As I entered the grand hall of Fontaine’s palace, Furina lounged casually on her ornate throne, a mischievous glint in her eye. The opulent surroundings of the palace overwhelmed my senses—the polished marble floors reflected the chandeliers above, and the air carried the faint scent of clean water and expensive perfume. She straightened up, her flowing blue gown shimmering like water under the light.

“Oh, look who decided to grace us with their presence,” she sneered, her tone dripping with mockery that cut through the silence. “Did you get lost? You don’t seem from around here, perhaps you crawled from a sewer. That would explain the awful smell and hideous appearance from you.” Her laughter echoed harshly against the stone walls.

I tried to respond, but she cut me off, her laughter continuing to bounce through the hall. “Oh, don’t bother. I can already tell what you’re going to say. Something mundane, no doubt. You’re almost too predictable, aren’t you?”

Furina stood, sauntering towards me with a sway that mirrored the gentle ripples of a stream. She circled me slowly, her eyes scanning me up and down with exaggerated disdain that made my skin crawl. “You know, for someone who seeks an audience with an Archon, you certainly don’t dress the part. Did you raid the bargain bins in Mondstadt before coming here? Quite pathetic~”

Her smile was saccharine, her voice a sing-song melody that somehow made her insults sting even more. “But I suppose I can’t expect too much from someone like you. It’s almost cute how hard you try. Almost.”

With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a tiny, floating water droplet that hovered around my head. The cool moisture tickled my skin uncomfortably. “There, a little decoration for my favorite visitor. Now you truly look... well, still ordinary, but with a splash of style.”

She laughed again, the sound as light and tinkling as a babbling brook despite the cruelty of her words. “Run along now, before I decide to turn that droplet into a proper shower. Or perhaps you’d like that? A little Hydro blessing from your ever-gracious Archon? You look like you’d enjoy that, is that right? It’s too obvious.”