Let me clarify: I believe it's necessary to emphasize the fundamental setting of this plot once more.
This is a story woven by Yuto, not the actual full process of Yuto and Furina's interactions!
——————
After a brief moment of thought, Yuto slightly lowered his head, his gaze returning to the scattered books on the ground before him.
He reached out, gently touching the covers of these books, silently committing their titles to memory, then slowly rose and softly sang:
"The Archon's responsibility? The Archon's endurance? How much more is hidden behind this?"
"Is The Prophecy mere rumor or does it hold true? All of this might need to be reconfirmed..."
"As her subject, as her subordinate, I should share her worries and consider her thoughts."
"Behind this... there must be a hidden truth."
"My esteemed Archon, why do you remain silent? And why do you choose to disguise yourself?"
"What does all of this mean? Is there a time when Archon is powerless over matters within her own domain?"
As Yuto's natural and gentle voice echoed through the Opera House, it seemed to express the worry in his heart for his Archon.
Clap—
After Yuto uttered the last character, the spotlight instantly shifted from him to the other side of the stage, onto Furina.
Yuto remained still at this moment, as if indicating that these were two simultaneous events.
At this very moment, Furina was sitting on her bed, head bowed, gazing at the cake on her nightstand, lost in thought.
However... this contemplation didn't last long; it was replaced by a look of weariness.
"There shouldn't be anything else after this, right? I shouldn't... need to appear in front of the public anymore... right?"
Furina said with some uncertainty.
She seemed to recall that time in the past... how helpless she was.
She was not the Water Archon; every day of playing the Water Archon exhausted her, leaving her no time to breathe.
But at that time, she still thought it was all normal, after all, those voices questioning her had completely disappeared as time passed by minute by minute.
Thinking of this, she let out a long breath, sighing softly:
"It's really... impossible to relax for a moment..."
"But what's gratifying is that things are slowly getting on track now, and I no longer hear voices of doubt."
"Perhaps after some time, I will be able to adapt to this 'role' and become a 'Archon' who can completely reassure all the people."
"If I keep this up... everyone will be saved."
As Furina spoke, she looked at the cake not far from her and nodded gently.
"Don't think too much, tomorrow I have to continue this life. After eating the cake... I'll rest early."
"However..."
Just as Furina scooped a piece of cake with her silver spoon, her movements suddenly stopped, as if she had suddenly remembered something.
"Did he notice something? Or does he already know something?"
"But no matter what, I just have to deny it, right? After all, I am his Archon."
"Neither Yuto nor any other citizen would directly question me."
"After all, I am their Archon..."
The moment Furina spoke these words, the spotlight shifted back to Yuto.
However, he was not in the center of the stage now, but on the right side of the stage.
That was Yuto's office, the place where he gradually became the widely revered Assistant Administrator Yuto.
At this moment, he was looking through the books Furina had previously perused, trying to find some clues from them.
"I need to find records about The Prophecy, and data on the rising sea level of Fontaine..."
"No, this isn't enough. I also need some miscellaneous essays; otherwise, many things cannot be investigated at all..."
Yuto flipped through the books in his hands page by page, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.
"My Archon, why do you remain silent, why do you choose to bear all of this alone?"
"Isn't the Assistant Administrator's responsibility to share your worries? But why... must you sit alone on that divine throne?"
Clap—
At this moment, all the lights on the stage lit up, but this time... all the lights were focused around Furina.
Accompanied by a relatively slow but somewhat heavy rhythm, Furina performed her day in a methodical manner.
"Lady Furina, this is the trial report for the new case and the subsequent handling results..."
"Alright, I've seen it, I've seen it, no need to repeat the plot I saw on site! Give the trial report to Neuvillette, and the subsequent handling results to Yuto!"
"Lady Furina! I can finally meet you like this, I've waited too long for this opportunity..."
"Hmm~ My loyal subject, this moment of happiness is our shared glory!"
"Lady Furina, we have detected significant water element anomalies near Beryl Region..."
"Understood, continue monitoring. Also, remember to inform me if there's any movement from the Academy of Sciences."
"Whew... there shouldn't be anything unsettling displayed anywhere today, right? Furina, oh Furina, you must always show the most reassuring appearance to the public..."
"But..."
Furina slightly lowered her head, murmuring softly:
"I still don't know when these days will end... this isn't me at all..."
"That secret can only be kept deep in my heart, without revealing the slightest flaw."
"How much longer must I live like this?"
After saying this, Furina gently shook her head and whispered:
"The mental exhaustion is heavy today, I should rest early..."
As Furina sat down on the bed once again, the spotlight returned to Yuto.
"Lord Yuto, these are the follow-up results of today's case, please take a look!"
"Yes, you've worked hard. Also, please deliver this to the Marechaussee Phantom and the auditors, and tell them... that foreign envoys will be arriving in a few days, so security on the streets should be strengthened."
"Lord Yuto, this is today's processing report for Palais Mermonia, please see..."
"Ah, you can place it here. I'll handle it later. And... please post this 'Palais Mermonia Monthly Work Report' on the bulletin board by the door."
"Lord Yuto, I've already put the flour, cream, and other ingredients you requested in the kitchen."
"You've worked hard."
"Lord Yuto, here are the latest hydrological observation data you requested, and these are the books you wanted; I've placed them here for you."
"Yes, thank you."
Yuto gently flipped through the documents in his hand, looking at the rows of red-marked abnormal data before him, a hint of worry in his eyes.
"It seems... The Prophecy is not some strange theory from folk culture, but a real thing..."
He nodded gently, then set the documents aside and refocused his gaze on the books before him.
"I'll handle those matters while studying these books. I hope that after I've finished studying them... I can gain some information."
"I hope I can help you as soon as possible, my respected Archon."
With that, Yuto began to wholeheartedly study the books and documents, hoping to provide assistance to Furina as early as possible.
At this very moment, all the lights on the stage extinguished, replaced by a Vicissitudes and indifferent voice.
"From this moment on, the Hydro Archon and the Assistant Administrator's nerves would be perpetually taut."
"They not only had to handle the daily affairs of Fontaine but also rack their brains to deal with matters related to The Prophecy."
"Such a life... lasted for over two hundred years."
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