Chapter 57: The Ones Left Behind (5.2k Words)

In the bedroom at the top floor of the Palais Mermonia, the room that once belonged to the Regent was spotless.

Focalors pushed open the door to the Regent's bedroom. As she looked at the clean and tidy room, her heterochromatic teardrop-shaped eyes—so similar to Furina's—slowly filled with sorrow.

The god Focalors would only silently reminisce about Themis's smiling face when she was alone in this room.

But it was clear that she wasn't the only one who felt that way.

"Furina…"

Warm and bright sunlight shone through the window, but the bedroom, now devoid of Themis, carried an air of desolation. Focalors watched Furina sleeping on the bed, exhausted from crying, with traces of tears still lingering on her face.

Focalors quietly approached the bed and looked at her fragile yet resilient other self. Focalors's heart was filled with pain.

She could understand the immense grief in Furina's heart. Losing Themis was an unimaginable loss—for both of them.

But Themis was already gone…

Right in front of them—killed by their own hands.

Furina furrowed her brows, curling up uneasily even in her sleep.

Focalors reached out, pulled the folded blanket to cover Furina, and tucked her in.

The blanket still carried traces of Themis's lingering scent. Wrapped in that scent, Furina's furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

It wasn't much—but it was something.

Sitting at the bedside, watching Furina's sleeping face, Focalors felt a pang of guilt.

If she had been more careful back then… If Themis hadn't managed to seize the Oratrice's core… Maybe none of this would have happened.

Without the Regent, the Court of Fontaine was like Liyue Harbor without the Geo Archon.

That was a saying that had recently spread among the people of Fontaine.

But Focalors knew that the Geo Archon of Liyue had only faked his death and retired in secret. Whereas their Regent of Fontaine… was truly gone.

Focalors gently stroked Furina's hair, took a deep breath, and then stood up.

There was still much work to be done today.

Focalors had to keep going.

She looked at her hands. Once, Themis had used her very hands to solve all of Fontaine's problems.

And now, Focalors would use her own hands to protect Fontaine—and protect Furina for Themis.

"Themis, I will wait for you."

"If you've returned to Celestia, surely you can return to this world as well… right?"

A sliver of hope remained in Focalors's heart.

She hoped that Themis hadn't truly died. That one day, when she opened her eyes, she would once again see Themis's helpless yet indulgent smile.

Returning to Themis's office, Focalors found the desk unsurprisingly piled high with documents.

Themis's departure had brought even more work—but with Focalors taking over Themis's responsibilities, the Palais Mermonia continued to operate as smoothly as ever.

With Focalors stepping in, the traces of Themis's presence began to fade.

This was something Focalors could not accept.

Humans are creatures of habit—and creatures prone to forgetfulness.

Unlike gods, humans' memories are weak.

Even if a truth was repeated over and over, in time, it would be distorted and forgotten.

No matter how much it was emphasized, eventually people would grow tired of hearing it.

All Focalors could do was continue to carry out Themis's duties—And silently wait for the day Themis returned—So that she could personally hand back these responsibilities to their rightful owner.

However, an unexpected visitor soon caught her attention.

Floating midair was Paimon, whose face bore a striking resemblance to Themis's. The sight made Focalors's mood lift slightly.

"Traveler, Paimon. Good morning."

"Ehehe, good morning, Focalors!"

Paimon, seeing the calm and gentle Focalors, felt refreshed.

Having grown used to Furina's dramatic flair, Paimon could immediately sense the difference between the two.

"Focalors, is Furina okay?"

Lumine was a bit worried about Furina's emotional state.

To be honest, considering the things she had overheard on the way there, it was strange that the people of Fontaine still hadn't realized that their god had effectively split into two beings.

"Nobody seems to realize that you and Furina are different people. They think Furina's just been acting out of character because of grief."

"Everyone is worried about Furina's mental state."

Paimon: "Yeah! Furina never comes out these days. Though honestly, she used to stay hidden in the Palais Mermonia before too, but now…"

"Either way, staying cooped up like that isn't healthy."

"Besides, Themis always said that someone as proud as Furina should always shine brightly."

"If she stays like this, Themis wouldn't be happy about it either."

Focalors looked at Lumine and Paimon and nodded.

She completely agreed with them. Furina was meant to shine.

But…

Even if that were true, getting Furina to recover from this grief wouldn't be easy.

"I understand your concern, and I appreciate it. But Themis meant more to Furina than just a friend or family member."

"To Furina, Themis had long since become a part of her very existence."

And to me as well, Focalors thought.

"Losing Themis inflicted a wound so deep that words cannot heal it. That's why she's keeping all that grief bottled up inside."

Paimon: "Then what should we do? If even you can't comfort Furina, who else in Fontaine could?"

When it came to Furina, Paimon was genuinely worried.

After all, without Themis—their generous and beautiful Regent—Paimon's natural instinct was to redirect that concern toward Furina.

Lumine felt the same way.

But alongside that concern, Lumine also carried a sense of guilt.

Themis's death was partly her responsibility.

Even if it had been part of Themis's plan, that guilt wasn't so easily erased.

Not to mention… Themis was Furina's lover.

Before the day of the prophecy's fulfillment, Furina and Themis had only just begun to openly express their feelings for each other.

The people of Fontaine still spoke about that day.

Charlotte: "Lady Themis and Lady Furina were so happy that day! They even went out for cake together."

Clorinde: "It was the first time I'd ever seen Lady Furina openly walking through the city like that. She's always stayed in the Palais Mermonia before. Even when she went out for a walk, she always did it secretly."

Sedene: "They were on a date all day! Even though the prophecy interrupted it, it was obvious Furina was looking forward to resuming it after the prophecy ended."

Thinking back to all those words, Lumine couldn't help but sigh.

The guilt weighed heavily on her.

"I'm touched by how much you care about Furina," Focalors said.

"After all, that child never had many close relationships because of our agreement."

Focalors's expression darkened slightly.

"Furina is still mourning Themis. If we want her to move forward, then we need to start with Themis."

Lumine: "Just like an old saying from Liyue—'A heart's wound needs a heart's remedy.'"

Paimon: "Yeah, 'Only the one who tied the knot can untie it.'"

Although Themis is gone now.

Regardless, Lumine and Paimon's spirits were lifted. The two of them were determined to help Furina recover and move forward.

"If you leave Furina alone for too long, she's bound to overthink things."

"Maybe it's better to find something for Furina to do. That might help distract her a little."

Looking at Lumine and Paimon, Focalors continued, "You two were personally praised by Themis. If the two of you stay by Furina's side, I'll feel more at ease."

"As for compensation, I'll make sure you're rewarded afterward. I can't possibly let you go to all this trouble for nothing."

"No need! We're here to help Furina, not for a reward!"

Paimon waved her hands frantically, a little panicked that Focalors might misunderstand their intentions. Even though Paimon knew she had a tendency to be greedy, being misunderstood at a time like this would hurt her feelings.

"Hmm... then how about this: once Furina gets back on her feet, I'll treat you two to a meal at the best restaurant. How does that sound?"

Focalors smiled with narrowed eyes, finding Paimon's reaction quite amusing.Completely different from Themis.

But… ultimately, not Themis.

Focalors turned toward Lumine. "When are you two free?"

Lumine's eyes lit up, and she quickly replied, "We're free anytime! We haven't taken any commissions recently, so we can start whenever you're ready!"

"Plus, Paimon and I have explored a lot of places in Fontaine lately and found some nice spots to relax."

"Helping Furina recover — you can count on us."

Paimon pumped her tiny fists, her big, bright eyes sparkling as she looked at Focalors. "That's right! Leave it to us! The Traveler and I will definitely help Furina feel better!"

"If you two are this confident, that's very reassuring."But truthfully, Focalors wasn't sure if Furina could truly recover.

Some wounds can only be softened by the passage of time.

No matter how much you try to cover it up, Themis's death was an unbearable pain for both Furina and herself.

"Furina has been crying herself to sleep over Themis these days. She just finally managed to fall asleep today."

"Once I've talked it over with Furina, I'll have someone notify you."

"Got it." Lumine nodded, feeling a bit relieved.

Focalors continued talking to Lumine and Paimon for a while longer, mostly about her past with Themis.

"I never would have guessed that Themis had that side to her."

From Focalors's description, Themis seemed like a very soft-hearted person.Just a few kind words could change her attitude and make her wear that helpless, doting smile as she dutifully completed whatever task was asked of her.

But to Lumine and Paimon, the Themis they knew was nothing like that.

When Themis had helped them with commissions in the past, she had been completely laid-back — if Lumine and Paimon hadn't rushed her, she probably would've lazed around until the next day before starting.

"The image you have of Themis is quite interesting."

To Focalors, it was hard to imagine Themis behaving that way.

During their conversation, more sides of Themis that Focalors had never seen before were revealed.

Although Focalors's heart was filled with sorrow, her calm and composed expression eased Lumine and Paimon's concerns. At least, they didn't feel as worried about Focalors as they did about Furina.

After briefly discussing some rough plans to help Furina recover, Lumine and Paimon left Palais Mermonia.

As their figures disappeared down the hall, the smile on Focalors's face gradually faded.

Sitting back down at her desk, Focalors's gaze darkened.

She reached out and casually picked up a document.

Her fingers brushed across Themis's elegant signature at the bottom of the page.

Themis… when will you come back?

While talking to Lumine and Paimon, Focalors's mind had been flooded with images of Themis's every expression and smile. Her longing for Themis had only deepened.

She wasn't as strong as Lumine and Paimon thought — she had simply grown used to waiting and loneliness.

From the moment she had inherited her divine role and understood her responsibilities, solitude and waiting had become her constant companions.

Her time with Themis in those days had been so beautiful, like a dream.

And now, reality had shattered that dream like a fragile bubble.

"Focalors…"

It was as if Themis's helpless yet affectionate voice echoed in her ears.Focalors turned toward the sound — but saw nothing but an empty office.

The blue in her eyes dimmed as it met the cold reality before her.

She buried her head in her arms and closed her eyes.

Just a little while…At least in her dreams, she could meet Themis again.

A brief rest — a fleeting dream for a god.

Even if it's only for a short time, it would still be a sweet dream that could help her gather her strength.

-

The sunlight outside the window remained bright and warm, casting its golden glow through the glass and into the room.

It was a warm day, and soon, the gentle quiet of an afternoon nap arrived.

Furina woke up in Themis's bed, blinking dazedly.

The soreness in her eyes made her rub them instinctively.

"Did I… fall asleep?"

Propping herself up, Furina's sleepy mind slowly began to clear — but the moment she thought of Themis, her expression fell into silence once more.

However, when she noticed the blanket covering her, her eyes lit up.

"Did Themis… come back?"

Hope surged through Furina's heart, making her breath quicken.

She hurriedly climbed out of bed and pushed open the door.

But the living room was empty.The quiet emptiness pulled Furina's heart from elation back into quiet despair.

She pushed open the door to the kitchen. The person who used to make her little cakes after her afternoon naps was no longer there.

Furina crouched down, tears pooling in her eyes.

She wanted to cry — but if her eyes got swollen, Themis would worry.

The sob building in her throat was forced back down. Furina covered her mouth and let out quiet, stifled sobs.

Crying even had to be done carefully — she couldn't burden anyone else.

No… Furina…

You have to be strong.

Everyone was already heartbroken over Themis's death. She couldn't make it worse for them.

As the Hydro Archon, she had to lead Fontaine through this grief.

But… but…

Covering her face, tears slipped down her cheeks.There wasn't a trace of strength left in her heart.

Since Themis wasn't in the room, surely crying for a little while wouldn't hurt anyone…

That was what Furina told herself as she swallowed down the sobs and tried to hold back the pain threatening to break her apart.

Knock, knock, knock…

The bedroom door was carefully knocked upon, and Furina stood up in alarm, looking toward the door with the cautiousness of a startled kitten.

She quickly wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes. She'd had plenty of practice with this sort of thing in the past.

After composing herself—at the very least, Furina didn't want anyone to see her looking so pitiful—she opened the door to Themis's bedroom.

Standing outside was Sedene, holding a tray with lunch.

"Good afternoon, Lady Furina. It's time for lunch."

Sedene's voice was soft, as if she wanted to offer some comfort—but when the words reached her lips, she couldn't figure out how to say them.

And seeing Furina forcing herself to act as if nothing had happened, Sedene was also afraid that saying the wrong thing might make her sad all over again.

The corners of Furina's eyes were red, and the faint traces of tears that hadn't been completely wiped away made it clear she had just been crying.

Carrying Furina's lunch for the day, Sedene set the tray down on the table in the living room.

"Lady Furina, Lady Focalors asked me to tell you that there's still a lot of unfinished work left from Lady Themis."

"If you have time, could you help her with it? Help her complete the tasks Themis left behind these past few days."

In her heart, Sedene felt that these words from Lady Focalors might not be the best approach.

After all, Lady Furina was still grieving. According to the human books she had read, even if Lady Themis herself were here, the right thing to do would be to comfort Furina first.

Mentioning the late Lady Themis would only make Furina more heartbroken.

Sure enough, the moment Furina heard Themis's name, her expression immediately turned sorrowful.The mask of forced composure that she had barely held together instantly shattered.

But even so, Furina forced herself to stay strong and responded to Sedene.

"I'll do it. Just… give me a little time."

"At least… after tomor—… in the next few days. Anyway, I'll try to finish it before the deadline."

Seeing Furina's distracted expression, Sedene felt a wave of concern for her.

"Understood, Lady Furina. I'll pass that on to Lady Focalors."

"Please make sure to rest well after lunch. The work ahead will be difficult, and everyone in Fontaine is hoping to see you recover."

"Alright. Thank you for your concern. I will."

Taking a deep breath, Furina forced a polite but somewhat distant smile onto her face.

Sedene sighed inwardly, quietly closing the door behind her to give Furina the privacy she needed.

From Sedene's observations and insights—and her unique perception as a Melusine—she could easily sense the changes in both Furina and Focalors.

When Lady Themis had been by Furina's side, Furina had been soft and light, like a bubble shimmering under the sunlight.

But now, Furina was like a lifeless pool of still water, unable to stir even the faintest ripple.

As for Lady Focalors—although Sedene hadn't known her well before—judging by the current situation, Lady Focalors's heart was like a stormy sea beneath dark clouds, with turbulent waves crashing endlessly.

Even Chief Justice Neuvillette was the same. Despite his sadness, he seemed to be holding himself together for the sake of maintaining the bright, clear skies that Themis had loved so much.

Ever since Themis's death, the atmosphere in Palais Mermonia had grown heavy and stifling.

Returning to her post, Sedene found herself at a loss.

"How can I possibly make the three of them happy again?"

Resting her chin on her hands, Sedene felt that life without Lady Themis had become incredibly difficult.

If Lady Themis were still here, she'd surely find a way to sweep away Furina and Neuvillette's sadness in the blink of an eye.

"No, no, Sedene!"

"Even though Lady Themis is gone, you need to pull yourself together now."

"You have to protect Lady Furina and Lord Neuvillette's happiness!"

After replaying her thoughts from beginning to end, Sedene began trying to figure out how to cheer up Lady Furina, Lady Focalors, and Lord Neuvillette.

In the end, with her limited understanding, she decided to start with desserts and cakes.

Once she made up her mind, Sedene felt like the path ahead had become a little clearer.

If they tasted a familiar flavor, surely the lords of Palais Mermonia would feel a bit better… right?

With newfound determination, Sedene set off for the pastry shop in the city that Lady Furina had mentioned many times before.

-

"So… you think cake is going to make them feel better?"

At an outdoor café, Lumine, Paimon, and Sedene sat together at the same table, looking at each other with wide eyes.

"Yes, that's right." Sedene nodded, though her expression was a little deflated. "But… maybe I was too naive."

"After receiving my gift, it seems that Lady Furina has become even more upset."

"Did I do something wrong?"

Sedene anxiously stared at Lumine and Paimon, carefully asking.

"I don't think you did anything wrong." Paimon sighed. "You see, in human novels, there's often a scenario where seeing an object reminds someone of a lost loved one."

"They're probably feeling more upset because the cake reminded them of Themis."

Sedene seemed to understand a bit. "But if that's the case, how can they truly be happy again?"

"Lady Furina was clearly trying to act like nothing was wrong when I saw her."

"But after I left, she probably cried again."

"If Themis were still here, she would've been the one preparing all of Furina's meals."

Propping her chin up, Sedene looked like she was about to be swallowed by the gloomy mood surrounding the three of them.

"What should we do, Lumine? Miss Sedene looks so troubled!"

Paimon tugged on Lumine's hand, urging her to think of something.

Lumine internally rolled her eyes. What could she possibly do?

She only had experience being separated from her brother—not the pain of losing a loved one to death.

This situation was completely different. There wasn't even a reference point for how to comfort someone.

There was no way to fix it, Paimon.

She couldn't exactly storm into Celestia, reverse time, and bring Themis back to life before handing her over to Furina.

Lumine sighed regretfully, her gaze drifting.

"Don't give me that look! That makes me feel even less confident about this mission!"

"What mission?" Of course, it was the task of helping Furina recover.

Paimon clutched her head, feeling the weight of the situation.

Lumine let out a long sigh. There was no easy solution—it seemed like time was the only thing that could dull this kind of pain.

But no matter how much time passed, a wooden board pierced by a nail would never truly heal.

The only difference would be the lingering ache and the occasional resurfacing of sorrow.

Thinking about this somehow made Lumine feel a bit grateful. Grateful that when she was separated from her brother, the mysterious god didn't try to kill him.

It wasn't the right time to be thinking about that, but this situation made it hard not to draw parallels.

Lumine: "There's nothing else we can do except see if Focalors' plan works."

Paimon: "And if it doesn't?"

Lumine silently looked at Paimon. "At least we'll have tried. And Furina will have had the chance to get out and clear her mind."

Sedene watched the foreign traveler across from her. Even though she was curious about their mysterious "mission," she didn't press further—some things were clearly meant to remain private.

"Well, even though I don't know exactly what this mission is, if there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Everyone just wants Lady Furina to smile again."

Nearby, the citizens of Fontaine who had been eavesdropping all nodded in agreement.

With Lady Themis gone, Lady Furina was the only one left alive. Wasn't that just too tragic?

Some of Themis' devoted fans had fainted upon hearing the news.

Even Furina and Themis' shippers were heartbroken when they found out, nearly losing the will to live.

After Sedene left, Lumine was shocked to realize just how popular she'd become in Fontaine.

One by one, the empty seats around her and Paimon were filled by curious citizens, all subtly trying to gather information or offering their help.

Lumine: "We appreciate your kindness, but really, there's no need for so much support."

After all, Lumine herself didn't even know what exactly they were supposed to do.

After thanking the crowd for their concern, Lumine and Paimon finally escaped the café, feeling overwhelmed.

-

Back at the inn, they finally had some peace and quiet.

"Ahh, the people of Fontaine sure are passionate," Paimon sighed.

"But seeing everyone so worried about Furina… it's kind of heartwarming."

Lumine: "Because their care for Furina is genuine."

"Even after Themis' passing, Furina still has the people of Fontaine to support her. If Themis knew that, she'd probably be happy."

Paimon: "Furina's care for her people is now being repaid. Themis' spirit would definitely be at peace."

Paimon's serious tone left Lumine unsure how to respond.

All they could do was hope that Focalors' plan would work and that Furina could recover from Themis' death and move forward with her life.

On the other side of things, Furina had received the workload left behind by Themis from Focalors and had been mentally preparing herself to face it.

Even though anything related to Themis made her feel dizzy and overwhelmed with grief, she forced herself to stay composed.

After over a day of trying to sort through her feelings, Furina had managed to create a composed and reassuring persona that would help ease the minds of the people.

At night, Furina lay curled up in Themis' bed, wrapped in a blanket.

Her eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, unable to sleep.

Focalors, who was supposed to sleep beside her, was still busy working in Themis' office.

Furina pulled the blanket up over her face, leaving only her eyes visible.

Her heart was completely consumed by thoughts of Themis.

"Themis… Themis…"

Late at night, when nothing else occupied the mind, it was the easiest time for troubling thoughts to creep in.

Furina's mind was filled with memories of Themis' face, her smile…

Her chest felt tight with no outlet for relief.

If Themis were here, she'd know how to comfort her.

Furina's eyes glazed over for a moment, remembering Themis' kisses, the warmth of her embrace, and the comforting scent that always surrounded her.

Overwhelmed with longing for Themis, Furina drifted into sleep, her heart aching with love.

In her dream, she found herself back on that fateful night.

Themis undid her robes and gazed at her tenderly.

In the dream, Furina kissed the lover she had lost and miraculously found again.

In the dream, Furina clung tightly to her lover, pouring out all her grievances and sorrow in her embrace.

It felt as though that was the true reality, while the place she currently inhabited was nothing more than a sad and terrifying nightmare.

In the dream, Themis gently comforted her, kissing Furina's forehead before turning over and pressing her down onto the bed. She kissed Furina's cheeks reverently, softly licking away the tears at the corners of her eyes.

"Furina, I will come back."

"Trust me, I will stay by your side until the heavens collapse and we are never separated again."

Furina clung tightly to Themis' waist, her gaze reflecting Themis' figure deep within her eyes.

Themis smiled and traced her slender hands gently along Furina's body, soothing her tenderly.

Countless kisses fell upon Furina, filling her eyes with tears.

Tears rolled down her cheeks, dripping onto the strands of hair near her ears, the dampness lingering in the air.

Stifled breaths and the presence of water element filled the room.

Until the sun rose.

Furina let out a gasp, raising her hand uncomfortably against the blinding sunlight.

She turned to look at the spot beside her pillow — empty.

Feeling the dampness between her legs, Furina sat up, her face burning with shame over the fading remnants of the dream.

"Themis... you'll come back, right...?"

"I'll wait for you… I'll always wait for you."

Furina's voice was hoarse, laced with longing for Themis.

Sitting dazedly on the soft bed, Furina lifted the blanket.

The lingering discomfort beneath her made Furina's ears flush red with embarrassment. Had her yearning for Themis reached such a point?

Those unfinished drafts left behind in the Oratrice Chamber… they were still too advanced for her.

Even though she had merged with Focalors by accident and gained insight into Focalors' thoughts and feelings, Furina still couldn't fully comprehend such things.

But the dream had been so real — Themis' touch, Themis' warmth — it was as if they were right in front of her.

When she washed herself in the bath, her hand would occasionally brush against those private, shameful areas.

Closing her eyes, Furina shyly cleaned herself off.

If it were Themis… if it were Themis…

Furina imagined how Themis would have teased her about her dream-induced transgression — if Themis were still by her side.

No — Furina knew she would never confess such a thing.

The dream had been too vivid and beautiful, leaving Furina's heart scattered and her mind in turmoil. Even the sadness seemed to have been partially washed away.

The dream had been so beautiful, so real, that Furina couldn't help but give rise to hope.

What if Themis really could come back?

Maybe Themis had only disappeared for a little while.

If she just kept waiting, surely one day, Themis would return to her.

Furina was already accustomed to waiting — only now, her purpose for waiting had become something entirely new.

On the appointed day, Furina appeared before Lumine and Paimon.

Focalors sighed quietly, shaking her head toward the foreign travelers.

"Furina is still forcing herself to hold it together."

Understanding the unsaid meaning behind Focalors' words, Paimon whispered softly into Lumine's ear.

"Hmm… let's keep an eye on her from now on."

Lumine nodded slightly.

"Traveler, Paimon — it's been a while. It seems you've been doing well."

Furina's tone was just as composed and graceful as it had been when Themis was still alive — which only made Lumine and Paimon even more concerned.

Even seeing Furina openly cry would have been far better than her acting so calm and composed.

But since Focalors had now entrusted Furina to them, they had no choice but to fulfill the request and live up to his expectations.

"Furina, where should we start today's work?"

Lumine knew she wasn't suited to be the comforting type, so she gave Paimon a look, signaling her to say something.

Help me out here!

Understanding Lumine's gaze, Paimon forced herself to speak.

"Uh… the weather's really nice today, huh? Perfect for work, right?"

It sounded painfully awkward, but Furina didn't seem to care. Paimon's attempt to deflect the tension somehow worked.

"Speaking of the weather, it really is quite pleasant today."

Looking at the clear blue sky, Furina's expression turned wistful.

"If Themis were here, she would've liked this too."

"After all, Themis always loved warm weather."

Once again, the topic shifted back to Themis. Lumine and Paimon exchanged a glance but quietly followed along behind Furina.

Furina led Lumine and Paimon through the streets.

The sight of the Hydro Archon walking through the city sparked cheers from the citizens of Fontaine, who had been waiting eagerly to see her.

Just seeing Furina was enough to satisfy them.

Voices of greeting rose one after another as they passed. Lumine followed behind Furina, listening to the crowd's perfectly synchronized chants.

Unable to hold back, Lumine glanced toward a group of Fontaine citizens who were busy analyzing Furina's mood — their whispers a little too loud to be discreet.

Furina responded with calm grace, far removed from her usual exaggerated manner.

The citizens of Fontaine noticed the shift in her demeanor but understood why.

After all, Furina and Themis had shared a profound bond. It would've been strange if Furina had carried on as if nothing had happened after Themis' death.

This more mature and composed Furina aligned with their expectations.

After losing Themis, the carefree and whimsical girl had begun to grow.

Furina greeted every passing citizen by name, leaving them flustered and surprised.

"I thought Furina would've struggled to handle all this attention, but she seems completely at ease."

Paimon remarked.

"Why would I struggle? A true Archon should respond to the people's expectations — that is only natural."

Hearing Furina's words only deepened Lumine's concern. The greater Furina's transformation, the more obvious it became how deeply wounded she was.

"Themis was different from me," Furina continued. "When I was still just an ordinary person, I had to rely on intelligence officers to thoroughly investigate anyone I planned to meet."

"In the beginning, since the intelligence network was still being established, there were always some gaps in the information — which sometimes led to awkward situations."

Furina's expression softened as she reminisced.

"During those times, Themis would always appear out of nowhere and effortlessly smooth things over with just a few words."

When Furina mentioned Themis, her face lit up with happiness.

Even as an onlooker, Lumine could clearly sense the shift in Furina's demeanor.

Lumine and Paimon exchanged another glance and silently followed behind Furina, listening to her reminisce about Themis.

But Fontaine was filled with their memories.

Hundreds of years of shared moments — how could Furina ever put them all into words?

-

Unrelated but does anyone have any recommendations for novels? looking to pick a new one up soon.

Made a discord if anyone is interested

https://discord.gg/BFW77h7XyS