Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart!

Phantom thief.

Ask any random person from Fontaine, and they'd be familiar with the term.

It wasn't just a recurring character in plays and novels; it had also manifested in reality.

Over a decade ago, a self-proclaimed "Weasel" Phantom thief had once wreaked havoc in Fontaine.

No one was spared—neither old nor young, poor nor wealthy. The thief's targets ranged from priceless pearls to a child's birthday toy. If the Weasel set its eyes on something, it would leave nothing but an empty void in its wake.

"But I thought Phantom Weasel was dead," Navia remarked.

Indeed, Phantom Weasel was dead.

According to the police, the true identity of the Phantom Weasel was a magician named Cesar.

Though Navia couldn't shake off a nagging suspicion, this was the "truth" now etched in stone.

Marcel narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone cool: "Perhaps it's just some sort of prank."

He tore the threatening letter in half.

"Our chamber enjoys a fine reputation within the industry, and our profits have been steadily increasing year after year. Attracting the envy of so-called 'colleagues' comes as no surprise. This Phantom thief notion? It's clearly just a scare tactic!"

Competition among merchants was often brutally straightforward.

From undercutting prices to outright sabotage, spreading malicious rumors... As a seasoned veteran, Marcel took such tactics in stride.

"So you're saying the exhibition will continue as planned?" Navia confirmed.

"Of course it must. Halting operations now would invite unpredictable losses. Several key figures are still scheduled to attend tomorrow."

Navia rubbed her lips thoughtfully, her mind churning through the implications.

The Phantom Weasel was dead.

But what if a new Phantom Thief emerged...?

"Marcel, let's have the Spina di Rosula help you!"

Marcel shook his head. "I couldn't ask you to do that... It's likely just a prank. There's no need for you to trouble yourself, Navia."

"I don't think this is a prank."

"Why do you say that?"

Navia puffed out her chest. "Intuition!"

It sounded a bit absurd, but her intuition had always been quite accurate.

This was a well-known fact among the members of the Spina di Rosula and their allies.

Hearing her words, Marcel's expression turned grim, as if deep in thought. Finally, he sighed and nodded.

"Very well. I'll be counting on you."

Navia's face brightened with a radiant smile. "Of course! If it's a friend of the Spina di Rosula, we must lend a hand!"

But who exactly was this Phantom Thief White Cat?

She knelt down and picked up the torn announcement letter. She wasn't a detective, so she couldn't discern much from the elegant handwriting.

However, she had a feeling that the Phantom Thief White Cat might be female...

"President, should we report this to the security team?" one of the Chamber of Commerce's employees asked anxiously.

"How could we go to them? If the security team comes, won't that be the same as admitting we're under threat? Surely word would leak."

Navia put away the warning letter, stood up, and dusted off her skirt. "I think you should tell the security guard, too!" she nodded.

"I think it's enough with the Thistle Guild."

Navia smiled. "It's hard to say," she said, "of course, I believe in everyone's strength!"

"But if she is targeting this exhibition, then either she is brave but not smart or she is well-prepared. If we're not careful, she might turn the tables on us, and then we won't be laughing."

And she didn't know what methods Sylvia would use.

There would be so many guests at the art exhibition that if Sylvia infiltrated the crowd or took hostages, it would be difficult to catch her without the help of the security guard.

"Moreover, if an unexpected situation arises, the Chamber of Commerce's reputation will be affected. Doesn't Uncle Marcel always say that trust is the foundation of making money?"

Marcel scratched his head. "Ah, you're getting better and better at talking, child. All right, all right, Uncle will listen to you..."

Navia snapped her fingers. "That's how it should be! Silver, Melus."

The two attendants on standby nearby walked over.

One was slightly older, and the other wore sunglasses, giving him a younger appearance.

The older one was Melus.

"Do you want us to gather people, Miss?" Melus asked.

"Yes, twenty people should be enough."

Silver nodded. "I'll go right away."

Silver had rushed off, and Marcel also bid them farewell, saying he needed to report the crime himself. Navia remained behind, her arms crossed thoughtfully.

"What's on your mind, Miss Navia?" Melus asked curiously.

"Oh, nothing," Navia replied. "I was just wondering how they could steal the 'Tears of a Maiden'."

Melus looked enlightened.

He raised a finger. "They'd probably just mix in with the guests, waiting for an opportunity to strike."

Then he raised another finger. "Or maybe they'd disguise themselves as a representative from the chamber of commerce and secretly switch it out."

"Just run-of-the-mill tricks, really," Navia commented.

"The best chance of success lies in these methods. And the least likely is simply appearing before everyone and taking it by force."

After all, there were members of the Spina di Rosula present. And representatives from the Maison Gardiennage, too. Anyone with a scrap of sense would avoid a direct confrontation.

...Is it really like that?

A slight furrow creased Navia's brow. Her instincts told her that things might not be as straightforward as they seemed.

The next night.

"Welcome to the exclusive art exhibit hosted by the Confrerie of Cabriere!"

"Through the generous sponsorship of our esteemed president Marcel, countless priceless treasures have been gathered here. I invite you all to step back and appreciate the beauty of art around us. Allow it to immerse you in its timeless grace."

"In half an hour, the feature attraction of this evening will make its grand entrance. Please, keep your eyes peeled and enjoy the anticipation!"

As the host's voice faded away, the art exhibition officially began.

Though termed an exhibition, it resembled more of a social gathering akin to a banquet, albeit without the customary refreshments and libations.

The guests, adorned in resplendent attire, moved with graceful poise, their laughter intertwining with the romantic melodies serenaded by a renowned musical ensemble.

Navia glanced around and whispered, "There are truly a lot of security personnel here."

Silver adjusted his sunglasses and replied softly, "I heard that during the weasel's heyday, the security squad was criticized for their slow response, allowing certain 'newspapers' to thrive on the ensuing chaos."

"Is that so?"

Melus interjected, "Yes, if my memory serves me right... Despite attempts to suppress public opinion at the time, the affront to the Court of Justice's reputation was undeniable. It's no wonder the security squad is taking this 'Phantom Thief White Cat' affair so seriously."

"So essentially, they're out for revenge," Navia realized with a nod of comprehension.

"But these incidents can't possibly be the work of a single person," Silver pointed out.

"Regardless, any phantom thief is their priority to apprehend."

As they conversed, time slipped away unnoticed.

When Navia snapped back to reality, the host had once again taken the stage.

"He's here," Navia muttered to herself.

Melus pulled out his pocket watch. "Indeed... the time is just as expected."

"But where's the phantom thief?" Silver wondered aloud.

"He could be right among us. Keep your eyes peeled."

"Understood."

Navia's gaze swept across the expectant faces of the guests before refocusing on the stage ahead.

The host cleared his throat, a smile playing on his lips. "The appointed hour has arrived. I'm sure you've all been dying to see what's in store!"

Anxious, anxious, anxious!

"Yes, I can't bear the wait any longer! What happened to my Maiden's Tears? Let me get a glimpse!"

"They'd do anything for us!"

The host raised both hands and made a gentle pacifying gesture. The crowd quickly settled down.

Pacing back and forth, he affected an air of mystery. "But before I reveal the answer, let me be a bit cryptic. You know well that the value of a gem is determined by people, but that's precisely because—gems fail to captivate everyone's heart.

"The definition of beauty varies between individuals; what you find beautiful, others may not. But to claim 'there is no absolute beauty, no universally acknowledged beauty' would be a fatal error..."

"How can I be so certain? You'll understand soon enough."

He lifted his hand, stepping aside.

"Please welcome our dear President Marcel, who will now unveil the very embodiment of 'beauty'!"

Amidst applause, Marcel smiled as he approached the pedestal.

Gently grasping a corner of the cover cloth, he raised it slowly. All eyes strained, eager to catch a glimpse of the hidden treasure.

But at that moment...

The sound of shattering glass reverberated through the hall.

Navia instinctively turned towards the source of the noise, only to see fragments of glass scattering across the room.

And then there was her figure: pure, flawless, and breathtakingly beautiful.

She landed with consummate grace, her shimmering blonde hair more captivating than any masterpiece. Dressed in white with accents of gold, her costume clung to her form. At first glance, she seemed like a "princess" who had mistakenly wandered into this setting.

Yet, the mask over her eyes and the sword and spear at her waist told everyone—this newcomer meant business.

Luna bowed slightly in greeting.

"Phantom Thief White Cat has arrived as promised. Henceforth, the Tears of a Maiden shall be mine."