Unlike Inazuma, Fontaine had not yet published any works by a certain "Fictional Historian," and all was calm.
In Fontaine, one afternoon a few days later, Lovia was hunched over her desk, fully absorbed in her writing; her first book of Fontaine's unofficial history was nearing completion.
A steady knock suddenly came from the door.
Lovia started, her antennae swiveling sharply toward the door. She looked up from the desk piled with drafts and listened intently.
It was indeed the door; she hadn't misheard.
Who could it be? Kiara and the others?
With a hint of confusion, she walked to the door and stood on her tiptoes to peer through the peephole. An elegant blue figure and his long silver hair came into view.
The Big Melusine?!
Lovia hurriedly opened the door. "M-Monsieur Neuvillette, good afternoon!"
Upon opening the door, she realized Neuvillette wasn't wearing his formal Iudex uniform today. Instead, he wore relatively simple but still majestic casual clothes, and he held an exquisite two-tiered food box in his hand.
"Good afternoon, Miss Lovia." Neuvillette's voice was as steady and pleasant as ever. Noticing the Melusine's antennae twitching slightly from surprise, a gentle curve appeared at the corner of his lips. "I hope I am not interrupting your writing."
"Of course not!" Lovia quickly stepped aside to invite him in. "Please, have a seat. I just... didn't expect you to come."
She felt a bit giddy.
She was filled with gratitude and respect for this great Hydro Dragon who had brought her back to Fontaine and given her a stable home.
Neuvillette walked into the room, his gaze subtly scanning the surroundings to confirm everything was neat and orderly. Seeing that Lovia's complexion was much rosier and more relaxed than when she first arrived, a nearly imperceptible sense of relief flickered in his eyes.
Neuvillette sat elegantly on the living room sofa and gently placed the food box on the coffee table. The box was a common Fontaine style, exquisitely crafted, with delicate water patterns carved on the lid.
Neuvillette opened the lid, and a warm, rich aroma immediately filled the air.
"This is Poisson Seafood Soup. Other Melusines often order this soup; I thought you might like it too."
Lovia's antennae stood up noticeably in surprise, and her eyes lit up. "Poisson Seafood Soup? That sounds wonderful, thank you!"
She couldn't help but take a quiet sniff. It smelled so good!
Neuvillette nodded slightly and personally took out the soup bowl.
Fresh shellfish, Fish, and several kinds of seasonal vegetables floated in the thick soup. As the steam rose, the scent of the ocean flooded her nose.
She originally intended to pour a glass of water for Neuvillette first to fulfill her duties as a host.
But just as the thought arose, before she could turn around, she saw that Neuvillette had already taken the matching soup spoon from the top layer of the food box and handed it to her with a natural, fluid motion.
"Please, enjoy," he said gently.
The words "You first" or "I'll get you some water" that were on the tip of Lovia's tongue were swallowed back down under his natural movements and gaze. She felt the tips of her antennae grow slightly warm, and the small wings behind her couldn't help but flutter twice.
A sense of Warmth from being carefully looked after welled up in her heart.
She blinked and took the exquisite soup spoon with both hands.
"Thank you," she thanked him in a small voice, sounding a bit joyful and shy.
In that case, she would "obey rather than decline." Following her heart's expectations, she sat on the guest sofa, gently scooped up a spoonful of the milky-white broth, and put it in her mouth.
The soup's flavor was richly layered, possessing both the freshness of the ocean and perfect seasoning. A warm sensation spread from the tip of her tongue throughout her entire body.
"It's delicious..." she praised, her antennae swaying happily and gently. "This is the best soup I've ever had. Thank you, Monsieur Neuvillette."
Neuvillette sat quietly opposite her. Watching her satisfied expression, the gentle curve in his eyes seemed to deepen slightly.
"I am glad you like it," he said slowly.
Lovia nodded, cradling the warm soup bowl.
For a moment, the only sounds in the room were her small sips of soup and the aroma of food lingering in the air.
The small bowl of hot soup soon reached the bottom.
She set down the spoon and bowl, intending to thank him solemnly again, but she saw Neuvillette's gaze move gently from her to some small ornaments placed in the living room.
"It seems you have gradually adapted to life here." There was a hint of subtle praise in Neuvillette's words.
"Mm-hm!" Lovia nodded vigorously. Facing this reliable Patriarch, she couldn't help but share. "I went to the post office by myself a few days ago and sent letters to everyone in Liyue! Although... I got lost afterward..."
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