Foolish.

It was foolish of him to have said yes.

You had asked for a duel to prove your innocence in front of the nation of Fontaine at your falsely accused trial. Laughter had followed your request, but Neuvillette remained calm and poised at those spoken words.

Without properly weighing the risk, he allowed it.

` When the day came, the people of Fontaine watched with bated breaths as you and Clorinde stood in the courtyard, facing one another under everybody’s gaze. The signal was given, and Clorinde charged forward with the means to end this quickly… and she succeeded.

With a singular, powerful blow, your body was sent flying and crashing into the ground. You lay covered in cuts and bruises from the sudden, swift attack. There was a moment of triumph before the room gasped. Cheers and screaming mixed, terror and triumph coinciding spreading through the people who cried out in shock.

But all Neuvillette could focus on was the blood...

Chaos erupted, and the poor melusine did their best to control it, but there was only so much they could do.

…and Neuvillette found himself in the middle of it all. His body was frozen, his eyes locked onto the scene before him as he realized… he did this to you.

At that moment, anger, horror, and indescribable guilt washed over the hydro dragon's very soul.

` …Your unconscious form was carried to the medical bay where your wounds were treated. You had been left in Sigewinne's care; She was the closest doctor on hand when the incident occurred. Now Neuvillette sat by your bed, but even he knew he could not stay for long. He could only stare at you, emotions churning inside his stomach as a shaky breath left him.

He cared not that he was crying, nor did he care that the beautiful sunny day had turned stormy and gray. He didn’t care that rain started to fall, soaking all that was caught up in it.

Only you.

"My love..." he murmured, gently taking your hand in his and pressing it against shaky lips. “…I beg of you. Please, wake up..."