At the Beaufort Manor
The servant gazed out the window at the clear morning sky, his thoughts wandering. Turning back, he looked at the three young figures before him and sighed softly.
"Is the information accurate?"
"Yes," Lynette replied respectfully. "It seems the Fontaine authorities, wary of further complications, transported Lord Childe to ropide overnight. By now, he should already be in the hands of the Duke."
"Hmph. That brat, always so brazen, and yet he let himself be escorted to ropide without a fuss?"
Arlecchino pondered for a mont before issuing her orders.
"Arrange a eting with the Fontaine authorities. I want to personally et with their so-called Hydro Archon."
"Yes," Lynette and the others replied in unison, bowing their heads.
As they turned to leave, Arlecchino added, "One more thing. I have another task for you three."
"I will pull so strings to have charges brought against you. Once inside ropide, your mission is to establish contact with Childe. Understood?"
"Yes, 'Father.'"
The three nodded again.
"Good. Go prepare."
"Yes."
The trio bowed one final ti before leaving Arlecchino's study.
Outside the study, Lynette exchanged a glance with her brother, Lyney. A silent understanding passed between them, and they both gave a slight nod.
"Hey, Freminet," Lyney said cheerfully. "Why don't you join in preparing for 'Father's' eting with Lady Furina?"
"Huh?" Freminet looked startled. "I'm not very good at dealing with people... Maybe I should stay here and get ready for ropide instead..."
"Don't worry about it! Lynette can handle the preparations for ropide. This will be a great chance for you to practice talking to people. Co on, let's go!"
"Ah..." Freminet hesitated but ultimately relented under Lyney's enthusiasm, allowing himself to be dragged along.
As the two left, Lynette remained behind, taking a deep breath as she stared at the door to Arlecchino's study. Her expression fird before she turned and exited the manor—not toward her original task, but in the direction of Luo Qing's residence.
Lynette and Lyney had been under Luo Qing's ntal influence ever since he planted a suggestion in their minds. Despite their loyalty to Arlecchino, they had no choice but to act as Luo Qing's spies, regularly reporting on their "Father's" plans.
Lynette hated this betrayal, but resisting Luo Qing's suggestion was impossible. His power was so insidious that even Archons would struggle against it, let alone mortals like her and Lyney.
Whenever she tried to defy the suggestion, it felt as if her entire body were crawling with ants, making sleep impossible. The compulsion to confess everything to Luo Qing—and to endure his affectionate ear rubs—was overpowering.
I'm sorry, Father...
Tears welled up in Lynette's eyes as she headed toward Luo Qing's house, guilt weighing heavily on her.
Unbeknownst to her, Arlecchino watched her departure from the window.
"Luo Qing..."
Arlecchino sighed, feeling a rare pang of sorrow. She didn't bla Lynette or Lyney for their betrayal. Even she found it difficult to resist Luo Qing's ntal manipulation.
Still, seeing her "children" fall into Luo Qing's hands left her feeling inexplicably bitter.
---
anwhile, at Luo Qing's Residence
Having finished a relaxing bath with Theresa, Luo Qing felt utterly refreshed.
Theresa, on the other hand, seed exhausted and distracted, her movents slow and her hand clutching her waist for support.
Still, Luo Qing wasn't too concerned. The nutritional supplents he provided her—especially the Tenfold Rejuvenation Pills—were more than enough to keep her going.
Now, Luo Qing lay comfortably with his head resting on Theresa's lap, while the ever-dutiful maid Rosaline stood watch nearby.
As he sifted through Fontaine's Void Network for information on Furina and the forr Hydro Archon, Luo Qing found little of substance. Most Fontaine citizens knew Furina only as a beautiful perforr at the opera house. There were no rumors about her origins, save for the prophecy of Fontaine's eventual subrsion.
Could she really be an imposter? Luo Qing wondered.
If Furina wasn't the true Hydro Archon, then all his efforts to secure a partnership with her might be wasted.
Maybe I should consider working with Neuvillette instead...
As he mulled over his options, the sound of a door opening drew his attention. Lynette entered the room, her eyes red and puffy as if she'd been crying.
"Lynette?" Luo Qing sat up, concerned. "What happened? Did soone bully you? Tell , and I'll make them pay!"
"..."
Lynette hesitated, her gaze flickering to the cozy scene of Luo Qing lounging on the sofa, flanked by Theresa and Rosaline. Her emotions churned.
"Lord Brighella, I ca to report," she said softly. "Father is arranging a eting with Lady Furina, and she's also sending us to ropide to make contact with Lord Childe."
"A eting with Furina?" Luo Qing raised an eyebrow.
"What's the point? The Gnosis isn't with her..."
He waved a hand dismissively. "Fine, let them et. It's no big deal. But why send you to ropide? Childe's just a reckless brute—what information could he possibly have?"
"I... don't know," Lynette admitted. "Father's orders were only to make contact. Perhaps further instructions will follow once we're there."
"Hmm..." Luo Qing pondered for a mont, then retrieved a Void Terminal from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Take this. Once you're in ropide, use it to contact ."
"Yes..." Lynette accepted the device reluctantly, her feelings complicated.
She rembered Arlecchino warning them about Luo Qing's ability to use the Void Terminal to control its wearer completely—body, mind, and even mories.
In the end, it's inevitable. I'll beco one of his people, won't I...
"Anything else to report?" Luo Qing asked, tilting his head.
"No... nothing else." Lynette kept her gaze down, her ears twitching slightly, her flushed cheeks and tear-streaked face making her look both vulnerable and endearing.
"Oh, right!" Luo Qing suddenly exclaid, as if rembering sothing. He reached out to pat Lynette's head, his tone warm.
"You've worked hard, Lynette. Here's your reward~"
"Th-thank you, Lord Brighella..."
Lynette's cheeks deepened in color as she felt his hand gently ruffle her hair. A small, contented smile appeared on her face, as if a heavy weight had been montarily lifted.
This, too, was part of Luo Qing's suggestion: the "head-pat reward." Only through this touch could Lynette's inner turmoil subside, her mind free from its relentless tornt.
It's not like I actually want him to pat my head... she thought to herself, trying to rationalize the surge of comfort and satisfaction flooding her heart.
---
T/N: no mo updates wedensdaysa
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