The Iudex's day off

Chapter 38 - Draconic Instincts

 Neuvillette's POV

 "Come on! Tell me!" Furina jumped around.

 "Nothing happened."

 "Then why are you wearing his clothes?"

 "Mine were left in his office. You can't possibly expect me to wander around bare."

 "You're here now, though. You could have changed." She pointed out.

 I couldn't help but stop writing when I heard her accusations.

 She was right.

 I could have.

 I could have changed a hundred times over and yet, here I am, still in his clothes.

 I wonder why.

 "Neuvillette, I'm being really serious right now, so make sure to listen to what I say." 

 "Always."

 "Inform me if you ever find yourself a mate."

 For the first time in my life, I had to physically restrain myself from throwing her out.

 "Lady Furina-"

 I tried to be as calm as I possibly could, but-

 "I'm incredibly serious. One person influencing Fontaine's weather is already more than enough. If there is another, I want to know."

 Phew...

 Breathe, Neuvillette. Breathe.

 Throwing Fontaine's archon out of Duke Wriothesely's office is not ideal.

 "I believe I told you before that I have no intention of finding a mate."

 "You have no intention of doing so. That doesn't mean a certain someone isn't eyeing that spot." She mumbled.

 "Excuse me?"

 What was she on about?

 "Duke Wriothesely likes you." She pointed out.

 "Or so I've heard."

 "Do you like him?"

 "If I did not, I would not have agreed to your proposal of me staying here for a week, archon or not. You seem to have taken a liking to him as well, Furina. Seeing as how you care to bicker with him."

 "I? Bicker? With that guy? When?"

 "Yesterday."

 Don't for a second think that I didn't hear of what you three were up to while I was... in a less-than-optimal state.

 "You- That's not the point! Besides, I'm not talking about that kind of like!"

 "Both you and Sigewinne seem to have a rather confusing understanding of that word."

 I just can't understand where they want to end up.

 "Ugh! Neuvillette! You're a lost cause! you know what? Maybe I should let you read some of the letters sent to the Duke and just guess your thoughts from your reaction."

 "Letters?"

 Just what kind of letter could possibly-

 "Love letters. Confessions and the like. He gets quite a few of those on a regular basis. From what I heard from Sigewinne, there are many who wish to court our dear Duke-"

 I couldn't stop a growl from escaping between my teeth.

 Silence instantly fell in the room.

 "Neuvillette... Did you just-"