After watching Elios leave her office, Jean finally let out a long breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
He's still the same as always… even after all these years.
Still calling me "young Jean," like I'm a child.
A faint, inexplicable sadness flickered in her eyes—quickly buried beneath duty.
No. Toughen up, Jean.
He said he'll stay for a few days this time. I feel bad for Lady Alice, but… I can't keep being seen this way forever.
Lady Vennessa… please give me courage.
As if she'd made a decision, Jean rose with a resolute expression—like she was marching to war—and stepped out into the hallway.
The atmosphere outside felt… strange.
Quiet. Heavy.
She stopped.
Not far away stood Elios, his expression uncharacteristically serious. In front of him was a little girl not even half his height—equally serious, her usual cheer missing. For a brief moment, the resemblance was undeniable. The same sharpness in the eyes, the same stubborn set of the mouth.
Father and daughter.
Klee—Spark Knight of the Knights of Favonius, daughter of the famous witch Alice…
And apparently, daughter of Elios Luxveritas.
Jean blinked, confused by the tension between them.
What's with this mood? I thought they'd get along just fine…
Is Klee angry because he hasn't visited in so long?
Then—
As if on a silent cue, both of them changed completely.
Klee's face lit up like sunshine, her cheer snapping back into place. Elios's calm expression cracked into something so animated it looked almost ridiculous on him.
The next second, they were high-fiving each other at an absurd speed.
"Yaaay~! Papa is back! Klee missed Papa~!"
"Yaaay~! Little Klee is as adorable as ever! Papa's super happy~ Papa missed Little Klee too~!"
And then, just as suddenly, they hugged—tight and fierce for a few seconds—before separating like it had all been perfectly rehearsed.
With practiced ease, Klee climbed up and settled on Elios's shoulders, hugging his head like a prized cushion.
"Papa, Papa! Did you know~ Klee went to Starfell Lake and fished a ton with my Jumpy Dumpties! And then, and then~ Klee came back without getting caught this time!"
"Yes, yes," Elios said, amused. "Klee is definitely Papa's most adorable—and most mischievous—daughter. But remember: don't cause too much trouble for Sister Noelle… and Sister Jean."
"Okay~!" Klee's eyes sparkled. "By the way, Papa, how long are you staying this time? Klee wants to show you my hidden treasure! It's in a secret-secret place~ But Mama might find it, so I need your help hiding it from her!"
Elios chuckled. "Then we'll have to hide it properly. Don't worry—I'll be staying a few days. We can play as much as you want."
"Hooray~! Papa's gonna play with Klee all day!"
"Mm. And how's your brother Albedo?" Elios asked. "I didn't sense him in Mondstadt today."
Klee's excitement dipped into a small pout. "Oh~ Big Brother Albedo said he has very, very important research in that cold place. He left a few days ago and still hasn't come back…"
She sighed dramatically—then brightened again like a lantern being relit.
"Klee was sad because Big Brother Albedo can't play with me, but he said Klee can play with Sister Sucrose instead! Sister Sucrose is really kind! She treated Klee to my most favorite Big Grilled Tiger Fish! It was suuuper delicious, you know~!"
Elios laughed. "Then we'll have to try it too. Dinner, maybe."
Jean watched them—father and daughter—like they were the only two people in the world. Without meaning to, her lips curved into a small smile.
…I guess I can postpone scolding Klee for escaping today.
I can't interrupt this.
Elios turned slightly as if he'd only just noticed Jean standing there.
"Young Jean," he called. "Why don't you join us for lunch? Consider it a break from your work."
Jean froze. "Eh? Me? Wouldn't I… be intruding?"
"It's fine," Elios said easily. "You've been taking care of Klee this whole time. To us, you're already family. Don't be shy—come enjoy some time together."
Jean's face warmed so fast she nearly short-circuited.
He said I'm his family—!
Then the glow in her eyes dimmed, just a little.
…But he doesn't mean the kind of family I'm hoping for.
She forced herself out of the spiral and offered a composed smile.
"Then… I'll accept your offer."
Elios studied her for a heartbeat—eyes narrowing slightly as if he'd noticed the change in her expression—but whatever he saw, he didn't press it.
"Good. Let's go to Good Hunter," he said, turning. "I hope young Sara's cooking has improved again."
"Yay~! Lunch with Papa and Sister Jean~!" Klee hummed a tune happily, swinging her legs from Elios's shoulders.
"La la la la~"
Then she threw one arm forward like a tiny general giving orders.
"To Good Hunter… advance!"
Jean nearly laughed.
And as the trio left the headquarters together, the scene almost felt peaceful.
Almost.
Because as they stepped into the street, that peace was shattered by a sharp voice nearby.
"That's why I'm offering double the price! Even if I'm a Lawrence, isn't that enough for you?!"
A young woman with shoulder-length pale blue hair was arguing with a camping-supplies merchant. Her posture was rigid, her frustration barely held in check.
The shop owner's face was hard.
"Like I said, I don't do business with a Lawrence. Double the price, ten times the price—I won't sell you anything."
The woman's hands clenched at her sides. "Ugh… You…! This grudge—I'll remember it!"
She turned sharply, ready to storm away—
—and stopped.
Because a familiar voice rang out behind her, casual as the wind.
"Hey. Young Eula. Are you being bullied again?"
Eula's whole expression changed. The anger vanished, replaced by startled relief—and something almost bright.
"Teacher…? You're back?!"
Elios and the others approached. Klee leaned forward, grinning.
"Hello, Sister Eula! Are you causing mischievous trouble like Klee too?"
Jean's gaze sharpened, immediately slipping into professional mode.
"You're back, Eula. Did your investigation into the hilichurl unrest go smoothly? I didn't expect you to return so soon."
Eula blinked at them both, then sighed as her face heated with embarrassment.
"Little Klee… Acting Grand Master… you're here too?"
Before she could recover, Elios had already pieced together what was happening. He stepped in front of the shop counter and met the merchant's eyes with a perfectly polite smile.
"Good afternoon," Elios said. "I'd like to purchase what she was asking for."
The merchant stiffened. "W-what? Don't take me for a fool! You're just trying to buy it for her. I'm not selling to a Lawrence!"
Elios's smile… deepened.
In his mind, it was a kinder expression.
To everyone else, it looked like the calm face of a man deciding how to solve a problem that shouldn't exist.
"Hm?" he said softly. "You won't sell?"
Klee watched her papa's expression with delight.
Then she tried to mimic it.
Unfortunately, Klee's version didn't look threatening at all—it just looked adorable.
The merchant stared at them both, unsettled for completely opposite reasons.
What is this? One looks like he's about to eat me alive, and the other is… doing a cute face? Is this some new intimidation method?!
But even if the merchant was clearly losing customers, his fear wasn't entirely irrational.
This was Mondstadt—the City of Freedom, packed with adventurers and knights. Camping supplies sold fast, and reputation mattered. If word got out that he was "helping a Lawrence," some customers might refuse to shop here at all.
The Lawrence name still carried a shadow in this city.
Under the invisible pressure of Elios's "kind" smile, the merchant began to sweat. He fumbled for a handkerchief and dabbed at his forehead, forcing his voice steady even as it wavered.
"K-kind sir… I'll sell it to you," he stammered, "on one condition. Please—please make sure no one finds out you're buying it for her. If my customers learn I sold to a Lawrence, my business will take a hit."
Elios nodded once. "Good. I'll take it."
He reached for his pouch—
—and froze.
For a second, he stood perfectly still, as if his mind had stalled.
…I forgot my wallet.
A quiet curse flashed through his thoughts.
Damned Morax. How did you infect me with that habit in just one month?
He cleared his throat and turned—very calmly—to Jean and Eula, who were both watching with growing curiosity.
"Ahem." Elios coughed once, then said with as much dignity as a man could possibly salvage, "Young Jean… could you lend me some Mora? It seems I've… forgotten my wallet."
"…"
"…"
"Pff—"
Klee giggled first, delighted. "Hehe. Papa so silly~!"
Jean pressed her lips together, fighting for her life.
No. I mustn't laugh.
It's rare for Elios to make mistakes like this, but I mustn't—
Her shoulders trembled.
Pff… haha. I should have brought a recorder. Lady Alice would treasure this.
Jean turned sharply to the side, hiding the way her smile curled.
Eula didn't fare much better, though she at least tried to maintain composure. She stepped forward and took out Mora from her wallet.
"I'm the one receiving help," she said quickly, cheeks faintly warm. "It's only natural that I pay. You don't have to trouble yourself, Teacher."
Despite the small embarrassment, Elios's expression remained perfectly composed. He didn't even blink as he refused her offer.
"No." He looked at Eula with calm finality. "It was my choice to do this for you, young Eula. It's been years since we last met—and I haven't given you a proper gift in a long time."
His eyes softened, just slightly.
"Consider it an apology."