Halfway there, Furina demanded to be let down from Luna's princess carry.
The reason was simple: Fontaine was just ahead.
I don't know why Arlecchino is taking us back to Fontaine, Furina thought, shaking her head inwardly. But if anyone sees me being carried by Luna like this, it'll be utterly mortifying.
"You can't just do that in public!" Furina protested.
"Are you alright?" Luna asked.
"Yes, it's nothing serious."
Furina scrutinized Luna. "But your injuries..."
"Just minor scrapes. If you're worried, you can touch them."
Who would want to touch your wounds? Besides, you shouldn't even be able to! Furina's expression seemed to say, and she couldn't help but sigh.
"I can't believe you're still smiling so nonchalantly after that battle."
The fight had clearly been serious on both sides, but how serious? Furina couldn't tell. It was like watching gods clash—explosions echoed from one side to the other, their movements utterly incomprehensible.
Could it be that Luna held back significantly during her Phantom Thief days, perhaps using only a third of her full power? What would Clorinde think if she knew?
But none of that mattered now.
Furina folded her arms and spoke gravely, "Luna."
"Hmm?"
"Do you know what it feels like to wake up early in the morning and find the person beside you gone, leaving only a note saying they'll be back late?"
"So, you're feeling... 'Overtime is such a pain'?" Luna remarked casually.
Furina scoffed. "How could you think that? Of course I was worried sick!"
She glanced at Arlecchino, who was walking ahead. Arlecchino seemed oblivious to their conversation, or perhaps she simply chose to ignore it.
Still, Furina leaned closer to Luna and whispered, "I don't know what things are like in the House of the Hearth." She tugged on Luna's sleeve. "...But I'm furious right now, and it's all your fault. You need to think about what you've done. At least don't make decisions without saying a word." Her fingers tightened slightly on Luna's sleeve.
Furina lowered her head. "If you ever disappear on me again, I'll never forgive you!" She abruptly lifted her head, her brow furrowed as she glared at Luna. "Do you understand?"
Luna had thought taking Furina in would simply mean living together. Now, she felt invisible shackles tightening around her limbs.
Perhaps the moment she'd promised to let Furina live with her, she'd forfeited her freedom. It felt like a wild cat, accustomed to roaming free, being fitted with a collar.
Each of Furina's words rang like the tiny bells on that collar, chiming reminders of Luna's new status: You are my friend, my roommate, and the most important person to me.
To possess an inanimate treasure is merely to own it. But to claim a treasure like her meant being claimed in turn. Luna couldn't ignore the invisible weight of this truth.
"I understand, but what about the expectations you had for me and the promise we made..."
"Do you really think I still care about those things now that we've come this far?" Furina asked, a confident smile blooming on her face.
"I do," Luna replied, her smile gentle.
"Don't be silly!" Furina insisted.
Arlecchino suddenly spoke up. "It's wonderful that you two are so close, but it's time to stop. The finish line is just ahead."
Furina snapped back to reality. Wait, where exactly did Arlecchino bring us?
She looked up in surprise. "The House of the Hearth?"
Isn't this their territory? What could Arlecchino be planning?
Luna's eyes widened slightly. "Could it be..."
"Exactly what you're thinking. Come on in. The children have been waiting a long time." Arlecchino pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Furina blinked, utterly bewildered.
What "could it be"? She had no clue at all... Well, she decided, it probably wasn't worth overthinking. As long as Luna seemed fine with it, she was fine too.
Ever since relinquishing her position as Hydro Archon and concluding her role as "Hydro Archon Focalors," she felt that whatever extra cleverness and wisdom she had acquired had been abandoned within the walls of Palais Mermonia.
"Wait a minute... does this mean I have to go in too?" Furina asked belatedly.
"After all, she did call you a 'guest'," Luna replied.
Furina didn't voice her reservations, but her hesitant glance at Luna spoke volumes. Letting Luna return to the House of the Hearth alone filled her with unease.
There's no choice. I guess I'll go in and see what's happening.
Speaking of which, why did Arlecchino and Luna fight in the first place? Could it be something they discussed during their earlier meeting? Does it have anything to do with me? Furina's wild thoughts swirled as she followed Luna into the House of the Hearth.
"Welcome back, Luna!"
Pop! Pop! Paper cannons exploded in a shower of confetti.
The children of the House of the Hearth had gathered, including Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet. Those who knew Luna beamed with joy, while the newcomers stared in curious wonder.
Furina froze.
What's going on here?
Luna, however, seemed unsurprised. She turned to Arlecchino and said, "As expected, Father, you intended this all along."
Arlecchino's expression remained unchanged as she gave a slight nod.
"You promised to return home and share a meal with us. I'll be taking the Gnosis back to Snezhnaya soon and may need to stay there for some time."
"Regret is best left in the past, but even better is to have no regrets at all."
Arlecchino stepped behind Luna and Furina, placing her hands on their shoulders.
"I've watched you grow, Luna," she said. "I know exactly what kind of child you are. That's why, when I heard your assessment of Lady Furina upon our reunion, I understood..."
"You would conceal the truth for her."
Assessment? What assessment? Furina was burning with curiosity.
"I also know about the unresolved issues between you and Lynette—well, mostly Lynette. You might want to delay the family dinner as long as possible to avoid it."
Luna's cheeks flushed slightly. She had been found out.
Lynette: "..."
"You made a promise, and you broke it."
"That's one of the reasons you're reluctant to come home. I have no intention of forcing you to change your mind, but I don't want you to break your promise to me."
Having promised to return home for dinner, one must naturally comply.
Arlecchino gently nudged Luna and Furina forward.
"To that end, I declared my will: 'I want to know the truth.'"
She had known from the start that Luna would defy her will.
"Traitors must be executed, but you have proven your resolve and strength, earning my acknowledgment. Therefore, you need only accept a simple punishment: remain here for the time being."
Execution?! Lynette, Lyney, and Freminet gasped in shock.
Arlecchino had merely said, "I'll go bring Luna back."
How had it escalated to execution?
No wonder Luna was injured. But even more shocking, "Father"... her face bore injuries too? Lyney was even more stunned.
Luna had actually managed to wound "Father"!
None of the other children at the House of the Hearth could have accomplished such a feat. Even if they all attacked together, they likely wouldn't have been able to cut a single strand of Arlecchino's hair.
This could only mean one thing: Luna was steadily closing the gap between herself and Arlecchino.
As expected of the most outstanding, Lyney thought admiringly.
"Injured..." Lynette murmured, catching the metallic scent of blood. "I'll get the first-aid kit," she said, stepping forward.
"There's no need," Arlecchino said calmly.
"Huh?"
"It's unnecessary," Arlecchino repeated.
No need? The children exchanged puzzled glances.
"Continue, Luna," Arlecchino said. "I know you care more about the truth than your own well-being." She added, "Though I intentionally set this trap, I didn't hold back earlier. After all—"
Her gaze seemed to pierce through Luna's innermost thoughts.
"—you wanted this fight with me too, didn't you?"
"...Yes."
Huh?
Luna had long harbored a desire to duel her mother... no, her "Father"? Furina couldn't comprehend it.
The House of the Hearth was far too ruthless!
Arlecchino nodded. "Are you satisfied now?"
"No," Luna replied immediately.
Arlecchino was still looking at her with the eyes of someone regarding a child.
I don't want to be just a child.
"Very well. Then continue to grow. I will wait for you."
Arlecchino had long anticipated Luna's decision and had placed an obstacle in her path: the will of "Father."
Since Luna desired more than simply being her child, she would face a trial—a trial where Luna could prove herself.
Conveniently, this also provided an opportunity to bring her back to the House of the Hearth for a family dinner.
"Only those who understand their Fate yet choose to follow their own will can truly attain everything," Arlecchino declared.
She surveyed the children of the House of the Hearth.
"I taught you combat skills and survival techniques not to turn you into mere tools, blindly following others' wills or submitting to a Fate dictated by others."
"Everything comes at a price. Violating the rules inevitably leads to punishment."
"But precisely because of this, those who bear the consequences and steadfastly follow their own will shine all the brighter."
"You haven't disappointed me, Luna."
Arlecchino was strict and demanding, but never cruel or heartless.
The rules of the House of the Hearth bound every child—an order established by her as both their "King" and "Father."
Yet Arlecchino never intended for the children to blindly obey the rules or her will.
That would make them nothing more than slaves.
Only by surpassing their "parental figures" could this "family" truly flourish—even though Luna would never become the next "King."
She would be a dazzling light, powerful enough to dispel all darkness.
Furina was deeply surprised.
She hadn't expected Arlecchino to be this kind of woman... though she couldn't quite forget Arlecchino's earlier attack on her.
Still, her opinion of Arlecchino had softened slightly.
"Is lunch ready?" Arlecchino asked.
"Uh, not yet..." Lyney scratched his head.
"Then Luna, come here first."
"What about me?" Furina blurted out.
"You're taking Luna away? What about me?" Furina blurted out.
"Don't worry," Arlecchino replied. "The House of the Hearth always treats its guests with the utmost hospitality. Lyney, Lynette, please entertain Lady Furina while the other children take over your tasks."
"Understood, Father," Lyney replied with a smile.
Lynette stared intently at Furina.
"...Very well," she said, her voice barely audible.
I thought only Lulu would be returning. Why did she bring Lady Furina with her? Lynette felt a pang of discontent, but she kept it hidden. And Father seems quite taken with Lady Furina...
Hmm... I don't understand.
Speaking of which, where was Father taking Lulu? Lynette watched as Arlecchino led Luna into the office and closed the door behind them.
"Alright, take off your clothes," Arlecchino said.
Luna blushed. "My clothes?"
"Yes. I need to treat your wounds."
Oh, I see.
I thought it was something else... Luna began to unfasten her outer robe.
Thankfully, she had anticipated this and wasn't wearing the dress Chiori had made for her.
If Chiori saw her precious creation torn to shreds like this, she'd be furious.
"Sit down," Arlecchino said.
"Okay," Luna replied.
Where should I sit? Luna wondered, glancing at Arlecchino.
"May I sit on your lap?" she asked softly.
Arlecchino gazed at her silently before settling onto the sofa. Without explicitly agreeing or disagreeing, Luna slowly approached and tentatively sat on her lap.
Arlecchino looked her over. "You've grown taller."
"I'm not a child anymore," Luna replied with a smile.
"And you've gained some weight too."
"I haven't gotten fat," Luna protested, taking Arlecchino's hand.
Still sitting on Arlecchino's lap, Luna mused, It's definitely harder to get close to her now than when I was little...
As a child, Luna could easily rest her cheek against Arlecchino's hair while sitting on her lap. Now, she had to lean forward, bend at the waist, and lower her head.
But this also allowed her to gently cradle Arlecchino's face in her hands and lift it upward.
"If you don't believe me, you can feel for yourself."
"I love the way your touch feels," Luna whispered.