Chapter 353: Furina Being Walked In On

"Mhm!"

Hearing Aiden's words, Firefly jerked her head up. Her dimmed eyes instantly lit up again, as if infused with starlight.

The corners of her mouth curled up uncontrollably, blooming into a soft, radiant smile.

Not far away, watching the harmonious atmosphere between Aiden and Firefly that others could hardly intrude upon, Hyacine tilted her head. She leaned into the ears of Tifa and Jeanne d'Arc beside her and softly voiced her doubts.

"Umm... why do I feel like Darling Firefly's contrast is a bit drastic?"

"Eh?" Jeanne's clear blue eyes were filled with confusion, obviously not grasping the deeper meaning in Hyacine's words.

Cassandra on the side looked like she wanted to say something but stopped, displaying a complex expression that read, You noticed it too, huh.

"What else could it be? Just another girl hopelessly in love."

Daphne unceremoniously rolled her eyes, sighing inwardly.

She had seen this kind of thing far too many times.

Tifa sighed softly, a trace of helplessness in her gaze.

Firefly's contrast was simply too obvious; she couldn't hide it at all.

When interacting with them, although Firefly also maintained a gentle and quiet demeanor, that gentleness was more like a form of politeness. It carried an impenetrable membrane, always maintaining just the right amount of distance.

But once she faced Aiden, she seemed like melting snow, becoming soft, shy, and even revealing a bit of clumsy cuteness.

That unreserved trust and reliance were practically written all over her face.

Only an idiot wouldn't be able to see this difference in treatment.

----

That evening, in the dining room of the Palais Mermonia, the long table was covered with a lavish spread of dishes.

Under Aiden's instructions, Tifa specially went to the Stardust Garden next door and invited all the members of the Astrea Familia over.

The atmosphere at the dining table was lively and harmonious.

After a few rounds of drinks, Aiden set down his knife and fork, looked at the Goddess of Justice sitting opposite him, and solemnly made a request. "Lady Astrea, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Oh?"

Astrea set down her wine glass, a soft smile on her beautiful face. "For you to personally ask, it seems it isn't a small matter."

"I'd like to ask you to teach Firefly swordplay."

Aiden's gaze turned to Firefly beside him, who was eating her cake in small bites.

Hearing her name, Firefly paused her actions and looked at Astrea a bit nervously.

"Teach her swordplay?"

Astrea followed Aiden's gaze to look at Firefly, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes. "Of course I can."

She agreed with a smile, crisp and decisive.

"It's not a difficult task for me. Besides, during the day, Cecil and the others all have to go to the Dungeon to adventure and make money. Staying alone in the Familia is indeed quite boring."

Astrea's tone was relaxed.

----

Early the next morning, just as a ray of morning light pierced through the thin mist and illuminated the glazed spires of the Palais Mermonia.

Astrea arrived as promised.

She came particularly early today; firstly because she was keeping the matter of teaching Firefly swordplay in mind, and secondly because she had some trivial matters regarding Familia collaboration that she wanted to discuss with Furina.

Just as she stepped through the palace gates, she happened to bump into a familiar figure, yawning and swaying down from the second floor with half a slice of bread dangling from his mouth.

It was Aiden.

"Morning, Lady Astrea."

Aiden greeted her indistinctly. "Looking for Furina?"

Before Astrea could answer, he subconsciously raised his hand and pointed toward the depths of the second floor. "That girl is still sleeping in."

After speaking, he brushed past Astrea, swallowed the bread in two or three bites, and prepared to head to the kitchen to find something to drink.

However, the moment the bread went down, his still-muddled, newly awakened brain felt as if struck by a lightning bolt, instantly clearing up.

Cold sweat immediately broke out on his forehead.

Because... he had just come out of Furina's room.

As for why Furina was still sleeping in... no one knew better than him.

"Wait!"

Aiden spun around abruptly, wanting to stop Astrea.

But it seemed to be too late.

Because as a close friend acquainted since their time in Heaven, Astrea was never overly polite with Furina. She had already walked straight to the bedroom door and pushed it open without a second thought.

Aiden's eyes widened to their absolute limits at this scene.

"Furina, still sleeping? It's time to get up and eat, you..."

Astrea pushed the door open and walked in, a gentle smile still on her face.

Then, her smile froze.

What met her eyes was extreme messiness.

Clothes were scattered all over the floor, ranging from exquisite formal dresses to intimate underwear, and even... a pair of stockings.

On the bed, the blankets were crumpled into a ball.

Furina lay amidst it all with disheveled hair. Her smooth, exposed neck and chest entered Astrea's line of sight, but more importantly, a certain residue remained on them.

The Goddess was very well aware of what that was.

Hearing Astrea's voice, Furina groggily opened her eyes, meeting Astrea's gaze which was filled with shock.

"Astrea? Why are you here?"

Furina hadn't processed it yet. She rubbed her eyes and asked in confusion.

But soon, the exhaustion and soreness radiating from deep within her body caused the memories of last night to flood into her mind like a tidal wave.

Her body stiffened. She violently looked down at her own chest.

Then, her gaze slowly shifted to the floor, seeing that pile of messy clothes and a pair of torn, ruined stockings.

She sobered up completely.

Immediately after—

"Ahhhhh——!!!"

An ear-splitting shriek capable of blowing off the roof of the Palais Mermonia resounded through the clouds.

The normally gentle and composed Goddess of Justice backed out of the room looking utterly flustered at this moment. With a bang, she slammed the door shut heavily. Her beautiful face was already so red it looked like it could drip blood.

"I'm dead."

Aiden slapped his forehead in despair.

"What's wrong? What's wrong? What happened?"

Hearing this massive commotion, Hyacine, Tifa, and the others all ran out of their respective rooms, faces full of confusion.

"Nothing, nothing, go about your business!"

Aiden hurriedly winked frantically at Hyacine, signaling her to quickly lead this group of curious babies away and to absolutely not join in the fun.

How clever was Hyacine? She glanced at the red-faced, flustered Astrea standing by Furina's door, then looked at Aiden's guilty expression, and instantly figured it out.

She gave Aiden an odd look, then immediately grabbed Tifa and Jeanne. "Let's go, let's go. I'm hungry. We'll make breakfast."

Daphne was also extremely perceptive. She grabbed Cassandra, who still wanted to crane her neck and peek.

As for Robin, she merely smiled slightly. With an understanding demeanor, she took the hand of the still somewhat confused Firefly and turned to walk toward the dining room.

───

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