Furina was already on the verge of tears while singing, and with these scenes, how could she hold back?
In her heart, she secretly cursed Lucian. You're no longer my dear Lucian—you're the despicable Lucian!
He didn't even bring me Three-Color Dango when he came, sob sob sob!
And he pulled my ahoge! Sob sob sob sob!
The sadder she felt, the more everything seemed to make her sad. Now, Furina only felt even more heartbroken, her Hydro element surging. The tide was rising—she had returned!
At this moment, Furina's "love" for Lucian was like a tidal wave, all turning into tears, threatening to burst like a dam.
But she couldn't cry, she mustn't cry! How could an Archon cry? None of the other Archons around her were crying!
Furina desperately held back her tears. Her tears… at least she could let them fall when she got home, right?
Hold it in, Furina! The only place you can cry is there!
Lucian and Venti noticed Furina's trembling. Lucian, sitting behind her, gently lifted her hat with his finger from behind.
The hat tilted forward, covering Furina's eyes.
Furina naturally sensed the "despicable Lucian's" action and subtly lowered her head to go along with it.
Venti immediately spoke up to claim credit: "What about me? I helped with the song's creation too, you know."
This diverted some of Columbina's attention, her gaze shifting to Venti.
"Your musical talent is evident to all," Columbina said with a sweet smile, sparing no praise.
"Hehe, you're making me blush. But as a bard, just verbal thanks don't feel like enough. Got any alcohol?" Venti said, craving a drink.
Venti was smiling, but his smile was somewhat forced. White moonlight—its destructive power was too strong!
That line: "If my wish could come true, I'd want to have the same thing as you."
My friend, I will carry everything of yours, walking through this world, leaving your footprints.
My "heartbeat" won't stop, because this is your "heart."
I don't want to have the same things as you, because I am you, and our "heart" is the only one.
While they conversed, Ei seemed to be out of it, her expression blank as she stared at the screen, which was now empty.
The "big sister Raiden" whom Furina had pinned her hopes on was, at that moment, truly thinking of her own sister.
The lyrics: "I don't understand this! Don't leave me alone!"
In those fleeting moments on the screen, Ei felt as though she saw her sister.
Back in Khaenri'ah, in the true Euthymia, Ei had seen her sister for the last time, looking just like this.
A gentle smile, a tight embrace—memories flooded her mind, scenes now only visible in dreams.
But could someone pursuing eternity still dream?
Her soul is gone, only dreams remain. Except for the moon in the sky, no one knows.
A thunderstorm brewed in Euthymia, but like Furina, Ei didn't want to cry in front of the other Archons.
Nahida, within the Void, remained silent. She knew that words of comfort would only deepen the sorrow. At this moment, silence was the bridge to solace.
Zhongli, sitting beside Ei, didn't offer comfort either. Instead, he handed her a cup of wine—the very one Venti had just asked for.
Who would've thought a Fatui Harbinger would actually carry alcohol? Truly worthy of Snezhnaya.
Arlecchino seemed to have calmed her emotions somewhat. She stood up and turned to face Lucian.
Rosalyne noticed Arlecchino's movement and gaze, standing up as well, but she positioned herself to watch both of them.
Though she knew Arlecchino was calm, she still worried that Arlecchino might actually set Lucian ablaze and was ready to intervene if needed.
Of course, this wasn't out of concern for Lucian—it was about ensuring their collaboration wouldn't be jeopardled if Arlecchino attacked him, and she'd be able to repay her debts.
Yes, that's the reason.
Arlecchino placed a hand on her chest and gave a formal bow.
"Mr. Lucian… thank you for the work you've created."
After watching this story, Arlecchino was deeply shaken and heartbroken. It had been years since she felt such emotions.
But this was her story, and it was written and executed beautifully. She had no reason not to be grateful.
"Hahaha, as long as you like this 'new work,' that's enough," Lucian said with a laugh. You're sad, I'm happy.
Don't misunderstand—this isn't because I'm cruel; it's because the system demands it. I just want to improve.
Yes, that's the reason.
Arlecchino let out a long breath. Like it? How could she not like it? She loved it too much.
She just never expected that, having sought out Furina because she was in a bad mood, her mood would now be even worse.
Lucian smirked: Admit it, compared to now, wasn't your mood back then pretty good?
I said I'd make you feel better, but I never said it'd be right now.
Rosalyne sighed in relief. Good, they didn't fight. Lucian's sharp tongue didn't provoke her, proving Arlecchino's composure.
At this point, the only one in the room who hadn't spoken or moved was Tartaglia.
He still sat in his seat, head lowered, his blue eyes hidden behind his bangs.
He had previously called Arlecchino a "child's king" because, to him, the "Knave" was the king of the children at the House of the Hearth.
But he hadn't expected the "Knave" to be this kind of "child's king"—it was almost hellish.
When Arlecchino succeeded the title, Tartaglia was still young and unaware of the hidden truths.
By the time he became a Harbinger, the atmosphere in the House of the Hearth was warm, with the children and their "Father" truly like family.
Compared to the old House of the Hearth, the current one was surprisingly gentle.
The previous House of the Hearth was truly cruel, seemingly devoid of "family."
But to Tartaglia, Clervie was already Arlecchino's "family."
So this "knife" hit Tartaglia hard. He couldn't handle a "family knife" the most.
Lyney and Lynette noticed the situation, observing their "Father's" demeanor. They exchanged a glance.
Both saw the sadness in the other's eyes, especially Lynette. She showed no expression, but tears streaked down her face, making it all the more heartbreaking.
The two walked toward Lucian together. Their "Father" had given thanks—how could they not?
Beside them, Ayaka Kamisato covered her face with her fan, hiding behind it to cry quietly.
She hadn't expected the content she drew to be so profound. Being part of it made her feel fulfilled but also deeply saddened.
Especially when she saw her name in the final credits—she couldn't hold back her tears.
It was too immersive!
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Arlecchino: About Lucian
"…He's a good person, but his personality seems to have some 'flaws'? I don't usually judge someone like this, as I prefer to make judgments with sufficient information.
But for him, I can only say this."