Despite her words, Navia couldn't shake her irritation.
Isn't a temporary assistant still an assistant?
Just moments ago, she and Luna had been exchanging declarations of affection. Now, her partner stood beside Clorinde instead.
Clorinde seemed to sense Navia's turmoil. "Don't worry," she said, "I won't take your partner from you."
"I'd say you've already started taking her," Navia retorted.
Navia took a deep breath. "Though I can't say it's settled, let's begin this way! Even if you're standing opposite me, Lulu, I won't lose."
Luna returned her smile.
Of course she believed this. Who knew they might one day truly face each other in the Trial Court?
Neuvillette nodded. "The defense begins. Please state your cases."
You're actually doing this? Furina stared at Neuvillette in disbelief.
Am I the only sane person here? Is this just my imagination?
Navia slammed both hands on the table. "Clorinde, do you know where you went wrong?"
"..."
Clorinde remained silent, but Luna spoke for her. "Why are you suddenly accusing Miss Clorinde of mistakes?"
"Innocence isn't the same as being without error!"
"Let me tell you this: You might think it was your final strike against my father that took his life, but that's not it at all."
"Your mistake was... underestimating me!"
Navia pressed a hand to her chest, her voice trembling with emotion. "True, I initially harbored resentment toward you, Clorinde. But after understanding the full picture of the events and my father's actions, I... understood everything."
Clorinde paused, then lifted her eyes.
In truth, much of the awkwardness between them had dissipated when Navia first proposed reconciliation. But it was only through this open confrontation that true understanding could be reached.
"Understood everything?"
Navia nodded. "I understood why you did what you did, and why my father did what he did."
Clorinde tugged at Luna's sleeve.
"But Miss Clorinde still took Monsieur Callas's life," Luna said.
Navia had never found her friend so awkward and troublesome before.
Why did she have to make Lulu speak for her?!
But Luna quickly changed her tone.
"In reality, the one who truly took Monsieur Callas's life has already received his due punishment. Miss Clorinde continues to dwell on this point, merely spinning her wheels in place," Luna said.
Clorinde sighed. "Whose side are you on?"
"Of course—"
Navia suddenly grabbed Luna and pulled her back to her side.
"Of course she's on my side!" Navia chuckled mischievously.
Luna sighed helplessly. "Nana..."
Who just steals the opposing counsel right out from under them?
"What's wrong with that? Partners should stick together," Navia declared firmly. "The situation's flipped now, Clorinde. Let me continue—I've earned that right, haven't I?"
Because she was Callas's daughter.
And what she had to say was actually very simple.
"...Dad asked you to do something really tough. I put myself in your shoes and thought about it. If I were in such a situation, I'd feel terrible too."
Clorinde opened her mouth, not expecting Navia to say such a thing.
Normally, anyone would feel displeased with her actions, leading to growing distance until they'd rather die than see each other again... That's what should happen.
But Navia put herself in Clorinde's shoes, trying to understand her.
"You didn't expect me to say this? That's why I said you underestimated me."
Navia smiled confidently. "I'm not that fragile! Besides, the incident is over. Whether it's the Spina di Rosula or me, we should move forward without being bound by the past."
"I, Navia Caspar, do not believe Clorinde committed any crime!"
Clorinde gazed quietly at Navia.
Such spirited and heroic bearing... it didn't resemble her father at all.
"If Monsieur Callas could see you now, he'd be deeply pleased," Clorinde murmured softly.
Navia smiled. "He'd never show such a reaction."
Neuvillette looked between the two.
"It seems the 'trial' is over. I believe Miss Clorinde is also innocent. What's your opinion, Lady Furina?"
Furina snapped out of her thoughts.
"Huh? Oh... ah... cough, of course she's innocent!"
What an enviable friendship.
Furina couldn't help but look at Navia several more times. The current leader of the Spina di Rosula had a character far better than she'd imagined, even bordering on greatness.
When it's all over and I don't have to play my part anymore, will I be able to find such a friendship?
Furina thought absently, glancing at Luna.
The performance is over, so I can make friends now. But what should I say to Luna? She's rejected me so many times!
The mere thought made her cringe, so she decided not to dwell on it.
"Since Nana and Miss Clorinde..." Luna began softly.
"Please call me Clorinde. I'll call you Luna."
Clorinde paused for a moment before asking, "Or perhaps Lulu would be better?"
Navia's gaze immediately pierced into Luna's skin. Without even turning her head, the intensity of her own stare became palpable.
"Call me whatever you prefer," Luna said with a smile.
Navia's eyes shifted to Clorinde's face.
Don't tell me another person is going to call Luna "Lulu" too?
Clorinde nodded. "Then it will be Luna. After all, Navia seems quite reluctant to let me call you Lulu."
"I-I'm not reluctant at all..." Navia's face flushed crimson.
Clorinde smiled faintly. "Then, Lulu. I'll call her that from now on."
The nickname sounded quite delicious, like a sweet and refreshing drink.
"Still not acceptable!" Navia couldn't help but stand up.
After a short while, the tea party continued.
But the atmosphere had already changed.
Navia suddenly recalled, "Speaking of which, what exactly is the Primordial Sea? We only know its name, but something capable of dissolving Fontainians must be extraordinary."
Neuvillette set down his teacup and offered a concise explanation.
"If pressed for an explanation, the name 'Primordial Sea' aptly captures the essence of this liquid. One must acknowledge that Vacher and his associates likely conducted extensive, meticulous investigations..."
"Few are aware that this planet once harbored a unique sea, whose waters differed fundamentally from today's. It nurtured most of Teyvat's lifeforms."
The primordial ocean? Luna mused.
"But the Primordial Sea no longer exists on the planet's surface. It must lie in the deepest recesses beneath."
"I cannot determine whether Vacher discovered an anomaly, a relic from ancient times, or—"
Luna murmured, "A sign of the Prophecy."
Neuvillette nodded solemnly.
Furina's gaze flickered as she turned away.