After a while, there was a knock at the door.
"'Father,' Luna, lunch is ready," a child's voice called from behind the door.
"Very well."
Arlecchino gave Luna's hair one last pat. "It's time for our family meal. Let's go, Luna. Don't disappoint the others."
Though she felt a pang of reluctance and lingering affection, Luna finally slid off Arlecchino's lap.
The two returned to the living room.
"You're really not planning to perform on stage anymore?"
Furina crossed her arms. "No, I'm not."
"That's such a shame..."
"If you'd been performing for five centuries, you'd be tired of it too. Besides, didn't your family produce a major star like Luna?"
"Luna's performances are certainly brilliant, but why can't we have just a little more happiness?"
And in the end, Luna was just as abnormal as the rest of them.
At least she's a little better than the other lunatics in this house, they thought.
Sensing the disappointment of her two loyal fans, Furina averted her gaze.
"I'm very grateful you enjoyed my performances so much, but..."
"But Lady Furina is tired and needs to rest," a voice interjected.
Arlecchino stepped beside them, placing a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Don't be rude to our guests, Filliol, Nanteuil."
Arlecchino's tone was calm as ever, yet it sent a shiver down their spines.
"Y-yes, 'Father'..."
The two children retreated as if fleeing.
"I sincerely apologize, Lady Furina," Arlecchino said. "The children tend to get overly excited when they meet their idols. I hope they didn't frighten you."
The real source of my fear is right in front of me! Furina thought.
Furina managed a polite smile, which Arlecchino returned.
Wow, this is the first time someone's smile has seemed so terrifying...
Furina then noticed Luna approaching and said in relief, "Luna, you're finally back! I've been waiting ages. What did you two talk about?"
"Father just gave me some treatment," Luna replied.
And they had a little father-daughter bonding time.
Arlecchino adjusted her collar to hide the red mark Luna had left behind.
"Father, is there something wrong with your collar?" Lynette asked, noticing the gesture.
"Nothing at all. Don't worry about it," Arlecchino said dismissively.
She clapped her hands to gather the children. "Alright, let's start lunch."
Arlecchino took her seat first, followed by the children. This wasn't one of the House of the Hearth's many formal rules, but rather an unspoken custom the children themselves had established. Arlecchino never bothered with such trivial details.
"Sit here, Furina," Luna said.
"Ah, right..."
I was just waiting for you to sit down first.
Being new to this place, sitting next to Luna seemed like the safest option.
So, after Luna settled into the seat beside Arlecchino, Furina quickly slid into the space next to Luna, placing Lynette directly across from her.
"To welcome Lady Furina, the House of the Hearth has prepared a dessert."
Lyney carried a plate of cake and placed it before Furina.
Furina's eyes lit up, but she awkwardly replied, "Th-thank you..."
"We are the ones who should be thanking you. There's no need for formality, and besides..." Arlecchino murmured, "an apology."
"Eh? Oh, I'm sorry..." Furina reflexively blurted out.
"—I meant that I, too, owe Lady Furina an apology."
Luna couldn't help but giggle.
What's so funny? Is it really so strange to misunderstand? Furina thought, embarrassed.
She lightly kicked Luna's heel under the table to express her displeasure.
Lynette: "..."
She could sense the commotion beneath the table perfectly well.
Lady Furina seems quite close to Lulu. No wonder, considering Lulu chose to stand by her side at the crucial moment.
As Lynette thought this, her cat ears drooped slightly.
"Apology? What needs apologizing for?" Furina asked casually.
Please don't mention the attack!
I may no longer be the Hydro Archon, but I still have my dignity.
"Regarding the Tartaglia incident, I applied some pressure and used certain methods against Lady Furina. Now that the truth is revealed, Lady Furina has essentially saved the children of the House of the Hearth."
"Both logically and emotionally, I should apologize."
"I am deeply sorry, Lady Furina. This gift is both a token of gratitude and an apology."
Furina remained stiff, giving a reserved nod.
Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet had also apologized to her earlier, but Furina hadn't really minded.
Reason 1:
"It's fine... It's only natural that you couldn't understand me. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't have believed in an 'Archon' who seemed so utterly unreliable either."
She understood everyone's dissatisfaction and doubts.
Bearing those gazes and voices had been a necessary part of her role.
Reason 2:
"Besides, someone believed in me and supported me until the very end."
"Even though it was just one person, that was enough. I hold no grudges against any of you."
If she had to be honest, the assault had been too much!
But Furina kept silent.
The fact that Arlecchino had terrified her into tears would remain a secret between Arlecchino and Luna.
"That's all there is to it."
Furina and Luna exchanged glances, smiling at each other.
Arlecchino: "..."
Lynette: "..."
"So really, there's no need for any thank-you gifts or apologies!"
After all, having their Luna was enough.
"Then, will you eat?" Luna pointed to the cake.
"...I suppose I should eat it."
Can't let it go to waste.
Arlecchino smiled faintly. "Then please, enjoy."
The rest of the meal proceeded as any ordinary gathering. The other children asked Luna and Furina numerous questions, though it was clear they were eager to inquire about the execution.
However, with Arlecchino present, they seemed to suppress their curiosity, either dropping the topic entirely or asking only indirect questions.
Arlecchino remained silent, eating sparingly. It wasn't that she disliked the food; it was simply her usual habit.
After lunch, Arlecchino asked:
"Luna, your old room is still here. Would you like to stay the night for old times' sake?"
Stay the night?!
Luna showed little reaction, but Furina reacted strongly.
"Are you going to stay the night here?" Furina asked anxiously.
Then what about me?
Go back alone? There's no way we can both stay here overnight.
I've been searching for Luna since dawn, then had to confront Arlecchino, and now I'm having lunch at the House of the Hearth... All I want now is to hurry home and get some rest.
Luna sensed Furina's thoughts and shook her head.
"No, thank you."
Arlecchino nodded slightly. "I'll be leaving for Snezhnaya tomorrow. If you wish to see me, you can come to the harbor."
"Alright, then please wait for me a little."
Luna turned to Lynette one last time.
Their eyes met, and she whispered, "See you next time, Lynette."
Lynette's eyes lit up with a radiant glow, but her expression remained unchanged, still appearing somewhat indifferent.
"Mm, see you next time."
She paused, then added softly, "...Lulu."
Furina: "..."
Lulu... A stifling feeling welled up in her chest. Should I call her that too? she wondered.
But it feels a bit cheesy.
Luna and Furina left the House of the Hearth and began their journey home.
Suddenly, Furina tugged on Luna's sleeve.
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Lulu."
Luna looked genuinely surprised.
Seeing her reaction, Furina said with satisfaction, "That's exactly the face I wanted to see."
"Ah, don't misunderstand," Furina continued. "I was just saying it on a whim. I don't plan to keep calling you that."
"What a shame," Luna sighed.
This time, it was Furina's turn to be surprised. "You're really disappointed?"
"Mm-hmm. Don't you think 'Lulu' would make me sound a bit cuter?" Luna asked with a mischievous smile.
"I suppose it might a little, but after getting to know your true nature, who would ever associate you with the word 'cute'? So give up on that idea."
How mean!
"As for me..." Furina clasped her hands behind her back. "I'll just keep calling you Luna. I quite like that name."
Luna gazed at Furina for a moment, then looped her arm through hers.
"I like Furina too."
"Y-you! Why did you suddenly say something like that?" Furina's cheeks flushed crimson.
Does Furina not like me?
Furina murmured, "It's not about that."
Then what is it about?
Like or dislike?
Those were the only two answers Furina could see. She couldn't help but wonder: Was moving in with Luna really the right choice?
Luna had turned out to be unexpectedly clingy.
It's not that I dislike it, but it's just... difficult to handle. Every time, Furina found herself questioning: Does Luna even mean it?
"...I-I guess I do... like you." Furina gave a vague answer.
Guess?
Guess.
"Then I guess I like you too, Lady Furina," Luna smiled faintly.
Furina's face fell. "That's not what you said earlier."
"Forgive me. Even I can't see myself clearly sometimes," Luna replied casually.
"So, 'Lady Furina who supposedly likes me,' what do you want for dinner tonight?"
Could Luna be surprisingly petty? But Furina couldn't bring herself to admit she truly liked Luna, so she ignored the emphasis in her words.
"Dessert."
"Be careful not to gain weight."
Furina huffed. "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Still, it might be wise to check my weight when we get back.
As she thought this, a slender hand reached into her peripheral vision. Furina looked up and met Luna's gaze.
She pursed her lips slightly and placed her hand in Luna's palm.
With a gentle squeeze, Luna took Furina's hand and resumed walking.
"What kind of dessert are you craving?"
"We've already had cake. Hmm... let's see what they have at the shop. Snacks are fine too—we're out of everything but cookies and bread at home. I want something different."
As Furina spoke, she tightened her grip on Luna's hand.
When will she let go?
Only when I'm satisfied with holding it.