Luna's gaze and words left Arlecchino's expression unchanged.
"Just bear with it. It will sting a little," Arlecchino said calmly.
A sudden, searing pain shot through Luna's wound, causing her to wince slightly.
While the children of the House of the Hearth often faced perilous missions, not all of them could endure pain well.
Of course, Luna was one of the resilient ones. She had long grown accustomed to such discomfort.
Yet, recalling Lynette's trembling tail and twitching cat ears during her treatments, Luna couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia.
"Turn around," Arlecchino instructed.
Luna obediently turned her back as Arlecchino rolled up her shirt and picked up the medical supplies.
Waves of burning pain seeped into her skin.
"Why are you treating me? I didn't think this was something you did," Luna ventured cautiously. Could there be a special reason?
Arlecchino responded calmly, "'Father' heals his children. Does he need a reason?"
"No," Luna replied.
"Exactly," Arlecchino said.
"But as far as I know, you've never done this for any other child," Luna added, glancing at her sideways.
Arlecchino raised her eyes. "Perhaps I did, but that was long before you joined the House of the Hearth, a very long time ago..."
"How long ago?" Luna pressed.
Arlecchino didn't elaborate, silently finishing the treatment of Luna's wound. All she needed now was rest.
"Was it something from your childhood?" Luna persisted.
"Yes," Arlecchino replied curtly, quickly changing the subject. "If you're wondering whether you're a special child, Luna, I can assure you unequivocally—yes, you are."
Luna's eyes lit up. Did this mean she held a special place in Arlecchino's heart?
Arlecchino smiled faintly. "Because you've accomplished something no other child, past or present, has ever achieved."
"Stealing the power of a God."
Luna fell silent.
"Deceiving all of Fontaine."
"And—earning my recognition in both strength and will. Exceptional excellence is what makes you special," Arlecchino concluded.
How is this the kind of special?
This wasn't the special Luna had hoped for. She placed her hand on Arlecchino's shoulder, pressing further. "But what about to you, personally?"
If Arlecchino still saw her as a child, Luna wanted to be the most special child in Arlecchino's eyes. She longed to surpass all others and claim that singular position in her heart.
Arlecchino returned Luna's gaze without a word, but that wasn't enough to make her back down.
"I hope I'm special to you," Luna said, pinching a strand of Arlecchino's hair and letting it slide down until her fingers rested on her chest. "Because you're special to me."
If Arlecchino had ever imagined ending up in this situation, the answer would have been no.
She had taken Luna in because she met the criteria for the House of the Hearth, a "family" made up of those with nowhere else to go. Arlecchino had witnessed Luna's devotion and trust firsthand, keenly aware of the depth of her feelings.
But what about Luna's feelings toward her?
Special...? Arlecchino murmured inwardly.
"To me, you are indeed a special child," she admitted honestly.
There was no need for pretense. Luna wouldn't become complacent or arrogant because of this "special" status. Her child simply needed a clear answer.
Luna smiled contentedly. "That's good."
A moment of silence followed.
"If I'm special, can I touch your face?"
Luna wouldn't let this "special" status go to her head or make her weak.
But she would seek further contact.
In Liyue terms, this was called "pushing one's luck," Arlecchino thought absently. Still, she was willing to indulge Luna's audacity.
Seeing Arlecchino's silent indifference, Luna raised her fingertips.
First, she gently touched the wound on Arlecchino's face.
"Does it hurt?"
"Just a scratch. Try inflicting a deeper wound next time."
Luna whispered, "I will."
Though it sounded suggestive, she simply meant she hoped to improve her skills.
"Still, it's best not to leave it untreated. Let me at least disinfect it." Luna picked up a cotton ball soaked in alcohol with tweezers and dabbed it on the wound.
Arlecchino: "..."
Once the disinfection was done, Luna set down the tweezers and cotton ball.
"Speaking of which, have you ever considered wearing makeup?"
"No."
Luna wasn't surprised. "If you did, you'd be even more stunning. For example, here..." Her fingertip lightly traced Arlecchino's cheek.
"...and here..." Her fingertip gently pressed between Arlecchino's lips.
"There's a lovely new lip tint that came out recently. I'll give it to you to try sometime," Luna chuckled softly, her boldness growing with each gesture.
"You never used to be interested in makeup or fashion," Arlecchino remarked.
"Things have changed," Luna replied. "I'm still not particularly interested, but it's sometimes necessary for work."
Besides, Chiori, who often used her as a model, would occasionally style her hair and do her makeup. Over time, Luna had picked up a thing or two.
Her fingers sank into Arlecchino's silver hair, tracing downward until they reached the hair tie.
"With makeup, a dress, and your hair down... I think you, Father, would become a dazzling star, no less radiant than I am, captivating everyone's attention."
Arlecchino replied coolly, "That won't be necessary. I prefer sitting in the audience to standing on stage." She found more pleasure in observing others than being the center of attention herself.
"But what if the stage held only you and me?" Luna gently stroked Arlecchino's cheek, her face flushing slightly.
In the past, Luna had viewed Arlecchino as an untouchable force. But this recent battle had convinced her that she could catch up to "Father." And, after all, Luna was undeniably the most special child in Arlecchino's eyes.
Luna leaned down as far as she could and tugged at Arlecchino's collar. A fleeting warmth brushed against her neck.
Arlecchino remained silent.
Seeing that Arlecchino made no move to stop her, Luna pressed closer.
"Luna," Arlecchino called out, signaling her to stop.
But Luna paid no heed.
"...Luna," Arlecchino repeated, her tone hardening slightly.
Arlecchino fell silent.
The light, tentative kisses gradually deepened into a lingering, breathless embrace, leaving a conspicuous mark on Arlecchino's neck. Even a glimpse of it peeking from beneath her collar would easily reveal it.
Arlecchino traced the red mark with her fingers, her expression unreadable.
Luna instinctively opened her mouth to apologize. Perhaps I've gone too far.
Instead, she simply leaned against Arlecchino, shrinking herself as much as possible to press closer to Arlecchino's face.
"Perhaps in your heart, I'm nothing more than a 'bad child'," Luna whispered. "But I want to claim and cherish all beautiful treasures... and you, my 'Father', are one of them."
"That's right. You are indeed a 'bad child'," Arlecchino agreed.
Her fingertips brushed through Luna's hair, coming to rest on her neck.
"You're a very disobedient 'bad child,' Luna. Even the rules of the House of the Hearth can't restrain you."
"But I'm proud of you, Luna."
"Rest for a while. I know you're tired."
Arlecchino leaned back in her chair, drawing Luna close and allowing her to curl up against her in comfort. She had never treated the other children of the House of the Hearth this way, and perhaps Luna, this special child, would be the only one to ever receive such unique warmth.
"The auroras in Snezhnaya are beautiful," Arlecchino said suddenly.
"Hmm?"
"I remember you saying you wanted to see them. You said you didn't want me to take you, but to go there together, side by side."
Luna nodded. "I still feel that way."
"Then my answer remains the same."
Arlecchino gently stroked Luna's hair.
"I look forward to seeing you grow."