Chapter Text
Charlotte, Fontaine's Fearless Journalist Extraordinaire, Ink-Stained Adventurer, and winner of multiple (now null) Verite prizes, was absolutely not obsessed with Wriothesley. At all.
Just because she had a bulletin board in her room filled with multiple blurry pictures, scraps, and news clippings of everything having to do with the Duke, doesn’t mean she was obsessed. It was merely….diligent research. Meticulous research, in fact. It is a journalist's duty to delve into the depths of a subject, or in this case, a person. Charlotte liked to think of herself as a dedicated professional, committed to her craft.
This wasn't a rationalisation . It was an unwavering commitment to unveiling the mysteries surrounding Wriothesley, Fontaine's elusive Duke! Yes, that was it.
“....Wow,”
Charlotte squawked, slipping on stray papers before crashing onto the ground with a loud thud.
Freminet looked at her with a mix of worry and concern. Although, she doubted the concern was about her fall. “Um. Are you okay?”
“Freminet!” She said, on her knees, "Uh, yeah, I'm…fine. Er, what…are you doing in my room?" She continued, her voice a tad too high-pitched.
“I knocked on your door multiple times earlier, but you hadn't responded, and I heard movement, so I was concerned. I'm sorry if I….interrupted anything…”
Charlotte scrambled to her feet, brushing off imaginary dust from her clothes with an air of nonchalance that failed to mask her embarrassment. Freminet's gaze, however, remained fixed on the chaotic ensemble of pictures and notes that adorned the bulletin board.
“Oh!” Charlotte nervously waved her hands in front of her, “Haha, this? No, no, don't worry. It's all Just a part of the… investigation process!”
He tilted his head, “Investigative process?”
Charlotte chuckled nervously, her hand rubbing the back of her neck. "Well, you see, a dedicated journalist occasionally finds herself entangled in the web of her own inquiries. It's all part of the process."
Freminet, still wearing a confused expression, gestured to the board. "Is this Wriothesley’s... web?"
Charlotte's eyes darted between Freminet and the board, a hesitant smile playing on her lips. "Oh, this? It's just a visual aid to help me in my research. Nothing too out of the ordinary for an avid Steambird journalist!."
Freminet's eyebrows lifted, his curiosity piqued. "Research? About Wriothesley?”
Charlotte nodded, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Absolutely! The Duke is Fontaine's greatest mystery! My readers crave the truth, and it's my duty to deliver it to them!”
Freminet crossed his arms, still eyeing the board. "It looks like you've been at this for a while. Any breakthroughs?"
Charlotte hesitated, then flashed a confident smile. "Breakthroughs are a process, my dear Freminet. Mondstadt wasn't built in a day, and neither is a groundbreaking exposé! But I'm getting closer. Each piece of the puzzle brings me one step closer to unravelling the enigma that is Wriothesley! If only I could get that interview with him…”
Freminet raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting from the board to Charlotte. "Interview? You’re still trying to get that interview? Ah, n-not to be rude…"
Charlotte's eyes gleamed with determination. "Of course I am! An interview with Wriothesley would be the pinnacle of my career. Imagine the stories, the revelations! Fontaine deserves to know more about its mysterious Duke!"
Freminet, still somewhat perplexed, nodded slowly. "But didn't you say he always declines?"
Charlotte's grin widened, "Details, details. Every great journalist faces challenges, but I'm not one to back down! I have a plan."
Freminet looked intrigued. "A plan?"
Charlotte leaned in conspiratorially. "Of course! You see…”
A week later, Freminet found himself standing in the bustling heart of the Court of Fontaine. He had agreed, somewhat reluctantly, to accompany Charlotte on her weird quest, though it was more out of concern that Charlotte would get into trouble.
Charlotte disagreed on that last part.
They walked through the busy streets of the Court, weaving through crowds and stairs until they arrived in front of a boutique.
Freminet slightly stepped back, “Wait…..is this..”
“Mademoiselle Chiori’s boutique? Absolutely!” Charlotte beamed.
He looked at her, “Forgive me for asking, but, why are we here..?”
“Well…My sources tell me His Grace comes here every third day of the week– for whatever reason, I’m not sure yet– but today is that day and I'm not wasting any opportunity!” She said, eyes gleaming.
Freminet sighed, his scepticism deepening. "And you think we'll just.... stroll in and ask for an interview?"
Charlotte nodded eagerly. Undeterred.
Freminet blinked, “...okay then,”
Charlotte looked left and right before whispering, “Now come quick!” She hadn't even given Freminet a chance to respond before dashing off in the opposite direction.
Freminet startled, before quickly following behind. They did not run for that long narrowly dodging people on the way before Charlotte suddenly stopped before a tree.
Freminet had a bad feeling,"Charlotte, what are you—"
Before Freminet could finish, Charlotte had already begun scaling the tree with surprising agility.
Freminet's eyes widened in disbelief as he watched her ascend with an ease that suggested this was not her first impromptu climb up a tree . Perched on a sturdy branch, Charlotte motioned for Freminet to join her with an exaggerated whisper.
"Come on, Freminet! We'll get a bird's-eye view of the rendezvous spot. His Grace won't escape our keen eyes!"
He took a step backward, “No thank you.”
Charlotte pouted, “Oh, come on! Don't tell me you're afraid of heights, Freminet."
Freminet shook his head, "It's not that. I just don't think it's a good idea to spy on someone like this."
"It's not spying!" She said, her voice marginally louder than it was originally, "no, no, Freminet. This is journalism. Spying implies secrecy and malice. I'm just... observing discreetly."
"Observing discreetly from a tree?"
"Exactly!" Charlotte nodded, as if this clarified everything. "See, spies hide in shadows, journalists climb trees for the truth."
Freminet scratched his head. "I'm not sure the ethical handbook makes that distinction."
Charlotte waved him off, bringing out her camera and looking through the lens.
Some time passed, the sun slowly moving through the sky. Freminet waited with a patience that started to wane, as his feet started to ache from standing still for so long.
Slowly, some people started to form a circle around them, pointing and whispering at the girl in the tree. Freminet started to feel his nerves buzz, as that wasn't the only attention they were getting.
"Umm Charlotte?" Freminet called, "Could you...please get down from the tree? I think this constitutes as stalking."
"I doubt it is. Everything's fine!,"
"There are four gardemecks walking toward us," Freminet warned, his voice low and urgent. "I think it's time to go."
Charlotte ignored him, still focused on the camera. "He should be here any second..."
The Gardemecks were coming closer, and Freminet started to instinctively put on his helmet before Charlotte let out a squawk.
"Freminet, look!" Charlotte exclaimed, pointing her camera towards a familiar figure walking towards the boutique. It was Wriothesley himself, "This is it! The moment we've been waiting for!"
Freminet quickly took off his helmet and rubbed his forehead anxiously. "Charlotte, I really don't think this is a good idea. We should leave before we get into trouble."
But Charlotte was already climbing down from the tree, a determined look on her face. "Nonsense, Freminet! This is our chance! Just follow my lead."
She dashed by the crowd and Gardemecks, Freminet eagerly following behind to avoid the Gardemecks, and they both entered the boutique shortly after Wriothesley.
Inside the boutique, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the chaotic street. The soft chime of a bell signaled their entry as Charlotte and Freminet tried to blend in with the luxurious surroundings.
Chiori, a (scary) woman of grace and stern composure, noticed them but continued attending to her clientele. The elegant aroma of perfumes and the rustle of fine fabrics surrounded them as Charlotte scanned the room, her eyes glancing all around in search for Wriothesley.
Freminet felt very uncomfortable.
Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder and he spun around, startled. It was Chiori, her piercing gaze fixed on him. Archons know how she managed to sneak up on him. Wasn't she just--
"May I help you with something?" she asked, her voice as sharp as the accesories on her clothes.
Freminet sputtered, caught off guard. "Uh, no, no, we're just, uh, browsing."
Chiori raised an eyebrow, still scrutinizing him. "Browsing?"
"Yes, just browsing," Charlotte piped up, coming to Freminet's rescue. "We, uh, we're actually looking for something for a...a photo shoot. Something unique."
Chiori's gaze lingered on them for a few more seconds before she seemed to decide they were harmless. "Very well, But I must ask you to keep your voices down. This is a place of business."
Freminet nodded fervently, grateful for the reprieve. He glanced around, but Wriothesley was nowhere to seen.
Charlotte made her way further into the boutique, rapidly searching for Wriothesley.
Freminet hesitated before following her, still feeling uneasy in the unfamiliar environment. The boutique was filled with elegant clothing and accessories, but he couldn't bring himself to appreciate it when he was so preoccupied with the feeling of eyes following him.
Charlotte suddenly gripped Freminet's arm tightly, "There he is!" She whispered, "Over there, by the silk robes!"
Freminet followed her gaze and sure enough, there was Wriothesley, idly fingering the fabric of a particularly expensive-looking robe.
He turned to ask her what the plan would be, but she had already gone off to talk to him. A staff member pushing a rack of clothes came out of nowhere and blocked her way, and by the time they moved the man was nowhere to be seen.
Freminet startled at this. Charlotte sputtered, "Wh-- what?! Where did he go..."
Charlotte scanned the boutique frantically, her eyes darting between multi-coloured racks and polished displays. His Grace had slipped away, leaving her in a state of determined confusion.
Freminet wondered why he was still following her.
"Freminet, come on!" Charlotte called, already halfway across the boutique.
Freminet hurried after her, navigating through displays with an awkwardness that was hard to conceal. The patrons and staff, engrossed in their business, spared them curious glances.
"Where do you think he went?" Freminet whispered, trying to keep pace with Charlotte.
Charlotte, now at a display of intricately embroidered scarves, shook her head. "No idea, but we can't let him slip away. I almost got
arrested
for this opportunity."
How does someone say that so casually??
She darted toward a set of ornate dressing rooms, her eyes scanning for any sign of Wriothesley. The boutique's layout seemed designed to confuse commoners such as him, (though Lyney and Lynette could probably easily navigate their way in there). Freminet, increasingly feeling like a bull in a china shop, accidentally knocked into a display of scarves, sending them cascading to the floor. A well-dressed customer shot him a withering look, and Freminet stammered out an apology as he scrambled to pick up the fallen items.
"He must be here somewhere," Charlotte mumbled, checking behind a luxurious curtain.
Freminet's discomfort grew. The fact that Chiori hadn't appeared was starting to concern him, "Maybe we should....I don't know, ask someone? He could be anywhere."
Charlotte dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand. "It's a small boutique, he shouldn't be hard to find. Besides, we could potentially be wasting time!"
She continued her pursuit, moving to another section of the boutique where exquisite hats and accessories were on display. Freminet couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the staff who, with practiced elegance, tried to maintain an air of unpertrubed composure in the face of...well... Charlotte .
They continued to run around on a goose chase, Charlotte spotting Wriothesley before he managed to disappear through coincidental situations. At one point, Freminet spotted Chiori in his peripheral vision, and his heart stopped for a second.
"Charlotte," Freminet whispered urgently, "we're causing a scene. Maybe....maybe we should regroup and come up with a different plan."
But Charlotte was already on to the next display, eyes scanning for any trace of Wriothesley. The customers, now visibly annoyed, whispered among themselves as the two continued a fruitless search.
Freminet couldn't help but feel guilty for causing such a disturbance. He didn't want to leave Charlotte alone in her search, but he also knew that they needed to get out before they were kicked out.
As they rounded a corner, Freminet nearly collided with a young woman in a silver gown. She gave him a disgusted look before flouncing away, her train trailing behind her.
Freminet felt his face turn red with embarrassment. This was a complete disaster. They were causing a scene in a high-end boutique, and Wriothesley was nowhere to be found.
Just as he was about to suggest they leave, his eyes caught a glimpse of Wriothesley's familiar silhouette. He was making his way towards the exit, his back turned to them.
“Char–”
“I see him!” She said, eyes gleaming, and before Freminet could even blink, she dashed off with a speed he didn’t know she possessed.
“Excuse me! Your Grace? I'd like to—”
Just before Freminet could warn her, Charlotte tripped over a box that mysteriously appeared in her path, and she let out a loud “GAH,” before crashing into a display of intricately arranged hats. The elegant structure collapsed in a symphony of chaos, drawing the attention of everyone in the vicinity.
Freminet winced as the boutique quickly lapsed into a quiet, tense atmosphere. He hurried over, trying to offer Charlotte a hand. "Um…Charlotte, are you okay?”
Charlotte didn't respond, as her eyes were focused ahead of her. Freminet followed her gaze to see Wriothesley stepping out, but not before slightly glancing back.
A small smirk played on his lips before he turned back and exited.
Charlotte was clearly trying to digest what had happened, her face a mix of immense frustration and confusion. Her face also started to flush, and Freminet opened his mouth to say something, when a sharp force tugged his shirt backwards.
He turned to find Chiori, her eyes drilling into Freminet's with an intensity that could melt steel, "I believe you and your friend have caused enough disturbance in my boutique.”
Charlotte gulped. Freminet wanted to cry