Looking at the suddenly flung-open door, Daelan's brain froze for a moment.
Hold on? Buddy? You got here that fast? Did you take a rocket? It takes at least half a day from Sumeru City to Karavan Station, right? If you left at eight last night… don't you sleep?
Wait. It's like, in this world, only that blondie can use Waypoints. Okay, that makes sense.
With that thought, Daelan felt everything fell into place. Four hundred years of living had nearly erased some of his memories of Teyvat's original settings.
"Sigh… so, Furina, are you saying you want me to go greet that walking disaster… I mean, the Traveler?" Daelan looked up at the blue little cake before him and said as much.
Furina hesitated at his words, then lowered her head, her beautiful eyes flickering with a thoughtful glint.
Daelan, with a faint smile on his face, quietly watched the girl, waiting for her answer.
After about three or four minutes, Furina raised her head and said softly, "I heard they're seeking out the Archons of the seven nations. As Fontaine's Archon… I naturally have to make an appearance."
"But because you're the Archon, you need a certain presence, right?" Daelan smiled at the blue little cake in front of him, nodding lightly.
"No problem. That's part of my job. You just need to show up, and leave the rest to me." Hearing Daelan's reassuring words, Furina's tense expression gradually relaxed, and she nodded gently.
"Thank you, Daelan." Furina's sudden gratitude didn't surprise Daelan. In his mind… the thoughtful Furina just now and the sincere Furina thanking him… that was the real her.
"No need to thank me, my Lady Archon." Hearing "Lady Archon" again, Furina's face flushed slightly, and she stomped her little boots in embarrassment.
"You…! How many times have I told you, just call me Furina! Stop using those embarrassing titles!" "Alright, alright~ I got it~"
Looking at Daelan, who agreed but showed no sign of remorse, Furina turned her head huffily and said, "Hmph, since you keep making me little cakes, I'll forgive your disrespect to the Archon this time."
With that, Furina turned to leave. But… the moment she turned, she saw a pair of white-pupiled eyes blinking at her. Those white eyes seemed to notice Furina looking and instinctively covered themselves with a hand.
"I didn't see anything." At those words, Furina instantly turned into a puffed-up kitten. Daelan, sitting behind her, noticed her body tremble unnaturally.
But in front of a Melusine, her nearly five hundred years of acting experience kicked in. She quickly reined in her emotions, cleared her throat, and said "calmly," "Daelan, come to Fontaine's entrance around noon. Clorinde and I will be waiting."
With that, Furina left Daelan's office, leaving behind a Melusine still covering her eyes and a somewhat helpless Daelan.
Watching her fleeing figure, Daelan shook his head lightly, then turned his gaze to the Melusine.
"Sedene, you're here for yesterday's documents, right? Here they are."
The named Melusine quickly lowered her hands, hopped over to Daelan's desk, and carefully took the files he handed her, tilting her little head.
"Lord Daelan, about Lady Furina…" Her cute eyes blinked, showing a hint of worry.
Daelan waved his hands dismissively, smiling as he ruffled the Melusine's head. "It's fine. Just some work matters we needed to discuss. Go do your tasks. I'll finish today's paperwork before lunch, and you can pick it up then."
"Okay! Thank you for your hard work, Lord Daelan!" With that, Sedene scampered off.
In Melusine circles, the fact that "Furina and Daelan are close" was no secret, so she didn't find Furina's attitude toward Daelan improper. She was only worried that the Hydro Archon might be facing some difficulty or… was startled by her sudden appearance, which is why she asked Daelan about Furina.
After all… in their eyes, this advisor was only slightly below Monsieur Neuvillette.
With that thought, Sedene shook her little head and hopped off toward the Maison Gardiennage. As a cute Melusine, she had plenty of work to do, but as long as she did it well, she could repay Neuvillette and Daelan's protection.
…
Time ticked by, and soon it was noon. Daelan shook his slightly sore right hand, nodding with satisfaction at the pile of completed paperwork before him.
"Alright, I'll leave these here for Sedene to pick up. Next up…" Muttering to himself, Daelan stood, tied on a white lace cravat, and left the office.
He was about to make a big move and establish a persona. One that would contrast with the overly serious persona from before, a softer, more approachable one.
"What? The advisor's heading out too?" A cool, feminine voice came from behind Daelan. He turned instinctively to see a purple-haired, purple-eyed woman in a hunter's hat, a faint smile on her face as she looked at him.
Noticing the Electro Vision hanging at Daelan's waist, a flicker of surprise passed through Clorinde's crystalline purple eyes.
"An Electro Vision?"
Daelan nodded lightly in response.
"What do you think? Anything off?" "Not at all, just a bit unexpected." Clorinde shrugged and explained, then patted the gun holster at her waist lightly. "We should get going."
Daelan, as if performing a magic trick, produced a white-tipped cane from somewhere, tapped it lightly on the ground, and smiled faintly.
"Yes, it's time… to head out."