"Ah—it's Rita! Did you already finish eating?"
Paimon immediately remembered Rita's earlier promise to treat them, and her eyes lit up.
But reality quickly reasserted itself.
They still had a missing Acting Grand Master to find.
Meaning: no free food today.
An unforgivable tragedy in Paimon's world.
Rita approached with her usual gentle elegance, a faint breeze carrying her perfume.
"Yes, I just finished. I was actually hoping to speak with Acting Grand Master Jean—there were still some matters from the previous incident I wanted to ask about."
Rita smiled. "But it sounds like the two of you were discussing her. Is she… unavailable at the moment?"
Both Lumine and Paimon stiffened.
"Uh… that…"
Paimon glanced nervously at Lumine.
Lisa's warning echoed in her mind:
Do NOT say Jean has disappeared.
Lumine also froze.
Should they tell Rita?
Should they not?
Rita had helped them… a lot.
And she wasn't just some stranger—she fought alongside them during the Dragonspine incident.
Lumine chewed her lip.
But Lisa said—absolutely no spreading the disappearance.
Ugh.
Rita watched the two hesitate, and—graceful as ever—relieved them with a soft laugh.
"My, my. It seems I've touched upon something inconvenient. No need to force yourselves. I can ask Lady Jean later."
She waved it off lightly.
"Oh, and before you run off—are you two in a rush? Would you like to grab a bite first?"
Paimon's eyes sparkled.
But Lumine inhaled.
"Rita… can we ask you for help with something?"
This time, Lumine made up her mind.
If anyone could help—and not leak the information—it was Rita.
"Of course," Rita answered immediately. "If it is within my abilities, I would be glad to."
"Then… let's go somewhere with fewer people," Lumine said.
Rita understood at once and followed without protest.
As They Walked
Lumine kept glancing at Rita from the corner of her eye.
Strangely enough, Rita never once asked "What's wrong?"
She simply walked quietly at their side, hands folded politely, maintaining a calm and respectful distance.
It only made Lumine stare more.
"…Lumine? Is something the matter?" Rita asked with a soft smile.
"N-No! Nothing!"
Lumine jerked her gaze away.
So embarrassing…
But that serene smile of Rita's instantly soothed the awkwardness.
If I ever become rich… maybe I should hire a maid like Rita…
Lumine suddenly thought.
Then she remembered she was broke.
…Better focus on the mission.
Once they reached a quiet stretch of road, Lumine finally stopped walking.
"Jean… is missing," she confessed.
Rita's eyes softened, but she didn't gasp, didn't panic.
"I see."
Her tone remained calm.
"This is indeed serious. No wonder you two were wary."
"So… could you help us look for her?"
"Absolutely," Rita replied without hesitation.
"Searching for people is part of a maid's craft, after all."
Paimon blinked.
"M-Maids do that too?!"
Rita smiled warmly.
"A proper maid must adapt to all situations."
Paimon folded her tiny arms seriously.
"Then Rita must be super expensive! It must cost tons of Mora to hire someone like you!"
Rita: "???"
Lumine: "…"
Lumine in a panic grabbed Paimon's cheeks.
"D-Don't say dangerous things! Do you hear me?!"
"Ow! Ow ow ow—!"
Rita, unfazed, simply chuckled.
"No harm done. Now—what have you planned so far?"
"Honestly… nothing specific," Lumine admitted. "We've just been asking around. Someone said Jean often visits the old tree near Windrise, so we wanted to look there."
"Then let us check it together," Rita said.
Windrise – Beneath the Ancient Tree
"…She isn't here either."
Lumine looked around the empty clearing.
"Maybe she snuck out to relax?" Paimon suggested.
"I doubt Lady Jean would do that without informing anyone," Rita replied.
"And in her condition… it's concerning."
She crossed one arm under her chest and tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"At this stage, it would be wise to begin with the people closest to her. Someone must know where she last went."
That actually made sense.
"Then let's head back," Lumine said.
The three turned toward Mondstadt again—each with heavier footsteps than before.
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