Kael froze the moment he saw Amber's expression.
He'd just promised her he'd wait at the Church of Favonius.
Not only had he run off… he was now holding Barbara in his arms.
Of course Amber was angry.
He guided his glider downward and landed right in front of her.
"Kael!" Amber marched up with puffed cheeks and promptly dropped her whole weight onto his chest.
"Did you even read the flight guide I gave you? It literally says gliders are for solo flight! How could you carry someone with you?"
And that close, too!
Hmph!
Amber had accepted Eula. She'd even accepted that Kael didn't belong to her alone.
But that didn't mean she wouldn't get mad when he got too close to another girl.
Who doesn't want to be the most important person in their lover's heart?
So seeing another woman beside him made her feel a sting of jealousy she couldn't hide.
Kael awkwardly rubbed his nose.
Seeing her tiny fists winding up again, he quickly caught her hand.
She tried to tug away, a soft little motion that lacked any strength.
She clearly didn't want to pull back.
Kael understood and gently squeezed her hand.
"Alright, don't be mad. You said you were going to Springvale, so I thought it would take a long time. I just went out with Barbara for a little walk. And we used the glider because her fans surrounded us—we barely escaped."
Amber wrinkled her nose, reluctantly accepting his explanation.
"I was worried you'd get bored waiting at the church, so I rushed back. I overslept, that's all. My fault."
She still had that stern little face on, so Kael leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I'll make it up to you…"
Amber's face instantly turned bright red.
She shot him a sideways glance, and those pure, innocent eyes now held a subtle, sultry shine.
She bit back the smile tugging at her lips and forced herself to sound serious. "Fine. I'm not mad anymore."
Barbara stood off to the side, watching the two of them. Her face had gone completely pale.
She could feel the intimacy radiating between them.
Their bickering and flirting made it painfully obvious their relationship wasn't simple.
Barbara clutched her chest as a familiar ache spread through her.
She'd felt this pain before—too many times.
Every time, it was sharp, hollowing, impossible to fight.
Her eyes reddened, but she grit her teeth.
Even if it hurt… even if it tore her apart… she didn't want to back down.
No one could make her give up on Kael.
Not even her sister.
Kael turned to Amber. "Examiner Amber, can I start my test now?"
Amber loved hearing him call her that. She straightened her posture and nodded with mock formality.
"Yes. Cadet, you may begin."
"The flying exam is simple: fly one circle around the Anemo Archon statue on the high platform, then land where I designate."
"Time limit is one minute."
"Pass, and I'll issue you a license. It's valid throughout Teyvat."
Kael nodded. "Alright."
For him, this was ridiculously easy.
He channeled Anemo, took off, unfurled his glider, and landed exactly where Amber asked.
"Perfect. Congratulations, Kael. You've passed. Here's your license. And remember—if I ever catch you carrying people with your glider again, I'll drag you straight to the Knights of Favonius!"
Kael took the license and lightly flicked her nose.
Still bringing that up.
What a little grudge-holder.
Amber smirked triumphantly, then glanced toward Barbara's pale face and shot Kael a pointed look.
See?
You've attracted another one.
Kael gave a helpless smile and silently begged Amber for mercy.
"Hmph, I've got work to do at the Knights. I'm leaving!"
She turned and walked away, leaving Kael alone with Barbara.
Kael knew she wouldn't actually make things difficult for him.
He stepped up to Barbara.
"Barbara, are you okay? You've been so quiet."
Barbara's expression dimmed. "Kael… what's your relationship with Amber?"
"I'm—"
He was just about to explain, but Barbara suddenly seemed to gather courage and cut him off.
"Kael. I like you…"
Her voice was steady, but her eyes trembled with fear of rejection.
"I really—"
Before she could finish, a small red blur shot toward them like a missile.
"Ah! Finally found you! Barbara!"
"Huh? Snowboar King big brother? You're here too?!"
Klee skidded to a stop, panting.
Kael's eye twitched at the nickname.
"It's Kael."
Klee eyed his glider twice.
Snowboar King.
Like she was calling him some kind of boar spirit.
"Anyway! No time! Big brother Boar King! Barbara, your sister fainted! You need to go heal her!"
Klee grabbed Barbara's hand and tried dragging her away.
Barbara suddenly tightened her grip so hard it made Kael pause.
She glanced up at him, panic flickering in her eyes.
Seeing his expression grow tense made something sharp twist inside her chest.
It hurt—so much more than watching him and Amber be close.
Why… why was she so scared of Kael knowing about Jean…?