What's going on?
Lumine carefully examined her longsword, finding nothing amiss except that it felt slightly warm. Unable to discern anything unusual, she sheathed the blade.
-
Two days later.
On the beach near Poisson, Fontaine:
"Move it back a little... yes, right there, perfect!"
Several installations had already been set up. Furina, hands on her hips, was directing Lyney and his trio in setting up a ring toss game booth.
Focalors and Navia were working with the Spina di Rosula members to arrange a stage.
Nearby, Fidelle, who was preparing the food, watched the scene with a mix of helplessness and warmth. After returning home last time, she had told Furina and Focalors about her relationship with Freminet and the idea of hosting a party.
The two had been overjoyed, immediately volunteering to handle all the arrangements.
"You just focus on the food, Fidelle," they insisted. "We'll take care of everything else."
It was now midday, still several hours before the party's official start. Fidelle and Escoffier were busy preparing foods that could be stored for extended periods—mini cakes!
No party hosted by Furina and Focalors could be complete without mini cakes. Considering the large crowd expected, Fidelle made them small but in large quantities.
At the edge of the party area, Lumine and Paimon hurried over to Fidelle.
"Fidelle, we're here! We brought the photos you wanted!"
Paimon, panting for breath, put her hands on her hips and sniffed the aroma of cupcakes, stomping her feet excitedly in mid-air.
"Thank you!"
Fidelle accepted the photos and handed Lumine a cupcake from a nearby tray. "Here's your reward."
"Hehe, I won't be shy about taking it!"
Paimon snatched the cupcake before Lumine could react. Lumine smiled helplessly and turned to Fidelle. "Is there anything else we can help with? Don't hesitate to ask."
"Not for now," Fidelle replied, "but you can help arrange the cupcakes later. Come back when you've finished yours."
Lumine and Paimon left happily.
Nearby, Freminet, wearing a white apron, approached carrying a basin of peeled potatoes. "Sister, the potatoes are ready."
"Great job!" Fidelle praised. "Go help Lyney and the others. I'll handle things here."
As she spoke, Fidelle grabbed a chicken leg from the pot and handed it to Freminet.
Freminet shyly accepted the chicken leg, removed his apron, and hurried toward Lyney's group.
"Fidelle!!!"
After Freminet left, Escoffier's furious voice rang out.
Fidelle looked over and realized she had grabbed a chicken leg from Escoffier's pot. It was still half-cooked—edible, but not yet perfectly seasoned.
Fidelle chuckled sheepishly. "Tomorrow morning, I'll come help out at Hotel Debord. We can practice our cooking together."
Her words instantly froze Escoffier in place for several seconds.
"Ahem, you said it yourself! No backing out now!"
Escoffier then obediently returned to preparing the other dishes.
Fidelle smiled helplessly. She retrieved the photos Lumine and Ei had brought and held them up next to the cupcakes, considering the best arrangement.
Standing them up next to the cupcakes would be a bit... awkward. Laying them flat on the cupcakes would spoil their presentation...
Ah, I've got it! I'll attach them to the cupcake boxes!
Lumine's Ability was truly impressive—even managing to obtain photos of "The Knave" Arlecchino. Fidelle carefully pasted each photo onto the boxes.
"Fidelle, we're back!"
Paimon, having finished her cupcake, still had a smear of cream on her lips.
Fidelle handed her a tissue, gesturing to the smudge.
"Ah, sorry!" Paimon turned away to wipe her mouth clean.
Fidelle asked them to help carry the cupcakes to the dining table. Paimon's eyes lit up at the sight of the exquisite little cakes.
She immediately snatched the cupcake box with her own photo, grinning from ear to ear.
"Lumine, look! That's Paimon's picture on this one! Hehe, does that mean this cupcake is mine?"
Lumine: "Paimon, you can't eat it now. We'll talk about it later."
Paimon: "Okay, okay."
The cupcakes were arranged one by one on the dining table, quickly attracting two familiar faces: Furina and Focalors.
Furina: "Wow, Focalors, look! These cupcakes are absolutely gorgeous!"
Stars sparkled in Furina's eyes as Focalors nodded in agreement.
They really are beautiful...
Furina glanced around, noticing the lack of people. Her gaze locked onto the cupcakes, only to discover that nearly every one was adorned with a photograph, each meticulously cropped and vibrant in various hues.
These cupcakes must already belong to someone, Furina thought, abandoning her plan to sneak a bite when no one was looking.
She led Focalors over to Fidelle.
"Fidelle~" Furina cooed, batting her large, beautiful eyes. Beside her, Focalors pressed a hand to her forehead, her expression a mix of resignation and fondness. Yet she remained by Furina's side.
To Furina's delight, Fidelle placed two plates before them, each bearing a cupcake—one strawberry-flavored and the other blueberry.
Furina and Focalors each took a plate and wandered off to find a spot to sit and savor their treats.
Watching their retreating figures, Fidelle smiled warmly.
Living with Lady Furina and Lady Focalors truly makes me so happy...
-
Time drifted slowly, and the party preparations neared completion.
The invited guests—Neuvillette, Clorinde, Wriothesley, Sigewinne, Charlotte, Chevreuse, Chiori... and even "The Knave" Arlecchino—had all arrived.
Fidelle and her team had finished preparing the delicacies.
"The Knave" entered the party and headed straight for Furina and Focalors.
Seeing this, Neuvillette subtly moved closer.
"The Knave": "Greetings, Miss Furina and Lady Focalors."
Furina tilted her head back, her small right hand nervously clutching the hem of her dress. "Y-you too!" she stammered.
Focalors, far more composed, gave The Knave a gentle nod.
Knowing Furina was afraid of her, The Knave greeted the group before moving elsewhere.
Furina muttered under her breath, "Why do they call me 'Miss' and you 'Lady'? Why can't they call me 'Lady' too?"
The Knave's voice came from behind Furina: "So, you prefer this title? Very well, I'll address you as Lady Furina from now on."
Furina: "Ah, ha ha, I see you haven't left yet. It doesn't matter, call me whatever you like. Ha ha."
Flustered, Furina scurried behind Focalors, who shook her head and smiled wryly.
Once nearly everyone had arrived, Focalors took Furina's hand and led her onto the stage.
"Ahem."
Furina cleared her throat, and the audience immediately fell silent.