Those blue eyes, which were always bright, were now clouded with a layer of mist, like a lake filled with rainwater, yet that mist stubbornly refused to overflow.
Lovia's voice carried a heavy nasal tone: "Is... is it really okay?"
"Of course." Neuvillette nodded, his gaze falling on her smudge-stained little face. He deliberately ignored the tears that were on the verge of falling and spoke with a solemn tone, "I respect every decision you make."
The massive boulder hanging over her heart finally fell, followed by an irrepressible surge of gratitude.
Lovia looked at the noble and gentle Iudex before her, carefully wiping away the tears that were about to spill over. She sniffled her reddened little nose and finally revealed her first shy smile since the two had met.
"Thank you. You are so busy, you can head back to Fontaine first... I think the time I need might be a bit long..." Lovia said softly, finally forcing the tears back. This time, the trembling in her voice had lessened significantly. "I still need to prepare, and I have friends in Liyue to say goodbye to..."
Hearing that Lovia had friends here, the corners of Neuvillette's mouth quirked up for a moment before quickly turning downward again.
He looked at the little one in front of him, who was forcefully holding back her tears, and was momentarily speechless.
The most heartbreaking thing is never wailing out loud.
Suddenly, Lovia let out an "oh!", sniffled, and hurriedly introduced herself: "Sorry, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Lovia!"
This voice immediately pulled Neuvillette out of his self-reproach. He nodded and noted the name: "Lovia, a very beautiful name. In that case, I shall return to Fontaine first. When you are ready, I will come to fetch you."
"Mm!"
The conversation seemed to have reached a temporary conclusion, but Neuvillette did not mean to leave immediately. He just stood there quietly, his gentle gaze falling on Lovia, as if waiting for something, or perhaps simply wanting to confirm her safety a bit more.
Lovia felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze, and her fingers subconsciously tugged at the corner of her clothes again. She didn't feel like crying anymore, but the silence in the air made her heart race. Her brain worked frantically, thinking about what she should do next.
Everything that needed to be said was said, right? Could this crybaby dragon have something else he wants to ask? Or was it her turn to make small talk? But True Lord Who Is Good at Chatting hasn't started classes yet, and she hasn't learned how to make small talk... Besides, her legs were getting sore from standing, and she was so dirty she wanted to go wash up.
But the guest hadn't left yet, so she definitely couldn't chase him away first!
Wait, no... guest?
Lovia realized belatedly.
This was Monsieur Neuvillette, the iudex of Fontaine, a guest of incredibly noble status who had traveled all the way from Fontaine to personally invite her, and he was currently standing at her doorstep! And she had not only been hesitant, making him stand outside for so long, but she had also completely failed to perform any "hostess" etiquette!
Although her little dilapidated shack could hardly be called "hospitality," basic manners were... She looked down and was shocked to find that she was still holding that wooden basin full of fishy smells!
Heavens, had she actually been talking to Neuvillette in this state the whole time? Would Neuvillette think she was a bit silly?!
A surge of heat rushed to her cheeks. Lovia panicked instantly, and then, under Neuvillette's relieved gaze, she finally set the wooden basin heavily on the ground.
Lovia breathed a sigh of relief and looked up. Seeing that Neuvillette was actually still looking at her, the words she had already prepared came out incoherently: "Um... Iudex Neuvillette! Would you... would you like to... come... come in and sit for a bit?"
She pointed a finger at the somewhat dilapidated wooden door, her voice getting smaller and smaller: "Although it's very simple inside... but... but..."
She was so embarrassed she almost wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into. Was it too rude to invite the iudex into a house like this?
She had no experience hosting guests, let alone someone of such high status! It was too rude!
Neuvillette looked at her suddenly flushed face and her flustered manner, instantly understanding her current embarrassment.
Instead of feeling offended, a sense of softness and heartache rose in his heart.
The Little Melusine before him was working hard to overcome her unease, expressing trust to a stranger she had met for the first time, and trying to express kindness in her own way.
"If it is no bother." Neuvillette nodded, "I would be happy to."
Having received his consent, Lovia became even more nervous. She quickly rubbed her damp hands on her clothes (though it didn't help much), then carefully pushed open the wooden door and stepped aside: "Please, please come in! Look around as you like, sit anywhere, it's okay!"
Neuvillette thanked her, bowed his head slightly, and entered this tiny wooden house that belonged solely to Lovia.
Different from the even more dilapidated and destitute scene he had expected, the situation inside the room made his gaze flicker slightly.
The room was indeed very small and the furnishings extremely simple, but it was kept very tidy. The entire inner wall was painted a light blue, which looked very cozy. Neuvillette deliberately sniffed the air (it wasn't obvious) and felt relieved after confirming the dye was non-toxic.
Inside the room, near the window, was a wooden bed covered with clean fabric (the fabric was especially plentiful and thick). At the head of the bed sat a small basket woven from soft vines, containing a few smooth colored shells, a small talisman, and several pressed dry Qingxin petals (given by Yaoyao), which emitted a faint fragrance.
Dried plants and simple decorations made of shells hung on the walls. Although the materials were crude, the creator's care was evident.
On a small wooden table against the wall sat a clay jar and several washed fruits. Beside them were a small booklet made of common Liyue paper and a Liyue water pen.
Opposite the small table was a wall-to-wall bookshelf piled with numerous books and papers. At the very top lay a piece of deep blue velvet, and in the center of the velvet was a small ice crystal. Beside the velvet sat a lifelike wooden carving of a Round Sparrow.
Sunlight filtered through the clean window, illuminating the blue blanket spread beneath it and lighting up every trace of careful maintenance in this small space.
There was no wealth or luxury here, but it was filled with the atmosphere of living life earnestly. It was a subtle departure from the "struggle for survival" he had initially imagined based on her appearance and that basin of fish.
(The author isn't good at describing scenery, please bear with it QAQ)
This Little Melusine named Lovia was living her life diligently and earnestly in her own way.
She was far stronger than he had initially imagined.
Just as Neuvillette was lost in thought (?), Lovia flusteredly moved the only chair in the house to Neuvillette's side, vigorously wiping away non-existent dust with her sleeve: "Please, please sit!"
She herself stood by the bed, somewhat at a loss, secretly observing Neuvillette's reaction.
Seeing that he didn't show any expression of disdain or discomfort, but instead looked at the little decorations she had made for her own amusement with a gentle gaze, Lovia relaxed just a tiny bit. However, she also felt a bit embarrassed because her private space was exposed, and the tip of her tail couldn't help but twitch.
"Your home... is very cozy." Neuvillette withdrew his gaze and looked at Lovia, who was standing by the bed looking a bit lost. He commented sincerely, "I can feel that you live here with great care."
Lovia's face turned red again, this time from the shyness and a bit of happiness at being praised.
She lowered her head and whispered: "Th-thank you..."
Inside the small wooden house, the iudex of Fontaine and the Little Melusine from a foreign land stood facing each other.
Then, Neuvillette's gaze fell on the only chair, and then moved to Lovia, who was standing by the bed nervously wringing her fingers.
He originally wanted to ask Lovia to sit down while he remained standing. After thinking for a moment, he felt that if he didn't sit, the little one might feel disappointed.
Thus, Neuvillette sat composedly on the chair, his posture still maintaining its usual dignity.
This dignity did not seem out of place in the simple environment of the small hut.
"Lovia." Neuvillette spoke, his voice deeper and softer than usual, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility within the room, "Could you tell me how you came to Liyue? And why you... live here alone?"
"Of course, if it is inconvenient, it does not matter."
[Bonus Chapter Progress Bar: 61%]
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