Eula had taken the day off yesterday to compete in a dance competition.
Today she was meant to rejoin the squad.
But just as she was preparing to leave, Amber came bounding up.
"Eula! Mister Xia invited us to lunch today!"
"Lunch?"
Immediately, Eula thought of the incredible meal she'd stolen from Noelle's lunchbox in the Knights' cafeteria just days before.
That food had been cooked by Mister Xia.
"Yep, let's go!"
"N-no, I can't…"
Eula swallowed hard, then shook her head.
"I have a mission."
"But didn't the squad already depart yesterday?"
"That's why I need to leave early today, catch up with them. If I push, I'll reach them by nightfall."
"Hmm… I have an idea!"
"Hm?"
"Remember the gliding competition? Mister Xia and Lady Xianyun made those new Wind Gliders—fast and steady. He even upgraded mine after, way better than before! I'll ask him to lend you one. Then even if you leave in the afternoon, you'll definitely catch up by tonight."
"That…"
"Captain Jean might be going too! Worst case, ask her for leave again. You've only taken one day off this whole year, right?"
"I…"
"Come on, come on! You don't have many friends. You should spend more time with the ones you've got!"
"Ahh… fine, fine, I can't win with you."
Eula sighed helplessly.
It wasn't really about the meal. But Amber's earnestness—she couldn't bear to refuse.
---
In the office—
After a cup of [Silver Dew], Jean was working at heightened speed, hoping to clear more paperwork before noon to free herself for lunch.
At eleven, the door knocked.
Lisa stepped in with a smile. "Captain Jean, time to go."
"It's still early," Jean said, glancing at the clock.
"Not early at all. We can't show up right on the dot—it's rude when you're a guest."
"When did the last lunch start?"
"Noon."
"Then we still have an hour."
"Jean, you really plan to just… eat and leave?"
"…"
"Come on, you're nobility. Mind your manners."
"…"
"Go change. Ten minutes. If you're not ready, I'm leaving without you."
"…"
Jean sighed, setting her pen down. "Alright, alright, you're right. Worst case, I'll work overtime tonight. Now go wait outside."
"Why? I'm not in the way if you change."
"?"
Lisa chuckled behind her hand, slipping out.
Jean pulled a few outfits from her storage space.
Formal wear was too much for a friendly gathering.
After some thought, she settled on a more casual outfit.
Together, she and Lisa left the Knights' headquarters and made their way to Favonius Cathedral.
Inside, they found Barbara praying.
Sunlight streamed through stained glass, haloing her profile in holy light.
Jean stopped, her gaze complicated.
As her closest friend, Lisa knew well the bond between the sisters.
Seeing Jean hesitate, she smiled and called, "Barbara."
Barbara opened her eyes, lowering her clasped hands. Turning, she froze for a heartbeat at the sight of her sister, then composed herself with a smile.
"Captain Jean, Miss Lisa—what brings you here?"
"We're here for lunch," Lisa replied lightly.
"Lunch?" Barbara blinked.
"At the cathedral?"
"Not here," Lisa shook her head. "Some friends staying here invited us."
"Ah… the guests from Liyue?"
"Exactly."
"I see. They're staying in the back. Should I guide you—"
"I know the way," Lisa thought, having been before. But she nodded anyway. "That would be lovely, thank you."
Barbara cast a quiet glance at Jean. "It's no trouble."
With her leading, they soon reached the back rooms, where Zhu Zi and Ying'er were waiting.
Because of Klee and Amber, Barbara already knew these two, often greeting them at the cathedral.
Lisa thanked her.
As Barbara turned to leave, Jean hesitated.
Then Lisa spoke up suddenly: "Barbara, weren't you always dreaming of being Mondstadt's idol?"
"W-what!" Barbara's face flushed scarlet. "Idol… that's…"
Ying'er and Zhu Zi perked up curiously.
Lisa grinned. "Barbara's singing is well-known across Mondstadt. People flock here to hear her hymns."
"Wow, amazing!" Zhu Zi exclaimed.
Barbara's cheeks grew hotter—especially with her sister right there. "It's nothing. I still have a long way to go…"
Lisa nodded. "All the more reason you need a good teacher."
"A… teacher?"
"Like that bard Venti, champion of countless music competitions. Or perhaps Mister Xia…"
At the praise of her boss, Ying'er quickly chimed in: "The boss really does sing beautifully. He even taught Miss Yun Jin once."
"Miss Yun Jin?"
Barbara's eyes lit up.
"You mean Liyue's Yun Jin of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe?"
"Yes," Ying'er replied. "You've heard of her?"
Barbara nodded eagerly. "She performed in Mondstadt once! I heard her sing—she's my idol too!"
Zhu Zi laughed. "What a coincidence."
Barbara was stunned. "Mister Xia actually taught Miss Yun Jin… That's incredible!"
"Isn't it?" Lisa teased with a smile.
"And today, that bard Venti is coming to lunch too. Barbara, would you like to join us?"
Her heart leapt.
Of course she wanted to.
But Mister Xia hadn't invited her.
To go unasked felt improper.
Shaking her head, she murmured, "I still need to pray to Lord Barbatos…"
Jean caught the flicker of hesitation in her sister's eyes.
As her elder, how could she not grant her wish?
Besides—Jean knew the truth. Venti was Barbatos.
Why pray before a statue when you could toast the Archon himself at the table?
"Barbara," Jean said softly, "come with us. I also have things to ask you about the theft of the Holy Lyre der Himmel. Don't worry—Mister Xia and I are friends. He'll welcome you."
Zhu Zi added: "Yes, we've been staying at the cathedral. The boss said he felt guilty and wanted to repay the kindness. If you come as a guest, he'll be very happy."
An invitation from her beloved sister, spoken so earnestly—
Barbara faltered, then nodded. "Alright, Captain Jean. Miss Ying'er, Miss Zhu Zi—I'll be in your care."
Ying'er laughed. "We're the guests here. This is your cathedral."
Together, the three entered the Serenitea Pot.
Jean greeted everyone, then went to the kitchen to inform Xia Zhi that she had brought Barbara along.
"I'd meant to invite her myself. This saves me the trouble. Captain Jean, since you rarely get free time, go enjoy yourself. I'll be busy cooking—please excuse me."
"Of course, Mr. Xia, think nothing of it."
Returning to the table, Jean sat down—just in time to hear Chi Yu and Amber chatting about ghost-hunting novels.
Curious, she listened.
"If this book of mine gets published, maybe I'll outsell Zhu Zi's. But beating the boss' book? That's a stretch."
"Mr. Xia's novel really was amazing."
"Right? I was the first reader, too! Too bad he keeps saying he has no time for a second volume."
"Lifetime regret!!!"
Jean stiffened.
Mr. Xia… had written a novel?
And no second volume, due to travel?
She suddenly recalled the Liyue cultivation novel she'd tried to buy. The shopkeeper had said the author was away traveling, no time for the next volume.
And Mr. Xia just happened to be traveling in Mondstadt now…
No way.
Feigning casual interest, Jean asked, "Mr. Xia wrote a novel? What's his pen name?"
"'Rainy Night With Blade but Without Umbrella!'"