Genshin Impact: Fontaine's Regent, driving players crazy.

Neuvillette gazed at Lumine with hazy eyes—the question, though whispered in a low voice, was perfectly audible to him at this close distance.

"Hmm... I can't shake off the feeling that our first impression is somewhat off."

"Have we met before?"

The line struck a chord within Lumine, disbelief flickering in her eyes.

"No, today is our first encounter."

What's going on, is she struggling with memory loss, or simply feigning ignorance?

Lumine's eyes, filled with caution and doubt, fixed intently on Themis, making her slightly uneasy. To be frank, she didn't particularly enjoy being stared at continuously.

In contrast to Lumine's anxiety, Paimon, who had briefly shared in her concern, quickly regained her spirited demeanor.

"Hello, I'm Paimon, and this is Lumine. We're travelers who have just arrived in Fontaine."

Neuvillette looked at Paimon's small body, wondering if she was some new species.

Recalling the adorable Melusines, Neuvillette responded amicably, "Hello there, it's an honor to meet you both. I've heard much about your exploits already."

"The blonde traveler from afar and her companion—you're quite famous figures now."

"Haha, I guess you're right. It seems like Furina also mentioned we're well-known in Teyvat," Paimon chuckled.

Lumine covered her face with her hand. No matter how famous we are, it can't change the fact that I feel like I'm about to kick the bucket, she thought.

Paimon, don't be too confident now! If things get dicey, I won't be able to protect you!

Themis, deemed extremely dangerous by Lumine, watched Paimon's confident posture—chest puffed out, hands on her hips, grinning foolishly. She felt a sudden urge to poke Paimon's tiny belly, reminiscent of how she often tickled Furina's abdomen. However, each time the cat's belly was poked, she would look deeply disgruntled.

Recalling Furina's perpetual concern over gaining weight whenever her belly was the subject of attention, Themis found herself longing for a reunion with her feline companion.

Themis's mind lingered on visions of Furina's snow-white skin, with its subtle blue highlights, her adorable face, her delicate figure, and those perfectly rounded thighs...

By dwelling on Furina's charm and beauty, Themis managed to stave off boredom during this interminable wait.

Her heart ached with longing to see Furina again, to caress that soft, delicate face, to gather her in her arms and bask in her warmth.

"My apologies, I've just remembered some matters that require my attention," Themis said. "Friends, I must take my leave."

She stood and walked away from the trio, her figure gradually fading into the distance.

Paimon watched her go, puzzled. "Well... she certainly made a hasty exit."

Lumine, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief; her departure couldn't have come at a better time. Being near Themis had rendered her mind sluggish, unable to think clearly. Now that the source of her unease was gone, Lumine finally had a moment to gather her thoughts.

"Sir" she ventured, "if you might enlighten me, who was that woman?"

Neuvillette answered promptly. "Ah, that was Themis, Fontaine's Regent. How odd—did you not encounter her when Furina came to fetch you?"

"Eh? So she's the Regent that the Hydro Archon mentioned?" Paimon repeated in disbelief, wide-eyed.

Lumine's jaw dropped. "That's who she was?!"

The revelation stunned both Lumine and Paimon. What strange turn of events was this?

The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, serving as Regent to the Hydro Archon? Lumine thought to herself. This has to be a dream!

She covered her face with one hand, feeling utterly helpless as the absurd reality hit her like a ton of bricks.

Themis, however, wasn't concerned with Lumine's thoughts. Her footsteps were light and cheerful, a mischievous glint in her eye as she wondered if Furina might still be hiding under the table.

As the door swung open, Themis immediately spotted Furina holding a book she'd never seen before. Furina's expression was torn between curiosity and shyness, caught in a state of indecision.

When did Furina get her hands on this book? Themis wondered, her eyes narrowing slightly. She allowed her gaze to flicker toward the mirror in the corner of the room, realization dawning. Someone else must have been here!

Internally, she clicked her tongue in displeasure. What a loss—she hadn't been present when Focalors arrived.

But then again, Focalors wouldn't have appeared if she had been here. The inexplicable book in Furina's hands proved that much.

Sneakily stuffing books behind my back, huh? Themis thought, her interest piqued. Let's see what's written in there.

Furina sat with her back to the door, curled up in her chair like a cat.

Themis moved silently, suppressing all sound as she crept toward Furina's back.

Standing directly behind her, Themis' shadow fell across the page—yet Furina remained engrossed in the book, oblivious to her presence.

"Is this really going to work...?"

"...It all seems quite peculiar..."

As Furina read the first part, which outlined methods to cheer up Themis, she felt a bit bashful.

Regardless of how one looked at it, being asked for a daily morning kiss...

It really was rather strange!

She covered her face, but peeked out from behind her fingers to scan the words on the paper.

Standing behind Furina, Themis had excellent eyesight. "...Well, it does sound pretty absurd."

"Miss Furina, what are you reading?"

Themis leaned down, resting her chin on Furina's shoulder. She wrapped her arms around Furina's waist, playfully pinching and kneading with some degree of impropriety.

"Yah—! Themis, when did you come here?!"

Furina quickly snapped shut the notebook, her gaze shifting and a slight guiltiness apparent.

After all, the notebook contained observations about Themis recorded by her mirror self, from long ago up until now.

Though she didn't understand why her mirror self felt the need to document these observations,

it was obvious that they should never be seen by Themis herself.

"I came because I wanted to see you, Lady Furina."

The unhidden affection in her voice made Furina a bit shy. Being held so close, with hands gently kneading her waist, caused a blush to spread across her fair face.

"Let go of me for a moment, this feels a little uncomfortable."

"Oh, I see. How about we try a different position?"

Releasing her hold on Furina, Themis smiled. Her eyes glanced over the book on the table that Furina had hastily closed, but she felt no need to investigate further.

Well, this book can't harm her, and might even bring some pleasant surprises. So let's just pretend we know nothing about it.

Before Furina could react, Themis swiftly gathered her into her arms and had her sit on her lap.

"How about this, Lady Furina? Is this position more comfortable now?"

Holding Furina's soft, delicate body, Themis felt her heart flutter.

Breathing against Furina's neck, she leaned down and planted a kiss, then was met with a flustered, pink-cheeked reaction.

"No! No, it's disrespectful to the Archon!"

Furina's words stumbled over each other as she spoke, and for good reason—she was genuinely startled.

It wasn't that Themis had never held her in her arms before; it's just that those previous embraces had mainly been to console Furina when she was crying or upset.

But now, she wasn't even shedding tears or feeling blue. So being treated like this... it somehow felt a bit embarrassing.

"Seriously, stop saying such blush-worthy things!"

As for the neck kiss, Furina didn't think much of it.

Before it was on the forehead, now it's the neck—what's the big deal? Furina mused. She naively couldn't distinguish the difference; all she felt was that it was another form of comfort.

Then, a realization struck her!

Wait, isn't this just what I wrote in my notebook from the mirror-me? To give Themis a kiss so she'd be happy... could this be exactly what I meant?

The more she thought about it, the more sense it made. Furina felt like the smartest person in the world!

The expressions flitting across Furina's face didn't escape Themis's notice. It was clear she had a head full of peculiar thoughts.

But trying to grasp what Furina was thinking was like trying to catch water with bare hands—it was utterly impossible to figure out her exact thoughts.

Take this moment, for instance. The once quiet blue-white kitten now wriggles uneasily, eager to break free. Themis loosens her grip around Furina's waist.

As Themis wonders what Furina might do next, the little cat struggles briefly, effortlessly slipping from Themis's embrace. Then, to Themis's surprise, Furina straddles her lap, face-to-face.

...?

What is this tiny tot trying to do?

Being mounted by Furina leaves Themis momentarily stunned, her eyes wide with bewilderment.

Furina can see that the look on Themis's face is causing her own eyes to twinkle with delight.

Heh-heh-heh! Just as expected from myself in the mirror—she's managed to conjure up an expression on Themis's face that I've never seen before.

This astonished yet bewildered look is something Furina has never before witnessed on Themis's features.

It only strengthens Furina's conviction in the method outlined in the notebook she holds.

"Themis, if I were to kiss you, would it make you happy?"

The notebook has instilled a great deal of confidence in Furina, making her eager to give it a try.

One good morning kiss every day, isn't it?

Although it wasn't morning anymore, that didn't stop Furina from making up for it now!

Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as she pressed her hands on Themis' shoulders, awaiting her response.

Themis, well, Themis was stunned.

The realization of her dream had come so suddenly.

Inwardly, Themis silently thanked Focalors - she truly was a big, kind-hearted girl.

But was this how she always played along with others?

Well, well, she certainly doesn't hold back when it comes to pulling one over on herself.

For years, Themis had strictly guarded Furina's love life, fearing the day Furina might get tricked.

Little did she know that, despite all her vigilance, the real threat often lies within.

Through the mirror, Focalors peered with a smile, waiting to catch the scene.

Ah, Furina, sometimes you need a little push when it comes to matters of the heart.

If not now, you might never find the courage to confess before your time comes.

She clearly harbors a unique affection for Themis, but hasn't even realized it herself.

For heaven's sake, if this turns into a tragedy, Focalors would really lose her temper!

"Exactly, Furina, keep it up! Just like that, go all in!"

Drawing from years of devouring novels, Focalors was certain this strategy would surely pierce Themis's shield.