Funinna, please let me steal your heart!

She mumbled, "I slipped into the water without realizing it, and I was thinking, 'Ah, it wouldn't be so bad to die like this.'"

"But the water was so strong that it made my mouth and nose feel extremely uncomfortable. I thought, 'I'd better not drown,' so I started splashing around. But I can't swim. If it weren't for you two, I probably would have become a dead duck by now."

Navia and Luna exchanged a glance.

"Are you in some kind of trouble?" Navia asked curiously.

The president of the Rose Society cannot ignore someone with an exclamation mark above their head.

"...The trouble is dead; I am now the new trouble."

The woman raised her hand, which was covered in a cast.

A hint of sadness flashed in her eyes, but more so, helplessness: "The person who broke my hand was previously executed by lynching."

"Huh? Could it be...?"

“Yes, I am one of Alkien’s victims. This hand… was broken by someone he called. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Sally.”

Sally? Luna felt like she'd heard that name before.

After thinking for a moment, she tentatively asked, "Was it Sally, the pianist who was absent from the banquet where the Franwright family was present?"

“Hmm…” Sally’s expression darkened.

Navia was more concerned about Sally's condition than about Luna's memory.

“The pianist’s hand was broken, which means…” she said softly.

"The doctor said that although the healing is not a problem, there will still be sequelae, and the fingers will not be as flexible as before."

Sally looked at her hands: "I can no longer play the piano."

..............

"Please use."

The next day, inside Sally's house.

She said that to repay Luna and Navia's kindness, she invited them to her home today.

However, Luna felt that she didn't simply want to express her gratitude.

Luna and Navia took the two bottles of drinks that were pushed towards them and waited for her to continue.

Soon after, Sally spoke again: "I am from Mondstadt. My mother lives in Mondstadt now. I decided to come here to make my own way because I heard that Fontaine is a country of art."

“Initially, I relied on part-time jobs and performances organized by various hobby groups. Later, I was discovered by Alkien, who funded and provided me with resources, and my career began to take off.”

Sally lowered her head, her usually handsome face filled with grief and indignation: "But during this time, he found out everything about me and coerced me into obeying all his orders, otherwise he would ruin my reputation..."

Navia looked displeased, thinking that this was really going too far.

"He has illicit connections with many authorities; they are all in cahoots. Just as someone can rise to fame, they can also fall from grace."

"Many people couldn't bear the difference in status, nor could they tolerate the harassment and threats from their people, so they obeyed their orders and did many...shady things."

Sally pursed her lips.

"Of course I didn't accept it. I can't stand this kind of music! I can't stand music becoming a tool for these people to manipulate power."

"I wanted to expose them, but the reporter who interviewed me seemed to be one of their people. After they found out about this, they had my hand broken. And that was all they broke was my hand..."

"As soon as everyone realized that I might never be able to play the piano well again, they fired me."

Sally stood up and went to the harpsichord in the room, quietly gazing at the black and white keys.

Navia comforted her, "The person who hurt you is gone now."

"Yes, I know, but..."

Sally hesitated for a moment, then turned away.

His expression was half conflicted and half serious: "Actually, I have a request, no, I should say a problem."

"Tell us, there's anything we at Rosewood can help with, and we'll definitely help," Navia patted her chest, revealing a reassuring smile.

"That's great! Actually—"

Sally took a deep breath.

"I want the phantom thief, White Cat, to steal something."

"....................ah?"

Navia's expression froze.

82: This is what a wife...partner should be like.

"Did I hear that right?" Navia asked Luna to confirm.

Find.

Phantom thief white cat.

Steal something?

Luna was equally surprised: "I think we heard right. This is truly astonishing that someone would actually want to hire a phantom thief."

The last time it was exploitation, which was easy to predict.

As long as she has a reputation, she will encounter people who want to take advantage of her.

They scavenge for food while alive, and eat even when they're dead, not hesitating to devour every last bit of flesh and blood.

But commissioning? This is the first time I've ever seen this.

It's quite intriguing.

That's interesting; the intelligence has come to us on its own.

Navia couldn't help but slam her hand on the table and stand up: "Why did you have to hire a phantom thief! If this gets out, you'll be on trial!"

This is a serious crime, especially since the other party is the infamous phantom thief, White Cat.

"That's still better than disappointing my mother."

Luna pulled Navia's hand down and made her sit down.

Then Luna asked curiously, "Could you explain the whole story in detail? Don't worry, we won't let anything slip."

Sally sat back down in front of them, placing her plaster-wrapped hands on the table.

“As I just said, I’m from Mondstadt. My mother always hoped that I would become a famous pianist, and my talent gave her hope.”

“Of course, I also really enjoy playing the piano,” she added.

When it comes to playing the piano and music, her expression is truly genuine.

“Before they broke my hand, I signed up for a concert exclusively for pianists.” Sally unveiled another crumpled promotional poster.

The Great Harpsichord

This is a concert that only keyboard players can attend.

The event will be held at the well-known Opiclie Opera House, and will begin at 6 p.m. seven days later.

The contestants perform, and then the judges score them. The one with the highest score is the champion.

"It seems that Lady Funina will also appear as an audience member."

Sally looked at Luna with a mixture of envy and admiration: "To receive her praise, just like Miss Luna, would be an immense honor!"

"But my hand was broken, and the organizers thought I couldn't participate, so they disqualified me."

"My mother said she really wanted to see me receive the trophy."

"In Fontaine's music scene, the difference between first and second place is actually just the difference between first and tenth place... I certainly wouldn't say I'm confident of winning, but I don't even qualify to participate."

"I don't want to disappoint my mother..."

Navia was at a loss for words.

She resonated with the sentiment that she didn't want to disappoint those closest to her.

"So you want the Phantom Thief to steal the trophy for you?" Luna asked.

Sally shook her head.

“I wanted her to bring the trophy over so I could take a picture with it, and then I would send the picture to my mother…that’s all.”

That way, her mother would think she had won an award.

I thought they were trying to steal it because they couldn't get it.

Luna said casually, "But in that case, you've also committed a crime."

“I know that my mother has difficulty moving around and won’t come to Fontaine; she doesn’t read the news or newspapers.”

"After I get out of prison, I'll go back to Mondstadt... I'll make up some other excuse."

They say they don't want to play music anymore, they're tired of it, or they've fallen out with their band and lost interest.

“Then live out your life peacefully,” Sally whispered.

She's really made all the arrangements for herself.

Navia's expression was complicated: "If it's just a simple photo, I think it would be possible to ask the organizers for help, right?"

"I tried."

Sally shook her head: "A very authoritative judge criticized me, saying, 'This trophy was made for the champion to win, so of course only the champion can take a picture with it. People who can't even play the piano shouldn't defile it!'"

Wow, this guy is probably a shameless old man.

Luna said helplessly, "Shouldn't we report this?"

"Anyway, they'll definitely be criticized, apologize in a press interview, and then be silenced for a few days," Sally whispered.

“Then I’ll go and have a good talk with them!” Navia said.

They couldn't possibly refuse to give the Rose Society any face, could they?