Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart!

WOAH WE HIT 1#!!! DOUBLE CHAPS HERE

-

"All right, then. I'll see you this afternoon." With that final announcement, Luna curtsied and left.

"...In any case, don't try opposing the court of justice. If you're innocent, there's nothing to fear. Just tell them what you know according to procedure. And remember, choose a decent advocate," Chevreuse finished before leaving herself.

"Apologies for disturbing you all." Navia smiled at the troupe members, then quickly caught up to Luna.

As she stepped outside, she saw Chevreuse still conversing with Luna.

"If something comes up, go to the security team. Though, I doubt you'll need anyone's help..." Chevreuse examined Luna, speaking mildly.

Given her commanding presence just moments ago, there was no need for her to fear anyone.

Luna pressed a hand against her chest, letting out a wry smile. "Miss Chevreuse, you jest. I merely felt I shouldn't let my adversaries get the better of me in terms of forcefulness."

"So what you showed before was also an act?"

"Yes..."

As if a frail maiden like me could do anything else, Luna thought to herself.

Chevreuse couldn't discern any clues, so she straightened her hat. "Is that so? Your acting is truly quite good. I have matters to attend to, so if you'll please excuse me."

"Thank you very much."

As Chevreuse strode away, Navia finally spoke up. "Was all of that just an act?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Lulu, you... you're incredible!" Navia marveled.

"Just basic skills. I wouldn't be able to fool audiences on stage otherwise. But tell me, where did your two attendants go?" Luna asked, noticing their absence.

Unsure, she looked to Navia for an explanation.

Navia replied calmly, "Silver and Melus went to investigate Sinthe."

Seeing that Luna's face remained expressionless, devoid of any surprise or confusion, Navia surmised that Luna must already have knowledge of Sinthe's situation.

"Let's find another location and combine our information before the trial this afternoon," Navia suggested.

Luna had no objections. "Agreed."

The pair made their way to a café.

Navia pulled out her notebook and shared all the information she had gathered with Luna.

To Luna's surprise, Navia's investigation was incredibly thorough, even including direct quotes from her subjects.

"Well then, Miss Holmes, what do you make of it?"

"Holmes?"

Navia said smugly, "I also looked into the name 'Watson' a bit. Isn't she the assistant in those detective novels?"

So there really are Holmes novels here too?

And Watson's somehow turned into a girl...

(TL Note: Classic Fate...Wait a damn second...)

Luna nodded. "Although it's different from what I know, in terms of role, you're spot-on."

"Navia Watson Caspar—always at the ready! How is that for a detective assistant?"

Luna stirred her drink with a straw and smiled. "With a Watson like you by her side, Holmes would surely feel well-protected."

"Of course," Navia declared confidently. "I'll definitely keep you safe!"

Then, as if lost in thought, she lowered her gaze, rested her chin in her hands, and took a melancholic sip of her juice through the straw.

"This case doesn't seem to have much connection to the serial disappearances of young girls. I was hoping we'd find some clues that would finally bring the truth to light."

"Are you feeling regretful?" Luna asked gently.

Navia shook her head. "No, even if it doesn't directly relate to the truth I'm seeking, it's still a crucial truth concerning someone else!"

At that moment, snippets of conversation from the back table drifted over.

"Did you hear? The former lead actor of the Dark Moon Troupe was buried alive for being a third wheel—and they still haven't found her body yet!"

Navia closed her eyes. "Restoring a deceased person's reputation—there's no mistake in that."

Luna smiled. "However, Navia, your reasoning has one error."

"Huh? Where?"

"The emotional relationship between the culprit and the victim."

Emotional relationship? Navia crossed her arms, tilted her head slightly, and pondered for a moment, still looking perplexed.

"I thought they were both engaged to someone else?"

Luna shook her head. "The rings were given to them by the same person."

"Hm? That would mean..."

A possibility dawned on Navia. Though it seemed absurd, it did make many seemingly contradictory pieces fall into place.

A blush crept across her face as she whispered, holding her hand to her mouth, "Eh? Is it really true?"

-

Meanwhile, at the Palais Mermonia...

Seated behind his desk, Neuvillete gazed silently at the document in his hand.

It was an application for an emergency trial, awaiting his approval.

As the Chief Justice, he meticulously reviewed the content. Once satisfied, he lifted the seal and pressed it down.

"I heard there's another trial this afternoon?"

Suddenly, the door burst open. Furina strode in, utterly unperturbed.

For centuries, during every Trial, the Chief Arbiter Neuvillette and the Water Archon Furina had always been present. This unvarying tradition stretched back through the ages.

Thus, it was only natural that Furina would be aware of this urgent Trial.

"Yes, it's a murder accusation."

"Murder? Hmm..."

If there was one type of case Furina detested more than any other, it was undoubtedly murder.

Other cases could often be quite entertaining as a spectator, providing ample amusement.

But murder cases were different.

The sight of blood-soaked evidence and gruesome images of the deceased chillingly sent shivers down Furina's spine.

And worse still, it might lead to nightmares tonight!

Yet, she couldn't afford to stay away...

Could she? To do so would imply that she was afraid, wouldn't it?

No, Focalors could never be afraid! Banishing such thoughts, she puffed out her modest chest, seized the application on Neuvillette's desk, and demanded, "Let me see what this is all about."

A murder charge, hmm.

The accused: Judith. Hmm, doesn't ring a bell.

Accuser: Luna, uh, no...

"Hm?"

Why does this name sound so familiar?

Could it be just a coincidence?

After examining their detailed information further, Furina fell silent.

Why is it you again?

Hadn't she just stepped onto the stage when she accused a fellow playwright from her troupe—of murder no less?

This was getting a bit too dramatic.

Could she be one of those protagonists in stories who brings misfortune everywhere she goes?

"What's wrong?" Neuvillette noticed Furina's peculiar expression and couldn't help but ask.

"You weren't there last time at the opera house, so you don't know. This person, she's the lead actress." Furina flipped through the pages, pointing at Luna's name.

"And?"

"This person—she's her fellow playwright."

"So?"

Furina struggled to make sense of his reaction. "Aren't you finding this a bit too coincidental? There's a certain drama to it, isn't there?"

Neuvillette continued writing without missing a beat.

"Is there?"

Furina shook her head. "Oh, you're still the same after all these years. Unable to grasp this kind of drama. It's truly unfortunate—you're missing out on this unique pleasure."

Neuvillette remained silent for a moment before continuing to flip through the next document.

Furina pursed her lips at this lack of response and turned her attention back to the application in her hand.

She hadn't forgotten the stage she had witnessed last time.

At that moment, Luna had been the absolute star, her radiance far surpassing any other on stage.

But a play was not a trial.

Justice and truth were the true stars of the show.

"I wonder how she'll perform on this vastly different stage," Furina mumbled, now feeling a sense of anticipation building within her.