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

Furina's hand slammed against her plush seat with a resounding thud. Her gaze was fixed on Themis, who seemed utterly delighted chatting with the blonde traveler. Furina's mood, however, couldn't have been further from that of her friend.

Just yesterday, she was all 'I love you,' and now she's off chatting so happily with another woman? Furina, the indignant feline, bit her handkerchief in frustration at this unwelcome scene.

Once upon a time, Themis had always sat by her side. But now—why had she chosen to sit next to the blonde traveler instead of Furina?

Could I already have fallen out of favor so quickly?

Furina gazed at Themis's figure in the audience with a pitiful expression. Her jealousy over Themis and the Traveler had become such a preoccupation that she couldn't even enjoy the magic show on stage.

The audience below clapped and cheered enthusiastically as Lyney performed his captivating tricks. Meanwhile, Furina stood frozen in uncertainty, her feline heart beating with envy.

Resentment does not transcend the boundaries between people, Furina thought. To her, the audience's applause was nothing more than a cacophony of noise.

Puffing out her cheeks, she imagined herself glaring furiously at Themis's silhouette below. When even her eyes began to ache from the effort, she reluctantly abandoned this childish notion.

Rubbing her sore eyes, Furina's heart filled with anger.

Insufferable Themis, where's your comforting touch? Even if you can't comfort me, at least spare a glance! Don't ignore me completely; show some attention, even if it's just a fraction of what you give others.

Although Furina had suggested this magic show, at this moment, she deeply regretted bringing it up.

She had initially believed that the novelty of the magic show would bring joy, and with Themis there, it should have been double the fun. So why had everything turned out this way?

Furina detested being constantly under the gaze of others; it made her feel the pressure of maintaining the facade of a divine being she was impersonating, always fearing any slip that might expose her as fraudulent. Yet Themis was an exception. When she looked at Furina, her gaze was always serene. In front of Themis, Furina could let down her guard and truly be herself—the humble, restless, somewhat naive human Furina. Not the omnipotent Archon, the divine being everyone expected her to be.

Themis silently bore with all of Furina's insecurities. Furina admitted that she was undeniably greedy in matters concerning Themis. But isn't it understandable for someone like her to covet the warmth provided by such a beautiful and gentle presence? While secretly feeling smug about her own popularity from Themis's appeal, Furina also sensed herself being replaced as Themis's confidant, which left her feeling overlooked and insecure. She also remained perpetually anxious about the half millennium lie she had maintained before the people.

What if Themis discovered she was a false Archon? Would she react like everyone else? The mere thought sent waves of panic through her.

She could only suppress her unease and forcefully banish the idea from her mind.

Even if—even if—Themis turned out to be like all the others, at least for now, she remained unique to me.

It's okay to deceive me, just don't reject me.

Before that fateful day arrives, let me greedily savour this warmth for a while longer.

Please, stay with me.

Themis, sensing something amiss, turned her gaze towards Furina.

Furina sat with her head bowed, her expression hidden. Yet, against the backdrop of the lively scene around her, her profound grief was unmistakable.

"Furina..."

A note of anxiety crept into Themis's thoughts. She could feel Furina's distress, her heart aching with sadness and worry.

Why is this so?

Could it be something I said before the performance began?

But no, that couldn't be it.

Her thoughts whirled as Themis lost interest in watching Lyney's magic show.

Her mood had taken a turn for the worse.

Because she couldn't detect Furina's distress immediately and go to her side.

Just as Themis was trying to find an excuse to get closer to Furina, something unexpected happened during the magic show.

A loud sound reverberated throughout the theater, interrupting Themis's thoughts. Her head snapped up to locate the source of the noise.

The maiden selected for the trick was supposed to open the magic box on stage and emerge from it.

But the tank hanging above suddenly fell, shattering the magic box...

Water from the tank even spilled below the stage.

Themis wiped her face silently, brushing away droplets splattered on her.

The unexpected loud noise startled Furina. "...!?"

Good news: Themis noticed that Furina had moved past her sadness.

Bad news: This complete accident now made her even more confused and anxious.

Meanwhile, the crowd of spectators below failed to notice the precarious situation unfolding on stage.

Excited audience: "I-is this part of the act?"

Excited audience: "Monsieur Lyney, you're about to restore the stage next, right?"

Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, Lyney stood captivated by the stage's chaos. Murmuring to himself with an air of disbelief, he echoed, "How could this happen...?"

It was clear that this catastrophe lay far beyond the purview of his performance.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it seems the show must be brought to an abrupt end."

Gathering himself, Themis waved to summon the guards, swiftly imposing a curfew on the opera house and forbidding the exit of anyone.

Neuvillette led the guard in search of any clues scattered across the scene.

Realizing the investigators wouldn't require her presence for now, Themis slipped away from the spotlight, her absence barely noted.

Furina's eyes lit up at the sight of Themis approaching, yet her body language remained awkwardly stiff—a sight that only added to Themis's vexation. There were times when she truly struggled to decipher Furina's thoughts.

In truth, during her earlier conversation with Paimon, Themis had been less than forthcoming. She did possess a magic spell—a charm for bringing joy, meant to lift Furina's spirits.

Slipping a glance around, Things looked promising; everyone's attention remained fixed on the stage. Now was her chance—time was of the essence.

Drawing near Furina, Themis wrapped her arms around her, ingeniously using their combined bodies to shield their view.

Cradled in Themis's embrace, Furina blinked innocently, her eyes wide as saucers. She gazed as Themis leaned in close, gently brushed aside strands of hair from her forehead, and tenderly pressed a kiss to the spot.

"I'm fine. I am Focalors, the God of Hydro and Justice. How could such a minor incident frighten me!"

The shame of a forehead kiss was minimal; it was more acceptable than the neck kiss earlier.

"But you looked truly devastated just now, as if you were about to cry."

"I wasn't crying." Furina instinctively denied it, but then her eyes widened. "Wait, so you were watching me this whole time?"

"Of course," Themis nodded, smiling. "After all, you're my beloved Furina. How could I bear to let you out of my sight for even a moment?"