The Delacour Tour and Dangerous Grandmother Thoughts
Apolline Delacour clapped her hands once.
"Alright, girls," she said cheerfully. "Show Lucien around the mansion."
Fleur straightened instantly.
"Yes, Maman."
Gabrielle nodded just as fast.
"Okay!"
Lucien had a bad feeling about this.
A Very Competitive Tour
Fleur grabbed Lucien's arm.
"This way," she said quickly. "The garden is very beautiful."
"No," Gabrielle interrupted, grabbing his other arm. "The kitchen first!"
Lucien blinked.
"…I appear to be contested property."
"We are not fighting," Fleur said stiffly.
"We are," Gabrielle said honestly.
They marched him through the mansion.
Paintings.
Balconies.
Hallways that looped unnecessarily.
Fleur explained everything in great detail.
Gabrielle added commentary that was mostly opinions.
Lucien listened politely, smiling.
Inside his mind, however—
Why do they look so familiar…
Fleur's serene beauty, pale elegance—Irisviel von Einzbern.
Gabrielle's bright eyes and energetic presence—a certain dragon girl.
Lucien shook his head slightly.
Focus. Don't overthink it.
Laughter and Trouble
Despite the competition, the mood stayed light.
Fleur laughed when Lucien mispronounced a French word.
Gabrielle laughed because Lucien tripped slightly on a rug.
They wandered outside, sunlight warm.
Fleur tried very hard to act mature.
"I am very responsible," she said seriously.
Gabrielle immediately climbed onto a statue.
Lucien smiled.
"I can tell."
Fleur blushed.
The Watching Adults (Menace Level: High)
From the sitting room window, Perenelle and Apolline observed silently.
"…They look good together," Apolline murmured.
Perenelle nodded.
"Very."
Apolline smiled knowingly.
"Future grandchildren will be spoiled."
Perenelle laughed softly.
"Nicolas will pretend to protest."
"He always does."
The Question
Later, Apolline poured tea.
"Why did you bring him here?" she asked gently.
Perenelle sighed.
"Nicolas and Lucien have been debating and experimenting for a week straight."
Apolline chuckled.
"So you rescued him."
"Yes," Perenelle said. "Before they destroyed the house."
Apolline raised an eyebrow.
"If Nicolas finds out?"
"He'll be jealous," Perenelle replied calmly.
Apolline laughed.
"He should know by now."
Back in the Garden
Fleur stood very straight.
"I am… not a child," she said firmly.
Lucien smiled kindly.
"I know."
Gabrielle nodded seriously.
"She's lying."
Fleur turned red.
Lucien laughed softly.
The sound carried across the garden.
Perenelle and Apolline exchanged looks.
This visit, they decided—
Had been an excellent idea.