Soft and smooth, fragrant and tender—that was the sensation of Furina's cheeks in Luo Qing's hands, a texture so delightful that he found himself completely enchanted.
Her flustered, angry expression only added to the charm, making her look like a pouting little white kitten. And as everyone knew, adorable kittens were ant to be pinched!
Luo Qing took his ti, gently kneading Furina's cheeks, her teary-eyed, indignant look serving as the perfect seasoning to his joy.
After what felt like an eternity (to Furina, at least), Luo Qing finally let go, thoroughly satisfied.
By then, Furina's pale, delicate cheeks were marked with faint red imprints, clear evidence of Luo Qing's handiwork.
"Now you'll agree to co with , right?"
Furina cupped her cheek with one hand, still fuming. The mory of being reduced to a plaything for Luo Qing's amusent left her feeling both aggrieved and powerless—especially since there was nothing she could do to retaliate!
"Hmm..." Luo Qing nodded thoughtfully.
"In light of Lady Furina's wonderful cooperation, I can reluctantly agree to accompany you. If there are more offers like this in the future, feel free to reach out~"
"Reluctantly?!" Furina exclaid, hands on her hips, glaring at him.
"You should be thanking ! As the Hydro Archon, I've bestowed you with the highest honor imaginable—granting you the privilege of touching my divine visage!"
She rubbed her reddened cheeks and huffed, "And not like that! You made it hurt!"
"Alright, alright," Luo Qing said dismissively, waving her off as he headed for the door.
"Let know the location via the Akasha Terminal. I'll et you tomorrow morning."
And with that, he left.
As soon as the door closed, Clorinde, who had been waiting outside, stepped in. She cast a quick glance at Furina and froze upon seeing her Archon's reddened cheeks.
"Lady Furina... Your face..."
"Oh, that?" Furina turned her head away slightly, feigning nonchalance.
"I was admiring my reflection in the mirror just now. I couldn't help but pinch myself because of how stunning I looked."
"..."
Clorinde stared at her, speechless, choosing not to pursue the topic further.
"Lady Furina," Clorinde said hesitantly after a mont, "are you sure about taking him along tomorrow?"
"Of course!" Furina replied, nodding decisively.
"But, Lady Furina..."
Clorinde's brow furrowed in concern. "He's a Harbinger of the Fatui. And there are rumors he has close ties to the Traveler. I'm worried—"
"Enough, Clorinde," Furina interrupted, folding her arms confidently.
"This is the will of a god. You have nothing to worry about. Just make the arrangents."
No way! Furina thought to herself. I paid the humiliating price of letting him pinch my cheeks for this. There's no way I'm letting him off the hook so easily!
"Understood," Clorinde said reluctantly, bowing her head. "I'll make the preparations."
---
Romariti Harbor
Fontaine, often hailed as the Nation of Water, was technically built atop an enormous inland lake rather than the open sea.
Due to its unique geography, Fontaine's land and waterways sat at a higher elevation than most of Teyvat. Visitors from other regions would find themselves ascending to a country of cascading waterfalls and elevated lakes.
Romariti Harbor served as the gateway between Fontaine and the outside world. Through its ingenious water elevators, ships from distant lands could ascend to the port, while Fontaine vessels could descend to the broader seas.
However, being on the desert's edge, the port didn't see heavy traffic. Only a few scattered ships dotted the waters today.
"So, how did you even find out those two were coming to Fontaine?"
Luo Qing leaned casually against the upper-level railing, watching Lumine chatting with the Lyney-Lynette sibling duo below. Lumine's bright golden hair glead in the sunlight, as did her ever-present floating companion.
"You've got so surprising skills, I'll admit," he added.
"Hmph! I'm an exceptional Hydro Archon! Do you think a trivial matter like this would trouble ?" Furina puffed out her chest, looking incredibly pleased with herself.
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she leaned closer and poked Luo Qing's shoulder. "Say... When do you think I should go down there? Shouldn't a god like make a grand, awe-inspiring entrance?"
"And how exactly do you plan to do that?" Luo Qing asked, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at her.
"You haven't even gone down yet, and your legs are already shaking."
"Who's shaking?!" Furina's face turned red, and she straightened her posture. "I'm just... excited! Don't you understand excitent?"
"Excited?" Luo Qing smirked.
"You're trembling so much, you're about to wet yourself."
"You—!" Furina glared at him and stomped her foot, delivering a swift but harmless kick to his shin.
"Do you talk to your Tsaritsa like this too?"
"Pretty much."
"..."
For a mont, Furina was speechless, torn between disbelief and frustration. She turned away, crossing her arms in a huff, deciding she wouldn't speak to him.
But after a few monts, she couldn't help herself. Stealing another glance at Lumine and Paimon below, Furina tugged at Luo Qing's sleeve again.
"What if the people demand that I duel her?" she whispered, leaning in close so only he could hear.
"Should I accuse her of a cri and drag her to the trial court instead? That's my turf, and Neuvillette would be there..."
"I'm just your bodyguard," Luo Qing replied nonchalantly. "Whatever you want to do, go for it."
"You're supposed to give ideas!" Furina hissed, growing agitated. She looked around nervously before leaning closer and whispering,
"Otherwise, wouldn't letting you pinch my cheeks have been for nothing?"
"..."
Luo Qing was montarily stunned.
I pinched your face, not anything else... Why does everything need to involve ?
"Fine, fine," Luo Qing relented with a sigh. Pointing at Paimon, he said,
"You passed that law prohibiting flying creatures in public spaces during the first three days of the month, right? It's only the second today, and she's got a flying companion. Use that as an excuse."
"Oh, right!" Furina's eyes lit up as she clapped her hands together.
"Why didn't I think of that?"
Turning to Clorinde, Furina cleared her throat, adopting a commanding tone.
"Alright, Clorinde. Follow down there. Let's show that Traveler a small dose of the justice of the Hydro Archon!"
Clorinde: "..."
Having grown accustod to Furina's antics, Clorinde said nothing, though part of her couldn't help but question her faith in her Archon after overhearing the earlier conversation.
At Furina's signal, Fontaine's security forces surrounded the lower level of Romariti Harbor, taking control of the area.
Clorinde stepped forward first, standing on a raised platform as Furina's shield and escort.
Monts later, under Lumine and Paimon's surprised gazes, Furina herself strode to the center of the platform with an air of authority.
With a haughty scoff, she raised her head high and called out in a resounding voice,
"Wealthy, destitute, those with goblets, and those with nothing at all—raise your glasses high!"
---
T/N: i cant handle spicy
"Gar~de! Voir voir."
- Gardevoir
(End of Bonus Chapter—If you like my work, consider supporting at /WiseTL]!)
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