Looking at Furina's tear-streaked face, Leo was completely stunned.
Huh? What should I do? What should I do?
After a round of coaxing, Leo had tried everything he could think of, but nothing worked.
It wasn't Furina's fault she kept crying—she simply couldn't help it. She had bottled up her emotions for five hundred years, with no way to release them. In the past, whenever she felt sad, she had been unable to cry openly.
But now, with the person she loved by her side, she finally found an excuse to let her tears flow.
Burying her head in her knees, Furina tried to hold back, but she couldn't. Her tear glands overflowed uncontrollably, water streaming down her cheeks.
Sitting beside her, Leo swallowed hard. He wanted to hug Lady Furina, to comfort her, but when he stretched out his hand, he pulled it back again.
Leo, you can't cross the line!
After a moment's hesitation, Leo suddenly thought of his master. He stood up abruptly and bolted out the door, not even knowing what he was going to do.
Hearing the noise, Furina's sobs stopped at once.
Looking up at the door swinging back and forth, she was bewildered.
Huh? He ran away?
She blinked in confusion. If he doesn't like me, why wouldn't he just hug me and comfort me? Why run away?
Coward!
Slowly rising to her feet, Furina wiped her tears and walked to the sink to wash her face.
Suddenly, there was another burst of hurried footsteps, followed by Leo's panting.
Looking back, Furina saw Leo holding a lyre in his hands.
She recognized it instantly—it was the instrument that usually sat on the windowsill of Leo's room.
Clutching it nervously, Leo gave a dry laugh.
"Lady Furina, don't be sad. I'll sing a song for you… The wind will carry your troubles away."
He really had no other choice. His head was filled with the nonsense his master used to spout when drunk: When you're sad, pick up the lyre and play the Song of a Thousand Winds, and the thousand winds will bring you peace.
When Furina heard that Leo was going to play, she quickly wiped away the fresh tears that threatened to fall. Washing her face lightly, she leaned her chin on her hand and watched him.
Carrying the lyre, Leo walked to the window, opened it, and let the breeze flow freely inside.
Leaning against the windowsill, he closed his eyes and recalled the mood he used to have when playing music in the past. Slowly, he began to pluck the strings.
He had never succeeded in playing the Song of a Thousand Winds before. Would he manage it this time?
Of course.
A beautiful sound flowed from Leo's hands, swirling gently with the breeze and drifting straight into Furina's heart.
She felt soothed, peaceful, as if all her burdens were suddenly lifted away.
The melody carried his emotions and sincerity, touching her deeply.
His fingers plucked faster and faster, yet the sound remained steady and serene, as though the hand gliding over the strings was weightless.
The wind carried the seeds of stories, and time made them sprout.
As the music reached its climax, Furina leaned back on the sofa, completely surrendering herself. She released every sorrow, every burden she had carried for five hundred years, casting them all into the wind.
At that moment, the whole city of Fontaine was filled with a gentle breeze. Citizens heard the clear music drifting through the air and paused, letting themselves be carried away by it.
In an office not far away, Neuvillette, sensing a surge of Anemo elemental energy, pushed open the door and stepped outside.
The entire Palais Mermonia resonated with the distant music, which seemed to sweep away every worry.
Gazing toward the office from which the elemental power emanated, Neuvillette did not intrude, but instead stood quietly, listening. The music conveyed countless emotions—fondness, admiration, care.
Inside the room, Furina closed her eyes, humming softly in time with the lyre, immersed in the solo performance Leo had given her.
For a fleeting moment, she seemed to see another figure behind Leo, seated on the windowsill—a carefree young man strumming the lyre alongside him.
Time slipped away unnoticed.
At last, the song ended. Leo opened his eyes to find Furina smiling.
"Do you like it, Lady Furina?" he asked.
Opening her eyes, Furina picked up a slice of cake, took a bite, and replied, "I like it. Of course I like it."
Leo exhaled in relief. He was grateful he hadn't slacked off in his music studies; otherwise, he truly wouldn't have been able to play that piece.
After a pause, Furina looked at him and scolded lightly, "Why are you standing there like an idiot? Come eat with me!"
Hearing this, Leo's heart leapt. Seeing the genuine joy on Furina's face—so different from her usual forced smiles—made him tremble with excitement.
Without hesitation, he walked happily to the sofa and sat down, still glancing at her cautiously.
"What are you staring at me for? Here, feed me!"
"O-oh."
Taking the fork, Leo carefully scooped up a piece of cake and held it to Furina's lips.
Seeing his flustered expression, Furina gave the faintest smile, then leaned forward and ate the bite in one go.
"Mmm… delicious. Give me another."
"Ah?"
This time, Furina took the fork herself, picked up a piece of cake, and held it out to Leo with a mischievous grin.
"What's wrong? Do you want me to feed you mouth-to-mouth?"
Flustered, Leo shook his head rapidly, opened his mouth, and accepted the small piece of cake. He chewed slowly, savoring the sweetness—it truly tasted better than anything he'd ever eaten.
Smiling, Furina took another bite for herself.
Leo's face burned hot, and he didn't know what to do.
Tilting her head, Furina studied his embarrassed expression and found it irresistibly funny.
"Leo."
"Yes, Lady Furina?"
After gathering her emotions, Furina smiled and said, "Thank you for your song. It was beautiful. The wind really did take my worries away."
Leo scratched his head with a sheepish grin. "That's what I told you! My master would never lie to me. That was only the Song of a Thousand Winds. There are even greater pieces—the Songs of the Sky—but unfortunately, I don't know them yet."
Raising her hand, Furina gently patted Leo's head, then placed her hands on her hips. "No, you're already wonderful."
Blushing at the praise, Leo muttered softly, "If Lady Furina wishes to listen, I have many more songs. Or… I could invite my master, and we could perform together."
"Fine! But… are you willing to play for me alone, forever?"
When she said this, Furina felt a twinge of nervousness.
Leo nodded firmly. "Yes. I'll always be willing."
Her heart fluttered at his words, filling her with sweetness.
The two continued feeding each other cake until Furina was full. Then she sighed in contentment and said, "Put it away—we'll finish later. I still have some paperwork to review."
Nodding, Leo tidied the table, disposing of the garbage and storing the remaining desserts. Then he stood at the window, watching Furina work diligently.
Picking up the lyre once more, he strummed gently, filling the room with a light, stirring melody.
Elsewhere, Neuvillette listened to the faint strains of music drifting through the halls. Reviewing documents to the rhythm, he felt a rare sense of peace and warmth.
Far away, in Mondstadt, under the ancient tree of Windrise, the Anemo Archon himself sat with a smile, listening to the stories carried on the breeze.
"I told you you're a genius—and you never believed me."