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linkemon · 11 days

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Love is an open door (Neuvillette x Reader)

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ʟᴏᴠᴇ ꜱʜᴏᴡᴇᴅ ᴜᴘ ᴀᴛ ɴᴇᴜᴠɪʟʟᴇᴛᴛᴇ'ꜱ ᴅᴏᴏʀꜱᴛᴇᴘ. ᴜɴꜰᴏʀᴛᴜɴᴀᴛᴇʟʏ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜɪᴇꜰ ᴊᴜꜱᴛɪᴄᴇ ꜱᴛᴜʙʙᴏʀɴʟʏ ᴄʟᴏꜱᴇꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴏᴏʀ. ꜰᴜʀɪɴᴀ ᴅᴇᴄɪᴅᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴘʟᴀʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴏᴏʀᴍᴀɴ ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴇʟᴘ ʜɪᴍ ᴏᴘᴇɴ ɪᴛ ᴡɪᴅᴇ ꜱᴏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ [ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ] ᴄᴀɴ ᴇɴᴛᴇʀ. ᴀɴᴅ ɪꜰ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ɴᴏ ᴅᴏᴏʀ, ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴀ ᴡɪɴᴅᴏᴡ… ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:

ᴏɴᴇꜱʜᴏᴛ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴꜱ ᴀ ᴅɪᴠᴇʀꜱᴇ ʟᴀɴɢᴜᴀɢᴇ ᴍɪx. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ꜰʀᴇɴᴄʜ ᴡᴏʀᴅꜱ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ᴡᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ɪɴ ꜰᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴᴇ. ɪ ᴛʀɪᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ꜱᴜʀᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴏɴᴇ ᴋɴᴇᴡ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛᴀʟᴋɪɴɢ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ, ꜱᴏ ɪ ʟɪᴍɪᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ꜱɪᴍᴘʟᴇ ᴡᴏʀᴅꜱ.

ᴛʜᴇ ꜱʜᴏᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇꜱ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʟᴏᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴄʜᴏɴ ǫᴜᴇꜱᴛꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴀꜱɪᴄᴀʟʟʏ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴘᴏɪʟ ᴀɴʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ʙᴜᴛ ᴏɴʟʏ ʜɪɴᴛꜱ ɴᴇᴜᴠɪʟʟᴇᴛᴛᴇ'ꜱ ɪᴅᴇɴᴛɪᴛʏ, ꜱᴏ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴏɴᴇ ᴄᴀɴ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪᴛ.

ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅʟʏ ʀᴇᴍɪɴᴅᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍʏ ᴡᴏʀᴋꜱ ɪɴ ᴇɴɢʟɪꜱʜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʀᴀɴꜱʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ. ɪ ᴛʀʏ ᴍʏ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ʙᴜᴛ ᴀɴʏ ᴛɪᴘꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇᴅ.

Low-flying books never posed much of a threat to Fontaine. Or at least that's what the Palais Mermonia staff thought until last week.

— How long will it take? — whispered the young girl to herself, carrying a stack of documents.

She didn't have to wait long for an answer.

— Where's the next part?! — A dramatic voice came from behind the door and immediately after that the latest novel from Inazuma flew out the door.

The pages fluttered in the air. The older friend pulled the younger one back. They miraculously avoided a sudden encounter with literature. More specifically, the best-selling recent romance novel from the Nation of Eternity.

— Lady Furina, unfortunately that was the last part. We have contacted Yae Publishing House but Zhenyu has no plans to publish the next one yet because it is a new series. — The man behind the door explained patiently.

—Ah! You don't understand the seriousness of the situation... It was not an ordinary read but a feast for the imagination. A sensually stimulating treatise on momentous deeds. Two tragic lovers brought together by fate. Their emotions could not see the light of day. Now they suffer and they don't even know if fate will put them on a common path again! Without the next part, my life becomes BORING! Only ugly, naked and gray reality!

The Archon spread herself helplessly on the soft sofa. Her head hung down and her leg dangled steadily behind the backrest. Her outfit seemed to blend in with the blue upholstery. Thus, it created a sense of unity with the furniture. A very woefully dissatisfied unity.

— Yes, but there's nothing we can do about it...

—Toodaloo! — she suggestively asked the employee to leave the room.

Just as he was about to cross the doorstep with a sigh of relief, the archon's voice stopped him.

— STOP!

He just hoped he wouldn't have to look for another series. Lady Furina had probably read every possible drama and she didn't even want to hear about the bad ones.

— What is Mademoiselle [Reader] doing here again this week? — She narrowed her eyes as if that would help her find the answer.

Indeed, one of the main employees of the Opera Epiclese slipped through the door. Furina has performed on the stage of the opera many times. But she couldn't say she knew her particularly well. The woman did not deal with art but was a kind of a link between the palace and the court. In addition, she was usually up to her's ears in court documents. It was even more special that lately she had appeared here almost every time the archon threw another part of the series out thru the door.

— Mademoiselle [Reader] has been very busy lately. I think she's overwhelmed by it all. She was even sick recently. It seems to me that he has many matters to discuss with Monsieur Neuvillette and…

— I SEE! So that's how it is! — Furina jumped off the sofa as if she had gained new energy.

— What do you mean, my lady? — asked the confused man.

— Isn't it obvious?! It's just a cover. She must be in love with our dear Iudex! — she announced, snatching a plate with a piece of cake from the table. She stuffed the cake into her mouth. She looked extremely happy.

— I think it's just...

— Shhh. — She pressed a muffin into his hand. — You must not stand in the way of love. Its doors should be opened wider. And if I know our dear judge, he will close it right in her face. Luckily, I am me and I'll play the best doorman possible! — Saying this, she ran out the door.

— This can't end well. — The man rubbed his temple. Eventually, however, he ate the cupcake and the corner of his mouth twitched upwards.

***

— It should be around here somewhere… — [Reader] mused aloud.

— What are you looking for, mademoiselle [Reader]?

The calm, familiar tone could only belong to one person. Besides, hardly anyone stayed to work after hours at Palais Mermonia. Especially considering that no new trial has been announced yet.

— Good evening, Monsieur Neuvillette.

Indeed, she was not mistaken. Iudex of Fontaine emerged from behind the glass door. His step was as stately as ever. Even despite visible fatigue after a long day of work.

— I'm looking for my umbrella — she explained, casting a longing glance toward the empty umbrella stand.

There was a heavy downpour in Fontaine. The woman wouldn't say it was the worst rain she had ever seen. However, the thought of what she would encounter when she emerged from above the small roof did not fill her with optimism. She was sick recently. The vision of such a quick repetition of the entertainment was not in her plans. Sneezing on government documents didn't seem like a good idea.

— Was it long and black? — asked the man.

— Exactly! Have you seen it?

— I noticed it in my office before I left. I didn't know it belonged to you. I figured whoever the owner was they were probably already gone.

— Hmmm... Honestly... it's a bit weird. I don't remember taking it inside with me. I could have sworn I left it here before I left.

— If you wait here, I'll try to find whoever has the key today...

— Don't worry. Everyone left and went home a few minutes ago. I'll take it tomorrow.

[Reader] and Neuvillette stood in complete silence for a moment. The woman seemed to be fighting with herself. Thick, heavy drops continued to fall onto the sidewalk. Waiting wasn't an option but she could enjoy a few more seconds of dry clothes.

— Ahem — Neuvillette cleared his throat after a moment — you're going to get wet. Please at least accept my coat.

The material was thick, soft and warm. The woman hesitantly accepted the clothes.

— Then you'll get wet and I couldn't let that happen — she said. — Maybe we could share?

— We could share? — the man repeated unconsciously.

Was this what people did? He wasn't sure. He knew it was just a nice habit. On the other hand, in many years of his life he had never had the opportunity to give his clothes to anyone. And he certainly didn't try to share it.

— You once said that you liked the rain, monsieur, but it would be too much to let you go without anything in this downpour.

[Reader] threw half of the cloak over his head and covered herself with the other half. Each of them was only partially covered. It wasn't the best idea but at least it seemed fair. In this way, they moved briskly down the stairs.

Neuvillette didn't remember exactly when he told the woman that he didn't mind the rain. He didn't think anyone would remember that. And he tried not to give out too much information that could lead anyone to his true identity. It wasn't important anyway. It's not enough for anyone to say anything. Lost in his thoughts, he almost didn't notice [Reader] barely keeping up with him. After all, he was much taller than any resident of Fontaine.

One careless move was enough. [Reader] felt the concrete step slip away from under her feet. She tried to save the situation with her hands. The only thought in her mind was that she could have at least done it halfway and not almost at the bottom of the stairs like the worst klutz. She mentally prepared herself for the pain. However, it did not come. Monsieur Neuvillette caught her around the waist before her face hit the hard ground.

— Everything's all right? — he made sure, which was answered by a nod of the head.

They continued through the city streets. Few people were walking in this weather. Those who decided to do so, however, stared with interest at the couple hidden under the coat. Some recognized the judge. The woman glanced at her companion but as she suspected, he didn't seem affected by it. She just hoped there weren't any Steambird journalists among the passersby or they'd make the headlines tomorrow in the stupidest way possible.

A child flew past them. The blonde seemed to be about a dozen years old. A strange tin creature ran past him. If she wasn't mistaken, he looked like a penguin.

— Hydro dragon, hydro dragon… — he began quietly.

— …do not cry! — [Reader] concluded loudly.

He seemed scared that she was even paying attention to him. With his head down, he ran away in a direction known only to him.

— Oops, I think I scared him. — She looked at her companion.

It occurred to the man that maybe he wasn't the only one who didn't always know exactly what and how to say things.

— Does Mademoiselle believe in this legend? — he asked.

— I think dragons likes rain but sometimes I wondered if it is actually their tears. If one is still here, looking after Fontaine like Monsieur and Lady Furina, then I think it's natural to want to comfort him in his sadness.

It was the first time he had heard such an answer. Usually people just thought it was a magical incantation to stop the rain. Something that was supposed to drive away evil. The rain they didn't like. His feelings were an inconvenience to them. And keeping the sometimes unknown emotions in check was difficult. The mere fact that he often made parts of the city miserable due to the weather already put pressure on him. To keep everything under control and be calm at all costs.

— I think the dragon would appreciate your concern — with these words he left [Reader] at the door of the apartment and then continued through the wet streets of Fontaine.

***

— Welcome to Chioriya Boutique, how can I be of service? — the standard phrase echoed as soon as [Reader] crossed the threshold of the store.

She couldn't see the saleswoman. The shelves were filled to the brim with bales of material. Only in the next room, among the mannequins, lace, corsets and crinolines, did she find familiar faces. Interestingly, it wasn't just Eloffe she expected to meet.

— Mademoiselle [Reader]! — Sedene and Sigewinne greeted her in unison.

— Good morning. What kind of shopping is this? — asked the woman, leaning gently over her much shorter companions.

The melusines looked intently at the open drawer. Bows and ribbons were arranged in neat rows. [Reader] had no doubt that Eloffe had spent a lot of time getting them all looking right. The multitude of colors and shapes made it difficult to take your eyes off them.

— We're trying to find a gift. We can't decide which ribbon is the prettiest. Fortunately, we have today off, added Sedene.

Melusine straightened her uniform. It was a habit she picked up from the office, where she spent her days at the reception desk. Her clothes were wrinkled from sitting for a long time. She scratched behind her ear.

— Which one do you like? — she asked [Reader].

[Reader] looked ahead, going into nystagmus. She didn't know who the gift was supposed to be for. She assumed in advance that it was a different melusine. Perhaps from the village. It happened that friends who had adapted to life in the capital visited those who preferred peace and quiet in an underwater village.

— This one is quite nice.

A blue ribbon twisted into a bow was decorated with a single pink shell. It wasn't something that half of the fashionable society in Fontaine would wear but the woman knew perfectly well that melusines perceive the world in different, not always typical categories. Considering how closely they were connected with the sea, the choice seemed very good to her.

— We'll take it — Sigewinne said without hesitation. — Monsieur Neuvillette will be pleased.

If the jaw could actually drop to the ground like in the tiny comics printed on the back pages of the Steambird newspaper, [Reader] was sure that's how hers would be. She couldn't imagine Iudex of Fontaine wearing that hair ribbon. It suited the melusines, but him? She looked at her satisfied companions. She didn't have the heart to tell them that maybe it wasn't the best idea after all. They seemed very happy to finally make the difficult decision. Soon the tiny box was in little blue hands.

[Reader] had her work uniform repaired. To her surprise, there were still melusines standing in front of the store.

— Actually, I have a favour to ask of you, mademoiselle — Sigewinne began. — I have to get back to the Fortress and Sedene doesn't have time either.

— I don't? — The blue melusine blinked.

— We don't — her friend emphasized. — That's why I thought maybe you could bring a gift. Monsieur is waiting at the café Lutece. We will be very grateful. If I understand correctly, this is how human gratitude is defined…

— Didn't Sedene say by any chance that you had the day off... — [Reader] didn't finish the sentence because the box was thrust into her hands and the melusines disappeared around the corner with a loud farewell.

So she headed towards the café. The Chief Justice was hard to miss. He was sitting at a double table, looking out at the street.

— Monsieur Neuvillette.

— Mademoiselle [Reader] — The man seemed slightly surprised to see her and that wasn't often the case.

— I'm bringing you a gift. Sigewinne and Sedene really wanted to give it to you but unfortunately they couldn't make it.

The tiny bundle landed in his hand. It seemed to [Reader] that their fingers touched for much longer than was really necessary. However, this impression quickly passed.

— Did something happen?

— I don't think so, although they were acting strange. Sedene said something about a day off but Sigewinne suddenly said that they had to go back. I hope all is well at the Fortress of Meropide.

Melusines always remembered their duties. They were usually extremely dedicated to their work, no matter what profession it was.

Neuvillette just nodded. He guessed what exactly it was about but he couldn't say it out loud. Sigewinne did it on purpose. She had been pestering [Reader] as his replacement for some time now. She even arranged a lecture on cosmetics after [Reader] mentioned that she wanted to be better at applying makeup. Melusine tried to better understand who she was and what exactly was going on between her and Iudex of Fontaine. The truth was that too little was happening and too slowly for her liking. That's why she stubbornly tried to gently push the two of them in a common direction. Usually, however, with poor results.

— Wriothesley will certainly handle any problem should it arise. — Please, sit down — the man encouraged.

The woman looked around the table shaded by the umbrella and noticed a small piece of paper. Sedene's name was written in gold cursive. Apparently the reservation was intended just for her.

— I wouldn't like to disturb you.

— Mademoiselle could never disturb me. — Neuvillette looked her straight in the eyes, then had a short conversation with the waiter.

— To be honest, I received an invitation for two to a café and I wanted to invite you here but I saw that you had a document transfer scheduled for today, so I decided against it.

It was true. However, he left out the moment in the story where he simply hesitated to ask the question. After all, as a last resort, the woman could take time off to meet him if she really wanted to. The question was whether she really wanted to. He wasn't entirely sure he wanted to know the answer...

— Well... It so happens that the transfer has been postponed, so the trial will probably be delayed. Fortunately, I'm not the only Opera employee. Someone would do it for me if necessary. For example, if I was invited to a coffee shop…

Neuvillette didn't have time to answer. The waiter brought crystal glasses on a tray. [Reader] peered in curiously, assessing the contents.

— Is this a new type of Fonta? — she asked, sniffing.

— It's water. I like tasting water. You could say it's my hobby — he cleared his throat. — If you want, I'll order something else...

He didn't expect [Reader] to be present today. Therefore, he informed the waiter in advance that he and Sedene would drink water. This wouldn't be strange to a melusine, as they could sense subtle differences that humans usually couldn't. However, hardly anyone else reacted normally to his passion. He didn't find much understanding on this matter, so he usually kept it to himself.

— There's no need to! — she protested vehemently. — I mean... I'm not a connoisseur and I don't know how much I'll feel something but I'll try. And if it doesn't work out, I can just listen. — Saying this, she took a sip of water from one glass, then another.

She looked serious for a moment, as if weighing the flavors.

— It won't work, they taste the same to me. — She laughed quietly.

— Inazuma water has a deep, distinct flavour like no other. The one from Sumeru is a rich and complex bouquet. You have to drink it slowly and for a long time to understand it. Therefore, there is no point in giving up. Take a sip now and another one, in a moment.

The woman nodded. Neuvillette finally unpacked the small box. The ribbon looked different than the ones he usually got from melusines. The pink shell jingled softly. It reminded him of the call of the sea. For a moment he wanted to return to it.

— I hope you're not mad. I chose it. I didn't know who the gift was for, and Sigewinne and Sedene asked me for advice, and that's how it turned out.

— It's beautiful — he said.

But his eyes weren't on the ribbon at all. [Reader] noticed this and looked nervously to the side while tucking her hair behind her ear.

— Maybe I can help you put it on? — she suggested to break the silence.

She approached the table from the other side. She pulled off the old ribbon and carefully placed it back in the box. A cascade of long, silvery hair flowed gently in the wind. After a while, they were decorated with a pink shell. Neuvillette turned his head, probably thinking it was over. However, he didn't notice that [Reader] wanted to move something. His face met a pair of eyes shining with concentration. They were so close to each other that he could almost feel her breathing. He felt warmth rising to his cheeks. The distance was rapidly decreasing. Was this the state he had heard so often about but had not yet been able to understand? An inexplicable fascination that drew you closer and didn't let you escape?

— Can I help you with anything else? — He turned around abruptly at the sound of the waiter's words. If there was anything he regretted that day, it was that the employee showed up at that particular place at that time.

***

[Reader] looked around uncertainly. Lady Furina warmly assured her that Monsieur Neuvillette needed help and would certainly be in the area. She even offered to give hercompany because she had something to do nearby. Despite this walk, she never once mentioned what the help actually involved. Every time a question was about to be asked, she veered off topic. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the archon did not fall silent for even a second, without allowing her to say a word.

The woman hadn't been here for a very long time so she walked along the seashore to make sure she didn't get lost. The waves gently lapped the golden sand. The sun was pleasantly warm, reflecting the glow of the water. She would have been delighted with the view, if it weren't for the fact that she couldn't find a man and she was getting further and further away from the city. Tired, she sat down by one of the grayish rocks.

— Argh! — a loud sound came from behind her.

She turned around abruptly. As it turned out, she had company. Behind a small rock sat a large Blubberbeast. It flapped its fins on belly and tilted its head curiously. She probably would have left it alone if it weren't for what she found behind it. A tower was being built next to the animal. But not just any kind. The pile was getting bigger by the minute. It consisted mainly of oysters. There was also seaweed and shells among them but she also saw a few pearls in the sand. Every now and then a new animal emerged from the water, each carrying another sea treasure. The white otter nimbly jumped out of the sea and trotted as fast as its little legs could to add its weight. It looked at [Reader] and made a whistling sound. Immediately afterwards, Blubberbeast approached the woman. And then more emerged from the sea. A group of crabs joined in, clacking their claws. She felt cornered. She had never heard of such a phenomenon and was about to slowly start to back away when the otter grabbed her leg. It placed seaweed at her feet. A string of milky white pearls stuck out from between them. Interestingly, they were strung on a silver chain, which made her wonder where animals got it from.

— Is this for me? — she asked in disbelief.

Blubberbeast patted its stomach and its companions followed. She took this as confirmation and put the necklace on.

Suddenly she heard voices in the distance. The men looked suspicious. Their clothes did not suggest the inhabitants of the capital. Tattered shirts and trousers did not bode well, as she realized when she saw the weapons in their hands.

— Can you see that? — the tallest man asked. — We've got some loot, boys.

He looked like the leader of the group. There was a scar on his eye and a nasty smile on his face. He walked over to the pile of treasures, scooped up a few pearls and bit into them as if testing gold. The animals made warning sounds. It wouldn't take a zoologist from the Institute to guess that they didn't like it very much.

[Reader's] first thought was to escape. However, she didn't have time to make any move. The air became humid. She felt the intense smell of salty sea water. Its droplets seemed to float in the air for a moment. As if someone had stopped time. Immediately afterwards, all three attackers were knocked down in an instant by a stream of water. Behind it she saw a familiar face.

— Monsieur Neuvillette. — [Reader] breathed a sigh of relief.

— Mademoiselle [Reader], what are you doing here?

She couldn't tell him that Lady Furina had led her here. The archon clearly emphasized that this was not a good idea. This is a tragically hopeless idea, full of complexities that there is no time to explain, leading to unnecessary misunderstandings... Do you understand?

— It worked out that way… — she said sluggishly.

— I'm glad you're okay.

Neuvillette looked at her neck, then at the pile of treasures, then at the entire animal retinue.

— You got your gift a little earlier than I planned...

The woman instinctively grabbed her jewelry.

— How did you get them all to… Oh — she realized.

Bad weather after the trials. The fact that he was able to use hydro power without vision. The way he got along so well with the sea creatures and made the sea animals listen to him. Now everything made sense.

— We'll talk about it later but first I'd like to say something. — He looked her straight in the eyes. — You already know that I'm not human. That's why I can't always immediately understand the emotions that are associated with humanity. I waited because I wanted to make sure that what I said would truly reflect how I felt. I'm infatuated. I see you in places you're not and in things you don't touch. I walk through the streets of Fontaine thinking I'll meet you and then I wonder what I would say if we saw each other. And even when I have something in my head, I can't say it when we actually see each other. If there is a crime you should be convicted of, it would be stealing my heart but I know I wouldn't be able to pass the sentence. Therefore, judge me because only you can do it. — With these words, he knelt in front of her and took her hand.

[Reader] couldn't shake the feeling that Lady Furina must have dropped off the Inazuma romance novels on Neuvillette's desk somewhere among the papers. But she had no intention of complaining.

— I hereby declare you innocent. — She smiled gently. — First of all, we can go to...

***

— What is this even? Hopeless. A total tragedy. End of the world! How can you be so... ARGH... Ignorance is rampant in Fontaine and the great efforts of outstanding people who try to fight the gray, boring reality disappear into the darkness. This is a dimension of despair that few will understand...

Furina sat on the window sill, with a grimace of dissatisfaction. With an expression that spoke more than a thousand words, she complained about the lack of results from the grand marriage plan she had been plotting for the past weeks. In her hand lay a cupcake, as bitter and black as her soul at that moment, which she did not fail to emphasize loudly and clearly to her employees.

— I left her umbrella on the desk but he totally ignored hit and she didn't even bother to come to the office. I gave him the day off and a double invitation to the Lutece Cafe. Who did he invite? Melusine. I literally took her to the place where he had been sitting all morning, I stood there for so long and it didn't work because she decided to sit with the animals. — She stuffed a cupcake into her mouth. — Are they doomed to tragic love? Am I not the best archon? — she asked the guard who was just entering the room.

The man quickly understood the context of the situation. Not that he had anything else to gossip about at work lately. Archon Fontaine's schemes, try as they might, were not that secret. Half the people in Palais Mermonia must have seen her efforts and expected the results. At least the books weren't flying back and forth over their heads. And that was already a success in itself.

— You are the best archon, Lady Furina — as he said this, he placed a crystal bowl full of warm, dark brown cupcakes straight from the oven.

— Wait a minute... Wait a minute... — Furina abruptly pressed her nose against the glass.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. There were two people standing at the bottom. She would recognize them from a distance. [Reader] looked from side to side, as if searching for onlookers around her. Once she was sure no one was there, she placed a gentle kiss on the man's cheek. None other than Iudex of Fontaine, who looked back at her one last time with a tiny smile and entered the building.

— WHAT! — echoed around the room.

As if on cue, several guards standing guard in the corridor burst into the room.

— Everything is fine, my dears! Furina cleared her throat. — Well actually, the momentous moment has come because I helped love triumph. Like a mystical cupid sent from above to the little ones who do not want to accept this feeling. Remember, when the door is closed, this magical force will enter through the open window! Because there is nothing stronger than love!

The guards blinked in surprise and nodded, sheathing their weapons. Whenever they didn't understand the lady's poetic words, they simply agreed with her. They didn't always have to know what exactly they were about.

— Please contact Miss Charlotte and invite her to the palace immediately for a private audience. I expect that everyone at Palais Mermonia will receive an issue of Steambird tomorrow morning. Whoever handles this has to be in line outside the door at dawn, before the presses start rolling, understand?

— Yes, lady Furina! — they saluted in unison.

— And I'll play the doorman in the next musical! — she added.

#neuvillette x reader #genshin impact x reader #oneshot x reader #furina #neuvillette #melusines #charlotte #freminet #genshin impact #love is an open door

59 notes · View notes