In the dim and somber bedroom, upon a soft and pristine bed...
Within the Palais Mermonia, in the sleeping quarters of the Hydro Archon, an act of blasphemy was unfolding.
A petite and delicate divine girl was held in a face-to-face embrace by a white-haired maiden. The maiden lowered her head, her snow-white strands obscuring the light within the divine girl's field of vision.
She bowed her head reverently, pressing a kiss upon the god's lips before trailing down her cheek, licking away the tears that had slid from the divine girl's eyes.
"Furina..."
The devoted Regent traced her slender fingers along the divine girl's long, graceful legs, hooking onto the black restraints clasped around her thighs.
Her neatly trimmed nails left faint pink marks upon the soft skin. Then, with the sound of a clasp unlocking, the black restraints around the god's thighs were undone by the white-haired maiden.
The divine one's delicate wrists were firmly grasped, and before her tear-filled gaze, the black restraints were bound around her pale wrists instead.
The stark contrast of black and white was both glaring and sinfully charged.
"Themis..."
The god shook her head, silver-white hair cascading gently, making the black restraints around her wrists even more conspicuous.
"No..."
"Don't do this..."
"This is wrong..."
"We cannot..."
The noble deity's gem-like eyes, usually clear and pure, were now clouded with a thin mist, filled with confusion and helplessness.
Themis reached out, twirling a strand of Furina's hair between her fingers before bringing it to her lips for a light kiss, then gently letting it fall back into place.
Leaning down, the ever-loyal Regent, at this moment, had no intention of obeying the god's commands or her words of refusal.
She rested her head upon Furina's shoulder, her warm breath caressing the divine one's ear, sending a faint tingling sensation through her earlobe.
A crimson tongue trailed along the graceful curve of her neck, leaving behind a damp warmth that soon turned cool.
Themis' hand gently caressed Furina's cheek, her husky yet alluring voice whispering her devotion beside the god's ear.
"My love for you is as deep and vast as the azure ocean, birthing endless waves."
"My feelings manifest at this moment, and it is all because of you."
"Right now, you are here before me—so vulnerable, so helpless, more than ever before."
"You cannot even firmly refuse me."
"Look at me, Furina, my revered god... My heart beats madly for you..."
"Meet my gaze, and answer my love."
Slender fingers traced along the hem of the god's white shorts, slipping away the obstructing fabric, advancing toward the beauty of the divine form.
Pale, flawless skin blushed faintly under the soft touch.
The fragile and delicate god, hands now bound, lay pressed against the very bed where she once rested, lost in bewilderment and shame.
The pure, water-like deity, unable to resist, was toyed with at will by her devoted follower. Her pristine teeth bit down, cheeks flushed red, while tears slipped from the corners of her eyes.
The blasphemous zealot, the self-indulgent sinner, bore eyes filled with profound love for the divine, and in her madness, she painted every bit of it upon the god's body.
At the moment their lips met, the god despairingly closed her eyes. Her teardrop-shaped lashes trembled like her sorrowful heart, yet she found herself unable to summon anger or reproach.
For Fontaine, the god had given everything, offering her compassion to her people.
Yet at this moment, the selfless god was mercilessly violated by her devoted believer, whose heart overflowed with selfish desire.
Shame and regret filled the god's heart. With her eyes tightly shut, every sensation became sharper—the cool fingertips gliding over her delicate skin drew soft whimpers and trembling.
Meanwhile, the blasphemer remained composed, reverently kissing the divine body, fingers stirring the tide, slipping into the dampness of divine essence. With the god's suppressed moans, she was ushered into an ecstasy she had never known, experiencing an unparalleled bliss.
—Excerpt from Fontaine's Unofficial History: The Emotional Secret History of the Hydro Archon's Regent.
As soon as this latest addition to Fontaine's Unofficial History was released at bookstores and serialized in the Steambird, it was instantly snatched up by the masses.
After reading the latest chapter, the people of Fontaine broke into delighted smiles, their lips stretching nearly to their ears, their enthusiasm for life reignited as the world seemed brighter once more.
Countless readers sent dedicated letters to the Steambird, their messages compiled onto a bulletin board specially set up at the bookstore.
— Comments Section —
Rainbow Rose: "Damn it, why is our Furina always on the receiving end again?!"
Pure Water Narcissus: "What, bro? If you don't like it, go find the author and beat them up!"
Blueberry Cake: "Furina totally looks like a little crybaby—such an adorable god is born to be kissed!"
Regent Supremacy: "Submissive Furina is peak culture! Praise the brilliant and perfect author!"
Palais Mermonia Official: "This is getting kinda repetitive… Can't we have Furina take charge for once?"
Pure Water Narcissus: "Hold up—who the hell are you?! Which department are you from?!"
Rainbow Rose: "You know what? The guy two comments above is right! Our Hydro Archon should have her moment to shine!"
Fortress of Meropide Official: "Author, huh? You better hope we don't catch you. But until then… you know what to do. Cough cough."
Tribunal Official: "Translation: We love it, we want more, and by the way—neither Hydro Archon Furina nor the Regent have shown up for work today."
Rainbow Rose: "YES! Victory for Furina!"
Blueberry Cake: "Shocking! Furina finally took charge for once!"
Pure Water Narcissus: Why can't it just be that Lady Furina is too exhausted to get out of bed, and the Regent is still taking care of her?
I Love CatCat: How is she taking care of her? Mouth-to-mouth? laughs
Special Patrol Team Official: The author is a genius. Have you considered joining the Special Patrol Team?
Neuvillette: Hmm, let me check who the author is.
Meixin: Is that really Lord Neuvillette?!
Spina di Rosula Yellow Rose: Hahaha, who would've thought that the Chief Justice also reads this kind of romance novel?
Neuvillette: Why not?
Duel Proxy: Ignoring the facts, it's actually pretty well-written.
-
At the Opera Epiclese, Focalors yawned, paying little attention to the commotion stirred up by the outside world.
Rubbing her eyes, she felt as though her eyelids were at war with each other.
She had stayed up late last night to finish and publish a new short historical fiction. As expected, it was too exhausting.
Meanwhile, at the Opera Epiclese, Chief Justice Neuvillette was once again solemnly handling every accusation brought before him.
Sitting in the Opera Epiclese, Fontaine's citizens, who had come purely for entertainment, had no idea what they were missing while they sat there.
Do you think this is just another ordinary new historical fiction?
No!
This is Fontaine's spiritual sustenance! The guiding light that makes Fontaine invincible! The unwavering faith that every Fontainian has upheld since birth!
Focalors yawned, propped her cheek up, and forced herself to wake up to begin her part-time job as a trial instrument.
But as she recalled the events that took place last night in the uppermost floor of Palais Mermonia, inside Furina's bedroom, she suddenly didn't feel tired anymore.
Let us turn back the hands of time. Let us return our gaze to last night.
The streets of Fontaine were silent and dark. Furina, terrified, was caught in Themis' embrace, barely escaping an attack from an audacious assassin.
"Who are you?!"
Furina gripped Themis' arm, which was wrapped around her waist, her calves trembling uncontrollably with fear.
If not for Themis' firm hold, Furina would have collapsed onto the ground, paralyzed by terror.
Even so, she was not in much better shape.
Her pupils contracted as she looked at the assassin's silhouette under the moonlight.
Though a mask concealed the assassin's face, her slender figure undeniably revealed her gender—a mature woman with short, white hair.
The woman did not respond to Furina's fearful outcry, as if utterly shocked and perplexed that her attack had failed.
She stared blankly at her own sharp, crimson claws for a moment.
Then, her attention snapped back to Furina.
"Ha~"
A low, contemptuous chuckle slipped from her throat before she lunged at them, claws gleaming blood-red in the dimly lit street.
Furina's eyes widened, and she let out a terrified scream, instinctively reaching out to shield Themis.
"No—!"
As the crimson claws drew closer, reflecting the eerie glow of the night, tears welled up in the corners of Furina's eyes. Despair surged in her heart.
But just as death loomed near, her vision was shrouded by a gentle yet firm hand.
Themis spoke...
"Lady Furina..."
She spoke...
"Don't be afraid..."
She spoke...
"I will always protect you..."
With her vision completely blacked out, Furina could only hear the sound of wind slicing through the air, accompanied by the crashing waves.
Then, she heard the rattle of chains tightening, followed by the creaking of metal, and finally—silence.
The hand over her eyes remained firm, but the arm around her waist loosened. Instead, Themis scooped her up, cradling her weakened legs.
"Cover your ears."
Themis' voice sounded ethereal, almost unreal. Furina hesitated, momentarily dazed.
Yet, out of trust in Themis, she slowly raised her hands to cover her ears.
"Close your eyes."
Furina obediently shut her eyes, though she did not understand why.
Her mind was still clouded from the attack. Held in a princess carry, Furina rested in Themis' embrace as Themis cast a cold glance at the pitiful-looking Arlecchino sprawled on the roadside.
The golden diamond-shaped pupils, once burning with rage, gradually cooled.
At this moment, Themis appeared less like a mortal and more like a god of the high heavens.
She instructed Sedene to send that reckless fool to the Fortress of Meropide.
Killing her would not be worth it.
Besides, if she handled it herself, Furina would be heartbroken again. That would be a loss.
Might as well write a letter to Snezhnaya tomorrow and see what kind of compensation they offer.
With an icy expression, Themis carried Furina away. The night-shift patrol and members of the Marechaussee Phantom's trembled, not daring to speak too loudly, lest they provoke the Regent's wrath.
Furina nestled in Themis' arms, as quiet and delicate as a porcelain doll.
The attack had been too terrifying for her.
Not until Themis carried her back to her bedroom and placed her on the soft bed did Furina regain some clarity.
"Themis..."
The delicate doll was crying. Furina bit her lip, her tears streaming down her cheeks.
Themis leaned in close, reaching out with a finger to pry Furina's teeth apart.
Seated on the bed, she wrapped her arms around Furina and lowered her head, sealing Furina's lips with her own.
Her tongue traced over Furina's pearly teeth, pressing forward.
Furina's eyes widened, meeting Themis' gaze midair.
Their lips and tongues intertwined as Furina was gently pushed onto the bed.
Tears welled in Furina's eyes as she clung helplessly to Themis' waist, her inexperienced lips shyly responding to Themis' fervent kiss.
"..."
Across from the bed, in the full-length mirror, Focalors stood, her expression complicated.
Focalors: Am I interrupting something?
Watching her idealized version of Furina being comforted by Themis in such an adult manner, Focalors felt like she should vanish immediately.
And yet, for some reason... it was oddly satisfying.
Focalors' eyes sparkled as she watched the scene unfold—Furina's passive, flustered demeanor, and Themis' tenderness, a stark contrast to how she usually treated her.
Oh no.
Focalors smacked her forehead, realizing something was terribly wrong.
"It was supposed to be a world of three, so why am I the only one left out?!"
Her eyes widened as she finally grasped the problem, a sour feeling swelling in her chest.
Furina was the ideal version of herself—the perfect human she aspired to be. They were the same person.
And the one passionately embracing her was the love interest she had chosen for her human self.
After five hundred years of pushing the plot forward, seeing this moment unfold with her own eyes...
Focalors felt a stabbing pain in her heart, her breath hitching, her mood plummeting.
She left in a daze, returning to her own place.
After a long time, she adjusted her mindset.
Sigh, it's nothing to be upset about.
"After all, Furina and I are the same person."
A gentle, affectionate smile returned to Focalors' face.
"I should be happy for her. Happy for myself, right?"
That's how it should be.
Yet, covering her face, she couldn't help but feel inexplicably aggrieved.
Damn it.
Themis had never looked at her with such tenderness before.