Furina sat hunched over her desk in her dimly lit office, the only source of light being the scattered lamps and the soft glow from the city of Fontaine outside her window. Papers were strewn across every surface, forming messy piles on the desk, spilling onto the floor, and even stacked precariously on her chair and bookshelves. Half-filled inkpots sat among the chaos, and quills that had long since lost their sharpness lay abandoned in odd places. The room, once a pristine space suited for the Archon of Fontaine, now resembled the aftermath of a storm, with everything in disarray.

She scribbled furiously at a document, her hand moving with mechanical precision as her eyes flicked over the fine print. The clatter of papers and soft scratches of her quill were the only sounds in the room, apart from her soft murmurs as she talked herself through the endless list of cases. The fatigue was evident in the slight shake of her hand, but Furina, ever the perfectionist, ignored it. Her once regal appearance was now unkempt: her long, silver hair slightly disheveled, her elegant Archon robes wrinkled and carelessly thrown on. She had been here for hours, and the daylight had long faded, but she refused to rest.

There was too much to do. Too many cases. Too many people counting on her to resolve the legal matters of Fontaine. Her people were her responsibility, and she couldn't allow herself to falter. Every file held a decision that would affect a life, a judgment that only she, as the Hydro Archon, could render. Her title weighed heavily on her shoulders, but she wore it like armor.

The door to her office creaked open slightly, and Neuvillette, the Iudex, entered quietly. His steps were soft, but they still echoed in the stillness of the room. He stood in the doorway for a moment, his tall figure casting a shadow over the cluttered space as he took in the scene before him. His sharp, discerning eyes swept over the piles of documents, the chaotic mess of papers that had swallowed Furina's once-immaculate office.

His gaze finally landed on Furina, who hadn't noticed his entrance, so engrossed in her work that she was oblivious to everything else around her. She was working at a pace that bordered on frantic, her quill flying across the parchment as though racing against time itself. The dark circles under her eyes betrayed just how long she had been at this, likely without rest or food.

"Lady Furina," Neuvillette spoke softly, his deep voice cutting through the silence but with a tone so gentle it felt almost hesitant, as if he didn't want to disrupt her.

Furina froze for a moment, her quill pausing mid-stroke. She didn't lift her head immediately, taking a second to blink and let his voice register in her exhausted mind. Finally, she glanced up, her expression one of mild surprise, as if she had forgotten that other people existed outside of her workload.

"Neuvillette," she greeted, her voice hoarse from lack of use, but she immediately turned back to her document. "I didn't hear you come in. If it's about the cases, I'll get to them soon, I just—there are more pressing matters at the moment." Her tone was brisk, almost defensive, as if preemptively deflecting any concern he might express about her current state.

Neuvillette, however, didn't respond to her words immediately. He stepped further into the room, his sharp gaze softening as he moved closer to her desk. His eyes scanned over the files, the legal documents scattered in every direction, and the Archon herself, who looked more like a worn-out scribe than the embodiment of Hydro. He could see the strain etched into her every movement, the weight of her responsibilities dragging her down, but she pressed on, stubborn and determined.

"Furina," he began again, a hint of firmness in his tone this time. "You cannot continue like this. It has been days since you've rested properly." He glanced down at the stack of papers she was clutching, then back at her. "Fontaine needs its Archon, but not like this."

Furina's grip tightened on the document she was holding, her jaw clenched as she resisted his words. She knew he was right, but admitting it was another thing entirely. She couldn't stop, not when there was so much to be done. Every moment she rested was another moment lost, another case left unresolved.

"I don't have time to rest," she muttered, her voice quieter now, almost as if she were speaking more to herself than to him. "There's too much to fix, too many cases to go through. If I stop, if I—" Her words faltered, and she let out a shaky breath. "They need me."

Neuvillette walked around her desk, carefully stepping over the papers littering the floor. He stood beside her, placing a hand gently on the back of her chair. His presence alone was steadying, like the quiet calm before a storm.

"They need you," he agreed, his tone softening once more, "but they need you whole, not broken from exhaustion." He reached down, plucking one of the scattered papers off the floor and placing it on her desk, tidying the pile a little in a silent, unspoken offer of help. "Let me assist you with this. You are not alone in this, Furina."

For a moment, Furina stared at the papers in front of her, her mind a whirl of conflicting thoughts. She had been doing everything herself for so long, wearing herself thin with the belief that only she could shoulder the burden of Fontaine's justice. But hearing Neuvillette's calm, unwavering voice, she realized the truth in his words. She couldn't do this alone—not anymore.

Her eyes flicked up to meet his. There was a flicker of vulnerability in her gaze, something rarely seen from the ever-composed Archon. She allowed herself a brief moment of weakness before she straightened her posture, forcing a small, tired smile.

"Perhaps," she conceded quietly, "I have been overworking myself."

Neuvillette's lips curved into a faint smile, a sign that he had made his point, but his eyes remained gentle as he nodded. "I'll have the clerks handle the smaller cases for now," he said, already moving to take a few papers from her desk. "You focus on what's most important, and then rest."

Furina gave a slow nod, watching as Neuvillette began to organize the chaotic mess in her office with a practiced ease. For the first time in what felt like days, she allowed herself to lean back in her chair, closing her eyes briefly as she let out a long, slow breath. She was still tired, her mind still racing, but with Neuvillette's help, the weight on her shoulders felt just a little bit lighter.

——————————-

After Neuvillette left Furina's office, closing the door quietly behind him, he exhaled, releasing the tension he had kept contained while in her presence. The Hydro Archon was finally resting, at least to a degree, and it allowed him a small moment of peace as he walked back through the grand, echoing hallways of Fontaine's judicial offices toward his own quarters. The marble walls, bathed in cool, filtered light, seemed quieter than usual, as though the building itself recognized his weariness.

Entering his office, Neuvillette's thoughts were immediately interrupted by two familiar figures. Wriothesley, his husband, stood tall and imposing by the window, his broad shoulders cloaked in his usual dark attire, while beside him, their adopted daughter, Sigewinne, radiated a sweetness and innocence that filled the room. Her tiny hands held a carefully wrapped bundle, likely a small treat she had brought especially for him.

"Papa!" Sigewinne beamed, her eyes lighting up as she dashed toward him, her small footsteps echoing across the polished floor.

Neuvillette's reserved expression softened, a rare smile touching his lips as he bent down to embrace her. Sigewinne's energy and warmth washed over him like a balm, and he felt a surge of gratitude for her presence.

"Sigewinne," he greeted, his voice soft with affection, pulling back to look at her face. "What brings you here? And what's this you've brought?"

She held up the little parcel, wrapped in a cloth tied with a ribbon. "I made you something! Wriothesley helped, but I did most of it myself," she said proudly, handing it over with careful hands. "I thought you might need a treat after working so much."

Neuvillette chuckled lightly, taking the bundle from her and unwrapping it to reveal a delicate pastry, clearly crafted with care. He could tell from the way the edges were uneven that Sigewinne had indeed had a hand in shaping it, which made it all the more special.

"Thank you," he murmured, his gaze shifting to Wriothesley, who was watching the scene with a fond, warm expression.

Wriothesley moved closer, his eyes gleaming with humor as he regarded his husband. "Looks like we got here just in time. You looked like you could use a break."

Neuvillette's lips quirked slightly as he took a bite of the pastry, savoring the sweetness before addressing Wriothesley. "You're perceptive as ever," he replied, a touch of mirth in his tone. "Furina needed assistance with her case load. I could hardly leave her to drown in paperwork."

Wriothesley raised an eyebrow, folding his arms across his chest. "You've been working tirelessly too, you know. It wouldn't hurt to rely on someone else every now and then," he replied, his voice both teasing and firm.

Sigewinne took Neuvillette's hand, her small fingers wrapped around his, as if grounding him to the moment. "You'll take a break, right, Papa?" Her wide eyes looked up at him with innocent hope, and Neuvillette felt his heart soften.

"Yes," he promised, glancing between the two of them. "Yes, I will." He bent down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, watching her smile brighten.

Wriothesley placed a reassuring hand on Neuvillette's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Then how about we all take some time together?" he suggested, his gaze warm.

As they lingered together in the warmth of Neuvillette's office, a rare but cherished moment, Wriothesley suggested, "Why don't we go for a walk along the fountains? The weather's perfect." Sigewinne's eyes sparkled with excitement at the idea, and she clasped Neuvillette's hand eagerly.

Neuvillette nodded, smiling at both of them as he gently released Sigewinne's hand. "A walk sounds wonderful. Let me just grab my coat," he replied, moving to a nearby closet to retrieve his overcoat.

Wriothesley helped Sigewinne straighten her tiny scarf, chuckling as she fidgeted with anticipation. "There, all ready to go, little one," he said, patting her on the head.

Just as they all made their way toward the door, a guard approached hurriedly, his armor clinking as he caught his breath. He bowed before Neuvillette, his face etched with concern. "Apologies, Chief Justice," he began, casting a brief glance at Wriothesley and Sigewinne before focusing on Neuvillette again. "It's...Lady Furina. She's gone."

Neuvillette's heart skipped a beat, his easy expression tightening instantly. "Gone? What do you mean?"

The guard, uneasy under Neuvillette's intense gaze, explained, "We can't find her anywhere in her chambers or within the estate. The servants last saw her in her office, but she seems to have vanished without a trace."

Wriothesley's jaw tensed, his casual demeanor shifting as he exchanged a serious look with Neuvillette. Sigewinne looked up at her fathers, sensing the gravity of the situation, her small hands clenching the edge of her scarf.

Neuvillette's mind raced as he processed the news, already calculating possible locations and recalling Furina's recent behavior. "I see," he murmured, his voice steady despite the unease simmering within him.

He looked down at Sigewinne, giving her a reassuring nod. "I'm sorry, Sigewinne, but I need to attend to this. Can you stay with daddy? I won't be long."

She nodded, her eyes wide with worry but trusting her father's calm assurance. Wriothesley gave Neuvillette a firm look, laying a hand on his shoulder briefly. "We'll wait for you," he promised.

Neuvillette nodded gratefully, then turned to the guard. "Lead the way," he instructed, his voice carrying a calm authority as he followed the guard into the hallway, leaving Wriothesley and Sigewinne to watch him disappear down the corridor, the shadow of worry lingering in the air.

As Wriothesley nodded in agreement, he took a lingering glance around the room, sensing the unspoken tension between Neuvillette and his unyielding sense of duty. "I'll go rally more of the guards and ensure the grounds are thoroughly searched," he said, squeezing Neuvillette's shoulder reassuringly. "You'll find her. She's strong."

Neuvillette gave a small nod of gratitude. "Thank you, Wriothesley. I won't rest until she's safe."

With a final supportive look, Wriothesley turned and left, taking Sigewinne with him down the winding corridors. Once they were gone, the room settled into silence, and Neuvillette stood alone in the dimly lit office, the air heavy with the lingering scent of ink and parchment. He slowly scanned the room, his eyes moving from scattered papers to the overturned inkpots. The disarray painted a vivid image of Furina's restless, overburdened mind.

As he sifted through the scattered documents, he noticed something unusual on the floor near her desk. A faint trail of dark red dust—rich, crimson, and unmistakably magical in nature. It shimmered faintly, catching the soft glow of the lamp on the desk. Neuvillette's brows knitted as he crouched down to inspect it.

The dust was undeniably the residue of an Anemo Vision—its distinct color and texture unmistakable. The traces formed a small, jagged pile, as if someone with a Vision had left in haste, carrying a lingering aura of unease. His fingers hovered over it without touching, keenly aware that it wasn't Furina's Hydro Vision that left this behind; it had to belong to someone else.

A knot formed in his chest as he considered the implications. Was Furina taken? Or had she gone willingly, perhaps in a state of emotional turmoil, following or led by someone he didn't yet know? He clenched his jaw, the weight of Fontaine's safety—and Furina's wellbeing—pressing heavily on him.

He straightened, looking around the room with renewed purpose. Whoever had left that trace might still be within the palace grounds, or nearby in the city. He needed to act quickly, but he would not be reckless. If someone intended harm toward Furina, he would see them stopped.

Neuvillette's fingers hovered over the crimson dust, his mind racing with unanswered questions and worst-case scenarios. The faint red spark shimmered subtly in the low light, as though daring him to uncover the mystery behind its presence. His gaze remained fixed on the dust, his expression stoic but his heart pounding with concern for Furina, an unease he couldn't shake.

The silence was soon interrupted by approaching footsteps, heavy yet calm, a sound that Neuvillette recognized without turning around. Wriothesley's strong, reassuring presence filled the room as he stepped in, his eyes immediately scanning the disorder and then resting on Neuvillette's worried expression.

"Neuvillette," Wriothesley murmured softly, reaching out to touch his arm, grounding him in the moment. "I've spoken to the guards. They'll search every corner of Fontaine, and I'll be leading them if it comes to that. But you need to be careful."

Neuvillette looked up, meeting his husband's gaze. "I can't help but feel... there's more to this than just her slipping away. This residue isn't hers, and it troubles me."

Wriothesley's gaze softened, an understanding warmth filling his eyes as he brushed a strand of Neuvillette's hair back from his forehead. "I know you're worried," he said, his voice low and steady. "You're shouldering so much, but remember that you're not alone in this. We'll find her together."

As the quiet assurance settled between them, Wriothesley leaned in, closing the distance. His hand cupped Neuvillette's cheek, his thumb brushing along his jaw as he pressed a gentle, lingering kiss to his lips, a grounding touch amidst the tumultuous worry that clouded Neuvillette's mind. For a moment, the tension eased, and he allowed himself to sink into the comfort Wriothesley provided, anchoring him back to the present.

When they parted, Neuvillette took a deep breath, feeling a renewed sense of determination. Wriothesley's presence—his steady support—was like a promise that he didn't have to carry this burden alone.

"Thank you," Neuvillette whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.

Wriothesley squeezed his shoulder. "Just find her. I'll do everything in my power to help." With a final look, he left the room, leaving Neuvillette alone with the quiet resolve that he would see this through.

Neuvillette turned back to the faint red dust. His jaw clenched, his mind made up. He would find Furina, follow every lead, every sign, no matter how small. Whoever was behind her disappearance would not escape his judgment.

—————————————-
IM SO SORRY FOR THIS VERY LATE AND SHOT POST! IM ALMOST DONE WRITING THE NEXT POST IM SO SORRY  BUT I HOPE YALL LIKE THIS CHAPER!!
-Furina De Fontaine