The Iudex's day off

Chapter 21 - To Meropide we go

 And yet he always seems to conveniently have it on hand.

 Like that time when he-

 Let's not talk about that.

 "It was a gift from Furina. I can't bear not to take it with me with how she smiles every time she sees me have it on me." He sighed.

 So...

 "It's not some legendary magical item?"

 Just a normal cane?

 "While it isn't something miraculous, it does have its uses."

 "For example?"

 "It stops my horns from glowing when I use my elemental powers under a certain threshold."

 Oh. So it's a clever disguise? 

 "And what would that threshold be, if you don't mind me asking?"

 "Allow me to compare it to something you might understand a bit better. Holding back the Primordial Sea is below that threshold. Sealing it is slightly above it."

 Hmm.

 I get it.

 ...

 Like hell I do!

 But with the expression he was wearing, I knew he wouldn't elaborate further.

 Or will he?

 "Let's just say you won't see my horn glowing anytime soon, Wriothesely."

 Yeah.

 No, he won't.

 With a small smile that somehow seemed more like a smirk, he disappeared down the hallway, leaving me with Sigewinne who-

 "He just mocked you." She said dryly.

 "Yeah, I got that."

 It's a bit unexpected.

 The Chief Justice's icy demeanor seems to be cracking day by day.

 "Have you packed up everything?"

 "Yep. But, Your Grace."

 "Yes?"

 "Where will Dad be staying?"

 Oh, that...

 Hahaha...

 About that...

 I don't know!

 We had already arrived in Meropide and I still hadn't figured out exactly where I could let Neuvillette sleep!

 There was one more problem I had too.

 We-

 We were attracting far too much attention!

 Well, Neuvillette was, anyway.

 Not too surprising. Who would expect the Chief Justice to come to Meropide?

 And how on Teyvat does he still manage to look so elegant while carrying Sigewinne?

 "You don't seem to mind the stares, Monsieur Neuvillette." I couldn't help but point out.

 He was royally ignoring every single one of them.

 "If I couldn't stand being stared at, I would not have remained Iudex for so long, DUke Wriothesely. It's not hard to ignore a few hostile glances. As long as they are directed at me, that is."

 So as long as they don't start staring at Sigewinne, they will continue to be ignored. And if they do turn their hostility towards Sigewinne, they might just end up with a few mysterious bruises, won't they?

 I couldn't help but chuckle at the underlying meaning of his words, saying a silent prayer for anyone who dared to throw a wrong glance toward our dear Head Nurse in the Chief Justice's presence.

 To think I would hear the Iudex throwing out open threats like this.

 And just as we were about to walk by a certain set of stairs, it was time for Sigewinne to ask the question she had been meaning to since morning.

 "Monsieur Neuvillette, can I perhaps-"

 "No."

 She was shut down quite quickly.

 I did expect him to say no, but this...

 And indeed, Sigewinne started to pout. 

 "Even if you pout, my answer will  remain the sa-"

 "Dad."

 Oh, wow! She pulled that out?

 Low blow there, Sigewinne!

 "Dad, please?" She asked pitifully.

 "No." Neuvillette said again, but I could clearly see his resolve crumbling.

 If I could see it, so could Sigewinne.

 "Please, Dad. Pretty please?"

 This time, instead of answering, Neuvillette turned to me.

 "Duke Wriothesely, could you perhaps-"

 "Asigne some people to keep an eye on Sigewinne? Of course, I can!"

 The glare that followed seemed to scream: That's not what I meant and you know it.

 But it was too late at this point.

 "Wow! Thank you, Dad!"

 Before Neuvillette could get in another word Sigewinne placed a small kiss on his cheek before wriggling out of the frozen dragon's embrace and running off.

 As For Neuvillette...

 He was left behind utterly stunned.

 His hand slowly reached to his cheek as he stared blankly after Sigewinne.

 "Monsieur-"

 "Not a word!" He hissed walking ahead.

 He may have gone ahead to block my line of sight, but even so, I could still spot the red ends of his ears peeking out from under his hair as he walked.

 Pfft!

 So that's how you defeat a dragon.