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"Wriothesley will be delighted!"
Navia clapped her hands as she opened up a small, beautifully decorated box. She pulled out a gorgeous bottle of wine. Not just any wine. The finest dandelion wine from Dawn Winery, infused with Mist Flower corollas. Navia hugged the bottle as she spun around in place, now having an excuse to visit the Fortress of Meropide. Navia quickly gathered herself, though she began to scramble around to put together a fantastic little gift basket for the only warden on her mind. She packed a Mondstadt apple pie, a serving of Pile em Up, and a bundle of fresh vegetables. She tied them up with beautiful cloth and ribbons, placing them in a pretty little woven basket. Navia left with a pep in her step, holding her umbrella over her as she made her way to the Aquabus.
Bystanders whispered to each other, though there wasn't a malicious thought in the air.
"The President of the Spina di Rosula seems much happier than usual. Mayhaps she's finally found her other half."
Smiles and waves followed Navia as she roamed, and she returned them nearly ten fold that day. On the Aquabus, Navia made pleasant conversation with the passengers and melusines. She had even managed to make Elphane smile. Navia was shining brighter than the sun. It seemed even the Hydro Dragon could feel her happiness, not a cloud in the bright blue sky. Navia got off the Aquabus, waving to the passengers as if she was a celebrity. Navia strode her way through Fontaine, her smile seemingly growing brighter every step she took.
Navia approached the gates of the Fortress of Meropide, waiting to be let in. The guards checked her, but Navia would not allow them to peak in the basket that she had so lovingly put together. She even went as far as to gently swat a curious hand away from her basket. Once she was allowed inside, Navia thought about all the ways that she could hand over her gift in a cute, but cheeky way.
"Oh Wrio darling! I've heard you've been overworking yourself as of late! Why don't you take a seat with me and enjoy a bit of extra dinner I made!"
Navia chirped as the tired warden would sigh, taking a seat at his desk.
"I guess I'll take a lunch break.."
Wriothesley said as he stacked his papers, pushing them to the side. Navia set her basket down with a smile, unpacking it for him. Her meal was nearly a buffet, and obviously Wriothesley wasn't ready for such a big meal. Navia took a seat across his desk, her legs crossed and her hands in her lap. Wriothesley ate quietly, pausing after he had tried everything.
"You're a- ehm. This is good.."
Wriothesley would say, making Navia squeal and celebrate with a little dance.
Navia sighed lovingly, smiling at that thought. She placed her hand over her heart, a blush on her fair cheeks. She shook herself off, ready to greet the Duke. She took the elevator, her mind and heart still racing, thinking about Wriothesley's reaction to her very lovingly planned dinner. Her heels nearly caught in the grate floor, which made Navia a bit nervous about dropping her basket. But with all the grace of an Oceanid, Navia had successfully made it to Wriothesley's office. She was just about to buzz herself in when she heard something behind the door. A woman's voice. Navia paused.
Maybe he was in a meeting right now..
"How has this week been for you..?"
Chlorinde asked with a sigh, Wriothesley behind her, massaging her incredibly tense shoulders.
"Things have been fair. The Fatui are troublesome, but I think the rest of the inmates know that, so they've been on their very best."
He responded, Chlorinde leaning against Wriothesley, the Duke wrapping his arms around her waist. Chlorinde placed her hands on his, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Hopefully the Fatui will take a bow and just relax at some point.."
Chlorinde said quietly, meeting Wriothesley's eyes. He placed a had on her cheek, gently brushing her cheekbone with his thumb.
"Regardless, I'll have time for you."
Wriothesley said, meeting Chlorinde's gaze.
Navia felt her heart shatter in her chest.
No, surely Wriothesley wasn't romantically involved with the Champion Duellist.
Navia heard something behind the door that made her want to throw up, something she had never heard, but didn't need to.
The tender touch of lips against one another.
Navia felt tears sting her eyes. She felt her body shiver, hollow out and become uncomfortable; cold with despair. Navia forced herself out of her frozen state. She took one step, then another. She found herself running, the guards and inmates alike surprised and concerned. Navia threw her basket into the seemingly endless chasm beneath the walkway Navia was racing down.
Navia had managed to escape the Fortress of Meropide with tears in her eyes and a clouded mind, running far, fast. How could she be so stupid? Navia returned to the Aquabus Line, using her umbrella to mask her tearstained, blotchy face.
"Have you been to the show at Opera Epiclese? The Yun-Han Opera Troupe are truly marvelous. Yun Jin has a voice that can bring anyone to tears."
Navia sniffled, gently wiping a tear from her eye.
"The show tonight still has tickets available! I highly recommend you go!"
Navia stared down at her lap, thinking about what the other passengers had just said. Melus and Silver certainly wouldn't be happy with her for not coming home immediately, but they were always so lenient with her.
Once the Aquabus had reached the Court of Fontaine, she checked the program, getting a ride to Marcotte Station. Yes. She'd buy a ticket to the opera, and she'd forget everything that had happened. But she wouldn't. During the ride, Navia couldn't get the scene out of her head.
Wriothesley's wrapped hands on Chlorinde's waist, Chlorinde's delicate gloved hands on his muscular arms. Wriothesley's fingers on Chlorinde's cheek. The way their lips touched so unapologetically.
Navia wanted to scream. How could this happen? Why her?
"Miss Navia? We're here."
The Melusine running the Aquabus called softly, touching her shoulder with her little paw. Navia's eyes widened. Had she really been thinking for that long? Navia lifted her watery, puffy eyes, adjusting her umbrella so she could make eye contact with the melusine.
"My sincerest apologies, little friend. Thank you for the ride.."
Navia said with a melancholy smile, standing up from her seat.
"Oh- please take care Miss Navia!"
The melusine called after her, waving her little paw frantically. Navia smiled for just a moment longer before feeling her heart sink again. She walked trough the courtyard of Marcotte Station, seeing two swans in a loving embrace. A Darkwinged Goose so tightly wrapped around a Snow-winged Goose.
That was supposed to be her. That was supposed to be HER in Wriothesley's arms! Not Chlorinde! There was no other Darkwinged Goose! There was no Chlorinde in her and Wriothesley's relationship!
Navia felt her chest tighten, her fists grasping her umbrella so tight it threatened to break the handle. She walked away from the water, making her way quickly to the Fountain of Lucine. It was supposed to grant the sweetest wishes, wasn't it? Navia pulled out a single mora, holding it in her palm before weakly dropping it from her hand.
My wish is that my heart does not remain broken.
Navia stared at the mora she had dropped into the fountain for just a moment before walking past the Fountain of Lucine.
Before her stood Opera Epiclese, a gorgeous building housing even more fantastic art. She preferred that over the unfair trials that were commonly held within. Navia walked up the steps to the grand building, the orange hues of the evening setting in. She gently greeted the melusine at the door, looking back up at the grand double doors. She entered, the cool interior soothing her warm face and stinging her still irritated eyes. She winced for just a moment, opening her eyes to be greeted with the brilliant ivory and gold interior. She approached the lobby, finding the ticketmaster and buying admission for herself. She wasted no time entering the Theater, taking her seat in the balcony, where she would sit alone. Many attendees had already taken their spots, which was wise of them to do so. Navia closed her umbrella, wiping her eyes and face for the first time since she began to cry.
Eventually, the stage set, the audience quieted, and the lights dimmed. Yun Jin appeared center stage, wearing a traditional Fontanian wedding dress. The lights illuminated her, collapsing to the floor of the stage.
"Don't let me go so easily. Don't fly away from my plight. If you are to leave me, let me say goodbye. If I must never sing again, let me sing one last song; for you."
Yun Jin began to sing.
The entire performance had brought the audience to tears, but Navia had already cried her share. She simply watched, feeling absolutely empty inside. Yes, the performance was exceptional, but Navia had already dealt with her own that very day. The Yun Han Opera Troupe bowed, the crowd roaring in applause. Navia simply stared as the chasm in her chest grew emptier.
The audience stood from their seats and dispersed, Navia following in suit. She did not stay to meet the Troupe or discuss the performance with her peers. She left, walking out with calm collected strides. She made her way behind the building, down the narrow, fire paved walkway into the small circular balcony overlooking the terrestrial sea and the Aquabus Line. The moonlight cast her shadow on to the deep blue water, her similarly colored eyes set on the horizon. She pulled out her umbrella once more, using it to hide herself from the comforting light of the moon. She heard a single pair of steps behind her, though she didn't react in the slightest. The unknown person stopping behind her, slightly to her right. She turned her face, though she was still blocked by her umbrella.
"Hey girlie, what's got you down?.."