The door creaked open.
What awaited Furina in the living room left her utterly dumbfounded.
On the brown leather sofa sat a regal white-haired woman with piercing green eyes, holding a petite, younger version of herself on her lap as they read a book together.
At the other end of the sofa, a purple-haired woman reclined lazily, flipping through a light novel.
Meanwhile, the formidable maid Rosalyne, who usually radiated an unapproachable aura, now stood quietly behind the sofa like a well-behaved monochrome cat.
"What... is this?" Furina muttered under her breath.
The women in the room turned to look at her, their gazes sharp and scrutinizing.
"You are...?" Bu'er, the white-haired woman, asked, her tone cautious. There was a flicker of recognition in her eyes, but she seemed uncertain.
Before Furina could answer, the sound of footsteps descending the stairs drew everyone's attention.
Makoto appeared, leading Theresa into the room.
Silence filled the air as their eyes met.
"..."
"..."
The weight of the collective stares made Furina's legs tremble.
"I... uh..." She forced an awkward laugh, raising her hands in a placating gesture.
"I think I walked into the wrong house. I'll just see myself out now!"
She turned on her heel, ready to flee, but before she could take a single step, Rosalyne appeared before her, blocking the exit.
"No, you can't leave," Rosalyne said coldly.
Furina's heart sank.
Moments later, Furina found herself seated at the center of the sofa.
On either side of her sat Makoto, Theresa, Bu'er, and Nahida, all forming a semi-circle of quiet intimidation.
The atmosphere was suffocating, and Furina could barely breathe under their collective gaze.
This is bad... this is really bad... she thought, darting her eyes nervously between the women.
Her heart raced as she mentally tallied her odds of escape. Two Archons, a maid who seemed ready to snap her in half, and two more women who radiated unmistakable power.
"So..." Furina began hesitantly, forcing a sheepish smile. "I think there's been some sort of misunderstanding..."
Makoto leaned forward slightly, her posture commanding.
"Let's start with introductions," she said smoothly. "I'm Makoto. And you are?"
Furina swallowed hard.
"F-Furina. Hydro Archon of Fontaine. Archon name, Focalors," she stammered.
It was, without question, the meekest she'd ever been when announcing her title. Normally, she boasted that she was the most brilliant of the Archons. But now?
There's no way I can compete with real gods.
"Alright, Miss Furina," Makoto said with a faint smile, briefly exchanging a glance with Bu'er. The latter nodded, as if silently affirming something.
"First question: Theresa mentioned that you're quite close with our Luo Qing. Is that true?"
"Eh?!" Furina blinked, her mind blanking out.
Your Luo Qing? What was that supposed to mean? Wasn't Theresa Luo Qing's wife?!
"I-I think there's been a mistake!" Furina stammered. "Luo Qing and I just... collaborate! Professionally!"
Makoto's gaze didn't waver.
"Oh?" she said, her tone skeptical. "Let's move on, then. Theresa also mentioned that Luo Qing has spent quite a few late nights in your room. Is that true?"
"Wha—?!" Furina's head snapped toward Theresa, who immediately averted her gaze, whistling innocently.
"Well... that did happen," Furina admitted reluctantly.
Makoto's next question came swiftly.
"And what exactly did you two do during those late nights?"
"W-we didn't do anything!" Furina exclaimed, her voice rising an octave. "At least... nothing inappropriate!"
Makoto raised a brow. "Nothing inappropriate?"
Furina flinched under her piercing gaze, her mind racing.
Does pinching my cheeks or massaging my feet count as inappropriate?
Makoto sighed, leaning back. "Are you sure there's nothing more to it?"
Before Furina could respond, Ei—sitting quietly until now—blushed furiously.
"Makoto, stop!" Ei stammered. "I... I haven't even—!"
Nahida chimed in, her voice sweet but firm.
"Makoto Auntie, I'm still here, you know."
"..."
Furina was losing it.
Do they even realize what they're saying?
Her face flushed with embarrassment. She raised a tentative hand.
"Can I ask... what's your relationship with Luo Qing?"
Makoto's expression shifted into one of undeniable authority.
"I'm Makoto, Luo Qing's primary wife," she declared. "Perhaps you know me by my Archon name—Ba'al."
Furina froze, her eyes wide.
Before she could process this revelation, Bu'er smiled softly and added, "And I'm Bu'er. Like Makoto, I'm also one of Luo Qing's primary wives."
"..."
Furina's worldview shattered.
Her gaze drifted toward Nahida, the adorable little Dendro Archon. No way...
As if reading her thoughts, Nahida beamed.
"Nice to meet you, Auntie Furina! I'm Nahida, Luo Qing's daughter!"
"..."
Furina was speechless.
Is this why Luo Qing has a Sumeru envoy title?
Her gaze shifted to Ei, who averted her eyes, fidgeting slightly.
"I-I'm not one of Luo Qing's wives," Ei mumbled, her cheeks pink. "Not yet, at least..."
What is this insanity?!
Makoto leaned in closer, her voice low but firm.
"Now then, Miss Furina," she said. "Can you explain—truthfully—what exactly happened between you and Luo Qing?"
"I... I didn't do anything!" Furina cried, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and frustration. "If anything, he was the one pinching my cheeks and... and massaging my feet!"
Makoto's expression softened slightly, but her tone remained skeptical.
"Is that really all?"
"Yes! That's all!" Furina nodded fervently. "I swear!"
Makoto hummed thoughtfully, her gaze drifting toward Theresa, who immediately cowered, clutching her head as if bracing for impact.
"Alright, I understand now," Makoto finally said, letting out a sigh. She turned back to Furina.
"It's late. Would you like to stay the night?"
"Uh... I can?" Furina asked hesitantly. This wasn't how I expected things to go...
---
T/N: BOOOOOOOOOOOO MORE DRAMA