Chapter Text
“Lady Furina?..” Neuvillette walked into Furina’s room, quietly closing the door behind him.
“You requested to meet with me, correct? May I ask why?” Choosing not to walk over to her without her asking, Neuvillette stood near the door. Waiting for Furina to answer his question or at least begin to speak.
Furina let out a heavy sigh, before standing up and walking over to him.
She was quite short compared to Neuvillette. She acted like a child and yet, Neuvillette could always tell she never once spoke her mind. She thought everything out, not letting a single one of her actual feelings be seen by others.
“Monsieur Neuvillette.. I.. I wish to ask something of you. Your opinion on something I mean. If you do not wish to answer, I shall not force you. But answering would be.. Helpful to me I suppose..” Furina spoke in a rather quiet tone, this tone she used..
It was nothing like her childish tone. She sounded as though she might be scared to even ask.
“You may ask me anything, Lady Furina. I will answer if I am able to.”
“Let us begin with what is easier to ask.. Monsieur Neuvillette.. Could you not refer to me by my formal name? Just Furina is fine when we are by ourselves.”
She seemed calmer now, only by a bit though. Furina was most likely just scared to ask what questions she had left.
“I- Of course, Furina..” Neuvillette had done this before, not for her but for others. None of them had directly asked him to drop the formalities like she did, at least.. Not like this.. Not in the way where they seemed too scared to ask.
She sighed again.
“I appreciate it, Monsieur Neuvillette.. This next question might be a bit of a stupid question to ask..”
“Am I.. Is an archon allowed to present themselves as neither gender? It is quite the stupid question to ask so if you are not comfortable i completely understa-”
Neuvillette quickly spoke up, interrupting Furina, even surprising her a bit with the tone he used.. It was a soft, gentle tone.. As though he was a father speaking to his daughter..
“Furina.. It is completely fine to wish to present yourself as neither gender. I completely understand, and you may do it if you wish to. I of course am not quite knowledgeable when it comes to this topic so if you’d like to, I could of course have Wriothesley, Clorinde, Navia, and Sigewinnie meet with us.. I am aware you see them as family and friends so if it would help.. I shall set it up.. If you would like to keep it between us, I am also okay with that…”
Furina stood still, silently shedding tears just as they had once done all for so many years..
“F-Furina?.. Why are you crying?.. I-I apologize I did not mean to make you cry..”
Neuvillette stepped closer, gently cupping her face and wiping away her tears. Staying silent as he waited for her to speak.
“I.. Thank you, Monsieur Neuvillette.. Thank you..”
Furina hugged him tightly, as though she was afraid he would leave.
“Furina, I dropped the formalities for you so please.. Do the same for me.. Call me what you wish, whether it is by my name or a nickname. I am fine with anything..”
They stayed like that, gently hugging one another, silence being peaceful and comforting to them.
“Thank you, dad..”
And just like that- the silence was broken, all by a tiny slip up made by none other than Furina themselves.
“Furina.. Did you just-”
“I- What! I did no such thing! W-what ever could you be referring to?! W-we should get going now! Our presence is required to begin the next trial, is it not???”
And just like that they were back to their old childish self, but it was still a bit different. Normally she wouldn't be this red and embarrassed.
Neuvillette softly laughed, before sighing.
“Of course Furina, let us go now, we shouldn't keep the court waiting. I do hope you keep calling me that, only if you are comfortable with it of course.”
They exited the room. Walking to the courtroom to commence the next trial, Furina looking away from Neuvillette as she calmed down, and Neuvillette smiling softly as they continued to walk.
If only they both knew what the other was hiding.
A dragon and a false god.
A father and a daughter.
Both without relatives and yet, they found comfort with each other.
May the God of Justice, Focalor, bless them both.
For this is just one of the many things they shall face.