From jokes and short tales to old legends, Leo told Furina every story he could remember.
Hearing Furina's cheerful laughter from time to time, Leo felt deeply content and laughed along with her.
But when the subject shifted to prophecy, Furina couldn't suppress her curiosity.
"I've heard so many stories about prophecies," she said, "yet you've never spoken of Fontaine's prophecy."
Fontaine's prophecy?
After a brief pause, Leo replied cautiously:
"Lady Furina… you mean the one that says: everyone dissolves into the water, leaving only the Hydro Archon weeping upon the throne?"
Furina nodded. For just a fleeting moment, a trace of loneliness flickered in her eyes—nothing more, nothing less.
Though Leo was simple and straightforward by nature, he could feel her sudden drop in mood.
"Lady Furina… is that prophecy true?" Leo asked at last, unable to hold back.
Is it true?
With her head lowered, Furina stood up after only a second. Placing her hands on her hips, she turned toward the horizon.
"Prophecy? Whether it is true or false, I, Furina, will strangle it in the cradle. As one of my people, Leo, you are blessed."
Looking at her back, Leo hesitated. He could sense that her words, however forceful, carried a kind of fragile bravado.
After a long silence, Furina turned again, raised her hand slightly, and asked:
"Leo, you've served as my guard for two years, and yet I've never heard you speak of your family. But just now, I heard you mention a master."
"Family? Lady Furina, I have none—I'm an orphan."
Blinking in surprise, Furina studied him. She truly couldn't imagine that this cheerful, guileless young guard before her had grown up without family.
"What about your master, then?"
"I was taken in by him when I was very young," Leo explained. "He raised me, taught me martial arts and swordsmanship, and even a little music… though I never mastered much of that."
Thinking of his master's expression, Leo smiled warmly.
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen him for half a year. He often traveled the Seven Nations, and for a time, I followed him everywhere. But after I became your bodyguard, he told me I was grown and that he wouldn't come visit anymore."
Listening closely, Furina grew curious. What kind of master could raise a child like this?
"What nation is your master from?"
"A man of Mondstadt. He always boasted he was the greatest bard in the world. His lyre-playing was beautiful—though I never managed to learn a full tune from him. If I get the chance, I'll invite him to Fontaine. I'd love for you to hear him perform."
"Alright! I'll be looking forward to it~"
Admiring the moonlight, Leo glanced at Furina. Words pressed on his lips, but he forced himself into silence.
Leo, this is not your concern. Your only duty is to protect the Archon.
Even so, he couldn't resist blurting out:
"Lady Furina… are you truly not worried?"
The question slipped out almost by accident, yet it hung in the night air.
Furina turned back, her gaze drifting. She really didn't want to lie to him, but…
"Leo, if one day you discover that I've been lying to you… would you leave me? Resign from your post?"
"No," Leo answered without hesitation. "The Archon must have her reasons. As long as you do not dismiss me, Lady Furina, I will always protect you—even if Palais Mermonia were to stop paying me."
That last line made Furina laugh in spite of herself.
"Palais Mermonia, not paying wages? Hahaha! Neuvillette would never allow such a thing."
"Why?" she added, curious as to his devotion.
Standing tall, Leo placed a hand over his chest.
"Because I promised I would always be your bodyguard."
Closing her eyes, Furina lay back on the reef, listening to his words—words that sounded very much like a vow.
Neither had spoken the full truth. What Furina meant to ask was: Will you leave me?
What Leo left unsaid was: Lady Furina, my heart has already changed.
The next morning, Furina awoke in the tent to the crackle of firewood.
Peeking outside, she found Leo by the shore, catching crabs and baking bread over the campfire.
He really is a capable little guard… able to provide for himself no matter the situation.
Sensing her presence, Leo waved cheerfully.
"Lady Furina, you're awake! Hurry and freshen up—it'll be time for breakfast soon."
Smiling, Furina waved back, feeling inexplicably happy.
After a quick wash, she sat by the fire, picked up a piece of bread, and took a bite.
Though Palais Mermonia served her the finest cuisine every day, there was something refreshing—almost indulgent—about eating such "ordinary" food.
Watching Leo continue to gather crabs, Furina tilted her head, curious.
"Leo, why are you catching so many crabs?"
"Crab roe noodles!" he declared proudly.
The name struck her as both familiar and foreign. She had heard of the delicacy before, but had never tasted it herself.
Leo worked tirelessly, filling the bucket with crabs before skillfully cleaning and preparing them. In just over ten minutes, he had dismantled and sorted a full catch—crab meat on one plate, crab roe on another.
So fast… so skilled. Truly impressive.
After gathering a few ingredients nearby, Leo began stirring the sauce until the rich aroma of crab filled the air.
Furina's mouth watered. Her eyes softened as she watched him.
What an all-around little guard… how wonderful.
Covering the pot, Leo pulled out a sealed bundle of noodles from his pack. (He had once joked of "macaroni," but wisely stuck with spaghetti.) Soon, the pasta boiled, the sauce was ready, and the kitchen-by-the-sea came alive.
At last, Leo served a steaming bowl of noodles, topped with a generous spoonful of crab roe sauce.
The fragrance hit Furina instantly. She swallowed hard.
It smells divine… I want to taste it right now!
She mixed the sauce, blew lightly, and took her first bite.
The rich flavors exploded on her tongue, making her eyes widen. She ate quickly, with no thought for decorum—after all, it was just her and Leo here.
On the other side of the fire, Leo smiled with quiet pride, glad that she liked his cooking.
When Furina finished, she looked to the pot—empty.
"Anything left?" she asked hopefully.
"Huh?"
Her mood soured at the sight of the scraped pot, but then her eyes fell on Leo's plate, still half full. A mischievous grin spread across her face.
Without hesitation, she picked up her fork, marched over, and—before Leo could react—twirled away most of his noodles.
Blinking, Leo swallowed nervously.
"Lady Furina… don't you… dislike me?"
Pausing mid-bite, Furina slurped the noodles, then picked up a forkful, holding it before his lips.
"Dislike you? Move closer—eat. That way, I won't dislike you."
"Huh? Huh…?"