To investigate the prophecy surrounding Fontaine, Furina had done far more than merely play the role of a deity. One of her more effective measures was establishing a personal underground intelligence network, one that operated exclusively under her.
Though she had no interest in uncovering the secrets of other nations, she still knew a thing or two about the most well-known figures.
From what she had gathered, Inazuma was home to Kamisato Ayaka, the esteemed lady of the Kamisato Clan; the Watatsumi Island priestess Sangonomiya Kokomi, known as the "Incarnate Divine Priestess"; and a Grand Narukami Shrine maiden by the name of Yae Miko…
And those were just the famous ones. There were countless other beautiful women who simply lacked the same renown.
All in all, Furina felt she absolutely had to do something.
"You don't have to come see me every day," she offered, trying to sound casual. "You're busy. Just once a week is fine, alright?"
Aether had no objections. "Sure. But…"
He hadn't even finished his sentence before Furina cut him off.
"Do you have any more of that ice cream?" she asked suddenly.
Aether smiled and pulled one out without hesitation. "Of course."
Furina took it and looked it over before cautiously checking that no one was nearby. She took a tiny bite.
"Bitter," she murmured.
"Bitter?" Aether blinked, clearly surprised. "How could it be bitter? I made every one of those sweet."
"It is bitter," Furina insisted, then lifted the treat toward him. "Here, try it."
Without thinking, Aether leaned in to take it. But instead of handing it over, Furina kissed him.
The act stunned him. Completely caught off guard, he didn't realize that Furina, after panicking about the thought of him being stolen away by another woman, had finally come to terms with her own feelings.
It was her first kiss—and since it was her doing, it didn't last long. There was no tongue involved… but when it ended, she turned on her heel, clearly intending to run.
Only to be caught.
Aether grabbed her wrist, his gaze amused. "Running off right after a kiss? Is this what the God of Justice does—leave after committing the crime?"
"I—I wasn't!" Furina protested weakly, unable to break free from his hold.
"Weren't what? Weren't kissing me, or weren't being irresponsible? Lady Furina, that was my first kiss. Don't you think you owe me an explanation?"
Held in place by his hand, she had no choice but to meet his eyes.
"If you don't have any better ideas, I've got one," Aether teased, his tone purposefully flirtatious. "Why don't you become my girlfr—"
"Stop. No," Furina interrupted firmly. All her shyness was gone in a flash.
Aether froze. He'd been certain the mood had led them here naturally. So what had gone wrong?
"Sorry. Was I being too flippant? Did I offend you?" he asked seriously, realizing he might've pushed too far. Maybe their relationship wasn't at that stage yet.
"No. It's not that. You didn't offend me." Furina looked like she was about to cry. "But… but…"
She didn't dislike the mischievous Aether. In fact, she preferred that version of him over this sudden serious one. But she knew what he was about to say—so she interrupted him on purpose.
"But what is it?" Aether asked gently. "Don't be afraid. Take your time. I'm here for you."
Then it hit him. Something he'd overlooked all this time.
"I like you. I want to be with you, right now, Sora. But I can't. The prophecy still looms over me. Furina is still Focalors. And Focalors can't be with you… she'd only hurt you."
Her voice was barely a whisper, trembling with emotion.
Now Aether understood.
He had taken everything too lightly. Everything had gone so smoothly since his return that he'd almost forgotten—many girls carried burdens in their hearts. And Furina's burden… was the prophecy. Only when Fontaine was truly safe, and only when she was no longer shackled by the title of Hydro Archon, could they truly be together.
"I understand now. It was my mistake. I rushed things," Aether said with sincere remorse. "I'm sorry, Furina."
Love wasn't about possession. It was about understanding. Patience. Kindness.
Seeing her still on the verge of tears, Aether's heart ached.
But then he smiled. "That said… you did steal a kiss. You think I'm just gonna let that go?"
"C-Compensate?" Furina blinked, repeating the word in confusion. "What kind of compensation? I've got plenty of Mora… If it's a gift you want, I can—mmph!"
She couldn't finish her sentence.
Sora had said nothing. He simply stepped forward, embraced her, popped the remainder of her ice cream into his mouth—and kissed her.
Hard.
Furina resisted at first, but it didn't last. Against Aether, she had no strength to fight back.
"Alright," Aether said playfully. "That was the compensation. After all, nothing is more precious to me than a kiss from the Hydro Archon herself."
"You… you bully," Furina whispered, her knees practically giving out.
He'd kissed her far too aggressively. She hadn't even been able to stop him from slipping his tongue in—and now her mouth was full of his taste. It was gross! She wasn't talking to him anymore! All he did was tease her!
"Well then, Lady Furina, I'll be off," Aether said with a wink. "Don't worry, I used a Hydro Elemental Shield just now. No one saw us."
"You're leaving… now?" Furina forgot her complaints and looked at him, eyes wide.
"Of course. After all, you haven't given me an official title. And I do have business to attend to. But don't worry—I'll be back tomorrow."
And just like that, he vanished.
"I do want to give you a title…" Furina murmured, eyes downcast.
Just as she turned to leave, something caught her eye beside the Fountain of Lucine: an ice cream cone… and a bouquet of pink roses.
Next to the roses was a card.
"In Mondstadt, pink roses symbolize discretion. Last night was our secret. Please… never forget."
Another card sat by the ice cream.
"Bitter? That's strange. We both tried it, and I'm sure it's sweet."
Furina picked up both items. A smile tugged at her lips.
"Yes… it is sweet. Our little secret, huh?"
Then she recalled something else.
Pink roses also symbolized:
First love. Courtship. Affection. Special care.
"So I am the first," she whispered.
It's said that on that very morning, many citizens of Fontaine saw Lady Furina walking into the Opéra Épiclèse.
In one hand, she carried a bouquet of pink roses. In the other, a strange object that looked a bit like a microphone.
Some even claimed that every time she licked that object, she smiled.
And so it was widely agreed—whatever that thing was, it must have been the sweetest dessert in the world.
Otherwise, why would Lady Furina be smiling like that the entire time?
Later that day, Charlotte, a well-known journalist, managed to catch Furina for a question following a court session.
"Is that a new kind of dessert, Lady Furina?" she asked.
Furina glanced down at the item in her hand.
"A dessert?" she said softly. "No… It's bitter."