Genshin Impact: Fontaine's Regent, driving players crazy.

Absolutely impossible! Themis is utterly loyal to me!

This topic brought only bewilderment, leaving Furina to utter a confused "Ah...?"

Furina and Focalors stared at each other, equally dumbfounded.

Her initially bewildered mind finally rallied, and she declared with righteous fervor, "No way! Absolutely impossible!"

She slammed her hand on the nearby table, rattling books, startling Focalors's heart—and even herself.

Why was the impact so loud?

Furina hid her stinging hand behind her back, dreading mockery from her mirror reflection.

Yet she stubbornly faced Focalors, insisting, "Themis's loyalty to me is absolute! Her devotion to Fontaine knows no bounds! She's bled for Fontaine, sweated for Fontaine!"

"True enough. But could there be... alternative intentions toward you?"

"Impossible! Her loyalty is beyond question!"

"What of that forced kiss aboard the airship?"

"That... that was loyalty manifest!" Furina bit her tongue hard enough to bring tears, yet maintained her defiant stance. "Her devotion remains unshaken!"

"And when she drove you to hide under the table...?"

"Themis did nothing improper! Her loyalty shines like sun and moon! Any misconduct must be outside influence!"

"I chose to hide there myself! No coercion involved!"

"She halved your daily sweets allowance!"

"She fears for my health! Guards against weight gain!"

(╥﹏╥) My desserts...

Focalors fired off a flurry of questions, but Furina wouldn't budge an inch!

In essence, her stance was this: "She's utterly devoted to me—why would she scheme against me? It's been five centuries! What could I possibly have that she'd want to scheme for?"

Focalors held her forehead, gazing at Furina's adorably naive and foolish little face with a mix of exasperation and helplessness.

What kind of love potion has this girl imbibed? Focalors wondered in despair. She'd rather believe the problem lay with herself than entertain the notion that Themis might be scheming against her.

Could it be, Focalors mused, that your body is the target of her schemes, not your position?

But Focalors feared that if she voiced this thought, Furina would still stubbornly retort with those same words about unwavering devotion. Never before had she heard the phrase "unwavering devotion" so many times in a single day.

Fine, fine, fine. You want to speak in such terms? Very well.

A knowing smile tugged at the corners of Focalors' lips as she looked at Furina, her intentions now clearly mischievous.

"Very well, your Regent Themis is indeed most devoted to you."

The hint of compromise on Focalors' face made Furina breathe a sigh of relief.

However, just as Furina thought everything was over, Focalors mysteriously beckoned her closer.

"Furina, come here quickly, I've got something nice for you."

"What is it?" Looking at her mysterious reflection in the mirror, Furina felt somewhat curious.

"It's a little trick to help you get along well with Themis, my dear~"

From behind her back, Focalors pulled out a notebook filled with densely written text and placed it in Furina's hands.

Staring at the notebook, Furina seemed incredulous. "But Focalors, I already have a great relationship with Themis. What's the point of this?"

"But Furina, don't you know nothing about Themis' likes and dislikes? Isn't it Themis who knows you inside out every day?"

"Isn't she fond of making pastries, writing stories, and novels?" Furina blinked her big eyes, only to receive a helpless look from her mirrored self.

"I'm just saying, what if there's a chance that's because you enjoy eating sweet treats?"

"Hmm..."

Furina bowed her head, searching her heart. This is very possible, she thought, and highly likely.

But Themis seemed so happy when we shared sweets together.

Could it be that she doesn't like them but couldn't bear to refuse me?

Feeling somewhat jumbled inside, Furina was upset at herself for not realizing this possibility before.

The blue-white cat looked disheartened, her dejected expression evoking feelings of affection in others.

Unfortunately, the one present now was the bodiless Focalors.

If Themis were here, she would undoubtedly launch into a flurry of hugs and kisses, holding Furina on her lap and comforting her.

Realizing the discomfort, Focalors hastily changed the subject.

"My notebook contains some clever tips for better interacting with Themis, based on my careful observations after you asked," she said. "Don't tell me Furina, you don't want to see a different side of Themis?"

"A different side of Themis...?"

Excellent, Focalors thought, I've successfully drawn Furina's attention away from her worries.

"Exactly! I mean little tricks to make Themis happy and joyful. ~ Think about it carefully: Has Themis never let out a loud, joyful laugh in front of you? That's a sign that she hasn't been truly happy."

"What?! Themis has always been unhappy?!" Furina's eyes widened in shock, completely missing the point of Focalors' words.

Focalors had mentioned "little tricks to make Themis happy and joyful."

But Furina heard only that Themis hadn't been truly happy while with her.

The blue-white cat's eyes welled up with tears, feeling deeply wounded.

With a sharp sound, Focalors covered her face with a palm, feeling the conversation couldn't continue.

"Even though I haven't personally interacted with Themis much, it's obvious she really enjoys living with you.

"But Furina, why don't we try to make Themis laugh heartily, just once?"

Focalors' suggestion caught Furina's attention, but after that initial interest came endless confusion.

"But how... how can I make Themis laugh heartily?"

In Furina's memories, Themis' expressions had never undergone any drastic changes. They were always indifferent, or perhaps occasionally punctuated by a gentle, serene smile. Furina realized she had never witnessed Themis truly letting loose with an inner, genuine grin. The smiles she usually wore seemed forced, as if concealing something beneath the surface.

At this moment, numerous subtle details that Furina had unconsciously ignored before began to resurface and gain significance in her mind.

Clutching the notebook she held, Furina's gaze turned solemn.

"Don't worry, Mirror Me! I'll do my best!"

Furina had never felt such determination and resolve as she did at that precise instant!

"Huh? Mm," Focalors murmured, sensing that Furina might have misunderstood something again, though she couldn't quite put her finger on what exactly was off.

"Uh... right. Mirror me, there is something I wanted to ask you."

"What is it?"

Focalors was utterly confused, wondering what question could possibly be on Furina's mind.

Furina and Focalors locked eyes. "Was writing stories a hobby for Themis?"

"I remember she used to write often, but I don't think she ever published anything."

"Ah, that..."

Focalors fell silent, her gaze drifting uncertainly. Could it be that she wrote these stories just to pass the time?

Perhaps she never published them because she often mocked Themis's childish writing style?

Until Themis, her face darkening, stopped writing novels altogether.

Having lost her scarce source of joy, Focalors finally learned to appreciate and cherish it.

So, Focalors secretly wrote a pile of novels and published them.

This included, but was not limited to, works based on art—revised adaptations of Fontaine Unofficial History.

The original first edition had little artistic merit, filled with the distorted, hateful words of a disgraced noble descendant undergoing punishment. It was deeply unfavorable toward her, the justice Archon who, persuaded by Themis, had carried out the execution.

Could she bear it? Absolutely not.

Why should a perfectly fine Archon stoop so low?

So, Focalors seized the opportunity before the author could finish and reworked it herself. She transformed the original manuscript into its current form before publishing it.

The original author had filled an entire book with accusations against Themis and Furina, the descendants of fallen nobility. When her work was rejected for publication, she stared in disbelief at the revised version—a book that, despite being unrecognizable, still hinted at its original content. It had become a scandalous romance between the tyrannical Hydro Archon, capable of hurling someone miles away, and the cold-faced Regent. Unable to contain her outrage, she threw back her head and howled, "Where did these plagiarizing dogs come from?! They stole my book while I wasn't looking!"

This second-edition Fontaine Unofficial History then fell into the hands of Themis—who, entirely uninformed of its origins—proceeded to savage it from cover to cover, her language as sharp as a blade.

The book was promptly pulled from shelves on grounds of historical inaccuracy and distortion.

Yet, readers who had snatched up copies before its removal weren't stingy in their praise on the message board, singing the unofficial history's forbidden love story.

Before long, a crowd had gathered to pay homage to this grand work.

Its fame skyrocketed—albeit as a notorious, controversy-ridden sensation.

Critics reviled it while demanding Focalors write more.

As Focalors reflected on these events, she couldn't help but feel both smug and incredibly uneasy when facing Furina's questions.

"Hm? Why aren't you speaking, Mirror-Me? Could it be that even you don't know?"

Focalors' silence puzzled Furina.

Snapping back to reality, Focalors cleared her throat dramatically. "Ahem, of course I wouldn't know," she replied with feigned ignorance. "Just think about it— even if I possess some peculiar... abilities, I'm not one to constantly spy on an upright and kind citizen of Fontaine."

Furina nodded in agreement. "After all, peeping is illegal in Fontaine. You know, that guy who used to stalk Themis day and night, even jumping from the top of Palais Mermonia just to press his face against her window? He's already been shipped off to the Fortress of Meropide to experience a whole new kind of life."

"The Mirror-Me definitely wouldn't do something like that!" Furina asserted, meeting Focalors' gaze with trust.

How could she put it? This was indeed something she had done before.

But could Focalors admit to it?

She couldn't!

If she did, Furina's image of her as a reliable and trustworthy individual would crumble to dust!

-

Themis, having left her quarters early and unaware of the conversation between Furina and Focalors, was diligently arranging for the opera house staff to clear the venue. This would allow them to prepare for today's magic show.

Noticing Neuvillette seated in the auditorium, Themis approached him.

"Madam Furina has disappeared again. Is there some discord between you two?"

Neuvillette stated his observation with conviction. Themis neither confirmed nor denied it, instead questioning further:

"Why do you think so?"

"Because Madam Furina has vanished once more. Normally, aside from official duties, you two don't part ways often." Neuvillette blinked, providing his answer calmly.

"You're very observant," Themis remarked. "I didn't realize our behavior was that noticeable."

"So, is there a quarrel? Who made the first move, you or Madam Furina?"

"Neither of us. In fact, those who are exceptionally close sometimes need to create distance intentionally—it's not always a bad thing."

Neuvillette pondered aloud, "In previous trials..."

"Nay, nay, nay, stop right there! Today's about unwinding, and I don't want you dragging trial cases into examples of my issues with Furina."

"Can't we just discuss it?" Neuvillette blinked, bewildered.

"Seems weird no matter how you spin it, doesn't it?" Themis crossed her arms, thinking that Neuvillette might've gone too far this time—practically turning herself and Furina into the litigants of a hypothetical case.

"I'll be more mindful next time."

"There won't be a next time. We should avoid letting it happen again."

"Agreed, understood." Nodding, Neuvillette etched these words into his memory.

Over the past five hundred years, Themis had consistently proven her understanding of human nature to be far more profound than his own. Decisions made following her counsel were invariably flawless. Even when confronted with the thorny issue of human emotions—a matter that often left him with a headache—she always provided the most accurate guidance.

If someone were to ask Neuvillette about Themis, he might describe her as a wise sage, ever kind and gentle.

Neuvillette could only tell them that Themis was a gentle and wise individual.

"Are you and Furina really alright?"

Neuvillette still harbored some concern; Furina's secretive behavior around Themis couldn't help but pique the curiosity of this outside dragon.

"I've decided to halve her dessert portions."

"Oh, then everything is fine."

Neuvillette suddenly understood why Furina had been avoiding Themis all along.

This is no different from usurping power or plotting Furina's assassination.

This compelling explanation instantly dispelled any worries or doubts Neuvillette had about Furina's peculiar actions today.

After all, wasn't it natural for a dragon to be concerned about the emotional bond between Furina and Themis?

Poor Neuvillette, the oblivious outside dragon and self-proclaimed relationship enthusiast.