"Then many thanks to you, Furina!" Lora took advantage of Furina's distraction and ruffled her hair again.
"Why do you keep touching my hair!?" Furina clutched it protectively, looking at Lora with a baffled expression.
"Because I'm older than you," Lora replied after a moment's thought.
"I am the god Focalors! I've ruled Fontaine for five hundred years—how could you possibly be older than me!?" Furina instinctively emphasized her identity again as "the god Focalors," straightening her posture and puffing out her chest as she stared at Lora.
Lora merely smiled and didn't argue the point. Instead, she straightened up as well and said calmly, "Indeed. Just a little older than you."
"Uh…" Once Furina understood what she meant, the corners of her mouth twitched.
The gates of the Court of Fontaine were already visible ahead. Furina called out, "Hey, Lora—are you from Fontaine?"
"Yes," Lora nodded.
"Do you have a job?" Furina asked.
"A job…" Lora thought about it. "Not for now." Aside from holding a nominal, mostly ceremonial position as a Liyue Adeptus, she really didn't have any work. A genuine, full-fledged "unemployed person."
"Then how about this—come be my bodyguard!" Furina counted on her fingers. "I'll pay you… one hundred thousand Mora a day, plus the same desserts I eat!"
It was an offer Lora couldn't refuse.
Lora looked at Furina and laughed. "You really know how to pick people."
"Of course! I'm very generous—unlike certain people who hire others without paying!" Furina shot back, clearly retaliating for Lora's earlier comment about unpaid 'employment.'
But just as Furina started to grin, Lora added, "However… I won't be staying in Fontaine forever. I'll need to go to Inazuma for a while to pick something up."
"That's fine! As long as you're in Fontaine, you can be my bodyguard!" Furina didn't mind at all.
She needed one. Clorinde was a duel proxy—strictly speaking, she wasn't Furina's bodyguard. She only fought on Furina's behalf when someone formally challenged her.
"Where are you staying now?" Furina asked again.
"At an inn near the Palais Mermonia," Lora answered honestly.
"That won't do!" Furina thought for a moment, then made a decisive gesture. "As my bodyguard, you should be right by my side at all times. How about this—you move into the Palais Mermonia and live with me! That way you can protect me whenever and wherever!"
"Alright," Lora agreed with a smile.
Furina then turned to Hélie. "You come too! I have plenty of money—supporting one more person is no problem!"
"Thank you, Hydro Archon!" Hélie said gratefully.
So after entering the Court of Fontaine, Lora didn't return to the inn. She had Hélie check out of the room, then followed Furina up to the top floor of the Palais Mermonia.
Standing in the familiar yet unfamiliar room, Lora was filled with emotion. Once upon a time, this had been her own residence. She never imagined that five hundred years later, she would return here—this time, as a guest.
"This is my living space," Furina said. "You can choose whichever of the remaining rooms you like."
She led Lora inside, then quickly added, "But you're not allowed to sleep in any room near my bedroom. And you're not allowed to come near my room at night—absolutely not allowed to enter it!"
"…Don't worry. I promise I won't," Lora said seriously. She paused for a moment, then nodded.
That night, Furina tossed and turned. She was afraid that if she fell asleep, she might reveal something. Yet she truly needed Lora's protection. Unable to rest, she sat up, locked her door several times, and only then fell asleep, her mind full of worries.
In another room, Lora quietly observed everything Furina did. She stared up at the ceiling for a long time before letting out a soft sigh.
"You've worked so hard, Furina…"
The next morning, Furina woke up feeling oddly dazed.
She looked at her hands, then at the drawn curtains. Sunlight filtered through, filling the bedroom with warmth.
"I actually… slept really well," she murmured in disbelief.
She hadn't woken up in the middle of the night. There were no terrifying nightmares. It was a comfort she hadn't experienced in centuries.
"Why is this happening…? Is it because of her?" Furina immediately thought of Lora. She had moved in, and Furina had slept soundly—was there a connection?
When Furina pushed open her bedroom door and walked into the living room, she found that Lora wasn't there. Instantly on guard, she called out, "Lora, are you there? Answer me!"
After calling several times with no response, Furina clenched her fists and moved toward a corner.
Just then, the front door opened. Lora and Hélie walked in together, carrying breakfast and desserts, chatting and laughing.
Seeing Furina hiding in the corner, Lora called out, "What are you hiding for? Come eat breakfast."
"You scared me to death! I thought something had happened to you!" Furina patted her chest. When she saw the desserts in Lora's hands, she immediately walked over and sat on the sofa.
"Wow! They're all my favorites!" Furina exclaimed happily.
Lora smiled and nodded. "Of course. I specifically asked about them."
"Hmph! Since you're being so considerate, I'll let it slide that you left your employer without informing them!" Furina said theatrically, then eagerly reached for the pastries.
Lora lightly smacked her hand. "Did you wash your hands?"
"Uh… I'm the Hydro Archon!" Furina emphasized again.
"Even the Hydro Archon has to wash her hands," Lora said firmly.
"Alright, alright, I know! I'll wash them myself—stop pulling me!" Furina protested helplessly as Lora grabbed her hand and dragged her toward the washroom.
After washing up, Furina sat back down on the sofa and shot Lora a look. "Honestly… anyone who didn't know better would think you're my mom, nagging me about everything!"
Lora glanced at her.
Furina immediately stiffened, sat up straight, and grabbed a pastry. "I didn't say anything. I'm just eating."