Outside, Mondstadt was still in festival mode — people toasting in the streets, kids running around shouting "Stormterror is gone!", the Notice Board already turning into a tourist spot.
Inside Kairo's room, however, it was all soft light, warm sheets, and the very recognizable, very tsundere voice of a certain "Prinzessin der Verurteilung."
"Tch… f-fine."
Fischl finally calmed down, snorted with as much dignity as she could gather, then very deliberately turned her back to Kairo, voice dropping a level from her usual lofty register.
"Since thou hast extended such sincere invitation… the Prinzessin shall reluctantly permit thee to share this fleeting moment with mine exalted self."
Her ears, of course, were red all the way.
Kairo chuckled, tugged the blanket up to cover her better, then shut his eyes lazily. "Okay then. Let's sleep together."
Not long after, Fischl's low, slightly protesting voice floated out from under the blanket:
"Thou must rest properly, otherwise thy slumber shall be incomplete…"
"Won't," Kairo said, sounding much too pleased.
A second later, a very familiar piece of black fabric — the kind a certain princess wore every day — was tossed out of the bed and fell onto the floor.
Time slid by like sunlight across the wooden floorboards.
By the time they actually got up, the entire morning was gone.
...
Afternoon sunlight spilled over Mondstadt, turning every stone-paved street golden. The breeze carried flower fragrance and the sound of windmills turning.
Kairo opened his door and stepped out, looking very refreshed — the kind of refreshed that said I definitely was not out subduing dragons last night, I was doing something even better.
Following behind him, Fischl also came out.
Golden hair swayed. Violet eyes were… a little hazy. Her cheeks still carried the last trace of blush from earlier, and her steps were just the tiniest bit loose — not in a messy way, more in a I slept in and I'm happy way.
And the most obvious change…
She wasn't wearing her usual black stockings.
Just two straight, snow-pale, absurdly good-looking legs catching the sunlight.
Kairo's eyes, very naturally, paused there.
"Oh? No stockings today?"
Fischl instantly averted her gaze and coughed. Then she remembered she was a princess and raised her chin.
"Hmph! The Prinzessin merely wished to cast off the fetters of the mortal realm for an afternoon and commune with the winds of this free city. Such liberation is beyond the ken of common folk!"
"Mm." Kairo smiled, not exposing her.
Fischl peeked at him from the corner of her eye — saw he wasn't teasing — and finally, finally relaxed, stretching lazily. The sun lit up the line of her calf; coupled with her half-closed eyes, the whole vibe turned from "mysterious chuuni girl" to "lazy afternoon princess."
"Since this afternoon is vacant," she said slowly, "we shall descend upon Deer Hunter Restaurant and partake in their mortal delicacies to reward the Prinzessin for her recent labors."
So: she wanted afternoon tea.
"Sure," Kairo said, amused. "Afternoon tea it is."
They headed into the city.
Mondstadt was buzzing.
"I can't believe it — the dragon problem's gone?! I missed Acting Grand Master Jean's speech?!"
"Ugh, why couldn't Stormterror hold on until noon?! Our militia didn't even get to show up!"
"Hey, I'm just glad trade routes will reopen. Food being delayed is one thing… but if wine stops coming, I'm done."
"I still can't believe Stormterror was actually Lord Twalin of the Four Winds…"
"With the Knights around, Mondstadt'll be fine."
Kairo listened as they walked, feeling the city's mood: relief, joy, a thousand "thank goodness it's over." He and Fischl walked side by side, her still explaining "gears of destiny" in her usual overdramatic cadence, and him just answering at the right times so she'd stay happy.
They were just about to pass the Adventurers' Guild when the door opened and Katheryne herself actually stepped out.
"Mr. Kairo!"
Kairo stopped. "What is it, Miss Katheryne?"
Katheryne came up to him — which she almost never did — face composed but clearly carrying something important.
"First: about the Whopperflower specimen you submitted — the analysis has been completed. After examining it, Chief Alchemist Albedo wishes to see you this evening in person. He has research findings to share, and… a few items to hand over."
"Oh?" Kairo raised a brow.
Albedo personally asking him to come — that didn't happen often. And if Albedo was giving things away, it'd be good.
"Second," Katheryne continued, "regarding the weapon commission you registered earlier — Albedo has agreed to take it. There are a few ready options, but he says you can come tonight to choose, or to request a custom build."
Kairo remembered now — he had casually put in a weapon request a few days ago.
"Got it. I'll swing by tonight."
"Then I wish you safe travels," Katheryne said with a polite smile — then, just for a breath, looked at Fischl.
And paused.
Because… something about the Prinzessin was… different?
Not the clothes. Not the hair. Not the eye color.
Just… the feel.
Like the chuuni had… leveled up.
Katheryne couldn't place it, so she let it go and went back inside.
As Kairo and Fischl resumed walking, Kairo said, lips quirking, "Katheryne was looking at you kinda weird."
"Hmph! That is awe and reverence before the radiance of the Prinzessin!" Fischl sniffed. "She has merely perceived a fragment of my true majesty. Her insight is… acceptable."
Kairo chuckled. "If you say so."
Soon they reached Deer Hunter Restaurant — warm light, smell of roasted meat, people laughing. They got a table, said hello to the owner, and Fischl leaned back like a satisfied cat, swirling her juice.
"Mmm. So this is the warmth mortals seek. The Prinzessin concedes — it is… pleasant."
Kairo was just about to make a joke, when a familiar, languid voice sounded beside them.
"Well now. This is rare."
Kairo looked over.
Kaeya.
The mounted captain of the Knights, one hand in his pocket, one elbow casually on the chair, smile sharp and lazy.
"Kairo," Kaeya said, smile widening, "Acting Grand Master Jean would like to see you at the Favonius Cathedral."
He paused a beat, then added, like it was no big deal:
"And also — the Traveler passed out. Still hasn't woken up. Jean thinks you might be able to help."
"…"
Kairo's expression stalled.
"Lumine… fainted?"
"Mm." Kaeya nodded. "Jean met her this morning to return the Holy Lyre, but not long after they left, someone found her unconscious. She's in the Cathedral now. Jean asked me to fetch you."
Kairo's eyes narrowed.
And then —
Oh.
Right.
That morning scene.
Venti.
The Cathedral.
La Signora.
In other words:
Venti got slapped… and he'd overslept.
Kairo's face instantly turned a little weird.
He'd spent the entire morning with Fischl… and missed the absolutely once-in-a-lifetime scene of the Anemo Archon getting manhandled by a Fatui Harbinger.
That was the wind god, for Anemo's sake!
How often do you get to see Barbatos get open-palmed??
Too. Damn. Bad.
He even wanted to see which Harbinger showed up — in Mondstadt it should be La Signora — to compare with what he knew, watch her steal the Gnosis, see if her demeanor matched what he remembered.
Well… Mondstadt missed.
But Liyue… Liyue would have its own show.
Still. What a pity.
Kairo got up. "Alright. Let's go."
He did find it strange, though — Barbara should've been able to stabilize Lumine. If Lumine still hadn't woken up, then either La Signora had left something nasty, or Venti's side of things had slightly diverged.
He'd have to see for himself.
But the second he stood, Fischl's cheeks puffed up and she glared at Kaeya.
"Hmph! Mortal, thou hast interrupted the Prinzessin's afternoon promenade with her chosen retainer — such discourtesy shall not be forgotten!"
Kaeya blinked — then, very, very clearly smirked.
"My, that is rare. Doesn't Her Highness usually stay above mortal affairs? Observing from on high? Why the sudden interest in… lunch dates?"
Fischl's face turned a shade pinker.
But she couldn't admit it.
So she lifted her chin and sniffed. "The Prinzessin indeed stands above the dust of the world. Mortal disputes are beneath me. But—"
She cut a sharp glance at Kairo.
"—but this afternoon was decreed by fate to be our joint inspection of Mondstadt. And fate should not be casually amended."
Translation: We were on a date. Why are you taking him away now?
Kairo looked at her, eyes softening. "I'll go to the Cathedral first. Then we'll finish the 'inspection'. I'll even buy you the special dessert."
Fischl's eyes lit up — then she remembered she had to stay proud.
"…Very well. The Prinzessin shall allow it once. But thou must return and report."
Kaeya laughed under his breath. "I'll let Jean know you're coming. Try not to be late — Venti's… not in the best condition."
Venti, not in the best condition = Venti got folded.
Kairo: "…"
He really, really wanted to see it.
He turned and headed out of Deer Hunter.
Behind him, Fischl watched him leave, chin still raised — but her cheeks stayed puffed.
This noon was supposed to be theirs.
Someone was going to owe her.
...
Favonius Cathedral.
The bells had long stopped, the square was quieter, but there was a tension in the air — like something momentous had just happened.
Kairo stepped onto the steps.
Inside, he could already sense Jean's solemn aura, Barbara's healing Anemo-hymn… and a faint, weakened, but still unmistakably smug, bard-flavored breeze.
And somewhere in there…
the trace of La Signora's icy perfume hadn't fully dissipated.
Kairo's eyes narrowed.
"So. I really did get up too late."
He pushed the door open.
And the scene inside — Jean, Barbara, an unconscious Lumine, and a small, beat-up bard with one hand over his chest and no Gnosis —
was waiting for him.
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