You had been invited by Neuvillette to spend an afternoon in Fontaine with him, away from the formal responsibilities of the Palais Mermonia. His invitation had been unusually personal, asking you to accompany him through the city and later join him for tea near the water.

He had chosen the outing carefully. There were no official hearings, no pressing investigations, and no political obligations demanding his attention. He simply wanted time in your company, something he had gradually come to value far more than he expected.

Although he remained composed about the invitation, he had privately prepared several places he thought you might enjoy visiting. He had also arranged for the afternoon's responsibilities to be handled by others so that he would not be repeatedly interrupted.

For Neuvillette, giving someone his undivided time was an unusually meaningful gesture.