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Although they had already decided to hire a lawyer for Lyney and Lynette, Fontaine was enormous—where were they supposed to find Yanfei?
"But… where is Yanfei?" Paimon asked in confusion. "The trial starts tomorrow! If we can't find her, we're in real trouble!"
Hearing this, Shao Yun immediately thought of Eula. Yanfei was currently living with her, so Eula would surely know where she was.
"We can just ask Eula. She should know."
Paimon's eyes lit up as she nodded vigorously. "Oh, right! Let's go find her!"
…
Meanwhile, in the lobby of the Opera Epiclese.
Seated on a sofa was a poised and elegant beauty—long, wavy golden hair, deep azure eyes, and an overall air of refined nobility.
She wore a black d'artagnan hat adorned with a yellow rose and white feathers. From the brim hung a blue diamond-shaped gem pendant, and a black bow was tied at the back of her head.
Her fitted top was primarily deep blue and white, with gold trim and patterns accenting the chest and neckline. The front was styled like a double-breasted design, though decorative round buttons replaced functional fastenings. The sleeves were puffed, finished with blue lace at the cuffs.
Her lower half was clad in a white strapless short dress, layered over with multiple overlapping pieces of close-fitting black rigid fabric. A ship's wheel ornament adorned her waist, while a yellow-patterned swallowtail skirt flowed behind her.
Around her neck was a sapphire necklace, matched with earrings and bracelets. She carried a parasol decorated with gemstones and bows, wore long black gloves reaching her elbows with gold detailing, metal leg rings, and black thigh-high heeled boots—each heel adorned with a black bow.
This young woman was none other than the legendary "Chart-Topper," Navia.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, spilling over the plush sofa in the lounge.
Navia sat gracefully, her gaze resting on Eula opposite her as she asked with concern, "Eula, how have things been for you in the Court of Fontaine recently? Have you been adjusting well to the living environment?"
Eula, who had been intently recording the opera house's personnel registry, lifted her head slightly and nodded with a gentle smile.
"Yes, I've gotten used to it quite well. Thank you very much, Miss Navia, for all the help you've given me. Without your support, as a newcomer unfamiliar with the place, I honestly wouldn't know how I'd manage living here."
Hearing that Eula was doing well, the worry weighing on Navia's heart finally eased. She nodded in relief.
"That's good to hear. I'm glad."
She then asked with interest, "Oh, right—haven't you been preparing for the exam to become an official member of the Maison Gardiennage? How is that going?"
At the mention of the exam, Eula gave a wry smile and shook her head.
"To be honest, I'm currently in a half-work, half-study situation. I'm busy with work every day and still have to squeeze out time to review. As for how well I'll do… I can only leave it to fate."
Just then, Paimon's voice suddenly came from behind them.
"Eula! So, you're here! Hehe—we actually have something important we wanted to ask your help with!"
The moment Eula heard that familiar voice, her expression stiffened. Her previously relaxed face instantly became awkward and tense.
"Mm…"
Navia was also drawn by Paimon's voice and looked over curiously, only to see Shao Yun's group walking toward them.
She glanced at them, then turned back to Eula.
"Oh? Are those your friends?"
Eula startled slightly, quickly turning to look at the approaching trio. After hesitating for a moment, she nodded stiffly.
"Y-Yes… I suppose so."
Navia was no fool. She immediately noticed something odd in Eula's unnatural tone and expression.
She frowned slightly and asked, puzzled, "What do you mean, 'I suppose so'? And Eula—why do you look so strange? Are you hiding something from me?"
Before Navia could probe further, Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon had already reached them.
Paimon blinked her big eyes, looking Navia up and down before politely asking, "Um, excuse me—who are you?"
Navia immediately broke into a warm smile and introduced herself generously.
"Ahaha, hello! Nice to meet you—I'm Navia, the President of the Spina di Rosula!"
She then swept her gaze over the three of them, admiration shining in her eyes.
"Judging by how you look, you must be the great heroes who saved Mondstadt and Liyue, right? An honor to meet you! I've heard your stories—welcome to Fontaine for your third stop!"
Navia had mainly recognized them thanks to Paimon. After all, a floating companion like her was extremely rare in Teyvat.
Hearing that Navia's information still stopped at Liyue, Paimon felt a bit embarrassed.
She paused for a moment, then laughed awkwardly.
"Haha, what a coincidence! But, um… what exactly is the Spina di Rosula?"
Navia proudly raised a hand, put on her stylish sunglasses, straightened her posture, and began her introduction with confidence.
"Our Spina di Rosula is an extraordinary civilian organization! Whether it's mediating complex disputes, providing reliable security, or solving seemingly unsolvable problems—we do it all. You could say we're versatile and capable in every respect!"
At that moment, the two men in sharp suits standing behind Navia stepped forward and introduced themselves in turn.
The younger man smiled, bowed elegantly, and said,
"Greetings. My name is Silver, and I am Miss Navia's attendant."
The slightly older man followed, maintaining a warm and gentle smile.
"My name is Melus. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
"My role is to take care of the young lady's daily needs and handle related affairs."
Hearing this, Paimon felt her head spinning.
"Huh? That's weird—why do you call her 'President' one moment and 'young lady' the next?"
Navia removed her sunglasses, smiling faintly.
"Actually, I'm the second-generation President of the Spina di Rosula."
"As for Melus and the others—they're just more accustomed to the old form of address."
Paimon blinked and nodded thoughtfully.
She then turned to Eula, curiosity piqued.
"So, Eula, how did you end up meeting Navia?"
With Navia, Lumine, and Paimon present, the instinctive fear Eula felt toward Shao Yun had eased considerably.
She took a deep breath, calmed herself, and began recounting the story.
"Well… it's a long story. When I first arrived at Romaritime Harbor, I didn't know anyone and had no sense of direction—I was completely lost."
She shook her head lightly, recalling her confusion at the time.
Navia smoothly picked up the thread.
"It just so happened that I was taking a walk nearby."
"As President of the Spina di Rosula, I pride myself on keen observation. One glance was enough for me to see that Eula was in quite a predicament."
"So, naturally, I stepped in to help."
Eula looked at Navia with gratitude and continued, "After that, Miss Navia personally took me to the Court of Fontaine by aquabus."
"She even generously arranged a place for me to stay."
Recalling a humorous incident from that time, Navia smiled playfully and began describing it vividly.
"When I took Eula to look for lodging in Fleuve Cendre, she actually thought I was trying to kidnap her!"
At this, Eula blushed deeply and hurriedly defended herself.
"Well… you can't blame me entirely. You led me straight into those gloomy underground waterways—anyone would be scared!"
Listening from the side, Paimon scratched her head in confusion.
"Underground waterways? Fleuve Cendre? What are those?"
Seeing her confusion, Navia smiled kindly and explained, "Fleuve Cendre is what foreigners usually call the lower district of the Court of Fontaine."
"The environment there is a bit more complicated, but it's full of life."
She then added as if recalling something amusing, "Have you read the light novel The Gunslinger Butcher from Fontaine? According to the author, the protagonist grew up in Fleuve Cendre."
Fearing this might give the wrong impression, Navia quickly clarified, "But don't worry—the real Fleuve Cendre isn't nearly as dangerous as the novel makes it out to be!"
"It's home to many kind, hardworking people. It just looks a little messy."
"A bit dark and damp, sure—but otherwise, it's no different from above."
Shao Yun nodded calmly.
"We understand. Fiction is fiction, reality is reality."
Same principle—Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Records of the Three Kingdoms must be distinguished.
Eula then continued, recalling things carefully.
"I stayed one night at the Spina di Rosula's base in Fleuve Cendre."
"After that, I rented an apartment in the Court of Fontaine and worked for the Adventurers' Guild to earn Mora."
"And now, I'm a probationary officer of the Maison Gardiennage. Miss Navia played no small part in that."
At this, Navia showed a trace of melancholy.
"If you'd come to Fontaine three years earlier, I would've invited you to join the Spina di Rosula."
"With your skills and personality, we would've made an excellent team."
She trailed off, letting out a soft sigh. The brightness in her eyes dimmed slightly, and a faint shadow of loneliness appeared.
For a moment, the air grew subtly heavy.
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