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Wriothesley would consider himself a fairly patient man most of the time.
He has to be. It’s part of how he endured his time in Meropide, how he climbed the ladder, how he deals with the daily workings of the Fortress now. Convicts and inmates that have nothing good in mind tend to make mistakes when they’re feeling watched – it puts them under pressure, and Wriothesley knows that if he waits patiently in the shadows, they’re bound to slip up eventually.
He is used to acting as the metaphorical wolf stalking his prey. Would consider himself quite skilled at that, even.
And yet, for some reason, this entire evening has his patience running thin.
Because right now, he and Sigewinne are sitting at a dinner table in a small, private dining room at a restaurant in Yilong Wharf, accompanied by the Traveler, Paimon and Neuvillette, and the welcoming waiters are bringing their food and drinks to the table.
With Lantern Rite on the horizon, the atmosphere in the restaurant is relaxed and festive, and thankfully no one has caught onto Wriothesley’s current predicament yet.
He hadn’t expected to run into Neuvillette of all people, especially all the way out here in Liyue. Covering up his surprise had been the smaller issue. No, the bigger problem is that Neuvillette’s appearance is so different from what Wriothesley is used to, and that he looks downright gorgeous probably without even realizing it.
Well, he usually looks gorgeous if you ask Wriothesley, but seeing him in anything other than his judicial robes and looking so relaxed at the same time makes Wriothesley’s weak heart do funny little jumps inside his chest.
It’s entirely too distracting.
The beautiful suit with its intricate details was a gift from the Melusines, as Sigewinne had correctly pointed out, and Neuvillette had looked so proud in that moment, practically glowing, that Wriothesley had just barely refrained from squeezing him in a hug and kissing him silly.
That would have definitely … turned some heads. Because a) two grown men, clearly tourists from Fontaine, kissing affectionately in the middle of the street might draw attention in any case, and b) because technically, they are trying to keep their relationship a secret.
At the same time, he’s not sure that Sigewinne knows (Melusines are far more perceptive than one might think, and it surprises him regularly), because she’s never brought up the topic directly, only sticking to little jabs and teases here and there.
If Sigewinne knows, all the Melusines know, because word among them travels faster than anything Wriothesley has ever witnessed. It’s as impressive as it is frightening.
The Traveler and Paimon should still be in the dark about his relationship with Neuvillette, especially since they have been tied up in business in other nations recently.
The fewer people know about them, the better. And they’re trying to keep it that way.
At least Neuvillette is far more professional about all of this than Wriothesley himself. Wriothesley’s earlier comment about his new outfit was received with the sort of graceful politeness that he admires about Neuvillette – plus, by now, Neuvillette has had some practice when it comes to giving reactions to Wriothesley’s comments and banter.
Now that they’re seated opposite from each other at a food-laden table in the restaurant, Wriothesley can hardly keep his eyes off him. It’s a blessing and a curse to have Neuvillette sit right where he can admire the soft uptick of the corners of his mouth and the way his eyes crinkle at the corners whenever Sigewinne offers him some of the food on their side of the table.
Of course, it’s not long before Neuvillette notices. Nothing gets past him, and while Wriothesley tries to hide it from the others, he knows for a fact that he could never hide anything from Neuvillette’s keen senses.
Neuvillette doesn’t react visibly. Only once does he throw Wriothesley a pointed, almost chiding look, which is met with a mischievous smirk in turn. He does not rise to the bait, not one to enjoy teasing in front of an audience, so Wriothesley relents. For now.
“We should get some dessert as well!”, Paimon chimes in once they’ve finished their food, and Sigewinne’s eyes immediately light up.
“Oh, that sounds lovely! What do you think, Your Grace? Do you want some, too?”
He shrugs easily. “I’m pretty full already, but go ahead and order what you like. This is a vacation after all, and we did say we wanted to try more local specialties apart from tea.”
Paimon is already floating over with the menu, sidling up to Sigewinne so they can both get a look. The Traveler hides an amused smile behind a hand and scoots over as well, trying to look into the menu past their heads.
“Anything for you, Monsieur?”, Sigewinne asks, although it is evident she already knows the answer.
“Unless you have ‘rare specialty water’ on that dessert menu, I believe our Chief Justice might decline”, Wriothesley throws in with a grin, and the moment Neuvillette’s eyes find his, a shudder runs down his spine.
“Thank you for the thoughtful offer, Sigewinne”, Neuvillette says with a small smile directed at her. “However, I do not require anything. The food we had was quite filling.”
The conversation lulls as the others start up a vivid discussion about which desserts to get and which types are the best, and in that moment, Neuvillette redirects his attention to Wriothesley. The sharp attentiveness in his gaze is mixed with a feeling he knows all too well, and he’s surprised Neuvillette lets it show while they’re in the presence of others.
It’s a sort of warm longing that often takes over his gaze whenever they have to part ways, already missing the other even though they have not separated yet. And now, after weeks of not seeing each other, it seems that he has missed Wriothesley’s presence just as much.
Gods, he wants to reach over that table and touch, wants to pull Neuvillette into his arms and just hold him.
Suddenly, an idea crosses Wriothesley’s mind. It’s possibly a very stupid idea, but an obnoxiously eager voice at the back of his mind convinces him that it cannot hurt to at least try.
He clears his throat, trying to be casual. “Well, while the rest of the party is busy with picking dessert, may I use the opportunity to have a brief discussion with you, Monsieur Chief Justice?”, Wriothesley asks in his most neutral, polite tone, and the way Neuvillette narrows his eyes at him just the slightest bit sends jitters down his spine.
“But of course”, Neuvillette replies and nods. “Please, speak freely.”
“It is still a rather sensitive matter, so would you be inclined to step outside for a bit? Plus, I don’t want to ruin this festive dinner with boring work talk.”
A spark of curiosity shimmers in Neuvillette’s eyes, but that is the most of a reaction Wriothesley gets. Instead, Neuvillette picks up his gloves and moves to get out of his seat, righting his vest as he stands.
“As you wish. Let us speak outside, then.”
Sigewinne throws them both a heavy pout over the edge of the menu. “This is supposed to be a holiday, and the both of you should keep work out of it. You need to learn to relax, for once.”
Wriothesley smiles sheepishly as he gets up. “Don’t worry, head nurse. I’ll try to keep it brief. But since we won’t be back in Fontaine for another week, this is an opportunity I cannot pass up.”
Sigewinne huffs, narrowing her eyes at him in suspicion. Something dangerous glints in them, and for a second, Wriothesley feels like she’s seeing right through him, unbecoming motives and all. If she does, she lets it slide, focusing back on the menu with a shrug.
“In that case I’ll order the biggest plate of dessert on the menu on your tab, Your Grace.”
A minor attack on his wallet he will surely survive. He rounds the table with a grin and shrugs.
“Like I said, order whatever you like best. That goes for you two, as well.” He nods at the Traveler and Paimon. “I said I’d treat you to dinner, and that naturally includes dessert.”
Paimon’s eyes sparkle like a night sky reflected in a lake, and she immediately starts fretting over all the dessert options she now can freely choose from.
“Enjoy your food”, Neuvillette says pleasantly and follows Wriothesley out of the door of their private dining room.
Outside, one of the waitresses is already on her way over to them.
“Was everything to your liking?”, she asks, a hint of curiosity in her tone as to why they are stepping outside without the rest of their group.
“The meal was splendid”, Neuvillette replies and nods. “Our companions would also like to order dessert soon, if you could please take their orders.”
She nods eagerly and smiles. “Yes, of course. Is there anything I can do for you?”
“In fact, there is”, Wriothesley says with his most charming smile. “My colleague and I need to discuss a few sensitive business matters. I know the evening is busy for you, but is there perhaps another dining room that we could use for a bit?”
He can feel Neuvillette’s gaze resting on him as he asks.
The waitress thinks about his request for a few seconds, then she nods with a smile and asks them to follow her down the hallway. “We don’t have any more reservations this evening, and the busiest time is over by now, so you can use one of the dining rooms back here. They’ve already been cleaned up and set up for tomorrow. Take as much time as you need.”
She opens the sliding door to one of the other rooms and invites them in with a smile. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call for our staff. I will let them know not to bother you unless you call for them, since you said it is about sensitive matters.”
“Very appreciated”, Wriothesley replies and lightly bows to her. “Thank you for your assistance, Miss.”
A faint blush settles on her cheeks and she bows in return before excusing herself to take the order of their companions in the other room. Wriothesley steps aside and makes a small gesture, inviting Neuvillette inside with a grin.
“After you, Your Honor.”
Neuvillette eyes him with something unreadable and heavy set in his gaze, as if he is not quite sure what Wriothesley has in mind. It doesn’t show in his body language, though, and he steps through the door without hesitation.
As soon as the door is closed, Wriothesley is in Neuvillette’s space, pushing him up against the nearest wall before he even has the chance to say anything. There is no resistance, only a surprised little gasp that leaves Neuvillette, and Wriothesley dives in to steal it from his lips right away.
Neuvillette practically melts against him with a soft sigh, leaning into the kiss as his hands settle on Wriothesley’s chest.
“You have no idea how long I’ve been wanting to do that”, Wriothesley murmurs between kisses, each one growing in its urgency. “Give a man a warning next time. We haven’t seen each other in weeks and then you come showing up like that.”
“Like what?”, Neuvillette asks, seemingly confused and a little breathless, which only stokes the heat pooling down in Wriothesley’s gut.
“I was reassured that this attire is suitable for festivities such as–“
“Oh, it is, it definitely is”, Wriothesley cuts him off and chuckles breathily. “And it definitely caught me off-guard. Has nobody told you that you look absolutely stunning in this suit? Could hardly keep my eyes off you.”
That draws a genuine laugh from Neuvillette, relief apparent on his features now that he realized what Wriothesley means. “That I have noticed.”
Wriothesley gets into his space again, lips brushing against Neuvillette’s as he presses him further against the wall, their bodies aligning in all the right places. He appreciates the warmth seeping through the layers of Neuvillette’s suit, the firmness of his body against his own, and wants nothing more than to stay here for the rest of the evening.
Want curls slow and deep in his gut, and Wriothesley leans in for another kiss; this one less hasty, yet deep and filled with want instead.
He groans when Neuvillette parts his lips and allows his tongue to slip past them, meeting Wriothesley with a similar level of need.
Seems like he wasn’t the only one who missed his partner.
“Gods, I would love to undress you layer by layer”, Wriothesley murmurs against Neuvillette’s lips, letting his kisses trail below Neuvillette’s jaw, down his neck, right down towards the edge of his neatly pressed shirt. The shuddered breath he earns only spurs him on.
“Take you right here on that table.” Another gasp above him.
“Or not undress you at all and let you fuck me up against the wall.” Neuvillette’s fingers curl into the fabric of Wriothesley’s vest, right above his heart, digging into the meat of his chest.
“I believe we do not have the time for that”, Neuvillette replies, although he sounds a little strained.
“Perhaps you’re right.” Wriothesley licks his lips and draws back enough to look Neuvillette in the eye again. The sight makes his heart squeeze inside his chest, simmering heat trailing further down and burning in every fiber. With that half-lidded gaze and lips reddened from their kisses, Neuvillette looks like something straight out of his dreams.
Wriothesley swallows thickly, already feeling the strain in his pants. If he plays his cards right, he might just get a little more out of this. Neuvillette’s control is impeccable, yet he knows the ways to bend and crack it.
Gently, he nuzzles against Neuvillette’s cheek. “Then how about a small treat?”, he asks, dropping his voice just a tad lower. “I promise to be quick.”
Neuvillette’s eyes darken, but there is a furrow between his brows that shows he is not yet convinced. Alongside it, though, Wriothesley can make out a spark of curiosity. A sliver of hope.
“And what would that entail?”
With a smirk, Wriothesley sinks to his knees, never breaking eye-contact. His hands glide over fine silk, finding Neuvillette’s hips, gripping them tightly. Neuvillette takes in a sharp breath, and his throat clicks as he swallows.
“Wriothesley.” A warning uttered in a reprimanding tone, yet it does not have the desired effect – weakened by the color rising to his cheeks.
“Clock’s ticking, my love. The more time you need to think about it, the less we actually have on our hands.”
Wriothesley nuzzles the front of his slacks, already feeling the growing hardness, and Neuvillette stifles an unintelligible noise at the back of his throat. Desire is dark and intense in his eyes, and it’s Wriothesley’s sign that he just needs one last, gentle push. Excitement washes through him at the prospect.
“Come on, I know you missed me just as much”, Wriothesley murmurs gently, a hand already wandering around to squeeze Neuvillette’s ass, wandering a bit lower until it settles on the back of his thigh.
They both know they won’t see each other for at least another week – Wriothesley’s vacation with Sigewinne will take up a few more days and Neuvillette already has a tightly packed schedule in the days after.
The dragon exhales deeply and runs a hand through Wriothesley’s hair, pulling lightly and pushing Wriothesley back until he can look him in the eye again. A low growl threatens to spill over his lips, but he reins it in. For now.
“Very well”, he says in a low tone that goes straight to Wriothesley’s dick. “Under two conditions.”
“I’m listening.” Wriothesley’s smirk widens, sharp and showing teeth. Neuvillette narrows his eyes at him.
“You promised to be quick, so be quick”, he says, and Wriothesley is already nodding along. “And –“ The grip in his hair suddenly tightens, pain prickling along his scalp and going right down to the base of his spine. Neuvillette’s gaze is heavy and intense, stealing Wriothesley’s breath away. A true predator staring down his prey. “– do not make a mess. These garments were a precious gift and I will not see them ruined.”
Wriothesley swallows thickly. Every fiber in his body is pulled taut, coiled up, ready to snap. He’s itching to get his hands on Neuvillette, heat already consuming him from the inside.
“No problem”, he confirms easily.
“You really wish to do this.” Neuvillette’s voice is strangled and raspy, his control waning, but he still gives Wriothesley a chance to back out. Wriothesley, however, is nothing if not determined.
“Yeah”, he says, a little breathless, but no less eager. He swallows, then tries again. “Please, let me do this.”
That seems to be enough, and Neuvillette eases up on his grip. Without wasting any more time, Wriothesley gets to work.
Quick hands unbuckle Neuvillette's pants with practiced ease. He slides them down just enough to be able to reach Neuvillette's clothed cock, hands gripping the meat of his hips as he mouths along the hard length through the fabric. Neuvillette's knees almost buckle, and he sucks in a breath at the sharp pleasure coursing through him.
He lets himself fall back against the wall for support, one hand staying tangled up in Wriothesley's already mussed hair. Sharpened claws prick at his scalp through the gloves, and his eyes flutter closed with a pleased, shuddering groan as Neuvillette flexes his fingers to scratch.
Neuvillette's undergarments are shoved down without delay, and Wriothesley allows himself a short moment to take in the sight of Neuvillette's cock, hard and leaking and flushed at the tip.
As much as he’d like to take this slow and truly worship every inch of skin he can reach, Wriothesley knows they don’t have nearly enough time for that. As promised, he gets to work right away, and each wet kiss and flick of his tongue sends him further down the sinkhole of pleasure.
The taste and heat of Neuvillette clouds his senses until all he can register is him, his hands, his quickened breath, the beautiful sounds he makes.
As he takes Neuvillette swiftly in one smooth glide, working down on the last centimeters until his nose hits Neuvillette's pelvis, the grip on Wriothesley's hair tightens, eliciting a groan from him. Neuvillette bucks his hips and Wriothesley's fingers almost claw into his hips as he is forced to swallow around Neuvillette's cock, but the momentary discomfort serves as a sweet garnish for the pleasure he reaps in turn.
Neuvillette is too controlled, too composed to simply chase his pleasure in the warm heat of Wriothesley's mouth, but Wriothesley knows it's fraying with how he's moving his hips a bit each time Wriothesley slides down and goes back up.
Just the thought of having Neuvillette abandon all rational thought and fuck into his mouth for his own need has Wriothesley’s dick throbbing painfully, and desire melts through his entire body.
He pulls off Neuvillette’s cock and shoots him a smug grin, his face flushed red, heat consuming him. Lips raw and swollen and saliva dripping down his chin. Neuvillette's breath stutters when their eyes meet.
Gods, Wriothesley wants to ruin him.
"Go ahead", Wriothesley says, voice husky and low. “Use me as you wish.”
He doesn't give Neuvillette time to properly process his words before he sinks down on him again, taking him all the way with a sweet groan. Then Wriothesley relaxes his throat purposefully, handing over the reins and staying still for Neuvillette to do as he pleases.
A few heavy heartbeats pass, but eventually, Neuvillette gives in to the pleasure. He keeps a tight hold on Wriothesley's hair and starts bucking his hips in more effective motions, spurred on by the choked groans he draws out of Wriothesley.
With the way he fucks into Wriothesley's mouth, it doesn't take long until his movements grow uncoordinated and sloppy. He presses a hand against his mouth to suppress the sounds slipping from his lips, well aware that they are still in a somewhat public space and behind an unlocked door.
Perhaps that thought and the lingering danger of being discovered is turning him on just as much, because Wriothesley can feel that he's quickly getting close. One of his hands kneads its way towards Neuvillette's inner thigh, then around to his ass.
The first brush of a finger against his hole almost has Neuvillette doubling over with a choked moan, driving his cock deeper into Wriothesley's mouth. Wriothesley splutters around the unexpected harshness, but quickly catches himself and groans, to spur Neuvillette on.
Tears bead in the corners of his eyes, not born from pain but pleasure, and he already knows that Neuvillette will enjoy to taste them afterwards.
Completely lost to the throes of pleasure, it doesn't take long for Neuvillette to finish. With a few last, uncoordinated thrusts he finally comes with a choked gasp, the grip on Wriothesley's hair growing tighter to keep him in place, and to simply have something to hold onto.
Wriothesley takes it all, swallowing around his cock and slowly lapping up the rest as he draws back. He's just as breathless as Neuvillette, saliva and cum dripping down his chin in a mess, hair ruffled and wild from how Neuvillette gripped him. His face is flushed red, glistening with still fresh tear streaks running down his cheeks.
Wriothesley wipes at his chin with the back of his hand, a breathless laugh escaping his lips as he looks up at Neuvillette. The sight before him is nothing short of divine – oh, how he wishes to cherish it for a bit longer.
“Fuck, look at you”, Wriothesley says and places gentle kisses on Neuvillette's exposed stomach. “Seems like someone enjoyed himself.” He huffs a laugh, but remains on his knees, still needing a moment to gather himself.
Neuvillette's face flushes even darker with the realization of what just happened. Of how much he let himself go. Of how much Wriothesley wanted this.
A rushed breath leaves Neuvillette and he pulls his pants back up swiftly, only to sink down in front of Wriothesley, grasping his head in his hands and pulling him into a demanding kiss. It's not as hungry as before, rather filled with devotion than with pure need, and despite his breathlessness Wriothesley answers in kind.
When Neuvillette pulls back, he takes in the sight of Wriothesley, tries to smooth out his hair a bit, and the silent question in his eyes is blatantly obvious. Wriothesley's expression softens, heart squeezing with fondness.
“I'm good, sweetheart. Don't worry about it.”
Relieved that he didn't hurt him, Neuvillette presses gentle kisses to Wriothesley's cheek and nuzzles his temple, momentarily allowing his more draconic instincts to take over freely. His lips skim over the remnants of the tears at the corners of his eyes, and it draws a deep-sated, pleased hum out of him.
“Thank you, beloved. You were perfect”, he murmurs quietly. “If we hurry, I might just be able to return the favor.”
“That's not necessary–“
But Neuvillette shuts him up with another kiss that he definitely cannot resist, nimble hands sliding up his thighs until one of them palms his aching erection through the front of his pants.
An embarrassing groan tumbles over Wriothesley's lips, which Neuvillette eagerly swallows with a kiss as he blindly reaches for the buttons of Wriothesley's pants.
“Let me.” Wriothesley reaches down to help him, and while he shoves down his pants, Neuvillette rids himself of his gloves. Good, so Wriothesley doesn't have to get nervous about ruining the silk.
He's so hard he's about to lose his mind if Neuvillette doesn't touch him within the next five seconds, and fortunately the dragon seems to be on the same page to speed things up a little. As soon as his hand closes around Wriothesley's cock, he uses a bit of Hydro to ease the way, his other hand threading into the short hair at the back of Wriothesley's neck.
Naked nails now fully sharpened into claws rake across his scalp, then he grabs a fistful and pulls. Wriothesley follows the pull, arching his back and baring his throat, which Neuvillette immediately latches on to as he starts stroking him in earnest.
Hot pleasure runs down his spine, seizes in his chest, and he knows he's not going to last like this.
It’s almost embarrassing how well Neuvillette has come to know his body and his tells in the few months since they have started seeing each other, but then again, Wriothesley is easy to please when it comes to Neuvillette. He is down bad for the dragon, eagerly taking what is given to him.
As soon as Neuvillette's fangs graze over the junction of neck and shoulder, Wriothesley knows he’s done for. He doesn't even have to sink his teeth into the flesh – the anticipation of a promise made for the future, of the intense pleasure and intimacy brought about by a mating bite is the last push he needs.
He knows Neuvillette would never fulfill the mating without his explicit consent, would never do it on a whim like this. Yet the whispered promise lingers at the back of his mind, and the thrill of the possibility is enough to fling him over the edge.
He grips Neuvillette's shoulders tightly with a wild curse as he spills into his hand, followed by a near silent gasp of Neuvillette’s name. A pleased growl rumbles through Neuvillette's chest, and he slows his strokes as Wriothesley quivers through the blissful aftershocks.
All the while, he lavishes his neck and throat with open-mouthed kisses, occasionally dragging his fangs across sensitive skin.
Wriothesley heaves a deep breath as he comes back to himself, relishing in the sweet haze that settles over his mind.
“Fuck, I love you”, he mutters breathlessly, and Neuvillette smiles sweetly before he presses another kiss to his lips.
“And I love you”, Neuvillette murmurs. “Mon cœur.”
Even though he should have gotten used to it by now, it never fails to draw heat to Wriothesley's face to hear Neuvillette voice his affection so openly. His heart does a weird flip inside his chest at the reminder that Neuvillette chose him, and that he has proven himself to be worthy to be by his side.
Soon enough, both of them realize that they need to get cleaned up, and Neuvillette uses more Hydro to collect any spill and disperse it until nothing is left.
“I've said it before and I'll say it again: Neat trick”, Wriothesley laughs as he pulls up his pants and starts to do his buttons properly. Neuvillette regards him with an amused expression and gets up to do the same, checking over his suit and smoothing out any possible creases.
“We might have been gone for a bit too long”, he says and Wriothesley knows he barely holds back a sigh. He doesn't seem irritated – perhaps a bit embarrassed that the cause for their absence may become obvious.
“Relax”, Wriothesley drawls and crowds into his space to fix the already perfectly sitting tie. “They won't suspect a thing. After all, we've got all the reasons to discuss important political or financial matters regarding the Palais and the Fortress. Those things do take up time.”
A huff escapes Neuvillette, but he relents. “Very well. I trust your word.”
Wriothesley smiles at him softly, reaching up to cradle his face in his hands. Pearlescent eyes find his own, and he gets lost in the dizzying sensation these beautiful eyes send through his chest. He thinks he may never tire of gazing into them. Not when he knows how wonderfully they sparkle when Neuvillette is relaxed and open.
“Just one more thing before we get back there”, he murmurs and leans his forehead against Neuvillette's. The dragon leans in as well, almost melting into the touch. Fuck, he's missed this so much.
“Do you really have to leave for Fontaine tonight? You could come over to my place at the guesthouse and stay the night.”
Wriothesley asks with a shard of excited hope lodged inside his chest, trying to give his best puppy eye impression to sway Neuvillette. Something flickers in the dragon’s eyes, and he hesitates.
“I … do have appointments tomorrow morning.”
Wriothesley almost pouts. “You could leave early. I know you're a fast swimmer.”
An understatement. He knows for a fact that Neuvillette can easily make the trip back within reasonable time, even more so if he puts effort into it. Neuvillette seems to be aware of that as well, and starts gnawing at his bottom lip as he truly considers Wriothesley's proposal.
“Plus, I do know for a fact that we both sleep better in each other’s company.” An unfair move, to add more convincing arguments to his case, and Neuvillette’s frown only deepens.
“Alright”, he eventually gives in and sighs softly. “I will come over once you have returned to the guesthouse.”
A bright smile spreads on Wriothesley's lips and he presses a satisfied kiss to Neuvillette's lips, anticipation brimming inside him.
“Don't worry, I'll make it worth your while”, he says as he breaks the kiss because his smile doesn't wane. “Shall we head back like accomplished businessmen that we are?”
Neuvillette stifles a snort and draws back, straightening his vest. Wriothesley hopes he looks at least half as put-together as his partner. And Neuvillette looks impeccable.
The dragon graces him with a polite smile, already back in his role. “After you, Your Grace.”
*
Luckily, their absence did not draw too much attention – as expected, their cover of discussing important matters worked well, and since the others were occupied with dessert, no one got the impression that the both of them had been gone for too long.
Afterwards, they bid farewell to the Traveler and Paimon in front of the restaurant, sharing promises of seeing each other again soon in Fontaine.
Neuvillette also bids his farewell, claiming to have to return to Fontaine, and once he's left, Wriothesley and Sigewinne take a stroll along the promenade of Yilong Wharf to enjoy the fresh night air and the beautiful decorations hung up everywhere. At night, the city is a sight to behold.
It's quiet and peaceful, and Wriothesley can't help the feeling of contentment settling in his chest. Something about tonight just feels … right. The anticipation of being able to see Neuvillette again so soon might also help.
He tries his best to rein in the giddiness that bubbles up inside his chest, yet Sigewinne seems to pick up on his good mood, anyway. She looks up at him with that knowing gaze that spells trouble from a mile away.
“Looks like you enjoyed this evening, Your Grace”, she says, and it sounds so neutral, but something about it makes Wriothesley's heart stutter in his chest.
“Of course”, he laughs easily. “It's not every day that one meets the Traveler and the Iudex by chance and gets to have dinner with them. I had a lot of fun.” He smiles at her. “I hope you enjoyed yourself as well?”
She huffs gently and scrutinizes him for a bit longer, before she apparently decides to let him off the hook. Folding her hands behind her back, she nods eagerly. “It was a lot of fun. I like the Traveler's company – they're very easy to talk to.”
“That they are.”
The conversation lulls into a bit of companionable silence before Sigewinne speaks up again.
“Say, Your Grace … what important matters did you and Monsieur Neuvillette discuss?”
Shit. And here he thought he was safe.
“I'm not really allowed to say yet, but it's nothing you have to worry about”, he says vaguely, hoping it's enough to deter her. He's always been a shit liar in front of Sigewinne, because for some reason, she manages to look right through him.
Heat crawls up on his face, but the low lantern lights and the moonlight hopefully cover it up.
She hums thoughtfully. “If you say so.” Then, she skips ahead a few steps and throws him a wide smile. “You should head back to the guesthouse and get some rest. I'm going to check out the medicinal herbs at the market.”
A frown settles on his brows. He’s not even sure the market is still open at this hour. “You sure you don't want me to come along?”
“No, don't worry”, she says and her smile widens into something teasing. “I'll see you tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Your Grace.”
His heart plummets into his stomach. Oh, she definitely knows.
Before Wriothesley can sink into a panic about what this exactly means for him and Neuvillette, and what else Sigewinne probably knows or, Gods forbid, noticed, she turns around and skips down the promenade with a pep in her step.