"Alright then. I find Luc Vaudelier not guilty."
Only then did Furina finally let out a breath of relief.
Just as she turned to leave the courtroom, Chief Justice Neuvillette called after her, his voice soft but pointed:
"Ah… Miss Furina, may your path be peaceful."
Given Furina's usual dramatic and justice-driven personality, she would normally argue about being spoken to like that. But this time, she could only force herself to endure.
"I know, I know. Don't say anything else."
Furina hurried out of the courtroom, afraid Neuvillette would say something even more embarrassing.
Back at his bench, Neuvillette leaned into his seat, his mind drifting.
Though he always treated Furina as a proud and somewhat childish Archon—almost like a younger sibling—something about today felt different. It was like watching someone dear be snatched away by a scoundrel. The girl who once shouted verdicts with flair now ran around defending someone like Luc Vaudelier.
"Forget it… she deserves her own life."
Outside the court, Luc turned to Furina and asked, half-teasing:
"So, I'm basically in a… relationship of being kept by you now?"
"You're seriously shameless to say that." Furina puffed up, cheeks red and round, like steamed buns. "You caused all this with your ridiculous ways of making money!"
"Alright, alright. I won't argue. Just thank you sincerely and revere you as the supreme being you are."
Furina lifted her chin proudly.
'Hehe, Luc must be so touched. He's probably holding back tears of gratitude. Maybe he'll even kneel and thank me later… Should I stay dignified and accept it, or play it humble and help him up? Ugh, the decisions of being this gracious!'
Unexpectedly, Luc straightened up and imitated the Salute of the Gardes of Fontaine—right fist to chest, firm and reverent.
"Thank you, dear Lady Furina."
The whole thing was oddly precise, like he had trained under the Marechaussee Phantom himself.
"Ahem. That's enough. Now it feels cheesy. I've got goosebumps."
Furina giggled smugly but turned away quickly to hide the flush on her cheeks.
Luc remained where he stood. Furina glanced back.
"What? You're just going to stand there?"
"Are you really okay with me coming back?"
"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not emotionally attached to you," she huffed, crossing her arms. "But Fontaine's economy can't afford to be destroyed by your reckless behavior. Are you going to start another 'get-rich-quick' scheme?"
Luc chuckled and followed behind.
"What's with you?"
He looked around, confused, then back at her. But Furina kept walking, giving only two words:
"Let's go."
Luc shuffled a few steps in place, trying to get his bearings before catching up.
"I'm following you, weird Archon…"
But deep down, Furina enjoyed having Luc follow her.
"Hehe, since you've caused me such a headache, I should punish you. Saving you with my Archon authority—there has to be justice!"
Back at Furina's villa, Luc returned to the same room as before. As he opened the door, a small wooden plaque fell from above and bonked his forehead.
"Hiss—! Ow! Furina, did you seriously set such a crude trap?"
A voice called from behind, crisp and smug:
"Hey, before criticizing traps, maybe check if the trapsetter is right behind you."
Luc turned to see Furina staring at him with amused disdain.
"When you're done being dramatic, go make dinner. I don't need freeloaders lounging around."
"…Fine."
Luc agreed out of a sense of gratitude. Furina had, after all, saved him with a lie so bold even the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale would struggle to process it.
There was something exciting about this strange dynamic—the proud Archon and the lowly assistant. It was almost… dramatic, theatrical—very Fontainian.
"Oh, by the way, Lady Furina, could I borrow your phone?"
Luc was still curious whether this otherworldly device could really hold a charge forever.
Without thinking much, Furina handed it over. It was fully charged, as always. Despite Luc's understanding of physics, he gave up trying to explain it.
Maybe it consumed Hydro particles. Maybe it was magic. After time travel and extradimensional phones, what was one more anomaly?
"But seriously," Luc said, "you saved me. I've still got money left. I'll work for you two months for free."
"Hmph. Don't act like I'd let you go so easily."
"But I think two months isn't enough," Furina added with a wicked glint in her eye. "We'll need to add something."
"Add… what?"
Luc had a bad feeling. He knew from past experience that making Furina angry was dangerous, and now he owed her a favor.
"Wait here."
Furina darted out of the room and returned with a mountain of colorful fabrics.
"You're to wear women's clothing for an entire month while working for me. No complaining."
Luc stared at the pile. Countless dresses, accessories… and wigs?
A thousand Qilin galloped through his soul.
If I keep this up, I might never go back to normal…
"What? You don't look thrilled. Fine, I'll find someone else."
"No, no! I promise, Lady Furina! I'll do it!"
Furina smirked in satisfaction.
"Hehe. That's more like it. You'll get used to it soon."
After dinner, Furina felt restless. Something was missing.
She had her mobile phone, she had Luc back, but… it felt empty.
Ah! That was it. Gaming alone was boring. She wanted a co-op partner.
"Luc, can you manifest another phone?"
"…Why? You already have one."
"I need to beat you in a game. Otherwise, how can I relieve the anger you caused?"