Chapter: 103 Secrets

(Chapter 103 Secrets)

Something didn't feel right. Tempest's instincts prickled, unease settling deep in his gut like a cold weight. It felt eerily familiar, too familiar. The sudden shift in Furina's behavior, the playful mask slipping back into place after that brief glimpse of something darker, sent a shiver down his spine. It was almost as if he was back in that twisted nightmare, the one where Columbina had toyed with his mind, blurring the line between reality and illusion.

'Is this another trick?' 

He thought to himself, his gaze narrowing as he watched Furina flit around the room like nothing had happened. 

'Is this another illusion?'

He could feel his pulse quicken as his mind replayed the moments he spent trapped under Columbina's game. She had crafted such convincing deceptions, weaving lies with such care that Tempest had nearly lost himself. He remembered the suffocating sense of helplessness, the inability to trust what his own eyes saw. 

And now, here he was again, standing in Furina's room, and it felt all too similar. Her cheerful, almost exaggerated demeanor seemed forced, and it only heightened his suspicions. 

'Is this really, Lady Furina?' 

Tempest wondered, his thoughts spiraling. 

'Or is this just another cruel game?'

He clenched his fists unconsciously, half-expecting the room around him to dissolve into shadow, for Furina's face to morph into something monstrous like Columbina's illusions had done before.

But nothing changed. The room stayed still, and the playful sparkle in Furina's eyes never faded. Yet, the mask she wore, so carefully crafted, it was undeniable. He could see through it now, even if she thought she was hiding it well.

"Tempest?"

Furina's voice pierced through his spiraling thoughts, pulling him back to the present. He blinked, realizing he had been standing there, lost in his own mind, for far too long. The unease still lingered, but her voice had grounded him, at least for now.

"M-My Lady?" 

He responded, his tone a bit shaky as he tried to regain his composure.

Furina tilted her head slightly, her playful expression tinged with a hint of concern. 

"You were staring off into space. Did you hear what I just said?" 

Her eyes narrowed slightly as if trying to read what was going on behind his mask. 

Tempest shifted uncomfortably, realizing he'd been caught in his own head, battling his suspicions and memories. He forced a small smile, trying to push the doubts aside, at least for the moment. 

"I... apologize, My Lady. My mind must've wandered." 

He replied though the tension in his voice betrayed him.

Furina watched him carefully, her playfulness still present, but now there was something else in her eyes. Curiosity? Concern? It was hard to tell. 

"Is something troubling you, Tempest? You've been acting a little... distracted." 

She asked, her voice softening. 

Tempest clenched his jaw, unsure of how to respond. Should he tell her about his growing unease, about the strange shift in her demeanor that had reminded him so much of Columbina's manipulations? No, that would only invite more questions, ones he wasn't sure he wanted to answer. Instead, he took a breath and straightened up.

"Nothing of the sort, My Lady..." 

He finally said, his tone more controlled this time. 

"I've just had a long day. That's all."

Furina raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, she sighed, stepping a little closer to him. 

"Well, I hope you're not too tired to tell me why you're here, at this hour, sneaking into my balcony like this..." 

She said, her voice lilting with its usual mischief again. 

The shift in mood was almost dizzying, but Tempest forced himself to stay focused, locking away the lingering doubt for now. He had come here for a reason, and he needed to get back on track before Furina's ever-changing whims led him somewhere else entirely.

'I wanted to find solace in her...' 

Tempest thought, glancing at Furina as she moved about with her usual energy. But something gnawed at him, a lingering doubt he couldn't shake. 

'That sudden change in her... it makes me feel uneasy. Is she alright?'

He watched her carefully, the playful glint in her eyes masking something deeper, something darker. She had just gone from being cold and distant, nearly furious when he had touched that book, to playful and teasing, as if the moment had never happened. 

He wanted to confide in her, to share the burdens weighing on him after everything that happened tonight. But how could he when she seemed... off? Like she was wearing a mask, concealing her true self even from him. The thought made his chest tighten. 

'Is she hiding something?'

His gaze trailed over her as she turned back to him, her expression playful once again. It felt like looking at a painting, beautiful, but distant, as if he were missing the real picture beneath the surface.

'Is she struggling too?*'

He wondered, his mind racing. 

'And I-' 

"Are you alright, My Lady?"

Tempest finally asked, his voice soft yet laced with concern. He couldn't hold it in any longer. The woman he cared about the most was clearly struggling with something, and it gnawed at him. He wanted to help, to lift her burden.... if she would let him.

Furina turned to him, her eyes wide for a fleeting second before her usual teasing smile returned. 

"I'm quite alright, Tempest." 

She said, waving her hand dismissively as if his question were absurd. 

"Clearly, you're the one in trouble, with your burnt clothes and that worn-out look. Did you seriously sneak off to my balcony just to ask if I'm alright?"

Her voice was light, almost playful, but Tempest could sense the tension behind it like a string pulled too tight. She was good at hiding it, masking her emotions with wit and charm. But this time, he wasn't buying it. He had seen the pain scrawled in her handwriting, the desperate words filling the pages of that book, and now her abrupt change in demeanor only confirmed his suspicions.

"My Lady..." 

He began, but she interrupted him.

"I said, I'm fine." 

She repeated, her tone a little sharper this time, though the smile remained. She turned away, busying herself with rearranging a few items on her desk as if to avoid his gaze. 

"You really shouldn't worry about me."

But Tempest wasn't convinced. He knew her well enough to recognize when she was deflecting, and it hurt to see her doing it now. His mind raced, wondering how he could get through to her without pushing too hard, without making her retreat further into her shell. He wanted to help, to share her burden, but he could only do that if she let him in.

"I just..." 

He started again, choosing his words carefully. 

"I care about you, My Lady. More than you know. If something's troubling you, you don't have to face it alone."

Furina froze for a moment, her back still to him. Her fingers gripped the edge of her desk, her knuckles turning white, but when she turned around, her smile was back, as bright and dazzling as ever. Yet behind it, Tempest could see the cracks starting to show. 

"You're sweet, Tempest." 

She said softly.

"But trust me. Everything is just fine." 

She was hiding something. And Tempest could feel it more than ever now.

Tempest sighed deeply, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. He could feel the distance between them, more than just physical, and it troubled him. But if she wasn't willing to open up, there wasn't much more he could do. He turned toward the balcony, his shoulders slumped slightly, knowing it wasn't the outcome he'd hoped for.

"I apologize for intruding so late..." 

Tempest muttered, his voice low. 

"I'll leave it to you then... But just know, I'm always available, My Lady... whenever you need me."

He placed his hand on the balcony door, preparing to jump into the night sky, away from the Palais Mermonia. His mind was clouded with concern, his heart heavy. He had come here hoping to find some peace, perhaps even to offer her some comfort, but now he felt more distant from her than ever.

As the wind stirred his cloak and he braced himself for the leap, a desperate thought flashed through Furina's mind, one she could no longer ignore.

'No... don't go... please...'

Her fingers trembled at her side, watching him step closer to the edge of the balcony. The emotions she had been keeping locked away, the walls she had built around herself, all seemed to crumble in an instant.

'Please!'

Furina acted without thinking, her feet moving on their own. As Tempest was about to jump, she rushed forward, her hand darting out and grabbing his wrist. The grip was tight, filled with a silent plea she couldn't voice. She didn't care about keeping up appearances now. Her eyes, wide and glistening in the pale moonlight, spoke volumes—ones she had been too afraid to admit.

"Tempest!" 

She gasped, her voice catching in her throat. 

He stopped mid-motion, glancing back at her in surprise. The playful mask was gone now, replaced with raw vulnerability. Her hand clung to his, trembling slightly, as if afraid that letting go would mean losing him forever.

"Don't go..." 

She whispered, her voice barely audible. 

"Please... don't leave me alone."

Her words hung in the air between them, heavy and fragile. Tempest's heart skipped a beat. He had always known there was something deeper behind her mask, but hearing her say it, feeling her desperate grip on his wrist, it hit him harder than he expected.

For a moment, neither of them moved, standing frozen under the starlit sky. Tempest looked into her eyes, searching for the right words. This wasn't the Furina he was used to, the bold, confident Archon who always had a witty retort or a playful tease. This was someone who was tired, who had been carrying a burden for far too long.

"I won't leave." 

Tempest finally said softly, turning back toward her fully. He gently placed his other hand over hers, his expression softening. 

"I'm here. I always will be. You don't have to carry this alone."

Furina swallowed, her throat tight, before nodding slowly. The tension in her shoulders eased, but her grip on his hand remained firm as if she feared he might vanish if she let go. For the first time in a long while, she felt something close to relief, not from the pressure of her duties, but from the presence of someone who cared.

Tempest stayed, his gaze never leaving her, waiting for her to find the words she needed to say. In that quiet moment, something shifted between them, a silent understanding that went beyond words. 

Tempest guided her gently, his hand still resting over hers, and they moved back inside her room. Furina's head remained lowered, her expression hidden beneath her long silver-blue hair, her earlier playful demeanor now completely gone. The silence between them was thick, filled with unspoken words and emotions she couldn't bring herself to express.

As they entered the dimly lit room, Tempest glanced around, searching for a place where they could sit. He spotted the edge of Furina's grand, king-sized bed and guided her there. The two of them sat down, side by side, the weight of the moment hanging over them like a storm cloud. The flickering candlelight added to the intimacy of the scene, casting long shadows across the room.

Tempest turned toward her, his voice softer now, his usual sternness replaced with concern.

"What's troubling you, My Lady?" 

He asked gently, leaning in slightly as if to coax the truth from her. 

Furina remained silent, her eyes fixed on the floor. She wanted to answer him, she truly did, but something deep inside kept her from speaking. Her hands trembled slightly as she fought with herself, the internal battle raging within her mind. She had been hiding this burden for so long, burying it beneath layers of wit, charm, and authority. But now, sitting here with Tempest, that façade felt paper-thin.

"I... I..." 

She stammered, struggling to find her voice. But before she could continue, a familiar voice echoed in her mind, cold and unyielding.

'You can't tell him... for his sake, for Fontaine's sake. You know what will happen.'

The voice stopped her, freezing her words in her throat. Her lips parted, but nothing came out. She gripped the fabric of her gown tightly, her knuckles turning white as the internal struggle grew fiercer.

'I can't do this anymore! Please! Just let me tell him! At least him!'

Furina screamed inwardly, the desperation rising like a tide threatening to drown her.

But the voice remained firm, its tone harsh and unrelenting.

'You know you cannot do that. To protect them, to protect him, you must remain silent.'

Tears welled up in Furina's eyes, but she quickly blinked them away before they could fall. She couldn't show him this side of her, she couldn't let him see her weakness. She had to be strong, for herself, for Fontaine, for everyone. But the weight of it all felt unbearable, and for the first time in a long while, she wished she could lean on someone, just for a moment. She wished she could let him in.

But the voice was right. She couldn't. Not even him.

Tempest watched her closely, the flickers of emotion dancing across her face as she wrestled with her thoughts. He could sense the turmoil, the pain she was hiding, and it tore at him. He wanted to reach out, to take her hand and assure her that whatever it was, they could face it together. But he also knew he couldn't force her to speak before she was ready.

He waited, giving her the time she needed, even though every second of her silence only deepened his concern.

"My Lady…?" 

Tempest's voice was soft but carried the weight of his concern as he called out to her, his eyes searching her face for answers. 

Furina slowly turned to face him, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She tried desperately to hold them back, but the emotions swirling within her were too much to bear. For a moment, she looked vulnerable, exposed, as if the weight of her secrets was pressing down too heavily for her to carry alone.

But then, in a heartbeat, she forced a smile, a smile that didn't reach her eyes. It was as if she had flipped a switch, pulling the mask back into place, her pride unwilling to allow anyone, especially him, to see her true fragility.

"I'm fine, Tempest." 

Furina said, her voice soft but strained. It was a lie, and they both knew it, but she said it anyway, hoping it would make everything seem a little less complicated.

Tempest frowned, his heart sinking as he heard the words. He didn't believe her for a second. That smile she gave him, it was the same smile she wore when presiding over the Court of Fontaine, the smile she used to keep everyone at arm's length, to maintain control over her image. But this was different. They weren't in court. They were alone, in the quiet stillness of her room, where the real her, the woman behind the Archon, was standing before him, struggling to hide her pain.

"My Lady… I know you're not fine." 

Tempest replied softly, his tone firm but gentle, as if he were trying to coax her into lowering her defenses. 

"You don't have to hide it from me. Whatever it is, you don't have to carry it alone."

Her forced smile wavered for a moment, but she quickly steadied herself. She wanted so badly to believe him, to let him in, but the voice in her mind, the same one that had kept her silent for so long, held her back.

'You cannot tell him. Protect him from the truth.'

Furina's grip on her gown tightened as she battled with herself. She was the Hydro Archon, the ruler of Fontaine. She was supposed to be strong, unshakable. But here, in this quiet room, with Tempest looking at her with such concern, it felt like the walls she had built around herself were beginning to crumble.

"I… I can't." 

She whispered, her voice barely audible. She shook her head slightly, refusing to meet his gaze. 

"I can't burden you with this…"

Tempest leaned in slightly, his heart aching to see her like this. He wanted to pull her into his arms, to tell her that whatever it was, they could face it together, that he would be there for her no matter what. But he knew better than to push her. Furina was proud, and her pride wouldn't allow her to open up so easily.

"You're not a burden to me, Furina." 

Tempest said softly, using her name instead of the formal title he usually addressed her by. 

"You never could be. I'm here for you, no matter what."

Furina's breath hitched, and for a moment, she almost believed him. Almost. But the voice in her mind wouldn't let her.

'Do not tell him. Do not drag him into this.'

Her heart ached, and though she wanted so desperately to lean on him, to find solace in his words, she couldn't. 

"I… appreciate that." 

Furina said, her voice barely holding together as she brushed away a tear that had slipped down her cheek. 

"But some things… I just need to handle on my own."

Tempest could only nod, though every fiber of his being wanted to reach out and take her pain away. He knew now was not the time to press further, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was weighing on her soul, something she wasn't ready to share, but desperately needed to.

And so, they sat there in silence, the unspoken words hanging between them, the weight of their emotions heavy in the air. Tempest remained by her side, offering his presence, even though he knew that for now, that was all he could do.

"If I tell you my secret, would you tell-" 

Tempest's words trailed off as he glanced down at Furina, his eyes softened at the sight before him.

Furina had fallen asleep, her head resting gently on his shoulder. The tension that had gripped her moments ago had melted away in her sleep, leaving behind a peaceful, if slightly pained, expression. Her usually sharp and commanding demeanor was replaced with something much more fragile, vulnerable, even. 

But what struck Tempest most was the tear still clinging to her lashes. It glistened in the dim light of the room, then slowly slid down her cheek, tracing the path of many others that had fallen before. Even in her sleep, she couldn't fully escape whatever torment haunted her.

Tempest's heart clenched at the sight. This woman, the Hydro Archon, who was revered by an entire nation, was sitting here next to him, asleep and silently crying. He couldn't help but feel the deep chasm of loneliness she must have been hiding from everyone, even from him.

He let out a quiet sigh, careful not to disturb her slumber. Gently, he raised a hand, hesitating for a moment, before brushing away the tear that had lingered on her cheek. His touch was light, almost as if he feared that doing so would wake her up and remind her of all the walls she had erected around herself. But she remained still, her breathing steady, and he let his hand fall away slowly.

'You hide so much behind that smile of yours, don't you, My Lady?'

Tempest thought to himself, glancing at her once more. He shifted slightly, making sure she was comfortable leaning against him. 

'I wish I could take that pain away, even just for tonight.'

He knew that whatever secret she was hiding, it was tearing her apart inside. He could sense it, feel it in every word she hadn't spoken, in every look she tried to disguise with her playful mask. But no matter how much he wanted to ease her burden, he also knew she wasn't ready to share it, at least not yet.

And perhaps, in her own way, this was the only way she could seek comfort from him, by letting herself rest beside him, even if only for a little while.

Tempest leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling, lost in his own thoughts. He had come here to find solace in her, to escape the darkness that had been growing inside him after everything he had been through. But now, sitting here with her, he realized that they were both trapped in their own struggles, bound by the weight of unspoken words.

"I guess we both have our secrets, don't we?" 

He whispered softly, more to himself than to her, as he closed his eyes, feeling the weight of the night settle over them. The room was quiet now, save for the gentle rhythm of Furina's breathing. And for the first time in a while, Tempest felt a sense of peace, even if it was fleeting.

As the minutes passed, he stayed by her side, unmoving, watching over her as she slept, his mind still swirling with unanswered questions and unspoken confessions. But for now, he would let her rest. 

Gently, Tempest lifted Furina into a princess carry, cradling her against his chest as he moved her closer to her bed. The warmth of her body against him felt both comforting and painful, a reminder of the weight she carried and the fragility of her spirit. As he lowered her onto the soft sheets, he took a moment to adjust her position, ensuring she was comfortable and secure.

"Rest, My Lady…" 

He murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to disturb the fragile peace that had settled over her. He took one last glance at her serene face, the gentle rise and fall of her chest calming his racing heart. 

With a tenderness that belied the turmoil within him, he took her hand, brushing his thumb over her delicate fingers. He then leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the back of her hand, a silent vow of his commitment to protect her. 

"I will not let you suffer alone." 

He promised quietly, as if sharing the words with the stars outside her window.

Reluctantly, he turned to leave, aware that the moment was fleeting but unable to shake the feeling that he needed to act. As he approached the balcony, he moved as quietly as possible, each step deliberate and measured, careful not to disturb the tranquility of her sleep.

"I know your problems are tied to the prophecy. I will find a solution, one way or another. If this nation must drown, it will do so without you." 

.