"Hey, Clorinde, why are you dragging me along so fast?" Furina pouted, her lips puffed out. "I can walk by myself, you know!"
"You're in such a rush! Don't tell me you're even more eager to see huband than I am?" she teased with a mischievous grin. "Yo yo yo! Who would've thought that serious, straight-laced Clorinde would be such a hothead."
"..." Clorinde rubbed her forehead with a sigh. "Furina, that reporter almost figured out you're in love with him."
"Huh? No way!" Furina's eyes widened. Was she being that obvious?
"Sigh... With how things are in Fontaine right now, I think it's best if we don't make anything public just yet," Clorinde advised.
"But... I really want the people of Fontaine to bless our love," Furina murmured quietly.
"The current situation is delicate. It's better to wait. When you've saved Fontaine and make your relationship with Akio official, the people will truly accept it," Clorinde said.
"Fine," Furina nodded, a bit sulky.
"Alright, don't be mad. Let's head back to the Palais Mermonia and video call your hubby," Clorinde said, gently coaxing her like a big sister.
"Hmph! Don't talk to me like you're the big sister! I'm the older one here," Furina grumbled, then quickly perked up. "Let's go, let's go! I can't wait to video call Akio!"
"..." Clorinde gave her a deadpan look as Furina eagerly dragged her along.
Not far behind, Charlotte watched their retreating figures and fell into deep thought.
She had a feeling she'd stumbled upon something huge. Her own Archon was in love with Inazuma's god... Tsk tsk tsk, if that ever got out, the whole of Teyvat would be shaken.
"Nope, nope, nope!" Charlotte smacked her forehead and shook her head.
Putting aside the fact that they were both divine beings, even if they weren't, this kind of tabloid gossip was the kind she loathed most!
As a journalist with strict professional ethics, Charlotte would never do something so underhanded and self-serving.
"Hmph! Once my coworkers return, I definitely need to find out what that he looks like, to have won Lady Furina's heart like this." Charlotte mumbled to herself as she picked up her camera again.
"Ahaha! With these photos of Lady Furina, I've already got amazing material. Be content, Charlotte, be content!"
...
Inside the Palais Mermonia.
Furina leaned toward Clorinde and whispered, "Clorinde, why don't you move in and live with me? It's too lonely being here by myself..."
Back in Inazuma, they had shared the same room, and for a girl who'd been alone for five hundred years, that feeling had been nothing short of wonderful. She didn't want to go back to cold, empty nights alone in bed.
"Furina..." Clorinde looked at her in silence. She understood Furina's feelings—her fear of loneliness, and how much she had sacrificed for Fontaine.
"Clorinde, you're the head of the Maison Gardiennage! Ensuring the safety of your Archon is part of your duty. Living with me in the Palais Mermonia doesn't violate any rules," Furina said with hopeful puppy-dog eyes, clearly afraid of being rejected.
"Well..." After a moment's thought, Clorinde nodded. She really couldn't bring herself to say no to Furina.
"Yes! That's wonderful!" Furina cheered with joy.
"I'll need to stop by the Maison Gardiennage later. Even with your invitation, I still need to file the proper paperwork," Clorinde said.
"Okay." Furina nodded. Clorinde was, after all, the highest authority there—no one would dare oppose her decisions.
...
That night, in Furina's room at the Palais Mermonia, Clorinde had already moved her belongings in. The two of them sat cross-legged on the bed.
Furina tapped her blue bracelet, and in the next moment, a glowing projection appeared in front of them—Akio's image came into view.
"Hubby!" Furina waved excitedly.
"Hubby," Clorinde also greeted him with a gentle smile.
"My darlings, you made it home safe?" Akio glanced behind them at the room.
"Mhm! Look, this is my room," Furina said, showing him around.
It was a large room, fit for a god's chambers, but it still felt a little empty with just one person living in it.
True to her girlish nature, Furina had quite a few plush toys scattered around.
On the center of her little table sat an official figure of Akio that she'd brought back from Inazuma.
"Furina's room is beautiful," Akio praised.
"Hmm? Lord Akio, who are you talking to?" A soft voice came from behind Akio.
A woman in nothing but a bathrobe hugged Akio from behind—it was Hiiragi Chisato.
Since the bracelets were only available to Akio's women, and they were the only ones he video-called, Chisato wasn't worried about being seen.
"Chisato!" Furina greeted her.
"Ah, it's Furina and Clorinde!" Chisato smiled warmly and waved.
"Hmph! I've missed my husband to death!" Furina said with her arms crossed.
"Hehe, well, tonight he's mine~" Chisato giggled, hugging Akio tightly and resting her chin on his shoulder.
"Uuu~ So jealous." Furina had said it so many times it was becoming a catchphrase. But as Fontaine's Archon, she couldn't stay in Inazuma for long.
"Alright, Furina, we'll come visit you in a few days," Akio said with a smile. "Fontaine, the land of freedom and justice—Miko gave me such a vivid description. I heard the underwater world is stunning too."
"But of course! I'm not exaggerating when I say Fontaine is the most beautiful nation!" Furina said proudly.
"Of course~" Akio looked at her dotingly.
"Hubby~" Clorinde suddenly leaned closer, looking at him.
"Clorinde, Furina said you've moved into the Palais Mermonia too?" Akio asked.
"Yup, I want to spend more time with Furina," Clorinde nodded.
"That's good. Both of you should take care of each other while in Fontaine," Akio said.
"Don't worry. You've given both me and Furina your strength—no one here would dare cross us," Clorinde replied.
Akio had granted her godhood as well. With the two of them and Neuvillette in Fontaine, Clorinde had full confidence in facing the so-called prophecy.
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