Mondstadt.
That lazybones Paimon must still be asleep... Lumine thought as she headed back after buying breakfast.
She figured that if she didn't wake Paimon up, Paimon would definitely sleep until noon.
But today, she clearly couldn't let Paimon sleep until noon. She had to wake her up when she got back and then prepare to head to Liyue.
Hmm...
"Who's there?"
Suddenly sensing someone following her, Lumine spun around quickly.
But when she got a clear look at the person, her wary expression immediately turned to one of utter surprise.
Because the person following her was none other than her brother—Aether.
"Brother?"
Honestly, at that moment, Lumine could hardly believe she was seeing Aether again so soon.
She had already prepared herself for a long time to pass before seeing her brother again, yet here he was.
"I have something I need to ask you, Lumine."
Looking at the astonished Lumine, Aether silently walked in front of her.
"Something? What... what is it?"
Not expecting Aether to show up just to ask her something, Lumine was very curious.
And more importantly, was he really here just to ask her a few questions?
"Do you... like that person named Kaito?"
As if he had been pondering something, Aether slowly asked the question.
"Huh? Why... are you asking that?"
It had to be said, Aether's question completely stunned Lumine.
She never would have imagined that Aether would appear just to ask this.
What on earth was going on?
Is he worried I'll be deceived?
After a moment of thought, Lumine said hesitantly, "A... a little, I guess. But... why do you ask?"
Because Aether was her brother, Lumine didn't deny her feelings for Kaito.
But she didn't fully admit it either, just saying "a little."
Of course, that wasn't the main point now. The main point was why Aether had suddenly appeared and asked this question.
Also, how did Aether even know about this?
Logically speaking, she hadn't told anyone about her feelings for Kaito, not even Paimon knew.
"Then you know that the girl with that person named Kaito is the Anemo Archon, right?"
After getting Lumine's confirmation, Aether continued with this question.
He now felt his suspicion was probably correct, but there was one thing he still couldn't figure out: why the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles would want him to know this.
Her purpose... what was it exactly?
No matter what, the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles would absolutely not let him know something like this for no reason. There had to be some ulterior motive.
"Wendy? Yes, I know. But you still haven't answered my question. And are you really here just to ask me things like this?"
Lumine was very dissatisfied that Aether's appearance seemed to be solely for questioning her about her romantic feelings.
They could have left this world and gone home right away, but Aether chose to stay for some unknown reason, not even taking her with him, just telling her to find the truth on her journey.
And now that he had finally shown up again, it was just to ask these kinds of questions. She really couldn't stand it.
"I'm sorry, Lumine, but you really shouldn't get involved with that person named Kaito..."
"Why? And have you become like this now? You never answer my questions directly, always being so secretive."
Before Aether could finish, Lumine interrupted him, extremely displeased.
If last time involved too many complications for him to answer, then what was the reason this time?
Can't you just honestly tell me why?
"Someone told me that the Anemo Archon might make a move against you because of that person named Kaito... though it wasn't said directly, it was implied that it would happen."
Seeing Lumine get angry, Aether quickly explained the reason.
It was true he couldn't conveniently talk about matters concerning the Heavenly Principles and the Abyss, and the current Lumine didn't need to know, but what he was talking about now was different.
"What? Then... who told you that? And you just believed them?"
After hearing Aether's reason, Lumine was shocked again. She hadn't expected things to be like this.
And she was also curious as to who would tell Aether such a thing.
In truth, she didn't think Wendy would do that. Someone must be messing with Aether.
Wait...
Could it be... Kiana did it?
Suddenly thinking of a possibility, Lumine couldn't help but fall into thought.
Because Kiana hadn't appeared long ago, and she had seemed a bit displeased about Lumine getting close to Kaito before, Lumine subconsciously thought of Kiana.
Of course, this was just her subconscious guess; she didn't know the actual facts yet.
"It was the god we met before we were separated."
After some thought, Aether said it anyway.
Lumine had just been very unhappy about him never saying anything, so this time he decided not to hide anything anymore.
More importantly, there was really nothing to hide about this matter.
"What?"
Another unexpected answer. Lumine never would have guessed it was Her who told Aether.
But in that case, she thought back to her earlier guess.
Could it really be Kiana?
Pondering this possibility, Lumine fell into deep thought.
Although it was just a guess for now, she felt it was highly likely.
"What's wrong, Lumine? Did you figure something out?"
Seeing Lumine's thoughtful expression, Aether felt she knew something.
"It's just a guess. Right now, I don't know if it's what I think it is."
Coming back to her senses, Lumine spoke slowly.
Without evidence, she obviously couldn't just conclude that Kiana had orchestrated this.
Perhaps the one Aether saw really wasn't Kiana; they just looked very much alike.
"A guess? What guess?"
Not expecting Lumine to be as indirect as himself, Aether had no choice but to keep asking.
"It's just that Kaito actually knows another girl. That girl came looking for him not long ago."
After a pause, Lumine continued, "That girl... looks a lot like the god we met before, but she says she isn't."
"Right, her name is Kiana," Lumine added.
Kiana...
Looks like the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles but isn't the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles?
Hearing Lumine's reply, Aether also fell into deep thought. He didn't know what to make of all this.
But no matter what, that girl was definitely not simple.
______
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