"Miss Luna, is there someone special in your heart?"
The next day's filming location was inside a lavish mansion. Before shooting began, Luna, Clorinde, and the other actors were getting their makeup done.
Luna glanced at the curious makeup artist in the mirror and smiled. "So curious, aren't you?"
"Everyone's curious! It's rumored Miss Luna already has quite a few admirers."
"I'm curious too!" Navia suddenly chimed in, stepping forward.
"The person I have my eye on is Nana," Luna declared.
"Eh?!" Navia's face flushed crimson.
The makeup artist gasped. "So Miss Luna likes girls?"
"It's not that I like girls," Luna said, "it's just that the beautiful people I'm drawn to happen to be girls."
"Oh, you make it sound like a joke," Navia teased. "Purse your lips a little."
Luna, her lips glossy with lip gloss, pursed them slightly. "If everyone keeps asking me that, it's the only answer I can give."
"But if I have so many admirers, why haven't I received any love letters?"
Navia puffed out her chest. "I've been politely turning them all down for you! I know you wouldn't bother with such things, Lulu."
Handling these letters was part of her job as Luna's manager. Luna didn't mind at all; she genuinely wouldn't have given them a second glance.
"Exactly," Luna said with a smile. "Having Nana is enough for me."
The only things that could ever attract a Phantom Thief were treasures—or those who, worthy of the name, shone with their own dazzling light.
"Miss Luna, you have a letter," Silver said, hurrying over. As Luna's devoted fan, he had eagerly volunteered to accompany her to the film set when he heard his boss would be going with her.
A letter?
Luna took the envelope as the makeup artist discreetly moved away.
Luna's eyes lit up as she opened the letter.
"What's this letter about? You suddenly seem so happy. Did you win the lottery?" Navia asked, intrigued.
"No, it's just that my family wants to meet me."
"Ah..."
Could it be someone from House of the Hearth? Lynette?
Navia suddenly remembered Luna mentioning wanting to visit her family someday. But now wasn't the best time. Besides, Luna's conflict with her family didn't seem too serious, more like a childish tiff.
Should she really go?
"Well, that sounds lovely!" Navia agreed.
It's important to maintain good relationships with family to avoid regrets later.
Luna glanced at Navia, took her hand, and swiftly and discreetly kissed her palm.
"Lu-Lulu? What was that...?"
"Shh," Luna whispered, raising a finger to her lips. "Let's keep this our secret. I hope it makes you feel a little better, Nana."
So she was trying to comfort me? Not that I really needed it... Navia thought, her heart pounding as she touched her palm.
The filming wrapped up late at night.
The process hadn't just gone smoothly—it had been astonishingly swift and seamless. If this pace continued, they'd be wrapping up production soon.
The letter was from Arlecchino.
Though unsigned, Luna recognized Arlecchino's handwriting instantly.
The message was simple: meet her at a café after filming, and Arlecchino would take her to a place that might be related to the ruins from the Prophecy.
It seemed the other children had found a clue.
"Even if I went straight there, I doubt she'd mind," Luna thought.
Still, she took a shower and tidied herself up a bit.
It was better to smell decent, after all.
Arriving at the café mentioned in the letter, Luna quickly spotted Arlecchino sitting in a corner.
"Father... Arlecchino," Luna blurted out instinctively, then quickly corrected herself.
Arlecchino set down her cup and nodded.
"You're here. I heard you were filming. I hope I didn't interrupt your work?"
"Not at all," Luna said confidently. "Whenever I set my mind to it, I can deliver the most efficient and best performance in every scene. It's effortless."
Arlecchino murmured, "I have no doubt about that."
She stood up. "There's no time to waste. Let's leave now. I've already prepared the ship."
"Where are we going?" Luna asked.
"Near Poisson," Arlecchino replied simply.
She explained that the other children from the House of the Hearth had discovered several ruins during their investigations, each potentially containing clues about the Fontaine Prophecy. The largest of these ruins appeared to be located near Poisson.
"I originally planned to wait a while before leading a team to investigate," Arlecchino continued, "but considering you might want to explore them immediately, I thought it best for us to go together. Think of it as a long-overdue joint mission between 'Father' and child."
Luna genuinely wanted to know the truth.
If Fontaine's prophecy came to pass, Navia, Chevreuse, Lynette... all would dissolve into the water, leaving nothing behind.
The Phantom Thief couldn't bear to watch treasures be consumed by the sea. It violated her aesthetic principles.
"Alright, but before we go—"
Luna stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Arlecchino's waist, and held her tightly.
"Good evening," she whispered, pressing her face against Arlecchino's neck. The warmth of her breath seeped into Arlecchino's skin.
Arlecchino remained silent for a moment, then raised a hand and gently stroked Luna's hair.
"Good evening, Luna. You seem to have developed a fondness for this particular way of greeting me lately."
"Mhm," Luna murmured, snuggling closer.
Arlecchino patted her head. "Alright, let's go."
"...Okay."
Following Arlecchino, Luna boarded the boat docked at the beach. She propped her cheek against her hand, gazing at the submerged hillside, lost in thought.
Beneath her long, delicate eyelashes, her eyes sparkled with contemplation. Arlecchino sat opposite her, legs crossed.
Arlecchino unexpectedly recalled Luna's childhood habit: whenever troubled, she would prop her cheek against her hand and brood in solitude.
Luna had always loved to keep her thoughts, feelings, and ideas locked away inside.
Then, she would gaze at the bright moon with all those hidden thoughts.
"Lynette and the others have already entered the Fortress of Meropide," Arlecchino said. "The Traveler, under Neuvillette's commission, has also gone inside."
This wasn't surprising. From Neuvillette's perspective, entrusting the investigation to the Traveler was undoubtedly the best course of action.
But it meant Lumine would have to endure an immersive imprisonment for a while.
"I know. Lyney and Lynette wanted to talk to me about this," Luna said.
The boat rocked gently. Luna turned to face Arlecchino, her gaze steady and her expression softening.
"What did Lynette say?"
"She said she hasn't forgiven you yet."
Luna whispered, "That's fair. After all, I was the one who broke our promise."
"But she's still eagerly awaiting your arrival. Don't forget that. Your conflict with her stemmed from your weakness, but now you're strong enough."
Luna smiled faintly. "Really? Do you think I've become stronger?"
"Absolutely."
Then when will you stop seeing me as just a child?
Luna gazed once more at the bright moon in the night sky. Arlecchino picked up her teacup, took a sip, and quietly watched her.
-
New fic live rn.
Starting as Cipher-The Flame-Chaser Identity System
If u like phantom thieves and cats well...