ᴛʜᴇ ᴅɪᴠɪɴᴇ

ᴀᴄᴛ 1 - ꜰᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴᴇ ᴀʀᴄ 3

Chapter 18

                Y/N stands upon the stage, awkwardly staring out at the reverent expressions of the onlookers. Their gaze moves to Neuvillette, who had once, when they were back home, gods how long has it been since then- seemed so majestic and so perfect to them with his flowy attire and stoic attitude, but now he just looks like a broken man. Not in the way most people would think a broken man would look, no. But in his own, special way. His knee is flat on the ground and the glowing tips of his hair just seem... plain. Y/N's heart aches even more at this scene in front of them.

Looking up, Neuvillette notices how sad, yet uncomfortable they look in the large crowd and slowly stands up to speak.

"Everyone, please leave the opera house as soon as possible," he says sternly.

A few people protest, but looking at his harsh glare and Y/N's downtrodden face they quickly turn to follow the leaving crowd.

Y/N looks over to Neuvillette in thanks before turning to Furina's approaching form. She looks at Y/N bashfully before bowing in a deep curtsy.

"Y/-" Her voice cracks as her stress shines through her façade for a moment. She takes a deep breath and starts again.

"Your Majesty. I-I..." she stops to catch her breath and bows lower, squeezing her eyes shut in anticipation of some sort of punishment. "I apologize for my cruel and unforgivable actions. I only wanted to punish you because I thought you were... Trying to impersonate yourself...? I'm so, so, so, so sorry."

She raises her head ever so slightly and opens one eye, trying to deduce Y/N's expression while avoiding eye contact.

Y/N sighs, still unaccustomed to the difference in treatment. "It's... I'm not going to say it's okay, but it certainly isn't the worst thing that's happened while I was here." They chuckle awkwardly and look away, finally taking in the wonderful architecture of the opera house as they start to ramble. "I mean I was almost executed twice! Being arrested isn't the worst thing that has happened to me."

Furina's expression slowly shifts into terror as Y/N rambles on about their experiences. From being chased by Diluc to being betrayed by Ayaka and getting close to being kidnapped too many times to count. She eventually raises herself from her curtsy, still processing their harsh experiences in Teyvat.

"They... hurt you. They almost... killed you..." She chokes out her words, her face paling as she speaks. Those... idiots almost killed THE Creator. The one which this world shaped itself for. The one who blessed the Archons with life so they can have the honor of spending eternity with them. How dare they. How dare they try to KILL their Creator. Even if their efforts would be for nothing, it's still just not fair for Them.

"But whatever, what can I do about it? Not like they believe me or anything. Still think I'm a fake..." Their words turn to a murmur, too low for Furina to hear, "Not like I know what's going on. For all I know, I am."

Y/N sighs before turning their gaze back to Furina. Pursing their lips slightly, they take a step forward and take her hand. "It happens, okay? I get that you were trying to protect my image in your own way."

She smiles at them in response, finally meeting their eyes. "Thank you, your Majesty..." Y/N smiles back softly, nodding.

"Sooooo..." Y/N shifts awkwardly, not quite able to figure out how and when to say their next request. "I... I really need to get to Snezhnaya. Will you please help me get there?"

Furina looks at them, surprised, her eyes dimming and her posture stiffening.

"You want to leave so soon? Are you sure?"