[Location: Palais Mermonia - Neuvillette's Office]

Neuvillette stands by his desk, the Steambird newspaper in hand. He looks at Wriothesley with an unreadable expression, his voice steady but tinged with something more.

“Wriothesley… I trust you have an explanation for this?” He holds up the crumpled newspaper, the scandalous headline glaring back at both of them.

“I wasn’t aware our relationship was this public. Perhaps you can enlighten me on how this came to be?”