Just as Arlecchino left to purchase souvenirs, Yuto finished making a small cake, then effortlessly brought it and a pot of black tea to his office.
However, the moment he pushed open the door, he... froze.
A ray of midday sun streamed through the glass window beside the desk, falling perfectly on Furina, who was sitting at the desk, head bowed, holding Little Sanhua.
Her smooth silver hair shimmered in the sunlight, and Little Sanhua, sleeping peacefully in her arms, added a gentle and sacred aura to Furina.
Seemingly sensing Yuto's arrival, Furina subtly raised her head, gave a slight smile to Yuto, who was standing at the office door, and then softly asked,
"You're back?"
The moment Furina uttered these words, Yuto felt a momentary daze.
He had just felt... as if he had been married to Furina for several decades.
This scene was like... Yuto, as a husband, returning home from work, first seeing his gentle wife smiling at him, and then seeing the small pet in her arms.
These two elements, superimposed under the soft light refracted by the office glass... everything appeared so warm and beautiful.
Thinking this, Yuto gently nodded, then placed the small cake in front of Furina, and retrieved several exquisite teacups from the cabinet beside him.
After pouring tea for Furina, Yuto gently patted Little Sanhua's head, then smiled and said,
"Little glutton, time to wake up for lunch~"
Hearing this, Little Sanhua, who had been a bit groggy from being suddenly woken by Yuto, instantly became alert.
In the world of cats, only two things are important: their owner and their food.
Little Sanhua instantly leaped down from Furina's lap, then obediently squatted on the ground, waiting for Yuto to feed her.
Watching the adorable little creature, Yuto chuckled and shook his head, then placed the serving tray on the ground, urging the little one to eat lunch quickly.
After settling Little Sanhua, Yuto and Furina sat together, quietly enjoying their rare peaceful time.
No...
Actually, it should be said... it's their rare peaceful time *now*.
Once the new department, part of Yuto's plan, is fully established, Yuto's working hours will convert into rest time at an alarming rate.
By then, they will essentially have free time every day.
Thinking this, Yuto smiled faintly, as if he could already envision himself and Furina traveling in other nations.
...
The next day, early in the morning following the end of The Prophecy disaster, Yuto arrived alone at the reception room.
He looked at the silver-white figure that seemed to have been sitting there for a while, and let out a silent sigh.
Although he didn't know where Arlecchino's extreme punctuality came from, it didn't pose any major issue for Yuto.
—He also didn't have a habit of keeping people waiting, and this wouldn't tarnish his reputation.
"I really didn't expect you to arrive so early this time, The Knave."
Yuto said as he walked towards the seat opposite Arlecchino.
Hearing this, Arlecchino subtly raised her gaze, picked up the teacup in front of her, took a small sip, and said,
"Since Mr. Yuto is here... why don't we get straight to the point early? The result of saving time... is good for both of us, isn't it?"
"Of course, then... what exactly did you want to discuss when you invited me yesterday afternoon?"
Yuto looked at the elegant Arlecchino with a half-smile, as if trying to discern something from her composed demeanor.
Arlecchino met Yuto's gaze with complete frankness, then softly said,
"Since Mr. Yuto intends to meet me in a public capacity, let's begin with official matters."
Arlecchino said as she put down her teacup, then continued quite naturally,
"Mr. Yuto, my colleagues and I have many differences. For example... they prefer unilateral gain, while I prefer mutual benefit."
"Currently, rumors are spreading through the streets of Fontaine that Ms. Furina sacrificed her divine power to resolve The Prophecy disaster. I would like to ask... is this true?"
Yuto smiled faintly, and continued quite naturally,
"Of course it's true. Lady Furina sacrificed everything as a God for the peace of Fontaine."
"If that's the case... then the god's heart should be 'useless' to Fontaine. After all, the God's power is gone, and an empty shell... surely wouldn't be valued so much, would it?"
"I personally hope to exchange the god's heart for the Fatui's assistance to Fontaine during The Prophecy disaster."
"Of course, if Mr. Yuto finds this price unsatisfactory... we can still negotiate."
Hearing this, an inscrutable smile appeared on Yuto's face.
He looked at Arlecchino in front of him and spoke softly,
"The god's heart is indeed useless to present-day Fontaine, but have you perhaps misunderstood something?"
"Did the Fatui truly play an active role in this disaster? Or rather... does your 'active role' refer to pushing Lady Furina, the one who sacrificed everything to resolve the disaster, onto the defendant's stand?"
"Or perhaps... do you think Duke Wriothesley's prepared airships were less efficient in rescue than the children of the House of the Hearth?"
"Or... are the Fatui planning to settle scores later, using their assistance to Beryl Region for moral blackmail?"
"As for the price you mentioned... I apologize, but I have no authority to judge, because the god's heart is not with me at all."
"Even if you want to haggle, you should go to Mr. Neuvillette, not me."
Yuto spoke without ceremony.
In his view, if the Fatui want the god's heart, fine, but they had better offer a price that satisfies him.
But if they can't... and instead try to use their nonsensical actions to coerce him into making concessions... they can forget about it.
Hearing Yuto's resolute tone, Arlecchino paused slightly, then gently nodded, indicating her understanding.
In her opinion, Yuto was somewhat displeased with Lyney and their actions, and... he also seemed unwilling to get involved in this matter.
Thinking this, Arlecchino nodded again, then spoke directly,
"Alright, thank you for the guidance, Mr. Yuto. In that case... now I will speak to you as 'Arlecchino'."
"The Fatui Harbinger Third Seat, 'Columbina', wants to meet you. I wonder... do you have time?"
"Oh, it's worth mentioning... she, like you, is also a member of the Immortal Spirit."
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