Shajin reached out with a hand as gentle as a spring breeze, softly ruffling Furina's petite, porcelain-like head.
He wore a warm smile like sunlight in early spring, his voice so soothing it could melt away even the harshest winter frost.
He said, "Fufu, In a certain special sense… I'm not really someone who belongs to this world."
"So, if you have anything on your mind, any worries at all—don't hold back. You can tell me everything~"
Furina's tear-filled eyes, beautiful and gleaming like twin gemstones, locked onto Shajin with intense focus.
Her soft pink lips parted slightly, like a flower bud about to bloom. She seemed like she wanted to say something—but in the end, she hesitated, forcing the words back down her throat.
Then, silently, she stood up. She slowly turned around and began walking toward the direction of the Palais Mermonia,her steps heavy as if weighed down with lead.
Shajin sighed and gave a helpless shrug, then dashed after her, swift as the wind.
Just like that, the two of them walked in silence. It was as though time itself had frozen. Neither of them said a word, as if caught in a spell of stillness.
They walked quietly until they arrived at the elevator.
Shajin stood beside her, his gaze never leaving Furina, while she kept her head lowered like a child who had done something wrong, lost in thought.
The elevator doors slowly opened, and the two stepped inside.
Inside the elevator, the oppressive silence thickened—so heavy it felt as if it could devour their very souls.
Finally, when they arrived at their destination, Furina reached out and opened the door to her room.
Shajin glanced inside first, then looked out the window at the moon hanging high in the sky, bright and clear.
He was about to say goodbye.
"It's getting late, Fufu. I'll head off for the night, then—"
But before he could finish, Furina interrupted him.
"Come in…"
She was pressed gently against the back of the door, only half of her delicate face visible. Her clear eyes, like rippling lakewater, flickered with hesitation and unease.
"Hm?" Shajin frowned slightly, puzzled. Did I mishear her?
Then, in that moment, Furina's eyes—shimmering like liquid crystal—suddenly sparkled, like a meteor streaking across the night sky.
She spoke, her voice trembling, tinged with sobs.
"Please… just come in…"
Her words were like a flickering candle in the wind—fragile and heart-wrenchingly soft.
Shajin sighed and quietly pushed the door open, stepping into Furina's room with steady footsteps.
He was surprised by the room's simplicity. There wasn't a trace of luxury—just a neat, modest layout.
There was only a small single bed, a wooden bookshelf filled with various novels beside it, drawing the eye immediately.
In the corner stood a plain white desk and matching chair, likely used for meals.
On the bed lay a plush toy—so large it dwarfed even Shajin—its soft, cuddly form irresistibly adorable.
"Fur—"
Just as Shajin was about to speak, Furina suddenly threw herself into his arms.
She clung to him tightly, her body trembling as her sobs grew louder.
"I… The Hydro energy in me is just too abundant. It keeps overflowing and turning into tears I can't control…"
She choked out the words between sobs, her voice full of helplessness and grief.
Shajin stood perfectly still, not daring to move.
He could feel the torrent of emotions pouring from the small girl in his arms—panic, fear, confusion—all washing over him like a tide, gripping at his heart.
"Fufu," he said softly, "I promise you—Fontaine will survive the prophecy. You won't be left crying alone on the throne."
Furina slowly looked up. Her heterochromatic eyes met Shajin's dreamlike gaze, and in that instant, it was as if two stars from different worlds collided midair, releasing invisible sparks.
"Shajin… just how much do you really know?"
Her voice quivered, barely hiding her nervousness.
Shajin shook his head slightly. His handsome face had taken on a hard, sharp edge.
"I don't need to search for answers—because power gives me the right to speak."
He paused, then added,
"And right now, I know far more about you than you think I do."
"So at the very least, in front of me… be your real self, Fufu."
His tone was calm and resolute—but his words struck Furina like a hammer to the heart.
She froze for a moment, then forcefully pushed herself away from his chest, her face twisted in anger.
"Hmph! I don't know what nonsense you're talking about! I, Furina, my divine name is Focalors, the supreme goddess who governs water and all laws!"
She took a deep breath to collect herself before continuing.
"What just happened was nothing more than a performance. I got too into character, that's all."
"What? Don't tell me… you really believed it? Seriously? Don't tell me you were the only one who took it seriously?"
Shajin stared at her silently, his face as cold and unmoving as a frozen statue.
After a long pause, he finally spoke, each word squeezed through gritted teeth.
"I've met Her."
Those five simple words hit Furina like a thunderclap—packed with weight and unspoken meaning.
Her expression froze, completely stunned.
"S-She… who?"
"Another you."
"The true Hydro Archon."
Shajin's lips curled into a small smile, curved like the crescent moon.
"Do you believe me now?"
"Thank you for holding on all these five hundred years, Furina."
"Furina?"
He saw her collapse backward like a withered petal, falling softly onto the bed.
She murmured faintly, as though whispering in a dream.
"That's wonderful… So wonderful…"
_
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