Richard was definitely tricked!
Clorinde realized this during the next day's meeting when she received a draft regarding refugee resettlement. The proposed location? A yet-to-be-opened commercial street right next to the Opera Epiclese.
The kicker? That exact location had been suggested by Clorinde herself to Furina.
Now, thinking of her current situation and Richard's "requests" (more like veiled threats), she felt a headache coming on.
If she had known this would happen, she never would've gotten involved. Then again… knowing Richard, even if she hadn't gotten involved, he would've roped her in anyway.
'Damn that Richard.'
'Still, come to think of it, the justification being used was quite solid: fire hazards, safety inspections, and outdated infrastructure. The proposal was to temporarily close the Opera Epiclese for one week for maintenance and safety checks.'
'But... would Neuvillette really accept those reasons and allow such a crucial place to shut down? Even temporarily?'
'What was the true purpose behind it all?'
Clorinde couldn't figure it out. All she knew was: these people who work in offices are all so conniving.
She started to miss the simpler days, when her only duties were protecting Furina and settling matters with duels.
If she stayed around much longer, she feared she might start becoming just like Richard and the rest.
...Though maybe that wouldn't be so bad.
After the meeting, Clorinde went to Neuvillette's office and handed over the proposal.
Once he had read through it carefully, he asked, "Miss Clorinde, who drafted this proposal?"
Thinking of Richard's earlier request, she answered without hesitation: "Secretary General Richard."
Neuvillette nodded."I see. Understood."
'...Wait, understood what?'
Clorinde felt completely lost and asked again, "So your opinion is…?"
Neuvillette replied calmly, "The issues described in this proposal do exist within the Opera Epiclese. I will summon the officials responsible for its operation and discuss this matter."
Clorinde was shocked. Though Neuvillette hadn't stated his stance outright, the fact that he was willing to call a meeting signaled clear approval.
He was really going to let the Opera Epiclese shut down? Even if just for a week, that was still the Opera Epiclese we're talking about.
In Fontaine's entire history, the opera house had only rarely been closed, and only due to nation-shaking events that left the people in no mood for entertainment or the staff severely lacking.
Still, despite Neuvillette's implied approval, Clorinde doubted the proposal would pass the meeting.
Neuvillette might be the Chief Justice, but Palais Mermonia wasn't a dictatorship; he'd still need buy-in from the opera's management.
After all, these same officials who treated Neuvillette with utmost respect in public might turn hostile when their own interests were threatened.
The Opera Epiclese brought in massive daily revenue, after all...
On the third day, Clorinde received word, in Furina's office, no less, that the proposal had passed.
She was speechless.
It wasn't that she had no confidence left from all the previous times she'd been wrong; it was just that… 'How could it have passed so quickly?'
'Since when did Palais Mermonia officials ever work with this kind of efficiency?'
Richard explained:
"The Opera Epiclese really does have hidden risks, and quite serious ones at that. The time for ignoring them has passed."
"Honestly, the opera house's issues were inevitable. Maintenance is usually scheduled at night so as not to interfere with daytime operations, but large-scale repairs are rarely done. I think the last major renovation was several years ago?"
"Back then, I believe it was done because the public thought the decor looked dated."
He couldn't help but marvel at the excellent construction quality; hundreds of years had passed without any catastrophic problems. The only concerns were aesthetic or routine wear-and-tear.
"Whoever oversaw its construction back then must've done their job without pocketing a single bribe," Richard added with admiration.
"As for why the officials agreed to the proposal so fast, it's simple. Neuvillette gave it his backing, there's allocated budget and professionals to handle it, and most importantly, they don't have to take any responsibility."
"With benefits like these, only someone with water in their brain would say no."
"When the pros vastly outweigh the cons, not rushing to approve it would be the real red flag."
Richard spoke with relaxed confidence.
Of course, there was another reason for the swift approval, one Richard didn't mention.
Let's just say… he'd quietly "helped" move things along.
That's just how Richard was: kind, generous, well-connected. Everyone owed the Secretary General a favor or two.
These kinds of behind-the-scenes nods didn't need to be made public. If word got out that Richard was some scheming official playing politics, that would be bad for everyone.
Now, it was Furina's turn to make a choice.
"Wait, what are you two talking about?"Furina, completely confused, looked back and forth between Richard and Clorinde as they conversed.
She felt like an outsider overhearing coworkers talk about current news she hadn't read. She could only stand there, unable to follow or join in.
"The sorrow of humans is not shared. All I feel is noise." (Exclusive to Furina).jpg
She was still feeling upset about her decision not to go to Mondstadt.
And Richard and Clorinde hadn't noticed anything wrong with her at all. Not even the fact that she skipped a slice of cake at afternoon tea!
That's right, Furina had decided not to go to Mondstadt.
She didn't want to miss a single trial.
What if the very one she missed turned out to be the Final Judgment as foretold in prophecy?
She couldn't afford that risk. She had sacrificed too much already.
As for Mondstadt, she would go after everything was over.
She just hadn't gotten around to telling Richard yet.
"Furina, are you okay?"
Richard noticed a single tear rolling down her cheek. Furina, seemingly unaware, just gave him a cheerful smile.
"Me? What's wrong with me? I'm totally fine."
"But… you're crying. Is the temporary closure of the Opera Epiclese really such a blow to you?"
At that, Furina's eyes widened in disbelief. She didn't even care that her 'Hydro energy' was literally overflowing.
"The Opera Epiclese is shutting down for maintenance?! What about the trials?!"
"Naturally, they'll be postponed for a week. I'm sorry to inform you, Lady Furina, but starting tomorrow, you won't be able to watch any trials at the Opera Epiclese for seven days."
"Of course… if you find yourself feeling bored, why not take a little vacation with me to Mondstadt? It'll take about a week round trip, just the right amount of time."