Furina was seated by the wide, sunlit window of her quarters, her delicate hands moving gracefully as she trimmed the stems of her flowers. The blue roses before her were her sanctuary, their soft petals soothing her frayed nerves as she worked to arrange them just so. A small smile played on her lips as she adjusted the angle of a particularly stubborn stem, the repetitive action grounding her amidst the chaos that constantly brewed outside her door.

The peace shattered in an instant as the door to her quarters flew open with such force that it slammed against the wall, the sound reverberating like a thunderclap. Furina jumped, the scissors slipping from her fingers and clattering onto the floor. Her breath hitched as she looked up, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.

Arlecchino stormed in, her dark eyes blazing with an anger so intense it seemed to darken the very room. The door was slammed shut just as hard as it had been opened, the echoing noise making Furina flinch. The air grew thick with tension, the kind that made Furina's skin prickle and her instincts scream for her to run—but she couldn't.

"You little pathetic, stupid bitch of a woman," Arlecchino spat, her voice low but dripping with venom. Each word was laced with a cold, calculating fury that made Furina's blood run cold. Before Furina could even rise from her chair, Arlecchino crossed the room in a few long strides and grabbed her wrist, yanking her up with such force that she stumbled forward.

"You think you can go behind my back and talk to that guard, Lian?" Arlecchino hissed, her grip on Furina's wrist like iron. Her other hand gestured sharply, her movements erratic, barely restrained rage radiating from her like a storm ready to break.

"I—" Furina's voice faltered, her wide eyes staring up at the Harbinger in sheer terror. "I didn't—"

"Don't lie to me!" Arlecchino snarled, cutting her off as she tightened her grip, making Furina wince. "Do you think I'm an idiot? That I wouldn't notice you sneaking around, whispering to my guard like some conniving little snake?"

Furina shook her head desperately, tears pricking at her eyes as she tried to pull her wrist free. "I wasn't sneaking! Lian was just trying to keep me company—"

"Shut up," Arlecchino snapped, her voice dangerously low. She leaned in closer, her cold breath brushing against Furina's face. "I don't care what excuse you've came up with. You're mine, Furina. You don't get to play these little games and expect to come out unscathed."

Furina's heart raced as panic clawed at her chest. "I'm not yours!" she cried, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face. "I'm not some thing you can own!"

Arlecchino's eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a cruel smirk. "Oh, but you are," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "You think Neuvillette is coming to rescue you?" Arlecchino continued, her voice rising as her frustration boiled over. She straightened up, looming over Furina like a storm cloud about to break. "The only reason your dear brother is coming here is to sign your freedom away. Do you understand that? He's not here to save you; he's here to give you to me."

Furina's breath hitched at those words, her chest tightening painfully. She looked up at Arlecchino, her wide, tear-filled eyes meeting the Knave's icy stare. "You're lying," she whispered, her voice barely audible but carrying a note of desperation.

Arlecchino let out a cold, humorless laugh, stepping back slightly as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Lying? Oh, how naive you are, little Oceanid. You're nothing more than a pawn in his hands. Do you really think he'll choose you over Fontaine? Over his precious order?"

Furina shook her head, her hands trembling as she clutched the rose tighter. "He wouldn't do that. He wouldn't..."

Furina's breath hitched, her body trembling under Arlecchino's unyielding grip. "Why?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"All I had to was threaten to hurt you.. so simple that he is going to simply sign you over to a Fatuines ,non the less a Harbinger." Her grip around Furina's wrist grew tighter, Furina could deal the anger and frustration the Knave had towards him.

"From the day he signs your hand in marriage to me," Arlecchino continued, her tone growing darker with each word, "is the day you'll be locked in this godforsaken room all you want. Till then, your so-called 'power' here is little to no concern to me. You're nothing, Furina. Nothing but a pawn in my hands."

Furina's chest heaved as she tried to process the torrent of cruel words. Her tears flowed freely now, but she refused to let her voice falter again. "You can't do this," she whispered, her voice trembling but defiant. "You can't just take everything from me."

Arlecchino's smirk faded, replaced by a look of pure fury. "Oh, can't I?" she said, her voice low and menacing. Without warning, she raised her hand and struck Furina across the face.

The sharp crack of the slap echoed in the room, and Furina staggered back, clutching her cheek. The sting was immediate, a fiery pain that spread across her skin. Her knees buckled, and she sank to the floor, her hands trembling as she held her cheek.

Arlecchino towered over her, her chest rising and falling with ragged breaths as she glared down at the fallen Archon. "Remember this, Furina," she said coldly, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. "You're mine. And no one—not your guard, not your brother, not even the heavens themselves—will take you away from me."

With that, Arlecchino turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, the door slamming shut behind her. Furina remained on the floor, her body trembling as she cradled her throbbing cheek. The flowers she had been trimming lay scattered on the floor, their delicate petals crushed beneath Arlecchino's heavy boots—a silent testament to the destruction she left in her wake.

—————-

It was late afternoon when Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet returned to the grand house after their meeting with Neuvillette. The air inside the mansion felt heavy, more oppressive than usual, as though it anticipated the storm brewing just beyond the horizon. The three siblings, clad in their formal attire from the meeting, entered the main hall with a silence that spoke louder than words.

Lyney, ever the one with a confident air, seemed unusually pensive as he removed his hat, running a hand through his pale blond hair. Lynette stood beside him, her expression stoic but her ears twitching slightly—a telltale sign of unease. Freminet trailed behind, his usual quiet demeanor amplified by the weight of what they had just learned.

As they walked through the halls, their steps echoing faintly, Lyney finally broke the silence. "Three days," he murmured, his voice low and troubled. "That's all the time we have before Neuvillette arrives to sign Furina's fate away."

Lynette glanced at her brother, her voice soft but firm. "It isn't just her fate, Lyney. It's all of ours. If this happens... Father will ensure none of us can ever leave her shadow."

Freminet, clutching his small mechanical penguin close to his chest, looked up at his siblings with wide eyes. "But do you think Neuvillette will actually go through with it? He's always cared about Furina..."

Lyney exhaled sharply, his hand tightening around his hat. "He might not have a choice, Freminet. Father has played her cards too well. If he refuses, she could twist it into something disastrous—for Furina, for Fontaine, for him."

The thought of their "Father" winning so thoroughly left a bitter taste in Lyney's mouth, but there was little time to dwell on it. The siblings had come to a silent agreement during their meeting: they would do whatever they could to prepare for what was to come, and the first step was checking on Furina.

The three of them moved through the mansion's labyrinthine halls until they reached Furina's quarters. Lyney paused in front of the ornate door, his hand hovering over the handle. He exchanged a glance with Lynette and Freminet before finally pushing it open.

Inside, the room was quiet, bathed in the warm light of the setting sun. Furina was seated on a small chair by her vanity, her back to the door. She wore a pale blue gown, her hair loose around her shoulders, framing her delicate features. In her lap was a single, slightly crumpled blue rose—its petals bearing the weight of a thousand unsaid words.

"Furina," Lyney called gently as he stepped into the room, his voice cautious.

Furina startled at the sound, quickly turning her head to face them. Her face was pale, her eyes red-rimmed from crying, and there was a faint, healing cut on her cheek—a reminder of the Knave's cruelty. Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched the rose closer to her chest.

"Lyney," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Lynette. Freminet."

Freminet was the first to approach, his concern evident as he knelt by her side. "Are you okay, Furina?" he asked softly, his small hands reaching out but hesitating to touch her.

Furina nodded shakily, though it was clear she wasn't fine. "I'm... managing," she said, though her voice lacked conviction. "What did Neuvillette say? Is he... is he really coming?"

Lyney stepped forward, his jaw tightening. "He is," he admitted, his tone heavy with regret. "In three days. To sign you off... to her."

Furina's grip on the rose tightened, and her gaze dropped to the floor. "I see," she murmured, her voice trembling. "So it's really happening. There's no escaping her, is there?"

Lynette moved to stand beside her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "We're here, Furina," she said softly. "We'll do whatever we can to help you. But... you need to be prepared for what's coming."

Furina looked up at them, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Prepared? How can I prepare for this? She's going to take everything from me. My freedom, my dignity, my—" Her voice broke, and she buried her face in her hands, sobbing quietly.

The siblings exchanged a look of shared sorrow, their hearts aching for the broken woman before them. Freminet gently placed a hand on Furina's knee, his voice soft and full of determination. "You're not alone, Furina. We won't let her take everything from you. We promise." He spoke softly.

Before any of them could say more, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the hall. The siblings tensed, instinctively forming a protective circle around Furina. The door swung open, and there stood their father.

Her sharp eyes swept over the scene, taking in Furina's tear-streaked face and the siblings' defensive stances. Her expression hardened, and a cold smile curled on her lips.

"How touching," she said mockingly, stepping into the room. "The little Archon and her loyal pets, plotting behind my back."

"Father," Lyney said cautiously, his tone neutral but edged with tension.

Arlecchino's gaze snapped to him, her eyes narrowing. "Out," she ordered coldly. "All of you. Now."

Lynette hesitated, her hand still on Furina's shoulder. "Father—"

"I said out," Arlecchino repeated, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The siblings exchanged a final glance before reluctantly stepping back. Freminet lingered for a moment, his eyes filled with worry, before Lyney gently guided him out.

As the door closed behind them, Arlecchino turned her attention to Furina, who sat frozen in her chair, clutching the rose like a lifeline.

"You think you can defy me, little Archon?" Arlecchino said, her voice low and dangerous as she stepped closer. "You think your brother will save you?"

Furina's eyes darted to the floor, her silence only fueling Arlecchino's anger.

"You belong to me, Furina," Arlecchino said, leaning down to grip the arms of the chair, caging the smaller woman in. "And nothing—not Neuvillette, not your pathetic hope—will change that."

Furina's breath hitched, her body trembling under the weight of Arlecchino's gaze. But deep inside, a spark of defiance flickered, refusing to be snuffed out.

Arlecchino's piercing gaze bore into Furina as her words hung heavy in the air. The tension in the room was suffocating, pressing against Furina like the walls themselves were closing in. Arlecchino's hands gripped the arms of the chair with such force that her knuckles turned white, her sharp nails digging into the wood.

"Say something," The Knave hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "Or has your cowardice finally silenced you, little Archon?"

Furina swallowed hard, her lips parting slightly as though she wanted to speak, but no words came out. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing in her ears as she tried to muster the courage to respond. Her fingers trembled as they clutched the blue rose, the petals now slightly crushed under the pressure of her grip.

Arlecchino's patience snapped. She reached out, grabbing Furina's wrist with a bruising grip, yanking her up from the chair. Furina gasped, the rose falling from her hands to the floor. Arlecchino's face was inches from hers, her eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and something darker, something unreadable.

"You're mine," Arlecchino growled, her voice low and dangerous. "I don't care if you're an Archon. From the moment Neuvillette signs that contract, you'll belong to me. Do you hear me? You'll be locked in this room, in this house, for as long as I see fit. Your power, your title—none of it matters to me."

Furina's fear gave way to a flicker of anger, a spark of defiance that she couldn't suppress. She yanked her arm back, her voice trembling but firm. "I am not yours, and I will never be yours. You think you can break me, but you won't. You don't own me."

The slap came before Furina could register the movement. Arlecchino's hand struck her cheek with a resounding crack, sending her stumbling back. She caught herself on the edge of the table, her cheek stinging and a thin line of blood welling up where Arlecchino's nails had grazed her skin.

Furina's breath came in ragged gasps as she pressed a trembling hand to her cheek, her vision blurred with tears. Arlecchino's expression was unreadable, her chest heaving as though she were trying to calm herself. For a moment, the room was silent except for the sound of Furina's shaky breaths.

Then, Arlecchino spoke, her voice quieter but no less intense. "You'll learn, Furina. You'll learn what it means to defy me."

Without another word, Arlecchino turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. The sound echoed through the chamber, leaving Furina alone in the suffocating silence.

She sank to the floor, her legs giving out beneath her as the weight of the encounter crashed over her. She clutched her knees to her chest, sobbing quietly as she pressed her forehead against her arms. The pain in her cheek was a dull throb compared to the ache in her chest, the despair that threatened to consume her.

Minutes passed, though it felt like hours, before the door creaked open again. Furina flinched, her heart leaping into her throat as she expected Arlecchino to return. But instead, it was Lian who stepped into the room, their soft footsteps hesitant as they approached.

"Furina?" Lian's voice was gentle, filled with concern. They froze when they saw her sitting on the floor, her face hidden behind her arms. "Oh, Furina..."

Lian crouched down beside her, their hand hovering over her shoulder before finally resting there. "What happened?" they asked softly, though the faint line of blood on Furina's cheek told them enough.

Furina didn't lift her head, her voice muffled as she spoke. "She... she said Neuvillette was coming to give me to her. To... to sign me away."

Lian's eyes darkened with anger, but they kept their tone calm for Furina's sake. "Let me help you, okay? Let's get you cleaned up."

Furina nodded weakly, allowing Lian to help her to her feet. They guided her to the washroom, their movements gentle and careful. As they cleaned the cut on her cheek, Lian spoke softly, their voice steady.

"Neuvillette isn't coming to give you away," they said firmly. "He's coming to save you. I've seen the way he talks about you, the way he looks when your name is mentioned. He won't let her take you, Furina. You have to believe that... but- I cannot promise that he's not going to sign you to the fatui.."

Furina's gaze flicked up to meet Lian's, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "How can you be so sure?" she whispered.

"Because I've been in his position before," Lian said with a small, sad smile. "When someone you care about is in danger, you'll do whatever it takes to protect them. And I know Neuvillette is no different."

Furina's lip quivered, but she nodded, holding onto Lian's words like a lifeline. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Lian offered her a reassuring smile, their hand resting lightly on her shoulder. "You're not alone, Furina. We'll get through this together."

————

The dim light of Neuvillette's study spilled across the scattered paperwork on his desk, illuminating the fine lines of his furrowed brow. He sat rigid in his chair, silver hair cascading like a waterfall over his shoulders as his head rested in his hands. The tension in the room was palpable, and his usually serene demeanor was absent, replaced by an air of quiet despair.

Footsteps echoed softly against the wooden floors, growing louder until Wriothesley appeared in the doorway. His tall frame was shadowed in the warm glow of the room, his sharp features softened by concern. He paused for a moment, observing his husband's slumped form before closing the door behind him with a quiet click.

"You've been in here for hours," Wriothesley said gently, his deep voice filling the room. "If you don't stop, you're going to wear yourself thin."

Neuvillette didn't respond immediately, his fingers pressing harder into his temples. "I can't afford to stop," he murmured, his voice low and heavy. "The situation with my sister grows more precarious by the hour. I've gone through every legal channel, every possible strategy, and yet..." He trailed off, shaking his head in frustration.

Wriothesley crossed the room with measured steps, his boots muffled by the plush carpet. Placing a firm hand on Neuvillette's shoulder, he gave a reassuring squeeze. "You're shouldering too much, love... You don't have to do this alone."

Neuvillette finally looked up, his lavender eyes clouded with unspoken torment. "How can I not?" he whispered. "If I fail, Furina will be lost. The knave is dangerous, manipulative, and relentless. Every delay puts her closer to—" His voice cracked slightly, and he looked away, his jaw tightening.

Wriothesley's gaze softened as he knelt beside Neuvillette, reaching up to cradle his face. "Hey," he said, his tone quiet but firm. "You're not in this alone. I'm here, darling . We'll figure this out—together."

Before Neuvillette could protest, Wriothesley leaned in and kissed him, capturing his lips in a gesture that was both tender and commanding. Neuvillette froze for a moment, startled by the suddenness of it, but the warmth of Wriothesley's lips quickly melted away his resistance.

The kiss deepened, Wriothesley's hand sliding from Neuvillette's face to the back of his neck, pulling him closer. His other hand moved to Neuvillette's waist, anchoring him firmly in place. Neuvillette's hands trembled slightly as they came to rest on Wriothesley's chest, his usually composed demeanor unraveling under the intensity of the kiss.

Wriothesley stood, effortlessly pulling Neuvillette with him, and without breaking the kiss, he turned and settled into the chair, guiding Neuvillette onto his lap. The shift in position brought them impossibly closer, and Neuvillette gasped softly against Wriothesley's lips.

"Wriothesley..." Neuvillette began, his voice barely above a whisper, but Wriothesley silenced him with another kiss, this one deeper and more insistent. He tilted Neuvillette's chin upward, his fingers brushing against the soft skin of his jawline as he claimed his lips again.

Neuvillette's hands, once hesitant, now clutched at Wriothesley's shirt, his fingers curling into the fabric as he gave in to the moment. The kiss was overwhelming, consuming, a reminder that even in the midst of turmoil, there was solace to be found. Wriothesley's lips moved against his with a fervor that sent shivers down his spine, each kiss more passionate than the last.

When they finally broke apart, both men were breathing heavily. Wriothesley rested his forehead against Neuvillette's, his dark eyes searching the storm in his husband's gaze. "You carry so much," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "But you don't have to carry it all. Let me help you."

Neuvillette closed his eyes, the tension in his chest easing ever so slightly. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice fragile. "You're my anchor, my beloved . I don't deserve you."

Wriothesley chuckled softly, brushing a strand of silver hair from Neuvillette's face. "You deserve everything," he replied, his tone firm. "And we're going to bring your sister back. Not because it's your duty as Chief Justice, but because it's the right thing to do. And because she matters to you."

Neuvillette nodded, his resolve strengthening with each word. "You're right," he said quietly. "She deserves her freedom. And I won't stop until she's safe."

Wriothesley's lips curled into a small smile before he leaned in and kissed Neuvillette again, this time softer but no less meaningful. When he pulled back, he tightened his hold on his husband, keeping him close. "Good. Now let's figure out how to deal with that Fatui. Together."

For the first time that day, Neuvillette allowed himself to lean into his husband's strength, his head resting against his husband's shoulder as the storm within him began to calm. They had a long road ahead, but in this moment, Neuvillette knew he wasn't alone.

——————————-

HII! Finally a new chapter out!!! I hope this is too your liking<3! I am super super sorry for the delay! I had a really bad writers block and it was not fun... but I'll try to post.. Wednesday if I can... cause snow storm !! But erm yea guys!! Hope you like this and should I write a Neuvillette x Wriothesley side fic... yk?? Erm yes or no.. but Anygay hope yall like this<3! And ty for all the reads! It means a lot and pls pls share my fic <3!  Love you all my little lake Lillies!!

- Lady Furina De Fontaine~