[T/L: If you happened to see any incorrect pronouns, for example, Furina being referred to as a he. Please point it out so that I can fix it, some of them tend to slip past me. This also applies to any grammar mistake. Thank you for reading.]
The Court of Fontaine.
Today is the first day of the official opening of the Fontinalia Festival in Fontaine. After the warm-up over the past few days, the festive atmosphere now surrounds both The Court of Fontaine and Gray River.
Various colorful lanterns and decorations have been hung along the streets and everywhere, groups of people are out and about, chatting and laughing.
All sorts of stalls have been set up along the roadsides—some featuring games like ring toss and balloon shooting, others selling small trinkets, but most are food stalls. Almost every shop has attracted a fair number of passersby, giving the city a distinct, lively atmosphere of daily life.
At this moment, in the city.
A huge temporary stage stands in the middle of the city and the area in front of it is packed with crowds who have come to watch the performance.
This stage was specially set up by the Fontaine authorities for the performances.
Suddenly, the background music playing to warm up the crowd stops and the noisy throng falls silent in an instant.
After a few seconds of calm,
Tap… tap… tap…
The crisp sound of leather shoes hitting the ground rings out and Furina walks slowly to the front of the stage.
She has already experienced being on stage in front of a crowd many times; this time, Furina appears completely at ease.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! I presume I don't need to introduce myself, do I?"
After standing still, Furina places her hands on her hips, straightens her shoulders and says to the audience.
"No need—"
"You're Lady Furina!"
The audience at the scene cooperates well with Furina's words and everyone has an excited expression on their face.
Furina is very satisfied. "Then, my dear subjects, I won't say anything more. Those with a glass in hand, raise your glasses; those without, raise your right hand and let us cheer for this year's Fontinalia Festival together!"
As soon as Furina finishes speaking, the audience impatiently raises their glasses or hands. The sight of tens of thousands of people is truly spectacular.
"Three, two, one, cheers!"
Everyone shouts in unison, celebrating the opening of the Fontinalia Festival together.
"So, I wish you all a wonderful time at this Fontinalia Festival in the new era of Fontaine! I hereby declare: The xxth Fontinalia Festival to be officially open!"
Clapping
"Next, please welcome Miss Lark to perform the song Fontaine Welcomes You!"
The Fontinalia Festival has also attracted many foreign tourists to watch the performances and this song can well express Fontaine's welcome to them.
Among these foreign tourists are a golden-haired Traveler and a man in black clothes.
"Yay!"
After her brief speech, Furina leaves the stage quickly and takes a carriage to the branch venue at Gray River.
During that time, Rina has remained silent.
Now, there is finally some spare time for the twins to chat.
In the Inner Space.
Rina and Furina are sitting on the sofa; Furina is in the blue section and Rina is in the red section.
Rina's expression is calm; she has cut off her hearing to the outside world and has not said a word.
In the end, it is Furina who breaks the silence.
"Other Me, why aren't you interested in the festival? Are you naturally not fond of festivals?"
Rina frowns slightly. 'Go prepare for your hosting duties and don't worry about my affairs.'
In fact, she doesn't like it much or perhaps it's more accurate to say she isn't very comfortable with the crowded, lively atmosphere.
Of course, this is only the surface reason.
The deeper reason lies in Rina's inner psychological issues. In her heart, she is actually somewhat insecure. As the other side of Furina, she hardly ever appears in the public eye—in fact, almost no one knows of her existence. At the same time, the power that constitutes her is too vast and too complex; she doesn't even know what kind of entity she is.
Therefore, she feels that she is somewhat unqualified to participate in such celebrations in Fontaine.
Of course, Rina would never tell Furina this reason.
And Furina is unaware of all of this.
However, she knows that her friend has some social anxiety about participating in these activities and is in a bad mood. So she thinks about helping her friend overcome her social anxiety and make her friend feel better.
"Other Me, just come and feel the atmosphere of the scene. You might not be used to it, but you have to try it eventually. Experiencing the joyful atmosphere can make a person more cheerful! No.. strike that, happier!
Having been spoken to like this by Furina, Rina feels a bit shaken inside.
"Come on! Just consider it as keeping me company." Furina continues.
'Fine… I'm only coming because you invited me, not because I want to see it myself!' Rina pouts.
Under Furina's persistent invitations, Rina finally lowers her inner defenses a bit and opens up a portion of her sensory perception to the outside world.
"Yay! Other Me, you definitely won't regret it. Enjoy the Fontinalia Festival!" Hearing Rina relent, Furina immediately grins like a child.
As the conversation between the twins continues, Furina's carriage arrives at the branch venue in Gray River.
Furina emerges from the Inner Space in time, adjusts her appearance slightly and steps onto the stage.
The stage in Gray River is slightly smaller than the main stage, but the number of people who have come to watch is not any less. The people of Gray River no longer have to worry about food and clothing. So naturally, they have the time and interest in the Fontinalia Festival.
Furina's popularity in the Gray River is no less than in The Court of Fontaine; back then, almost everyone in Gray River received help from Furina (Rina).
After Furina steps onto the stage, applause breaks out continuously at the scene.
As the applause gradually dies down, Furina speaks slowly.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for gracing the branch stage of the Fontinalia Festival in Gray River with your presence. Some of you may not know me yet, so let me introduce myself. I am the current Hydro Archon of Fontaine, Focalors. This is the first time Gray River has celebrated the Fontinalia Festival, isn't it..?" When Furina says this, her tone is somewhat dim.
"I know this is the fault of our nobles. At the same time, regarding the various actions taken by The Court of Fontaine against Gray River, I have not yet made a formal apology to Gray River, so I will apologize here first."
"—I, Furina , apologize to all the people of Gray River. You have suffered and I'm deeply sorry!"
As she speaks, Furina bows to the audience members.
"Lady Furina, don't apologize! It was all the fault of those nobles!"
"Yes! What the nobles did has nothing to do with you! We should be the ones apologizing for misunderstanding you earlier."
Unexpectedly, the crowd is not angry; instead, they are so supportive of Furina.
They have seen everything the Fontaine authorities have done—whether it was that time with Furina or the Fontaine civil servants represented by Louis who are truly doing practical things for Gray River— they can truly feel the sincerity of Furina and the Fontaine authorities.
This is the importance and benefit of the mass line; therefore, everyone's reaction is within reason.
After apologizing, Furina does not give a long speech; she simply offers her blessings for everyone to have a good time at the Fontinalia Festival.
Next, Furina is going to step into the homes of the citizens in person.
And the first person she intends to visit is Louis, who left a deep impression on her.
After confirming the subject of her visit, Furina sets off immediately.