"Clorinde!"

The swordsman's eyes peered away from the chapter she was reading in her book and glanced up to see who was greeting her. Her eyebrows were raised, not at all expecting to see him of all people.

"Monsieur Wriosthely?"

Especially when it was the Duke himself. Wriosthely waved at her, wearing a wide smile as he approached her at the water fountain where she was reading.

"What a surprise. I never thought to see the Duke up on the surface away from the Fortress of Meropide." She commented, shutting the book close as she placed a shimmering purple bookmark to mark the chapter she last left off on. Wriosthely rubbed the back of his head, wearing a half smile now.

"Yeah. Doctor's orders. Something about being away from sunlight for too long can be unhealthy for me." He explained, referring to the melusine nurse. It was embarrassing for him that he, the imposing Duke and prison administrator, got easily pushed to leave his beloved fortress by a cute yet persistent little doctor.

"I see. How is Sigweinne. Well, I hope?" The swordswoman inquired, not at all surprised to hear of Sigweinne's attempts in checking Wriosthely's health. If only it worked on the duke's love for tea, just like it did for the matter with sunlight.

"Yeah, she's doing well. She told me to say hi to you and also to ask about your health. You know how she is." He answered, his blue eyes scanning around rather quickly for anyone present. Clorinde took notice, finding that odd to see. It was almost like he would commit a crime right here in front of her.

"Well, you may inform her that my health is normal. Is there something you want from me, Wriosthely?" The duelist asked, sensing that there was another reason the duke was here before here.

"Well, actually, yes. You know how the lady Furina is throwing a big ball in two days to celebrate Fontaine surviving the prophecy? I was wondering if you would be going? And if you are, would it be alright if I accompanied you to the ball?" He asked her, forcing himself to look at her and wearing an awkard smile to try to appear normal.

Another irregular movement of his eyes, she noted. The thing is, EVERYONE in Fontaine got an invite to the ball. Even the traveler and Paimon. Still, she thought he knew better than to hide something from her. From his odd smile and rubbing the back of his neck. Not to mention the constant glancing around to see if anyone was near. All signs that he there was something hidden from her.

"Monsieur Wriosthely. Is there something you're hiding from me?"

Straight to the point. His smile fell in an instant, and he winced as if her words shot through him. Wriosthely knew better than to lie to the one duelist that aided in the number of trials. One stare from her was all she would need to make one drop the mask and admit the truth.

"Sigh. Alright, you caught me. There is another reason why I'm asking you." He admitted, letting his hand leave his neck.

"Sigweinne found out that I planned to skip the party and just hang out at the fortress. Which she didn't take took kindly. So, she threatened to lock me out of the fortress. And to prove she was serious, Sigweinne even threatened to dump all my stash of tea into the ocean." He confessed.

Clorinde had to admit, it was a bit surprising to hear the melusine take such drastic measures. Especially with Wriosthely's favorite beverage. "Look, all I ask is we just go to the ball together. Nothing more. Just two friends, and that's it. So, what do you say, Clorinde?" He asked her, feeling less embarrassed now that he had opened up to her.

The purple hair woman glanced her eyes down to think for a moment. Normally, she wasn't into those grand, fancy parties. Just like the Duke, she had thought to skip it and relax in the soothing silence of her home.

"Hmm...very well. I accept."

Wriosthely's blue eyes widen and look at her, blinking several times to see if he was dreaming or not. Clorinde herself, the finest duelist in Fontaine, accepting an invite from him to be her companion to the ball.

The corners of his mouth perked up, intrigued by her reaction. "Wow. Never thought you would actually accept." He pointed out, watching her stand up from her spot, proceeding to walk past him.

"Don't overthink it. If Sigweinne is serious about throwing your precious tea in the ocean, then I guess attending one ball wouldn't hurt. I have to go attend some tasks. Let me know what time works for you to meet for the party." She told him, sparing a glance before leaving.

"Will do. See ya, Clorinde." He waved at her, but once she was out of earshot, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, guess for now my stash of tea is safe. Better go tell Sigweinne before she threatens me again." He told himself, turning around to head back to the fortress.

However, behind the corner of a boutique, Sigweinne had been watching the whole time. She came up herself to make sure the Duke did what she asked him to do. Quietly, she clapped her hands, squeaking excitedly to see her friend actually listening to her orders. Sigweinne quietly slipped away, rushing back to the fortress to greet her friend.