After returning to Mondstadt, Eula naturally went to see her good friend Amber for a long-overdue chat.
"Eula, how does it feel to elope with the Honorary Knight Koji?" Amber teased with a smirk.
"It wasn't eloping! We were just traveling together!" Eula shot back, her cheeks flushed pink as she glared at her.
"Sure, sure. But Eula—don't you feel something for Koji?" Amber leaned in, probing curiously.
"Traveling with him is… easy. Relaxing. No one treats me with hostility when I'm with him," Eula said softly.
"I meant feelings, not atmosphere," Amber sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Amber, why are you asking so many questions? Fine, I'll remember this grudge," Eula muttered, embarrassed.
"Oh, come on! You're a beauty, Eula. If you stay that reserved, you won't even get a sip of the soup!" Amber said earnestly, half lecturing, half teasing.
"Hmph! And what exactly are you imagining in that head of yours?" Eula's eyes widened, flustered.
Had she really been that easy to read?
"Forget that. If you don't like him, that's fine. But if you do, then go for it!" Amber clenched her fist, cheering her on.
"…Why do I feel like you're more anxious than I am?"
Eula sighed, but the thought of making the first move didn't seem impossible.
The next morning, Eula broke her usual routine. She replaced her knight's uniform with a white lace dress, soft and elegant.
A matching garter wrapped around her thigh in a way that was dangerously alluring, and she wore a stylish sun hat that perfectly framed her delicate features.
"Koji, want to take a walk with me?" she asked shyly, her cheeks glowing red.
Her noble upbringing showed in every movement. Despite her family's reputation, her manners were impeccable.
"Sure. I was just about to take a break anyway," Koji said, nodding with a smile. Who could refuse a beauty's invitation?
Meanwhile, at Liyue's Mt. Aozang—
"Ah-choo!" Mona sneezed suddenly, frowning in discomfort.
"Lumine, you okay~?" Paimon asked in concern.
"I'm fine, Paimon. But… something feels off. Let's head back to Mondstadt."
She hugged Paimon tightly and teleported through a waypoint directly to the one above the Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
Her intuition screamed—she needed to go back.
Paimon didn't understand but followed anyway. She was, after all, just emotional support—and a convenient backpack charm.
Knock knock knock—
"Mona, you home? It's your warmhearted neighbor from the Knights of Favonius!"
Koji knocked on the door across the hall. It had been a while since he'd left Mondstadt; he wondered if Mona had starved to death yet.
Eula's eyebrow twitched. "Do all knights have such… extreme neighbors?"
"Who is it…" came a weak voice.
The door opened slowly, revealing a visibly hungry Mona.
"Oh—it's you, Koji! You have food, right?" she said, eyes sparkling like a starving cat spotting fish.
Koji sighed and pulled some rations out of his inventory space.
Mona's eyes lit up instantly. She devoured the meal like someone who hadn't eaten in days.
"Mona, didn't I lend you some Mora before? That should've lasted plenty long for food."
Mona coughed awkwardly. "Ahem… I couldn't help myself. I bought a new astrology book."
"…Figures."
"Anyway, Alice is in Mondstadt right now. Don't you want to meet her?" Koji asked casually.
"Alice? The Lady Alice?" Mona's eyes widened.
She had never met Alice, only heard her name in legends. Not even astrology could predict Alice's whereabouts. Meeting her would be an incredible opportunity.
"I'd love to," Mona said quickly, nodding with excitement.
Meanwhile, Koji and Eula continued strolling through Mondstadt's streets, ignoring the curious looks around them.
Eula hesitated, then bit her lip and brushed her fingers against his hand. Slowly, she clasped it tightly.
"?"
Koji froze, glancing sideways. Eula's fair ears were glowing bright red.
Naturally, he didn't pull away. Instead, he intertwined his fingers with hers.
At that exact moment—
"Just as I thought… someone's stealing the house."
From a nearby rooftop, Lumine clenched her fist, eyes narrowing.
Paimon trembled beside her. "L-Lumine? You're scaring me…"
Lumine's lips curved into a dangerous smile. "No one steals from the main wife. Let's go."
A few moments later—
Smack.
Koji felt someone grab his free hand. The grip was so tight he could hear bone creak.
"Mind if I join you?" Lumine said with a sweet, not-at-all-sweet smile.
Main wife authority has entered the chat.
"Lumine?"
Eula froze, looking like a criminal caught in the act.
"Sure. Let's all go together," Koji said smoothly, trying to defuse the tension.
Now walking hand-in-hand with both girls, he couldn't help but look smug under the jealous stares of passersby.
Why them and not him? Every man watching silently cursed their fate.
"Lumine, why did you come back so suddenly?" Koji asked.
"If I hadn't, were you two planning to throw a party tonight?" Lumine snapped.
Even Paimon shivered. If there was a party, I bet she'd make us invite her!
Eula's face turned scarlet. Compared to this sly "little sister," she was completely outmatched.
"Don't exaggerate." Koji shook his head. Still, if things had gone that far, it might've been hard to stop.
From a nearby window, Alice sipped her tea with a sly grin. "Hmph. As if beautiful young people could walk together without sparks flying."
"Anyway, Lumine, listen. Your brother Aether is still in Teyvat," Koji said seriously.
"My brother?"
Her expression stiffened. If he was here, then why hadn't he come for her?
"What… what is he doing now?"
Koji leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "It's related to the Abyss."
Her face fell instantly. She knew what that meant. The Abyss was a forbidden power.
"Don't worry. I'll handle it. Your brother will be fine," Koji assured her.
Lumine smiled sweetly. "I believe you. But if you do find him, break his leg for me—so he stops running around."
Eula blinked, dumbfounded. "You two are siblings? That sounded more like… enemies."
"Of course we are," Lumine said cheerfully. "We're the best of siblings! But when my brother misbehaves, a little punishment is normal, right?"
She said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"It's just one leg. He'll heal."
Koji could only sigh. Yep. Definitely siblings.
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]