Neuvillette's words were like a gentle stream of water, softly smoothing away the last trace of fear in Lovia's heart.
He did not rush her, but simply waited patiently, giving her time to digest this sense of security and the right to choose.
Lovia lowered her head, looking at her hand which was tightly clutching the edge of her cloak.
This cloak was an item she had brought with her when she transmigrated, accompanying her through all her time in Liyue, and it possessed a magical function that helped her isolate herself from the prying eyes of the outside world.
But at this moment, listening to Neuvillette's steady breathing and feeling the acceptance in his words, she suddenly felt that it... no longer seemed so indispensable.
However, after the Token crisis, Lovia certainly wouldn't throw it away directly this time.
Lovia took a deep breath of the sea-breeze-scented air and finally looked up, a faint spark of courage flickering in her blue eyes.
"I... I want to try," she said softly, her voice not loud, but clear enough. "No need to wait until we reach Fontaine... right now, is it okay?"
A flash of surprise crossed Neuvillette's eyes, which then turned into approval: "Of course."
His response was concise and certain, without the slightest hesitation, as if the idea she proposed was perfectly ordinary, which greatly soothed Lovia's apprehensive heart.
Lovia's fingertips trembled slightly as she reached for the knot of the cloak tied at her neck. The knot was a bit tight due to her previous running and nervousness; it took her several tries to undo it.
The moment the knot loosened, the heavy hooded cloak lost its restraint and slid slowly down her shoulders.
The first thing exposed to the light was a head of short blue hair the same color as her eyes, the strands fine and delicate. Then came her face; perhaps because it had been hidden under a Hood for so long, her skin appeared exceptionally fair, her features exquisite yet carrying an obvious air of childishness and lingering timidness.
The cloak continued to slide down, revealing her slender figure and simple clothing, the white jade tied with a red string around her neck particularly striking.
Lovia was no longer wearing the tattered clothes from that day; in fact, through his protection during this time, Neuvillette also knew she wouldn't wear such clothes when going out. However, this was also the first time he clearly saw what Lovia looked like wearing these clothes.
Then, Neuvillette's gaze fell upon her left arm.
Her left arm was not bare; a blue quill pen was firmly fixed to the clothing on her upper left arm. Needing to be carried at all times and closely connected, it did not look like a simple decoration, but rather an item of special significance.
Neuvillette's gaze lingered on that quill pen for only a moment. He remembered that whenever she went out, she seemed particularly nervous about her left arm; so it was because of this.
He did not ask about the origin or purpose of the pen, his gaze returning to Lovia's face. At this moment, she was tilting her head slightly, meeting his gaze somewhat uneasily, her blue eyes like a startled lake surface with subtle ripples spreading across them, and her fully exposed antennae twitched uncomfortably.
She looked exceptionally frail, with a sense of relief in her eyes after finally laying down a heavy burden.
Neuvillette gazed at her quietly for a moment; there was no surprise in his eyes, only a deep-sea-like tolerance.
He saw all of her.
Her unease, her courage, her trust.
"Very good," Neuvillette spoke again, his voice a few degrees gentler than before. "You look much more at ease now."
He did not comment on her appearance or ask about the pen; he simply affirmed the act of "taking off the cloak" itself and the change it brought to her.
Lovia had just finished folding the hooded cloak when, because of his words, she actually relaxed a little. She subconsciously wanted to touch the quill pen on her left arm, just as she usually did to confirm the Token's safety, but just as her fingers rose, she held back.
At this moment, here, in front of this Patriarch, it seemed to be safe.
"This cloak," Neuvillette's gaze fell on the cloak in her hands. "You seem to cherish it very much."
Lovia nodded and answered in a small voice, "It has been with me for a long time, and... it's a bit special."
She did not specify how it was special, but Neuvillette did not seem to need any more explanation.
"In that case, just keep it safe," Neuvillette nodded in approval. "In Fontaine, you can choose any clothing that makes you feel comfortable. Perhaps, later, some clothes can be custom-made for you that are more suitable for Fontaine's climate and can also put your mind at ease."
His consideration was always so thorough, not only looking after her safety but even taking into account these subtle comforts and intentions.
Lovia held the cloak in her hands tightly, the soft fabric still retaining a bit of her own body heat.
She looked up at Neuvillette, and the trepidation in her heart regarding the "new environment" seemed to dissipate a bit more. She suddenly remembered those modified simple clothes in her luggage and had even thought about bringing them to Fontaine to make do with for now.
Neuvillette gave her a faint smile, straightened up, and extended his gloved hand toward her: "Then, let us set off."
His movement was very natural.
Lovia looked at the hand extended toward her, hesitated for a moment, and finally carefully placed her small hand upon it.
Through the soft fabric of the glove, she could feel the warmth of Neuvillette's palm, which felt a bit unfamiliar. But this contact did not make her feel afraid or repelled; instead, it made her feel even more at ease.
Neuvillette did not grip the small hand tightly, but only held it loosely to ensure she wouldn't get lost, while fully respecting her boundaries.
Neuvillette led Lovia along the path they had come by, walking unhurriedly toward her seaside residence.
The sea breeze was gentle, brushing against Lovia's exposed hair and antennae, bringing a slightly itchy sensation. The gazes of passersby also fell upon her from time to time, but there was no malice in them, only curiosity, and they soon naturally looked away; after all, for Liyue people, it was not polite to keep staring at someone.
Perhaps because she had someone to rely on by her side, Lovia did not subconsciously shrink her body as she had before, but only blinked softly, trying to adapt to this natural gaze no longer blocked by fabric.
The hand holding hers was steady and reliable, becoming her entire source of security at this moment.
Soon, the small house standing by the sea came into view.
Neuvillette nodded slightly and released her hand, gesturing for her to go forward: "Go on, I will wait for you here."
He considerately did not suggest following her into her private space, giving her full respect.
Lovia nodded, clutching her cloak, walked quickly to the door of the house, and took out her key to open the door.
The wooden door made a soft "creak" and was pushed open by her just enough to leave a crack; she slipped inside sideways but did not close the door completely, leaving a gap.
Neuvillette waited quietly outside the door, his gaze sweeping over the simple exterior walls of the small house and then toward the waves crashing against the reefs not far away.
He could imagine what a helpless choice it was for such a sensitive and timid Little Melusine to choose to live far from the crowds. Here, it was certainly lonely, but it also provided the maximum protection from outside disturbances.
Some rustling sounds came from inside the house, as if someone were rummaging and packing.
Neuvillette waited patiently.
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