23 The Order of Knights Arrives for Investigation

Charles looked at him, hesitating to speak, then stopping, as if he had a thousand words to say but couldn’t bring himself to speak. Finally, he sighed deeply and said bitterly, “It’s nothing.”

Kaeya: “……”

But you clearly look like something’s wrong.

Captain Kaeya pondered for a moment, then hesitantly said, “...Actually, if you really have some trouble, you could tell your boss. Our Lord Diluc is known throughout Mondstadt for his kindness, and since you’re one of his own, maybe if you mention it, he’ll be moved to help you out?”

Charles: “...Thank you for your suggestion.”

Though he said thank you, his expression remained unchanged. Kaeya laughed heartily, threw back the rest of his drink, slammed the glass down on the bar with a satisfying thud, and let out a long, contented sigh. “Another round!”

“Right away, sir.” Charles began preparing a second glass of the Afternoon Death.

While waiting, Captain Kaeya said, “By the way, I snuck out this time on official business. Let me ask—has your tavern recently taken in a very beautiful young lady from Liyue?”

Charles glanced at him warily, distracted. “Why do you ask?”

“Ha ha!” Kaeya laughed heartily twice. “Of course, it’s related to business!”

His expression suddenly turned serious. “At noon today, the Knights received a request. Someone reported that every day on the third floor of The Angel’s Share, there’s a beautiful lady standing on the balcony, looking out at the scenery, often sitting there the entire day. But now she’s been missing for a whole day, and everyone’s worried.

However, when people went to The Angel’s Share to inquire, the tavern staff refused to answer any questions. Plus, since tavern rules forbid guests from entering the third floor, even the staff can’t check on her themselves.

So someone came to the Knights seeking help, hoping we can find out what happened to this lady, and whether she needs assistance.

Of course, I trust Lord Diluc and your tavern, but since the matter’s in our hands now, we can’t just ignore it.

So, is there really such a goddess-like guest living on the third floor, who goes out to enjoy the view every day? May I see her and check on her condition?”

Joking aside, when the Knights become serious about their duties, the people of Mondstadt are always cooperative.

Charles thought for a moment. “There is indeed such a person.”

“She’s the companion of Mr. Aether, the Traveler…”

“That’s the Traveler’s lady! Heh heh, we know!” A drunk patron in the hall caught the keywords and slurred as he waved a bottle, “We all know! A few days ago someone asked about it and got—got warned by Mr. Charles! Hic…”

Mumbling drunkenly, “Uh… beauties are nice, but think about the honorable knights who can even take down the Anemo Hypostasis… uh...” Then he collapsed onto the table and passed out.

Captain Kaeya: “…”

The brown-skinned cavalry captain silently turned his head and raised an eyebrow at Charles.

Charles cleared his throat and earnestly clarified, “That’s a misunderstanding! The so-called ‘partner’ thing is just our reasonable guess based on how the Traveler takes great care of the lady and they decided to live together. In fact, they’ve never explicitly stated their relationship!”

Captain Kaeya: “…”

Are you seriously trying to clarify this, friend? Your attempt only makes it worse—like covering up a stain makes it darker.

Captain Kaeya said, “Tell me the details.”

Charles explained, “That lady was personally brought here by the Traveler. She’s been at The Angel’s Share for six or seven days. She arrived unconscious; the Traveler hurriedly entrusted her to the owner’s care and left Mondstadt to seek out Lord Albedo in Dragonspine.

After he left, the lady’s condition worsened. The owner helped summon Mondstadt’s best physician, Mr. Mars, and the prayer priestess Barbara to treat her. That’s how her illness was controlled.

Probably because she just recovered from a serious illness, her body remained weak, so she was reluctant to go outside. When she felt cramped in her room, she would go out on the balcony to get some fresh air and enjoy the view.

As for those saying she disappeared for a whole day…

Well, that’s normal, isn’t it? She’s been admiring the view for so many days; it’s only natural to get tired of it and choose not to come out for a while.”

Captain Kaeya: “So, that lady is still fine in her room, just doesn’t want to come out?”

Charles: “Exactly! Both the Traveler and Lord Diluc care deeply about her. Not to mention the Traveler, our lord not only personally bought many living supplies for her but sometimes prepares food with his own hands. Since she’s unwilling to go out and they worry about her being lonely, a lively maid was specially assigned to keep her company.”

Kaeya: “…”

Do you know that’s how you describe your lord behind his back?

The Ley Line Marriage Pressure Group is about to go mad.

Kaeya downed his drink in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and stood up. “Since all’s well, that’s good. But I want to see for myself.”

“No problem,” Charles agreed readily, “but there’s one condition.

That lady is easily startled. If she finds out you’re a member of the Knights, she’ll overthink things. So you must meet her as an ordinary person. After all, your only goal is to confirm her condition, right?”

...

Carrying two glasses of complimentary tavern wine and some snacks, Kaeya confidently climbed to the third floor and knocked loudly on the door. “Diluc! Lord Diluc! Are you there? I’ve come for a drink! Hurry up and come out!”

Of course, no one answered inside.

Kaeya kept knocking, pounding on the door loudly and calling out, “Diluc! Come out! Open up!”

*Knock knock knock—!*

*Click.*

Diluc’s door didn’t open, but the next door did. A young girl peeked out, eyes brightening when she saw him, and she immediately jumped out. “Ah! It really is you! Young Master Kaeya! I thought I heard wrong!”

“Eh? Haili? Aren’t you working at the winery? What are you doing here?” Kaeya was surprised as well. He nonchalantly approached her and glanced into the room, locking eyes with the young lady inside.

She was very beautiful, dressed in a pink poofy dress, with chestnut-colored curly twin tails, blooming like a mountain cherry blossom.

At that moment, she sat at the table, holding a book, peering out curiously.

Caught spying, she blushed with an embarrassed, hurried smile, then quickly lowered her head, pretending to be engrossed in her reading.

Very cute—like a sensitive little rabbit. Though she probably wasn’t the type Diluc would be interested in.

Kaeya smiled slightly. By his ear, Haili’s lively reply came, “I’ve been temporarily assigned to the tavern because the lord needs a very professional maid!

Oh, and Lord Diluc went home today. If you need to find him urgently, you’ll have to go to Dawn Winery! But he should be back tonight or tomorrow.”

Kaeya came back to himself and replied casually, “No, I just happened to have free time today and wanted to have a drink with him. Nothing important. But what about the beautiful, lovely lady in the room? Won’t you introduce her?”

Paina suddenly grew nervous, stood up, clutching the book tightly to her chest as if it provided her with a heavy sense of security. “I—I’ll go outside. You two talk, don’t mind me!” She quickly moved to the balcony door, opened it, stepped out, and closed it behind her with a click.

Haili gave Kaeya a helpless glance and scolded softly, “Young Master Kaeya, please don’t bully Miss Paina.”

Kaeya widened his single eye in shock, staring at her incredulously. “Me? Bully her? That’s a grave injustice to me!

Please, I just said one sentence! It’s just normal social etiquette, right? Should I just ignore that lady? That would be terribly awkward.”

“Hmph.” Haili sneered, crossing her arms as she watched him with a ‘I’ve seen right through you’ expression, lowering her voice. “Don’t pretend, Young Master Kaeya. Outsiders don’t know, but us winery people do.

When you came up, Mr. Charles must have warned you, right? Otherwise, he wouldn’t have provided you with these things.”