Furina's heart skipped a beat.
As I feared, The Knave has begun to doubt my identity!
This won't do. I must think of something.
She raised an eyebrow, feigning indignation. "What did you say? Are you questioning the God of an entire nation?"
"Yes," Arlecchino replied, unmoved.
While anger often inspires fear, Arlecchino remained unfazed. If Furina were to demonstrate divine power, she might retract her words.
"Is there anything wrong with my question? I don't recall Lady Furina ever displaying any divine power."
Furina mustered her courage. "That's because an Archon's power should only be used in times of dire need!"
"And isn't this such a time?" Arlecchino lowered her leg, leaned forward, and rested her chin on her clasped hands, narrowing her eyes.
"The prophecy is unfolding step by step, hanging over everyone's heads like a sword of Damocles. Doesn't the universal fear of its imminent fall constitute a critical moment?"
"Everyone is desperately searching for answers to save their homeland."
"Yet you, Hydro Archon Focalors, have done nothing from beginning to end except utter meaningless platitudes, remaining shockingly unconcerned."
The accusation struck Furina like a viper.
She shot to her feet. "That's not true! I've never dismissed the Prophecy, not for a moment! And I haven't done nothing!"
For five hundred years, not a single day had passed without Furina bearing the Prophecy in mind. She had etched it deep within her heart, drawing strength from its weight.
"You have no right to deny my efforts!"
Arlecchino replied calmly, "Then where is the evidence of your dedication?"
Furina fell silent, momentarily speechless.
Acting as a god. That was the sum total of her efforts. But how could she possibly reveal the truth?
As the tension stretched, Luna lightly clapped her hands.
Clap... Clap... The crisp sounds drew both women's attention.
When the final clap faded, Luna pressed her fingertips together, a smile playing on her lips. "Father," she began, "I've recently formed a new hypothesis. Would you be willing to hear it? Lady Furina as well, of course."
With effortless grace, she seized control of the conversation and steered it in a new direction.
Arlecchino leaned back in her chair. "...Speak. I grant you permission."
Furina secretly exhaled in relief. No matter how Arlecchino challenged her, she would never divulge the truth.
Still, the earlier tremor... The Knave had claimed it was due to trouble at the Fortress of Meropide.
Could the Primordial Sea truly lie beneath the fortress?
Could Neuvillette have gone to the Fortress of Meropide? Furina wondered. He was practically glued to his office chair and rarely ventured out.
...Could someone have been dissolved? The thought made her chest tighten, struggling to breathe.
"Do you remember the prophecy about the Fontainians' inherent sin?" Luna asked, her smile fading.
Fontainians were born carrying an indelible stain.
"And only Fontainians can be dissolved by the Primordial Sea, the source of life. The secret lies in their bodies—not in their blood, but in the pure water within them."
"Moreover, the consciousness of the dissolved young girls remains..."
Luna's smile vanished.
"Perhaps... the very essence of Fontainians is water."
Furina desperately wanted to ask, What does that mean? But she held her tongue. The more she spoke, the more likely she was to slip up, even while in character.
The longer she remained silent, the fewer cracks would show in her facade.
Unless directly questioned.
Fortunately, Arlecchino didn't press her. Or rather, Luna skillfully steered the conversation to prevent any pointed questions.
"Originally, Fontainians were merely part of the Primordial Sea. But the former God, Egeria, molded them into human form. This act incurred the wrath of Celestia."
It sounded more like Luna was crafting a story than making a logical deduction.
Was any of it true? Who could say?
All Arlecchino cared about was observing Furina's reaction, confirming her own suspicions.
Arlecchino glanced at Furina.
She doesn't seem to know anything.
"So, Celestia prophesied that the sea would rise and dissolve all Fontainians who shouldn't have been born. But what exactly caused the Primordial Sea to surge and contaminate the waters?"
"I suspect it might be some kind of creature," Furina replied.
Like the monsters in those films? Furina wondered. Could it be... Dovezilla?
"A creature?" Arlecchino echoed.
Of course, she understood what Luna was doing. Luna was trying to both help Furina achieve her goal and confirm her suspicions, while also shielding her from direct questioning and accusations.
Frankly, this wasn't the approach Arlecchino preferred. She wanted to force Furina into action. By remaining passive, Furina would miss the most crucial clues.
But once she takes action, her intentions become clear. As the saying goes, "The more you do, the more mistakes you make." Arlecchino wasn't afraid of what Furina might do; she was afraid of what she might appear not to do.
Luna danced once again on the precipice of defying her "Father's" will.
But confirming her suspicions was enough for now.
Arlecchino could certainly tolerate a little willful behavior from her child.
"The blonde Traveler came from a world beyond the Sea of Stars, so there's no reason why creatures from beyond the Sea of Stars couldn't invade this world as well."
Arlecchino nodded. "Continue."
Luna smiled. "I've always wondered what the Indemnitium generated by the Oratrice could truly be used for. Such a vast amount of energy, collected for so long..."
"Perhaps it's enough to annihilate any force, even the entity that caused the Primordial Sea to rise."
"Of course, this is just my speculation."
Speculation? More like a fabricated story.
Arlecchino scrutinized Furina once more.
Furina seemed to have regained her composure, meeting Arlecchino's gaze head-on, though inwardly she was terrified.
"Hmm... I see."
Arlecchino had no further questions to ask.
If she pressed, Furina could simply nod in agreement, as Luna had instructed.
Regardless of whether it was the truth, there was no way to disprove it.
"Luna."
"What is it?"
Arlecchino sliced a piece of cake and slid it across the table to Luna.
"You almost crossed the line."
Luna's expression remained unchanged.
Crossed the line? Furina froze. Had her reasoning inadvertently touched upon something sensitive regarding The Knave?
Wait... Could it be that Luna had been subtly guiding her with her deductions? Furina's mind raced with surprise.
"Still, your reasoning does provide a fresh perspective for uncovering the truth."
The notion that Fontainians were inherently connected to Hydro was particularly intriguing.
"I'm glad I could be of assistance," Luna replied with a faint smile.
Afterward, Arlecchino casually shifted the conversation, but Furina remained on edge, her vigilance undiminished.
The only difference was that she found herself glancing at Luna more frequently.
"It's getting late. Let's end things here," Arlecchino said, standing up.
"Shall I see you home?" Luna asked.
"That won't be necessary. I imagine you and Lady Furina still have much to discuss."
No further explanation was needed. Luna knew exactly what she was doing. Every choice she made had been carefully considered and firmly decided upon. Once she made up her mind, nothing and no one could sway her. This wasn't stubbornness, but unwavering conviction.
"Then at least accept this." Luna handed Arlecchino a small gift box. Arlecchino took it, nodded, and turned to leave.
As she exited Palais Mermonia, Arlecchino nodded to the Fatui members waiting outside. "Return to the House of the Hearth. The tea party is over."
Back at the House of the Hearth, Arlecchino opened the gift box. Inside were several neatly wrapped chocolates and a card.
I had originally planned to give these to you later, but this opportunity seemed too good to pass up. I know you dislike overly flavored things, so these chocolates retain their original bitterness.
I understand my actions today may not meet your approval, but I have no regrets. As you once told me long ago—I can never become a 'King,' only a 'light' that never looks back.
"As I said before, my heart belongs to you. If I were to ever break your rules or betray you, you are free to take it back at any time. But when that day comes, I hope I can drift into slumber in your arms... I miss you terribly."
Arlecchino set down the card, paused in silence, then picked up a chocolate and popped it into her mouth.
Later, when the children returned home, they found an empty box on the coffee table, its contents—whatever treats had been inside—completely devoured.
Arlecchino sat on the sofa beside the table, gazing into the fireplace, lost in thought.
-
The Temptation to start a Umamusume fic is strong.
Oh god the horses are corrupting me