Yes, Lady Funina!

After all, based on so many years of cooperation, the servant had absolutely no reason to attack Funina at that time, not even as a test.

Richard didn't concern himself with why the servant did what he did; he simply warned him privately and punished him accordingly—he also severely injured the servant using the same methods.

However, due to the power flowing in his blood, the opponent recovered quickly.

This contest was conducted in secret; neither Richard nor the servant told anyone.

Even Fulina was unaware that Richard had already avenged her for the injustice she had suffered.

It's a double takeback, considering that when the servant attacked Funina, she was only frightened and not injured.

Richard's attack did indeed severely injure his opponent.

What puzzled Richard was that even though he had hit the servant, the other party did not show any anger or resentment, as if he hadn't been the one injured. Afterwards, the servant continued to act as usual, and even recently took the initiative to suggest another sparring session.

Richard rejected the suggestion without hesitation. After all, the difference in strength between the two sides was too great. Fighting the [Servant] was just bullying a weakling and would not improve his abilities in the slightest.

Old Li doesn't do things that don't bring him any benefit.

Let's return to the topic of the servant wanting to see Funina.

“There are such secrets. No wonder Lynette was so concerned about me back then…” Fryna suddenly realized that Lynette had become very concerned about her after she was attacked.

These factors are probably involved.

Richard seemed to have guessed what Funina was thinking and said, "Linette didn't know when you were attacked."

“Of course I know that. I have a very good relationship with Lynette,” Furnessa said, rolling her eyes.

She's not stupid. Things like attacking the water god are kept extremely secret within the Fools' Clan. How could a "servant" possibly tell such a thing to a "traitor" who is highly likely to leak the information?

However, since the servant insisted on meeting her, Funina felt that if she refused, others would inevitably think that she was afraid of him.

If she didn't have any responsibilities, that would be one thing, but she is the Prime Minister of Fontaine. What kind of talk is it for a Prime Minister to be afraid of an executive officer of the Fools?

Therefore, even if Funina was unwilling, she would still muster up her courage.

“Fine, let’s meet then. When?” Funina said, taking a deep breath.

She refused to believe that the other party would actually dare to do anything to her in public, even in front of the city hall office.

Seeing Funina's resolute expression, Richard shook his head and said, "Since it is they who have requested an audience, the time shall be decided by you, Lady Funina."

"I see..." Furina looked conflicted. She glanced at Clorind beside her and asked, "When do I have time?"

“You have time anytime,” Claude replied immediately.

Funina pouted. "You make it sound like she's got nothing better to do!"

She's very busy, you know? Giving speeches, visiting factories, inspecting grassroots communities... Fu Ningna has been diligently fulfilling all of these duties.

Although Richard was in charge of the overall direction, Funina did an excellent job with things like public relations.

Putting everything else aside, just the sight of Funinna standing on the stage was enough to ignite the passion of the audience.

If there were an entry for it, Funina's mobilization ability would be MAX level.

"It's already Wednesday. I promised Fukaros I'd accompany her to the Opiclie Opera House for her trial tomorrow, so let's meet on Friday." Funina decided that it was better to end the pain quickly than to prolong it, so she decided to meet her the day after tomorrow, which would be a relief for both her and her [servant] sooner.

“No problem, Lynette will convey this arrangement later,” Richard nodded and said.

"So I still want to ask, why didn't she go to see Fucarus or Navelette, but instead came to see me?" Funina couldn't understand it. Was she deliberately making things difficult for herself?

“Because of your status, Lady Funina,” Richard said.

Since the reorganization of Moman Palace, the City Hall has taken over most of Fontaine's internal daily affairs, while Fucaros and Navilette have assumed the power of law enforcement and legislation.

For issues like the placement of some staff members at the Hearth House, it would be more helpful to discuss them with Funina.

If we were to discuss this with Navelette, it's highly likely we wouldn't need to worry about resettlement; Mello Petersburg needs high-caliber talent like those from the House of Hearths.

Sending the children of the Hearth House to Mero Peterburg was clearly not what the servant Arecino wanted.

Meanwhile, Lynette, who should have been at work, unusually took leave and returned to the fireplace house.

“Father…” Linette bowed slightly as she looked at the cold, unsmiling woman in front of her, dressed in a white suit with black and red trousers.

"No need for formalities. You've probably already heard about what I called you back today." The servant's voice was devoid of emotion, and her expression, like her eerie pupils, remained completely still.

“…Yes.” Lynette knew that the House of Hearth was planning to evacuate everyone from Fontaine. In fact, she knew more: the evacuation of the House of Hearth was for a project called the “Winter Project.”

The Winter's side attaches great importance to this project, and it is precisely because of the outstanding performance of the Hearth House over the years that it has been able to occupy such an important position in this plan.

But... this is not a good thing, because of the special nature of the Hearth House, importance is often equated with danger, and if things proceed as planned, many people will be sacrificed at the Hearth House.

The servant was well aware of this. In fact, she did not want the House of Hearths to be deeply involved in the plan, but she had no choice but to accept it because the plan devised by the rooster and the rich man was reasonable and they had allocated a large amount of funds to the House of Hearths.

So what appears to be a commendation is actually a joint effort by the two executives, "Rooster" and "Rich Man," to suppress the uncontrolled intelligence agency, Fireplace House.

This kind of suppression within the rules is quite clever, and even the servants don't have a better way to avoid it.

Of course, this does not mean that the [servant] will let it go. In the words of a certain knight squad leader in Mondstadt, she will remember this grudge.

If a suitable opportunity arises in the future, the servant wouldn't mind letting his colleagues experience a bloody lesson.

"So what's your decision?" the servant continued.

"I...I haven't thought about it yet." Lynette's face showed visible hesitation.

This hesitation is what servants dislike most; being so hesitant and evasive is simply unacceptable.

"Have you not made up your mind yet, or do you want to ask that guy for his opinion?"

“…” Lynette pursed her lips. Actually, she didn’t even need to ask; Richard definitely wanted her to stay in Fontainebleau.

"Speaking of which, you haven't become one of his people yet?" the servant said, glancing at Lynette.

With her keen eyesight, she could naturally tell that Lynette was still a virgin.

Lynette was surprised that the servant would bring this up, and her cheeks immediately flushed, unsure of what to say.

“Although I hate to admit it, from what I’ve seen so far, that guy really treats his women very well. If you’re with him, I can rest assured,” Arecino said calmly.

She certainly cannot tolerate betrayal, but she will not stop her children from striving for a better future.

As for the cost... Richard has already paid it for her.

Therefore, both morally and logically, the servant would not make things difficult for Lynette on this point. Rather, her purpose in seeking out Lynette this time was to ensure that Lynette made a complete break with the Fools.

This is good for both her and the Fools.

Chapter 220 The servant wanted to help

After Lynette came out of the house, she seemed a little dazed, not because the servant had made things difficult for her, but because...

Her own "father" actually wants to help her?

"Perhaps I can offer you some small assistance, such as creating a private space for you and Richard. According to research, such spaces make it easier for feelings to develop between two people?"

When the servant said those words, Lynette's facial expression was clearly out of control. She never expected that her father, who was usually so dignified in her eyes, would say such a thing to her.

It gives off a feeling of disrespect for elders.

However, Lynette did not agree to the "servant" request. She felt it was better for her to handle such matters herself. Lynette would have believed it if Clorind could help her.

But as for Father... let's forget about it.

In this respect, she might not be as good as Lady Furina. At least until now, Lynette has never seen her father show any affection to any man other than Richard.

Even with Richard, it wasn't romantic love; her feelings for Richard were more like those of a 'kindred spirit'.

That's good, at least they consider Richard one of their own.

There were others who received the same treatment, but that person had died long ago, a fact that Lynette was unaware of.

For the servant, emotions in her world are simply divided into two types: those towards enemies and those towards friends.

The former goes without saying; she always takes the most decisive and swift measures to execute her enemies.

The latter actually depends on the situation. For colleagues like "Lady" and "Young Master", Aregino always adheres to the attitude of "I will not offend others unless they offend me", which is especially similar to Richard.

Arecino is particularly patient and tolerant of the children, such as those in the House of Hearths. Although she speaks quite harshly, her actions are actually quite gentle.

However, all of this is on the premise that the other party has not made a fundamental mistake. If a fundamental mistake has been made, such as betrayal, then the other party is no longer a child in the eyes of the servant, but an enemy.

As for how she will treat her enemies, please refer to the first point above for details.

Aside from her children and colleagues, Arecino also treats those she approves of differently; Clementine and Richard are examples of this.

Clementine chose him because he was her childhood friend, a childhood sweetheart.

The story of how Richard gained Arecino's approval is a long one, but it's essentially similar to Clévy's...

"Ahem... Lynette, what did Father say to you?"

Shortly after Lynette stepped out of the house, Linnie, dressed in a magic performance costume, cautiously approached Lynette with Fimini, who was also dressed in a magic performance costume.

The two brothers both wore the same uneasy expression, as if Lynette were not their sister but some indescribable thing.

“They’ve told us everything.” Lynette glanced at the tense-looking Linnie and Fimini.

She knew perfectly well why the two men were so nervous; it was because they hadn't told her about the Fireplace House's impending evacuation.

In Linni and Fimini's view, Linette's future is now bright, or even more so. With her current power in the Mo Mang Palace, it would not be an exaggeration to say that Linette is a regional lord. She herself has become the light.

If we were to use the internal hierarchy of the Fools as a concrete example, their ranks would be at the level of the Executive Officer.

Having already achieved so much, Lynette should be able to take care of herself even if she leaves them; there's absolutely no need for her to participate in that dangerous "Winter Project" with them.

It was with this in mind that Linnie and Fimini both concealed the relevant information from Linette.

"Silly brother." Linette's cool voice rang in Linni's ears, making Linni awkwardly look away and pull down the brim of his hat to hide his current embarrassment.

"Idiot Fimini."

Besides Linnie, Lynette also targeted her brother's accomplice, Fimini.

Looking at the cat-eared girl with an unfriendly expression, Fimini simply lowered her head, scratched the back of her head with her right hand which had nowhere to go, and said in a very soft voice, "I...I'm sorry."

Lynette's hearing was extremely sharp, so she naturally heard Fimini's apology, but was it of any use?

Those two idiots don't even realize that if they know this, how could they not know it?

It's important to know that because of Richard, she wields extremely high authority within the House of Hearths. Although Linne is the 'king' appointed by the [Servants], she is still somewhat inferior to Linne at present.

“Father did tell me some things, but you don’t think I didn’t know about the ‘Winter Plan’ before, do you?” Lynette said irritably.

"Ah... Linni, she already knew." Fimini tugged at Linni beside her in a flustered manner.

Linnie told him not to look at her, as she didn't know what to do. Linnie had actually expected that Linette would know about the "Winter Plan".

He had been thinking that the work at the Mo Mang Palace was so busy that as long as they didn't say anything, Linette wouldn't notice for a short time. He was hoping to keep it a secret for as long as possible, and then confront them when he couldn't hide it any longer, finally using the excuse that it was too late to dissuade Linette from going with them.

Although it was hard to part with her sister, Lynette was clearly better off in Fontaine than they were in Winter, and it was safer and more dignified for them.

As her older brother, Linnie naturally wanted Lynette to have a better life, rather than suffer with him.

That's exactly why Lynette is so angry.

Both Linni and Fimi are idiots!

"You two don't think that if you don't say anything, this matter will just pass by, do you?" Lynette crossed her arms, her originally cool face now filled with even more coldness.

Her tail swished impatiently, and anyone could tell that Lynette was probably not in a good mood.

"That...it's all my fault. I've been thinking about such trivial things because you've been so busy lately..." Linni said, sweating profusely as she carefully chose her words.

“A trivial matter?” Lynette unconsciously raised her voice. “Brother, do you really think this is just a trivial matter?”

Do you really think that our separation as siblings is a trivial matter?

When Lynette said this, her voice was already extremely loud, drawing the attention of the passing members of the Hearth House.

Linni even clasped her hands together in apology, saying, "It was a slip of the tongue, and this is certainly not a small matter."

Hearing Linnie say this, Linette's beautiful eyes flickered, and she raised an eyebrow, asking, "Since it's not a small matter, why did you hide it from me?"

Oh no, it's a closed loop.

"This, this..." Linni had finally witnessed how difficult girls could be, even though the other party was his sister. No! It was precisely because she was his sister that she was so difficult to deal with.

“There are more people, more and more people…” Fimini tugged at Linni’s sleeve again to remind him.

As if she had found a reason, Linnie's eyes lit up, and she said to Linette, "How about we find somewhere else to talk?"

"..." Linette glanced at Linnie, who was covered in sweat, and then, considering that it wasn't far from Father's office, she thought for a moment and finally agreed to Linnie's suggestion.