~Pearl to My Oyster~(WRIOLETTE FIC)

Chapter 34

                 Ugh, everything's sore...

Wriothesley woke up to the familiar metal walls of Meropide, looking around through bleary eyes as he sat up...

And instantly fell back onto the bed, burying his face into the pillow. Okay, now he was seeing stars and... was that a Melusine?

Don't tell me I have a brain tumor... I'm only twenty nine!

"Your Grace, you're finally awake!"

A familiar little nurse came in, her hat bobbing up and down with each itty bitty step she took. It never failed to amuse him just how older than him she was despite her small size. For every one step he took, she had to reciprocate with five.

"So there was a Melusine... glad to know I'm not dying."

He mumbled, and Sigewinne just gave him a concerned glance.

"You stumbled in intoxicated. Not to mention, you looked like you got attacked by a wild animal! Your neck and shoulders were covered in bites!"

Wriothesley nearly choked on his own tongue.

"I was WHAT?"

"Covered in bites!"

Wriothesley sighed. A migraine, and a vague suspicion to what might've happened last night... A little birdie told the Duke that the relationship he once harbored with Neuvillette might be taking a turn, for a better or for worse was unknown to him. 

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Neuvillette made his way to Furina's house, knocking on the door. The former Hydro Archon was holding a sleeping Lucille in her arms, a pleasant smile on her face.

"She's way too cute for her own good. Take care of her, and don't hesitate to reach out to me if you need a babysitter!"

The Iudex smiled and took her into his own arms. Lucille, as if on reflex, curled up to him, cooing in her slumber. His heart melted, and leaning down to plant a kiss on her little head, he chuckled.

"Thank you, Miss Furina. Your offer is appreciated greatly, and if there are such circumstances in the future you shall be my first thought."

Then, as if on instinct, he moved to hug Furina, pulling her into his embrace. At first, she stiffened, before she practically melted like jelly. She gripped onto his judicial robes tightly, sighing.

"T-Thank you. After everything, I-I really need this."

The Chief Justice smiled warmly, pecking a kiss onto her as well.

"Of course, ma fille."

Furina giggled, and the sound made him soften.

"That's nice hearing it from you... thank you."

Reluctantly, he pulled away, patting her head.

"As much as I wish to stay, there is a trial scheduled. Perhaps sometime I shall invite you to my house for a dinner?"

"Dinner would be lovely, thank you."

And with that, both parted ways.