Genshin Impact: Fontaine's Regent, driving players crazy.

Don't be fooled by Furina's usual absence from the Palais Mermonia; when it comes to handling state affairs, she is nothing short of meticulous.

After all, she has been doing this for five hundred years. With such extensive experience, assigning Furina to paperwork almost feels like an underutilization of her talents.

Dealing with documents is the simplest task for her.

Written words can be reviewed directly, whereas spoken words require careful listening.

Without the public eye on her, Furina feels far less pressure. Free from the need to perform, she is much more at ease.

Themis sat across from Furina, clearly witnessing how the normally soft and gentle face had turned serious and sharp-eyed.

She quietly took note of this rare expression. Ever since Furina had stepped back from handling the affairs of the Mourt Morte Palace, this look had become a rare sight.

Now, seeing it again, Themis found herself feeling nostalgic.

With Furina by her side, the once monotonous task of reviewing documents suddenly became enjoyable.

It was as if a vast expanse of white had been suddenly interrupted by a brilliant streak of blue.

She couldn't help but steal glances at Furina, and she wished that Furina would look at her more as well.

Her gaze was completely undisguised. If it had lasted only a short while, it might have gone unnoticed.

But after a prolonged period of being stared at, Furina couldn't hold back anymore.

"Get to work! Stop staring at me."

"If we don't finish soon, there won't be any free time left today."

Furina reached out to cover Themis' eyes, her ears already flushed with embarrassment.

"...Heh."

With a soft chuckle, Themis took Furina' hand and brought it to her lips for a light kiss.

"Alright, I'll fulfill your wish."

Furina quickly withdrew her hand, her mind screaming internally like a panicked rodent.

This woman! She was the one who insisted on taking me out shopping—

Why does it sound like I'm the one desperate for her company?!

Al...although, I do enjoy Themis' company quite a bit.

But can she stop kissing me so much...

First, it was the forehead. Then my first kiss was taken. Then my cheek...

And now, my hand...

Revisiting the chain of kisses over the past five hundred years in her mind, Furina initially found herself overwhelmed with embarrassment—until, eventually, she reached a state of resigned acceptance.

Hah. It's just a kiss.

I, Furina, can handle this!

Kissing my neck or lips wouldn't be any different from kissing my forehead or hand!

Yes. That's right. It's the same!

Forcing herself to remain composed, Furina shut out all distractions and focused entirely on signing documents.

Seeing Furina lower her head and avoid looking at her, Themis felt a bit disappointed. She had hoped to see Furina flustered and panicking before her eyes.

Ah~ What a shame.

Since there was no more fun to be had, Themis had no choice but to concentrate on the documents as well.

This secretly relieved Furina.

With two seasoned officials working at full speed, a mere stack of documents was child's play.

Once the paperwork was successfully completed, Furina tossed her pen aside and stretched lazily.

Themis tidied up the desk, stacked the files neatly, and then turned to the yawning Furina, who had tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

"Let's head out now! I'm getting impatient."

Seeing Furina nod eagerly, Themis smiled as Furina excitedly bounced up, grabbed her wrist, and dashed out of the Palace.

The Fontaine citizens, who had been observing quietly, discreetly stepped aside to give them some privacy.

"Lady Furina, I know you're in a hurry, but slow down a little."

Themis reversed their grip, securing Furina' wrist in her own, lest she accidentally lose her.

"Let me lead the way instead."

Hearing that, Furina suddenly realized that she had no idea where they were actually going. She slowed her pace and obediently followed Themis.

As they passed by a popular cake shop, Furina felt a pang of longing, but she had already eaten two small cakes not long ago. She knew Themis wouldn't let her stop for more.

She mourned the loss of her airborne, imaginary cake, but outwardly, she maintained an indifferent expression.

Themis pretended not to notice, but she had no intention of yielding this time.

She worried that if she gave in, Furina would eat too much and make herself sick again.

Giving Furina' small hand a light squeeze, Themis shot her a firm, no-nonsense look, ensuring that Furina abandoned any remaining hope.

Losing out on cake didn't matter—she could still pet cats and dogs!

Furina consoled herself with this thought.

Following Themis, she wandered all over Fontaine—through flower fields, along the coast, and up the hills.

Her spirit was lively, but her body was not.

"Ugh, why is it so far?!"

The little cat had reached her limit. This was the longest distance she had ever walked, and she was exhausted.

"That's exactly why Lady Furina should get out more," Themis said, tilting her head.

Seeing the little cat plant her feet firmly, refusing to move another step, Themis came up with an idea.

"Well then, let's switch to a different method."

"Yay!"

Clapping her hands in excitement, Furina' eyes sparkled at the thought of finally getting a break.

"Are we taking a aquabus? Or maybe an airship?"

"Ahem. Of course, I'm only considering this for your sake. I'm not tired at all," Furina insisted, still stubbornly denying her fatigue.

"Of course, of course, Lady Furina, you're not tired at all," Themis replied with a smirk.

She spread her arms and raised an eyebrow.

Furina blinked, confused, before realization struck her like lightning.

"This is your 'different method'?"

She took two steps back in shock.

"N-no way. Impossible."

"You're too delicate to carry me."

"Besides, I'm the Hydro Archon! A little walking is nothing for me!"

"I think we should just find a vehicle to lessen your burden!"

Themis sighed dramatically, feigning concern. "You're right, Lady Furina. However, there are no other transport options here."

"If we want to get there quickly, I can only carry you."

Seeing Furina wavering between her pride and her exhaustion, Themis sighed internally, stepped forward, and simply scooped her up.

Furina, now cradled in a princess carry, took a few seconds to process what had just happened.

Themis held her close. "The sun is setting. We should hurry."

Furina: "B-but, can you really carry me?"

She had her doubts—Themis looked so slender and fragile!

But to her shock, Themis carried her effortlessly, even picking up the pace.

This left Furina completely dumbfounded.

Why is my stamina so poor compared to hers?!

Meanwhile, a certain blond traveler waved from a nearby hill.

"Uh… was that Themis and Lady Furina just now?" Lumine hesitated.

Paimon, hovering beside her, nodded firmly. "Yep! That was them!"

Hands on her hips, Paimon suddenly gasped in realization.

"Wait a second! Does this mean Fontaine's gossip novels were true?!"

Lumine pondered for a moment before speaking, "Are you referring to 'Untold Stories of Regent Themis and Hydro Archon Furina'?"

"Or should it be 'The Stoic Regent and Her Delicate Little Hydro Archon Wife'?"

"Perhaps 'Fontaine's Century-Long Entangled Love: She Loves Her, But She Doesn't Love Her Back'?"

As Lumine continued to rattle off one novel title after another, Paimon fell silent.

"Traveler," Paimon finally exclaimed, "how many of these books have you been secretly reading behind my back?! Why haven't I seen any of these?!"

Paimon was clearly indignant. "These kinds of books should be properly shared!"

"I wanna read it too!"

Ah, little Paimon had exposed her purpose.

Lumine rubbed her head and took out those newly bought books from her backpack.

"Fine, fine, fine. Here you go, go ahead and read them."

Seeing Paimon's delighted expression, Lumine realized that this little Paimon was truly hooked.

Though she was no different.

She had previously passed by a newsstand and ended up buying a huge stack.

Forgive Lumine for her limited experience, but she had initially thought the works of Inazuma's Raiden Ei and her retinue were already explosive enough.

Never did she imagine that in Fontaine, Inazuma's books would seem like mere child's play.

One careless moment and she found herself hooked.

Ah, you'd be surprised - as a way to pass the time, these novels were incredibly successful.

Even in her dreams, she'd wonder how many more books the author could write, and when she'd finally start a new one.

The secret love affair between Regent Themis and the Hydro Archon - whether it truly mirrored the author's portrayal.

The speed at which these books were written, one a month, left Lumine in awe. More importantly, the quality wasn't compromised in the slightest.

Lumine wrote about her experiences in Fontaine in a letter to the Narukami Great Shrine in Inazuma. Even Yae Miko couldn't help but envy the author's talent. It had to be a heaven-sent novelist! She should definitely come to Inazuma to give a lecture on writing!

This would teach those other authors who dawdle with updates or abandon their stories halfway through what it means to be an exceptional novelist!

(TL Note: Haha yeah those guys... I know what I did...)

Upon receiving his novel in Mondstadt, Venti, the Anemo Archon, plummeted from the statue of the Anemo Archon.

"Cough cough cough cough..." After a violent fit of coughing, Venti climbed back up, book in hand.

Using a gust of wind to clear wine droplets from the pages, Venti burst into laughter.

"What's this? Always calling me the undisciplined God of Freedom."

"Turns out Fontaine is this free!"

Venti's horizons had broadened.

Liyue, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—

"What carelessness," Zhongli murmured, closing the book. He picked up the porcelain cup on the table with a trembling hand, took a sip of tea, and sought to calm his spirit.

The elder's face, twisted by the visage of disapproval, mirrored that of a man jolted by the shock of modernity. Frowning deeply, Zhongli felt as though he had been abruptly thrust into a world where he could no longer keep pace with the times.

Yet, at the same time, a wave of relief washed over him from the very depths of his being.

Though Liyue boasted a multitude of worshippers, and many authors had indeed included the Geo Archon in their novels, Zhongli had never before encountered such audacity in print!

Inazuma, Narukami Grand Shrine—

Yae Miko sipped her sake while reading a book sent from Fontaine City.

"Dear me, what is this? The people of Fontaine sure are much bolder than those in Inazuma."

The Regent and the Goddess of Water's Fateful Romance

The corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl upwards. Yae Miko never expected the Hydro Archon to be such a pitifully delicate creature.

Just look at what it says here:

The poor, helpless, and feeble Hydro Archon, pinned to the bed by her own Regent. As tears welled and her cheeks flushed with bashfulness, she bit her lip, desperately stifling moans that threatened to escape.

Even the usually ruthless Regent's eyes softened during these moments, gently whispering words of comfort into her ear.

Yet the Hydro Archon's acquiescence and tears only precipitated more fervent assaults.

"Cough cough cough..." Yae Miko choked on these audacious descriptions.

From the bottom of her heart, she couldn't help but marvel: This author is a true fucking genius.

From the day the author first began writing five hundred years ago right up until now, they've never been caught—never arrested and imprisoned for the crime of blasphemy against the gods.

Really...

Absolutely fantastic!

Inazuma needs people like this!

If the Fontaine Regent dared to fantasize about the Hydro Archon's body, hadn't she, as the shrine maiden of Inazuma, even more right to fantasize about Raiden Ei's body?!

She thought about it day and night, but not a single other writer dared to put it down on paper.

Yet when Yae Miko herself tried to do so, she felt something was missing.

Missing? Missing practical experience!

Yes, that was it. This alluring and beautiful fox spirit had yet to give away even her first kiss.

Envious and jealous, Yae Miko felt she should have much to discuss with this Regent of Fontaine.

The shoguns - Raiden Shogun and Raiden Ei, who'd been stuffed with books by Yae Miko—could only stare in bewilderment:

"...????"

"Absurd!" rumbled the Raiden Shogun.

"It's hard to say; let's see more," murmured Raiden Ei.

-

Little one, is your mind filled with endless questions?

Within the realm of Sumeru, the tiny dendro archon held a book in her hands.

Though she didn't fully comprehend its contents, she was utterly astounded.

"For me, some of this knowledge seems... well, it's quite ahead of its time."

Covering her face with dismay, Nahida simply couldn't reconcile the image of the Regent in the book with the person she knew as Themis.

However, the author portrayed the personality of the Hydro Archon, Furina, with remarkable precision and detail.

Far away in Fontaine, Themis remained blissfully unaware that she had already caught the attention of the troublesome pink fox. Her nose began to itch slightly, but she forcibly suppressed the urge to scratch it.

Furina pressed herself against Themis's chest, finding it incredibly comfortable to lean on such soft breasts.

But don't even think about comparing them, she chided herself.

As she gently touched her own chest, Furina clenched her teeth, feeling a pang of jealousy.

I-I'm fine. I'll grow eventually!

Right? That's right!

Once my plan succeeds, I won't need to be an Archon anymore.

When I become an ordinary person again, my body's sure to develop properly.

So what if I'm small now? Furina thought defiantly, burying her face in Themis's chest.