Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart!

"Miss, you're contemplating the Phantom Thief's notice again, aren't you?"

The voices of Navia's two attendants drew her back to reality.

She murmured, "Indeed. There's truly an indescribable uniqueness to the genuine article..."

As if the Phantom Thief White Cat is daring me to a face-to-face challenge? She couldn't quite capture the essence of this vague yet unmistakably singular sensation.

Navia tucked away the notice and surveyed the scene before her.

The banquet hall was teeming with people. If the Phantom Thief White Cat were to show up, it would undoubtedly pose a safety hazard.

After all, while the thief wouldn't harm innocent bystanders, she had a penchant for leaping through windows—a spectacle that would surely leave the floor strewn with broken glass!

Couldn't she just use the front door like a normal person...? Navia mused. But then again, a Phantom Thief who boldly enters through the main entrance wouldn't be much of a Phantom Thief, would she?

And there was no way to bring the guests here while ensuring the Phantom Thief couldn't attend—a dilemma indeed.

"Ah, they're all humans indeed," Silver remarked, hands casually folded.

"Hmm, and they're all here for the phantom thief."

Ever since the Franglet family released the news of their anonymous letter, a diverse crowd had flocked to the scene.

There were reporters from newspapers, unknown nobles, and curious onlookers eager to catch a glimpse of the phantom thief's true face.

And then there were—

"After the phantom thief arrives, we'll all shout together, 'Welcome, Miss Phantom Thief'!"

"Yes!"

"Let's practice it together! One, two, three!"

"'Welcome, Miss Phantom Thief'!"

... along with various other groups that seemed to appear out of nowhere.

Navia was puzzled. "What's going on with these people?"

"They seem to be fans of Phantom Thief White Cat," Melus explained.

Fans?

It wasn't hard to understand why Luna might have fans; she was genuinely kind, beautiful, and exceptionally talented. But even a thief, a criminal, had fans?

The bewilderment and confusion on Navia's face deepened. Silver also pushed up his sunglasses, voicing his deep perplexity:

"Why would they idolize a thief?"

"It's probably because of the phantom thief's righteous act last time, although we can't rule out the possibility of someone intentionally promoting this sentiment."

Hearing this, Navia finally grasped the situation.

"Are there any others who would like to bask in the Phantom Thief's fame?" she muttered.

Melus's voice was steady. "I'm afraid so. The Phantom Thief is now a prominent figure in Fontaine. With a bit of publicity, she'll become a 'role model' for the youth."

"In this way, many could climb on the Phantom Thief's shoulders and earn money."

This old man understood the situation all too well. After all, he had witnessed how, during the Callas incident, numerous clandestine individuals had been pushing and stirring things from the shadows.

"If her reputation were to crumble and she were to fall from grace, they could make money just the same..."

"This is the shadow the stage lights cannot illuminate, Miss."

Silver fell silent for a moment. After a few seconds, he spoke up. "Mr. Callas... that incident had similar signs. Many were pushing for the situation to take a turn for the worse."

Navia pursed her lips.

The shadows the lights cannot reach, eh, Lulu... As her partner, I must protect her well in the future. Because she'll always be standing on the stage.

She made up her mind, took a deep breath, and slapped her cheeks.

"By the way, what's with the things on both sides?" she asked, concerned.

Long tables lined both sides of the banquet hall, shrouded by white cloths that obscured their contents from view.

Clearly, this wasn't about setting the stage for the guests' meal.

Silver shook his head. "No idea. Can't tell what's beneath those cloths."

Melus observed, "The Franglet family doesn't show their hand to just anyone."

Navia pondered this, her thoughts racing.

Could it be...?

Just then, the banquet doors swung open. Instantly, the room fell silent, as if a veil of hush had descended upon the crowd.

She appeared in the doorway.

"The Phantom Thief... the White Cat," someone murmured.

Navia's jaw dropped. The woman wore a silver-white costume and dazzling blonde hair, her lips curled in that all-too-familiar smile—there was no mistaking it: this was the infamous Phantom Thief White Cat herself.

How could she have walked right through the front door?

This... this doesn't make any sense. I thought the Phantom Thief never uses the obvious entrance?

"C-come on, everyone, let's say it together!"

"'Welcome, Phantom Miss!'"

Luna cast them a glance, ignoring their call completely.

Her silent scorn caused the expressions of the vocal "fans" to shift rapidly—from shock to anger, their faces flushing white, then red, as if they were about to smoke with embarrassment and indignation.

This is preposterous! We're her fans, after all!

"A despicable Phantom Thief, I see!" someone exclaimed.

Hearing this, Luna's laughter grew even more delighted. "Ah, come now. Haven't all of you gathered here tonight precisely because of me?"

Now that's more like it.

This man understood—this was her true fan.

The others earlier didn't count, and she had no intention of responding to anyone's expectations as the Phantom Thief. She wasn't here to be anyone's idol.

She was simply here to steal treasures.

"Though I have no interest in any of you present, since I've been invited to this banquet, I should at least observe the basic courtesies," Luna said.

She bowed gracefully. "Tonight, the Phantom Thief White Cat shall abscond with your treasures."

As soon as she finished speaking, a round of applause erupted.

"You truly live up to being the most famous Phantom Thief in Fontaine. Your courage and determination far exceed my imagination. I initially thought you might be pleased by others' admiration, but it seems I underestimated you."

Aire Franglet clapped, slowly descending the stairs. At her side stood her husband.

"You may be a simple thief," she said with a smile.

"Lovely compliment," Luna replied.

"I meant no compliment—"

"Yet you still need me, don't you?" Luna asked, still smiling.

Aire's expression darkened.

The banquet had become a stage, with all eyes fixed on her. Her every move, each glance and smile possessed an enchanting power that drew the audience in. This woman was unquestionably born for the spotlight.

Luna's steps were slow and purposeful as she approached the long tables at either side of the hall.

"These so-called nobles are truly pitiable and pathetic," she observed aloud. "Hollow titles without real influence, hands clutching riches that countless dream of yet fritter away in a single night. They proclaim themselves champions of justice, speaking for the common people, when in truth they're but empty vessels inflated with their own importance. All to sway like a dog before the camera...

"And they resort to exploiting the reputation of a sinner."

Ignoring the nobles whose faces had grown yet darker, her hand closed around the white cotton draped atop the table. With a swift motion, she lifted it away.

The astonishing sight beneath was met with a chorus of protests and gasps.

"How many...?" Navia exclaimed in bewilderment. "They're all... cups?"

The table was covered entirely with identical jade cups.

"Are these the elusive jade cups?" Melus murmured under his breath.

Precisely."

Luna lifted a jade cup and, with a gentle flick of her wrist, let it go.

With a sharp crack, the cup shattered into countless fragments, each edge painfully glaring in the light. The broken porcelain lay strewn across the table, exposed for all to see: they were no more than fakes.

It was a simple game.

They hid the genuine item somewhere in this place, and all they had to do was wait for Phantom Thief White Cat to steal any replica. Then they could use it as leverage to their advantage.

First, there would be interviews, followed by headlines in the news.

The Phantom Thief's Humiliating Defeat! Justice Served!

A daring heist ends in embarrassment for the infamous Phantom Thief.

Once their fame skyrocketed, they could write books, capitalize on media attention, and auction off the real gemstone cup for an astronomical price. This would be enough to cover their massive debts.

They also planned to contact a theater group to swiftly produce a comedy. The Phantom Thief's antics would become a laughingstock throughout Fontaine.

In short, with enough fame, earning money would be effortless.

The only expendable resource needed was... a white cat.

However, Luna noticed something amiss. "I'd be delighted to join you in this little game." She watched as a white cat sauntered past a pillar and discreetly beckoned to it.

The cat glanced at her before strolling over. Luna picked it up, stroking its head as she whispered softly:

"You'll learn what awaits those who dance with wolves."