Lovia shook her head, stopped her stray thoughts, and prepared to continue making her lunch.
But... should she prepare a portion for Neuvillette? Probably not; Ningguang would likely prepare food for him.
She squatted down and poked the already gutted fish with her small finger.
"Was... was I a bit too bold today? No, no, being bold is a good thing? Will Neuvillette think I'm strange?" Lovia murmured to herself, her blue antennae swaying gently and unconsciously, expressing her inner turmoil.
Neuvillette still hadn't returned by the time Lovia finished her delicious fish soup and washed the dishes.
She wanted to find something to do, but for some reason, Lovia suddenly felt very bored. She couldn't focus on her writing, nor did she want to pack her things right away. This feeling... how to put it.
It was like being lonely for a long time, with no one to play with, and then someone suddenly comes to your house and you get along perfectly, but before you've had your fill of fun, they go home. Then you're left alone watching your home return to normal, but you start to feel unaccustomed to it. (To prevent misunderstanding: this is a kind of "emotional withdrawal." It's the psychological gap and withdrawal symptoms that occur when a strong, brief emotional connection is broken.)
Her tail drooped listlessly as Lovia sat on the edge of the bed in a daze. After a while, she stood up again and stood on her tiptoes to retrieve the Ice Crystal from the top of the bookshelf. The cold touch cleared her head a bit.
She recalled every detail of her conversation with Neuvillette—his patient listening, his gentle promises, his solemn thanks... "He's not that scary after all, so when is he coming back?" She muttered softly while clutching the Ice Crystal, the corners of her mouth uncontrollably curling up into a small arc.
She was actually looking forward to Neuvillette's arrival.
Perhaps going to Fontaine really would be a new beginning.
She patted her cheeks, trying to calm herself down.
————————————————————————————
The Jade Chamber still hung steadily above Liyue Harbor today.
Under the respectful guidance of an usher, Neuvillette stepped onto this floating palace.
His pace was steady, his gaze calmly sweeping over the surrounding clouds and the miniature harbor city below, showing no signs of awe or constraint.
To him, while such a creation was indeed ingenious, it wasn't enough to shake his resolve.
He was led to an extremely spacious, magnificent, and elegant reception room.
A moment later, accompanied by the sound of crisp footsteps, Ningguang—the Tianquan Star of the Seven Stars of Liyue—walked in gracefully.
He wore a magnificent white and gold qipao, exuding elegance, with eyes carrying the shrewdness of a merchant and the inscrutability of a politician. His gaze rested on Neuvillette for a moment, his lips curling into a perfect smile.
"I have long looked forward to meeting you, Monsieur Neuvillette, the iudex of Fontaine." Ningguang's voice was pleasant yet carried undeniable weight. "Our previous correspondence couldn't cover everything. Seeing you today, your presence is indeed extraordinary."
"Lady Ningguang, the Tianquan Star, it is a pleasure." Neuvillette nodded slightly, perfectly polite.
Both parties took their seats, and attendants served fragrant tea.
After simple pleasantries and routine concerns about the affairs of both nations, the conversation naturally turned to the core purpose of Neuvillette's visit.
"I heard you visited Sea Gazers Pavilion this morning and had a brief encounter with the Yuheng Star. I wonder what brings you here specifically now?"
Neuvillette got straight to the point, his tone calm but solemn: "I have taken the liberty of visiting to discuss the private matter I mentioned to the Yuheng Star."
Ningguang picked up his teacup, his fingertips gently stroking the warm surface, a flash of understanding in his eyes: "Oh? It seems your trip was successful, Iudex. I wonder if there is anything Liyue can do to assist?"
"The private purpose of my visit has been achieved," Neuvillette continued. "The Melusine named Lovia has agreed to return to Fontaine with me. According to etiquette, I must formally raise this matter with Liyue and handle the relevant procedures."
"Naturally," Ningguang nodded with a smile. "Liyue respects the personal will of all people. If she is willing to return with you, the General Affairs Department will handle her Departure Documents."
However, his tone shifted slightly as his sharp red eyes looked at Neuvillette searchingly: "But... if I may be so bold, regarding Miss Lovia, why was she stranded alone in Liyue in the first place? As far as I know, the sea route between Fontaine and Liyue is long. How did a seemingly... well, weak Melusine quietly appear in Liyue Harbor? Did you learn the reason while searching for her, Iudex?"
This question precisely touched upon the greatest mystery and concern in Neuvillette's heart.
He recalled Lovia's evasive eyes, vague answers, and that sentence: "I don't remember very clearly."
Neuvillette's expression remained as calm as water, but his gaze grew slightly more solemn.
"Regarding this matter," he spoke slowly, his voice deep, "Lovia's memory seems... blurred. She cannot give a clear account of how she arrived in Liyue."
He looked up to meet Ningguang's scrutinizing gaze and stated the most reasonable inference based on what he had seen: "Based on her condition and some subtle clues, my preliminary judgment is that she most likely... did not come to Liyue voluntarily."
Neuvillette leaned forward slightly, creating a faint sense of pressure, and his tone took on the coldness belonging to the iudex: "She may have been deceived or even kidnapped by outlaws, forcibly taken from Fontaine, and ended up stranded here."
The image of Lovia squatting on the ground processing fish scales, her tattered "clothes," and her fear when talking about crowds resurfaced in his mind.
"Although she managed to sustain herself in Liyue, her life was by no means easy. She fears contact with people and hides her characteristics; there must be a reason for this." Neuvillette's words carried a hint of coldness. "If my speculation is correct, then this is a malicious case of Transnational Kidnapping and Human Trafficking. Whether for Fontaine or Liyue, this is a serious provocation to law and order."
Ningguang listened quietly, his eyes shimmering, without immediately taking a stance.
He gently set down his teacup and tapped his fingertips rhythmically on the table, seemingly weighing something.
A moment later, he spoke slowly, his tone becoming formal and serious: "To be honest, Iudex, the General Affairs Department's intelligence network was also aware of this... special existence that suddenly appeared in Liyue Harbor. Her appearance was indeed abrupt, without warning, as if she... appeared in the Dock Area out of thin air."
He looked at Neuvillette with sharp eyes: "Previously, because she did not disturb the order or make any requests, Liyue did not interfere and treated her as an ordinary foreign traveler. Now, hearing your inference and considering how she appeared, it is indeed full of suspicion."
Ningguang stood up and walked to the window, overlooking the bustling Liyue Harbor below, his voice steady and powerful: "Liyue Harbor is the City of Contracts. We will never allow such atrocities that trample on the law and violate human rights to breed or pass through here. If there are indeed outlaws who dare to use Liyue's sea routes and ports for such business, it is a contempt for Liyue's laws and the authority of the Seven Stars."
He turned to look at Neuvillette and made a promise: "Iudex, the clues you've provided are very important. The Seven Stars of Liyue and the General Affairs Department will launch a secret investigation into this incident. We will review all recent entry and exit records, screen suspicious vessels and personnel, and go all out to track down any possible criminal chains."
"Thank you for your understanding and assistance, Lady Ningguang." Neuvillette also stood up and gave him a solemn bow. "Fontaine will remember Liyue's fairness and efficiency in this matter. If there is anything Fontaine needs to cooperate with, please contact us through formal channels at any time."
"It is my duty," Ningguang nodded slightly. "As for Miss Lovia's departure procedures, the General Affairs Department will handle them as quickly as possible. She can set off whenever she is ready."
"Thank you again."
With official business concluded, Neuvillette did not linger and left the Jade Chamber under Ningguang's polite farewell.
Neuvillette stood at the edge of the Jade Chamber, overlooking the familiar Dock Area below, as if he could see that small figure temporarily sheltered in the humble room.
Official obstacles had been cleared, and the shadows behind the scenes were being investigated.
Now, he only needed to wait.
Wait for that little compatriot to muster her courage, take his outstretched hand, and go... home with him.
And he would ensure that no one could ever disturb her peace again.
[Bonus progress bar: 11%]
[For the bonus rules, you can check the end of Chapter 80. Thank you for your support! Every read and follow (and maybe reminder to update) is my motivation to write! Hehe!]
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"