Neuvillette arranged guest rooms for them at the Palais Mermonia, but Ronava politely declined, saying they had already paid for their rooms at the inn and had no need for them for now.
Neuvillette did not insist. He simply had someone prepare two good umbrellas and saw them out.
The rain eased a little on their way back, perhaps because Neuvillette was not as sad anymore.
Lin En and Ronava walked side by side along the wet stone-paved road. The inn was not far from the Palais Mermonia, and they got back after a few dozen minutes.
Back at the inn, Lin En took a bath, changed into dry clothes, and lay on the bed staring at the ceiling.
The rain outside the window fell in a steady rhythm, like someone gently tapping on the glass.
He rolled over and saw Ronava sitting on the sofa by the window, her silver hair loose and the ancient book in her hands. Every now and then, she gazed absentmindedly out the window.
"Can't sleep?"
Noticing Lin En looking at her, Ronava closed the book and asked.
"The rain's a little noisy, but I haven't slept in such a comfortable bed in ages."
Lin En rolled around on the bed. If he didn't still have adventures ahead of him, he would have wanted to stay in bed and never get up.
"Get some more rest. You've been adventuring with me for so long."
Ronava turned her gaze back to the window.
"What do you want to do tomorrow?"
Lin En asked. He wanted to plan ahead. The rain might not stop, but visiting some indoor places would be no problem, so he went on.
"There are lots of places to see in the Court of Fontaine. The opera house, the museum..."
"Mm, I don't know Fontaine well, so you can lead the way."
Lin En froze for a moment. Ronava.
He chuckled. Though he had never actually been to Fontaine, he had long since familiarized himself with every place while exploring the map with Yueyue's mom. Showing Ronava around would be easy.
"All right, I'll put together an itinerary."
The rain fell all night and was still falling the next morning, though it was a little lighter than the day before.
Rain was much more comfortable than the scorching desert sun, at least in Lin En's opinion. It was cool and damp, though getting soaked was a nuisance.
Lin En and Ronava left the inn and followed the stone-paved road toward the opera house.
There were many pedestrians on the streets today, wandering aimlessly beneath umbrellas of all colors.
The opera house was the tallest and grandest building in the Court of Fontaine, with white marble exterior walls, a golden dome, and several statues standing on the steps before the main entrance.
Lin En stood at the foot of the steps and looked up, finding it far more breathtaking than the model in the game. Things had been a little blurry in the game, but now they were in 10086k high definition.
Ronava stood beside him, her gaze resting on the opera house's dome. A few strands of her silver hair had been dampened by the fine rain and clung to the side of her face.
"Want to go in and look around?"
Lin En asked.
"Mm."
Ronava put away her umbrella and went in a step ahead of Lin En.
The interior of the opera house was even more magnificent than the exterior. Murals on the dome depicted Fontaine's myths and legends, while a crystal chandelier hung from its center, illuminating the entire hall in golden splendor.
The two walked slowly through the corridors, occasionally stopping to look at the paintings and sculptures on the walls.
Ronava stopped for a long time in front of a mural depicting Egeria, the Hydro Archon. The blue-green ripples in the painting were reflected in her golden eyes.
"You know her?"
Lin En asked.
"I've met her."
Ronava fell silent for a few moments. Lin En thought she was about to explain Egeria's background, but she said:
"The painting doesn't look like her. She isn't this pretty."
Then she turned to look at the other works.
Beside each work in the opera house was a long, flat stone bearing detailed information about it.
By the time they came out of the opera house, the rain had stopped.
The two walked for a while along a Fontaine canal, passing several white arched bridges and a plaza filled with flowers.
Several children were chasing one another around the plaza. One suddenly fell at Ronava's feet. She paused for a moment, then bent down and helped the child up.
"Thank you, big sister!"
the child said.
"Mm, go on and play."
She turned her head to watch the children for a while, the faintest curve appearing at the corners of her lips.
Lin En noticed.
"Do you like kids?"
"I don't dislike them."
"Back in the snowy mountain illusion, you seemed pretty good at looking after children too."
Ronava turned her head to look at him, a trace of puzzlement in her golden eyes.
"The snowy mountain illusion?"
"Never mind."
Lin En hurriedly changed the subject. He had almost let it slip.
"How come you don't dislike anything?"
Ronava sat down on the edge of a flower bed, tucked the hair at her temple behind her ear, and said:
"Actually, I really dislike blockheads."
Lin En knew she was talking about him...
"Are you referring to me?"
"I suppose so."
He walked over to the flower bed and sat down beside Ronava, taking her hand and placing his other hand on her waist.
He brought his face close, his breath falling gently on her shoulder, warm and faintly trembling. He lowered his head slightly, and his lips gently touched hers.
Their lips met softly for just an instant, like a feather settling down.
He went no further. The tip of his nose brushed her cheek, and he could clearly feel both their breaths quickening. The air suddenly grew thick, and even the sounds around them seemed muffled by a thin mist.
People gathered around them, looking at the pair curiously.
Lin En immediately withdrew his hand and sat up straight.
Ronava's face was slightly red. She gently brushed her lips with her hand, savored the moment, and chuckled.
"I didn't expect you to be so bold. With so many people around, you still dared to do something so intimate."
Lin En's face turned bright red. Not knowing what to do next, he could only reply:
"Didn't you say I was a blockhead? Besides, you didn't dodge!"
"Then I'll help you out this once."
"What?"
Before Lin En could react, Ronava took his hand and ran out of the crowd with him.
"Slow down! My arm's going to come off!"
After they had run for a while, Lin En pointed to a dessert shop ahead.
"Want to try Fontaine's desserts? I hear their macarons are famous."
Ronava glanced at him and followed him into the dessert shop.
The shop was warm, and colorful desserts filled the glass counter: macarons, opera cakes, and fruit tarts, each as exquisite as a work of art. The two picked out a few and found a seat by the window.
Ronava picked up a pink macaron and took a bite, frowning slightly.
"Too sweet."
"Last time you said the tanghulu was too sweet, and now you're saying the macaron is too sweet."
Lin En chuckled.
"You don't seem to like sweet things?"
Ronava chewed a couple of times and put down the rest of the macaron.
"Mm, I don't like them much. Sweetness numbs people and makes them stop thinking."
Lin En stared for a moment, then laughed.
"That's a bit of a stretch."
He pushed the plate of fruit tart in front of him over to her. Ronava took a bite and did not frown this time. She scooped up another spoonful and held it out to Lin En.
"Try it."
Lin En took a bite. It was sweet too.
In the afternoon, they went to the museum. Fontaine's museum displayed all manner of mechanical devices and ancient artifacts, from clockwork dolls to model steam engines, filling several exhibition halls.
Lin En stopped for a long time in front of an ancient Kamera. The machine was larger than any he had ever seen, and intricate patterns were carved into its metal casing.
"Do you want to take a picture?"
Ronava stood beside him.
"No."
Lin En shook his head.
"I was just thinking, if we're staying in Fontaine for a few more days, maybe we should buy a Kamera too. Then we can take pictures of anything beautiful we see on the road."
Ronava reached out and touched the Kamera's casing, her fingertips brushing gently over the metal.
By evening, the clouds had parted, revealing a clear sky washed clean by the rain. The last rays of the setting sun fell on the white rooftops of the Court of Fontaine, giving them a warm golden glow.
The two left the museum and walked slowly back along the canal. The shops along the road lit up one after another, and the buttery aroma from the bakeries mingled with the fragrance of the flower shops, drifting through the damp air.
Lin En put away his umbrella and turned to look at Ronava.
The setting sun shone on her face, dyeing her silver hair a warm gold. Her usually icy golden eyes reflected the evening glow and looked almost gentle.
She walked ahead of Lin En at an unhurried pace, occasionally turning her head to look at the boats in the canal or looking up at the buildings along the road. Her whole body had relaxed.
"Ronava."
"Mm?"
"Did you have fun today?"
Ronava did not answer immediately. She walked a few more steps, then turned back and spoke.
"Mm."