Yes, Lady Funina!

As if guessing Richard's thoughts, Arecino spoke first:

"Have you ever honestly thought about this? Hmm?"

“I didn’t have it before, but after you mentioned it, I did,” Richard said honestly.

Richard himself knew that even if Aregino didn't say it, he would realize it himself when the time came.

Don't underestimate his comprehension and eloquence!

"Heh." Arecino sneered, showing disdain for Richard's attempt to shift the blame.

"Then what should I call you?" Lynette asked hastily, her face flushing as she recalled the scene.

“Pepe,” Richard interjected.

“Pepe?” Linette was puzzled, not understanding what this name had to do with Arecino.

“Peruvelli, that’s my old name. You don’t have to listen to Richard, just call me Arecino,” Arecino said.

“Yes, Father… Lady Arecino.” Linne nodded, instinctively wanting to say those two words, but immediately realized her mistake and corrected herself.

“No need to add sir, you’re no longer a member of the Hearth House,” Arecino corrected, seemingly thinking that given Lynette’s personality, she probably wouldn’t change her mind anytime soon.

So she thought for a moment and added:

"If you really want to add a suffix, you can just call me Ms. Arecino, but actually I'd prefer you to call me 'older sister'."

“Then let’s go with Ms. Arecino!” Linette, unusually, did not grant Arecino’s wish and did not call her sister as she suggested.

If it were just a simple older sister, it wouldn't be so bad; Lynette calling Arecino "older sister" would be considered an elder term of respect. But considering the relationship between the two, the meaning behind that "older sister" is much deeper.

If she really called Arecino "sister," wouldn't that be tantamount to acknowledging her status as the "first wife"?

Although Lynette had no ambition to become queen, that did not mean she was willing to humble herself, even if the other party was her own father.

In fact, Lynette was also slightly dissatisfied with how Arecino obtained Richard, which, in Liyue's words, was 'illegitimate.'

In short, unless Arecino uses force, she is unlikely to yield!

Upon hearing Lynette's words, Arecino could naturally discern her 'disloyal intentions,' but she didn't pay it any mind.

After all, Arecino didn't want to be a 'first wife'. As things stand, she probably won't stay in Fontainebleau for very long, except for occasionally seeking out Richard to quench her thirst.

She also has her own work to do and can't keep revolving around Richard all the time.

Arecino's situation also applies to Fucarus and the others; apart from occasional get-togethers, they all have their own work to do the rest of the time.

However, people like Clarinde and Fukaros have more opportunities to come into contact with Richard through their work, while Yae no Miko, being far away in Inazuma, can only occasionally come to Fontaine under the pretense of checking on the business operations of Yaedo in Fontaine to resolve her psychological and physiological issues.

When the fox arrives, the shadow will refresh intermittently.

As for the Liyue group, Shen He is fine as long as he can come whenever he wants, but Ning Guang is really tied up with work, so she can only ask Shen He to bring back some letters when he goes to Fontaine.

In return, Ningguang will reimburse Shenhe's travel expenses to Fontainebleau.

In short, everyone is too busy to think about who is older or younger.

And given Richard's tea-serving skills, there's no need to worry about them being treated differently in the future.

That's why Ningguang and Lei Yingdian were able to sit back and relax, while Fu Ningna and Shen He didn't even consider these things.

"Alright, since you've made your choice, I won't keep you any longer." Arecino stood up to take her leave, and Lynette also stood up to see her off.

However, due to physical discomfort, it was difficult for him to get up, and he was not as free as before.

"No need to see me off. Remember to exercise when you have time." Arecino shook her head as she looked at Lynette's reluctant expression.

It's worth noting that her performance the first time wasn't as bad as the other person's, which is probably related to her individual constitution.

Given that someone like Aletschno is naturally more tolerant of pain, and whose physical abilities far surpass Lynette's, it's not surprising that she outperforms Lynette.

Linne nodded, though she didn't directly refute Arecino on the surface, her eyes unconsciously sweeping over Arecino.

That's why she belatedly realized that her "father" was actually wearing a skirt today.

Having lived this long and known Arecino for so many years, she had never actually seen her in a dress.

What's more noticeable than the skirt is the red marks on her neck, chest, and arms. They haven't faded even after so long, which shows how much force the person who left these marks used.

Aregino herself never seemed to have any intention of hiding these traces, and they were simply displayed to Lynette without reservation.

It was as if she was showing off something, Lynette thought.

If she still fails today, the marks on the other party will undoubtedly be a heavy blow to her.

But after she succeeded, she didn't feel anything special anymore. In fact, Lynette even started to think that Richard had been quite kind to her.

After all, Richard didn't leave any marks on her body. At most, he made her bleed a little, but that was unavoidable. Apart from that, Richard was quite careful.

When they bite, they mainly lick and suck, without any intention to bite.

It might be due to differences in individual constitutions; people like Arecino are naturally more prone to scarring.

Lynette, lost in her own thoughts, tried to find excuses for the marks on the other person's body, unaware of the extent of Richard and Aregino's private interactions.

"Won't you stay a little longer?" Lynette asked politely.

"You really want me to stay?" Arecino looked at Lynette with a half-smile, and before Lynette could reply, she said:

"Alright, then I'll stay."

Lynette: ...

She hadn't expected that Arecino would actually stay, even though it was just a polite gesture.

She couldn't even tell if the other person had genuinely changed their mind at the last minute, or if they were just waiting for her to persuade them to stay.

"Thinking about it carefully, it would be a real shame not to take the full day off." Arecino sat back down and stretched her sore arms.

“Besides, I’m not in a good state to work right now.” “You’re right.” Lynette’s voice was full of frustration.

However, if Arecino really wanted to stay, she wouldn't be so resistant, because that way, Richard wouldn't be likely to bother her anymore.

Even if things get complicated, Alegino is there to protect us, isn't she?

We should give this newcomer a little protection period.

Seeing that Arecino wasn't going to leave anytime soon, Lynette's anxiety finally died.

As they chatted, the aftereffects of doing all that work for so long began to surface. Lynette was exhausted, and her eyelids started to droop.

If it weren't for Arecino's presence, she probably would have already crawled into bed and gone to sleep.

Yeah, I need to lock Richard out before getting into bed, otherwise I probably won't be able to sleep peacefully.

Looking at Lynette, who couldn't stop yawning, and Arecino, who was practically rooted to the spot, Lee realized that maybe they could try sleeping together tonight.

Even a vegetarian version is fine.

Of course, before that, Richard also prepared a sumptuous dinner for Lynette and Arecino to replenish their energy.

The next morning, Richard ultimately failed to achieve his wish of sleeping together in the same bed.

In fact, after he finished cooking dinner, he was kicked out of the apartment by Aletschno and Lynette.

There is no place for you in this house anymore. (jpg)

No one knows what Lynette and Arecino talked about that night. All that is known is that Arecino left Fontaine the next day, while Lynette went to work as usual, and her file at the House of Hearth was secretly destroyed.

Lynette no longer belongs to the House of Hearths; from now on, she will only have the identity of a Fontaine civil servant.

It's worth mentioning that when Lynette arrived at the office the next day, her slightly unnatural gait was quickly noticed by Fucaros.

The clever Fukaros immediately guessed who the kitten had spent the weekend with, and temporarily put aside the heavy paperwork, pulling Lynette aside to ask her all sorts of questions.

Linette hadn't expected Fucarus to be so perceptive, seeing right through her current state, and she was also overwhelmed by the other's enthusiastic questioning.

What made it most difficult for the cat was that after she finally managed to persuade Fukaros to deal with his work first, he said to her as a last thing, "Let's sleep together sometime."

What do you mean by "let's sleep together when we have time"?

If she hadn't known that Fukaros's sexual orientation was normal, she would have thought the other person was engaging in workplace harassment.

However, it was precisely because of Fukaros's overly forward-thinking remarks that Lynette's initially slightly nervous mood eased considerably.

After all, no matter how nice things were said before, or how they said they would all be sisters, it's hard to say whether she would be welcomed when she actually joined this big family.

Fukaros's seemingly joking words just now dispelled Lynette's doubts in this regard.

Judging from Fukaros's behavior, she doesn't seem to care that she has another sister, or rather, she doesn't seem to care that her new sister is Lynette.

Because of their long-standing working relationship, Lynette and Fukaros were second only to Frinina in terms of their close bond, making them extremely close partners.

So Fucarus was naturally happy to see it happen, at least he would have someone to ask for help when dealing with that beast, right?

Otherwise, if he were to fight alone, and Funina were slow to grasp the concept, wouldn't that be incredibly exhausting?

To some extent, the harmony of the harem is actually closely related to individual abilities.

If Richard were physically weak, Fukaros and the others probably wouldn't be reacting the way they are now.

Chapter 242 Mental Inflict

"Clorind, have you seen the new movie yet?" Funina asked Clorind with great interest, holding up a promotional poster.

"I didn't watch." Clarinde shook her head. She had never been very interested in shadow puppetry. She preferred watching other people duel or going up to duel herself.

and……

"Lady Furina, have you been researching shadows lately?" Clorinde couldn't help but ask.

“Well, I recently heard that the Fontaine Film Association is making some big moves, investing heavily in several films.” Funina nodded, then sighed.

"It's a pity I hold an important position now, otherwise I could play a leading role or something."

It's clear that Furina really enjoys acting; perhaps for her, being prime minister is just a job, while acting is her life.

"...Besides this, is there nothing else you want to do?" Clarind couldn't help but ask.

"Anything else you'd like to do...? Is the desserts at the Debord Hotel 20% off today?" Funina asked uncertainly.

Claude remained silent, then stated directly and decisively:

Has Richard not made any plans to meet you recently?

"Gulp..." Funina's body stiffened, and she instantly became stammering.

They definitely made a date, but... she didn't agree.

"Why?" Claurind was shocked. Could this really be Frynn, who could refuse Richard?

Could it be that he has been possessed by someone else?

"You...you don't need to worry about it!" Funina said, unusually firm, but there was an undeniable hint of guilt beneath her firmness.

"In short, I have my own plans!"

Looking at Frynn, who seemed insincere and whose eyes were darting around, Clarinde thought, "It's hard to believe you really have any plans."

It looks like they haven't thought anything through and are just being stubborn!

"Sigh, whatever makes you happy." Clarinde didn't have any good ideas either. She couldn't very well tie up Funina, wash her, strip her naked, and then deliver her to Richard, could she?

Then who has she become?

This is something that Funina has to do herself; outsiders can't interfere.

Klorind thought about it and couldn't help but feel a little puzzled. It was one thing for Funina to be like this, but why hadn't Richard established a relationship with Lady Funina yet?

They've come this far, kissed and touched each other, and are just one step away from taking the final step, but the other person hasn't made a move yet.

If Richard said he felt he wasn't energized enough and wanted to take a break, Claudia certainly wouldn't believe it; no one knew Richard's stamina better than her.

It's so deep it's unfathomable!

It's like possessing a vast ocean of energy, inexhaustible and even more primordial than the original ocean of conception.

Furnessa dismissed Clorind, but she herself felt somewhat uneasy because of what Clorind had said.

She has indeed been deliberately avoiding Richard lately, not because she dislikes him, but because she doesn't know how to like him anymore.

The incident stemmed from her reading a book on relationships, in which a particular relationship profile closely resembled her current situation.

They are both attracted to each other, but they don't know how to take their relationship to the next level.