Neuvilette ▪︎ Ocean Eyes

4: the wind welcomes you

Court trials.

You hated it.

How people can have the confidence to defend their sides despite, some, being against moral rules.

Sometimes, it was unfair. The innocent is punished when the guilty wins the freedom. For years, Neuvillette has been chief justice and managing trials as those. You can't help but feel erroneous about it.

It confuses you sometimes– why does a minority of the folk see a trial as entertainment? As far as your eyes could see, it never wasn't one.

"Having been invited by the Iudex..." you hushed and scoffed, "... Ahaha."

"Well, I mean– it's interesting and all, but" you paused. Your palm snaked its way to the sids of your neck as a sigh escaped your lips, "... I... I shall refuse."

His eyes looked at you, face quiet, and seemed to be hiding a hint of emotion. He wanted to say something but decided to keep it to himself. Your constant change of emotions today bothers him. From bring bright, to sad and silent, and it goes on and on until currently.

He knows it himself – he isn't good with emotions, yet alone express it. Though, howcome his invitation for you to attend the next trial seem to have made you upset?

"Though," lips wrinkling into a small smile, you rested your hands on your lap.

"I'll see if I can make it." You say to him as you stood and dusted your clothing off of some invisible mess, "I remember someone inviting me to come visit them at Mondstadt– though, I forgot the name..."

"... I suppose so," he stood up as well. He tugged the sleeve of his coat and cleared his throat.

"I won't hold you for too long. I pressume you have other things to attend to for the day,"

As your eyes averted its gaze to avoid making eye contact with him, you let out an awkward scoff and shook your head.

"Just a few, really. Just some packing and document-fixing concerning the clothing industry,"

And you thought you'd just be the personal unit of the Iudex, and now you're managing in a few windows within the market. Though, shouldn't your line of work be more inclined with the protection of the people and the chief justice itself?

"Mondstadt, you say?" He questions as he walks ahead of you.

You nodded and hummed a response, feeling relieved that the tension was gone. Your hands made its way behind you and you intertwined your fingers as you followed Neuvillette.

"If I remember correctly, we both have tasted Dandelion Wine in a bazaar in the past year," he says.

For a moment, you tried recalling that memory. "You mean that time when you almost fell to your knees when you just drank one cup?"

"Ahaha," his deep voice was like an accompaniment for that laugh of his.

Both of you chuckled at each other. Another smile crept to your lips. You removed a lock of  hair that covered your eye and tucked it behind your ear.

"I doubt that it would be a bother to you to bring back a bottle once you return from Mondstadt."

"No worries, there are new businessmen from other lands as well who are negotiating with our staff and employees for a place to build their work. One of them are proposing on selling Dandelion Wine."

You could also use a glass or two of wine to ease your headache, honestly.

You sigh. "I'll return as soon as I can, I assure you."