The operation of the House of the Hearth was mainly initiated within the jurisdiction of the Hydro Nation, Fontaine. Most orphans in Snezhnaya would be adopted by the Fatui as a whole, so the role of the House of the Hearth was mitigated and deemed as inefficient in Snezhnaya.
Thus, it operated under a different name in Fontaine. Since Fontaine was a nation based on laws and justice, the procedure was very stringent. But human's nature was to defy when oppressed, thus the Fatui didn't even have to lend a hand for the organization to be legalized.
It's pure Mora talks.
Just a bit of smuggling here and there, in addition to the aristocrats the Fatui brought to their side with benefits, a land in the Court of Fontaine was easily seized.
Of course, the benefits would not be able to equalize the entirety of their fund pooled in this operation if not for a fundamental reason headquarters of the House of the Hearth was erected in Fontaine.
Social Gap of Fontaine.
If over 70% of Liyue's wealth was kept by the Seven Stars along with their stockholders and the prominent merchants, then Fontaine's wealth could be said to be owned by the aristocrats as a whole. The citizens? They merely 'borrowed' the money from the aristocrats.
Every single establishment was pretty much owned by them in name.
This caused a surge of poverty to occur, resulting in an extreme gap between ordinary Fontainians and the aristocrats. Hell, a society must be built in the sewer for the rest to survive.
Even Snezhnaya wasn't this bad.
However, what does this issue has anything to do with the Fatui? For them as a third party, this was an opportunity. The useless aristocrats who couldn't train the talents of Fontaine as a whole and the people in the sewer who would bow from but a bag of crinkling Mora.
Why is this possible? How could this terrible status quo be maintained?
Laws! Specifically, the loopholes.
Under the name of 'justice' anything could be deemed as true as long as the people believe it. With laws, powerless, oblivious people could easily be manipulated under the oppression of the court. Sometimes, the deviation of a case was so severe it became a whole new case by the time the trial was held.
Law is supreme and above, but because there are loopholes, these characteristics ultimately became the major loopholes.
The core reason this occurred? Well, that has nothing to do with the Fatui. It would be better if the issue was to be never brought to the surface.
For them, It only meant the Fatui could utilize these talents for their own cause.
The House of the Hearth operated under a name of a hotel within the jurisdiction of the Court of Fontaine.
Albeit many issues are raging under the rug, Fontaine is undoubtedly a very beautiful city. Of course, the Court of Fontaine, as the main course of Fontaine, was the very place where the aristocrats reside, so there's no doubt about its extravagance style.
Heins despised the Fontainians, but one should not look the world through a single lense, or else it would be so bleak. A single lense could only represent a single colour, while the world was made up of countless colours.
If one could only see a single colour all their life, their lives must be quite literally miserable.
"Heins, Heins, look! The building is so tall and big!" Little Peruere looked around in wonder as her little hand held his hand tightly. Her uneven bangs were tussled occasionally under her constant rattling, inciting chuckles from the older boy.
"Heins, the sky is so clear! And the sun's so warm!"
"Heins, the fountain there was so glamorous and sparkly! It looked so beautiful!"
"Heins, what are those? They looked very delicious!"
"Heins, spiders! There is a pet shop with spiders! Whooo...!"
The little bundle narrated in excitement. Many Fontainians couldn't help but take a glance at her. Her swirling white fringe that stood out and her obsidian eyes embedded with crimson Xs are extremely unique. Her cute look was also a severe attention grabber.
Peruere was already so pale even if she stood amid the snowy land of Snezhnaya. In Fontaine, she became even paler. She's as white as snow, literally.
Some women cooed and were about to get their hands on her when Heins stepped in. His crimson eyes were blank yet his tone was warm, "Beautiful misses and mistresses, my little companion here is very sensitive, so can you be understanding and keep your hands to yourselves, please?"
Peruere instinctively dived into his arms, casting a cautious and fearful look to the squealing women. She was still so small, only reaching Heins's mid section.
"Oh oh oh~! A cute little girl whining to her handsome big brother! This is a scene I only saw in the theatre!"
"Oh my god, you're right! The boy was so gentle and handsome, and the girl was so white and cute. Ah! This is basically a novel! I'm telling you!"
"No! I do not agree. In my opinion, the act in the theatre was simply too fake. The boy who acted as the big brother was so loud and annoying, trying desperately to perform as appealing as possible. This boy, however, is a natural! He was so cold and calm yet so warm and loving. Ughhh... My heart~!"
Heins stood dumbfounded as the women became hysteric, their eyes wide and sparkled as they surrounded him.
Are they crazy?
Peruere squirmed and whined, her face stuck close to his chest, "Heins, they're so scary!"
Being coerced by their enthusiastic attitude, Heins could only mingled with the beautiful mature ladies. Refusing would be too disrespectful, no?
One should know that those who mingled within the Court of Fontaine are rich people. So it could be discerned that these ladies are of noble descent.
Thankfully, his late father had taught him proper etiquette, so Heins could integrate himself with them quite well.
Ever since he was brought by Crucabena to Fontaine, he had worn the proper outfit of Fontaine. Even little Peruere wore a pair of neat white shorts and cream high-collar t-shirt, complemented with a gray necktie tucked neatly under the black waistcoat she wore.
She looked every bit of a Fontainian child.
Heins wore similar clothes, but since his body was filled with ugly scars, he preferred long sleeves and long trousers, unlike Peruere's. Most of his three-piece attire are black, with the exception of his gray shirt and red cravat.
(Cravat = Necktie)
Crucabena commented that he looked dashing and handsome in this attire. Looking at the gleaming eyes of the ladies, Heins reluctantly accepted her opinion.
"Oh, so you like giving us ladies riddles, hm? Introducing yourself as Fool, you are quite audacious."
A lady giggled as she fanned herself, her lips smiled lopsidedly as she looked at the handsome boy before her. It was such a pity. If only the boy appeared when she was his age...
Fontainians love theatres, and they are always filled with numerous imaginations. Heins, who looked cold yet warm, was every bit of a dashing hero they imagined. The scars, the hardened look, the overprotectiveness...
In a theatre etymology, Heins, the 'hero' was still in his childhood phase, where he will found his ultimate goal.
Heins wasn't that dashing of course, but well, they are Fontainians, so everything that smells handsome was exaggeratedly magnified.
The lady sighed as she looked at Heins again. Truly, a pity...
"Ah, I'll be feeling so heartless if I don't do anything, Little Fool. Here, some pocket money for both of you. As for your little sister..." The lady simply assumed Peruere as it was, not admitting the reality, sighing, "Well, I understand. Her affection is exclusive for the hero, so we would not trouble her any further."
"Just remember me when you become prominent, okay?" Another lady cooed as she patted Heins's charcoal hair lightly. Sensing no malicious intent, the boy let her do as she pleased, albeit just for a moment.
"Well then, we have to go. Farewell, Little Fool..."
The dramatic, delusional ladies thus departed on their own, their loud chatters resounding throughout the street. Heins stood calmly, as dumbstruck as a capybara.
Fontaine... He truly cannot understand its people. They all came up with things on their own and imposed their delusions onto others. But well, they did it not so obnoxiously, so Heins could still tolerate it.
Beside, he got quite a sum. Heins weighed the pouch on his hand and shake his head in disbelief, "Those ladies are way too extravagant. This is somewhat worrying and ridiculous at the same time. I'm afraid that this 'pocket money' could feed a family of four for a week."
Peruere in his chest climbed over his body and curiously looked at the sparkling Mora inside the pouch. Her voice was laced with pure confusion, "Big Brother, is this Mora? Can we buy things with it?"
Heins froze.
"P-Peruere, what did you call me?"
"Big Brother! Big Brother Heins! I heard they were calling you handsome big brother, and Peruere likes it very much!" Little Peruere giggled as her legs swayed. She sat comfortably on her 'big brother' shoulders, enjoying the soft texture of her Big Brother's hair as she messed them around.
Heins stood like a statue. Little Peruere... Called him big brother?
This... Should he be worried? Concerned? Confused?
But the notion of having a little sister indeed brought an unexpected warmth in his chest. He looked up at Peruere, whose crimson Xs glimmered expectantly.
In the end, he could only smile, rubbing Peruere's soft face, his tone gentle and a bit tad of dotting, with a hint of playfulness, "Little Peruere, you are very good with your words. Fine then, if you want to be Big Brother's little sister, then I guess this brother has no choice but to comply. Don't disobey your big brother's command from now on, got it?"
Peruere clapped her hands and giggled. Heins became her big brother!
For some reason, it brought her with so much joy. Only the time when she was found by her big brother could beat the happiness she currently feel.
"Big Brother, Big Brother, I want a spider in that store! It's so cute!"
"Alright. Off we go!"
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