On Sunday, Furina asked her agent, Madame Haverma, about the day's itinerary, only to be told that Clorinde was in charge of today's schedule.
'Clorinde? Shouldn't she be on vacation right now?' Confused, Furina descended from her residence and headed straight to the City Hall.
Inside the office, Clorinde and Richard were having a conversation.
"Didn't we agree on a two-day weekend?" Clorinde asked.
"Team-building at the office counts as rest, too, and participation is entirely voluntary."
"That line—I've heard it from businessmen who violate Fontaine's labor laws."
"Really? What happened to them?"
"They spent a few months in Fortress of Meropide, got properly re-educated by the Duke, and came out as new people," Clorinde recalled.
Those business owners who liked to exploit workers with unpaid overtime were punished similarly in Meropide. It's said some tremble at the mere mention of "overtime" after coming out.
Richard sat upright. "...Surely I'm not that guilty?"
Clorinde rubbed her chin, pretending to ponder. Eventually, she shook her head. "Hard to say. But if you give me a glowing review on the end-of-quarter employee assessment, maybe… I'll withdraw the complaint?"
While the two were joking, Furina pushed open the office door.
She still had that bright and confident look as always, as if perpetually onstage, the center of attention wherever she went.
"Good morning, you two. Isn't it our weekend break? Did something important come up?" Having stayed at the Palais Mermonia for nearly 500 years, Furina knew the temperament of government workers well; weekends were always when the place was at its emptiest.
Only the Court and its departments operated without pause. The rest ran on low power.
Strict adherence to weekends off was the norm.
The Ministry was the most adamant about it—no matter the matter, weekends were off-limits.
Richard explained, "Lady Furina, the quarter is ending soon, and all regions are busy with reports. Poisson Town, however, has some long-standing historical issues. Some locals are rather critical of Fontaine's central government, and progress has been difficult."
"I thought if you visited Poisson personally, things might go more smoothly."
"I see now. Indeed, a divine figure as brilliant as myself is beloved wherever I go. Using that influence to help local administration is also my duty."
Furina clapped her hands. From the Salon Solitaire emerged Mademoiselle Crabaletta, a heavily armored crab Hydro elemental familiar, who handed her a staff of deep blue.
She tapped the ground with it. "Let's depart then. Has the speech been prepared?"
Clorinde shook her head. "No speech is necessary. All you need to do is walk around and let the townsfolk see you. There's very little actual work."
"You could see this as a stage for you to enjoy time with the people..."
"Enjoy time with the people..." Furina paused at the words, then glanced at the smiling, silent Richard.
Sensing her gaze, Richard spoke, "I already asked around for Poisson's most scenic spots. After the morning's duties, I thought you could choose one for a group outing."
"Last time in Romaritime Harbor, didn't you say you wanted to try civilian leisure?"
This was a ruse. Richard wanted to go on a government-funded trip and roped in his boss.
All that talk about boosting local morale was just a cover. He remembered Furina had once expressed a desire to go out and have fun before being interrupted.
Furina was no stranger to such attentiveness. People often remembered her words to curry favor with the Hydro Archon and gain benefits.
It happened so often that she had grown deeply guarded.
So when she realized Richard's intentions, her first reaction wasn't gratitude.
Instead, she said, "Very well. But next time, Mr. Richard, please focus more on your actual work. Flattery doesn't work on me. I am the Archon of Justice and Fairness—I can't give you the rewards you seek."
'After all, I'm not the real Archon…' Furina thought.
Seeing Richard's surprised face, she turned to Clorinde: "Clorinde, don't add such events to my schedule again."
But then, realizing she may have overreacted, she added, "Sorry if I sounded too blunt. If I offended you, I apologize."
Richard replied, "No need to apologize, Lady Furina. I was inconsiderate. But please let me clarify, I'm not trying to gain anything from you. As a friend, I just wanted you to relax."
"And don't blame Clorinde, I asked her to arrange this. Your schedule is always so full; this was the only way. Poisson really does need your visit." Richard took full responsibility, assuring that everything was by the book.
He truly had no ulterior motives, at least for now.
Clorinde added, "He really means well. I can't imagine what he'd want from you anyway..."
Clorinde had only recently become Furina's personal secretary and was just starting to understand Richard's strong control over the Ministry. Furina, to her, often felt more like a public mascot, while Richard was the real 'Minister.'
At present, she truly couldn't see what Richard could gain from Furina.
Fame? He preferred staying behind the scenes.
Career? As general secretary, he was already at the peak. Furina couldn't help him further; in fact, she might even be a hindrance.
Money? He had a high salary and a villa in the upper district. He didn't seem short on Mora.
Plus, Furina's expenses were all covered by Palais Mermonia—Mora never passed through her hands.
That's why Clorinde believed Richard acted purely as a friend, and she helped him because of that.
Furina didn't have many friends. Partly due to her status. Partly due to her personality.
But Clorinde was one of the few. And her words were trustworthy.
Furina also realized that Richard was different from those with hidden agendas. She truly had nothing he would want.
Meaning she had misunderstood him.
Perhaps he really was acting out of kindness, and her earlier reaction had trampled on it.
This realization filled Furina with regret and guilt.
"I…" Furina murmured. The usually eloquent girl was at a loss.
Sensing her remorse, Richard gently said, "It's fine, Lady Furina. I understand—you've had past experiences that made you wary of others getting close. It's a good thing."
Still, his face showed a look of hurt, his kindness spurned.
Richard wasn't truly upset, of course. But a politician needs good acting skills.
The best actors often go into politics—that's no lie.
His "genuine emotion" was so convincing that even Furina, who had spent years around the Opera Epiclese, didn't notice it was a performance. It was flawless.
"Don't be upset.... I just didn't expect you to consider me a friend," Furina said. Her status and personality rarely invited friendship.
So it surprised her that Richard saw her not as a superior, but as a friend.
Richard widened his eyes. "So... in your heart, I'm not your friend?"
Furina quickly waved her hands. "No, no, I just think… my personality probably makes me hard to like, right? I'm blunt, impulsive, and rarely consider consequences…"
She trailed off, realizing just how many flaws she had.
Looking to Clorinde for help, she got a blunt response.
"You're right, Lady Furina."
Clorinde immediately frowned. 'What am I saying?!'
"I mean… Furina didn't mean any harm. She just didn't expect you to be a friend. Uh, to consider her a friend."
Furina closed her eyes in despair. She never should've asked Clorinde for help. She took a deep breath, ready to recover the situation with flair.
But before she could speak, Richard cut in.
"You don't need to say anything more."
Furina panicked. How could she not say something now?! Otherwise, she'd really be a villain who stomped on a friend's goodwill.
"I just want to ask one question—are we friends?"
Furina nodded quickly. "Yes, we're friends."
Feeling it wasn't enough, she added, "Not just in life, but also the best partners at work."
Perfect. That was all Richard needed.
He had shown vulnerability on purpose to reinforce his image as her "friend."
So that one day, if trouble came, she'd protect him as a friend, not just a superior.
Richard never believed in absolute fairness. People are emotional beings, and true justice is impossible.
Just like how "transparent governance" is an ideal more than a reality.
Not that he expected to get caught in trouble, but it was always good to have a backup plan.
That was how he'd navigated many factions and still avoided being labeled a criminal.
Had he not balanced the powers of Yae Miko and Ei years ago, he might've ended up imprisoned or under house arrest.
While lost in thought, they arrived at Poisson Town.
Thanks to prior arrangements, Furina quickly met the local officials. Just as they were about to start the team-building, Richard noticed a foreign gaze.
"That girl… is she the heiress of the Spina di Rosula Society?"
He was looking at a blonde young lady in an elegant dress.
She was the current head of the Spina di Rosula, a prominent organization in Fontaine. One of Fontaine's lines was even named after her father, Callas, to honor his contributions.
But something happened to Callas, and now his daughter, Navia, had taken over.
Navia stood nearby, staring at Clorinde with a complicated expression.
Clorinde noticed the gaze too and didn't know how to respond, but walking away wasn't an option.
The air grew tense.
Perhaps because Furina was present, or perhaps she didn't want to see Clorinde, Navia turned away first and left with her attendants.
Clorinde wanted to follow and explain, but had official duties.
Sensing this, Richard kindly said, "If you want to go, then go. Furina still has me."
Furina, knowing the situation, waved her hand. "Go ahead. You were just doing your duty back then. It's better to talk things out. Richard and I will go to the site first. Meet us after."
"But…"
"No buts. I'm the Hydro Archon—I don't need protection. And I'll keep an eye on Richard, too." She patted her chest confidently.
Her confidence baffled Richard. To his senses, Furina felt like an ordinary person, and even carried a faint cursed aura.
Could it be an illusion? A disguise?
He wasn't sure.
"Don't worry…"