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Furina pulled Neuvillette behind a pillar at the Opera and kissed him.
Neuvillette, surprised, dropped his cane and leaned into her, his eyes closed to deep the kiss
Hidden in the shadows, Charlotte aimed her Camera at the couple.
Flash!
The couple didn't even notice. They were too busy.
The next morning, the Steambird headline screamed: "The Iudex and the Actress: Caught in the Act!"
Furina saw the paper at breakfast and choked on her Macaroni.
Neuvillette simply stared at the photo, wondering how to legally redefine "privacy" in a courtroom.
Furina slammed the newspaper down and laughed. "Hah! Let them look! We weren't hiding anyway!"
Neuvillette paused his tea, looking surprised. "You are not upset by the public scandal, Lady Furina?"
"Upset? It's free publicity!" she said, leaning back. "Everyone in Fontaine knows we’re together. This just proves I have the best taste in men!"
Neuvillette let out a small sigh of relief. "Very well. I shall cancel the legal lawsuit against Charlotte then."
"Don't do that," Furina smirked. "Just tell her to send me a high-quality print for my bedroom wall."
Weeks Later
Furina pulled Neuvillette into a quiet corner. "You look too serious," she teased, tugging on his blue outfit.
Neuvillette leaned down, his voice low. "I was merely thinking of you."
Furina didn't wait for him to finish. A smile played on her lips as she leaned closer.
Neuvillette watched her, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. He reached out and gently touched her soft hair.
Flash!
Charlotte snapped the photo from behind a vase, grinning at the perfect shot.
Furina pulled back, flushed and smiling. "Let her take it," she whispered, looking at Neuvillette’s surprised face. "I want everyone to see who you belong to."
Furina looked at the photo and smirked. She remembered why she did it.
Days ago, Furina watched a group of ladies crowd around Neuvillette at a party. They were giggling and touching his arm while "asking for legal advice."
Neuvillette was oblivious, but Furina was fuming with jealousy. “They need to know he’s mine,” she hissed.
"You aren't mad about the Steambird scandal?" Neuvillette asked.
"Mad? No!" Furina laughed. "Those women were getting too close. Now that they've seen us kissing, they know you're taken."
Neuvillette blinked, finally realizing. "You were jealous of the water purity discussion?"
I don't care what you were talking about!" she chirped. "The photo is a perfect 'Keep Away' sign."
Neuvillette watched Furina’s smug face and thought she was adorable. If she wanted a "show" to keep others away, he would give her one.
He suddenly lifted Furina onto a desk and leaned in close, pinning her against the wood.
"If we are to be a scandal," he murmured, "we should be thorough."
He began slowly pulling off his gloves with his teeth, staring intensely into her eyes. Furina’s brain melted
She let out a strangled squeak and accidentally kicked a stack of legal documents into the air.
Around the corner, Charlotte raised her Camera. She saw the flying papers, Neuvillette’s untied look and Furina’s wild hair. It looked way too "spicy" for a public hallway.
"Oh, Archons! That’s... too much! I can't look!" Charlotte yelped, her face turning purple.
She lowered her camera and ran away, too embarrassed to take the shot.
Neuvillette stepped back and smoothed his hair. "She has left. Was that 'spicy' enough for your plan, Furina?"
Furina sat on the desk, face steaming like a chili. "You... you are a terrifying man."
Days Later
Charlotte hid her face, her mind racing. She imagined the Chief Justice was a "beast of passion" who had used Hydro powers to lock the doors for a wild desk encounter.
"The gloves... the flying legal files... it’s too much!" she squeaked.
She was sure if she had stayed, she’d have seen something illegal.
She pushed her Camera away, too embarrassed to develop the film.
"I can't publish this," she whimpered. "The Steambird would be shut down!"
Charlotte squeezed her eyes shut, trying to forget the Glove Incident.
She took a shortcut through the archives, staring at her boots to avoid seeing anything "spicy."
Suddenly, she heard Furina gasp, "Oh! Neuvillette! It’s so... much larger than I expected! I can't breathe!"
Charlotte tripped, crashing through the door. She saw Neuvillette pinned against Furina, his shirt sleeves rolled up, sweating and panting.
Furina’s hair was a mess, and she was clutching his shoulders, her skirt hitched up.
"I'M MOVING TO NOD KRAI!" Charlotte shrieked, sprinting away in pure embarrassment.
In reality, Neuvillette was just struggling to lift a massive, leaking emergency water tank onto a high shelf.
He stood there, soaked and holding the heavy metal jug, while Furina tried to fix her dress.
"She definitely misunderstood that," Furina groaned, burying her face in her hands.
Neuvillette looked at the spilled water and sighed. "I believe The Steambird will have a very interesting headline tomorrow."
Charlotte slumped against the wall, her face burning. She buried her eyes in her hands, her Camera feeling like lead.
"All I wanted was a sweet scoop!" she whimpered. "A photo of them holding hands at Hotel Debord or a cute, innocent kiss by the Fountain of Lucine. Just a normal, loving couple act for The Steambird!"
Instead, her mind was stuck on the "Archive Incident." The heavy breathing and Furina’s gasping about "size" made her ears steam.
Later At Night Time
Charlotte walked into the office, bowing so low her hat nearly fell off. "I am so sorry! I pushed too hard and ignored your privacy just for a headline!"
She looked at her Camera and sighed. "I deleted the 'Archive' photos. I couldn't even look at them without wanting to jump into the sea! I promise, no more scandals!"
Furina laughed, waving her hand. "Oh, Charlotte, it’s fine! That first photo of us kissing was fabulous. I looked like a star!"
Neuvillette nodded, setting down his legal documents. "Indeed. Your first publication helped clear our status to the public. We forgive you."
Charlotte let out a huge sigh of relief. "Thank you! I'll stick to 'sweet and wholesome' from now on. No more hiding in bushes!"
"Good," Furina smirked, leaning against Neuvillette. "But if we look nice at the next gala, feel free to take a picture.
Furina held Neuvillette's hand and leaned her head against his shoulder.
Charlotte quickly tucked her Camera away. "I’ll leave you two to your.. Private moments then!"
She squeaked, her face turning bright red again.
"Wait, Charlotte-" Neuvillette started, reaching for a legal document he wanted her to check.
Charlotte saw his hand move and immediately imagined he was reaching for Furina's waist.
"NOPE! I know when to exit! Have a... productive afternoon!" she yelled, sprinting out of the Palais Mermonia.
Furina blinked as the door slammed. "Did she just think we were about to... on your desk? Again?"
Neuvillette looked at his fountain pen in confusion. "I only wanted her to review the Steambird's taxes. Why is she screaming about 'justice's passion'?"
Furina sighed, leaning back. "Let her go.I think she finally learned her lesson... More privacy for us then."
Furina sat on his lap and kissed his face. Neuvilette paused for a moment and smiled at her. He kissed back. His hands travelled around her figure securing her as his.
They ended up having a nice night together;)