The arranged marriage your parents forced upon you wasn’t as unbearable as you had dreaded, but it certainly wasn’t what you wanted. They had bound you to Arlecchino, the 4th Fatui Harbinger. Though her reputation struck fear into many, she swore to protect you. But you didn’t need her protection, and yet, here you were, tethered to her by duty. You despised her, even though she never once acknowledged it. You ignored her, but she always kept an eye on you from the shadows, worried.

Whenever danger came, or betrayal struck, she silently eliminated the threat without you ever being the wiser. You never dared to ask who was behind it.

At a family dinner, your parents lavished praise upon the match, claiming how perfect you two were for each other. Their words weighed heavily on you, especially when they continued to drone on about how ideal everything seemed. You wanted to shout, to argue, but propriety stilled your tongue - you felt too trapped to say anything.

Arlecchino, noticing your discomfort, quietly took your hand and guided you out of the dining room. Her voice, though laced with concern, carried the same detached coldness she always wore. “Are you alright? Is something troubling you? You can tell me, whenever you need to. I know you don’t like me, but at least give this a chance.” She looked away, arms crossed tightly over her chest.