"Mmm…"
Morning light from Teyvat's sky filtered through the wooden window screens of the Goth Grand Hotel's rooftop suite.
On the pristine white bed, La Signora turned over.
The chill against her skin made her snap awake.
The drug Lisa had given was never meant to cause harm—its original purpose was for Jean. Dosage only affected how long the target slept.
But as Signora stared at the familiar ceiling, memories of last night flooded back.
A violent killing intent surged across her icy expression.
In an instant, the entire Goth Grand Hotel was coated in frost.
Walls, floors—even the fountain outside—froze solid.
"Lady Signora must be furious about last night…"
Outside, Fatui guard Luke, just about to change shifts, shivered violently.
Mondstadt's citizens passing through the plaza or heading to morning prayers at the Cathedral barely reacted.
They were already used to this.
"Stay strong, Goth Grand Hotel!" someone even shouted encouragement.
Since the Fatui moved in, all kinds of bizarre incidents had happened—Electro cicins dying from static buildup, Mist Grass powder mixed up with pepper, Debt Collectors fighting over accusations of embezzlement…
It'd be a miracle if the hotel didn't collapse one day.
Inside the largest suite—
The temperature was like deep winter.
All the debt collectors and Electro Mages with clearance to enter were kneeling on the floor.
Anastasia, the Fatui attaché, was trembling uncontrollably.
She'd spent the entire night in terror.
Her face was deathly pale, nothing like the arrogant woman who'd confronted Jean at the hotel entrance.
"L-Lady Signora…"
Anastasia's voice shook.
The moment she sensed the freezing domain, she knew Signora had awakened—and already knew of the Holy Lyre's failure.
The silence dragged on.
Anastasia felt like the fear alone might kill her.
Finally, she forced herself to speak.
"Lady Signora… the Holy Lyre operation failed last night."
Inside the room—
Signora stood clad in her battle attire, pale-gold hair swept to one side.
At those words, savagery flashed across her frost-covered face.
Then Anastasia continued hurriedly:
"The Goth Grand Hotel was also infiltrated. Our Mondstadt deployment map and the Lyre operation plan were stolen."
"That may be the reason the plan failed."
Those two sentences saved her life.
Signora recalled the words spoken at Good Hunter.
'Our goal is also the Holy Lyre. If we happen to ruin your plan, don't take it too personally.'
Blood rose in her throat.
"Kaito."
The rooftop suite became a frozen hellscape.
Countless priceless furnishings turned to ice sculptures.
…
Meanwhile—
At the Gunnhildr estate.
Jean had just woken up.
Jean washed up and dressed quickly, fastening her uniform with practiced efficiency.
She tied her hair back into a clean ponytail, checked her Vision at her belt, and steadied her breathing.
For a moment, she hesitated at the drawer where Lisa's gift was kept—then closed it again.
"…This is better. We're on duty."
With that, Jean left the room.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 60 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/StrawHatStudios