By the time he left Jean's office, it was already getting dark outside.
Thinking about what he had done with Jean in her office today, Aether's expression was still somewhat dazed.
Walking down the almost empty street, Aether slowly stopped.
"Sigh, if this continues, I won't be able to bear it," Aether sighed deeply. Although he had never heard of a succubus being drained dry, if things continued this way, he might just become the first.
No, he needed to learn moderation. He definitely had to make it clear to Jean later. If more and more people joined in the future, how would he… no, why would there be more and more people!
Aether shook his head vigorously, shaking off his unrealistic thoughts from earlier.
It was just these few people; no more could be added.
"Hey, what are you doing?" A somewhat familiar voice came from behind him, startling Aether.
Aether quickly turned around, and sure enough, he saw a familiar person.
"It's, it's Eula. You scared me," Aether sighed in relief.
"Why are you standing alone in the street, looking so distracted? And what was that about something not being able to bear it…?" Eula crossed her arms, looking at Aether with a scrutinizing gaze.
She felt that Aether seemed slightly different now compared to when they last met.
"Nothing, nothing. Um, Eula, are you just getting off work?" Aether quickly changed the subject.
"I don't have work these past few days. I just went to the Knights of Favonius's Library to read for a while," Eula explained casually, still staring at Aether with a suspicious look.
She didn't want to stay home, but there weren't many places in Mondstadt that welcomed her, so she had no choice but to spend the afternoon at the Library.
"I see…" Aether nodded.
"Speaking of which, did you go to see Acting Grand Master?" Eula raised an eyebrow slightly; she finally realized where Aether's oddness came from.
"How did you know?!" Aether's heart tightened, and he blurted out instinctively.
"That strand of hair on you, its color is somewhat similar to Acting Grand Master's," Eula pointed to Aether's sleeve.
Her family and Jean's family were historical rivals in Mondstadt. She herself didn't really care much about these family feuds, but she still had a desire to compete with Jean.
So, even though many people in Mondstadt had hair similar to Jean's, she could still spot subtle differences.
Hearing Eula's words, Aether quickly looked down as well, but the expression on his face instantly stiffened.
Because, that wasn't hair…
"Ha, haha, yes, I went to see Jean today, and I also rested on her office sofa for a while. It might have gotten on me then," Aether explained with an unnatural expression.
"Is that so…" Eula was somewhat puzzled by Aether's attitude; Aether looked as if he had a guilty conscience.
Could it be that Aether and Acting Grand Master had an argument?
That didn't seem right. Acting Grand Master wasn't the type to argue casually with people, much less with Aether.
She had heard that Aether and Acting Grand Master had a very good relationship.
"Never mind, what are your plans next?" Eula didn't dwell on those minor matters and instead asked Aether.
"Plans? Probably to have dinner…" Aether rubbed his head, then told Eula.
After that, he would just go straight home; he just didn't know if Amber was there.
"Alone?"
"Yes, I don't know if Amber is there," Aether nodded.
This world was still somewhat inconvenient; there were no portable communication devices. If people wanted to contact each other remotely, they still had to rely on primitive methods like writing letters.
"I've already arranged with Amber to go camping tonight while she's off work," Eula explained. "It's good that I ran into you. Do you want to come along?"
"Camping? Sure!" Aether nodded; he naturally had no reason to refuse.
- A moment later, at the city gates -----
"Aether! You're back!" Amber dashed into Aether's arms.
Amber, who was originally waiting for Eula, almost instantly abandoned Eula the moment she saw Aether's figure, clinging to Aether without any hesitation.
Fortunately, Aether had already had one experience and directly extended his hand to catch Amber, transferring most of the force to the ground.
Amber's bold action made Aether a little nervous, fearing that Amber would be like Jean and Barbara, directly blocking his mouth upon meeting him.
If no one was around, it wouldn't matter, but Eula was watching now.
Thankfully, Amber just threw herself into his arms and didn't do anything else.
"Sorry I didn't come to find you immediately," Aether put his arm around Amber's waist, looking down at Amber, saying with a hint of guilt.
"Did you go to see Acting Grand Master Jean?" Amber's nose twitched, then she asked.
"Mm…" Aether nodded, an awkward smile on his face.
"It's fine, I was helping out in Springvale today anyway, so I wasn't home," Amber smiled; she didn't mind at all.
"I say, you two… are your relations really that good?" Eula frowned, looking at the two embracing, and spoke slowly.
She didn't know why, but she seemed to have a strange illusion.
These two people were like a long-separated married couple or lovers.
"Hehe, of course, my relationship with Aether is very good~" Amber not only didn't let go of Aether because of Eula's words but hugged him even tighter.
"Cough, um…" Aether felt a bit unnatural under Eula's gaze and didn't know what to say, so he just showed an embarrassed smile.
He inexplicably felt as if he had NTR'd someone.
"Eula must also get along very well with Aether, just like me." Before Eula could speak, Amber, who never failed to shock, uttered another sentence that made Aether break out in a cold sweat.
"Huh? I don't… I don't care if I get along well with him!" Eula snorted softly and turned her head away.
However, it was only when Amber said that that she realized.
Seeing Amber so naturally throw herself into Aether's arms, she felt a slight envy.
She wasn't sure if she envied Aether for being so popular, or if she envied Amber for being so intimate with Aether.
It should… be the former, right?
"Cough cough, um, let's hurry and set off. It's almost completely dark," Aether quickly said.
He didn't dare to respond to that last comment. There were already so many people now; if Eula were added… seven days a week wouldn't feel like enough to go around.
To be honest, he suddenly regretted agreeing to go camping with them.
He hoped nothing unexpected would happen tonight.
"Mm, you're right, let's go," Amber nodded, letting go of Aether, but still tightly holding his arm.
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