Thus began Lora and Furina's tediously amusing life of constant friction. Whether Furina was out shopping or attending theatrical performances, Lora would always remain at her side.
Although she followed Furina in the role of her bodyguard, it was Furina who kept introducing Fontaine's various specialties and delicacies along the way, acting more like a tour guide than someone under protection.
Neuvillette was somewhat surprised when he learned of this arrangement, but he did not comment much on it.
However, when Furina led Lora toward the Opera Epiclese, Lora felt a faint sense of resistance and confusion.
"Why are we coming here? Is there a trial today? I didn't hear Neuvillette mention anything."
"Do you really not know what the Opera Epiclese is meant for?" Furina said, turning back to Lora, who had stopped in her tracks. "Trials are merely one of the many plays that have been staged here over the past five hundred years. We're here to watch a performance today."
"I don't really have much appreciation for the arts. I think I'll stay out here," Lora said with a smile.
At the end of the day, she still had not figured out how to face Focalors.
"How is that acceptable? You're my bodyguard—how can you not come with me?" Furina frowned as she looked at Lora.
"Hélie can go with you. Don't underestimate her just because she's a Melusine—she's very capable," Lora said, gently pushing Hélie forward. Then she turned back to Furina. "I'm sorry. I need to go somewhere else first."
No matter what Furina said behind her, Lora did not stop walking.
Leaving the plaza in front of the Opera Epiclese, Lora made her way to the coastline. She stepped onto the soft sand and gazed out at the sea.
At some point, Neuvillette appeared beside her and spoke softly. "Furina went inside the Opera Epiclese. Her expression didn't look right—she seemed angry."
Lora lowered her head and stared at the fine grains of sand beneath her feet. "Mm. I know."
"You're unwilling to enter the Opera Epiclese because of Focalors, aren't you?" Neuvillette continued, standing beside her and watching her bowed head.
"Hm… huh?" Lora froze, then suddenly looked up at Neuvillette, stumbling back a few steps. "You… you-you-you…"
Seeing her reaction, Neuvillette spoke in a reassuring tone. "There's no need to be nervous. The 'Heavenly Principles' are already dormant. Even the Unknown Gods are gradually fading away. This world is merely continuing to operate according to the rules once laid down by the 'Heavenly Principles.'"
"I can sense this myself. You couldn't possibly be unaware of it."
Although Neuvillette was the Hydro Dragon Sovereign, he was not a complete one. Authority over the Hydro element of Teyvat still rested upon the Hydro Archon's divine seat. If even he could perceive the state of the 'Heavenly Principles,' then Lora had no reason not to.
As the heart of the Primordial Sea, Egeria was not in dragon form, yet she possessed the nobility of a dragon. Though she had been created by invaders from beyond the heavens, her status was no different from that of a true Hydro Dragon Sovereign—more complete and more exalted than Neuvillette was now.
Meeting Neuvillette's gaze, Lora lowered her head and let out a quiet sigh.
"I'm sorry… I just don't want to take any risks. The more variables there are, the more uncontrollable everything becomes. I… I'm afraid. I'm afraid that in the end, I won't be able to save everyone. That I won't be able to save… her."
"But you aren't the only one striving for that, Egeria," Neuvillette said softly.
He sighed and continued, "Over the past several centuries, Furina has continuously sent people across the entire continent to gather information about the prophecy, trying to break it. Everyone in Fontaine is preparing to face it. They are worth saving, and they will be saved, Egeria."
"Call me Lora," she said.
"Understood, Lora," Neuvillette replied with a nod.
Lora lowered her head again and sighed deeply. "I know… I just… can't get past this hurdle in my own heart."
Without any warning, Neuvillette suddenly raised his hand and ruffled Lora's hair.
Lora jolted and immediately stepped back, frowning at him. "What are you doing?"
"In situations like this, isn't a pat on the head usually meant to be comforting?" Neuvillette said seriously, his hand still suspended in midair.
"Don't treat me like Furina! I'm thousands of years older than you," Lora snapped, smoothing her hair back into place.
"I'm sorry," Neuvillette said earnestly.
Lora let out another sigh and looked toward the distant Opera Epiclese. "But if I go back now, won't it be awkward? I already told Furina I wouldn't go."
"There will be a trial held at the Opera Epiclese in a few days," Neuvillette said gently from behind her. "Why not attend it together with Furina? A trial in the Nation of Justice—how could the God of Justice be absent?"
"Thank you," Lora said.
"You're welcome," Neuvillette replied.
When the performance inside the Opera Epiclese finally ended, Furina and Hélie emerged together. Despite having watched the entire play, Furina still looked somewhat dispirited.
She couldn't quite tell why she felt this way.
"Furina!"
Standing by the Fountain of Lucine with Neuvillette, Lora waved toward her.
When Furina saw Lora, her face lit up for an instant. But as if recalling something, her expression quickly cooled. She walked stiffly over to Lora and Neuvillette.
Arms crossed, Furina glared at Lora. "What? Did you come to apologize? I won't accept your apology so easily—not even if you dragged Neuvillette along! Do you have any idea how rarely I invite people? And you actually turned me down just now—you…"
"I'm sorry, Furina," Lora said, looking at her earnestly.
That single apology stopped Furina in her tracks. She stood there as if her mind had frozen, motionless for a long moment.
Seeing her reaction, Lora quietly asked Neuvillette, "What's wrong with her?"
"Perhaps your apology startled her," Neuvillette replied calmly. "It's fine—this is just how she is."
Although Lora was the creator of all Oceanids and Furina's mother, after centuries of working together, Neuvillette was confident that he understood Furina better than Lora did.