Chapter 39: Bad for the Heart

"Wait here, I'll go get the keys," Clervie said as she went.

My heart was beating so fast and my arms were sweating profusely. I should stop thinking about this.

I waited for her to come back in a chair near the stairs we had climbed. Despite all of my memories, my body didn't seem to listen as it continued to unconsciously pump liquid out of me. 

"Think about anything else, don't think about what happened earlier. Right! Count sheeps!"

Closing my eyes, I imagined sheep jumping off the fences as I counted them one by one. It barely helped and proof is my heart still beating wildly. 

Despite my efforts, my mind still found a way to distract me, and soon the sheep turned into Clervie.

"Ahhhhhh Stopppp!" I silently screamed as I clutched my head.

It was then that I heard a voice coming from downstairs. "Eh? Leo, are you alright? Does your head hurt?" Clervie looked at me with concern.

"No, I'm fine, I just remembered something embarrassing," I replied trying to give a believable reason.

She chuckled in response before opening the door, and we sat across from one another. Inside, the silence stretched between us, the room thick with the scent of awkwardness and subtle unease.

There's an undeniable fact that my body is facing some sort of attraction or childhood crush, and I'm not happy about it.

Before long, I decided to kick-start the conversation with anything that came to mind.

"So, I'm going to Liyue soon and I was wondering if there's something you want? I'll go buy it for you and you can just repay me later. I'll go ask Peruere about it later too." Why is this the first thing that came to mind? Ask something else dammit!

"No, it's fine! You've already given us a lot. You don't have to do this," Clervie said as she waved her hands in refusal.

"No, no, no. I'm doing this because we're friends. If you don't say anything I'll buy the most expensive thing I could find and give it to you." I insisted.

"That's just," I could see Clervie's lips raised with guilt. She might really feel indebted to us.

"Then, what is it? I can buy anything just say the word!" I said as I raised my hand and pumped my chest with the other. Mora rules the world!

"Then, I want a Perfume..." Clervie said softly. I could see her hands gripping the other strongly, but I dismissed it as I thought it was nothing.

"Perfume? Consider it done!"

Afterward, we talked some more about what to expect in Liyue. She's knowledgeable about Liyue for some reason, she even knows about the current trends and the well-known families there. She even told me who to avoid and who to try to get associated with. 

After the talk, a brief silence lingered and I finally asked something important.

"S-so, how are the "activities"?" I asked while scratching the back of my neck.

"It's been going well lately" She continued with an expression that betrayed her cheerful voice. "It's getting harder but we'll manage,"

I could feel the hesitation in her voice. She might not say it but I can feel her chaotic emotions.

"You know, you don't have to lie to me. It's getting unbearable is it?" I said as I reached for my pockets.

I continued. "You can tell me if there's any problem. Dad and I could lend you a hand, even if not directly." I then took her hand and gave her a pouch of mora, gripping it tightly.

She tried to give it back to me by putting it back in my hand but I refused and shook my head in response.

"It's your's, I have a lot of mora to spare, this much is nothing to me," I said.

Her face became apologetic and a hint of restraint mixed with something that I can't figure out filled her eyes.

She pocketed the mora and smiled at me like usual.

"Y-yes, sorry if I lied. I don't want to increase Lord Pantalone's work and if possible," Her face was then covered in gloom and I could feel the hesitation in her voice as her hands slightly trembled. " I want to... repay you for everything you've done for us."

I don't have to be a psychic to know that something is going on. This is not how Clervie usually acts. And what about the sudden dress-up? This is not the dress she wore earlier when I saw her. 

"You don't have to repay us, to be honest, we're happy to help you. We also gain a lot by doing this so don't be guilty." I said with a smile on my face.

I observed her actions as I spoke. Her eyes seemed to lose life and her face remained strained as she bit her lower lip.

The bell rang signaling the start of lunch. It took us out of our conversation and got ready to go to the Cafeteria.

"Clervie, let's go eat-"

As I was about to invite her, she dashed out of the room and ran somewhere yelling. "I'm sorry! Go eat with Peruere today, I have something important to do!"

I waved at her as she went and walked towards the Cafeteria. As I traveled down the corridor, a sudden pull surprised me and I was dragged to the women's bathroom.

"Shhh, don't yell, someone might notice." Peruere covered my mouth with her hands as she pinned me on one of the stalls.

Outside we could hear female voices conversing with each other, talking about mundane stuff and the missions they were given, often complaining about its difficulty.

A few minutes passed and they finally left. 

"Looks like they're gone," Peruere released me from her inhuman grip. "Leo, there's something you need to know."

"You don't have to kidnap me like that! And in the women's bathroom at that!" I complained with hushed yells.

"I'm sorry if it feels forceful, but it's the only way I could get to talk to you normally."

With a frown I replied. "What do you mean?"

Peruere stuck to the sides and peeked outside as she replied. "I'm being watched, same goes for you and Clervie."

I then replied flatly. "What's new about that? I'm getting watched wherever I go."

"Then let me rephrase it for you, you're every move is getting monitored. I've noticed it when you arrived. Most of our siblings are watching you intently and they even mother is watching you."

"She's been watching me since the start," I replied jokingly.

Peruere didn't appreciate my attempt at humor. Her hand shot out, grabbing the collar of my shirt and pulling me against the wall.

"Don't you get it?" Her voice sharp." They're moving, and if we don't do anything about it I'm afraid things could become worse than what it is now."

My eyes locked on hers as I felt her grip slowly loosening. I could see her hands turning black as she let go of me.

 I coughed, rubbing my neck, trying to shake off the uncomfortable sensation. She didn't need to be so forceful.

"Alright, I get it," I said, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Is Clervie part of it too?"

As I mentioned Clervie's name, Peruere's expression shifted. Her hands clenched into fists, the blackness spreading further up her arms. Her voice dropped to a hoarse whisper. "I'm afraid she is,"

That explains it. I need to tell Dad about this.

"Do you know what they're planning?" I asked.

"I think it's obviously in plain sight." She replied.

She's right, the way Clervie was dressed screamed seduction to me. Even though her acting was not the best.

"Do you think she betrayed us?" I asked, trying to hear Peruere's judgment.

She replied, her voice hopeful but reserved. "I want to believe she didn't, but..." She didn't continue what she was about to say. I can only assume that she didn't want to face it.

A voice of a few Fatuus interrupted us as they entered the bathroom.

We hid in one of the stalls. Peruere lifted me up so as to not show my feet on the ground. 

"Look up," Peruere said with a frown.

As I looked up, I heard something getting unbuttoned and curiosity got the best of me and I looked down. In there, I saw Peruere as she pulled down her pants.

"Hey! What are you doing!" I said, shocked by her sudden action. 

"If you dare look down I'll make sure there will be nothing left of you when you go home." She warned and I could feel her killing intent getting released.

"They will look down to see if there are people in the stalls. It would be weird if they see me not... you know what I'm trying to say." She explained.

"That doesn't make sense! If you just tell them that you're here, won't they leave?!" I reasoned.

"Some people would be doing something inappropriate in the stalls so it became a habit for them to check." 

What inappropriate things?! This is making me feel really curious!

Feeling how serious she was, I reined in my curiosity and the voice in my head telling me to look down.

The Fatuus inspected each of the stalls and knocked on each and one of them. Finally, they reached where we were hiding, knocking on the door. My hair stood up from the fear of getting discovered and being called a pervert for the rest of my life or getting killed by Peruere.

"It's me, Peruere."

"What are you doing here? It's lunchtime." They asked.

"I have a bad stomach. I'll be there after I'm done with my business."

I heard the guards murmuring to each other and their shadow slowly expanded on the ground. I saw a hair peeked below as they looked to confirm.

"Go back when you're done." With that, they left.

We exited the bathroom moments later and walked out as if nothing happened.