LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 12: chapter 12
Chapter 12: Arlecchino, You Don't Want Anything to Happen to Your Child, Do You?
"You're really too much. If you showed a little kindness, you might earn my favor and gain even more resources to help those sick children."
Su Ran's voice carried a teasing tone, but there was an undertone of sincerity. He had been to Hearth House before. The children there were unlike those recruited from the Winter Solstice people—stronger in loyalty and spirit. For these children, Hearth House was more than just a shelter; it was their only home, the only place where they could feel familial love.
Betrayal was rare among the children raised in Hearth House, but that didn't mean everyone succeeded. Even with Arlecchino's care and the more humane approach she had taken in recent years, competition within the Fatui was harsh.
The sick children, in particular, struggled to survive. They were often overshadowed by their healthier peers, unable to compete or prove themselves in such a brutal environment.
As the head of Hearth House, Arlecchino cared deeply for all the children. She treated them equally—never favoring one over another—but she couldn't ignore the struggles of the sick. Despite access to abundant medical resources, certain illnesses remained untreatable.
Dottore might have had the means to cure them, but she didn't trust him. His methods were cruel and dehumanizing. Su Ran, on the other hand, seemed far more reliable, even if she couldn't fully trust him yet.
"If a little kindness is all it takes to gain the friendship of the genius," Arlecchino said, her tone light but pointed, "then you're welcome to use my shoulder as much as you want."
Su Ran chuckled at her response, shaking his head. "No need. I can tell you still don't trust me completely. You give me such high praise behind my back, but you can't bring yourself to say it to my face. You're a very shy person, Arlecchino."
He winked at her, his teasing earning a rare chuckle from Rosaline, who was standing nearby. Su Ran's presence was undeniably unique among the Fatui executives. His ability to ease tension and bring levity to a conversation set him apart from the rest.
"...If you want, I can praise you now," Arlecchino offered, her tone neutral but her words genuine.
Su Ran raised an eyebrow, a playful smile forming on his lips. "Now that's rare! But I don't think I've done anything worthy of your praise just yet. I need to go out and make a name for myself first, don't you think?"
Arlecchino crossed her arms. "Killing one of the Doctor's segments and blowing a 500-meter-wide crater outside the city of Snezhnaya doesn't count as making a name for yourself?"
"Killing a useless waste, creating a giant hole, and waking up half the city? I think those are all negative accomplishments, don't you?" Su Ran countered with a smirk.
Arlecchino wanted to agree but held her tongue. Her thoughts were focused elsewhere—on the children.
Su Ran's eyes softened as he saw her hesitation. "Arlecchino, you don't want those children to continue suffering, do you?"
Her body stiffened, and her gaze met his. The sincerity in his voice was disarming, almost priest-like as he extended his hand toward her.
"...Yes. Do you have any conditions?"
The children of Hearth House were Arlecchino's greatest vulnerability. For their sake, she might even consider betraying the Queen herself one day.
Su Ran smiled at the contrast between her cold exterior and her tender heart. This duality only made her more fascinating to him.
"Don't you read light novels imported from Inazuma? That stoic expression makes it hard for me to keep teasing you," he said, his tone half-joking.
Arlecchino frowned, confused by the sudden shift in the conversation. "Light novels?"
Su Ran nodded. "Next time, if we meet again, make sure you've read some. They might help you understand me better."
Rosaline couldn't help but laugh softly at the suggestion, while Arlecchino's expression turned thoughtful. She didn't fully understand his intentions but decided she would look into it.
"Fine. I'll give it a try."
Su Ran's smile widened. "Good. I'll test you on it when we go to Fontaine."
He seemed to take genuine delight in the thought of Arlecchino reading Inazuman novels. The image of her reacting to the stories—and perhaps looking at him with the disapproving eyes of a scorned heroine—amused him greatly.
Yet, beneath the playful banter, Arlecchino still sought answers.
"Genius," she began, her voice steady, "we're both executives of the Fatui. We'll likely work together often in the future, but I want to know—why did you choose to pledge loyalty to Her Majesty the Tsaritsa?"
Her directness surprised Su Ran, but he appreciated it. Without hesitation, he answered, "Because she funds me. With my abilities, I couldn't exactly rely on chopping down trees for resources, could I? The Tsaritsa provides funding quickly and generously. When I requested resources to build my workshop, she approved a budget several times larger than I needed without a second thought."
His response was so straightforward that it left Arlecchino momentarily stunned.
"That's it? Just funding?" she asked, incredulous.
Su Ran shrugged. "Why not? It's simple, efficient, and mutually beneficial."
Rosaline, who had been quietly observing, suddenly interjected, "What if someone else offered you the same funding?"
The thought hadn't occurred to her before, but Su Ran's loyalty seemed precariously tied to something as simple as Mora.
Su Ran tilted his head, considering her question. "It would depend. Could they offer me other resources I need?"
Arlecchino narrowed her eyes, her interest piqued. "What if they could?"
Su Ran grinned mischievously. "Then I'd take the Tsaritsa with me and leave."
His audacity was shocking. To say such a thing in the very heart of the Fatui's power—where spies and informants lurked in every corner—was either foolish or calculated.
But Arlecchino couldn't help but feel a strange respect for him. He was unlike anyone she had ever met.