Touched By Humans; Held By An Angel

You wouldn’t exactly describe the Iudex of Fontaine as “approachable” – this was a description Neuvillette knew applied to himself. While it may be the truth, he also knows that the reason relies solely on his origins – the reincarnation of the Hydro Sovereign – for it was due to this incomplete rebirth that put him into a stage that required emotions that he could not provide.

Initially, this did not matter to Neuvillette at all; his purpose was to fulfill the tasks of a Chief Justice – to hand out verdicts impartially. He was to sit through trials of different severities; emotions have no room for trials, for they will only taint his impartiality and give him an opening that can weaken his resolve.

Truly, he is a lonesome person, but Neuvillette did not mind. He also knew that this was a fact that would not change.

Or at least, that’s what he thought.

The Electro Archon sought out eternity, an everlasting sense of constancy and stagnation, to the point that she abandoned a physical body in order to stave off the Erosion. To the him of the past, accepting this fact was not out of defeat, but rather from objectivity. Yet to him of the present, it was mere foolishness.

If the archon who sought out eternity could not even stand against change, how could he think that he would be different?

The more he spent amongst humans, the more he felt their touches. Neuvillette’s interests relies mainly on sitting through trials and tasting waters from different sources, but he couldn’t help but compare this feeling to a free painting touched by all.

He was once a plain canvas, blank and empty for everyone to see. Yet, as time flew by and people came and went, he slowly felt their touch leaving colors into his life. Bit by bit, they introduced emotions to him that he once thought were unnecessary. 

Neuvillette had learned to shed tears – the hard downpour for rain over Fontaine was proof of that.

He had learned to feel empathy, to feel joy, and to feel protective – the Melusines who viewed him as their father were the proof of that.

But most of all, he had to learn how to love and a lot more.

Neuvillette once thought that he was devoid of selfish want – that he was a completely impartial person.

But in the face of the woman known as Edelie Romaria, he felt like these descriptions could no longer fit him.

He thought that he learned all he needed to learn, but under her presence, he suddenly felt the seeds of love bloom in his chest, taking his breath away in a pleasant way. He had learned to long for another; he had learned to selfishly crave for another’s gaze; he had learned how to be jealous and to pursue another – and it felt so right.

If the touch left by other people was akin to leaving their handprints on a lonely canvas, his Edelie’s influence on him was as if he was a painting she carefully made. He gave color not only to his life, but shaped him in a way that she will never realize. 

He had long been protective of the Melusines, but it was only thanks to her that he found the term father fitting for himself. It was only thanks to her that being with the Melusines was more than just looking after them, but rather being with a family he can call his.

If he was touched by humans, allowing him to feel, then being with Edelie was akin to being held by an angel. 

Truly, he is a lonesome person, but Neuvillette did not mind. He also knew that this was a fact that would not change.

Or at least, that’s what he thought.

For every time he gazes into Edelie’s eyes, seeing his reflection – her image of himself – he couldn’t help but see just how much he had changed.

He was once a dragon who was at a loss amidst this unfamiliar realm.

Yet now, he was not only the Iudex of Fontaine and Father of the Melusines, but also the husband of Edelie Romaria.

He may still remain impartial, but he was no longer devoid of emotions and desires.