Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The trial that day had been very dramatic, the kind that attracts the attention of the people of Fontaine. The case revolved around a will. Usually, this kind of litigation did not arouse much interest, unless it caused a division among the Opera Epiclese's audience as to who deserved to receive the inheritance.

But this case was different: the plaintiff, a friend of the deceased who had written the will, accused the widower of not respecting his wife's last wishes. It was a marriage of convenience that had brought together two powerful families, so it was not surprising that there was no love in that union. Or, at least, so the widower believed.

The plaintiff related how the deceased had confessed to her that, over time, she had come to love her husband, despite the cold, yet polite and respectful, attitude he had maintained toward her until his untimely death from illness. Except for the legal minimum intended for the next of kin, the woman bequeathed all her property to her husband. She asked only one thing of him: that he continue to financially support the charitable association she herself had founded, dedicated to the protection of the Fontaine environment and to providing employment opportunities for disadvantaged people.

However, the widower did not comply with this last request, which resulted in the closure of the association. The defendant argued that the request was only a wish of the testatrix and not a binding testamentary condition for receiving the inheritance. The plaintiff, on the other hand, insisted that the deceased's request was a legally binding clause that should have been respected.

After lengthy discussions between the defense and the prosecution, dramatic twists and turns that revealed details about the private life of the deceased and the defendant, and heart-wrenching testimonies from people who worked at the association and who lost their jobs, Iudex Neuvillette handed down his sentence: he found the defendant guilty of the charges against him and the sentence was ratified by the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale.

That evening, dinner between Furina and Neuvillette passed in silence. Furina, who normally initiated the conversations, said nothing. All that could be heard was the light drizzle that had begun to fall after that day's trial.

"It's quite unusual for silence to reign during our meals together. What is on your mind, Furina?" Neuvillette asked in his characteristic impassive tone.

"Me? I could ask you the same question, Neuvillette. I have a feeling that something has been on your mind since the trial ended."

"You're right, but before I share my concerns, I'd like to know why you didn't participate in the trial. I won't deny that it made my job easier, as your interventions are sometimes more effusive than I would like."

"Hmm? I just didn't see the need for it. The trial was entertaining enough for the audience."

"Was it really that interesting? For me, it was a reminder that I still don't fully understand humans and that I have a lot left to learn."

What Furina had said was a half-truth: the real reason for her passivity during the trial had been the uncomfortable feeling of identifying with the situation of the deceased and her husband. It was not the first time she had witnessed a case centered on a marriage, whether it was a divorce or legal matters related to married life. But that case had particularly affected her for some reason. Marriages of convenience were not new to her, they abounded, including her own.

Furina and Neuvillette were married shortly after she assumed the position of Hydro Archon. She came to him to offer him a pact that would benefit both Celestia and the dragons and ensure peace in a world that had just survived the cataclysm of Khaenri'ah. Although Neuvillette accepted the deal, they never acted like a real marriage. At first, while Furina was friendly, Neuvillette was extremely cold and distant, and unpleasant on more than a few occasions. Over time, their relationship changed, but they could only be categorized as close friends after five hundred years of relationship. Displays of physical affection between them were chaste and usually came from Furina. They hardly engaged in activities together outside of a work context: they sometimes attended performances at the Opera, took walks, or dined outside the Palais. They slept in separate, though adjoining, rooms. Nor had they consummated their marriage, as Neuvillette never showed sexual interest in her.

Furina did not want to admit why she was thinking so much about what had happened in that trial, but she was able to conceal it by diverting attention to Neuvillette's problem.

"Oh, my dear Iudex, what doubts assail your mind? You know that you can rely on my divine wisdom to guide you in matters relating to humanity."

"Yes, I know perfectly well. That's why I want to ask you: why didn't that woman give her estate directly to her association or, alternatively, to her friend to manage it on her behalf? It would have been the most direct and safest option to ensure the continuity of her charitable legacy."

There was the question Furina had been waiting for, and for which she had an answer, but she was uneasy to know Neuvillette's opinion on the matter.

"Love, Neuvillette..." she sighed. "That motivation was already made known at the trial."

"Love? Even if she loved her husband, it was not reciprocated. She should have known that, because, based on what was seen during the trial, the defendant never showed such deep feelings for his wife."

"Human emotions don't depend on being reciprocated. It was proven that she did love and trust him, even though he betrayed her after her death. Moreover, the defendant was a successful businessman and a great manager. She would have thought long term, seeking to ensure the continuity of her charitable organization for many years to come thanks to the steady flow of money he could provide by properly investing her wealth."

"But he did not. He betrayed her last will and for that he was brought to trial, where he was eventually found guilty. He will now spend time in the Fortress of Meropide and, although he must return the inheritance he received, it will be difficult to restart the association his late wife founded."

"Yes, she made an error in judgment. But is trusting someone you love a crime?"

"No, it isn't. But human nature is fickle and prone to commit questionable acts in pursuit of its own self-interest."

"So you don't think humans are worth trusting?"

"You know I've always had my misgivings about humanity. I don't despise them, nor am I indifferent to them. But you gave me the position of Iudex, and a judge can't do their job well if they don't distrust."

"I understand... Tell me, Neuvillette: in the hypothetical case that you had been in the situation of the accused, would you have acted as he did or would you have respected the last will of the deceased?"

"I don't understand what you mean."

"If someone, in their last will, asked you to do something... would you do it?"

"I could not accept that kind of request. My position as Iudex requires me to be impartial and accepting something like that would open the door for other people to try to take advantage of me."

"Neuvillette, it doesn't have to be a stranger, it could be someone you had a close relationship with."

"Like the Melusines?"

"Yes... I guess Melusines are the best example..." she answered with a hint of disappointment.

"In that case, yes, I would accept whatever any of them asked of me, as long as I did not break the law. I wouldn't act like the defendant in that case, of course."

"As always, my dear Iudex demonstrating impeccable morality. Fontaine is a very fortunate nation to have you as co-ruler."

After uttering these words, Furina rose from the table, drawing Neuvillette's attention.

"Where are you going? You haven't touched your dessert yet."

"I'm not very hungry tonight; don't tell Escoffier. Besides, I must hurry to catch the last aquabus of the day to the Opera Epiclese. I could go in our private transport, but I don't want to disturb the staff so late. And I don't feel like walking over water or swimming there either."

"What business do you have at this hour at the Opera?"

"I'm going to service the Oratrice, as I've done before. Don't worry, any unlikely malfunctions will be fixed first thing in the morning."

"I understand. See you tomorrow then, Furina."

In the basement of Opera Epiclese, in the core room of the Oratrice, Furina silently contemplated the core. She stayed that way for a long time, until suddenly she burst out laughing. Her compulsive laughter bordered on insanity. When it was over, she sat down on the floor, going from apparent joy to utter despondency.

«I have already gathered most of the Indemnitium I need for my plan; perhaps I have a year or two at most left to reach the calculated amount. It looks like I will have time to prepare for my departure. With that extra time, I will be able to correct the eccentricities and systematic failures of Fontaine's judicial system that, much as it pains me, have allowed this moment to come.»

Furina lay back on the floor, staring at the ceiling, and sighed deeply.

«Death intimidates all creatures, divine or otherwise. But it is not my case. If I could truly die, in its fullest and absolute sense, it would finally bring me peace. Now what worries me most is what will happen after I am gone for an indefinite time...»

Neuvillette woke up at the same time as every day. He got ready and ate breakfast alone. It was nothing unusual, as Furina usually got up later, unless she had to attend some trial, meeting or event. He walked to his office and greeted Sedene, who had just arrived at her post that morning.

"Good morning, Monsieur Neuvillette!" The Melusine greeted him warmly.

"Good morning, Sedene. There are no trials at the Opera today."

"Exactly. Looks like it's going to be a quiet day at the office today."

"Furina doesn't have any meetings or events scheduled for today. Am I wrong?"

"No, Monsieur."

"Then tell the Palais servants not to call her room. Last night she went to the Opera to perform maintenance work on the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale. She is probably tired and may not wake up until lunchtime."

"Monsieur Neuvillette, according to the night shift guards, Lady Furina has not returned to the Palais Mermonia."

That statement worried Neuvillette, wondering if Furina would have found any problems while checking the Oratrice.

"I will go to the Opera to look for her. If there is any urgent business, you know where to find me."

"Furina, are you there?" he called out to her, knocking on the door.

Neuvillette had only been down to the basement of the Opera on rare occasions and had never entered the Oratrice's core room, as it was Furina's exclusive province. After a few moments, he heard sounds behind the door and saw Furina appear.

"What are you doing here? I could have sworn there were no scheduled trials today."

"Indeed, but I came to check on you. I was informed that you didn't return to the Palais last night."

For a moment, Furina didn't know how to react, but she quickly disguised it with a chuckle.

"Oh, my dear Iudex, were you worried about your goddess? Such was your concern that you came in person instead of sending someone?"

"Why do you look surprised? I have no work today other than the usual bureaucracy. And speaking of work, if you've finished reviewing the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, I'd suggest you take the day off."

Furina burst out laughing, which made Neuvillette look at her in confusion.

"I never expected that you, of all people, would be the one to recommend that I take a rest."

"Is it really that strange?"

"When you give advice, it's only right that you apply it to yourself, Neuvillette. In any case, I'll use an argument similar to the one you always give me: I'm a goddess, a sleepless night won't affect me. Besides, I can't waste time, I have too much to do."

"Are you still not finished with the maintenance of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale? Is there a problem?"

"No, not at all, everything was working properly."

"Then what urgent tasks do you have to do today? I think your schedule was pretty clear for today."

"If you insist so much, I will tell you. It's a task that will consume my time from now on: last night I had an epiphany that made me rethink the current state of Fontaine. I will therefore embark on the arduous task of carrying out a major legislative reform encompassing all aspects of Fontaine's legal code. Although Fontaine society still retains some of its vices and defects, it isn't the same as it was four hundred years ago. This time, I'm confident that we can carry out a comprehensive reform of all the laws, including those bequeathed to us by Egeria, with greater ease and likelihood of success."

"Is there a specific reason why you want to do so?"

"Think of it as my maintenance of the Oratrice. So far, we've just been bringing out new laws and modifying some, but we haven't touched anything that Egeria passed in her time. If we really want Fontaine to prosper, we must completely overhaul the pillars on which this nation stands: justice, equity and order. And it all starts with the laws." ^[1]

"Will you take care of everything on your own? Are you going to exclude me?"

"What makes you think I would? Our marriage contract clearly states that you would co-govern Fontaine with me, which includes the right to draft and pass laws. But since you are usually busier than I am, I will draft a draft and, when it is ready, I will give it to you for your review and input."

"Can't I help you through the process?"

"Why are you being more insistent today than usual? I've already given my reasons and I'm not going to overload you with more work."

"If that's what you want to do, I won't bother you any more," he replied, closing his eyes for a moment. "Will you come back with me to the Palais Mermonia now?"

More than two months passed since that day. Furina's character changed, and it was especially noticeable in the trials. She hardly made any interventions, and when she did, they were measured and aimed at conducting the trial as briefly and efficiently as possible. Gone were the witty contributions and those that heightened the drama and spectacle that characterized Fontaine trials for centuries. The newspapers echoed this, publishing dozens of articles theorizing about the motive.

At the Palais Mermonia, things also changed. When Furina was not busy with trials, meetings or events, she spent the rest of her time locked in her office. The Palais employees, accustomed to the Hydro Archon's overwhelming presence, now lived with the emptiness left by her isolation.

That day, as had been customary since Furina began her project, Escoffier entered the goddess's office with a food cart.

"Lady Furina, I bring you lunch!"

"Thank you, Escoffier. Leave it where it always is," she replied with his back to her, as she looked through a shelf.

Furina's office, which had always been neat and tidy before, had become a complete chaos, with mountains of books, manuscripts and notes everywhere. No one had come in to clean in all that time by Furina's express order and dust had also accumulated.

"Lady Furina, do you need help finding anything?"

"I would certainly appreciate it, but it's not your job and I don't want to take up your valuable time."

"Do not worry, Lady Furina. I have plenty of time for you."

"Well, if you insist... I'm looking for the original manuscript in which certain laws were written. Do you remember that one about how it is forbidden to release any flying objects in urban areas during the first three days of each month? It's one of those written in that document."

The search proved fruitless for a while, and during that time, the two conversed.

"Can I ask you a question, Hydro Archon? What prompted you to write that law?"

"You have already seen that in the first days of each month there is a lot of work and bustle in the Palais Mermonia. Also in the places outside the Court of Fontaine where administrative officials work, such as in the ports. The slightest disturbance can disrupt the work rhythm of the bureaucrats. What do you think would happen if, for example, a stray kite broke one of the windows in this building? Those 'drama queens' who work here would make a fuss. I've seen it happen numerous times over the centuries." ^[2]

Escoffier could not conceal her laughter when she heard how Furina referred to the Palais staff.

"Since we are talking about curious laws, there is one that has always caught my attention and that, because of my profession, affects me directly: Why is tomato ketchup to be consumed in restaurants only as a condiment, never on its own?"

"That one has no logical basis, like the previous case. The reason is that I can't stand to see someone eat tomato ketchup without gagging."

"Oh, I did not know that at all. Do you dislike those sauces? I have never seen you refuse them."

"No, on the contrary. But something happened to me that made me unable to bear to see a person, in essence, drink ketchup. I don't want to go into details, it brings to my mind a very unpleasant memory. The origin of my aversion is a particular dish: omurice. When I say that the amount of tomato sauce in that recipe should be moderate, I say it with the weight of a law behind it."

"I understand it perfectly. Although I am surprised that your motivation was a recipe from Inazuma, of which, moreover, it is said that in the distant past its creator would have based it on Fontaine's classic omelette. Do you not like that dish?"

"I like it very much indeed. Have you ever tasted spiced omurice with Snapdragon?" ^[3]

"I have never heard of an omurice recipe with that ingredient. But if you suggest it, it must be up to your divine palate. I will make that recipe for you someday!"

«I invented that dish in Inazuma and Snapdragon was the secret ingredient I used. The stall where I sold omurice made me a lot of Mora. If you knew that even Electro Archon was one of my customers...» ^[4]

"Any more questions? Take advantage now that I have the entire legal codex, including the most bizarre laws, fresh in my memory."

"Yes, about that law that says that during the dry season, all bivalves that wash ashore belong to the Hydro Archon, while other mollusks belong to the people."

"Bivalves play a very important role in the aquatic ecosystem of Fontaine, as they are filter-feeding organisms. Their ability to filter plankton and suspended particles contributes to water purification, improves environmental quality and supports plant life by allowing light to penetrate. If I allowed people to shellfish these species at their weakest time, their population would be threatened and I would have to work harder to keep the waters of Fontaine, which flow to the rest of Teyvat, in good condition."

"As far as I can see, every Fontaine law exists for a reason. Though to many your actions and decisions are erratic, those people simply do not understand your divine wisdom, Hydro Archon."

"I appreciate your compliments, my pâtissière suprême."

As the chef was looking through some documents, she came across one that caught her attention powerfully and she could not hide her astonishment.

"Did you find it? " Furina asked, hopeful for her reaction.

"No, I am sorry, Lady Furina. What I found was this," she apologized, handing her some papers. "Happy anniversary! I did not know the date you and Monsieur Neuvillette were married. What a coincidence that it happened to be today: the twelfth of June." ^[5]

"Oh... It was today... " she murmured uncomfortably, as she glanced through the papers."

«How many years have passed since the last time I had to consult this contract, and with it, remember this date? Four hundred? Yes, it was when, because of Carole's death and the legal situation of the Melusines at the time, Neuvillette threatened to break up our marriage...»

"Lady Furina?" Escoffier called out to her, surprised by the goddess's self-absorption.

Furina reacted at that instant and put the document in a drawer. Then, she showed her best smile.

"Well, I suppose it will be an anecdote to tell in the kitchen of Hotel Debord. After all, you're the first one to know that date."

"Yes... I suppose?" she commented, not knowing how to act in the face of the goddess's insincere reaction, but quickly showed her more excited side. "Are you and Monsieur Neuvillette doing something special tonight? If you do not have plans, I could prepare a romantic dinner for you."

"That won't be necessary. Neuvillette and I are not celebrating our anniversary."

"Why not? Is there a problem between you and your husband?"

Seeing the cook's obvious uneasiness, Furina could do nothing but sigh and prepare to explain the reasons.

"Escoffier, do you know what kind of relationship Neuvillette and I have?"

"What exactly do you mean, Lady Furina? Are you not a couple married for five hundred years working together to rule Fontaine?"

"Yes, that's what we are. Now I'll ask you a question: is it necessary for two partners working together to maintain a sentimental relationship for their project to go well?"

"No, of course not." At that moment, Escoffier realized what Furina wanted to tell her. "Oh... So, the marriage between you and Monsieur Neuvillette is one of convenience?"

"That's right. It was an agreement that benefited both parties."

"Does that mean that you... do not love Monsieur Neuvillette?"

"You're taking it to the extreme..." she denied with a sigh, then looked away. "Of course I appreciate Neuvillette: he's a good government partner, companion and friend. But he and I... we're not a normal marriage to begin with. Besides, you're approaching it all from a very human perspective: gods and dragons don't feel the same way as mortals."

"I understand..."

While the chef was trying to assimilate what she had just heard, the goddess finally found the document she was looking for.

"Finally! Escoffier, you can go now. I'm sorry to have made you spend your valuable time on such a trifle."

"It was no trouble, Lady Furina," she replied demurely, as she left the Archon's office and gave her a last sorrowful glance, unnoticed by Furina.

Although he did not show it, the one who was most affected by Furina's new behavior was Neuvillette. Although on many occasions, especially during the early years of their cohabitation, he had complained that Furina's constant interruptions prevented him from working properly, he now regretted that he had ever wished she would leave him alone. Now he only saw her during trials, as Furina had stopped coming to his office for tea breaks, among other things. Or to see shows, go for walks and eat together.

So the fact that it had been drizzling at irregular intervals since then did not surprise the citizens of Fontaine, for they knew its origin: the Hydro Dragon, who was also the Iudex and co-ruler of the nation. Although Neuvillette had initially tried to hide her draconic identity, one of the reasons being the shame she felt at being in human form, the marriage agreement she signed with Furina was meaningless if she hid that fact. At first, that intimidated the inhabitants of Fontaine and made many despise him, but it also helped him to impose his authority as Iudex.

Unfortunately, it did not help much when the Melusines wanted to integrate into Fontaine's human society. This led to several altercations, such as the one with Carole.

At that moment, a Melusine entered his office: Sedene. He was surprised to see her unsubtly pushing Escoffier inside, who was carrying a huge basket from which emanated the scent of pastries and other foodstuffs. ^[6]

"What's the matter?" asked the judge in surprise. "Is it Furina's snack? It seems too much for a simple afternoon tea break."

"I was going to propose to Lady Furina that we go for a walk in the country to let her clear her head a little," Escoffier replied firmly, looking away while showing a mixture of annoyance and embarrassment. "Even if she is a goddess, it is not good for her to remain locked up in her office for so many days."

"Did you come to inform me about it? I didn't need to, but I thank you. Furina could use a break. I hope you enjoy yourselves."

"See? No problem at all," she said triumphantly to the Melusine. "And now, if you will excuse me..."

Sedene stopped her from leaving by grabbing her tail-like mechanical appendage.

"Monsieur Neuvillette, do you remember what day it is today?" Sedene asked him.

"Of course. I always know what day it is, and I consult the calendar and my diary regularly."

The Melusine slapped her forehead with her hand. The cook suppressed a condescending laugh.

"It was obvious he wasn't going to remember," Escoffier muttered.

"You two are behaving strangely. What should I remember?"

Sedene was about to speak, but Escoffier walked over to Neuvillette's desk and leaned her hands on the furniture roughly.

"If someone else has to remind you, Your Honor, then it means it is not important to you. If it were up to me, I would not even have entered your office to 'bother' you with this matter, but Sedene insisted. You can see that this is of so little value to you, that you had not even mentioned it to any of the Melusines."

"Mmm... Something I haven't told them that has to do with today…" Neuvillette thought aloud. "Are you talking about the day Furina and I were married?"

"I knew it!" exclaimed Sedene. "Monsieur Neuvillette would not have forgotten something like that!"

"So that's what it was. How did you two find out?"

"Lady Furina told me this noon. It was by chance that I found her marriage contract while I was helping her look for some documents," answered the cook, crossing her arms and without looking at the judge.

"And Escoffier told me about it when I asked her why she was going to Lady Furina's office with such a large basket. She revealed to me things about your marriage that no one knew until now…"

"Like what?"

"I did not know, and I doubt any other Melusines knew, that the marriage between you and Lady Furina was a marriage of convenience. We always thought you two were an ordinary couple, with your peculiarities."

"I am sorry that I withheld that information from you and your sisters. Please accept my apologies. I will also pass them on to the rest of the Melusines when the occasion arises."

"That is not what...!"

"«Gods gives bread to those who have no hunger.» I'm not going to waste any more time here," Escoffier muttered, snorting. Then she spoke politely to Neuvillette. "Have a good evening, Your Honor." ^[A]

The cook left, slamming the office door shut and leaving the dragon extremely confused.

"I know she doesn't particularly like me, perhaps because I don't know how to properly appreciate her culinary creations. But have I done something to make her angry?"

"Monsieur Neuvillette, do you think it is normal for someone else to spend time with Lady Furina, instead of you, on your wedding anniversary?"

"Why not? Escoffier is a friend of hers. If it makes Furina happy and helps her relax, I can only be happy about it."

"I think you are missing the point of all this... You are the one who should be going out for a walk with Lady Furina! Not Escoffier! It is your anniversary!"

"Mmm... I understand the situation, but Furina and I don't—"

"I know you have never celebrated!" Sedene paused and took a deep breath before continuing. "Monsieur Neuvillette, may I ask you a very personal question?"

"Go ahead. What do you want to know?"

"Do you love Lady Furina?"

"Of course I love Furina," he answered instantly. "She is a good partner with whom I have been co-governing Fontaine for many years."

"I do not think I phrased the question properly. I do not mean that kind of love. It is not the paternal affection you feel for us Melusines. Nor is it the fondness you have for your friends, such as Duke Wriothesley. Nor is it the appreciation you may feel for those who work for you or for the people of Fontaine. I mean the love that human couples have for each other: that love that appears in books, theater, and music."

Neuvillette remained thoughtful, while the Sedene waited anxiously for his answer.

At the beginning of his relationship with Furina, he despised her. Gradually, however, he began to tolerate her and, over time, to feel affection for her. Neuvillette felt that their current relationship was a good one, even though Furina had isolated herself for the past few months, immersed in her project. But he had never considered whether what he felt for her was what Sedene described. Not because he did not feel it, but because he had never put a name to the feeling. For him, it was something he took for granted, as dragons formed deep bonds. Furthermore, dragons and other similar creatures related to the Hydro element were known for their monogamy. Examples were the Hydro Vishaps, the Koholasaurs or the pseudodragon couple that, in recent times, reappeared to attack Liyue: Osial and Beisht. ^[7]

Although his relationship with Furina had begun out of obligation and with initial animosity, his current love for her was intense.

"I love Furina. I say it with complete sincerity, and in every way you can imagine."

"You do not know how glad I am to hear that," Sedene smiled after letting out a big sigh of relief.

After saying that, the Melusine walked to the office door and pushed it open.

"What are you doing?"

"I was going to ask you the same question," she replied with her hands firmly on her hips. "Go to Lady Furina's office right now and ask her to spend the rest of the day with you!"

"But I haven't finished my work yet. And I don't know if Furina will want to—"

"Work is always your excuse, Monsieur Neuvillette! You have nothing urgent to do. And both you and Lady Furina need to take a break."

At her insistence, Neuvillette had to accept and went to Furina's office, where Escoffier was already.

"You have also come to insist that I leave my office?"

"Furina, would you like to go for a walk with me?"

Escoffier did not hide her displeasure.

"You too? I'm in demand today," said Furina sarcastically. "Let me guess: it was her idea?" she sighed, looking at Sedene. "Neuvillette, I know Melusines are your weakness, but you don't have to do everything they ask you to do."

"Actually, I don't care if you are accompanied by Escoffier or me, but I support the idea that you should go out and relax for a while."

Furina stared at Neuvillette. Then she closed her eyes for a moment and lowered her gaze, as she let out a deep sigh of disappointment. The only one who didn't notice why was Neuvillette. Sedene wailed behind him, and Escoffier tried to encourage the goddess.

"Would it be all right for us to have the picnic on the beach? I know a place where a group of Blubberbeasts usually rests at this time of day."

"It sounds tempting, but..." she shook her head. "You seem to forget who I am: I am Foçalors, the Hydro Archon, the acclaimed goddess of Fontaine. I have no need to rest as assiduously as humans or other creatures. I prefer to stay here and continue working on my project."

"That is the opposite of what you have always demanded of Monsieur Neuvillette!"

"Calm down, Sedene," said Neuvillette. "Furina, I know I'm not the best example, and I understand that your project is very important, but you must also know when to stop and not forget to take care of yourself. And if all that is not reason enough... Please, Furina, I ask this as a personal favor."

Furina knew that nothing she could say would dissuade any of the three of them, so she got up from her seat.

"If you insist so much, come with me. You could use some time out too," she said to Neuvillette, and walked past her before stopping at the door. Then he looked at the chef. "I'm sorry, Escoffier, can we postpone your plan for another day?"

"Do not worry about me, Lady Furina." She walked over to Neuvillette and pushed the basket against him, without looking at him. "The idea was for you to relax. I prepared this menu with that in mind."

Escoffier left the Palais with a feeling of complete defeat.

For their part, the couple walked in silence toward the countryside outside the Court of Fontaine. When they crossed the city walls, Furina spoke at last.

"I'm sorry that you were forced to do such a thing just today. I know you did it to please Sedene. And I will have to have a serious talk with Escoffier. It's my fault for having left that contract anywhere; no one should have ever seen it."

"Actually, I rather like the idea of doing something together after all this time."

"Rather, what you needed was to get out of your office," she disagreed, refusing to believe him. "And I guess I did too. Anyway, what's done is done. Since this is all my fault, you should choose where we go. "

Although he was a little disappointed by Furina's answer, Neuvillette preferred not to comment on it and thought of a place he would like to go.

"Loch Urania. It's been a while since I last visited the Vishaps of the Erinnyes. If I'm not mistaken, you've never introduced yourself to them."

«I'm surprised at that choice. And that he didn't choose Merusea Village. It's obvious he'd rather be with his own than alone with me on a day like today. Does he even understand the concept of celebrating a wedding anniversary? Well, who cares... It's my fault for expecting otherwise...»

"I've always stayed out of their territory," Furina said. "That was one of the agreements we signed when we got married, remember? That I would cede a Fontaine territory where the Vishaps could thrive and humans would be restricted from entering, as well as that there 'the hand of the Hydro Archon would not reach'." ^[8]

"But that clause referred to the territory being outside Fontaine's jurisdiction, just like the Fortress of Meropide. I didn't think you took it personally."

"Faced with the possibility of breaking our agreement over a simple misinterpretation, I preferred not to risk it."

«Besides, even if you don't want to admit it now or don't remember it, I know that that demand was literal.»

"In any case, I'm sure they will be glad to meet you, Furina."

It was evening when Furina and Neuvillette arrived on the shores of Loch Urania, with its characteristic imposing vortex forming a column of water with a bubble at the top. There they saw a small group of Hydro Vishaps; some were resting on the shore, while others were swimming absentmindedly.

One in particular stood out among them that no one would say was a Vishap, for it looked completely like a Melusine and was even dressed. When that Vishap sensed the couple's presence, she eagerly ran to where they were. Behind her came a common Vishap, who approached calmly and cautiously. ^[9]

The Melusine Vishap began to speak to Neuvillette with a mixture of gestures and guttural sounds, something only Vishaps and other similar species, such as the Natlan Saurians, understood. Neuvillette, on the other hand, spoke to him in the draconic language, a language that allowed dragons to communicate with any intelligent species and eliminate language barriers. However, he was not fully proficient in it, so he sometimes had trouble understanding what the Vishaps meant. ^[10]

After a brief conversation, the Melusine Vishap turned her attention to Furina, looking at her curiously.

"Ah... New visitor? That visitor, pahsiv!"

"Oh, can she speak common language?"

"I've taught her some basics, but she's still far from being able to speak fluently. But I have faith that one day she will," Neuvillette said proudly.

"Pahsiv! Knowledge, ka-pow. Language, wisdom... lots of."

"She is a very special Vishap, not only because of her looks and her ability to speak a complex vocal language, but also because she is in charge of protecting the Erinnyes together with her partner," added Neuvillette.

"Erinnyes, pahsiv, protect! " She pointed to Furina. "New visitor, Erinnyes, look."

"Yes, I've seen you on the borders of the Vishaps' territory too," Furina affirmed. "I hope my presence did not disturb you or yours. If it did, I apologize."

"Melusine! New visitor, good thing. That visitor, good thing."

"I must say I find it amusing that to deny she use 'Melusine' and to affirm she use the term 'vishap' backwards."

"Pahsiv, pahsiv! Melusine, Melusine!" the Vishap exclaimed in annoyance.

"Perhaps I'm partly to blame for that," Neuvillette acknowledged with a slight laugh. "I admit that the first time I saw her I thought she was a stray Melusine."

"I knew that dragons had the ability to evolve at an accelerated rate, especially those associated with the Hydro element. But it's fascinating how they can change their anatomy so much in just one generation."

"I guess that happened to me, too..." he sighed, looking down at his own body and touching the stone that adorned his necklace. "I don't know the circumstances of my birth. I know that there are humans descended from Vishaps who evolved to take human form. But I only remember waking up in this form, as an adult dragon, and with this gem as my only possession."

"Yes..." She looked away. "You told me about it a long time ago..."

As she made that gesture, her gaze fell on the huge Vishap that was also present. He returned it with suspicion and observed it carefully. In a way, that Vishap reminded him of Neuvillette, for their eyes were similar.

"Your companion keeps examining me," Furina said to the Melusine Vishap. "Is there a problem with me?"

"Melusine! Blue thing, question."

"Just that? And what does he want to know?"

"That visitor, pahsiv. New visitor, pahsiv?"

"No... I'm not... a dragon."

"She's my wife," Neuvillette interjected, surprising Furina with his answer.

"Ah? Wife?" asked the Vishap, tilting her head in confusion.

Seeing that the Melusine Vishap did not understand the word in common language, Neuvillette explained the concept to her in the draconic language. At this, the Vishap's eyes lit up, she approached Furina and exclaimed:

«We are the same! We both have mates bigger than us!»

Furina could no longer ignore what she heard, and laughter escaped her at that comparison. She had been hiding it: she was able to speak draconic language, and better than Neuvillette.

"Did you... understand what she said?" Neuvillette asked in amazement.

«Can she talk to us, even if she is not a dragon or descendant? That is great! Did you teach her like you did me?» asked the Melusine Vishap.

"No... In fact, I didn't know you knew the draconic language, Furina. Why didn't you tell me?"

"It just didn't come up," she replied, trying to downplay the matter. "We have always spoken to each other in the common tongue. Besides..." she sighed and looked away. "I know the implications of knowing the draconic language."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about, Neuvillette. The draconic language does not consist of sounds and gestures like most languages: it involves a mental connection between the speakers, as well as knowledge that was once reserved only for dragons, so it is almost impossible for a creature without draconic blood to learn your language."

"That's right, you are very well informed, Furina. But you have not answered my question."

"Since you insist, I'll answer you with another question: do you remember what you were like five hundred years ago?"

"What has that got to do with—?"

"Wouldn't your me of that time have considered it an insult to speak to you in the language of your lineage?" she continued before he could finish asking his question.

Neuvillette remained silent, which proved Furina right.

"I have changed over time... I don't share all the ideas and feelings I had back then."

"Good to know..." she sighed, uncomfortable, not knowing what else to say to end the conversation.

"When did you learn the draconic language?" Neuvillette asked with genuine interest, ignoring what Furina wanted to avoid.

"It was a long time ago... Before even the time Egeria... was locked up."

«I am familiar with that name. She is from the same time as Scylla, the Prince who ruled the descendants of the dragons born of the water, our ancestors, long after the ancient Hydro Dragon Sovereign perished,» the male Vishap commented.

"I have heard of him in legends of Fontaine. In them it is related that Scylla guarded the prison where Egeria was confined," added Neuvillette, turning his attention to Furina once more. "Come to think of it, you've never told me much about her. I know more about Egeria from legends, books and plays than from you, her successor and once one of her Oceanid familiars."

"I don't like to stir up the past, that's all," she insisted, withdrawing further into herself. "Besides, as contradictory as it may sound, even though she later chose me as her successor, we had already grown very distant. In fact, until she died, I hadn't returned to Fontaine since she became Hydro Archon."

"Were you on a trip? I have heard that Egeria sent many Oceanids to spread throughout Teyvat, though I don't know the purpose." ^[11]

"Yes... " she sighed. "I traveled long before and after she was appointed Hydro Archon..."

"And despite the distance between you, Egeria entrusted you with her position."

"That didn't sit well with Rhodeia, one of the most powerful and famous of the Oceanids." She stretched out her arms, pointing at the landscape, and looked at Neuvillette with a sad smile. "As you have seen over the centuries, the rest of the Oceanids didn't like my appointment either, and left Fontaine never to return."

"It's something that, to this day, I can't understand. Why did they do it? I could understand that some of them, like Rhodeia, resented you out of envy. But that all of them decided to leave, when during Egeria's reign they reached a privileged position, is unusual."

"Let's say that they didn't like me..."

"Furina, if you don't want to tell me, I won't pressure you."

After a moment of silence that felt like an eternity, Furina finally confessed.

"Egeria exiled me from Fontaine."

"How? Why did she do it?" he asked dumbfounded. "According to historical records, before the construction of the Fortress of Meropide, that's what she did with—"

"Criminals," she finished the sentence. "Yes, that is the main reason why the other Oceanids despised me. I committed a crime, and Egeria punished me for it."

"What did you do that Egeria condemned you to banishment for so long?"

"Does it matter anymore? Or was the honorable Iudex of Fontaine worried about the image he would give if people learned that his wife, the very God of Justice herself, was a banished criminal?"

"Of course not. If she were, she would not have a close relationship with Wriothesley, Sigewinne and other Melusines who have been prosecuted over the centuries."

"They are not the Hydro Archon."

"More reason not to reject you."

"Ha ha ha! You're not being impartial right now, Neuvillette?"

"No. You've already served your sentence, and you were pardoned by your own judge: Egeria. I accept that you don't want to talk about what you did, and that won't change the image I have of you, Furina."

"It must be pretty bad, then."

"What?" he almost exclaimed, shocked. "That's not what I meant."

"I don't care, Neuvillette. I've long since grown accustomed to being despised."

"Furina, you misunderstood my words. I didn't—"

"Stop it," she interrupted him, "I don't want to talk about it anymore..." She looked at the pair of Vishaps. "Besides, they are waiting for you. You shouldn't ignore them any longer."

After saying those words, Furina started walking away from the lake.

"Where are you going?"

"This whole charade of 'celebrating' our wedding anniversary was Sedene's idea. I'd better get back to my office and use the time to continue my project. You, meanwhile, can enjoy the company of your loved ones in peace. I hope you like the food Escoffier prepared, it would be a shame to waste it."

As Furina walked away, the sky became covered with thick clouds and, soon after, it began to rain.

A week had passed since that unfortunate excursion to Loch Urania. Furina had been deliberately avoiding Neuvillette, to the point that she did not even attend the trials at Opera Epiclese. During that week, it rained at times every day.

But on that day, Furina finally decided to take the next step. The project she had been involved in was meant to prepare everything so that, when she disappeared, she would leave no unfinished business.

But there was one that she wanted to tackle sooner rather than later: ending her marriage to Neuvillette.

When Sedene saw her approach Neuvillette's office, the Melusine could not hide her excitement, thinking that they were going to solve their problems. Furina gave her a forced smile at the sight of her, clenched the papers in her hand tightly, and then opened the door to the Iudex's office.

"Are you busy?" she asked, closing the door behind her.

Seeing her enter, Neuvillette showed excitement in his eyes, something rarely seen in him, and stopped what he was doing to attend to her. However, she realized he was busy with a case.

"I thought you didn't have a trial scheduled tomorrow."

"They assigned it to me at the last minute. Judge Loysel has asked to delay a trial that had already been postponed earlier for the same reason: his ill health. But one of the parties involved has demanded that it be held on the scheduled date, as they will soon be moving to another nation. As none of the other judges could handle this case due to incompatibility of schedules, I have had to accept it." ^{[12] [13]}

"Loysel? That man is a decrepit old man who should have retired long ago. He will have to be put on forced retirement. We can't let his obsession with clinging to his office affect the entire Fontaine judicial system," she sighed in annoyance, distracted for a moment. "What's the case about?"

"A divorce."

Furina regretted asking.

"Well... I see you're quite busy," she said, turning to leave. "I'll let you work in peace."

"It's not a complex case. I can go over the reports later," he insisted, not hiding his urgency to make her stay. Then he looked at Furina's pile of papers. "What are those papers?"

"Nothing important, it can wait for another day," she denied, trying to divert his attention. "It's just something for you to read and sign."

"Then leave them on my desk, and I'll go through them when I'm done with the case I'm working on."

"It isn't something you can, or rather, should sign if I'm not present..."

"Why not? You said it wasn't a big deal."

"For all practical purposes, it's not. But it is a... delicate matter. It's best to deal with it when you're not busy."

"Furina." He held out his hand. "Give me those papers, please."

Knowing she had no escape, Furina handed the sheets to Neuvillette. He sat down in his desk chair, and as soon as he saw the cover of the document, his gaze hardened.

"What does this mean?"

"Our marriage was originally arranged to secure an armistice between Celestia and the Dragon Sovereigns after the catastrophe of Khaenri'ah. Now, after centuries of peace, there is no reason to maintain this sham of a marriage that was always political in nature," Furina said earnestly, then flashed him a forced smile. "I know you have always resented me for being an Archon and retaining your stolen authority. After our divorce, you will be free and no longer bound to me…" She looked into Neuvillette's eyes, seeing his pupils constricted and an expression she had never seen on him before. "Neuvillette?" ^[14]

The moment she pronounced his name, it began to rain heavily. Neuvillette rose from his seat, rigid, and without taking his eyes off Furina. He walked and stood in front of her, looking directly into her eyes.

"Why?"

"What is the point of that question? Did I not just explain the reasons?"

"Your arguments are fallacious."

"Oh, are they? Tell me, where did I go wrong?"

"How dare you assert with such conviction that I do not love you?"

Furina began to laugh, which annoyed Neuvillette.

"Are you making fun of me? Do you think it is funny?"

"No, not at all. It is just that I had not taken into account that you have a draconic hoarding instinct. I guess I am just another possession to you. Our divorce is going to be more complicated than I thought."

"I will not deny that I consider you part of my treasure, but not in the sense you are suggesting. Why is it so hard for you to accept that I love you?" ^[B]

"In what sense? I an not clear what you mean when you say you love me. I would like to think that, apart from partners, we are friends. But I do not see that there is anything else in our relationship."

"I love you as a husband should love his wife."

"Ha! Let me doubt it. When have you ever shown me such love?"

"Have I not?" he asked, trying to appear firm, but unable to hide the doubt and concern that assailed him."

"No! Neuvillette, in all the years we have been married, you have had more gestures of physical affection with the Melusines than with me. Anyone who watched us for any length of time, and was not biased by social prejudice or the fact that we are married, would say that we are just close friends. We sleep in separate rooms, and have not even consummated our marriage." ^[15]

"Oh... Does all that bother you?"

"Of course! Neuvillette, if I knew that, because of your draconic nature, you were incapable of feeling certain things, I would not be questioning you right now. I will give as an example the hypothetical case that you did not feel any kind of sexual desire: I would understand and accept it. The problem is that I know you do not, and yet you have chosen to ignore me all these centuries."

"I admit that I have had occasional sexual urges. Is that what you mean?"

"Outside of your rutting period?"

"Yes," he replied, then realized the detail. "Wait a moment, how do you know that?"

"So it is even worse than I imagined. You find me so disgusting that you not only have hidden from me the fact that you go into rut approximately every hundred years, but also that you have felt sexual desire outside that period," she reproached him with restrained rage. "Do you think I am an idiot? A couple of weeks before the beginning of your mating season, you always asked for several days off to leave Fontaine and spend your 'vacation' in another nation. You! You, who never ask for time off! Only those required by law! And I know you have not kept it a secret, because at least Sedene and Sigewinne know about it!" ^[16]

"Furina, I have never been unfaithful to you, if that is what you are thinking."

"That... I do not care..." she lied, feeling some relief, though irrelevant at the time. "I would even see it as normal, given the nature of our marriage. We never signed a fidelity clause."

"Are you implying that you have been? Is that why you want a divorce?" he accused her, with a hint of possessiveness, then sadness. "Is there someone else?"

"What?! No! Neuvillette, that is not the problem!"

"Then what is?" he spoke in a deep voice, in a way that could be interpreted as suggestive, directly into her ear. "If you want me to show my love for you so much, I will take you to my bedroom right now and show you how much—"

Before he could finish his proposal, Furina slapped him away. Neuvillette, dumbfounded, looked at her with wide eyes as he put a hand to his cheek.

"The audacity to suggest that I go to your room... When in all these centuries I have never set foot in it, at your demand!"

"What are you talking about?" At that moment, he remembered. "Oh... Furina, that was a long time ago, when we had just got married."

"Really?! I seem to remember that time much better than you do."

"I am beginning to understand that you have been holding a grudge against me for my behavior during the first century of our marriage. But I have changed, I am not the same as I was back then."

"You say you have changed? Yes, compared to how you were back then, it is obvious that you have. But you have never taken it all back, you just put it out of your memory!"

"Furina... " he knelt down, imploringly. "I regret everything I said and did at that time. I know now that I hurt you and that I took a lot of things for granted over the years. I have realized that I never made the effort to show you my love openly. I also have a lot to clarify. Please, Furina, give me another chance."

"No, Neuvillette... It is too late," she said, looking away and heading for the door. "Too late." She put a hand on the doorknob, turning her back on him. "I do not understand why it matters so much to you that we should divorce, when four hundred years ago we were on the point of doing so. Only, on that occasion, we were in opposite positions, and it was you who threatened to separate us. You should be happy because you finally got your wish."

"Furina..." he called out to her in desperation, getting up on slightly shaky legs as the rain outside intensified.

"If you read the pre-agreement carefully, you will see that the only thing that will change is our marital status. I will not break any of the deals we made when we got married and we will each keep our positions and roles. There will be no consequences for Fontaine. However, I am willing to accept reasonable demands in compensation for having wasted all these years on you. I only ask that you do not drag this process out any longer than necessary."

As Furina left the room, Neuvillette walked slowly to his desk chair, plopped down in it and stared at the table and his own divorce papers. The storm of emotions he felt at that moment was matched only by the tempest raging against Fontaine.

What did you think of this first chapter? The first of eighteen. This story is already completely written, but, as I post chapters, I may make changes to the next chapters before uploading them, depending on what information is revealed in new Genshin Impact updates.

In the notes at the end of each chapter, there will be several sections:

• Author's notes: general comments on the content of the chapter.
• References: references and inspirations drawn from Genshin Impact events and lore, as well as promotional material. Also fun facts and other references that I used to write the chapter or that are related to it.
• Glossary: explanation of phrases and terms used, for which I did not find an equivalent in English that keeps the meaning as faithful as possible to the original intention in Spanish or to explain nuances that were lost in translation.

This fic I started writing during version 5.4 and, with the new updates that came out, I've refined some details and added things that, surprisingly, almost all contributed and hardly contradicted what I had in mind beforehand.

Or they gave more 'flavor' to the story. For example, the inclusion of Escoffier (who came out in 5.6) caused me to change scenes in this chapter and add others in the following ones. Originally, it was Sedene who found the marriage contract, and the scene was simpler.

Why do I take canon so seriously? Well... You thought it was just another Neuvifuri fic, but it was me, a crazy lorecrafter idea! Obviously, it's still fanfic and, as such, fiction outside of canon. But, apart from entertaining you and me, the purpose of this fic is to serve as an extensive theory narrated as a story, with its artistic licenses and taking as a base the ship that stars in this story, since it has a lot of potential in terms of possible lore related to them.

A bit like the fiction inside Genshin Impact, which holds a truth and data that the Irminsul cannot rewrite.

In addition to working with canon lore to a large extent, this fanfic is built on certain premises, some of them already specified in the fic's tags.

The most important one is that Furina did not split, which affects the way she acts in the face of plot events by possessing all her memories and power (Foçalors). From now on, when I talk about the complete character (Furina + Foçalors), I will generally refer to her as 'Focarina', except when talking about the canon, where I will tend to use 'Furina'. Obviously, the fact that Focarina and Neuvillette have been married since the beginning of their co-rule of Fontaine plays a role.

The order in which events occur in Teyvat is slightly different. Changes and details to consider would be:

• The Traveler (Lumine, in this case) would have gone earlier to Natlan than to Fontaine. The order would be: Mondstadt » Liyue » Inazuma » Sumeru » Natlan » Fontaine.
• The fifth quest of the Traveler (A Bedtime Story) would occur shortly after the fourth (Caribert), still in the year of Sumeru. This implies that the Traveler does not think about whether Vedrfolnir is the one who made the plates of Fontaine's prophecy... at that point in history.
• The summer events of Simulanka and Veluriyam Mirage exchange position, that is, year. In Simulanka it would be the first time that the Traveler and Navia meet, as if you had played that event before doing Fontaine's main quest.
• The Easybreeze Holiday Resort event (quest) happens in the same summer as Veluriyam Mirage, but in different months, before going to Fontaine. Let's just say that Klee was left wanting to go to a place like the resort because of Bennett and Venti's stories, and Alice quickly stepped in. The order would be: Easybreeze Holiday Resort (June) » Veluriyam Mirage (July) » arrival at Fontaine (August).
• The first act of Song of the Welkin Moon has not happened, otherwise Lumine would have been tempted to go to Nod Krai before Fontaine.
• As is obvious, the temporary events that have been in Fontaine (Roses and Muskets, Whirling Waltz, Tracing Vanishing Trails, etc.) would not have happened yet. The same applies to the Lantern Rite of 2025 (Springtime Charms), as it takes place after the events in Fontaine, having swapped the year with Natlan.
• Obviously, some events or quests suffer slight changes due to not having gone to Fontaine. For example, the epilogue of the 2024 Lantern Rite (Vibrant Harriers Aloft in Spring Breeze) would not happen.
• Barring these changes, all story quests, hangouts, world quests and temporary events would have occurred as normal in their respective nation and/or year, excluding those that happen in Fontaine. The exceptions are those that depend on the completion of the last act of Fontaine's main plot to make sense (such as, for example, Skirk's quest).

What is the reason for these changes?

I wanted to reflect a perspective of how Fontaine's plot could have been with, besides the change in Focarina and her relationship with Neuvillette, the information given to us by Natlan (although I will also include data from Nod Krai, not directly referenced in the plot, but in the notes). And, although it may not seem like it, several of those data could be related to Fontaine in some way.

After this introduction to The Great Lie of Fontaine, I leave you with the references of this chapter.

[1] I believe that the laws of Egeria have not been touched, since one of them sent Sigewinne to the Fortress of Meropide. In subsequent chapters, I will be addressing how I think Fontaine's legal system might work and its implications.

[2] Speaking of laws, Fontaine has some that, at first glance, do not seem to make sense. But as you saw, I found some logic in them.

The one about bivalves is really surprising if you think about it, considering that Furina canonically knows a lot about hydrology.

The tomato sauce one I'm not clear on why, but I took advantage of it for this story as part of the fiction itself. Although it might have something behind it like the law that forbids taking Poisson Seafood Soup (a Fontaine recipe) to places where it would be undesirable to spill it. This law is mentioned by Elphane in one of his dialogues on the aquabus.

The one that prohibits flying objects during the first three days of the month in urban areas, would be explained thanks to what was seen in the temporary event Whirling Waltz. There, Cacucu is imprisoned to decide whether to consider him a flying object or not (a joke about the absurd bureaucracy in Fontaine). The Palais Mermonia employees mention that precisely the first days of the month are very busy. And taking into account that an airship stops over that place (map exploration); someone thought of making a fire show with terrible consequences (one of the Fontaine's news boards); or that a madman tried to sneak into Furina's suite (Sedene comments it); well, I wouldn't be surprised if that law exists for a reason similar to the one I used for this fic.

[3] That Focarina used Snapdragon to make omurice is a reference to a promotional content by Escoffier, where she teaches Furina how to make this recipe. Despite her initial clumsiness in making it, Furina ends up throwing that ingredient into the recipe, which surprises Escoffier because it improves the recipe.

[4] This is simple context for this story: Focarina, during her travels in Teyvat, would have invented or reinvented at least one recipe from each nation. I will give you two clues: they are recipes that have some link with France (or another of the countries that Fontaine encompasses) and they all have sugar as an ingredient.

Genshin Impact's omurice has sugar in it, as do some real variants, but the traditional egg omelets are neutral or salty in flavor.

But that's how Ei likes it. It's something that is intuited by Kujou Sara's special recipe, Faith Eternal (a tamagoyaki), where it's said that she does not prepare it to her taste, but to 'someone else's' taste. It's even classified more as a dessert than a main dish.

[5] 12 June is a special date for the Neuvifuri fandom. In 2024, an official promotional art of Furina playing TCG with Neuvillette was released. And in 2025, a Skirk-centric animated short, Star Odyssey, where no one expected those two to appear. It just so happens that 12 June is the Dia dos Namorados (equivalent to Valentine's Day) in Brazil.

[6] The fact that Escoffier wanted to have a picnic for Focarina is based on Navia's dialogue about Escoffier, where she says that even an outing to the countryside with the cook seems like a luxury dinner.

[7] The statement about Hydro dragons being monogamous has a reason to be.

In the case of the Hydro Vishaps, it 'happens' that the world boss of the area where we first see them, Enkanomiya, are two Hydro Vishaps (mutants) fighting together. All the dual bosses in Genshin (as of publishing this chapter) would be pairs: Bathysmal Vishap Herd, Icewind Suite and The Game Before the Gate.

In the case of the Koholasaurs, one can intuit that they form breeding pairs for several reasons.

The first, in the People of the Springs quest chain, it is mentioned that Koholasaurs do not usually form large groups, which could imply small ones: pair with their offspring.

Then there is the environmental narrative. Throughout Natlan not infrequently two Koholasaurs are seen together or with young. If they get close enough to the young of any Saurians, even if the adult is not very close (up to a certain limit distance) it reacts aggressively along with its entire family. If two react, it is probably because they are both parents. Thus, gathering details between the map and the quests, the Saurians would have two reproductive strategies:

• Biparental: Koholasaurs, Tepetlisaurs and perhaps Tatankasaurs.
• Uniparental: Qucusaurs, Yumkasaurs and perhaps Iktomisaurs.

It should be clarified that there would be exceptions and that much information is lacking. There are not always two adults (one may have gone foraging) and sometimes in supposedly uniparental species there are two adults or more (the latter also in biparental cases) protecting the young. Although those individuals could be other relatives of the offspring, as is the case with the Chasca's family of Qucusaurs.

Aside from this, I have a theory that Saurians have a personality similar to that of the Dragon Sovereign of their respective element. The Koholasaurs (which would have been the first Saurians to be 'domesticated'; the Yumkasaurs, the last), according to a bulletin board in the People of the Springs, are:

Dear guests, remember not to provoke the Koholasaurs, whether young or mature, if you do not have any experience in communicating with them! Don't be fooled by their calm nature and their preference for being sedentary in the springs. They can be quite the slow starters when it comes to new friends. Feeding them stimulating foods or trying to get close too early might scare them away, and they might either avoid you in the future or politely refuse contact.

Yes, that sounds very Neuvillette.

Finally, about Osial and Beisht I don't need to say anything, do I?

The point I'm getting at is that the Hydro element plays a lot with duality, as is the case with the Arkhe with Pneuma and Ousia. Perhaps it is inspired by the constellation Pisces? Who knows.

[8] The area where the Hydro Vishaps inhabit is restricted to people (Lumine/Aether go where they want). On one of the Fontaine boards, a person has a conspiracy theory about the existence of Vishaps in Fontaine and accuses Neuvillette and Furina of hiding it, but nobody believes them. It's funny because, although the map is not to any real scale, you only have to go a little way off the road leading to the Opera Epiclese, and there they are, not that they're hiding much.

[9] Pahsiv would not be a Melusine, but an evolved Vishap. The clues would be in the world quest where she appears, as well as her being the only 'Melusine' who does not know how to speak. Why she would have mutated could be due to the fact that Neuvillette considers the Melusines both her own kin and successors, as a new species of extraordinary Hydro Vishaps. Pahsiv's parents would have taken that claim very seriously. But how can they evolve like that? The answer lies in exploring and doing Enkanomiya quests, as well as The Byakuyakoku Collection book and the Three Realms Gateway Offering event. Also Neuvillette has a dialogue about it.

The Hydro Vishap that appears in Pahsiv's quest and has a link to her could be a family member, friend or perhaps her mate.

[10] The draconic language appears in Natlan's quests related to Little One (the little Tepetlisaur), explaining how it works in A Finale Emberforged. This language allows the one who knows it to be able to talk to their listener and understand them back, as long as he belongs to an 'intelligent species'. It is similar to telepathy and during Natlan's quests, Kukulkan communicates that way.

Neuvillette could partially use that power or have a similar ability, as seen with Cacucu in the Whirling Waltz event, but would not master it.

[11] During the conversation he has with Lumine/Aether after the graveyard scene, Neuvillette mentions that Furina traveled looking for answers to the prophecy. This does not make sense, as Furina would not have been able to leave Fontaine in five hundred years because of the threat of the prophecy and to maintain her role. However, she could have done so before she ascended as an archon, as Foçalors said she spent a lot of time searching for an answer against the prophecy.

[12] Although it seems that many people realized this at the Whirling Waltz event, Neuvillette is not the only Fontaine judge and not all trials are public. This is known from 4.0, as a woman in front of Chioriya Boutique mentions to another that her husband is a judge; and Aeval, when talking about Opera Epiclese, says 'public trials', implying that not all are.

[13] Loysel is a reference to Antoine Loysel, a jurist known for having compiled the general principles of the old French common law between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

[14] For this paragraph on the divorce scene, I relied on the mini-comic by an artist on Twitter, who unfortunately deleted their account, and with it, the images. You can follow them at BlueSky and they also has an account here AO3, where they has posted fanfics.

[15] On a legal level, in past times a marriage could be dissolved both by law and by the Church if it was not consummated; otherwise, it was not possible.

On the other hand, in many countries there were so-called 'conjugal duties', which included the obligation to have regular sexual relations. These regulations were particularly detrimental to women, since their husbands could legally force them to have relations, incurring violations that were not recognized as such.

In the specific case of France, the doctrine of conjugal duties has persisted in case-law until very recently, and as of 2025, its continued presence in the Civil Code and practice remains under scrutiny. In fact, the ECHR has condemned France for its treatment of marital duty, and other organizations have long issued warnings and criticism on the same issue.

[16] Mandatorily, those who work for the Maison Gardiennage have a minimum number of vacation days that they must take before the end of the year. That is the reason Chevreuse appears in a Lantern Rite event of 2025 (Springtime Charms), as she was forced to use all of her unspent vacation days. This makes me think that Neuvillette might also be subject to this rule.

[A] The expression «Dios da pan a quien no tiene hambre/dientes» ('God gives bread to those who have no hunger/teeth'), along with its variations, is used in Spanish with irony to refer to someone who cannot make use of the riches or benefits they receive. It's similar in meaning to the biblical phrase «pearls before swine», which also exists in Spanish.

In this case, I chose to translate the phrase literally for several reasons:

• Obviously, to use an expression that isn't a direct insult to Neuvillette.
• Escoffier is a cook, and the reference to bread fits her character more naturally.
• Escoffier's 'hunger' is... well, you can probably guess what kind it is.

[B] In the original Spanish fanfic, I usually use 'amar' ('to love', but dramatic) instead of 'querer' (the closest equivalent would be 'to love' or 'to care', but English doesn't really have a direct counterpart), but this short dialogue is the exception. I do this mostly for dramatic effect, as in Spanish, 'amar' someone implies a deeper, more passionate kind of love. Generally, 'querer' is the more common verb used to express love of any kind. The intensity of 'te amo' is much more dramatic in Spanish than 'te quiero' (in both cases, 'i love you').