Ningguang had set a soothing incense burning in the room, something meant to help him sleep. When Kael woke, he felt more energized than he had in days.
The emotional wounds left by the recent simulations had healed under Ningguang's gentle comfort.
He finally felt like himself again.
The first thing he did was head straight to Amber's room to check on her.
The moment she saw him, Amber's whole face lit up with a bright smile.
"Kael!"
She threw the blanket aside to get up, but he pressed a hand on her shoulder to hold her still.
"How are you feeling? After being unconscious for so many days, your body might still be weak. Do you want to rest a bit longer?"
Amber grabbed his hand, used it for balance, and pushed herself upright before falling straight into his arms.
She looked up at him with a proud grin. "I'm a scout of the Knights of Favonius. I'm not that fragile!"
Kael held her gently, feeling how much thinner she'd become. His chest tightened. The girl who used to feel soft and warm in his arms now felt almost weightless.
"When your stomach can handle it, I'll cook something big for you. You need to get your strength back."
"Hehe, okay~"
Amber relaxed into his warmth, soaking in every bit of his worry and care. Honestly, collapsing like this didn't feel so bad if it meant Kael would fuss over her like this.
But then...
"Ah, wait!"
Her sudden gasp shattered the tender moment.
Kael jumped. "What happened?"
Amber made a miserable face. "I used my vacation days to come here. I was only supposed to stay in Liyue for five days, but I slept through all of it!"
"Does this mean… I'm supposed to be out on a date with you right now in Liyue?!"
Kael thought for a moment. "You just woke up. You're still recovering. Stay here and rest a bit longer. I can help you get leave from the Knights of Favonius."
"That could work… but Lady Ningguang probably has urgent documents she needs delivered to Mondstadt…"
"I'll handle it."
Kael went to find Ningguang and explained everything.
"I want Amber to rest here a bit longer. Give me whatever needs to be taken back to Mondstadt. I have an Adepti Artifact with me, I can make the trip in a single day."
Ningguang raised a brow and opened a drawer, pulling out a neatly prepared stack of documents.
"This is Liyue's next round of commercial cooperation plans with Mondstadt. Please deliver them to the Acting Grand Master."
"Got it."
Kael accepted the documents carefully.
Ningguang then let out a soft sigh. "These last few days have been busy. And I had to split my attention between work and caring for Miss Amber. Even I was starting to feel exhausted. Thankfully, that part is over."
Kael caught the meaning behind her words and answered with a smile. "Is there anything this humble servant can do for Lady Ningguang?"
She lifted her chin, still smiling but playing at being aloof. "A massage would certainly ease my fatigue. And a lavish feast wouldn't hurt either."
Kael crossed his arms and gave a dramatic Millelith-style bow.
"As you command. I'll serve Lady Ningguang properly once I return."
Ningguang finally let her amusement show with a soft laugh.
"Go, then. And come back soon. I'll be waiting."
Kael used the map and traveled to Mondstadt at full speed.
But the moment he reached the entrance of the Knights of Favonius headquarters, he was stopped by a knight at the door.
"Hello. Do you have business with the Knights of Favonius?"
Kael handed over the letter of introduction.
"I'm here on behalf of the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing to deliver documents. Please inform Acting Grand Master Jean."
The knight checked the letter. "Understood. Please wait a moment while I confirm."
He disappeared inside, then quickly returned.
Someone familiar walked out behind him.
"Well, Traveler. You vanish for a few days and suddenly you're doing errands for the Liyue Qixing?"
"Kaeya."
Kael smiled at him.
"Amber had an accident, so I came to deliver the documents for her. Is Jean available?"
At the mention of Amber, Kaeya's expression tightened.
"Amber had an accident? What happened? Is she alright?"
"She's fine now, but she needs more time to recover in Liyue. Besides delivering the documents, I'm here to inform you she'll need an extended leave."
Kaeya pinched the bridge of his nose, looking troubled.
"Everything is piling up at once…"
Jean's health had been declining for weeks. She'd developed severe chest pains, and more than once she'd fainted in the middle of work.
Yesterday, during a meeting, she collapsed outright.
The entire Knights of Favonius had fallen into chaos. Barbara was watching over her right now.
Amber was the only scout knight they had left, and now she needed time off too.
"…Did something happen in Mondstadt?" Kael asked when he saw Kaeya's grim expression.
Kaeya respected him, considered him reliable even. But he was cautious by nature and never revealed sensitive information easily.
And Mondstadt was in a vulnerable state.
The delegation from Snezhnaya was still stationed in Mondstadt City.
If the wrong people learned Jean was incapacitated, it would put the entire city at risk.
So Kaeya avoided the question.
"It's nothing. Just give me the documents. I'll deliver them to Jean."
Kael didn't press him. He understood why Kaeya had to be cautious.
He was an outsider after all, a Traveler not belonging to any nation.
Being wary of him was natural.
So he simply handed over the documents.
"Thank you."
Seeing Kaeya's stressed expression, Kael added, "If Mondstadt needs help, you can always tell me."
"I will."
Kaeya nodded, took the documents, and hurried back inside.
With Ningguang's delivery complete and Amber's leave request submitted, Kael's errands in Mondstadt were done.
It wasn't even noon yet.
He could head back to Liyue and continue taking care of Amber.
He opened the map, just about to return, when a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
[Host.]
Oh great. Again.
His heart clenched with instinctive dread. At this point, the System showing up meant something bad. Every time it spoke, trouble followed.
"…What now?"