:)) continuing off of #17!!
{Self-Harm}
———————-

As furina walked out she thought about everything, everything she went though. To the point of her capture in her office.. to the interrogation, the moment she saw the rage and frustrated look in the eyes of her capture mysterious dark eyes, and now, her very own brother was sighing off her freedom to a woman she dreaded. The same woman who took her life during the great flood that struck the bustling city of Fontaine. Furina felt tears running down her cheek as her pace began to speed up.

Furina didn't stop running until she was far away from the suffocating presence of the meeting room, her tears falling freely as her feet carried her to a dimly lit corner of the manor. Her hands trembled as she gripped the edge of a small table in the hallway, trying to steady her rapid breathing. The betrayal, the humiliation—it was all too much. She thought she could trust Neuvillette to protect her, but instead, he had come here to hand her over.

Her chest heaved as she wiped at her tears, but before she could regain even a shred of composure, the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps echoed behind her. She froze, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. That imposing, predatory presence was unmistakable.

"Running away from your brother's little arrangement, are we?" came Arlecchino's voice, smooth and laced with venom.

Furina turned her head slightly, her wide, tear-filled eyes meeting Arlecchino's cold, piercing gaze. The harbinger stood a few steps away, her hands clasped behind her back in an almost casual stance. But her dark expression and the glint in her crimson eyes betrayed her simmering anger.

"What the hell do you want?" Furina managed to choke out, her voice trembling.

Arlecchino took slow, deliberate steps toward her, each one making Furina's heart pound faster. She stopped just behind Furina, her presence looming, and leaned in close, her lips nearly brushing Furina's ear.

"Even after I struck you down all those years ago," Arlecchino whispered, her voice a low, dangerous murmur, "in that theater, under the lights, with the whole world watching... You could never get away from me, not ever, dew drop."

Furina shuddered violently at the words, her knees nearly buckling. The memories she had tried so hard to suppress came rushing back—Arlecchino standing over her, her weapon dripping with blood, the faint scent of roses mingling with the metallic tang of death.

"I... I hate you," Furina whispered, her voice breaking. "You destroyed everything."

Arlecchino's lips curled into a cruel smile, and before Furina could react, she felt Arlecchino's gloved hand grasp her chin, tilting her face upward. Furina tried to pull away, but Arlecchino's grip was firm and unyielding.

"You say that," Arlecchino murmured, her voice mocking, "but you're still here. You're still mine."

Before Furina could protest, Arlecchino leaned down and captured her lips in a forceful, possessive kiss. Furina whimpered, her tears streaming down her cheeks as she tried to push Arlecchino away, but her strength was no match for the harbinger's. The kiss was suffocating, a cruel reminder of the control Arlecchino held over her.

When Arlecchino finally pulled away, her thumb brushed over Furina's tear-streaked cheek, smearing her makeup. "You can cry all you want," she said softly, her voice filled with dark satisfaction. "But you'll never escape me, dew drop. You belong to me."

Furina sank to the tears as Arlecchino stepped back, her body trembling with fear and anger. Arlecchino didn't spare her another glance as she turned and walked back to the meeting room, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

——————

In the meeting room, Neuvillette and Wriothesley were speaking in hushed tones when the door swung open, and Arlecchino strode in, her expression sharp and commanding. She glanced between the two men, her lips curling into a sly smile as she approached the table where the contract lay.

"Gentlemen," she said, her tone cool and calculated. "Shall we finalize the terms?"

Neuvillette's jaw tightened, and he exchanged a brief glance with Wriothesley, who placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. Neuvillette straightened, his expression unreadable, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease.

"You know my terms," Neuvillette said, his voice firm. "Furina's well-being must be your priority. If I suspect, for even a moment, that she is being mistreated—"

"Mistreated?" Arlecchino interrupted with a low laugh. "Oh, Monsieur Neuvillette, you wound me. I have no intention of harming her. Quite the opposite, in fact." Her smile widened, but it didn't reach her eyes. "She will have everything she could ever want or need. A life of luxury, free from her burdens as the Hydro Archon. Maybe even a family if she agrees to..."

Neuvillette narrowed his eyes. "And yet, I can't help but question your motives. Why go to such lengths for her?"

Arlecchino leaned forward, placing her gloved hands on the table as she locked eyes with him. "Let's just say," she said, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "that I have my reasons. And none of them concern you."

Wriothesley's hand tightened on Neuvillette's shoulder, a silent reminder to stay calm. Neuvillette inhaled deeply, his gaze shifting to the contract on the table. His heart ached as he thought of Furina, but he knew he couldn't risk the harbinger's wrath. Not when so many lives were at stake.

"Let's get this over with," Neuvillette said quietly, his voice heavy with resignation.

Arlecchino's smile widened as she straightened, a glint of triumph in her eyes. She reached for a pen, her movements slow and deliberate, savoring the moment as the balance of power tipped further in her favor.

——————

Furina stormed into her chambers, slamming the door behind her with such force that it rattled the walls. Her breath came in sharp, uneven bursts as she paced the room, the heavy fabric of her gown swishing with each step. Her mind was a storm of emotions—anger, betrayal, fear—and the weight of it all bore down on her like an unrelenting tide.

Her eyes darted around the room, landing on the delicate vases and ornate decorations that adorned the shelves and tables. All of it felt suffocating—a mockery of the life she once had.

With a sudden cry of frustration, she lashed out, sweeping her arm across a nearby table and sending a porcelain vase crashing to the ground. The sound of shattering glass echoed through the room, sharp and final.

Tears streamed down her face as she tore at the curtains, pulling them down in a frenzy. The sunlight that had once brought her comfort now felt harsh and invasive, illuminating the mess she had become.

She grabbed another object—a crystal figurine—and hurled it against the wall, watching as it exploded into countless shimmering shards. The destruction was cathartic, but it wasn't enough. Nothing could soothe the pain that clawed at her chest.

Furina's knees gave out, and she sank to the floor amidst the wreckage, her body trembling. Her hands clutched at her hair as memories flooded her mind—memories of Arlecchino's cruel smile, of the betrayal that had shattered her heart, of the theater stage where she had been struck down and left to die. Every moment replayed in excruciating detail, each one cutting deeper than the last. Even now, when she thought her brother had finally came to rescue her, he too had betrayed her.

"I can't take this anymore," she whispered, her voice hoarse and her face drenched in anger tears. Her gaze fell to the broken glass scattered around her, the jagged edges catching the light. She reached out with a trembling hand, picking up a shard and holding it in front of her. The sharp edge glinted ominously, reflecting her tear-streaked face.

Her breathing grew ragged as she turned the shard in her hand, her fingers trembling as she pressed it against her thigh. The cold sting of the glass against her skin sent a shiver through her body, but it was nothing compared to the torment that raged inside her. A single thought consumed her mind:

Maybe this will stop the pain.

She closed her eyes, tears spilling onto her cheeks as she pressed harder, the sharp edge biting into her flesh. She began at at her thighs, then her arms before she pressed the shard of glass against her wrist.

A thin line of red blossomed on her pale skin, stark and vivid. The sight of it made her gasp, but she didn't stop. The pain felt almost... grounding. Real. A stark contrast to the numbness that had plagued her for so long.

As the glass pressed deeper, Furina's sobs grew louder, her cries echoing in the empty room. The blood trickled down her arm, staining her gown and pooling on the floor. It was both horrifying and oddly soothing—a physical manifestation of the turmoil within her.

But as the blood flowed, a new emotion began to creep in: fear. The reality of what she was doing began to set in, and her grip on the shard faltered. She stared at the blood on her wrist, her chest heaving as panic overtook her.

"What am I doing?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Her body shook as she dropped the shard, the sound of it clinking against the floor breaking the silence. She clutched her bleeding wrist, the pain sharp and searing now.

The blood seemed to rush greatly. She tried her hardest to hold it down,to prevent the wound from releasing the red colored liquid but it was no use.

Her vision blurred as the tears continued to fall, and a deep sense of regret washed over her. She felt the blood from the areas she had slit trickle down her skin, like a deadly spider crawling around.

Furina thought for a moment: Maybe this is how my story is to end. It's so quiet.. peaceful..

She thought before she submitted into the endless voice that echoed her name; screaming in her ears to give up... maybe this was the way she was supposed to go.. the way it all ends.

——————-

The hallways of the manor were eerily quiet, save for the sound of hurried footsteps. Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet had come to check on Furina after hearing whispers among the guards about a commotion in her quarters. Something was wrong, and Lyney's gut churned with unease. He quickened his pace, his heart thudding against his chest.

As they neared her room, Lynette tugged at Lyney's sleeve, her voice a whisper laced with concern. "Do you think she's alright?"

Lyney didn't answer immediately. He had seen Furina's deterioration over the past weeks—the light in her eyes dimming, her voice becoming quieter, her movements listless. "I don't know," he said finally, his voice tight. "But something tells me we won't like what we find."

Freminet's small frame followed closely behind, his hands clenched nervously. He didn't speak, but his eyes darted around the hallway, the anxiety evident on his face. 

When they reached the door, Lyney hesitated for a brief moment before pushing it open. The sight inside made his stomach drop. 

Furina lay on the ground, her wrist wrapped in a crude, blood-soaked cloth that had failed to stop the bleeding. A small pool of blood had formed beneath her, staining the floor crimson. Her breathing was shallow, her face pale as a ghost, and her once-pristine gown was rumpled and smeared with blood.

"Oh, Archons..." Lyney whispered, rushing to her side. "Furina!" His voice cracked as he knelt beside her, gently cradling her limp form. Lynette was already at his side, her usually stoic expression melting into one of pure worry.

"We need help," Lynette said quickly, her voice unusually urgent. "She's lost too much blood."

Lyney nodded, his mind racing. He looked up and saw a guard standing at the doorway, frozen in shock. "You! Help us! Get her to Father's room—now!" he barked, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The guard snapped out of their daze and hurried over, helping Lyney lift Furina carefully. Together, they carried her out of the room, moving as quickly as they could without jostling her too much. Lynette followed close behind, her hands gripping her brother's arm as though she needed to anchor herself.

Freminet trailed silently, his face pale and eyes wide with horror. He clutched his diving helmet tightly to his chest, as though it were the only thing grounding him.

They reached Arlecchino's room, the heavy door creaking open as they entered. Lyney laid Furina gently on the bed, his hands trembling as he adjusted her position. The guard stepped back, unsure of what to do next.

"Get bandages, water, anything!" Lynette snapped at the guard, who nodded and quickly left the room.

Lyney turned his attention back to Furina, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Furina... What were you thinking?" he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "Why didn't you tell anyone how bad it was?"

Lynette placed a hand on her brother's shoulder. "She's been suffering for a long time, Lyney," she said softly. "Maybe we didn't want to see it. Maybe we thought she'd be alright because she's the Hydro Archon. But... she's just as fragile as anyone else."

Freminet finally spoke, his voice small and hesitant. "Do you think she'll be okay?"

Lyney glanced at his younger brother, his expression pained. "I don't know, Freminet. But we'll do everything we can to help her."

The guard returned with a basin of water, clean cloths, and bandages. Together, Lyney and Lynette began cleaning Furina's wound, their movements careful and precise. Freminet stood nearby, handing them supplies as needed, his hands trembling slightly.

As they worked, a maid entered Furina's room to clean up the mess she had left behind. The sight of the blood-stained floor made her gasp, but she quickly composed herself and got to work, scrubbing the floor with practiced efficiency.

After what felt like hours, Furina's wound was properly dressed, and her breathing had steadied. Lyney sat back with a sigh of relief, though the worry in his eyes hadn't lessened.

"She'll wake up soon," Lynette said quietly, her hand resting on Furina's. "We should stay with her."

The siblings sat in silence, watching over Furina as the hours passed. Eventually, her eyes fluttered open, her gaze unfocused at first before slowly settling on the familiar faces around her.

"Lyney? Lynette? Freminet?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, filled with confusion and exhaustion.

"We're here," Lyney said gently, leaning closer. "You're safe, Furina."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at them, her voice breaking as she spoke. "Why... Why are you here? Why are you helping me?"

"Because we care about you," Lynette said simply, her voice soft but firm. "We've seen what's been happening to you, and we can't stand by and do nothing."

"But..." Furina's voice faltered, her tears spilling over. "I don't deserve this. I don't deserve any of it."

"Stop," Lyney said firmly, taking her hand in his. "Don't say that. No one deserves to suffer like this, least of all you. You're not alone, Furina. We're here for you."

Freminet nodded, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "You don't have to go through this alone anymore."

Furina looked at them, her heart swelling with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow. For the first time in what felt like forever, she didn't feel completely alone. But the weight of her situation still loomed over her, and she couldn't shake the fear that had taken root in her heart.

As she lay there, surrounded by the siblings' quiet support, she allowed herself to hope—just a little—that things might get better. But deep down, she knew that the road ahead would be anything but easy.

The room was heavy with tension as Furina slowly sat up on the bed, her fragile frame trembling with the effort. The bandages on her wrist and thigh stood out starkly against her pale skin, and she winced as the movement pulled at her injuries. She avoided looking at Lyney and his siblings, who were hovering nearby, concern etched into their faces.

The door creaked open, and everyone froze as Arlecchino stepped in. Her piercing red eyes swept over the room, immediately landing on Furina, who tensed under her gaze. Then, her attention shifted to Lyney, who straightened his posture instinctively, shielding his siblings behind him.

"What happened here, Lyney?" Arlecchino asked, her voice calm but laced with a sharp edge. She took a step closer, her imposing presence filling the room.

Lyney hesitated, his jaw tightening as he glanced at Furina before meeting Arlecchino's gaze. "We found her in her room," he said carefully, his voice steady but quiet. "She was hurt... she tried to harm herself."

Arlecchino's eyes flickered briefly to Furina, who flinched and lowered her head, her hands clutching the sheets tightly. For a moment, there was a flicker of something in Arlecchino's expression—perhaps concern, perhaps irritation—but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.

"You handled the situation well," Arlecchino said, her tone neutral. "You'll make a fine successor one day, Lyney."

Lyney's expression remained impassive, but there was a slight tightening around his eyes. "Thank you," he said, though the words were devoid of gratitude. His siblings exchanged a glance but said nothing.

Arlecchino took another step closer, her presence suffocating. "Now, leave us," she ordered, her voice brooking no argument.

Lyney hesitated, his gaze flickering to Furina. She gave him a barely perceptible nod, her expression resigned. Reluctantly, he turned and ushered Lynette and Freminet toward the door. Freminet looked back briefly, his brow furrowed in worry, but Lynette gently guided him out. The door clicked shut behind them, leaving Furina alone with Arlecchino.

The silence in the room was deafening as
Arlecchino's demeanor softened ever so slightly as she took a step closer to Furina, her crimson eyes scanning the trembling archon's face.

A flicker of something—concern, guilt, or perhaps even regret—crossed her face before she sat down on the edge of the bed beside Furina. For a moment, she didn't say anything, the silence heavy with unspoken words.

With a soft sigh, Arlecchino knelt beside the bed, reaching for the bandages and salve on the bedside table.

"Let me see your leg," Arlecchino said finally, her tone less sharp than usual but still firm. Furina hesitated, clutching the sheets tightly around her. Arlecchino sighed, her voice lowering. "Stop being stubborn, Furina. You're hurt."

Reluctantly, Furina shifted, pulling the blanket back to reveal her bandaged thigh. Her movements were surprisingly gentle as she took Furina's wrist, unwrapping the soiled bandages to inspect the wound. The silence stretched on, broken only by the sound of Arlecchino working.

She carefully unwrapped the cloth, her black-stained fingers surprisingly gentle as they worked. Her red nails were careful and diligent as she slowly unwrapped it,almost scared to harm Furina anymore.

The wound was red and irritated, though it had stopped bleeding. She reached for the salve on the bedside table, dipping her fingers into the cool, soothing ointment before applying it to the wound. Furina winced slightly at the touch but didn't pull away.

"You've made quite the mess of yourself, haven't you?" Arlecchino said finally, her voice low.

Furina didn't respond, her hands trembling as she clutched the sheets tighter.

"Why?" Furina asked suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper. She finally looked at Arlecchino, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. "Why are you doing this?"

Arlecchino chuckled softly, though the sound was devoid of humor. "Because you're mine," she said simply, as if that explained everything. "And I don't let what's mine fall apart. Not without my permission."

Furina's lips trembled, her tears spilling over as she turned her head away. "You don't own me," she whispered, though her voice lacked conviction.

Furina shook her head, her tears falling freely now. "I'll never forgive you," she choked out, her voice shaking.

Arlecchino paused for a moment, her hand hovering over Furina's wound. Her jaw tightened, and she exhaled through her nose before speaking. "it's done," she said quietly, her voice tinged with an emotion Furina couldn't quite place. "The deal is done."

Furina blinked, shocked and betrayed. "The deal..." she echoed.

Arlecchino nodded, her gaze fixed on the bandage she was securing around Furina's thigh. "Your brother... Neuvillette... he signed the agreement. You're mine now, officially. And this arrangement... it's for your safety."

Furina stared at her, disbelief and confusion warring in her expression. "My safety?" she repeated, her voice rising slightly. "How is this for my safety? You've done nothing but—"

"You don't understand," Arlecchino interrupted, her voice sharp but laced with an edge of urgency. She set the salve aside and turned to face Furina fully, her crimson eyes meeting hers. "The Tsaritsa... she ordered me to kill you."

Furina froze, her breath catching in her throat. "What?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Arlecchino's expression darkened, and she looked away for a moment before continuing. "She saw you as a threat. Your position, your power—it made her uneasy. She thought removing you would be... convenient. She gave me the order a few weeks ago before I captured you."

Furina's heart pounded in her chest as the memories of her past came rushing back—the flood, the theater, the pain of betrayal. "And you... you struck me down," she said, her voice trembling. "You almost succeeded."

Arlecchino's jaw tightened, and she nodded slowly. "I did what I had to do to survive under her rule," she admitted. "But I couldn't bring myself to finish it. Not completely. And when she realized I hadn't gone through with it..." She paused, her hands curling into fists. "She sent The Seelie , Columbina to finish the job."

(Bc seelies are angels)

Furina's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling. "Columbina... she's here?"

"No," Arlecchino said quickly. "Not yet. I made sure of that. I married you, Furina, to make you untouchable. As my spouse.., you're under my protection. It's the only way I could keep you safe from her. So my fatui guards can keep an eye on you.."

Her voice softened, and for the first time, Furina saw a faint vulnerability in her expression. "I know it doesn't excuse everything I've done. But it's the truth."

Furina stared at her, tears welling in her eyes. "You did all that... to protect me?" she asked, her voice breaking.

Arlecchino nodded, a faint, almost sad smile tugging at her lips. "I did," she said simply.

Before Furina could say anything more, Arlecchino leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek, lingering for just a moment before pulling away. "Rest up, dew drop," she said softly, standing and turning toward the door. "You're safe now. That's all that matters."

She left without another word, the door clicking shut behind her. Furina sat there in silence, her mind and heart a whirlwind of emotions she couldn't yet untangle. She held the spot the kiss was placed, surprised yet hopeful before her expression changed to concern.

"I need to be careful... my heart and soul cannot bear another betrayal... not like the one in the theater," she thought to herself, her chest tightening at the memory.

She shifted her gaze to the delicate crystals adorning the bed curtains above her, their soft shimmer catching the dim light of the room. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to feel vulnerable, letting her guard down as a faint smile tugged at her lips. The tension in her body eased, and with the quiet hum of her thoughts fading, she slowly drifted off into a fragile, tentative slumber.

——————

Hello my lake lilies<3! This was a double post today cause I don't want to make one chapter longer than needed but hopefully you enjoyed this!!! Have a good weekend and be safe!!

-Lady Furina De Fontaine~