A few days passed and we've explored many places here in Fontaine. Many things are new to me. The manners, the way they present themselves, and some culture.
I guess it's different in every nation huh?
We still haven't revisited the House of the Heart. It makes me think of when will Papa drop us there.
"Leo! Look! What is that!"
He pointed at the aquabus and almost fell off. Leon is having so much fun during these past few days, while I worry a lot for the future.
'This isn't fair! Though I understand, Leon is not like me who has memories of his past life. He's just a child.'
"Leon, Don't get close to the side, you might fall."
Papa also seemed to enjoy this short vacation. I guess even supervillains need vacations too.
Can I even call Papa a supervillain? Whatever, I'll just call him that.
"Leo, tomorrow we will visit the Opera Epiclese."
'Why is Papa telling me this now? I need to prepare myself for his sudden remarks like that. It might have a hidden meaning.' I thought to myself.
"Also, we'll be going to the orphanage after lunch, make sure you enjoy yourselves."
Finally, Papa will drop us there. I need to convince Peruere and Clervie to cooperate.
I spent the next hours thinking about how to convince Clervie and Peruere. It's not going to be easy, but as long as I can convince them, things will go smoothly..... hopefully.
****************
At the House of the Hearth the night after Pantalone and the twins left
Crucabena sat on her chair with some papers on the table. The place is dimly lit with only a candle as the only source of light.
"What are you planning, Regrator?"
Crucabena whispered to herself while reading the reports on the performance of the children. She then goes out of her way to enter Clervie and Peruere's room.
"Clervie, Peruere, can we talk?" She asked with a voice full of fake affection.
"Yes, mother," Clervie replied and followed after her while Peruere followed behind.
They reached her office room and sat on the table opposite to each other.
"Now my dear children, I have a favor to ask. Would you mind listening to your mother?"
"What is it, mother?" Clervie replied.
"Oh, it's nothing hard. I just want you to keep an eye out for the twins of Pantalone, I want you two to get close to them. Surely it's not hard to get close to a five-year-old."
"Mother, but why?"
"You don't have to know, Clervie. Curiosity kills the cat, my child."
Clervie frowned while Peruere kept her stern face. They didn't like what Crucabena said.
All their life they were imprisoned inside this makeshift family. One thing they knew is that no matter what she does, it's all for the sake of her curiosity and benefit.
"Now, now, you can go back, and make sure to make the twins trust you okay?"
"Alright Mother, we'll try."
"Don't try, do it."
Clervie clenched her hand hard.
Peruere noticing this, held her hand.
"Yes, mother."
Clervie replied, her voice hoarse.
They then left to get back to their rooms leaving Crucabena alone.
"Don't disappoint me again, Clervie, this might be your only chance to get out of this house that you hate so much."
She smiled wickedly.
****************
At the gates of the House of the Hearth.
We arrived at the house at midday. The heat here is not so hot, but I feet like my skin was burning. I guess I just have to adopt to the climate.
"Alright, I will drop you two here. I still have some business that needs to be done back at the hotel." Papa said as he handed a few candies to us.
"Be kind to them okay, and if they do something to you two make sure to tell me."
"Okay! Papa!" Leon exclaimed.
I just nodded my head.
He looked at me one more time before leaving.
"What is it now?" I whispered to myself with some irritation.
'I wish Papa would just tell me directly, I don't like second-guessing thinks.'
A few of Papa's guards accompanied us inside the house.
Before we could reach any of the buildings, one of them handed me a piece of paper.
"Um... sir, what is this?" I asked.
"..."
"..."
Silence.
'Looks like he doesn't want to answer me.'
I opened the paper and saw a note inside. I read it.
"Leo, If you're reading this that means I already have a spy inside the house. For security reasons, I will not tell you who they are, nor will they personally come to you. Now, I want to tell you that this will be the extent of my helping hand. Everything that happens now will be traced back and credited to you. If the spies are caught you don't have to worry. They will not let out a single piece of information about us. Finally, a word of advice from Papa. Don't get attached to pawns. They will only hinder your growth."
After I finished the letter, I handed it to one of the guards and they burned it.
"Leo! What was that paper? Is it from Papa?!" Leon asked.
"No, there's nothing inside, only some scribbles." I lied.
Leon doesn't need to know what it.
We arrived at the building where we had lunch before.
The place is the same as I remember it.
"Oh hello, Leo, Leon. Is your father with you?"
Crucabena came out from one of the rooms and greeted us.
"Papa is not here! He said he have some business back at the hotel!" Leon answered.
"I see."
Crucabena eyed the both of us.
"Then, I'll excuse myself. The other kids are waiting for you two in the room on the left side. Take care~"
She then left.
We arrived at the room.
The place is a mix of colors. Its walls, floor, and even its ceiling have some colorful drawings.
"And then the evil dragon fled from Mondstadt..."
Clervie is telling a story to the younger children of the house. Peruere doesn't seem to be here.
"Ah! Everyone, Leo and Leon is here! Go greet them." Clervie gently said to the younger kids.
Their ages is not far from ours.
"Hello! I heard you're twins is that true?!"
"How is it on Sneznaya? Is it better than here in Fontaine?!"
"Does it really snow there? If so then..."
I didn't expect them to flock and send us a barrage of questions.
Leon answered each of their questions without fail, while I tried to escape the zombie-like herd of children.
Suddenly, I felt a pull from my back. The grip was so strong that I was easily pulled away from the children and taken to another room.
****************
In the other room.
I was pulled by Peruere and Clervie away from them, leaving behind Leon to deal with them.
"Why are you back?" Peruere asked.
"I told you didn't I, I want to help you. Papa already gave us his help."
Clervie replied. "But what happens after? It's just as Perrie said, it's just a different management, we will never be truly free." Her voice pained.
She added. "Thank you for trying to help us, but I don't want to live while chained."
I could see the despair and hopelessness in her eyes. How much pain has she suffered from her biological mother?
I could only imagine the endless abuse and torture she endured all these years.
She longed for freedom, but true freedom will never happen. The moment we were born as children of Harbingers, we already lost most of our freedom. All I could do was make her realize that. The truth is always painful.
"That dream will never happen," I said harshly. " Let's say you did get out on your own. But what after? You'll be hunted down no matter where you go!"
Even if they escaped, the Fatui would never allow them to do as they please; especially since Clervie is the daughter of a Crucabena; It's a taint on her pride.
"We can just assume different identities! They'll never find us!" Clervie retorted.
I could see in her eyes the resolve despite despairing for years.
"For how long? You will be running away all your lives, can you call that being free?!"
The moment they escape, hundreds or even thousands of Fatui will chase them. It might not even just be from Crucabena's side. The moment they're caught, I could only imagine the cruel fate they'll face.
"Tha-that's..." Tears slowly fell from her eyes.
"All I can do is give you a better future, but how can I help when you're still enchanted by your delusion of freedom?! Stop daydreaming!"
Words that you would never hear from a five-year-old came out of my mouth.
"Clervie, I think Leo is right." Peruere who was listening on the side spoke.
"No matter what we do, even if we escape, nothing will change."
"Then! What can we do?! We can't just wait to be killed or be sent to The Doctor!" Clervie said. Tears came out of her eyes. She looks like living inside an unending nightmare.
"Leo," Peruere looked me in the eye and said.
"I still can't trust you,"
I know it won't be easy, but her words have made me waver.
"But if you can really give us a better future then... I'm willing to bet on you."
Her words caught me off guard.
"Re-really?" I stuttered. I felt a sense of accomplishment for some reason.