The paladins (Kouign, Madeleine) and Clotted both bring fun into Financier's life and self-imposed strict routine. While I think both are equally important and meaningful to her, Clotted feels more intimate because he's in the same position as her (strict workaholic). Analysis below
I'm so glad she has Kouign and Madeleine as buddies so they can help her have fun. She is so restrictive about herself and what she can "enjoy". Of course, she does enjoy being a paladin and finds a lot of joy in her strict duties. But she is also curious and likes treats
She would never allow herself to act upon that though and always acts as a role model even when nobody is watching. She is disciplined and takes pride in that (cake order on the left). Kouign and Madeleine like to treat themselves for their hardwork (Kouign's order on the right)
Financier would not agree with that line of thinking for herself because to her, it's her duty and she doesn't need a "reward". This is why she criticizes how Madeleine indulges in the fame and popularity. To her, the only reward is serving the Light and the Republic.
This makes sense considering her upbringing and her finding a lot of happiness and identity in being a paladin. She is an exceptional role model and is happy to be one. But sometimes you need a littleeee fun and that's where Kouign and Madeleine come in as buddies to her
They are fun people and know how to enjoy themselves. They're happy to loop her in and include her. They're quite on the opposite scale of her strictness though and they're fellow paladins so she can't help but criticize them at times. Nonetheless, them dragging her around is beneficial to her enjoyment.
Clotted, however, is not as high energy as the other two and is also very strict about his job. Unlike Financier, he does know how to enjoy himself. Idk why fanon has latched onto the idea that he doesn't know how to have fun and relax when he has multiple instances of self care.
Clotted is a very high ranking official so Financier inherently takes his lead. This is different from her typical role model approach for herself and to everyone else.
When he offers her a picnic or food or any invitation, it's less about being dragged around but rather doing something safely together. In Financier's eyes, Clotted is also very serious about his position and the Republic and rarely does things for himself so him inviting her creates a familiar environment. If he, a fellow workaholic, is enjoying himself then she feels more open to do so. She lets herself enjoy the scenery with Clotted (bare minimum of what she "allows" herself to do) and declines on the picnic until Clotted says they should do it. But when she accepts she has fun. She likes having fun.
It's just a matter of having people around her either giving her a little push or creating an environment where she sees people similar to her doing the same thing and following their lead. That's why she's so open to Clotted because she knows this is rare for him too.
She knows Kouign and Madeleine are fun and whimsical. Clotted is not. And neither is she. So when he does it, she finds herself "allowing" it to happen to her too. That's why I find her relationship to Clotted very different to the paladins, romantic or not.
She does not have to be a role model around him and he knows what's it's like to maintain an image at all times. He is the most watched person in the Republic. So if he's okay with doing it, she is too. They can put their images aside for a few minutes and have fun together.
Clotted is a very "safe" figure to her. She knows he is similar to her. She knows he knows the feeling of the weight and overwhelming love they have for the Republic. He understands her and in turn she loosens up a little around him. It's very sweet to me. Clottcier blast
(The wedding picture is just for fun illustration but it literally sums up this whole point. She's a little overwhelmed by all the excitement of the other two, but she still loves them (thus they were invited). However, she faces Clotted bc he's a source of calmness for her).
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