However, before Aeron Zacharias could even leave the reception hall, a small, sneaky blue hat appeared at the doorway, followed soon after by a single tuft of white hair poking out.
Seeing the tuft bobbing up and down, Aeron couldn't help but chuckle softly before shaking his head with a smile.
"Furina… Arlecchino has already left. There's no need to keep hiding like this."
His tone, as always, was gentle and calm—like a kind father soothing his frightened daughter.
Hearing Aeron's words, Furina hesitated. Only after poking her little head out, scanning the room carefully to make sure that dreadful woman was truly gone, did she dare step forward.
Patting her rather flat chest with relief, she looked up at Aeron and asked:
"You and her… how did it go?"
Aeron shrugged. "Neither rejected nor agreed. But the moment she chose to come here after seeing that invitation…"
"…that already showed she leans toward agreement."
"I'll keep a close watch on the Fatui's movements from now on. You don't need to worry anymore, Furina."
Seeing his warm, familiar smile, Furina's cheeks flushed slightly. To cover her embarrassment, her gaze fell upon the table, where an assortment of delicate pastries and red tea were laid out.
Without the slightest hesitation, she sat down where Aeron had just been sitting, poured a bit more tea into the cup before her, and began nibbling at the sweets.
"Furina, wait—!"
Just as Aeron was about to warn her that the teacup had already been used by him, Lady Furina had already pressed her lips against the rim, sipping the tea between bites of dessert.
Noticing the look of shock on Aeron's face, the young girl blinked, her own cheeks heating uncontrollably.
"W-what? Why are you staring at me like that?" she stammered.
Aeron only shook his head gently. He decided to bury the truth deep in his heart, instead smiling as he said:
"Don't worry. Most of these were made by my own hands—meant for hosting guests. If the Lady Archon has nothing else… then I'll go see Neuvillette now?"
Furina said nothing, only nodded silently.
Aeron wasn't surprised; he had long grown used to such reactions. With a quiet sigh, he swiftly left the reception hall, closing the door behind him.
As someone who had served as Fontaine's regent for four hundred years, Aeron Zacharias knew better than anyone when his Archon needed solitude.
"I only hope… that when all this ends, she can live a healthy, peaceful life."
A trace of helplessness flickered in his eyes as he gazed out through the crystal glass windows of the Palais Mermonia.
"Who could have thought… that a prophecy burdening Fontaine for centuries would end up resting fully on the shoulders of one young girl?"
So he thought to himself.
"Enough. Best to meet Neuvillette now. One step at a time."
Meanwhile, as Aeron made his way toward Neuvillette's office, Furina absentmindedly gazed at the delicate macarons and the biscuits at the bottom of the tray.
Aeron had already done far too much for her.
Whether in daily life or in her "performance," he had always stood by her side, the most capable and reliable of aides.
"But… it mustn't be…"
Her mismatched eyes rippled with sorrow.
She had chosen to shoulder that responsibility—and with it, the inevitable price.
Even Aeron, the regent whose appearance hadn't changed in four hundred years, was someone she could not… must not reach for.
"How much longer… must this life continue?"
Her gaze drifted, dazed, toward the grand doors of the reception hall, her beautiful heterochromatic eyes filled with silent yearning.
"When… will I ever be able to live openly by your side?"
Unaware of Furina's whispered lament after his departure, Aeron walked calmly into the Dragon of Water's office.
He knocked gently, and upon hearing a deep "Enter," he pushed open the door.
"Aeron Zacharias? Is this regarding the establishment of the Crime of Abandonment?"
Neuvillette looked up from his desk at the blue-clad figure.
"No. Well… it's somewhat related, but not directly."
At that, Neuvillette set aside his documents and slowly rose, pouring two glasses of water from a carafe. Handing one to Aeron, he said simply:
"I'm listening."
Aeron politely took a sip before speaking naturally:
"Monsieur Neuvillette, what if some kind-hearted Melusines—those without the best health or talents—were given a place in the newly built orphanages, to help look after the children? What would you think of that?"
At this, Neuvillette frowned slightly.
"You know well, Aeron Zacharias. The differences between Melusines and humans—especially in appearance—are still rather pronounced. Entrusting them with the care of human children may… cause unnecessary misunderstanding."
"This could invite trouble, Aeron."
Aeron only smiled, shaking his head.
"The Melusines can watch over the children in daily life, while human cooks prepare the meals. That solves the problem, doesn't it?"
"And more than that—it's because of the differences that we should encourage more interaction."
"The more people come to understand the Melusines' traits, and grow accustomed to their every little difference as if it were common sense…"
"…would you still think integration is so difficult?"
Neuvillette paused, then nodded slightly.
Aeron was right. Even though social integration for the Melusines had advanced quickly under his guidance, that did not mean humans had truly accepted every aspect of their daily lives.
Otherwise… there would have been no need to pass laws forbidding the demeaning use of "it" when referring to them.
With this in mind, Neuvillette finally nodded.
"…A fine proposal, Aeron Zacharias."
"If you're prepared, I can begin arrangements at once."
"Then it's settled. With your approval, the rest is simple."
"For now, most of Fontaine's orphans are under the care of the Hearth House. I've spoken with that Harbinger as well—further cooperation may be possible."
At this, Neuvillette raised his silver cup, touching it lightly against Aeron's in a brief toast.
"On behalf of all Melusines, I thank you for your kindness, Aeron Zacharias."