Love and Betrayal | Wriolette

Chapter 1: The Duke

As Wriothesley was finishing up work in his office, just him and his tea as usual, he couldn't help but think about everything that had happened over such a short amount of time. Lady Furina had shocked everyone with her facade, and Fontaine was left witlh no archon, alas. and with Focalors now gone, the prophecy had been fulfilled, and Neuvillette was given authority to "forgive" the sins of the people of Fontaine, allowing them to become genuine humans, assuring they would not dissolve come the primordial sea water.

As the Duke's thoughts ran along, he heard a quiet voice peeping out from outside the office doors. "Hello? Duke? Are you in here?" A high-pitched voice said coming from behind the door.

"Sigewinne? What are you doing around here?" Wriothesley said in a quiet yet slightly concerned voice. Sigewinne didn't come by the office too often, only once in a while to ask a question or report something about a patient. "Could I come in please?" She asked in a polite voice. "No need to ask. Come on in" Wriothesley said gently. Usually, he wasn't much of an empathetic guy, but Sigewinne was an exeption as she was just a Melusine and one of the only people accompanying him down in the fortress. Sigewinne made her way inside and up towards the Duke.

"Sorry if I'm intruding.." Sigewinne said softly, looking down at the floor. "But I couldn't help but notice how you haven't left the fortress in a while. You know, the human body needs sunlight as often as possible for it to grow efficiently, and you've been in here by yourself for a while. Also, humans need constant interaction to work their brains, and you how it can get pretty lonely down here in the fortress.." Sigewinne said, concerned about the Duke's well being.

"Oh.. I suppose you are right.." He said, hand on his chin, really taking into consideration of what she had just said. It was true, he usually doesn't go too long without leaving the fortress. But ever since the prophecy and what not, he hadn't stepped foot out of the Fortress of Meropide. "Thank you, Sigewinne. But I should be fine. I'll make time to go out when I'm not so busy." He said with a smile. He had really appreciated how she had come all the way down to his office just to check on his well being. She really was a great nurse.

"Ah, of course Duke! Just please, remember to get out soon. Your body does need sunlight!" She said smiling. "Well, I'll be off now! Remember to take good care of yourself, and not work too hard." Sigewinne said softly in an uplifting voice as she made her way back to the nursing quarters.

She was right, Wriothesley thought to himself. He had been drowning in work after everything that had happened recently, and hadn't had much time to himself to go outside of the fortress, nor had he had time to perhaps go out for tea, or socialize at all. Although, he doubted there would be much sunlight with the current situation, and how with Focalors now being gone had taking a toll on Iudex Neuvillette. But he made a promise to himself to try and go out.

"God.. more paperwork..?" The Duke sighed. He had enough of this crap. Sigewinne was right, he had been working day and night lately, and the day was still young, being early in the afternoon. "Well, it shouldn't be too dark" He said standing up, throwing on his coat. As he left the office, he sighed as he felt a sense of relief running through his body. "Finally, a well deserved break" He whispered under his breath, making his way to the elevator. But when he finally arrived outside, not to his surprise, it was raining.

"Ah. So the weather hasn't changed." He said, slightly annoyed. Well, annoyed until he remembered what rain meant in Fontaine, that is. He carried a worried expression on his face, wondering how Neuvillette had been doing, subsequent to the occurrence of the prophecy. "Well, no umbrella." He sighed. "Whatever, at least I'm getting out. This is good for you, Wriothesley" He whispered to himself. But as he walked, he noticed something in the corner of his eye sitting by the Fountain of Lucine. Could it be? The Iudex? He had never seen Neuvillette anywhere outside when it rained, for obvious reasons. What was he doing there? "Should I go.. talk to him?" He thought to himself. Sigewinne did mention interaction was nessecary to work the brain, and he hadn't had a proper, friendly conversation with anyone but Sigewinne for the past few weeks. The Iudex did look like he needed some comforting too.. maybe someone to talk too? And they were friends, right? Wriothesley's brain ran on as he made his way towards the fountain, getting closer to the Iudex..

"Neuvillette?"