After that outrageous apology, Leo had remained humble for a full month before Lady Furina formally forgave him. But it was only a formal forgiveness.
"Leo, go wash my clothes!"
"Yes, Lady Furina!"
***
"How about you preside over today's trial for me, while I watch from behind the curtains?"
"Eh? Lady Furina, you're the Hydro Archon!"
"Oh, right—I almost forgot!"
***
"Where's my snack?"
"Coming right up!"
This was Leo's daily life. Oh, and sometimes he went out for exercise, just to keep his martial skills from going dull.
It was truly unimaginable, what it meant to be a personal guard.
In the eyes of outsiders, he was glamorous—the proud personal guard of the God of Justice, serving in the Opera Epiclese itself.
But in Furina's eyes, Leo was just a housekeeper drawing a guard's salary.
Well—perhaps slightly better than a housekeeper. He was young, male, and admittedly handsome.
When they first met, Leo was only eighteen years old—earnest, clever, and charming in a way Furina found amusing. Over time, she began to view keeping him around as a sort of… experiment. A game of cultivation, if you will.
One day, seeing a package in Leo's hands, Furina peered at it with suspicion.
"Which girl sent that to you?"
"Eh?" The question completely threw Leo off. Something about the tone felt strange, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
Opening the package, he pulled out a bundle of tea and offered it to her.
"What girl? This is tea, sent by a friend of mine. Would you like to try it, Lady Furina?"
Tea?
The moment Furina heard that word, she froze. Instantly, she thought of that bitter, unsweet liquid people brewed in Liyue—so unlike the confections she adored.
Shielding her expression with one delicate hand, Furina asked, "Could it be… your friend is from Liyue?"
"As expected of Lady Furina—you're truly sharp. Yes, this is from a Liyue friend. A rare tea, too. Only ten kilograms are produced per year, and yet, they sent me two whole kilograms!"
Furina narrowed her eyes.
"Ten kilograms in all of Liyue, and they sent you two? This friend of yours must be closer than kin."
"Would you like to try it, Lady Furina? I have some skill in tea brewing."
She instinctively stepped back. Part of her wanted to taste it out of curiosity, but when she recalled that bitter taste, her courage faltered.
No answer? That meant yes!
So thought Leo. Without waiting for permission, he went into the kitchen, rummaged through the drawers, and triumphantly found a complete tea set. Of course Furina's home had everything—the finest of everything, at that.
For Leo, this was a small blessing.
After an elaborate brewing process, he took the first sip and found it delightful. If Leosley ever learned of this tea, he'd probably get on his knees and beg me for a taste. Brother Leo, please spare me some leaves…
The flavor was indeed extraordinary—sweet, smooth, and lingering.
Truthfully, Leo barely knew this friend. They were more like pen pals, exchanging letters and little gifts across the nations. The handwriting in the letters was elegant, the tone refined and commanding. Surely the sender must be a woman of stature—though likely older, perhaps someone of high office in Liyue.
Still, he mused, if she were young and of suitable age… well, best not to dwell on such things.
Carrying the teapot and cups back to the table, Leo placed them carefully in front of Furina.
"Please try it, Lady Furina. I promise it's delicious."
"Delicious, hm?" Furina eyed him skeptically, then picked up the porcelain cup. She blew gently on the surface, then tipped it back and downed it all in one gulp.
"Lady Furina, that's not how you drink tea—you're supposed to savor—"
"Pffft!"
Like a fountain, Furina sprayed the tea straight into Leo's face.
Blinking furiously, he froze. It was scalding hot!
Mortified, Furina covered her mouth and hastily offered him a tissue. "Ah—are you all right? It's a little hot…"
Leo pointed at his reddened cheeks, his voice strained. "Lady Furina… am I red?"
"Quite red."
With a bitter sigh, Leo reached for a towel. But then… a wicked thought crossed his mind.
This tea came out of her mouth…
Before he could stop himself, he stuck out his tongue and licked a drop from his cheek. Sweet, fragrant, with an otherworldly taste.
Something's wrong with me… but—maybe just one more taste.
He leaned to the other side and licked again. Yes, definitely sweet.
"Leo! Is it tasty?"
"Eh? Yes—it's good. What's wrong?"
Her little guard's guileless honesty made Furina laugh out loud in disbelief. Bold! Insolent! And yet… so very funny.
"Leo, what's in that head of yours, hm? Do you find my saliva delicious?"
Leo froze. The atmosphere suddenly shifted. Where was the playful, dramatic Furina he knew? Her voice had gone cold, her words sharp.
He stood paralyzed. Furina's lips curled. The trick had worked.
"Hahahaha! Oh, you should see your face—you're terrified!"
Collapsing onto the sofa, Furina clutched her stomach with laughter, her eyes narrowing into crescents. Her laughter, bright and silver, echoed in Leo's mind.
So cute… Wait, what am I thinking??
Leo's face burned crimson as he sat stiffly in his chair. His heart was racing.
Seeing her personal guard so shy, so flushed, Furina propped her chin on her hand, gazing at him with interest.
"Don't worry, Leo. I won't send you to Merope's Fortress. You're far too adorable when you're embarrassed."
Blinking rapidly, Leo's brain short-circuited. In a whisper, he answered: "You're also very cute, Lady Furina."
The moment the words left his lips, he wanted to bury himself six feet under. How could he say such a thing aloud?
But Furina heard him clearly.
Her citizens often called her "cute" in whispers and gossip, but no one had ever said it to her face—least of all her most loyal guard, who had been at her side for two years.
Her own cheeks flushed, though Leo, head ducked low, did not notice.
Taking up the cup again, Furina sipped the tea slowly. After a long pause, she muttered, "…This tea is awful. Not even as good as a glass of fresh milk in the morning."
She set the cup down and swept off to the kitchen to fetch some milk to rinse her mouth.
Leo, doubtful, picked up the same cup and drank. To him, it was even better than before.
Furina returned, holding a glass of milk, and found him sipping eagerly from the very cup she had used.
Her eyes narrowed. That's the same spot I drank from.
"…Leo, what do you think you're doing?"
Leo froze mid-sip. His eyes widened. This is Lady Furina's cup…
Slowly, he turned toward her with a sheepish smile.
"You dare smile?! Death penalty!"