaker riding some ridiculous vehicle to her doorstep—
"Old lady, is it safe if I park my bike downstairs?"
Old lady?!
OLD LADY??
She would drown him herself!
Fine. Fine!
She would go to the kitchen right now and prepare his next "budget allocation".
A generous one.
To beat him with.
Meanwhile…
Ding!
"Detected: popularity rising.
Role PV recording permission unlocked.
Please begin preparations for your promotional video, host."
Ye Luo: "HUH?!
WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M GOING TO HAVE TO— 'GO OFFSHORE'?!"
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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