Volume 1, Chapter 4: Want to Touch?

The next day, Furina nervously opened the morning newspapers. After the previous incident, she had stopped reading those trashy tabloids.

The newspapers in her hands were all from reputable publishing houses in Fontaine, the very ones that had been invited to the press conference the day before.

Furina closed her eyes, slowly pinched a corner of the paper, and then snapped it open, her eyes widening.

The headline screamed: Hydro Archon Focalors' First Press Conference Since Taking Office a Resounding Success!

Furina continued reading in disbelief, finding no mention of her embarrassing performance from the previous day. Instead, the newspaper featured a photo of her standing confidently on the press conference stage before her speech, looking remarkably poised.

She appeared positively radiant.

Only Furina herself knew the truth. Just yesterday, she had tearfully confessed her struggles to Richard, a memory that still made her blush.

But one newspaper couldn't prove anything. Furina quickly grabbed another.

The headline screamed: "In-Depth Analysis of Administrative Minister Furina's Vision—Reporters Amazed by Her Genius!"

Furina was immediately captivated. As she devoured the article, only one thought echoed in her mind:

Oh, so that's what I was thinking!

Truly, I am amazing!

Furina resolved to carefully clip and treasure this article. The author understood her so well; she would make it her mission to meet them and claim them as a kindred spirit.

Meanwhile, Richard sneezed in the next room. The previous day, he had gathered several newspaper publishers for dinner, personally managed the public narrative, and even hand-written a sycophantic article himself—truly the most dedicated worker in City Hall.

"Hey, if he hadn't gone into politics, he'd have made a great journalist. He's a master at driving the narrative and can write compelling soft features—a true all-rounder in the news world!"

"Did I catch a cold from working late again?" Richard rubbed his nose and muttered.

"If you're getting sick from drinking tea, reading the newspaper, and occasionally reviewing documents—that's hardly strenuous work, Lord Richard—I suggest you start exercising properly," Lynette said without looking up as she placed a cup of black tea on the table.

"Illness isn't determined by workload. Even the healthiest people can get sick," Richard earnestly explained.

"Mhm, so?" Lynette replied dismissively, continuing with her work.

"I'm sick. Terribly sick," Richard clutched his chest, his face contorting in mock pain.

"Oh dear, are you alright? Should I take you to a doctor?" Lynette asked with practiced nonchalance, playing along with his theatrics.

"No need. Only a heart doctor can cure a heart ailment. All I need is for Miss Lynette to grace my home for a simple dinner tonight."

"Should I warm your bed too?"

"If you insist..."

Richard hissed as Lynette's cat tail sharply swatted the back of his hand.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! My tail gets a bit mischievous sometimes. I apologize on its behalf," Lynette said with an innocent smile that could melt any heart.

Who could possibly stay angry at that smile? Richard thought. She could stomp on my foot and I'd forgive her!

His gaze involuntarily drifted downward, taking in her legs encased in black stockings. The curves were flawless, not a millimeter too much or too little.

"Want to touch?"

The sudden voice in his ear startled him. Richard straightened up, his face flushed with mock indignation. "What kind of man do you take me for?"

He glanced around furtively before whispering, "Really? Can I?"

A delicate smile played on Lynette's face. "No. It's still office hours."

"So, after work..."

"Still no."

Richard's expression crumpled in mock despair. Lynette twirled a strand of hair around her finger. "Unless... Father approves, of course..."

"Considering Arlecchino's attitude towards me, do you really think that's possible?" Richard retorted irritably. "You were there when I took you from her. She nearly killed me back then."

The Knave- Arlecchino, his former colleague, harbored deep animosity towards him. This animosity, already pronounced in Snezhnaya, had only intensified in Fontaine, where his permanent residency inevitably clashed with the authority of the Fatui Harbinger responsible for the region. Richard's arrival wasn't a mere "vacation" like the other Fatui Harbingers; he was here permanently, inevitably encroaching upon Arlecchino's territory.

Despite Richard's formal resignation from the Fatui in Snezhnaya, the Tsaritsa had retained his position for him, preserving much of his former authority. This lingering influence was one reason he had rapidly ascended to become the second-in-command at City Hall.

Lynette's eyes flickered thoughtfully. She didn't believe Father harbored any genuine personal prejudice against Richard, despite his openly hostile and even antagonistic remarks. She and her brother, Lyney, served as a buffer between them, constantly working to prevent their conflict from escalating.

Yet Lynette's womanly intuition told her that there was more to this than met the eye. After all, if [ Father ] truly despised someone, she would stop at nothing to eliminate them, just as she had done with the previous [ Knave ]. But Richard remained untouched.

If Richard could read Lynette's mind, he would have vehemently refuted this somewhat lovestruck girl's assumptions. [ What if he's simply stronger than Arlecchino? What if she couldn't lay a hand on him? ]

Of course, Richard could never voice such thoughts to Lynette. After rescuing her, he had casually entrusted her training to [ The Knave ]. As the saying goes, "Nurture is a greater kindness than birth".

Though neither Richard nor [ The Knave ] were prone to venting their frustrations on others, Lynette and her brother still found themselves uncomfortably caught in the crossfire.

"That's because [ Father ] thought you were trying to take advantage of me," Lynette said, her tail flicking as if she'd just had an epiphany. She turned a thoughtful gaze toward Richard. "After all... who asks someone to be their secretary right off the bat?"

"What's wrong with being a secretary?" Richard asked.

Richard was incredibly particular about his secretaries. It wasn't a position just anyone could handle!

In his mind, the role of a secretary was sacred. Only a beautiful woman who was diligent, responsible, meticulous, and looked stunning in black stockings could possibly measure up.

"It's nothing," Lynette said pointedly. "I had some idea what I was getting into when I agreed to work for you."

Richard's heart skipped a beat. He focused intently and asked, "What kind of idea?"

"Who knows?" Lynette replied, lowering her head to clear away the tea set.

Richard clenched his left fist and tapped it against his right palm, suddenly understanding. "So you've had feelings for me all along! That's understandable. As a half-elf, my irresistible charm is quite... overwhelming."

Lynette couldn't be bothered to humor his narcissism. After organizing the documents and placing them before him, she said coolly, "If that makes you happy, Lord Richard. Afternoon tea is over. It's time to report to Lady Furina."