Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

They sat on a hill near the border of Knaenri’ah. As children were running around and laughing. It was almost nighttime. They had traveled many worlds before, seen many kinds of people, but it had always just been them, and Lumine had aways wanted something more. Lumine looked at the children, smiling and then back up at the stars.

“Someday Ae, I wish we could have a mortal life. Settle down in a world just like this one and have a family of our own.” She had always wanted them to find at new home after they lost theirs. He looked at his sister and smiled.

 “I’ll find a way to grant your wish and give you anything you want my dear sister” she smiled back at him with the sweetest smile. Then she started laughing a little.

“I know it’s just a silly dream. Maybe we should get back now before Dain sends the whole army after us” they stood up and started moving to the city. Lumine took one more look at the stars.

After the fall of Knaenri’ah. Aether was approached by The Abyss order. Officing him, everything he wanted in exchange to rule the abyss, as their prince and lead them to victory, and defeat the heavenly principle. His sister was in a deep slumber beside him and Dain. She had fell into a coma after the war. He had been looking for a way to wake her up and to give her the dream she wanted, and this was his chance.

“I’ll do it” Dain stood beside Aether with his sword in hand and widened his eyes at Aethers answer.

“What!? Lumine doesn’t want you to sacrifice your own freedom for her! She wanted it for the both of you!” Others knew that Dain had always had a special connection to them both and had protected them during the archon war. Dain didn’t understand why he was doing it. Aether would give his sister the whole universe if it made her happy. Even if she couldn’t remember her life before. Only her brother.

Aether didn’t look at Dain, he only moved forward to his unconscious sister, now 10 years old, and placed her down in the empty alleyway in Fontaine.

“She will understand one day, Dain” he may never see her again, but he was willing to make that sacrifice, even if she hated him for it. He wrote a note and placed it in her pocket. and walked away. Hopefully someone will find her.

“Please forgive me. Goodbye my dear sister”

 Lumine awoke after a goodnights sleep. Her head felt heavy, and her little body felt stiff. she straightened her little body with a sigh. She hadn’t slept that good in a long time. Not since they started living on the street, some years ago. She was 10 years old and loved her brother very much. They didn’t know their parents. For as long as she could remember, it had always been just the two of them. They had always been together no matter what. She depended on her brother for everything.
“Good Moring Ae” she turned around with her bright smile and saw the empty spot beside her. She didn’t understand. He would never leave her alone. Not without telling her. Her smile quickly disappeared. She stood up and ran out of the alleyway. Something must have happened to him.

“AETHER WHERE ARE YOU!” She ran and ran all over the Court of Fontaine for hours, even days trying to find him. Turning the whole city upside down and asked anyone who would listen to her. He was nowhere to be found. She broke down in the middle of the street and sat up against a wall with her legs pressed against her chest. Tears running down her cheeks. She was alone. He had left her. Just like their parents did.

“Ae, come back. I can’t... Why did you leave” it had been almost a week since she started looking for her brother and now it was almost nighttime. The lampposts had turned on when she got up and started to walk back to the alleyway to try and get some sleep. It was their home after all. It started raining as she was walking on the streets of Fontaine. She held her head down. So, she wouldn’t get water in her eyes. Her clothes were already dripping wet, and she was starting to get cold. She wrapped her arms around herself. Suddenly she walked into someone and fell.

“I’m sorry” her tears were still falling. She was so tired and hungry. She tried to wipe them away, but they just kept coming. She looked up at the person she had walked into. Lumine was meet by a boy with blond hair and a hat, and a girl how also got blond hair and cat ears. They looked a couple of years older than her, under an umbrella.

The girl kneeled in front of Lumine.

“Are you okay? Where are your parents?" Lumine looked to the side not meeting the girl in front of her.

“I don’t have any parents, only a twin brother but I can’t find him!” she started crying louder than before. The girl in front of her hugged her tightly and looked up and the boy beside her. Suddenly the three of them heard Lumine stomach growl. She looked to the side, blushing.

“Hey, it will be okay, we are Lyney and Lynette. We live not far from here. You can come with us. I’m sure that father wouldn’t mind you staying with us till we find your brother” she looked up at them and nodded. Then she stood up.

“I’m Lumine”
they nodded, and Lynette offered Lumine her hand. She took her hand, and they started making their way to Lyney and Lynette’s home.

Their home was a beautiful hotel. With many different floors. Apparently, they lived in an orphanage called the house of the Hearth. It was part of an organization called the Fatui. The organization were a Snezhnayan military group and was the most powerful military group in all of Teyvat. They all lived in the hotel and the one who runs it were called “father” Lumine were amazed at their home.

When they made it to the common room Lumine saw that they had a fireplace. Lyney told them to sit down on the couch, and he would find some food and drinks for them. Lumine ran over to the couch and sat down looking into the fireplace. It was so nice, warm and comfy. She couldn’t remember the last time she had felt like this.

What could had happened to her brother since he is nowhere to be found. Did he hate her? Had she done something wrong? She was snaped out of her thoughts when she heard footsteps echoing though the wall way. When the doors to the common room open.

A beautiful sliver hair woman, dressed in a gray, white, red suit with black and red hells on stood in the room. She made her way over to the two of them and sat down beside Lynette.

“Oh, who do we have here. Hello little one” she looked nice but something about her told Lumine that she was powerful. Lynette looked at the woman.

“Hello father. This is Lumine, Lyney and I found her in the streets. She is trying to find her twin brother. So, we would like to ask if it’s okay if she stays here. Till we find him” father looked at Lumine and her face softened.

“Of because she can. But where are her parents? They must be so worried for the both of you” Lumine looked to the side and didn’t meet father’s eyes.

“Me and my brother are orphans. We have never known our parents. We have been living on the streets for long time” it was not an easy topic to talk about for Lumine, but she tried her best to hold back her tears. She grabs her dress hard and heard a strange sound coming from her pocket. Lumine put her hand inside her pocket and took out a piece of paper. Father looked at her and asked if she could see it. Lumine agreed and gave father the paper.

To whom finds my dear sister please take care of her. Give her a home and love. I’m no longer able to.                                                     

- Her big brother.

Father looked back at Lumine who looked confused at her. Lynette looked over fathers’ shoulder and read the note and looked up at father with concern.

Father placed the piece of paper on the coffee table and folded her hands over each other.

“We will do everything we can to help you find him miss Lumine, but you should know that this note states that he may no longer be with us” Lumine looked at father with horror. She felt sick, like she was going to though up. It couldn’t be true. He was dead. But how? He was just with her yesterday.

“No, please he’s the only family I have. He can’t be gone. What I’m I suppose to do now?” father stood up and made her way in front of her and kneel, took her shaking hands. Father looked into her eyes with love and care.

“Don’t worry, I will adopt you and rise you as my own. You can stay here with Lyney and Lynette and the rest of the orphans. We will take good care of you. only if you want. We can be your new family” father smiled at her. Lumine looked at father in awe then over at Lynette how smiled at her. Both her and Lyney had been nothing but kind to her and father was a warm and kind person. She started crying. She felt their love and warmth. She felt safe for the first time.

She hugged father with tears running down her face and said yes. She had always wanted a family.  Father hugged her back and started rubbing her back. After a few minutes father broke their hug and took her face in her hands.

“Now my darling daughter. Maybe you two should get something to eat”

Suddenly they heard the door to the common room open. Lyney came in with food and drinks for them. He had a big smile on his face walking over to them with different kinds of food. Some many different options. He told Lumine that he didn’t know what she liked so he just made a few options,

She started crying again but this was happy tears.

“Thank you, big brother Lyney” he started blushing and waved his hand. Lynette started laughing. When father came over and put her hand on Lumines head. Lumine looked up at father.

“We will talk more tomorrow Lumine. Lynette make sure that she gets a nice bath, some clothe and maybe you two can share Lynette’s bedroom until tomorrow?” Lynette nodded. Then turn back to her food with the others. Father smiled and made her way out of the commo room to let them eat in peace.

Outside father office stood her most trusted agent Felix waiting for her. To give the lasted report. After he was done, he was on his way out of the office. When father stopped him.

“Felix. I need you to find some information about a girl named Lumine and see if you can find anything about her brother” he bowed down.

“Yes, my lady” and left her office.

She sat back alone in her office. She knew that there was something about Lumine she couldn’t put her finger on. The whole thing seemed strange, a young girl left only with a mysterious note from her brother, but father was determent to find out no matter what. But for now, she need Lumine to feel safe and welcome.

A few months turned into a year and there was still no news about Aether. She asked father every day when she got the chance. But every time she were met with the same answer. She didn’t eat or sleep. She tried her best to focus on her studies about Teyvat, and the different nations. Fontaine was the land of justice where the hydro archon focalor ruled, Mondstadt was the land of freedom where the Animo archon Barbados ruled, Liyue was the land of contract where geo archon Rex lapis rules, Natlan the land of war where the pyro archon Mavuika rules and last but not lest the most important one was Snezhnaya where her majesty the Tsaritsa ruled. It was all fun to learn about the different nations and their archons, but she was so tired.

She just wanted her brother to come back. So, they could be a family again. She hoped every single day.

But one day father came into her bedroom and told her that they had stop the search for her brother. Because he was nowhere to be found. But they had found one thing. Father reached into her pocket and pulled out a single golden earring with a light blue pearl and at the end of it were a few white feathers, attach to it. There was blood on it. Father placed the earring in Lumines hand, and she started crying. The earring belonged to her brother. Lumine looked at the earring with horror as her eyes started watering. She couldn’t believe it. She had believed that her brother was still alive. But now her whole world came crashing down on her.

She looked up at father as tears were ruining down her face.

“Please. It can't be true” father looked at Lumine with sadness. Father knew that the young girl had held up hopes. No matter how many times father had told her not to. Father wrapped her arms around Lumine and pulled her in her chest for a hug.

“I’m so sorry darling. But he gone” Lumine couldn’t hold it in any longer. She started sobbing uncontrollably into father arms as father tires to calm her down. Not long after. Lynette and Lyney came into Lumines room and looked at the two of them in concert. Father looked at them with sadness. Lyney and Lynette moved over to Lumine quickly and hugged her.

“He can’t be gone. My brother he was suppose here with me!” She didn’t know what to do now. She had believed and hoped that her brother would someday come back for her. Lyney broke the hug and looked at her.

“Lumine. I know you hurting but remember you got us” Lumine looked at Lyney and tried wiping her tears away and smiled a little at him.

“Thank you, Lyney” she broke her hug from father and Lynette and gave Lyney one.

After that day. Lumine had no energy. All she wanted to do was lay in her bed crying. Her siblings did their best to be there for her. After a month of her crying herself to sleep, every night. Asking the archons, why they had taken her brother. She held herself tightly looking out of her window. As her tears fell. Sobbing loudly.

“What have done to be punished like this. My brother was my whole world. He was a good person!”

 Lyney and Lynette came into her room and in her bed. Hugging her and telling her that everything would be okay and that they were there for her, and they all slept together. Lynette tried her best every night to calm down Lumine. Father found them every morning in Lumines bed. All three were sound asleep. Father couldn’t help but smiled.  She hoped that Lyney and Lynette would take good care of Lumine but never expected them to go this far. when Lumine woke the next morning between Lyney and Lynette. She knew that she was loved and when Lynette woke up and told her that her brother wouldn’t have wanted her to sit in her room and crying but rather live her life to the fullest. She knew Lynette was right and from that day forward she tried her best and put her feelings in a bokes in the back of her mind.

The three of them grow closer every day. Lumine started calling them big brother and big sister, which they didn’t mind. They were her family after all.

It wasn’t long before the three of them started having class together and training.

After two years had passed in the house. She had learned about The Fatui, and that the organization were laid by Tsaritsa and the harbingers who were the majesty most trusted serves. There are eleven of them and they all have different titles and ranks. Father is the fourth harbinger known as the knave.

Which also means that there are eleven divisions, and they all are under command of one of the harbingers. Lumine loved hearing about them. They were heroes, so powerful, strong and determined. Every time their teacher told them about them, she always sat and looked in awe at the teacher. She learn quickly that most people hated the fatui.

She learn that they are assigned to different parts of Teyvat, according to the Tsaritsa, they are chosen according to their strengths, personality and their abilities. The main goal is to acquire the six other gnosis. To fulfill her goal, but also to fulfill they own personals goals, that they each have.

She hoped that one day she could visit the mother land and meet her majesty.

Her third and fourth year in the house. She had started to learn swordsmanship, and how to fight with weapons. Lyney loved the bow, Lynette loved the sword which Lumine also loved. The three of them always trained together, they push each other to do better. Most of the time they ended up with cuts and bruises but at the end of the day they all laughed and had gotten stronger.

Lyney and Lynette got to go on missions to get intel for father and Lumine always got left behind. She wanted to join them. But every time she asked father. She turned her down and told her that she only just started learning about gathering intel. So, it will be a while before she can go with them. She huffed and turned her heels around and made her way to the training grounds and worked on the sword skills.

Whenever they came home. They always told her about their mission. She listen with awe. It was so cool.  

“I hope I can join you guys someday if father ever let me” Lyney ruffled her hair. She got so mad at him whenever he did it.

“Someday little sis” she smiled up at them. She was so lucky that they found her. She loved them so much.

“Hey, we don’t have anything tomorrow. How about we take the aqua bus and make a trip to the Oprea House? We can make it a picknick and invite father!” Both Lynette and Lumine loved that idea. Lyney ran out of the common room to asked father as Lynette and Lumine made their way into the kitchen to make some snacks for tomorrow.

The next day the three of them and father made their way to the Oprea house. As they were walking on the pathway Lumine looked to the side of the road and saw a statue of the seven. She started walking over to it at she felt herself being pulled towards it. She was now standing in front of it. The statue was of the Fontaine archon Focalor. She was sitting with a blue orb in her hand. Suddenly she felt some kind of power coming from the statue and a voice telling her to touch the statue.

She was hesitant a first. But nothing bad could happen if she touched the statue, so she put her hand on it. she felt some kind of power flowing though her as the statue light up. When the light for the statue had disappeared. She moved her hand off it and turned her palm upward. Suddenly some kind of water came out of her hands and scared her. She fell on her butt. What was that? She had heard about people getting something called visions. But not like this. What was going on? Her trail of thought was broken by Lyney’s voice asking her what she was doing? She quickly got up and ran down to them. Maybe she could ask father about this later after their picnic.

The rest of their day was spent on one of the fields outside the Oprea house. Training their skills and eating their snacks.

As they were back home. Lumine asked father to have a talk privately. Father nodded and they made their way into father office.

“What do you want to talk about my daughter?” Lumine looked at father, sighed and started telling father about what happen.  

Father sat quietly and looked at Lumine not moving a muscle, listening. Lumine also showed father her new powers. She trusted father. When Lumine was done they both sat in silence as father was deep in though. After a while father broke the silence.

“Lumine have you ever experienced something like this before or have your brother. Can you remember?” Lumine though back but all her memories were hazy. She could only remember bits and pieces, but they didn’t make any sense.

She looked back at father and told her that her memories was hazy and didn’t make any sense. She tried her hardest to remember. But nothing. Father thought back to when Lumine started training with weapons and that it came so easy for her. Father was impressed by her skills and at the time she thought that Lumine just had a natural talent for it. But now. Her fighting skills was already higher than most of the others in the house. She didn’t easily get tired from training.

And now she could use elemental power without a vision. Something wasn’t adding up. She was getting more and more intrigued by Lumine. She would definitely be a value asset to her majesty.  Father smiled and told her that maybe it was one of the special talented. Just as it came so easy for her to manage a sword. Father then contacted one of her colleges in Snezhnaya, asked him to come and visit them at the house. After a week he came to visit father and Lumine was asked to join them.

When she entered father office she was meet by father and a tall man with white hair.

“Lumine. come and say hello” she made her way over to father and gave the man her hand. The man smiled at Lumine.

“Pleasure to meet you, miss Lumine. I’m Pierro. The founder for the fatui”

Chapter Text

Lumine had now been in the house for 7 years. She had been learning about how to gather intel and what to do if one were to get captured and tortured for information. Lumine were exceled to gather intel and lay in the shadows and observe. She had succeed many times.

So, when she finally got her first mission with Lyney and Lynette. She was so excited. The mission was to gather intel from one of Fontaine s famous novelists Simon. It was known about him that he loved young ladies. So, she thought it would be an easy assignment. She was to go undercover as a publishers assents, named Ying. How wants to recruit him. Undercover was not her strong suit. She had gotten into trouble every time in her class. Because of her temper and her big mouth. So, to say she was nerves, was an understatement. She were to have a meeting with him at the café Lutece. Apparently, he knew some information they needed about the lasted murder cases.

Lyney and Lynette made their way to the café. With Lumine. From where they were standing, they could see Simon sitting, waiting for her. Lyney and Lynette had some other leads to follow. So, she were alone with Simon.

She took a deep breath, before making her way over to him. She introduced herself and sat down beside him. A server came and took their order then left them alone. They started talking about his latest novel. What he wanted from the publishing house and how he wanted to promote his novel.

It was long before the server came back with their drinks. Lumine did her best to laugh at his jokes, thank him for his compliments. Then she asked him about where he got his inspiration from.

Suddenly the whole atmosphere changed, and she didn’t know why. But she tried her best not to let her anxiety show. He lay his hand on her tight and started rubbing it. He made a sinister smile at her. That send shivers down her spine.

“Well miss Ying, you see. I have always been a fan of beautiful young woman, and I wanted to show that in my work” she swallowed hard and tried her best to smile at him. He then moved his hand upwards, and she felt her anxiety rise.

“Oh, and how do you do that” she hoped that he couldn’t hear the way her voice cracked. He looked down at her chest and then moved up to meet her eyes again. Placed his free hand under her chin.  

“Love, you are not that smart, are you? Well at least you have a nice pair of titis” she looked at him in horror. What did he say?

“Excuse me, what?!” he moved his hand from her leg and moved back into his char.

“I said you have nice tits” she lost it who the fuck does he think he is!

“You’re the most disgusting human being I have ever meet. What the fuck is wrong with you!”

She stood up and moved over to smack him when she felt herself being pulled backwards. It was Lyney and Lynette, holding her back.

“We are so sorry mister Simon. But miss Ying has a meeting with the boss in a few minutes. Excuse us”

With that they pulled Lumine all the way back to the house. Where father were expecting her.

“What were you thinking sis. You could have ruined everything. You need to stay calm no matter what” Lyney sighs and moved towards father office. Lumine didn’t looked at her siblings. Lyney was right. But that guy was so disgusting and a creep.

As they enters father office, they see Simon sitting in there with father. Lumine looked confused at father and then back at Simon, how was shaking. Lumine pulled out her dagger from her skirt and made the way to him.

“I should have cut off your balls when I had the chance!” Simon was shaking and ran behind father to shield himself from Lumine. When father stopped her.

“Lumine that’s not very lady like. We need to give you some lessons on etiquette. Now this man right here is my most trusted agented and his name is Felix. I told him to disguise himself as a novelist to assess your ability to gather intel and to see how you would do undercover” Lumine stood still looking at father, Lyney, Lynette and the back at Simon or Felix. She couldn’t believe it. Was it all a test?

Lynette tried to calm her down and told her that father had done the same thing to them when they first got their mission. That made Lumine feel a little bit better. When she had calm down. Father dismissed Felix and the four of them sat down and started evaluating Lumines preformation.

They all agreed on the fact that Lumine needed to learn some etiquette and learn to control her emotions better. But all in all, she did very well for her first mission. Lumine sat there and started blushing. She was not used to complements. After their meeting. Lyney and Lynette left the office. Lumine was about to join them, when father asked her to stay. She sat down and waited for father to continue.

“After our meeting with Pierro. I have been in contact with him about you and your abilities and he wants for you to learn about diplomacy. Because he think that you can be a very good asset for the organization. He has really taking a liking to you. So, from now on I will teach you about etiquette and diplomacy” Lumine light up. The day she met the founder. She really like him. He was polite and seemed really interested in her and her abilities.

“We start tomorrow” Lumine nodded and made her way out of father office. She was going to get dinner with her siblings and then take a nice long bath. A good night sleep so she was ready for tomorrow.

To say the it would be fun to learn something new. Whoever told her that. Was going to die. Etiquette was not what she expected it to be. She learned how to speak and act when she was in a room with others. But archons above. It was so boring. Father and Lumine sat in a room, talking and acting out what father had taught her. She learned how to address people, how to speak when she was in a meeting, how to eat in front of important people, how to dress and many more things. Father started teaching her about Fontaine and Snezhnayan politics and the diplomatic matters between the two nations.  

She had spent nearly 8 years in the house. Learning, training and going on missions. Father was impressed, to say the least, and had asked Lumine what her dream was. Lumine lit up at the question. She were so excited.

“I want to serve her majesty. Like you do, father. I want to follow in you footsteps” Father felt the seriousness in Lumine voice and knew the young girl had thought about it for a long time and she couldn’t be prouder. Father knew that Lumine were ready for the road ahead and that she would be a perfect addition to the harbingers. Father couldn’t help but smile.

“You know that I wanted Lyney to be the next king of the house. I won’t change that. But I will put in your request and a good word to Pierro, but I can’t promise you anything and you know that this road will not be easy” Lumine nodded. Stood up and bowed before father.

“Thank you, father. I will take my leave now. I have an appointment and the Palais Mermonia. With the chief Justice. Thank you for hearing my request” Lumine walked out of father office and closed the door behind her. Father had send her to the meeting to gather intel. She trusted Lumine with this task, she had proved herself many times. She had grown into a beautiful, remarkable young woman. Golden hair, beautiful smile, not tall, which gave her an innocent appearance and were loyalty. People trusted her naturally.

Father knew that her daughter wouldn’t take any bull shit. She were trying her best to stay composted. But when someone pushed her buttons too much, she would snaped. She were sometime reckless when her emotions got the best for her and when someone threatened her siblings. She was strong and fears warrior, and she never backed down from a challenges, which remind father of one of her harbinger colleague. They would get along just fine. 

About two weeks before Lumine 18^th birthday, Felix knocked on her bedroom door and told her that father wanted to see her. Lumine nodded and quickly made her way to father office.

“Enter” Lumine opened the door and bowed down before father. Father looked up at her and smiled and told her to take a seat.

“I have news my dear daughter” Lumine looked at father, hoping it were good news, father sensed her anxiety and smiled.  

“We are going to Snezhnaya, to celebrate your birthday. Pierro had talked her majesty, and she approved you request of an apprenticeship with one of my colleagues” Lumine couldn’t contain herself. She flew up from her seat and made her way over to father and hugged her.

“Thank you, father!” father smiled and hugged her back and told her to sit back down, there were more.

“We leave tomorrow, be ready at 8am. You need to go and pack your things, because you moving there” Lumine started to shake. She knew that if her request went through that she needed to move there. But now when it’s happening, it made her stomach hurt, she was going to miss her siblings, father and Fontaine. Father continued

“And The day of you birthday. Her majesty is hosting a dinner to introduce you to the other harbinger” Lumine nodded and stood up and bowed again. Everything was happening so fast. She were in shock.

“Understood father, I will go and pack now” then left father office.

The next morning Lumine was in her now empty room with her traveling pack in hand looking at her room as Lyney and Lynette came in.

“Hey little sis. We wanted to say goodbye” both of their voices were shaking, trying to hold back tears. Lumine looked at them with tears in her eyes, let’s go of her pack and ran over to them and wrapped her arms around them. Pulling them both into a tight hug.

“Thank you both, so much for saving me that day. I owe you both my life. Don’t forget to write to me. I love you all” they all started crying and stood there hugging until Felix came to get Lumine.

“Miss Lumine, I’m sorry for intruding but we need to get going now” Lumine let go of the siblings and wiped her eyes. Picked up her pack and made her way out of the house and her life in Fontaine.

Her new chapter was in Snezhnaya. As they departed from Fontaine. Lumine took one more look at the nation that had both taken and given her so much. Tears started falling.

“I hope your proud of me, Ae. I miss you” she turned her back on the city and looked ahead for her new adventure.

Chapter Text

When they got to Snezhnaya. Lumine knew it were going to be cold. But archons above, she were freezing her ass off. She didn’t know it would be this cold. Father had told her to get her warm clothes before the ship docked in Morepesok. She came out side in her nice fluffy black coat, it was nice, soft, warm and her nice black mittens and her white scarf. But it was still cold as f…  They had arrived a week before her birthday.

Morepesok were a nice little fishing town with many different merchants selling their goods from all over Teyvat, and more shops. She started running and spinning around as it started snowing. She loved the snow, but not the cold. She was amazed.  The way the snowflakes fell down from the sky was so pretty. The whole country was like a winter wonderland.

Father stood behind her and could only smile. It has been a long time since she had seen her daughter this happy. The young woman looked like an angel in the snowy background. Father stood and admired her daughter for a few moments. Before making her way over to her. Father asked her if she wanted to get food, before they needed to find an inn. Which Lumine agreed to.

They made their way into a local restaurant and ordered some local dishes.

“By the way, I have invited one of my friends to meet us here. He will be here in a few minutes” Lumine nodded and gazed out of the window. It was still snowing. She guessed that she should get use to this and the cold.

It wasn’t long before their food got there, and they started eating. Lumine had never tasted Snezhnayan food before, so she was excited to try something new.

After they had finished their food, fathers friend still hadn’t showed up. So, they decided to get some tea as well. Suddenly the door to the restaurant opened and Lumine lifted her head to see who it was.

She were meet with at handsome, tall ginger haired man with a red scarf and blue eyes. How seem to be a few years older than her. Lumine started blushing. Then his eyes found hers, she felt her heart start to quicken all for a sudden. She had never experience this before, there was something about him, she couldn’t put her finger on. But before she could do anything. The ginger hair man started walking his way over to her and father.

“Hey Arlecchion. Sorry I’m late my siblings wouldn’t let me leave” he sighs and sit down beside Lumine. He looked at her and gave her a charming smile. She felt her face getting hot.

“Hey I’m Ajax, and you are?” Lumine had a hard time answering him. He was so charming and kind. She didn’t know how to react. But father cleared her throat and snaped Lumine out it.

“I’m sorry, I’m Lumine, father daughter. Nice to meet you” she gave him a shy smile. Hoping he didn’t see her staring at him. Before she turned her head back toward father and picked up her tea cup. The three of them sat and talked about their trip. Ajax asked Lumine about her training and her time in Fontaine. Lumine thought to herself that father and Ajax must be good friends for him to know about her training and that she were about to move to Snezhnaya. The two started talking about fathers work. Lumine started tuning them out as she turned her face to looked outside into the snow and the snowy landscape. Their voices fade, she couldn’t hear them anymore. She had never seen a nation so beautiful.

After they had spent a week in the Morepesok. They were on their way to lunch at a local restaurant to meet Ajax again. 

They all sat down and started eating their lunch. Father and Ajax started talking about work. As Lumine were lost in her own thoughts, it was her 18^th birthday tomorrow. Aether would be 18^th tomorrow as well. She felt her eyes start to water. When she suddenly heard her name being called, their voices came back again, and she turned head towards the voice.

“Lumine, are you ready to go?” Father looked at her. Lumine blinked and took at stand beside Ajax.

“Where are we going?” She asked father trying not to looked at Ajax. He started laughing and wrapped his arms over her shoulders and pulled her into his chest.

“You guys are coming home with me to my family for dinner. I told my mom that Arlecchion were coming and had her daughter with her, and she wanted to see Arlecchion again and meet you, pretty girl” He then pocked the tip of her nose. She looked at him with horror in her eyes then her anger took over.

“What do you think you are doing!” father turned around and looked at the both of them. Ajax looked at her, smiled at her reaction and pocked her nose again. Lumine tried very hard not to let it get out of hand, her fists was getting white. But it wasn’t long before she got out of his arms and twisted one of his arms behind his back and pushed on his spine. Father saw this and asked them to take it outside. She let go of him and stomped her way outside, not waiting for father or Ajax to catch up.

They all started walking outside the city. Lumine didn’t say a word as she was trying her best to calm down, before they got to Ajax house. Father had taught her about some breathing exercises to help her calm down. But they didn’t always work.

It was not long, before Ajax looked back at her trying to read her. She met his eyes for a sec before looking to the side with a huff. Arlecchion knew the way to his house. So, he made his way back to Lumine. The two of them walked side by side. Lumine looked at the road ahead. Ajax cleared his throat to get her attention. She didn’t look at him. He sighed. She wasn’t going to make this easy.

“Hey, I’m sorry if I crossed a line. That was not my intention” she gave him the side eye and continued walking in silence.

A thought came to her mind, maybe she could toy with him a bit. She wanted to see just how sorry he was. Sometime her intrusive thoughts took over. A sinister smile formed on her lips.

“Do want my forgiveness?” He looked at her with confusion. Then nodded. She smiled at him and then her eyes darkened.

“Then beg for it” He was lost for words, what made her think that he were going to do that just because he pocked her nose. If she wanted to be difficult. Well then two could play that game.

“That’s not my thing, plus you also own me an apology for the that stunt you pulled. So, how about we make it interesting instead shall we? How about a fight, and the loser has to beg the winner forgiveness” That got her attention. She smiled sinisterly and looked at him and moved closer.

“Well, then get ready to beg” She summoned her sword and took her stands. He smiled at summoned his hydro daggers and mimicked her.

They stood still for a sec waiting for the other one to attack first. She neared her eyes at him for a sec. Before she made her move. Crashing her sword against his daggers. She put all her weight into her sword and sent him flying backwards. She started laughing, but not for long. He came back like lightning. He was faster than she expected. But she managed to block his attack. He gave her the same sinister smile she had given him. It made her heart quicken. She tried to move back, but it was too late.

“Riptide” She felt a burning sensation on her lower torso. It started glowing with a blue light. She had never seeing something like this before. She was confused. She looked back up at him. He had a smirk smile on his face. Archons above she wanted to rib that smirk off his face. She lifted her sword, infusing it with hydro. Charged at him with all she got. He simply grabbed her sword with his hand, then placed his hand around her throat, lifted her up and slammed her into the snow. She hit the ground with a little moan. But he heard it.  All the air in her lungs disappeared. Before she could blink, she felt the tip of his dagger on her throat. He smiled at her.

“Now I think it your time to beg, girly. I didn’t take you for masochist” his testament made her blood boil. He removed his hand from her throat. She was breathing heavily. She told him to come closer with her hand. He rolled his eyes and then pulled his face closer to hers.

Suddenly she placed her legs around him and rolled him to the side and now she was saddle on top of him. Holding his arms above his head and leaned her face close to his and smiled.

“No, it’s yours, pretty boy” he started blushing. But I gave in. She moved her face from his with a smile. She then felt something between her legs. something hard, she moved her hips to get more comfortable on top of him. When she heard a hiss from the guy under her. She realized what she just did and started screaming and blush like crazy.

“Are you seriously hard right now?!” She smacked him in his chest as his smirk at her in return as he was sitting up on his elbows and moved his face closer to her red one.

“Can’t you blame me? a beautiful woman on top of me moving her hips. How can I not” he moved a piece of her golden hair behind her ear as she started blushing even more as her heart started beating faster again. She had never done something like this. She started waving her hands in front for her face.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to, I never done something like this” he started laughing at her. She was so cute, naïve and innocent. Strong and hard headed and the first one to ever beat him, even though she play dirty. She was interesting to say the least.

“What are you, guys doing! Lumine, what have I told you!” The both of them turned to the voice and discovered that it was father. Lumine felt her stomach drop. Ajax laughed from underneath Lumine.

“Don’t worry Arlecchion, we was just sparing” Lumines face were so embarrassed.

“I’m sorry father, I will do better” she started to grind her legs together forgetting that she was still on top of him.

“Please, could you stop moving” he whispered hoping that Arlecchion wouldn’t hear him. Lumine realized what she had done and quickly got up and made her way over to father bowed in front for her and started apologizing for her behavior. Father sighs and tells them to get moving. Luckly father had no idea what happened. Lumine took a deep breath and started walking beside father.

They all made it to his family’s home. Lumine didn’t looked at him. She was too embarrassed. As they enters the home. They were meet by an older woman with ginger hair in apron. She smiled at them with the sweetest smile Lumine had ever seen. It were warm and comfy.

“Oh, good you made it. Welcome to our home” She then turned to Lumine, and her eyes lit up.

“Oh, you must be Arlecchion daughter, welcome. I’m Eva. Come in and make yourself at home, I will be right back in just a second with tea and sweets” Lumine and father took off their coats and made their way to the couch, as Ajax helped his mom.  

Lumine looked around the room. There was many family pictures. She picked up one of them. It were a picture of a young boy about 14 years old with ginger hair trying to hold up a big fish with the biggest smile. She could tell that he was so proud. It reminded her of Aether. It has been 8 years since he died. She hadn’t realize she had started crying, before Eva came over and asked her if she were okay. She sat down the picture and started wiping away her tears and tried her best to smile at the woman.

“I’m fine. I lost my twin brother 8 years ago and this picture just reminded me of him. How happy he was” she started crying again. She didn’t know why she told a woman she just meet. But something about her made Lumine feel safe and comfortable.

Eva moved to Lumine and wrapped her arms around her and pulled her into a hug. Trying to calm her down. Ajax and father looked at them, hugging. Ajax was afraid that Lumine would hurt his mom. Because of the fact she didn’t like being touched. But Lumine just hugged her back and started crying more. He realized that she were just as broken as him inside.

Arlecchion had told him about Lumine, before they got there and her history. Arlecchion had asked him to look after her when Arlecchion weren’t there. He didn’t know how to answer before. But to see the strong determent, beautiful young woman. Who mere hours ago, kicked his ass, now crying. Didn’t sit well with him. He felt a sudden need to protect her. He turned to look at Arlecchion and just nodded. Arlecchion felt herself relax.

After a little while. Lumine and Eva made their way to the others. As they sat down, the door suddenly opened, and three small children ran inside. Laughing and yelling.

“Big brother! Your back!” They all ran over to Ajax and hugged him. Oh, so this was his siblings he talked about earlier. A little girl looked at Lumine with big eyes. Made her way over to her.

“Are you big brother girlfriend?” She almost choked and started blushing. Looking at Ajax and Eva. How were laughing. She then looked back at the girl.

“No. Just a friend” The young girl looked at Lumine and nodded. As she made her way to her mother. Lumine picked up her tea and tried to drink it. When another one of his other sibling came over to show her some kind of a toy, she had never seen and started telling her about mister cyclops.

“I never heard of him” the young boy lit up and started telling her about him. Apparently, mister cyclops were a robot. How were so strong and that his brother sold them all over Teyvat. Lumine looked at Ajax with a questionable look. He shh her and whispered to her that he would tell her about it later. She nodded and turned back to the young boy.

Suddenly his young sister screamed and looked at him in horror.

“What happened? why do you have a cut on you neck?!” Lumine looked away as father sighed. Eva looked at him.

“Have you been in a fight again? What have I told you” He started scratching the back of his head. Then he blushed and started telling them that it was Lumine who had beaten him up. The girls looked at Lumine and started blinking. She suddenly felt shy and didn’t want to looked at them. She was afraid of what Eva would think of her.

“Finally, someone how can put you in your place. You should marry her” Father choked on her tea and Lumine did as well.

“Mama!” Eva started laughing at her sons red face. Lumine suddenly felt brave and wanted to embers him even more and took her shot.

“Maybe I will just so I can put him in his place once more, just for fun” He looked at her with anger. She had some nerve, he would give her that. He never knew her next move, which made her more interesting and dangerous. She just waved at him and stuck out her tongue at him.

“Oh, yeah, well then let go one more time” Father tried to hold him back and pushed him into his seat.

“Stop it you two. Sit down and calm down” His little sister looked at them and looked at their mother. Tried to whisper.

“If he is angry, why don’t he just kiss her and makeup” He looked at his little sister and told her that she shouldn’t read all those books. After a little while. Lumine and Ajax had calm down. Eva excused herself and the young kids. To go and make some dinner.

The three of them sat in silence, before Ajax started explaining to Lumine that his younger siblings didn’t know that he worked for the fatui and that he wanted to protect their innocence. Which Lumine could relate to. Father then cleared her throat.

“Now, my dear daughter, are you excided for tomorrow?" Lumine peaked up and gave father a smile. Ajax looked at them both confused.

“What tomorrow?” Lumine told him that it was her 18^th birthday and that they were going to the Zapolyarnt palace to celebrate it. She looked at father, before continuing. Father nodded and she continue

“Her majesty is hosting a dinner to introduce me to the harbingers as I’m going to be staying here as appropriate of one of them. My dream has always been to serve her majesty, and I want to become a harbinger someday” he felt her sincere and the passion in her voice. Father observed him and his reaction.  She were pleased. Ajax were one of her most trusted colleagues. But she didn’t want Lumine to know just yet who his were and he had promised not to tell the young woman.

Lumine started yarning. It had been a long day, and she felt so comfortable in Eva home. Her eye lids felt heavy. Father looked at her and told her to laid down on the couch and take nape before dinner. She nodded and lay down beside father. It didn’t take her long before she fell asleep.

After an hour she felt someone stroking her cheek, trying to wake her up. She leaned into the hand. It was so nice, warm and soft. She wished she could stay like this for ever. There were a smell of fresh baked bread, vanilla and sea breeze. She started moving closer to the warmth.

“Wow didn’t know you could be like this. I could get use to this. But dinner is ready” Her eyes shot open, and she was meet with blue eyes looking at her with a big smile on his face. Before he could move away, she pulled out her daggers and put it to his throat. Just enough of he know that she was serious and would kill him if he tried anything. While her free hand was on his collar and pulled him closer. Their lips almost meet. He couldn’t help but look at hers, before his eyes returned to hers.

“I will tell you this once, pretty boy. Fuck off!” Then she pushed him on to the floor and on his ass as she got up and walked over him and made her way into the kitchen and sat down between Eva and father as Ajax came in rubbing his throat. Father sighs and looks at Lumine.

“What did you do this time, Lumine?” She looked at father.

“Oh, Ajax and I just came to and understanding. You can just ask him” She looked at him with a smirk. She knew she had wounded his pride, and he wouldn’t dare do something like that again. He sat down at the end of the table away for Lumine. He were far from done. He would get his revenge someday somehow.

After dinner, Eva showed her the bathroom and gave her some towels, so she could get a nice bath before bed. She thanked her and apologized for her behaver. Eva gave her a hug and said the everything was alright. Before heading down stairs again.

She sat down in the nice hot water and felt her body instantly relax. She sat there and looked up at the celling. Thinking about how her life would have been if Aether were still here. Would she be here with father, Eva and Ajax?

She shook her head and laid back and relaxed even more. The steam from the hot water made her relax even more and before she knew it, she fell asleep in the bathtub.

She started dreaming about her brother. He were looking at her with disappointment and anger. They were in a dark place she had never seen before. He seemed different somehow. She had seen him before in her dreams, but he aways smiled and seemed happy to see her in a field with yellow flowers, but now.

“This was not what I wanted for you sister, you shouldn’t have join the fatui, you’re such a disappointment, you shut have die instead for me” She felt her tears started falling. She tried to tell him that she were sorry. Then he started choking her. She tried to get his hands of her throat. but he were too strong.  She continued to struggle, but he just tightened his grip.

“Ae…...Please”

She suddenly heard a familiar voice calling out her name, but sound were destoned and sounded so far away.  Just before she lost consciousness, she felt her lungs suddenly get air as her eyes flew up, she started coughing and spitting out water. She were on back in Ajax’s home in the bathroom, she looked to her side and found Ajax sitting beside her. She looked back at herself a discovered that she was naked on the floor. She felt her face getting hot and looked back at Ajax, how were looking to the side. Handing her a towel. She pulled it over herself and sat up not looking at him. He had just saved her life. He placed his hand on her bare shoulder. She jumped a little, before looking up at him. He was looking at her with concern.

“What happened Lumine? I was walking by and heard water splashing and the muffle sounds, so I came in” She were hesitant at first. But she decided to tell him. That she had just fallen asleep. He looked at her in horror. He got the feeling that it were not the whole truth, but he didn’t want to push her. She didn’t meet his eyes.

“Thank you. I didn’t know that I had fall asleep” he looked at the small woman in front him. She was blushing, so innocent and cute. Archons above, were he falling for her. He had just meet her a week ago.

He sighed and asked if he should go get Arlecchion. But she told him no. She knew father had turned in for tonight and she didn’t want to bother her. She then tried to stand, when slipped. Before she hit the floor. She felt his arm wrapped around her, holding her tight. To make sure she wouldn’t fall. Their eyes meet of a second. The both started blushing. He helped her stand and helped her to her room to get dressed.

“If you need anything, just come and knock on my door. It’s the one across from yours” He tried to leave, when she stopped him.

“Ajax. I’m sorry for my behaver earlier. Can we start over please? I want us to be friends” He knew she were being sincere. He nodded and gave her a smile.

“How about? you get dressed and join me outside for a drink?” She looked at him, before she nodded and told him she would be down in 10 minutes. He nodded and made his way downstairs. He were stopped by him mom. Asking him what all the commotion were about earlier. He told her not to worry and that he and Lumine had made up. She looked at him and patted his shoulder.

“Be nice to her, I like her. I want her to feel welcome, anytime” he started laughing a little. Before he made his way to the cabinet where his mom had the firewater and made Lumine a cup of hot chocolate. Before going outside.

The night sky were lit up by the moon and the stars. It wasn’t long before Lumine came outside and joined him. She had left her coat upstairs and were too tired to go upstairs to get it. So, she thought that it would be okay with her sweater. He sighed and gave her the cup of hot chocolate. She looked up at the night sky and were amazed. She aways looked up at the sky at night, but in the city of Fontaine, she couldn’t see the stars. But here the stars looked amazing.

He could see that something were bothering her.

“If you don’t mind me asking you again about that happened back in the bathroom?” She hoped he would not ask again. She tightened her grip on the cup.

“The truth is. I did fall asleep, and I started dreaming about my brother, he were angry at my for joining the fatui, told me that I were a disappointment” Tears started falling from her eyes as she continued with a broken voice.

“He told me that I should have died instead and then he started choking me. I don’t know where this is coming from. This had been my dream ever since I lost him. To become strong, so I can protect those I hold dear and to serve her majesty” She hugged herself as she started to shiver. He looked at the cold girl beside him and started taking of his coat to give to her.

“I will be here for you if you want, to talk, listen whatever you need. Here take this”

“Won’t you freeze?” He shook his head and told her that he grow up here, so he were used to the cold. She accepted his coat and put it on. It was so warm and smelled like vanilla and sea breeze. She was starting to love the smell.

“Thank you. For everything” He looked at her again and gave her smile.

“That’s what friends do” Then he looked back at the stars as he took a sip of his drink. Friends? She never had many friends, the only once were her siblings back in Fontaine and the other kids in the house. But she had never consider them friends, they were her siblings.

He were her first real friend. Tears started falling.

“Well then thanks, friend” He looked at her again. She looked so sweet and beautiful in the moon light with her golden hair, golden eyes and the sweetest smile she gave him.

“Well maybe we should turn in now it’s getting late” She nodded as she took a stand and made her way inside leaving him outside.

He looked up at the stars, with a smiled and took one more sip of his drink. She made him feel something had hadn’t felt before. A warm, fluttering in his chest. When he started thinking about her. But he told himself that it were probably the firewater.

Chapter Text

Later in the night. As Ajax was making his way back to his room. He heard Lumine crying from across the hall.  At first, he opened the door to her bedroom slowly, so as not to scare her, when he looked inside and saw that she were tossing, truing and crying in her sleep. She must have had a nightmare. He knew that all too well. He had experienced them for himself and heard his siblings many times. He slowly started walking over to her. Sat down on her bed and started stroking her cheek.

“Shh, you okay”

He had done it many times before for his siblings. She slowly started to calm down after a while. It was almost sunrise. He noticed that even when she was sleeping, she was so cute, beautiful and looked like a goodness with her golden hair laying around her pillow. He couldn’t help but smile. She was so innocent and vulnerable. When she calmed down, he started to stand and make his way to his room, when a hand on his wrist stopped him. He looked down to the blonde and saw that she was still sleeping.

"Ae, please stay" She was dreaming of her dead brother. He sighed as he lay down next to her. When he was comfortable next to her. He pulled her into his chest. He hoped that she wouldn't be too upset with him later. Started stroking her hair. Suddenly he felt her making her way closer to his chest. His eyes were getting heavier and soon he fell asleep.

The next morning Eva came into Lumine's room to wake her. When she found her son in bed with the young woman. Eva quickly closed the door and made her way downstairs, her face red. But she couldn’t help but smile. Hoping that they didn’t notice her.

The door closing awoke Lumine. She slowly started to wake up. But the bed was so comfy and warm that she didn't want to get up just yet. She hugged her pillow, but it was harder than she remembered and smelled different. She slowly opened her eyes and found a certain ginger. Beside her. Her eyes widened and she kicked him out of the bed with a scream

"What the fuck do you think doing!" Her face was so red from embarrassment, and she was so angry. The ginger stroked his head.

"Well, I heard you crying, so I came in to check up on you. So, try to calm you down" It was the truth. Her face was so cute when she got embarrassed. Maybe he could tease her a little. A smirk appeared on his face.

"After that I wanted to leave but then you were all over me. Begging me to stay with you" her face was priceless. She looked at him with horror and shame.

"And then, we slept together" Her jaw dropped as he finished telling her what happened. He couldn't help it. It was so easy for him to get under her skin. He started laughing. It was so easy to tease her, and she looked so cute.

Then she realized that he was joking, and she got madder at him.

"You sick son of a bitch, why are you like this? Can't you understand that I’m not interested in you that way!!" He laughed even harder.

"You should see your face. Hahaha. But seriously, I just wanted to make sure that you were okay and you asked me to stay. Although you asked for your brother, I just wanted you to have at little comfort" She looked to the side and blushed.

"Thank you, I don’t mind it, just please wake me, so I know that you’re here. " He nodded. He stood up and made his way to the door.

"Now get ready. I will meet you downstairs for breakfast and then we have to get going" he made his way out of her room, so she could get ready.

After breakfast. Father, Lumine and Ajax said goodbye to his family and started making their way to the palace. Ajax had decided to join them as he needed to be there later anyways. Suddenly Lumine stopped at the statue of the seven. He didn’t know why, but suddenly it lit up, and Lumine started glowing. Arlecchion stood beside him in the distance from Lumine.

“This is what I told you about. She can resonate with the different nations' elemental power, when she touches the statue” He looked at Lumine in awe. She was really impressive, beautiful and she looked like a goddess with her golden hair floating in the wind, the top of her hair started to be covered a little by snowflakes falling. She looked back at him, with a sweet smile that melted him, she was so cute. Maybe he was starting to fall for her after all. No, he had just met her. Father looked at him and sighed.

“Close your mouth Childe and stop drooling, we have to continue. Lumine, are you ready?” Lumine nodded at Father and continued moving forward. It didn’t take Childe long to catch up.

As they continued their journey through the snowy landscape of Snezhnaya. Lumine couldn’t help but admire the beautiful landscape, she hated the cold but loved the snow. It was pure and pretty. She would have loved to have Lyney and Lynette here to witness it with her. They would have loved it. Then she looked to her right, she saw a hilichurl camp and smiled. Perfect to try out her newly obtained elemental power. She looked back at Father. Father had seen it too and nodded. Lumine smiled and started running towards the camp.

Childe saw this and started running after her when Arlecchion stopped him and shook her head. Told him to just observe.

Lumine sprinted into the camp and summoned her sword and started attacking one of the monsters. She first used her hydro power and then froze it with cryo, as the other monsters started charging at her, she jumped up and stopped their attacks with her sword. As the blood from her enemies flew around her, she never looked more beautiful. Her movements were elegant and yet so deadly. In a flash she was onto her next target, like it was nothing. It made Childe smile and wonder what else she could do.

Then suddenly a thunderhelm lawachurl roared and dashed at her. She quickly jumped to the side as it had almost hid her. She crashed right into it with her sword in hand and jumped up to plunge down. Then use her cryo power to make super conduct to break down its shield faster. When the shield was down, she used her hydro powers to freeze it. It doesn’t take her long to get the monster down. Then she used her last attack, and the monster was defeated, and she kneeled and was leaning on her sword that she had placed in the ground. Trying to catch her breath as Father started clapping walking towards her with Childe. Her dress was now covered in crimson stains as well as her face. Childe saw the fire she had in her eyes. He couldn’t help but smile. He knew that look from himself when he was in battle. Father walked over to Lumine while clapping.

“Nicely done darling. You are getting quicker to learn how to use the elements. Did you have fun? We are done for today. Now let’s get going, or we are going to be late.” Lumine nodded and slowly rose and started walking over to Father and Childe.

They had been walking for a few hours. When finally, they saw the Palace coming into view. Lumine looked in awe. In the distance she could see the palace coming into view, it was covered in snow.  They were almost there. It was bigger than she had imagined and so pretty. As they were getting closer, Lumine could see the golden gate that covered the palace grounds and soldiers posted at the gate. So, this was her majesty's home and home of the organization.

Ajax had shown them to their rooms and told them that he had other things that needed his attention and would have to meet them later. He waved and walked away. Father and Lumine were alone in Lumine's room and talked about the dinner. Lumine told Father that she needed to start getting ready and made her way to the bathroom to take a quick bath, since she was covered in blood and her hair looked like a bird's nest. After her shower, she brushed her hair and started looking through her travel pack for clothes.

Father cleared her throat to get Lumine attention. She turned around. Her body was wrapped in a towel.

“I never had a chance to give you your birthday present. So here” She gave Lumine the present. Lumine smiled and couldn’t wait to open it.  

When she had opened her present, she was met with a stunning white dress, with a sweetheart neckline, with golden and light blue lining. She looked up at Father with tears in her eyes. Father told her that there were more.

She then opened the little box beside the dress. A beautiful hair pin with white flowers, she loved. It was from Lyney and Lynette.

Then she found one more box. She looked at Father, who nodded and told her to go on. When she opened it, what met her was a golden necklace with a blue pearl and with white feathers attached to it.

“It’s the earring your brother wore, I had it made into a necklace for you, so you always have him with you” Lumine looked at Father and hugged her.

“Thank you, Father. These gifts mean so much to me. Thank you” Father wiped away her tears and told her to put them on. Lumine ran into the bathroom to get dressed.

When she got out of the bathroom, the white dress hugged her every curve, the neckline was not too revealing, but just enough. The dress length was just above her knees. She had put some of her hair up and it was held in place by the flower pin. The necklace was the cherry on top. She looked at Father with a big smile. Lumine had never cared about her appearance or cared what others thought of her. But she had never felt more beautiful.

“Come darling, we have to get going. We don’t want to be late” Lumine nodded and made her way out of the room with Father. She took a deep breath and whispered to herself ‘showtime’

The dinner was only for her majesty and the harbingers. She was nervous to meet them. She only knew Father. She didn’t know what to expect. What kind of people were they? Will they be nice? Mad, would they even hate her? She grabbed Fathers hand and squeezed it. Father looked at her and stopped walking. She could see her daughter was shaking. She placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled her into a hug.

“Don’t worry no one will hurt you. I will be there if anyone does something to you. You come to me, and I will deal with them accordingly. Don’t worry. Am I safe to assume that you have your dagger on you under your dress” Lumine nodded.

“Good girl” Father let go of her and they started walking to the throne room.

“Now. Are you ready my dear daughter?” Lumine nodded and put on her diplomatic mask. Held her head high and had her poker face on. Making it almost impossible for anyone to read her emotions. Father had taught her. That she needed to keep her emotions behind a mask or else people could use it against her. Ever since that day it has become second nature for her. Every time she went on a mission. She would put her emotions in a box.

Lumine took one more deep breath and folded her hands in front of her dress. Father entered first as Lumine was told to wait for a little bit so Father could make sure that everyone was there and to inform her majesty that they had arrived.

Lumine stood outside the throne room, waiting. For about 5 minutes before the door opened. She held her head high and entered.

The room was large, decorated with Fatui banners and candles around the room. In the middle of the room was her majesty's throne. It was made of ice. Lumine was standing a few feet from her majesty. She was a beautiful woman, with long silver hair and with a floor length light blue dress. Resting her head in her hand, looking at Lumine. She felt her aura and couldn’t help but bow down.

“Your majesty thank you for having me” Her majesty stood up from her throne, descended and was now standing in front of Lumine with a smile on her face. Her majesty placed her hand under Lumine's chin and made her look at her.

“Welcome my child. Finally, I get to meet my dear Knaves daughter, rise” Lumine looked at her majesty as Father made her way over to them and bowed in front of her majesty.

“I hope your majesty is pleased?” She looked at the Knave and smiled while humming in response.

“I do hope you are hungry, young one. Dinner will begin shortly. Get to know the other before dinner” Her majesty made her way back to her throne again. Lumine felt like she could finally breathe again.

“You did good darling. Now let me introduce you to my colleagues” Lumine walked beside Father. She was met by a young girl with a white lace mask on her face, with black hair and pink at the ends. She looked like an angel, she was talking to a man who had a helmet on. Tall and had a deep voice.

Father introduced her to them, they both seem nice. She found out the young woman's name was Colombia and the tall male was Capitano.

Capitano was a nice man and started telling her that he was a survivor from a fallen nation called Knaenri’ah, Lumine knew she had heard about that nation before but she couldn’t remember where. She shook her head and tried to stay focused on the convention. Colombia were busy flirting with Father, and it seemed that Father had missed her as well. Lumine couldn’t help but smile. She had never seen Father like this. So carefree and blushing. It was nice to know that Father had someone. How she cared for her.

It wasn’t long before Father guided her towards some of her other colleagues. This time she met a man called Dottore. He gave her a sinister smile and took her hand and kissed it. Her whole body was covered in goosebumps, damn she hated it but for Father's sake she put up with it. Pierro quickly came and joined them, hugging Lumine. She didn’t know what to do. He then let’s go for her and take a good look at her.

“So nice to see you again, miss Lumine. I do hope that you had a good trip here” She nodded. She looked behind him and saw a familiar ginger hair guy and perked up and excused herself before leaving Father and Pierro.

The guy was standing against the wall. As she made her way over to him with anger in her eyes. She smacked his arm when she made her way there.

“What are you doing here? Are you stalking me?” He started laughing and put his face closer to hers as his hand went under her chin.

“You don’t think I have better thing? Princssa” The way his pet name for her rolled off his tongue made her feel something she had never felt before. Her face felt hot. When he touched her, it made her feel that her body was on fire. She tried shaking it off.

“You didn’t answer my question” He moved his hand from her chin and crossed his arms over his chest.

“I’m here for the dinner. I’m your Fathers colleague, nice to meet you, I’m Tartaglia the eleventh, but Childe is also fine” He was kidding right? She started laughing at him. But his facial expectation didn’t change. She suddenly knew that he was serious.

“What! You’re a harbinger! but I….” Now it was his turn to laugh at her. He knew that once she found out. She would be so confused.

“Yeah. But on the plus side I will be here to celebrate your birthday” He gave her a charming smile. She couldn’t stay mad at him. He was after all her friend, and it was a surprise but a nice one. She smiled back at him. At least she had someone she knew in the palace and in Snezhnaya. She nodded and asked him if they should join the other and Father. He nodded and started walking.

After an hour Lumine excused herself to go to the lady room to freshen up. As she was making her way back to the throne room. She was suddenly stopped by Dottore. He was the scientist and the second harbinger. He looked at her up and down, her body with a smile on his face and took her chin in his hand and started examining her face.

"Hmm you will make a great pet"
She looks at him with anger and slaps away his hand. The nerve this man had she tried to hold her tongue. Something about him made her blood boil and see red.

"I'm not someone's pet nor will I ever be. So, if you will excuse me, I have to get back now” she was trying to get past him. When he grabbed her hand and stopped her. She looked back at him with disgust and anger.

"Well, little kitten, is that the right way to speak to your superior? I can report you for that, you know" That just made her blood boil even more. She wanted to kick him, hard! Her free hand went under her dress ready to take her dagger. She held his gaze.

“I will only tell you this once! Let me go at once or you will regret it!” His smile widened and he pulled her closer to him.

“I like to see you try, little one” She pulled out her dagger and slashed his cheek with the blade as he let go of her hand. She ran as fast as she could to find Father or Childe. When she turned a conder she ran into someone chest and she fell backwards. She looked up meeting a par of familiar blue eyes.

“Lumine, where have you been? Arlecchino is looking for you” She looked at him in horror and heard shouting coming from the distance behind her.

“You need to help me. I think I fucked up! Dottore is after me, I may have hurt him” He looked at her with a worried look and pulled her after him.

“Come with me. We need you to get back to Arlecchino now!” Was he mad at her? She didn’t know but it was not the time.

They both made it back to the throne room. They were met by a worried Arlecchion.

“Where have you been…”

“Father. I need your help” Lumine started telling Father what happened. When the doors suddenly flew open to reveal a very angry Dottore with blood coming down from his cheek.

“Where is that little bitch! She had some nerve attacking me. She needs to be punished and be put in her place!” Childe pulled Lumine behind him to protect her as Arlecchino was suddenly in front of Dottore in a flash.

“You are in no position to demand anything. That young woman only protected herself. Nothing more. And if you touch my daughter again, I will make sure you will regret it!” Lumine looked out from behind Childe and had never seen Father so mad. Dottore huffed and stormed out of the room. The three sighed and relaxed a bit. They heard someone clearing their throat

“Now, that is out of the way, shall we eat?” They all turned to the voice of her majesty. She smiled and invited them to sit down. Lumine came out from behind Childe and made her way to the table.

Her majesty took Lumine's hand and sat Lumine beside her. Father took the seat across from Lumine. as the rest sat down as well.

The table was long and could host at least 30 people, it was decorated with different kinds of food, beautiful golden plates and golden silverware to match. In the middle is a big center piece of different kinds of red flowers.

Serves came and served all of them and poured red wine in their glass. Lumine had never tasted alcohol before. Her majesty then rested her glass to toast and to welcome Lumine to their ranks. All of the harbinger raised their glass as well and Lumine looked at Father to make sure it was okay. Father nodded and she raised her glass as well.

Lumine fell out of place. She had never been at a dinner as big as this one, before. Father saw that she was uncomfortable and tried to get her attention. When the door to the room suddenly opened and a short, dark haired man, in dark blue and red clothes and a hat on his head came in.

Lumine turned around and locked eyes with the male. He neared his eyes on her and ran over to her and picked her up and dragged her out for her chair. Threw her on the floor and placed himself on top of her. Holding her down.

“What are you doing here! I will make sure that you pay!” She looked at him, confused, she didn’t know what he was talking about. Father stood up from the table.

“Scaramouche! let her go, right now!” Father didn’t want to yell in front of her majesty. But he didn’t give her a choice. Father knew that look in his eyes, and he was going to hurt Lumine.

Scaramouche looked at Arlecchino.

“Not before she tells me what I want to know!” He turned back to Lumine who was lying under him with his hand on her throat.

“Tell me, where is he!?” Lumine looked at him in horror, she was scared and had only had that feeling once. She tried her best to answer him.

“Where who is. I don’t know what you’re talking about!” He put his face closer to hers. She could feel his breath on her face. Her answer came out raspy.

“Your little bitch, where is the abyss prince?!”  Scaramouche tightened his grab on her throat more. Okay she had been in the palace for hours and was called bitch twice. Her patience was running thin.

She heard Father and Childe talking behind them. But she couldn’t focus on what they were saying as she held her focus on the Scaramouche. She looked him dead in his eyes and did not let him read her emotions.

“I don’t know who the fuck you’re talking about!” He then smirked at her, and she suddenly felt herself getting electrocuted. Her whole body shook. Father started yelling. But Scaramouche wasn’t done.

“Let’s try this again, Bitch!” Her whole body hurt, she wanted to cry but not here and differently not in front of him.

She slowly took her hand under the side of her dress to pull out her dagger. She felt her consciousness slipping. She heard Pierro yelling.

“Scaramouch, stop it. Not in front of her majesty!” Father stood still and couldn’t do anything to help her daughter. Pierro had told her and Tartaglia not to interfere. Scaramouche turned his head towards them all.

“She could be a spy from the Abyss. Have any of you thought about that? She looks just like him!”

Lumine was desperate to breathe, but scaramouche wouldn’t let her go. While he looked the other way. She used all her strength and pulled out her dagger and stabbed him in the arm.

He lets go of her once. Cursing and looking at her with anger. She could finally breathe and found her voice.

“I’m not! I just want to serve her majesty just like you do! I’m a warrior just like you. I have trained for this my whole life. I don’t know who you are talking about!” She was angry, she had proven herself many times.

She started coughing and backing away from Scaramouche as Father and Childe ran over to her side. As Pierro and Capitano dragged Scaramouche away.

“I’m not done!” Father kneels down beside Lumine as she grabs the front of Father 's shirt. Breathing heavily. Childe sat behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder to make sure she was steady. Lumine looked after Scaramouche as he was dragged out of the room. As soon as he was gone, her tears started falling. She had messed up and had ruined her chance. Father started stroking her hair, to calm her.

Suddenly the three of them heard a pair of heels walking towards them and then came to a stop. Her majesty kneeled down in front of Lumine and took her chin in her hand. Wiping away her tears with her thumb

“Now, now little one. You did very well” Her majesty then looks up at the two behind Lumine.

“My dear knave, don’t worry, I will make sure Scaramouche is dealt with accordingly” Then she looked at Tartaglia.

“Tartaglia, I think it would be only fitting that I assign her to you. Your two seem to be a perfect fit. She is a feisty one. Train her well” As they both nodded and thanked her. She stood up and walked over to the table again.

Lumine looked in awe as her majesty left them alone. She didn’t ruin anything. She had proved herself and had gained her majesty’s respect.

Father helped her to her feet, and they made it back to the table where they were met by rest. Cheered at her. She couldn’t help but smile.

The dinner were uneventful. They all talked, drank and ate. After a while her majesty had left them all and Capitano and Pierro had returned. They all started drinking heavily. Lumine had never seen anyone drink that much, but it looked like they were enjoyed themselves. Childe and Father had a drinking competition while Capitano started teased him. Colombina sang. The rest talked about their work. Lumine sat at the end of the table watching them all.

Father had told her that the harbingers rarely got along. But there were a few times. Like this one, where everyone was just enjoying themselves.  

Lumine smiled and thought back to her one of her first birthdays with her brother. He had saved up just enough to buy her a birthday cake, which she had always wanted. Suddenly her memories changed. She saw her and Aether sitting on a hill looking at some sort of city she didn’t recognize.

He looked older than she remembered. He was looking right at her with a warm smile.

“I’ll find a way to grant your wish and give you anything you want my dear sister”

Then she heard a loud noise. She was back in the present.  She looked at the table and it looked like someone had fallen over in their seat and onto the floor. She started laughing loudly and Father looked at her.

Capitano came over to her with a shot glass of some kind of alcohol, she didn’t like the smell of.

“Here, drink with us. It's your birthday after all!” She started laughing again and took the shot glass and poured it all down her throat and slammed the glass down on the table. It tasted like shit and burned all the way down. but she didn’t even flinch. The captain then slammed her on the back and started laughing.

“She did better than Tartaglia did the first time he drank!” Childe looked up from the floor and neared his eyes at Lumine. Who gave him an innocent smile.

“Okay that’s it” He got up from the floor and made his way over to her, picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.

“Put me down or I will kick your ass again!” They all started laughing at them as Childe started making his way over to the other side of the table, sat down and placed her in his lab. He then poured her a short of whatever it was there was drink, handed it to her and looked her in her eyes.

“Now let's see, if you can beat me at this” With that Lumine and him started their drinking challenge. Father just sighed and told Childe that if she got sick, Lumine was his responsibility. He gave Arlecchino a smile and continued.

Childe won. Just because of the fact that he was used to it. He helped Lumine back to her room. She couldn’t walk by herself. Every step she took she almost fell. He had picked her up in his arms, so they could get there faster.

As he placed her in her bed. He asked if she could oversee the rest, and she just laughed and nodded at him.

When he turned to leave, he saw her struggle to get out of her dress. He sighed and made his way back to her bed to help her. He lifted her dress over her head and his eyes met hers. She had a fent pinkish color in her cheeks, but it was probably from the alcohol.

Their faces were close together and Lumine wondered what it would be like to kiss him. She had never kissed anyone, not even had sex. She didn’t have the time and never had any interest. But she wouldn’t mind doing this thing with him.

She slowly started moving forward to meet his lips and before she knew it. Their lips met. His lips were soft, warm and it felt so nice. Suddenly she felt herself being pulled backwards and she opened her eyes.

“What are you doing?” He looked at her, with awe and confusion.

She suddenly became aware that she was sitting in her underwear and what she just did, and her face went red. She was so embarrassed.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. Let’s just forget this ever happened, okay?” He quickly got up and left. She placed her hands on her face. What had she done? He would never forgive her. What was she thinking? He was her friend and now her superior.

She laid down on her bed and covered herself with the blanket. She hoped that she wouldn’t remember anything tomorrow. She didn’t think she could fall asleep. But she closed her eyes just for a few minutes.

Chapter Text

She woke up the next day, her head hurt, and felt sore all over. She sat up in her bed and stretched her back. She couldn’t remember much after they started drinking. How did she get into her bed? When she heard someone knocking on her door. She put on a sweater that was lying on the floor and made her way to the door.

She opened it and on the other side was a woman only a little bit taller than her, with brown hair and a dark mask covering her face. She gave Lumine a big smile.

“Good morning, Miss Lumine, I have your breakfast here. Where do you want me to put it?” Lumine blinked a couple of times before moving to the side to let the woman inside.

“On the bed would be fine, thank you. But who are you?” The woman sat Lumine breakfast down and turned to look at her and bowed.

“Where are my manners? I’m Ekaterina, one of master Childes secretary”

“Oh. Nice to meet you” Ekaterina smiled at her and told her to sit down and eat her breakfast.

Lumine took the first bit and almost threw up. Ekaterina gave some sort of a drink.

“Drink this, I took the liberty and made one of my special drinks. It should help with your hangover. I hope you like it” Lumine started drinking it. It was not so bad, but she would not drink it again. She wiped her mouth and sighs. Rubbing her forehead, hoping it would help with her headage.

When she was done with the drink. She felt a little bit better. Her head didn’t hurt as much. So, she tried to eat some of the breakfast. She looked where Ekaterina had gone. She saw the woman going through her closet and came back with a few dresses.

“Which one would you like to wear today?” Lumine looked at her in confusion and told her that she didn’t need to do that. Ekaterina told her that she didn’t mind helping her. Lumine sighs and tells her that she would take the blue one. Ekaterina laid the dress down beside Lumine and looked at her watch.

“Oh, I have to get going now. Master Childe would like to see you in his office in an hour. I will see you later miss Lumine” Ekaterina left and Lumine was once again alone. She noticed that there was a letter on the table.

It was from Father telling her that she was waiting for her at the entrance to the palace to say goodbye. Lumine felt nerves, sickness and sadness. Father was leaving. She sighs and gets up, gets dressed and makes her way.

Father was waiting for her. Just like she had written. Lumine ran over to her and hugged. Father smiled and started stroking her back. Lumine broke their hug and looked up at Father. Tears started forming in the corner of Lumine's eyes as Father looked at her. Father placed her hand on Lumine's face.

"I know you can handle yourself and I know you are more the cable. But be careful and don’t step out of line, remember your training. And most of all try not to be alone with Dottore and contact me if anything happens, I will be here as soon as possible" Lumines nodded.

“I’m going to miss you, Father” Father then hugged her again. Father had a hard time letting Lumine go. She was her daughter, and she loved her very much. 

“And I will miss you. I know you will do great things, love. I will always be here, and we will see each other again. Don’t worry” she kissed Lumines forehead and hugged her once more. When Felix cleared his throat.

“My lady, we have to get going, so we don’t miss the ship back to Fontaine” Father nodded and sighs. It was time.

“I have to go, my love. I want you to know my darling daughter that I’m extremely proud of you.  Don’t worry, I will come and visit” she gave her one more kiss and hug before leaving.

Lumine stood there looking as Father disappeared into the distance. As tears were falling down her face. For the first time in 8 years, she was alone again. She hated the feeling. She wanted to run after Father, to ask Father to take her back to Fontaine with her. But she stopped herself. Her dreams were finally turned into reality. Thanks to Father. She needs to stay strong. She wiped away her tears.

She turned around and started walking. She needs to get to Childes office and report in. But the problem was that she didn’t know where it was and there was no one around to ask.

Lumine sighs and starts walking around the palace hoping to either find Childe's office or someone who could help her.

After an hour, she still hadn’t found his office or anyone. As she turned a corner. She walked into someone. She would have fallen backwards, if it hadn’t been for someone’s hands grabbing her waists and helping her on to her feet. She then looked upwards with a smile to say thanks to the person. Her blood froze when she realized it was Dottore. His smile widened.

"Well, well we meet again, little kitten" why was he here, Father had just told her not to be alone with him.

"What are you doing here? Are you following me? I think I told you everything I needed to yesterday" his smile turned it to a smirk.

"Is that the way to thank someone who just saved you?" She was angry. What was his problem? Didn’t he get enough yesterday?

"Look I don’t know what you deal is, but I don’t have time for you. So, if you will excuse me I have somewhere to be" She tried to move past him. When his hand stopped her. Taking her wrists and pulling them upwards and moving her on to a nearby wall and putting his knee between her legs. So, she can’t move away. He moved his face closer to hers and started licking his lips.

“We have just started to get to know one another. Besides I haven’t punished you for what you did yesterday” She couldn’t help but feel helpless and scared. She didn’t know what to do? Her body would not move no matter how many times she tried. The one day she forgot her dagger. She tried wiggling out of his grab, but he just tightened his hand on her and started laughing at her again. It hurt, her eyes started to water.

“Let me go, you son of bitch!” She wasn’t going to beg. She closed her eyes. Hoping it was a nightmare and that it would be over soon. Dottore only laughs at her struggle. None of them heard the fast footsteps coming from behind them.

Suddenly she feels herself be taken out of Dottore's grabs and into someone's warm chest. She was met with a familiar scent of vanilla and sea breeze.

“I don’t know what you think you’re doing. Dottore. But I’m pretty sure the lady told you to let her go and I can assure you that I will report this to her majesty and Pierro” She knew that voice. She could see his crimson red shirt and his red scarf. It was Childe. Thank the Tsaritsa. She felt herself relaxed a little in his arms.

“You should keep better track of your pet, Tartaglia. So, it doesn’t just wander around like that" Dottore smirked and started to walk away.

She started crying silently, she was so happy that Childe found her before Dottore could do anything else. She felt him stroking her back. As he walked them away from the halls and  towards his office.

Infront of his office stood Ekaterina. Waiting for them. She saw the young miss in her master's arms, crying and quickly opened the door. As they entered, she excused herself to make the young miss some tea.

He sat down on the couch and hugged Lumine tightly while she was sobbing. If she hadn’t been hungover, she wouldn’t have forgotten her dagger to defended herself. Her emotions were running high, Father had left, and she was alone for the first time in 8 years. She had never let her guard down in front of anyone other than Father and her siblings. But the last week she had come to know Childe, he had become a good friend and someone she could let herself be a little vulnerable and comfortable around. But she still tried to have her shields up even around him. But failed.

After some minutes had passed Ekaterina came back with chamomile tea and some sweets. Lumine's face was still covered in his chest. Ekaterina asked if there was anything else. He shook his head, she made her way out of his office and let them be.

After a while Lumine had finally calmed down and was exhausted. She had fallen asleep in his chest, and he didn’t know what to do.

He laid her down onto the couch and slowly moved away. He made his way out of his office as he closed the door Ekaterina was walking towards him.

He told her to stay in his office and watch Lumine as he had a meeting to get to and would be back later. She nodded and made her way inside.

Later in the day Lumine slowly started waking up in an unfamiliar room, she sat up and started looking around.

“You're awake” her eyes found Ekaterina looking at her from behind a desk. Lumine rubbed her eyes as Ekaterina made her way over to the young woman, with a cup of chamomile tea. Lumine took the cup and thanked her. Ekaterina sat down beside her as Lumine slowly started drinking the tea.

Not long after, the door to the office opened. She jumps a little, not knowing where she was exactly or how it was. When she saw Childe come in and look at the two of them. He smiles at Lumine and makes his way over to them.

“Hey, you're finally awake” She started blushing, as her memory came back from what had happened earlier. Had he been worried about her? She looked to the side, not meeting his eyes.

“I’m… sorry for earlier. I didn’t know what came over me. It wouldn’t happen again” He sat down in front of her on his knees and took her hands in his.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad that I found you before anything happened” she still didn’t look at him. She was too embarrassed of her behavior. He noticed that she still didn’t look at him. He sighs and asks Ekaterina to leave. She nods and leaves them alone. He hates to see her like this. What had happened?

“Look at me” She hesitantly turned her face towards him and looked him in his eyes. Her eyes are red and puffy. She didn’t want him to see her like this, weak. She had always made sure that no one else outside her family would see her like this.

She felt like she could drown in his eyes. The feeling of security came over her. But she shakes her head and turns her face away from him again. She shouldn’t be treated differently from others. She wasn’t comfortable about the fact that he had seen her this vulnerable.

“I don’t want you to treat me differently from the others just because we are friends, Ajax” He didn’t expect her to be like this. Why was she suddenly like this? but if that’s what she wanted then so be it.

“Fine, have it your way, it’s master Tartaglia to you. Get up” she looks at him with confusion and worry. But followed his order. He started walking out of his office and Lumine tried her best to follow. He was walking fast.

Suddenly they were standing in a training area. She looked in awe. It was so big, with different kinds of weapons, training dummies. In the ceiling were a big chandelier hanging down and lit up the whole room.

“Everyone OUT!” She jumped a little. Every recruit ran out and left the two of them alone. She didn’t meet his eyes. She did not know what he was going to do and that scared her. He summons his hydro daggers and turns them into a polearm and points it at her. She meets his eyes with worry. Was he going to hurt her? He must be. She had shown weakness on her first day. Of course he would punish her. She then looks to her side as she made her hands into fists and waits for him to hurt her.

She wasn’t cut out to be a harbinger, let alone an apprentice of one. Of course he would get rid of her. She wasn’t as strong as her brother was.  Her tears started falling. At least she would see her brother soon.

“Just making it quick. I know that I’m weak, useless and worthless, just get it over with!” she started hugging herself while closing her eyes. Waiting for the pain. But it never came.

Suddenly she feels herself being pulled into his chest and holds her head against his chest. She opened her eyes in shock. He tightened his arms around her as she felt him trembling.

“Don’t ever say that again! You hear me. I know you don’t want to be treated differently from the other but you're my comrade and my friend. You had a weak moment. It’s your first day without your family. Of course you’re not on the top of your game. But don’t see it as a weakness. Use it, to get stronger” he takes her face in his hands and pulls it upwards to meet his eyes. Damn he was starting to fall for her. She needed someone she could rely on and reassure her. He would love to be the one she could come to no matter what.

“I’m here if you need me. I will never hurt you” she started sobbing more. Hugged him.

He lets go of her and tells her to summon her sword. She does and looks at him for further instructions. He smiles at her. She can’t help but smile back at him.

“Now, I think the best way to get out once emotion is a good fight. So, let’s do this” she wiped away her tears and He then changed right at her.

He knew she could use more than one element. So, fare hydro and cryo. He had lost his focus on the battle between them all because of her damn short dress When she jumped the skirt traveled upwards so he could see more of her cream colored thighs. 

Oh, what he wouldn’t do to put his hand on them and travel upwards to her... no. He tried shaking the thought out of his head. He could feel his cock getting painfully hard every time.

The room was filled with metal meeting metal sounds. They were dancing around the room.  Screaming, yelling, heavy breathing and sweat running down their bodies. They had been sparing for hours.

Lumine's body was covered in marks from his attacks and her dress that were once blue is now red. Her whole body was trembling. It hurt, but she wasn’t done. She stood upright breathing heavily, but held her head high. She had long forgotten missing Father, her sibling and the incident with Dottore. Only focusing on the battle between them.

To Childe she had never looked sexier, and he had noticed the fire in her eyes had returned. She was ready to kill him, and that sinister smile had returned. He couldn’t help but smile. She had found her fire again. She jumps at him with all she got but he blocks her and knocks her down into the floor. He was laying on top of her, his face just close enough to almost meeting her lips.

He looked into her amber eyes.

“Don’t ever doubt yourself ever again. If you do, come find me and I will help you find it again” she looked at him in awe. He was so close. She wanted nothing more than to kiss him, but he is her superior and she didn’t want to destroy their friendship. She nodded at him.

“Good girl. Now, let's cleanup and get some dinner” He smiles and removes himself from her and puts out his hand to help her on her feet. She accepted it. He started walking out of the room as Lumine stood back and watched him leave with her hand on her chest. Her heart was beating so fast. Had she fallen for him? No it had to be from their sparring.

He turned around to see if she followed him and saw she was still standing where he left her. He looked at her confused.

“Are you coming?” She looks up at him and give him a smile and runs over to his side. She couldn’t help but blush. She would be okay.

Chapter Text

It had almost been a year since her first day. 

They had made their sparing a weekly thing. It was good for both her and him to get out some tension and it was a good way to get to know each other better. She had spent most of her time training while Childe coached her. It wasn’t always easy for her to focus on his teachings. The way he touched her, his finger danced across her arms or when he touched her waist to adjust her posture. Her whole body felt like it was on fire, and she felt herself getting wet by his touch. They were always gentle and yet rough at the same time. 

She could only imagine what they would feel like on her naked body. The way that they could make her shiver from excitement. Just waiting for him to push them inside her dripping wet cunt just waiting to be filled by his fingers or cock. She often found herself rubbing her finger against her panties. To get some form of relief. 

It had only gotten worse over time. One day she had been with him, to see him train the recruiters and give them his speech. She observed him from a distance and couldn’t help but blush. She felt like a silly schoolgirl with the biggest crush on one of the joggers. The authority in his voice made her shiver as it often did. She needed to get out of there.

She often found herself dripping wet after their training sessions. She often daydream about what it would be like to be literally under him, his finger dancing across her naked body from her neck and all the way down to her needy cunt. She found herself at night touting herself and silently moaning his name. 

She had once done it in his office. It happened after one of their training sessions. She couldn’t wait till the night. So, when he left for a meeting, Ekaterina had some errands to run. She was alone. He had told her to read some of the new reports on his desk. So, she sat down on his chair and run her finger across his desk as she image them fucking on top of it. 

What if he walked in and saw her pleasure herself. A shiver ran down her spine. She smiled to herself. Excitement. Making her more wet and needy. She sat down in his chair as her hand quickly found its way to her needy cunt and started rubbing her clit. The thought of him catching her in the act made her more wet while she imagined it was his finger inside her.

‘Does it feel good Prinzessa? She would answer him with a moan.

"Is this what you wanted?’

‘You so wet’ he would then put one more finger inside her and she gaps, arced back on the desk.

His voice always sent shivers down her spin and made her drip.

As he keeps thrusting his finger in and out for her. His free hand found her tit and started fondling it as his mouth found the other one. She moaned louder and he knew she was close.

‘Cum for me’

Suddenly there was a knock on the office door and Lumine froze. She quickly removed her hand and wiped it in her dress.

“Come in” it was Ekaterina entering.

“Are you okay miss Lumine, I hear strange noises coming from here” Lumine hoped that Ekaterina couldn’t see her blushing. She needs to come up with a lie.

“I’m fine, I just fell asleep while reading the report master Childe asked me to. Sometimes I talk when I sleep” hopefully she would buy it.

Ekaterina started laughing.

“So do I sometimes too. Don’t worry I won’t tell” the both started laughing.

“By the way. Mater Childe told me to inform you. He has requested you to join him in a meeting with the other harbinger in an hour” Lumine looked at Ekaterina, nodded and smiled at her.

“Then I will take my leave and get ready for the meeting, thank you Ekaterina” she left the office and made it back to her room to shower and get some fresh clothes on.

After almost an hour. She entered the meeting room, Childe was already there waving at her. She started blushing a little, sighed and moved closer to stand beside him. As his apprentices it was only right to stand beside him. He looked up at her in confusion.

“Why are you standing there?, sit down” she looked at him confused.

“But you told me, when we are in a meeting that I should be standing beside you" he sighs and pulls out the chair and patted it. She sat down and looked at him.

“The only time you do that, is when we are in the presence of her majesty” before long the other harbingers came in. She looked at them as they entered. Dottore looked at her and smiled. It made her blood freeze and sent cold shivers down her spine.

“Well, I didn’t know that the little kitten would be here. This will be fun" she felt uncomfortable. She wanted to disappear. But she had to be there. Scaramouche was not her biggest fan. He looked at her and walked beside her chair and took her chin in his hand and made her look up at him. He was not impressed.

“Why is she here again? Why is she so special?” Lumine smack balladeers hand away and stood up.

“Touch me again and I will knock you out cold!” She didn’t know where her confidence came from, but she had enough. Childe started laughing and Scaramouche stood still and was about to smack her. When Pierro clears his throat and gets their attention. Scaramouche made his way to his seat as Lumine sat down.

“Enough you two. She is here to observe. Now let’s get to the agenda”

After what felt like hours. She was really starting to get bored. Up until now Pierro and Pantalone had only talked about budget, Dottore had talked about some new experiments he was doing and looked at her from time to time. The balladeer was angry at everyone and didn’t say much. But then Pierro turns to look at her and Childe.

“Now Tartaglia and Miss Lumine you are going on a diplomatic mission in Liyue in a few weeks. To reestablish our relationship with the Qixing and Tartaglia try not to cause too much trouble this time” Childe, just smiled at him. Pierro sighs.

“Well, that will be all. Now dismiss” and they started to make their way out as Pierro stopped her.

“Miss Lumine, please stay behind" Lumine sat back down and looked at Pierro. When all the others had left, he turned to Lumine.

“I know that it is your first time in the land of contracts and also your first diplomatic mission, miss Lumine. So just some words of advice. Read what you can about the culture, customs and most of all the politics. Just to be somewhat prepared. Tartaglia is your superior, so he knows these things. It’s just so you know a little beforehand” she looked at him and nodded.

“Thank you, Mr. Pierro. I appreciate it" She smiled at him

“Pierro is just fine, young lady. You are after all Arlecchino's beloved daughter. So, it was the least I could do. Now off you go and remember to be prepared" she stood up, shook his hand and made her way out of the room.

One of the peaks of being a harbinger apprentice was that she had access to their outdoor hot spring. So, today had been a particularly hard day for her with training and tasks. She thought she would tread herself. She started taking her clothes off and put them in the locker. She made her way to the hot spring with a towel around her. It was almost sunset, and she loved to see the different kinds of color in the sky. She always watches the sunset from her bedroom window.

She took off the towel and started making her descent into the nice hot water. She sat down and she felt all her muscles relax in the nice hot water. She really needed this. Soon it started to snow.

The sunset was so beautiful today. The different kinds of orange, pink and blue and then adding the snow she loved. She closes her eyes to relax more into the water.

“Ahh, so relaxing” her muscles were so sore after today training with Childe. He had been in a bad mood. She wonders why. She shook her head trying to get him out. She didn’t want to get worked up. She just wanted to enjoy the view and the hot water. She made her way to the other side of the hot spring and lay her arms on the edge and lay her head on top of her arms and looked in awe at the sunset.

After an hour she decided to get out. She wrapped the towel around her and made her way to her locker to get dressed. But when she opens the locker. She found that all her clothes were gone. Suddenly Ekaterina came in with a bag in hand and gave it to her.

“I’m sorry miss Lumi” she then walked away. Lumine looked after Ekaterina. When she was out of sight, Lumine took the bag and opened it and took out its contents.

“Thank the Tsaritsa it’s…… a maid outfit!?” she blinked one then twice. Suddenly it hit her. It was that stupid ginger boss of hers. That had taken her clothes and played his stupid pranks on her again. But this one was too far even for him. He had been an ass to her for so long now and this was the last straw. She was so angry at him. He was going to get a piece of her mind.

She quickly put on the outfit, and it fit her perfectly. She didn’t want to know how he knew that. But the skirt was way too short. If she were to bend forward. Someone could definitely see her panties. That made her even more angry. She tried to make the skirt longer, but it was no use. She started making her way to his office and trying to cover her butt and hope that no one would see her. Fortunately for her there was no one around at this hour.

She finally made it to his office and normally she would have knocked and waited for an answer. But not this time. She slammed his door open.

“TARTAGLIA!” She didn’t know that there was someone else inside the office besides him. But right now, she didn’t care.

He and his subordinates looked up from Childes desk and looked at her with a smirk on his face.

“Wow. Are you trying something new” He started laughing as he dismissed the subordinate. The guy made his way out of the office, but not before he looked Lumine up and down and he started blushing as he made his way out and closed the door behind him while Lumine tried to cover her butt.

“What in all there is holy is wrong with you. You are the biggest perv I have ever met and that includes Dottore!”  He couldn’t stop laughing and that only made her angrier.

“I'm done with your little games you are playing. What is your problem? Have I done something wrong or is this some sort of punishment?” She started moving closer to his desk then she finally stopped beside his chair with her hand on her hips. He stopped laughing and watched her. It was hard for him not to look at her because of the way the outfit hugged every curve of her body so perfectly and that skirt was the perfect length, he could almost see her panties and the neckline made her breast press together and almost hopped out. Archons she was a little temptress.

He couldn’t stop thinking about her. All the times she had been under him during their sparring. Every time he touch her to adjust her stans. What he wouldn’t do to have her under him naked begging for his cock, her moans and archons the way her breast would bounce as he fucked her senseless and her pink nipples, just begging him to lick or/and sucked. 

He was always painfully hard whenever she was around him. Even when he was laying in his bed at night, she was on his mind. So, it had been easier to make her do errands and pull pranks on her. So, she wouldn’t be around him so much and it was his way of coping with the fact that he just wanted her under him.

“I don’t know what you mean, but it’s nice to see you in something else of a change” that’s a lie. She looked at him nearing her eyes and moved closer. Archons. His pants suddenly got tighter when she bent over, and her breast almost jumped out. He cleared his throat. For the love of the archons.

“I think it would be best for you to go now Lumi" he needs her out of his office now. He didn’t trust himself right now.

“No! Not before you answer me. What have I done wrong?” Why was she so hard headed? It made him even harder. He grabs his armrest tighter. She was so gorgeous when she got angry. He felt his cock twitch from excidement. Archons above he needed her to leave.

“Lumi, you need to go now" she looked at him trying to find anything and held her ground. She wanted an answer, and she was not going to move before he told her. So, she tried again.

“Please tell me. What is wrong? I can't do anything about it if you wouldn’t tell me. Please I’m begging you Ajax ” his name sounded so cute coming from her lips. When he didn’t answer she sighed and started moving away from him and towards the door. Something inside him snapped. Before she could even get to the door. He was in front of it. Walking towards her.

“My problem with you is that I can’t stop thinking about you. In more ways than I should. But you have not done anything wrong" she looked at him, her eyes in shock as her face blushed. She wouldn’t look at him or answer.

"I know you want me too. Why else would you have kissed me on your first night here?" She started walking backwards but was stopped by his desk. He moved closer, their lips almost touching. She could feel his warm breath on her lips as he ran his thumb over her pink lips. Archons, he was so intoxicating.

“I…….” she couldn’t get the words out. They were stuck in her throat. He knew her darkest secret. She had fallen for him. She felt herself getting wet and excited.

 He closeted their distance with a passionate kiss. She didn’t expect that to happen. He was so caring, kind, handsome and the one she had fallen hard for. She knew that he was the one she wanted even though he drove her crazy. She kissed him back. His lips were so soft. She melted into the kiss and him.

He put his hand under her chin and made her look up at him. The longing in his eyes. She wanted nothing more than to swim in them, but they couldn’t. She was afraid that she was the only one with feelings.

He saw that she was about to cry. Something was bothering her and maybe he had gone too far this time. But he needed her to know how he felt. He put his forehead against hers and closed his eyes.

"I know I’m your superior but. I’m in love with you and have been for a while. You make me feel something I have never felt before. I don’t want to share you with anyone. I have wanted for so long to make you mine. I know I have a funny way of showing it, but please know that I don’t want this to be a one time thing” he took a deep breath.

“I love you Lumine and I will never let you feel or be alone ever again” she looked at him in awe, she never knew that he felt the same way. She started crying and hugged him.

“I love you too” she whispered hoping he heard her. He broke their hug and pulled her face towards him as their lips met. He had wanted for so long to kiss her, to taste her. Feel her soft lips. He felt her tears on his cheeks. He stroked her cheeks and wiped them away. 

He broke their kiss and looked at her with so much love. She looked down.

“I’m just afraid that if we do this, they will assign me to someone else or you will get sick of me. I have struggled with my anxiety, my nightmares and they can get a lot. I don’t know how to do this. I never felt like this for anyone” her eyes started to tear up again. He took her cheeks into his hands again and made her look at him again.

“I will never get tired of you, I will be here, whatever you need I will be there, and I will make sure that you are not going anywhere without me. You are my first love. We will find out together” he kissed her forehead and pulled her into his chest. She felt herself relaxing into him and wanted to sleep. He had always made her feel safe. They stay like this for a while. When there was a knock on the door and they both froze.

“What is it?" he hissed.

“Master Childe. I have Miss Arlecchino, Lyney and Lynette with me. They want to see you and miss Lumine" Lumine froze. Shit!

“Father and my siblings can’t see this!” She was panicking. What would Father do if she saw like this and her in that dress? He placed his hands on her shoulders and took her into his chest.

“Calm down. Take a breath. If I distract them, then you can sneak out when we are gone. Meet us at the common room” He gave her one last kiss before making his way to the door as Lumine hid behind it.

“Hello Arlecchino, what a nice surprise. What can I do for you" He was nervous. But he could do this for Lumi and his own sake. But Father had other plans and could see right through him.

“You have exactly 5 sec to tell me who is hiding behind that door and it better not be the one I think it is" He swallowed hard as the color drained from his face. Arlecchino sighs. With that she stepped forward into his office and closed the door and not looking who was behind it.

“Lumine, you can come out now and sit down on the sofa and wait" she did as she was told. Sat down and looked down on her feet with guilt. Why did Father have to come today of all days. Lyney and Lynette ran over to her and hugged her and looked at her with confusion as to what she was wearing as Father looked over at them.

“What the hell are you wearing?” Lumine started to blush and pointed her finger at Childe.

“Ask him”

Arlecchion started scolding Childe as Lumine sat quietly and with her hands in her lap. Suddenly she stood up.

“Father”

Father looked at her and sat down beside her as Childe made his way to his desk chair far away from Father. Childe knew that Arlecchino loved Lumine and treated her like a daughter and Lumine loved Father. So, he hoped that she would be easy on Lumine.

Lumine started telling Father what had happened between. She told Father that Childe had protected her, trained her, helped her through some of her many struggles and in the process she had fallen in love with him. Lyney looked at Lumine with a big smirk on his face and started teasing her. Lynette made kissing sounds. Lumine started blushing like crazy. Why did they have to act like and to tease her in front of Childe and Father. Arlecchion looked at them and asked Lyney and Lynette to get some tea and sweets, so that they would leave Lumine alone for a while.

 Father then looked at Childe with anger and then sighed.

“So. Do you have anything to add?” He looked at Father and swallowed. He was afraid that she would punish him for what he did. But he wasn’t afraid to tell Arlecchino the truth and folded his arms over his chest.

“Well, I love her, and I will continue to take care of her as I have done so far. Nothing will change except that we would be a couple and that I would like to ask for your approval. " Lumine looked at him with awe and love.

“You better not harm her in any way, or I will cut off your balls. She is my daughter” he held up his hands, smiled and laughed awkwardly. Arlecchion turned to Lumine and took her hands.

“Lumine, you have my blessing I only wish for you to be happy" with that Father hug her. Lumine hugged her back and whispered thank you. After their talk Father scolded Childe for a while longer. Telling him that it’s not a proper way to show a woman that he loved by pranking her, scaring her and take her clothes and if he valued his life he won’t do it again. They hear a knock on the door. In came Lyney, Lynette and Ekaterina with tea and sweets.

They all sat in Childes office and talked for hours as they drank tea and ate sweets. Archons, she had missed her siblings. She was so happy to see them and Father. With a sad smile forming on her lips tears started falling without her knowing. Lynette looked at her and asked if she was okay and Lumine tried to assure her that she was. 

It was just happy tears. Childe stood up and got over to her and sat behind her and put his arms around her and gave her a hug. She didn’t expect him to do that, but she relaxed into his chest. She looked at her siblings and Father. She had forgotten that they were there. Her face got all red and Lyney and Lynette started laughing.

She was so lucky that her life turned out like this. Had anyone told her 8 years ago that she would sit here drinking tea with a new family, two harbinger in Snezhnaya, be an apprentice of one and without her twin and soon travel to the land of contracts. She wouldn’t have believed them. She looked at them all with so much love.

“I want to thank all of you" they all looked at her confused.

“I want to thank Father, Lyney and Lynette for finding me and taking me in. Father, thank you for giving me a home, siblings and love. If it wasn’t for you, I would probably have died and thank you for giving me this opportunity to meet Childe. Thank you, Ekaterina for being my friend who I can come to” then she looked behind her to see his blue eyes.

“And most of all thank you Ajax, for taking care of me from the moment I got here, for teaching me and for loving me” she couldn’t stop crying. They all meant so much to her.

“I'm so grateful for all of you” Father stood up and sat down in front of her and started patting the top of her hair. Lumine looked up at Father and Father gave her a smile and hugged her.

“Thank you, my dear daughter, I'm proud of you.” She looked up at Father and cried. It was the biggest complement Father could give her. Father looked up at the other and stood up, cleared her throat and sat down beside Lynette and Lyney.

“I hear that you are going on your first diplomatic mission to Liyue tomorrow. Remember to write to us Lumi. So, we know that you are okay” she nodded.

“I'm excited to see the land of contacts” Father looked at Childe and Ekaterina.

“I expect that you two will take care of her” Childe just hugged Lumine tighter and smiled.

“Of course, Arlecchino, I’m the one she is under after all” Father, Lumine and the others choked on their drinks. Father looked at Childe angrily and made a fist ready to punch him.

The next hour Father scolded Childe. While Lumine and the rest took off. Ekaterina had to make arrangements for them, before they got to Liyue and Lumine wanted to show her siblings around the palace. She couldn’t help but feel happiness. In a week she would be in the land of contracts.

Chapter Text

The next day Childe and Lumine sets off to his hometown for the ship that would take them to Liyue. Accompanied by Father and Lumine’s  siblings as they needed to get back to Fontaine. As the subordinates loaned their luggage onboard. Lumine got to say goodbye to Father and her siblings. She knew that it was going to be a long time before she would see them again and it hurt but she needed to be strong. She was so happy that she got to see them before she had to leave for Liyue.

As she hugged Lynette and Lyney. Ekaterina cleared her throat.

“Miss Lumi, the ship is about to depart. you need to get on board” Lumine felt her tears start falling. But she  quickly managed to wipe them away.

“Well, I have to go, take care of yourself and remember that I love you guys and say hey to the other for me” Lyney and Lynette started crying and hugged her one more time before she ran on board the ship.

They stood at the port and waved her goodbye. As she watched them, she felt their love and her heart started to hurt.

She felt Childe's arms wrapping around her from behind and kissed her hair. He knew that it was going to be hard for her to say goodbye again. He tightened his arms around her as she leaned in to him.

“I will be okay. You will see them again” he knew she needed to hear it. She was always afraid that someone she holds dear would disappear from her life. Like her brother. They stayed like this for a moment longer before Lumine let him go for him and made her way down stairs. He knew that she needed time to adjust. After all, she was moving again to a new nation once again.

After some time, he made his way down stairs to check on her. When he opened the door, he saw that she had fallen asleep and didn’t want to wake her. He closed the door behind him as he smiled.

Lumine was walking through a dark corridor, with a feeling that she was being watched. Eyes everywhere as she walked. She hadn’t met anyone. No one could help her to find a way out. She felt like she had been walking for hours, when she found herself at a door. She lit up with hope and ran towards it, put her hand on the handle and opened it.

She saw a tall, blonde guy with a mask that covered half his face. She had never seen him before. Her eyes turned to the floor where her brother sat with a girl about the same age as her and similar features as her. Wait?

She suddenly found herself in her brother's arms. Her body was covered in cuts, blood and dirt. Her brother was crying as a strange creature started walking towards them. She felt her body acting on its own. She pulled herself out of her brother's arms and took a stand to protect him. With her sword in hand, she charged at the creature. The creature swung its sword and stabbed her right leg and a bloodcurdling scream escaped from Lumine.

The creature started laughing at her and moved to stand on top of her. In one swift move the creature swung down its sword into her left arm. She screamed again, looking to her side. Looking for her brother and the tall male. They just stood there, not moving or trying to help her. Suddenly a sharp stabbing pain in her right leg. She started crying and screamed for help. She started sobbing, closet her eyes and prayed that Childe would hear her.

‘Childe help me, where are you?’

She was sure she was going to die.

In the night, Ekaterina kept watch as everyone was asleep. When she heard screaming coming from down stairs, from one of the carbins. She ran as fast as she could, towards the sound. When She opened the door and saw Lumine standing with a bloody dagger in her hand as blood was running down her arm. Ekaterina couldn’t believe her eyes. She slowly started walking towards Lumine with her hand reaching out for her trying her best not to scare her.

“Miss Lumi, are you okay?” Lumine didn’t answer. Just stood still looking on to the floor, mumbling something Ekaterina couldn’t make out. Her voice was shaking and the young girl started hugging herself. Sobbing.

“Aether, why didn’t you help me?” Ekaterina froze. She knew the young girl had lost her brother many years ago and was still haunted by it. Lumine had confessed to Ekaterina that she sometimes had nightmares. But Lumine had never told her that they could or were this bad.

She slowly started waking over to Lumine again. Ekaterina's hand touched Lumine's shoulder and then Lumine started falling. Ekaterina quickly catches her at the last second.

She heard rushing footsteps coming down stairs. A couple of Ekaterina's colleagues came in asking what happened.

“Get a healer and master Childe NOW!” They all rushed out to find him as Ekaterina stayed with Lumine. The young girl was covered in blood, her left arm wasn’t as bad as right leg. Her leg had a deep stab wound and was bleeding. She lay the young girl on the floor as she tried to stop the bleeding. The young girl's wounds were deep and needed stitches. Ekaterina did her best to stop the bleeding, by ripping pieces of fabric from the skirt of Lumine's dress and placing it on top of her leg wound and putting pressure on it. Ekaterina looked at Lumine. Cold sweat dripped down her forehead as she cried in pain. Breathing heavily.

“I know. I’m sorry Miss Lumi. Don’t worry he is on his way. He will be her soon” Lumine was still unconscious, gasping for air. Ekaterina hoped that she somehow could hear her voice. She started stroking Lumine hair with her free hand. Trying to calm her. Lumine suddenly grabbed Ekaterina's arm, tightly. Then she started screaming again. Her whole body was trembling, and her breathing was out of control. Whatever she was dreaming must be really bad for her to react like this. Ekaterina tried to wake Lumine, but she didn’t respond.

Ekaterina heard footsteps coming down stairs again and she didn’t need to turn around to know it was Master Childe. Right behind him was a healer.

“What happened?” He looked at Ekaterina with Lumine in her arms. His heart broke. He ran over to them, making sure that Lumine was still alive. When he saw her breathing, he relaxed a little.

Ekaterina started telling him what happened and that she hadn’t been able to wake her. The healer started healing Lumine's leg. She hissed in pain, started screaming again. Childe stayed by her side till the healer was done and let him move her. He placed her into his arms and tried to wake her slowly as he made his way to her bed.

“Lumi, please wake up. I’m right here” She moved a little in his arms and slowly started opening her eyes. Suddenly she tried to get out of Childe's arms and move away screaming.

“Let go for me. Do not touch me!” He tightened his arms around her and pulled her into his chest. She was still trying to get out. She pulled her dagger from her bedside table and held it against his throat.

“Let me go! I will not tell you again!” He needed her to calm down and look at him.

“Lumi, look at me. It's me, your save” her eyes widened by his statement. He let go for her a little. She leaned back a little, dropped the dagger and started touching his face.

“Childe? You’re really here?” He closed his eyes and leaned into her hand.

“Of course. I promised, I would be” She started crying again and hugged him tightly.  He needed to know what happened. Ekaterina could only tell him a little. He pulled her back and took her face into his hands and started wiping her tears away with his thumbs.

“Tell me Lumi. What happened?” She took a deep breath and started telling him. Ever since she came to the house of the hearth she had been having nightmares. About her brother’s death. But never since her 18 th birthday. Voices were talking to her and her nightmares had returned but were much more real than before. She had never experienced them being this bad. Never hurt herself or sleep walked. She was getting images in her head she couldn’t remember or hadn’t seen before. He asked why she had never told him, and she looked to the side and told him that she didn’t want to bother him, worry him or make him think that she was weak again. She started shaking as she sobbed.

They had known each other for over a year now. They had been through a lot together and still she keeps thinking that she is weak, even though he reassured her that she wasn’t. He pulled her into him again.

“Please don’t hide anything from me ever again” She nodded and leaned into him.

“I’m sorry, Ajax, I wouldn't do it again. Will you please stay with me” He started stroking her back and nodded. He moved to the side, so she could lay down beside him and pulled her into his chest.

“I will be right here, when you wake up” He kissed her forehead and hugged her. It wasn’t long before she fell asleep. He listened to her calm breathing, she looked so peaceful. When he was sure that she was deep asleep. He soon fell asleep as well.

It had been 5 days since the incident and Lumine hadn’t had a nightmare since, but she started sleeping next to Childe just to be sure. She started to focus on her training. Childe often found Lumine on the deck, swinging her sword or sparring with some of the subordinates on board, when he was busy with paperwork. She was so focused on her close combat training that she almost hit him, but he caught her hand at the last second. She looked at him and gave him the sinister smile, he knew what that meant. She swung her leg at him as he ducked under it. He sent his fist at her face as she moved out of the way.

She grabbed his arms and spun it around and twisted in behind his back and sent him to his knees. When she thought that she had him. She loosened her grab. That gave him an opportunity. Before she could remove herself from him, he placed his arm around her waist and pulled her down to the floor as he sat on top of her and held her hands upwards. Moved his face close to hers.

She looked at him in awe and love. He gave her a charming smile and moved closer to her lips.

“Nice try, Prinzessa” He closed their distance with a kiss. It felt so nice, warm and comfortable. It made her melt into the kiss more. It sended shivers down her spine. Pulled him towards her and deepened their kiss. He was so intoxicating. She felt herself getting hotter by the minute. She couldn’t get enough of him. She knew she wanted more. Suddenly someone cleared their throat, and they broke their kiss.

She had forgotten that they weren’t alone and started blushing as Childe removed himself and helped her to her feet. She made her way down stairs as he returned back to his office.

As the ships near Liyue harbor in the evening of day 6. Lumine ran up to the deck of the ship and continued to the railing to take in the sight of the harbor. She looked in awe. Everything was so beautiful, warm and not covered by snow. The lights lit up the harbor. The mountain range in the back of the city was so high. So, this was the land of contracts. She heard footsteps coming from behind her.

“Woah. It's so beautiful!” Childe laughed a little and made his way to stand behind her as wrap his arms around her.

“Welcome to the land of contract, starlight” she leaned back into his hug. While looking into the horizon.

A few minutes later Ekaterina came and told them to get ready as they would soon be leaving the ship. Lumine nodded and made her way back downstairs to get her things. Soon they were walking around the city to Northern land bank. She looked around. The trees had yellow leaf’s and the buildings were tall and were painted red. While they were walking the city was busy with people as the lanterns lit up the alleyways.

There were many different kinds of restaurants that filled the air with many mouthwatering smells. She didn’t know that she was hungry before they walked by Wanmin restaurant and Childe asked if she wanted something. She nodded and he told Ekaterina that they would meet her back at the hotel. She bowed and started walking away. 

They made their way to the counter and were met by a nice young girl with dark hair and a red and yellow dress, who gave them a big smile.

“Hello there. I’m Xiangling. What can I get for you guys!” Childe started ordering as Lumine gave Xiangling a smile and asked what she could recommend. Xiangling looked at Lumine with a beautiful smile and winked at her.

“I know just the thing, do you like fish?” Lumine nodded and Xiangling turned around and started working on their dishes. Lumine looked around the street. Her eyes went towards the mountain range at the end of the street. A tall blonde male was looking in her direction and she started walking towards him as Childe talked to Xiangling.

Lumine couldn’t get her eyes off the man. Something inside her told her that she had seen him before but where? Before she could think more about it. She started walking towards him. The man started making his way towards Lumine. She met him at the bridge. She stood a few feet away from him. With her hand on her dagger to be ready in case he attacked her.

The man looked her up and down and gave her a sad smile.

“I see you have joined the Fatui, Lu” She looked at him in shock. Her eyes widened. No one had called her that not since Aether died.

“How do you know that nickname? We have never met” The blonde man looked at her and took a step forward as she took one back.

“We have. A long time ago. My name is Dainsleif. I knew you and your brother” She couldn’t remember the name but his face and that mask. She had seen them in her dreams. She held her head in her hand and started shaking and she started hugging herself. She was trying hard to remember him.

“What do you want?” He took one more step towards her, this time she didn’t see him move.

“I need to know how you were doing, ever since the day we left you in Fontaine 8 years ago, I haven’t stopped thinking about what happened to you” She looked up at him with anger and hate. So, he had been there when Aether disappeared, and he knew them. He left her alone to die. She started laughing. This was so ironic. He had been concerned for her all these years and yet he didn’t check up on her before now.

“You want to know how I have been doing! I was left alone, no one to turn to, no one to love me. I searched for my brother for a week before someone found me and took me in and after that I spent a year trying to find him when Father found out that he had died. I have nightmares. I was depressed for years before someone took care of me. Do you have any idea of what I have been thought to be where I am now? You just show up and want to know how I’m doing. Because you care. Ha ha, You can go and FUCK yourself!” Dain looked at her with sadness, this wasn’t what her brother wanted. 

None of them wanted her to suffer like this. He moved closer to pull her into a hug. When he fell a dagger on his throat. He didn’t even see her drawing it. Dain looked into her eyes and saw anger and hurt. She narrowed her eyes on him and looked at him without letting him read her emotions.

“If you touch me. I won’t hesitate killing you” She put pressure on the dagger into his throat. Blood started slowly running along his throat. Dain heard footsteps coming towards them and saw a tall ginger male coming behind Lumine. The ginger eyes widened when he saw them, and he started ruining over. Stopping right behind Lumine. Put a hand on her shoulder.

“Do we have a problem here?” Dain looked at the ginger and then back at Lumine. Her hand was shaking. She wanted to kill him, but something stopped her, so she lowered the dagger.

“No, I was just about to leave. If you follow me, I won’t hesitate to kill you” Lumine hissed at Dain. She then took Childe's hand and started walking away. Dain wanted to stop her. To explain everything. But she was not ready yet. He took a deep breath and started walking away.

As they were almost at their hotel Childe looked at Lumine who was still shaking and was deep in thought. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. Lumine looked up at him as he gave a smile.

“Did you know him?” She took a deep breath and told him that she would tell him then they got to their room. Childe nodded as they continued their walk in silence.

When they got inside the room. Childe sat down the food as Lumine took them out of the bag. Childe found her a spoon and a fork and knife for himself.

As they ate. Lumine started telling Childe about her encounter with Dainsleif. About the fact that he had been there the day her brothers disappeared and left her on the streets, that he apparently was concerned for her and wanted to know how she was doing. Childe could tell that she got more and more angry the longer she talked about it.

“Lumine, look at me” She looked at him with tears.

“I won’t let him come near you again” She gave him a smile and told him that she could defend herself. He knew that but he wanted to protect her. When she was done telling him. All her energy had left her and she was so tired and just wanted to sleep. Lumine went to the bed and fell face down into it. Childe started laughing as he made his way over to her and sat down beside her, started stroking her back.

“Come you need to take a shower then you can sleep” she huffed at him. But he was right, she hadn’t showered since they left Snezhnaya a week ago. But the bed was so comfy. She tried to hide her face in the pillow. Then he moved his lips closer to her ear.

“You know if you do that maybe I will join you” Suddenly she got more energy and quickly got up and went into the bathroom while he started laughing and got up and followed her.

Chapter Text

The next day, as the sunlight started to light up Lumine's room, the gentle breeze made curtains slowly move back and forth. Lumine was slowly starting to wake up as she lay on her stomach. When she felt something warm and wet on her cheek. She turned to lay on her side and smiled. She could get used to this. It felt nice and safe.

She slowly started opening her eyes, with a smile on her face. But her smile quickly turned into horror, when she saw Chile lying beside her covered in blood and his breathing were shallow. She sat up and looked at him. She started to shake. She reached out for him as he started coughing, blood started traveling from his mouth and down his cheek. She looked down towards his stomach and found a stab wound. She quickly took the blanket she had been sleeping with. Put over the wound and put pressure on. He hissed. Lumine started crying. She needed to get him help and fast.

“Someone HELP me!” She started panicking, he couldn’t die. Archons please don’t let him die. He put his bloody hand on her cheek and was trying to say something. Childe eyes started closing. Lumine shocked him.

“Stay with me, please don’t die, Ajax, please don’t leave me!”

She suddenly felt someone start shaking her and she flew upwards. Breathing heavily and she started looking beside her. Childe was looking at her with concern. She started crying and threw her arms around him.

“Thank the archons, you’re alive!” He started stroking her back. Calming her down. It was just a nightmare. He hated seeing her like this. He wanted to find a way to cheer her up somehow. He placed his hands on her cheeks and made her look at him and started kissing her. He felt her instantly relax. A few heartbeats later he broke it and looked at her blushed face. She felt his cock twist between the two of them and he gave her a soft smile and started smirking.

“If you like that so much, maybe I can give you something that will make you feel even better” Lumine knew exactly what he meant and started blushing harder. He started kissing her again and started tracing a finger down her body in a slow movement until he found the lining for her shirt and pulled it over her head. He looked at her beautiful naked body in front of him. She tried to cover herself as he put his forehead against hers.

“We don’t have to if you don’t feel ready” She kissed him and lay down into the bed. Looking up at him.

“Just go slow” he nodded and started kissing down her neck and moved down towards her breasts. He started licking one of her nipples and she started making small moans. He took her nipple into his mouth and started sucking.

She felt herself getting more excited by the second as she felt her panties were getting soaking wet.

He soon started moving lower, as one of his hands was on one of her breasts and soon, he was between her legs, nearing her soaked panties. It made his cock twitch in excitement. He wanted to make her feel good and relaxed. 

He looked up at her with a smile. Her eyes were closed, and he could see she was enjoying it. He looked down between her legs towards her panties and couldn’t help but smile. She was so wet. He couldn't wait anymore.

He moved one of his fingers to her panties and started rubbing on her coved clit and she started moaning louder. She looked down towards him. Meeting his beautiful blue eyes.

“Tell me, if you want me to stop. Don't worry” She nodded, and he started removing her panties. Slowly he pushed his finger inside her. A breathless moan escaped from her lips. He slowly started moving it in and out. It was so much better than she had imagined. 

Without her knowing. He moved his mouth to her clit. Suddenly she felt him licking her. It  sent shivers through her whole body. Archons above, she had never felt something so good. Her hand quickly found his hair and she started pushing him down as she started moving her pussy against his tongue as she closed her legs around his head, keeping him in place. She didnt care if he could breathe. She wanted him to keep going.

Soon he inserted another finger, and started picking up speed. She felt her climax nearing as she started moaning louder.

“OH, ARCHONS, AJAX KEEPING GOING! Almost there!” she heard him laugh a little before he removed his mouth from her pussy.

“Good girl, now cum for me” He started moving faster and soon her whole body started shaking as her climax washed over. She had never cum so hard before. When she came down from her high. He removed his finger and moved it to his mouth, licking it clean.

“Umm, so sweet” She started blushing as she was still breathing heavily. She was so out of it that she didn’t see him move up to her face to kiss her.

“You did good, love” She placed her arm around his neck and looked up at him and smiled. He was so warm. She had gotten a taste of him like this and she was far from done. She moved on top of him and started kissing him from his neck, down to his stomach. He felt his cock twitch from excitement. He has been painfully hard since he started. She started pulling his underwear down. 

They hear a knock on the door. They both moved their heads towards the door and Childe sighed. 

“Sorry love we have to pick this up another time” gave her a kiss.

He stood up and started to get dressed as Lumine picked up some clothes and moved to the bathroom to take a shower. He opened the door, and Ekaterina came in with a letter in hand and gave it to him and left.

He heard the shower running from the bathroom door. He opened the letter and started reading it. It was from his family. He smiled. After about 15 minutes Lumine came out of the bathroom and looked at him with a smile on her face. He looked at her and his jaw dropped. She was standing in the doorway in her light blue underwear as she started blushing.

“I forgot my dress” She slowly started walking towards the closet. He stood up and took her wrist and pulled her towards him and placed a finger under her chin and pressed it upwards to meet his eyes. He smirked at her.

“You’re playing with fire, Prinzessa. You don't have to be so shy around me” she started blushing and looked away. He gave her a kiss and let go for her so she could get dressed. He moved to the bathroom to get ready too.

When he came out of the bathroom Lumine was out on the balcony looking at the city. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

“We have to get going” She nodded and started making her way.

Their hotel wasn't far from Northland bank, only a few minutes on food. Liyue was much more beautiful in the daylight. So many different colors from the buildings and different kinds of flowers. They walked up the stairs to the bank and were met by one of Childe's subordinates standing outside. He bowed before they moved inside the building.

Lumine had never seen anything so pretty. The designs were apparently very common in Liyue. When they walked further inside. They were met by Ekaterina at the front desk, greeting them. Childe waved at her and made his way up stairs as Lumine followed behind him.

They entered his office. Lumine started looking around as Childe made his way to his desk. Around the office were some bookshelf, a filing cabinet, a couth, coffee table, a window letting in natural light and his desk with what appeared to be some paperwork. He had many different kinds of books, from handbooks to different kinds of fighting techniques. She even came across some cookbooks. She smiled to herself as she started tracing her finger alongside the shelf.

Childe wanted to go over today's agented. So, he started telling her that they had a lunch meeting with a friend of his. The man is a consultant from Wangsheng funeral parlor and later they also had a meeting with doctor Baizhu at Bubu pharmacy.  He got up from his chair and started to walk over to stand between the desk and Lumine. Took his finger under her chin and made her look up at him. He smiled at her.

“I know that I can count on you to make sure those connections don’t get compromised” He had read a report from Arlecchino about how Lumine had overseen a diplomatic issue in Fontaine with flying colors. He had no doubt that she could do it. It was just to evaluate her. Before they had their meeting with the Qixing in six months.

She knew that the two parties were important to the organization in Liyue, and it was important that they maintenance a good relationship with them as Childe have worked hard to get them. Plus, she wanted to prove herself to him.

Lumine looked at him and smiled. He knew she would be valuable for these meetings. People easily trusted her because of her innocent appearance, and she knew how to work them to get her way. He pulled her forward and kissed her.

 “Good girl. Now let's get going, love” She smiled at him and started laughing a little as she took his hand and started making their way to the lunch meeting.

They sat down at a table inside Liuli Pavilion, waiting for the consultant from the funeral parlor. While they waited. Lumine took a few deep breaths before their meeting would start. To calm herself. She was so nervous. 

After a few minutes a tall, brown hair gentle man, with amber eyes made his way over to their table and was standing in front of them.

Lumine stood up, gave the gentleman a simple smile and shook his hand and introduced herself. The male looked at the young girl and then at Childe who were smirking from ear to ear.

“I see, Childe, where did you find her?” she looked confused and then turned towards Childe as he started laughing.

“You see, she just joined our ranks as my apprentice” The male looked back at Lumine and gave her a warm smile. They both sat down.

“Well then, it is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lumine, I’m Zhongli” he gave her an odd look. “Have we met before? you seem oddly familiar somehow?” Lumine looked at  Zhongli and shook her head. 

 “Well, it’s nice to see Childe happy” She started blushing and looked down to where her hands were as they found the hem of her dress and her hands started shaking. Damn it. this should not have happened. She let her emotions get the better of her. Childe quickly put his hand on hers and gave them a reassuring squeeze. She looked to her left side to meet his eyes.

“Zhongli is my friend. So don’t worry about it. Think about it as a trial run. Take a deep breath and try again” She did and started from the beginning.

Mister Zhongli was nice, very polite and patient. He didn't care if she messed up a couple of times. He very politely pointed it out for her and let her try again. Lumine started talking about the contract the funeral parlor had made with the organization, going over the terms and conditions. Childe looked at her and saw the passion, fire and the focus she had. He had only seen it when she was training and or fighting. Zhongli had agreed to help him to assess Lumine. When they were done with their dinner, Lumine looked at Childe and gave her a smile and nodded.

“Very impressive, Miss Lumine. I think it will be very beneficial for the partnership. I’m looking forward to working with you” Lumine blinked one then twice. What did he mean? Was this still part of the test? She turned to look at Childe, who gave her a smile. She turned and looked back at Zhongli again.

“Excuse me, Mister Zhongli, but what do you mean? You already have a contract with us” Zhongli looked at Childe and went back to her.

“You see, our contract needs to be updated and signed, and I would like it to be you” She looked in shock at Zhongli, surely this was some sort of joke? right? Childe handed the document to Lumine and Zhongli and looked at Lumine.

“I took the liberty of making you in charge of the contract between the Fatui and Wangsheng funeral parlor. Because I knew you would do a good job” She couldn’t believe it. She was so happy inside. But she needs to control her emotions a little while longer.

She gave him a smile and turned back to Zhongli. Going over the contract once more before the both signed.

After they had signed and both parts were happy. They talked for a while before Zhongli had to get back to the funeral parlor. They said their goodbye as Childe and Lumine headed to their next meeting with Bubu pharmacy.

After a long day making contracts with Wangsheng funeral parlor and Bubu pharmacy. Lumine returned back to their hotel room. She was so tired and needed to take a shower before going to bed. Childe had gone back to his office. To get some more work done and would be back later.

She turned on the water to fill up the bathtub. While the tub was filling, she headed back into their room to get her nightgown and returned to the bathroom, turning the water off. Then she realized she had forgotten her brush in the bedroom. 

Suddenly the door to the balcony opened. She quickly put her hand under her dress to get her dagger. Suddenly she got kicked in her stomach and flew backwards into the dresser.  

She quickly got up and pulled her dagger out and charged at the intruder. Jumped upwards and got behind him and twisted his arm behind him and knee him in his back.

“Who sent you!” He didn’t answer. She put the dagger against his throat and gave him a sinister smile. This could be fun. She bound his hands and legs and sat him on a chair. She sat in front of him with the dagger in hand and pointed it at him.

“We will try this once more. Who sent you?” He still didn’t answer. She stabbed him in his leg and the guy started screaming.

“Crazy bitch!”

“Oh, so you can talk” Pulled the dagger out and started circling him.

“So, now that I know you can talk, then tell me who sent you and I will let you go with your life” She could see he thought about her offer and after a few minutes she got impatient. So, she was about to stab him again when the door opened to her room and Childe came in and looked at her and then at the guy inside.

The guy started shaking. Childe looked at him and sighed.

“Lumine let him go, I will deal with him in the morning. He is one of our agents. I asked him to look after you” she blinked and then turned back to the guy in front of her. She sighed and started freeing him

“I’m sorry, but next time knock!” He ran out of the room as quickly as he could.

Chapter Text

Lumine had worked hard the last six months. Working on her contracts with Bubu pharmacy and the funeral parlor. But also, to make sure everything was going smoothly with the Qixing. It was the reason they were in Liyue after all. To work on the relationship between the Qixing and the Fatui.

It had gone better than she expected. There had been some bums here and there but for the most part it had gone smoothly. But there were still a few details that needed to be worked out between both parties. Childe had sent her and Ekaterina to sort out the last few details. He knew that Lumine could manage it.

Lumine and Ekaterina entered the meeting room where lady Ningguang and lady Keqing were waiting for them. Lumine had met them both several times over these six months and had come to know the ladies very well. They started discussing the terms and conditions for the agreement between them. A few hours later. They had gotten the last few details in order, both were in an agreement and signed a contract.

Lumine and Ekaterina were on their way back to northland bank, when Ningguang asked them to join her and Keqing for tea to celebrate the agreement of the new partnership. Lumine and Ekaterina agreed and made their way to the study with Ningguang and Keqing.

Ningguang were very nice, smart and talented women and could be very intimidating sometimes. Lumine had come to know and learn that over the last six months during their negotiations. The woman knew everything that goes on in Liyue. Especially when it involved the Fatui. So, it didn’t surprise Lumine when Ningguang asked her about their contracts with the funeral parlor and Bubu pharmacy. Lumine told her that they were in need of their services and that she could assure her that it was nothing more.

When Ekaterina and Lumine returned to the northland bank it was almost nighttime, and they both were exhausted. Lumine told Ekaterina to go back to the hotel and she would go into Childes office to drop off the paperwork and that she would meet her later for tea.

Lumine made her way to his office but stopped in front of the door. She felt that she wasn’t alone and that someone was behind her. Everything was too quiet. Where were the guards? She didn’t turn around, she stood perfectly still. A hand on her dagger and waited, listening to the footsteps. Suddenly a hand was placed over her mouth and pulled her backwards. She started screaming hoping that someone would hear her, and she swung her dagger at the attacker and hit the person's leg. With a hiss the person immediately lets her go and Lumine runs inside Childes office and locks the door.

The attacker started hamming on the door. Trying to get inside. She started panicking, looking for places to hide and ran to hide under the desk. A few seconds later the door slammed open and Lumine placed her hand over her mouth, trying not to make a sound. Her whole body was shaking. A few people came in. One of them started yelling as the others started searching the room as Lumine sat under desk hoping that they wouldn’t find her. Her heart was beating so fast as she tightened her grip on her dagger.

The footsteps were getting closer to the desk and Lumine started to panic. She had no were to run and even if she tried the room was surrounded. Why were they even here? And where were the guards? Suddenly she saw a pair of shoes standing in front of her and her blood froze. The person started to go through the content in the draws. Throwing papers and some of Childe books on the floor.

Lumine started shaking. She closed her eyes, hoping and praying to the Tsaritsa that it was one of her nightmares.

“Well, there you are, little one” her eyes flew open and widened in horror. The guy in front of her grabbed her arm and started pulling her out as she started to scream. When he got her out from her hiding place. He pulled her hair and pulled her head backwards, to look at her. She took her dagger and tried to stab him. When another guy came over and pulled her arm behind her and took her dagger.

“Yeah, she is the one, take her away” she started struggling against them and screaming.

“Let me go, you sick sons of bitches!” They only laughed at her and bound her hands as Lumine continued to scream. Suddenly she felt a sharp pain on the side of her neck as she suddenly felt sleepy, and her body felt limp.

“What the hell did you give me!” her voice was barely above whisper. 

“Childe” she whispered as she tried her best to get free but everything felt so heavy. The last thing she saw was a guy in front of her on his knees smiling and then everything went dark.

Childe had been out for dinner with Zhongli, when he was walking back to the hotel. Where he ran into Ekaterina who looked up at him with worry. He asked her what was wrong, and she told him that she had returned hours ago and that Lumine had told her that she would meet her here for evening tea. After she had returned the documents to his office. But hadn’t returned. Lumine had never broken a promise. So, he started to worry and asked Ekaterina to come with him to the bank. She quickly agreed.

As they ascended the stairs to the bank. They were met with an unconscious Vlad who was lying beside the entrance. Ekaterina stayed behind with him as Childe ran inside with his hydro daggers in hand.  He silently made his way upstairs to his office and saw that the door were open, and the room had been searched.

He started calling Lumine. But no answer. He made his way behind his desk and found her flower pen that Arlecchion and her siblings had gifted her on her 18th birthday. She would never go without it. Something must have happened to her.

He ran out of his office, downstairs and was met with the guards that should have been on duty when it happened.

“Call everyone here NOW!” One of the guards ran to Ekaterina's desk and started calling.

Childe was furious. How could this have happened? He started questioning the other guards. They had been told that they weren’t needed before later and that it was an order from a harbinger.

“Which one!” The guards were scared and were starting to shake. No one said anything and Childes' patience was running thin. He pointed his hydro dagger at one of the guards and looked at him with anger.

“I will ask once more. Who gave you that order!” They all jumped. They had never seen the harbinger this angry. Ekaterina came in with Vlad and handed him a letter. Vlad had found it on him when Ekaterina woke him up.

Childe quickly ripped it open and started reading. After some time, the door to the bank opened again and ten agents were standing in front of him waiting for his orders. Childe crumbled up the letter and looked at his subordinates with anger and disgust. Of course it was him.

Childe should have seen this coming. After what happened at Lumine's 18th birthday.. Of course the balladeer would never let things go. The guy had just waited for the right moment, that son of a bitch.

“Search everywhere for Lumine, leave nothing out and report back to me if you find anything. That’s an order!” they all nodded and ran out of the bank. Childe was standing back at the bank whispering to himself.

‘Lumi. Please be save’

Chapter Text

Hours later Lumine woke up on a cold floor. Her whole body hurt, and she had a hard time sitting up. She opened her eyes. It was hard to get them to focus but slowly she tried to see where she was, but the room was dark. She tried to lift her hands to her face but realized that the man had bound them behind her back.

Suddenly a door opened, a few men with torches came inside  and she heard a few sets of footsteps walking towards her and then a sinister laugh that sent shivers down her spine.

“You're finally awake. Now the fun can begin” she looked in horror as the voice got closer to her. The guy stopped right in front of her and bowed down to meet her face. Scaramouche!

“Did you really think you could humiliate me in front of others like that without getting punished? A bitch like you should know her place!” Scaramouche got closer to her face and smacked her across her face. She fell to her left side. He took her bound hands and started pulling her towards the wall and replaced the robes on her hands with chains.

She struggled against him and spat in his face. He told the other man in the room to chain her legs. He stood back and looked at her with disgust and hate.

“An asshole like you deserved it and I would do it again!”

When the guys had chained her, they moved out of the way and Scaramouche pulled out a syringe from his pocket and smiled at the horror in her face and Lumine tried to move away from him. He started laughing and pulled her back by her hair.  Lumine started screaming. He stopped and kneel down in front of her.

“You’re not so tough now, are you?” she spit in his face again and pulled back.

“I can handle anything you throw at me. Don’t underestimate me. I’m not going to roll over and let you get away with this!” he started smiling. It sends shivers down her spine as her blood froze. She fucked up. All her blood drained from her face.

“Let’s see how long it takes to break you, after all I have something that will make this quite interesting” he took off the cap of the syringe and placed it on her neck and pressed the unknown substance into her bloodstream. When he was sure that all of it was going. He removed the syringe from her neck and stood up and walked away from her.

“You see Dottore had invented a new kind of sedative that makes the receiver hallucinate and so natural I stole it and wanted to test it on you. you’re the perfect guinea pig!” She stood up and tried to run over to punch him when she fell down, and everything was starting to blur as her heart beat started to increase, she couldn’t breathe.

“You mother fucker! What did you do?! Childe wouldn’t let you get away with this!” he started laughing at her. He loves to see people struggle. He saw her eyes were about to close. So, he stabbed her right leg to make sure she would stay awake.

“I’m not afraid of him. let him come! If he can find you first” He then twisted the dagger in her leg.

Lumine started screaming. Tears started running down her cheeks as she closed her eyes from the pain. Suddenly she felt a warm breath on her face. Her eyes flew open and were met with Scaramouche’s sinister smile. Lumine started shaking. She didn’t know what would happen next or if Childe had noticed she was gone.

Suddenly her whole body started shaking violently and she screamed again.

“Please scream some more! I love it!” He leaned down to her ear and smiled.

“No one will hear you and no one is going to save you!” He grabbed the skirt of her dress and started pulling it off. It started to tore like it was a piece of paper. He sat down on her legs and started tracing his finger from her feet upwards towards her panties. He felt her shaking and smiled. He removed himself and started electrocuting her again.

It wouldn’t be long now before the drug started working. She wouldn’t be able to move. She wouldn’t be able to do anything or scream. Oh he was going to miss hearing her scream. She would only feel pain and watch as her lover tortures her. He smiled to himself as he left her in the room alone for a while. This was going to be fun.

Lumine have been gone for a few days now and Childe didn’t have any leads or information on where she was. He had been searching for her nights and days without any sleep. He couldn't. He hated himself for not having found her. Suddenly his office phone started ringing.

“Tartaglia speaking” the person on the other end didn’t say anything for a few seconds.

“Hello Childe, it's Lynette and Lyney. We wanted to talk with Lumi. Is she there?” Of course it was the first Wednesday for the month and usually Lumine's sibling would call to talk with her. What should he say? Suddenly he heard the phone being pasted to someone else.

“Childe, where is she?” Of course Arlecchion had to be on the call today. He took a deep breath and asked her to send Lumine siblings away so they couldn’t hear. Arlecchion demanded him to tell her what was going on, so he did.

A few minutes later when he was done. He had never heard or seen Arlecchino cry. It wasn’t something she did, and no one knew about. He heard Lynette on the other end telling Arlecchino that they would do anything to find Lumine. Suddenly someone knocked on his office door and he had to end the call. Before he did. Arlecchion told him that she would be in Liyue as fast as she could to help find Lumine. He ended the call and told the person on the other side of the door to come in.

Ekaterina came in with a familiar guy behind her and stopped by the door. Guy made his way to the chair in front of Childes desk, sat down and crossed his arms. Childe narrowed his eyes at Dain and leaned back in his chair. He didn't trust him.

“Didn’t Lumine tell you that she didn’t want to see you again. Why are you here?” Dain looked at Childe and sighed.

“I have been looking for someone and I heard that they happened to be in Liyue. 6 months ago. I just don't know where. So I have been looking for them sense you got her. I heard that she has gone missing and I have some leads about her whereabouts. So, naturally I came here” Childe tightened his grip on his arm.

“And why should I trust you? hmm?” Dain knew that this could happen and took a deep breath.

“I only want her to be safe and if that means to work with you so be it. I made a promise to her brother that I would protect her, and I failed. I have known her for years before she lost her memory and got her powers sealed away” Dain bit his tongue. He had promised Aether not to tell anyone about what had happened 8 years ago. But he also wanted to make sure that Lumine would be okay. Childe didn’t know what Dain meant. But Childe didn't have time to second guess Dain. He would do anything to get Lumine back, alive and safe.

“Show me and start telling me on the way what you know” Dain nodded, and they both stood up and moved out of the bank as Childe yelled at some of his soldiers to follow them.

Lumine didn’t know how long she had been in the dark room. It could have been hours or days she didn’t know. Her head felt dizzy. Her body felt heavy. She stared at the ceiling even though it was too dark to see.

She heard footsteps coming towards her, but was too weak to see how it was. The guy came into her vision, and she started crying. Thank the Tsaritsa. Childe had found her. She tried to reach out for him.

“You came” she couldn’t help but smile at him.

He placed his hand on her cheek, and she leaned into felt the warmth. She started to relax. when she felt a sharp pain in her left leg and started screaming. She looked up at him with hurt and sadness. Why would he do that? He twisted the dagger in her leg. She screamed louder. 

She opened her eyes slightly and looked at him. She could see him smile as he led closer to her.

“I love hearing you scream. Please do it some more my little pet” she shut her eyes and prayed to any archon that was listening to help her.

“Childe, please, stop! It hurts. What are you saying?” her voice was shaking from the pain. He took out the dagger and started licking off her blood and gave her a sinister smile. Took her face in his hands and made her look at him.

“You're pathetic, weak and most of all useless. No one loves you and that’s why your brother left you” she looked at him in shock. He would never say that. Why was he saying that? Something inside her snapped.

“You have no idea what you are talking about! You know my brother died. I’m not weak, pathetic or useless. I have proved that to you over and over again” He started laughing and led closer to her ear as his hand started traveling down her stomach towards her panties. When he started playing with the hem of her patients she flinted. Something was off. His touch didn’t feel right.

Suddenly he removed her panties, and she screamed, trying to move away from him. But her body didn’t move.

“Stop!” He smiled and took her face into his hands as she started to cry.

“isn’t this what you want? Hmm. To be fucked senseless, to be used like a whore. You're nothing more to me than a toy for me to use as I please. So open your legs and take it!” he moved his hands down to her to cunt and pushed a finger inside her. She screamed. It hurted so much. Her body wasn't ready. Then the pain got worse as he started moving his finger in and out as she cried and screamed. It was torture. His touch wasn’t the one she knew and loved. Her body knew that.

“A little dry, but that will change”

He would never do something like this. He was always gentle, patient and loving towards her. Never like this. He continued moving his finger in and out her. She closed her eyes and hoped it was just a nightmare.  When he removed his finger and started to take off his pants. Her eyes flew open, and she felt her body starting to shake and found some strength to move a little away from him.

He stood up and looked at her struggling to move away from him and smiled.

“Stay away from me, don't ever come near me again, you sick son of bitch!” he moved closer to her and pulled her back towards him and made her look at him.

“We are going to have so much fun, and I have a feeling you are going to enjoy this” he let go of her and pulled off his pants as Lumine tried to move away from him again. He pulled her back by her hair, and she started to scream. Lumine looked at the ceiling again, as tears fell from her eyes and wanted nothing more than to die.

‘Please just let me die’

Dain had lead Childe to an abandoned ruined by the water near Mt. Aocang. Dain had told him that he had been tracking an abyss herald the last few days, and it had let him to here. They had fought their way through the entrance and were now standing in a corridor their splits into two way. They both looked at each other and nodded. Dain took the right as Childe took the left. But before they could go their separate ways they both heard a blood curdling screaming coming from the left hallway.

“Get the fuck off me. Please Childe DON'T!” They both started running down the corridor. Childe's heart was racing, he had her heard screams many times when she had nightmares to know that she need help. They need to get there faster.  

Dain was the first one at the end of the corridor and leaned against the wall to make sure no one would see him. He led a little forwards to look inside the room. His eyes widened in horror when he saw someone on top of a half-naked Lumine. He led back and saw Childe running towards him and stopped him.

Dain put up his finger to signal him to be quiet. They heard some other man entering the room from another corridor. Scaramouche had told them not to disturb him.

“What is it? can’t you see I’m busy!” Scaramouche hissed at his man. While ripping Lumine's top as she screamed. His man stood still and looked to the side. Not making eye contact with her.

“Two guys had entered the domain and killed several of the others. We needed to get out of here, boss” scaramouche looked at the man and sighed. Suddenly he felt Lumine trying to get out of his hold. He smiled at her struggle and leaned down to her face.

“You will have to wait a little longer, love. I will be back” he got up and started to get dressed and started making his way out of the room.

“Make sure she doesn't leave and do have fun with her while I’m out” he exited the room.

His man started moving closer to Lumine as she tried to move away and started screaming when one of them pulled her by her hair.

“Please, I will do anything just don’t hurt me!” she had never been so afraid in her life as she was right now. She couldn’t trust anyone, not even Childe. She started crying wishing that they would just kill her. So, she could feel peace and see her brother again.

“Please just kill me already!” Childe heard her broken voice and couldn’t stay hidden anymore. He looked at Dain and saw that he was thinking the same thing. They both ran inside and started fighting off the man. It didn’t take them long to disarm them. Childe started making his way over to Lumine. Who was sitting in a corner of the room. Trying to make herself as small and invisible as possible.

He kneeled in front of her with his hand reaching out for her. It broke him seeing her like this. Her clothes ripped off her beautiful body, covered in bruises, blood and dirt. He quickly took off his jacket to cover her.

“Lumi?” Her head shot upwards and met his eyes. He had never seen her so afraid. She tried backing away from him and making herself smaller against the corner.

“Don’t touch me. Please no more, you have done enough! Just let me die!” she started crying again. He was shaking. What has Scaramouche done to her? Dain came over after he had bound the man together and put a hand on Childe's shoulder and asked him if it would be okay, if he tried. Childe hesitantly agreed he didn't have a choses. Dain removed his hand from Childe's shoulder, took Childe's jacket and placed it over Lumine’s naked body.

“Lumine?” She looked up from her knees and looked at Dain. She couldn’t trust anyone. But something told her that maybe she could trust him. She tried to reach out for his hand. When she heard someone starting to laugh behind them. She froze in horror and started backing away from Dain again. They followed her eye of sight and looked behind them and found Scaramouche looking at them with a big grin.

“I see, you have found my little hangout! Do you like it?” Childe looked back at Lumine. She was shaking and mumbling something he couldn’t make out. Dain and Childe charged at Scaramouche. Childe grabbed his shirt and pulled Scaramouches face close to his.

“What the hell did you do to her!” Scaramouche started laughing Childe in his face and sent both him and Dain flying backwards.

“I just had a little fun. After all you weren’t using her” he started laughing and started making his way over to Lumine.

She looked up and tried her best to stand. The drugs were starting to wear off but her mind was still under the influence. She took her change and ran towards him. Before running into him she ran to his right side to try to run out of the room but fell to the ground. In the last second Dain catches her and starts to tread her wounds as Scaramouche huffs and starts running after her. When Childe grabbed his collar and slammed him into the ground with his dagger on his throat.

“Tell me what you did to her!” Scaramouche gave him a sinister smile and was about to answer when all of them heard a set of heels walking towards them and the temperature suddenly changed. A pair of red eyes were looking at them in anger. Dain moved him and Lumine to the side and pulled her into him some more to make sure she wouldn’t get hurt. Suddenly the sound stopped, and a woman came into the room and stopped in front of Childe and Scaramouche. She bent down and pulled Scaramouche upwards by his collar.

“How dare you lay a finger on my daughter and even go so far to drug her! you will pay for this, and I will show you no mercy!” Lumine looked up from Dain's arms and started struggling against them and ran over towards the woman.

“Father!” Arlecchion turned towards her daughter and threw Scaramouche to Childe.

Arlecchion opened her arms as Lumine ran into her chest for a hug and started crying. Arlecchion tells her that she is safe and starts stroking Lumines back to calm her down. Lumine was shaking and couldn’t stop crying. Dain looked at them and was about to walk out of the room. When Arlecchion stopped him.

“I don’t know who you are but thank you for helping us find her. You have my gratitude. Will you do me one favor and take her and Childe out of here so I can deal with this mass” Dain nodded.

“My darling daughter. Go with the others and I will be there shortly” Childe made his way over to Arlecchino and offered Lumine his hand. Lumine looked at Father, nodded and Lumine hesitantly took his hand. Arlecchino turns her attention back to Scaramouche, summons her scythe and starts walking over to him as he starts backing away from her.

“You can’t kill me! her majesty won’t allow it!” Arlecchion clicked her tongue and gave Scaramouche the most sinister smile Lumine had only seen once.

“That may be, but I can make damn sure that you wish you were!” They had made their way back to the hallway where it splits into two ways. Suddenly they heard Scaramouche scream and Lumine started shaking in Childes arms as they continued to walk out of the domain. She didn’t know how long they had heard his screams when they stopped.

They must have been too far away now to hear anything. Dain suddenly came to a stop in front of them as they were almost at the exit.

“Dain, what’s going on?” Dain was standing in front of them, shaking. When Lumine made her way beside him and followed his line of sight. Her eyes widened in shock, and she fell to her knees.

“It can’t be” a young male with long blond bred hair stood not far from them with a herald beside him. She started shaking again. It must be the drugs and the blood loss. There was no way that he was standing in front of her. She reacted out for the person standing not far from them as Childe held her.

“Aether?”

Chapter Text

“Aether?” The young man looked at them and started to recognize Dain and gave him a sinister smile as the young man drew his sword. Dain's blood froze. 

“CHILDE get her out of here now!” Childe shook his head and grabbed Lumine as she started punching him. What the hell was going on?

“It’s my brother, let me go!” He tightened his grab on her and started running. She struggled against Childe grip. As they all were outside of the domain Lumine turned to look back. When she saw Aether were about to attack Dain as he was running towards them. But he turned at the last second and blocked his attack and sent him flying backwards into the mountain. 

She broke free from Childes arms and started to make her way towards Dain. When Aether charges right back at Dain. He couldn’t be her brother. Her brother would never have attacked someone like this or have the skills for it. He was always gentle, warm and loving. Childe grabbed her and tried to pull her back. But Lumine stood still looking at Aether and Dain fighting.

“What are you doing, brother!” Aether stopped and looked at his sister with sadness in his eyes. He didn’t want to meet her like this. He sighed.

“Lumi. You wouldn’t understand. I made a promise” she started shaking. She could feel the sinister aura coming from him. It made her spine shiver and made her sick. She walked backward to Childe and almost fell when he caught her at the last second. He started shaking with anger and looked at Aether.

“You’re her brother for archon shake! You just left her alone all these years. You just left her to die! You were supposed to protect her. How could you! She thought you were dead! You owe her an explanation!” Lumine was in shock and started to cry in Childes arms. Aether ignored Childe and looked at Lumine.

 “Lu, please try and understand. I did what I thought was best for you. I had to” she was so angry.

“I can’t believe you! I thought you died. My heart broke into a million pieces. Have you any idea what I have been through these past 8 years!” she hissed at him. The Herald made its way beside Aether. Whisper something, they couldn’t hear and open a portal.

“I see. I have much more pressing matters to attend to. But we will meet again dear sister” then they disappeared.

They stood there looking at where Aether once stood. Arlecchion came out of the domain as her subordinates were escorting an unconscious balladeer.

“What happened?” Lumine suddenly felt all her energy disappear from her body and collapsed in Childes arms. He looked down to her legs and saw that she had bled through her bandages. He looked up at Dain and Arlecchino.

“We need to get back to the city and get her to bubu pharmacy right away! Get a hold of Ekaterina, get her to meet us at bubu pharmacy” they all started running towards one of the waypoints that would take them back to the city. They didn’t have time to spare.

After what felt like hours, they returned to the city. He looked down on Lumine in his arms. She was breathing heavily and with cold sweat on her forehead. He needed to get to Baizhu right away. When he entered Bubu pharmacy and met with doctor Baizhu and Ekaterina. The doctor took Lumine and started to examine her as Arlecchion was with them as Childe talked with Ekaterina.

“Call Pierro and tell him that we are coming back to Snezhnayan and that we are leaving tonight” Ekaterina nodded and started running back to the bank to make arrangements.

Childe sighed and started walking towards Dain and grabbed his collar. He was so angry that he wanted to beat Dain. How could Lumine's brother suddenly be alive after all those years and not contact his sister to let her know? Childe knows how much Lumine has blamed herself for his disappearance, his death. All the sorrow and tears she had shed all these years and on top of that she kept having nightmares about him.

“You need to started fucking explaining, what the fuck happened back there. I thought her brother was dead. Heck we all did!” Arlecchion came out when she heard Childe start yelling at Dain.

“I would also like an explanation. I have searched for years trying to find anything that could help us find him. The only thing we found was his earring and now he just shows up out of the blue” Dain squeezed his hands into fists and sighed. He knew that he had to tell them what had happened. All of it. He had promised Aether and Lumine that he would never tell anyone about where they came from, but that was before Aether became the price of the Abyss and Lumine got her memory erased. He took a deep breath and exhaled, looked up and started telling them. All for it.   

“A long time ago. She and her brother came to Teyvat from another world. They were travelers and had been to many different worlds before they came here. I met them in Knaenri’ah. 500 years ago. I got to know them really well and took them in. Lumine had always dreamed of a mortal life and a family for her and Aether. Aether would do anything to make his sister happy” Dain started to shake as tears started forming in the corner of his eyes, he quickly wrapped them away as he took a deep breath before continuing.

“When Knaenri’ah fell. Lumine got seriously injured and fell into a coma, because she was trying to help as many people as she could. She always wanted to help everyone” Dain smiled sadly as he remembered. Her lively and sweet person, helping homeless children. By making sure they got something to eat, even if it meant she would go hungry(it never happened, Dain made sure of that) she helped the elders carrying their shopping bags and didn't want them to pay her, she told them to keep them as they needed them the most. Or the time she came home with an injured kitten, she took care of  it day and night for weeks. Making sure it got fed, changed its bandages, everything she could think of to help the little kitten back to health. Without any sleep. He had found her countless times sleeping with the little kitten in her arms under a blanket to make sure it wouldn't get cold. He always smiled at her and got back to bed. 

He looked down into his hands as he continued.

 “Aether was beside himself and was looking all over Teyvat to find something, everything to help her. When the Abyss order approached him and offered him a cure and a solution to make his sister's dream come true. Everything he could think of, they would make sure it happened. But it came with a big price. They needed someone, who could insure their victory in a war against the heavenly principle” He was fighting his tears. He loved the twins and hated that he couldn’t save Aether.

“He gave up his life and his own freedom to save his sister and give her the life she wanted. To save her. I tried to stop him, believe me I did. But by the time I got to him it was too late. The abyss has corrupted his mind, I tried so many times to get him back but he is too far gone. Too obsessed with their goal and now he only sees me as his enemy. His last wish before he gave himself to the abyss was for me to look after her, but not interfere. They sealed her powers and made her mortal. I don’t know how” Dain broke down, placed his hands over his eyes as he cried, this has only happened a few times.

“I love her, she is the sister I never had and I only wish for her to be safe. I never expected that she would be so hunted by her lost memories and her brother's disappearance. I'm just glad that she found you, Please take care of her” they sat in silence, inside the lobby of the pharmacy as they waited for Baizhu to come out.

Arlecchion looked at Dain and Childe. Then she looked in her hands. The necklace. The one she had specially made for Lumine from Aether earring. She closed her hand and looked at Dain with sadness. It must have been hard for him to do, because he knew how it would make Lumine feel. When she saw the earring.

“So, you were the one that made sure that we found the earring from her brother. So, she wouldn’t be looking for him?” he nodded, not meeting her eyes.

“Well, that explains a lot. But it still doesn't explain why after all these years, would he show himself to her? You need to be the one to tell her about this” He nodded, agreeing that it would be for the best. Even though she didn't remember him as much.

After hours of waiting, doctor Baizhu came out and started telling them that Lumine was awake and out of danger, but that she needed lots of rest. She had suffered major trauma both mentally and physically.

“I cleaned and stitched up her wounds on her legs and I will prescribe her some ointment for her wounds, medicine for the pain and to help her with the trauma. She has lost a lot of blood and needs lots of rest. You can see her now and I will make sure that Qiqi will have everything ready for you when you are ready to leave. She is on a lot of pain medication right now, so she may be a little out for it” They nodded as Arlecchion told them to wait. So, she could talk with Lumine alone. In hopes that she would tell her what happened. 

After a long time Arlecchino comes back in and asks Dain to go first. Childe started to complain when Arlecchion stopped him and sat him down.

“Childe, you need to know what happened back in the ruins. Before you see her” Then she continued telling him. That Lumine had been drugged. While the balladeer made her think it was him who had tortured her and had assaulted her. To break her and to teach her a lesson. 

He suddenly stood up, started walking out of the pharmacy to find the balladeer. Childe was ready to kill him and couldn’t understand why Arlecchion hadn't. On his way out. She stopped him.

“And where do you think you’re going?” She could feel Childes' delusion starting to act up as the electro energy was all over the place. If he wasn't careful he would damage the place.

“I’m going to KILL him, that son of a bitch!” He tried to move past Arlecchion. But were quickly pushed into his seat, as she held him in place trying to calm him down. Lumine couldn’t see him like this. She was so scared. 

Childe looked up at Arlecchion with anger and hate. He had always respected the knave. As Lumine’s parent and a harbinger. But right now she was in his way. 

“He touched her, broke her, messed with her mind and you just wanna let him get away with this! No! Not on my watch, move, get out of my way!” He hated that he wasn't there for Lumine when she needed him the most. His heart breaks all over again, remembering how he found her, against a wall, making herself smaller, wounded, bleeding, crying, screaming for help and the one that hurt the most was the fear in her eyes when she saw him. He saw pure horror in her eyes. Tears started forming in the corner of his eyes. Arlecchion sighed as she placed her right hand on his shoulder and kneeled in front of him. 

“Childe, I want to kill him as much or even more than you do. But we need to go through the proper channels here, sadly. When we get back to Snezhnayan, I’ll go make a case with Pierro, I’ll need yours and Dainslef’s statements, I got Lumines. I will also need the report from the day she was taken and we will make sure he will get punished" Childe leaned back in his chair as he took a deep breath. Trying to calm himself. He hated this, the red tape. 

Dain came out of the back room and looked at the both of them, confused. He sighed and told them that Lumine wanted to get out of the pharmacy as Lumine slowly started walking out of the backroom and hid behind Dain.

Childe looked at her trying to meet her eyes as she looked to the side not meeting him. It hurt. He hates everything about this not being able to be there for her. To take her into his arms to comfort her. That his Prinzessa wouldn’t look at him. But he needed to give her all the time she needed and he knew that. But that didn't make it hurt any less. Childe made his way towards Qiqi, who was standing behind them with Lumine's medicine. Arlecchion looked at Lumine and saw her struggle to walk.

Arlecchion looked at Dain and asked him if he could carry her to the ship. Lumine first told them no and that she could make it herself. But when she took one step she almost fell if it wasn't for Dain, who caught her. He looked at Childe to make sure it was okay, and he only  looked away. Dain could see the sadness in his eyes. It hurt him that he couldn’t help the woman he loved when she needed it. He nodded and picked Lumine up and they all started making their way.

As they were almost at the ship Ekaterina came running after them and told Childe that everything was in order and that Pierro had been informed. Childe thanked her and she started making her way back to the bank and wished them a safe trip.

Dain sat Lumine down on one of the cages on the ship. He knelt down in front of her and took her hands.

“I hope you will find happiness and love. Please don’t hesitate to try and contact me. I may not be able to answer as often but I will try, if you have any questions, write” he hugged her and as he was about to walk away off the ship. Lumine yelled after him.

“Thank you, Dain” He turned and smiled at her and then looked at Childe and Arlecchion.

“Please take good care of her. Like you always have done” He turned to Childe and gave his shoulder a squeeze.

“She loves you, you know. You just need to be there and give her time” He didn’t look at Dain and made his way to yell at one of the subordinates. He needed to get his frustrations out on someone and when it couldn't be the balladeer, then subordinates would have to do it. Dain sighed and made his way off the ship.

As they sail back to Snezhnaya. Lumine wouldn’t eat or come out of the room. Childe and Arlecchion knew that she needed time. But she needed to eat as well. They both had tried many times to give her food, visit her to make sure she took her medicine and Arlecchion stayed in Lumine's room every night making sure she fell asleep.

But when they came into her room. She would either be sitting in the corner of her bed crying or sleep. He and Arlecchion would take turns to look after her. Childe never stayed for long, she screamed every time he came close to her, screaming in pure horror for him to get out and to leave her alone because he had done enough. 

Every time he and Arlecchion switched, he would pour himself a glass of firewater, drink it in one go and then another one, this would go on till he blacked out. It was the only thing that dulled the pain of seeing her so broken, beaten, bleeding and worst of all her naked body. He loved some much, exposed for all to see and the balladeer's smug face just laughing at him.  This had become his new thing to do. He would wake up the next day hung over with a headache, and Arlecchion was starting to get worried.

Lumine’s nightmares had returned and had gotten worse. One night Childe had been on his way to her room, when he heard her scream and ran down stairs. As he entered her room, the moon light lit up the room. In horror he saw Lumine standing with a knife in her hand as blood dripped down her arm. Childes heart dropped. She turned around and looked at him. All broken as tears ran down her cheeks. She drops the knife and wraps her arms around herself.

“Please make them stop, don’t let them take me I don’t want to!” Childe started walking towards as he reached out for her. Grabbed her arm and pulled her in his chest. Started stroking her hair to calm her down. She grabbed the front for his crimson shirt and sobbed louder, trying to push him away. He slowly sat them down on the floor and just held her while stroking her hair as she cried. When she had calmed down, he picked her up and sat her down on her bed. She wouldn’t look at him. He started cleaning her arms and bandaged them up.

“Lumi, please talk to me. I want to be here for you to help, but I can’t if you don’t let me” she still didn’t look at him. He sighed and was about to get up when Lumine grabbed his wrist. He looked at her as her tears started falling again.

"The drug he gave me made me hallucinate. It made me believe that it was you who did these things. I couldn’t do anything, but just lay there looking as he started ripping off my clothes" She broke down and started crying before she continued. Seeing her like this made his heart hurt.

"And my underwear and almost…. " Childe took her into his chest and started stroking her back. She didn't need to finish her sentence.  Arlecchion had told him what happened. He hated that he couldn't protect her.

“I know deep down that you would never do something like that. But I can’t unsee it and every time I look at you. I’m reminded of what happened and being pulled right back into the nightmare!” He hated seeing her like this.

“What can I do to make it easier for you? How can I help?” She looked at him with tears in her eyes for the first time since it happened. Her eyes were puffy and red. She looked so small. She looked down to his hands. She slowly reached out for them.

“Hug me and tell me that you're real and I’m not stuck in an endless nightmare” she broke down and pulled her legs to her chest and hugged herself. He moved closer to her and pulled her into him, laid her head on his chest.

“Tell me to stop if it’s too much” she nodded as she continued to cry.

“I love you. I would never hurt you” He felt her relax a little. He stayed with her the rest of night just holding her, stroking her back. He knew that she was strong and hardheaded. But he had never seen her this broken. They had both fallen asleep at some point in the night.

Over the next couple of days. Lumine started to eat and sleep a little better. Father was helping her to slowly train her legs again after the incident. She was able to get up the stairs the last day on the ship.  

Late in the night Father had woken up to fighting on the deck and started making her way up the stairs. She was met with Lumine training her sword skills and was about to stop her when she saw Childe. Came charging at Lumine with his daggers. Lumine’s movements were slow and uneven. But she held her ground against him.

Childe had his daggers against Lumine's throat as she was breathing heavily. Suddenly she flipped him over on his back and saddled him holding her sword on his throat. Arlecchion was afraid that she would kill him. But Lumine just looked at him, breathing and sat still on top of him. He looked at her without moving or touching her. Waiting for her next move. Father moved back down stairs, they needed to be alone. Plus, she knew they could handle themself. It was their way of communicating with one another and she couldn’t help but smile.

Lumine slowly leaned closer to his face and kissed him. She couldn’t help it. She had missed his soft and warm lips. He slowly moved his hand up her arms to her face. She had missed his soft and gentle touch. He sat them both up and deepened their kiss as she pulled him closer by his collar. She sighed into their kiss. Archons, it had been so long since they kissed, that she couldn't remember how long ago it was, she felt herself needing more. Lumine broke their kiss to breathe and looked at him as he was breathing heavily as well. She could see the longing for her in his eyes.

She had missed him so much. It was still hard for her to look at him. Her heart wanted him so much that it hurt. He had been so patient with her and gentle and careful not to scare her or make her feel uncomfortable. It had really helped her a lot. Day by day it was easier to look at him.

Her legs were starting to hurt. She had pushed herself too hard by fighting him and she needed to get down stairs to sleep. She looked to the side as she started blushing

“Childe, I think I need help. I can’t get up or walk. Plus, I think I blew a stitch. Can you help me down stairs?” her heart started to flutter then he smiled at her. He moved her off him, got on his knees and picked her up and started to walk down stairs to her room.

He sat her down on her bed. Removed her bandages. Of course she had opened her wounds. He guessed that it was a dumb idea to spar. He couldn’t help but look up at her with a smile and started laughing. She smacked his arm lightly and started smiling. He turned back to her right leg and started cleaning it and put on new bandages and told her that she needed to make sure not to move too much around on it before it was healed. She nodded. He then turned to leave. 

“Can you stay?” she was blushing when he looked at her. She was so cute. He had missed her so much and how could he say no.

“Of course if you want me to” he made his way back to her and sat down on her bed. He could feel that there was something she wanted to tell him.

“You want to talk about what’s on your mind?” She looked at him. She was surprised that he noticed. She sighed and turned to look at him.

“You know, ever since I saw Aether again. I feel like I lost a part of myself again. I couldn’t even recognize him” Childe sighed and took her hands. He knew that sooner than later she would start talking about her twin.

“How much did Dain tell you?” She looked at him and then at his hands, he wasn’t wearing his cloves. They were so warm and soft. She smiled to herself.

“That Aether got my powers sealed and sacrificed himself to save me and that the abyss needs him to win some war. But I don’t remember any of it. What happened after he left me?” He took a deep breath.

“Lumi. For what Dain had told us. Aether felt he needed to do it. He couldn’t find another way to save you. Even though Dain had told him that this wasn’t the solution. But even Dain couldn’t recognize him. Something was off. Dain told us that the abyss had corrupted your brother and his mind” she looked at him in horror, but he was right. He didn’t need to finish his sentence for her to know that she was being delusional. Hoping that her brother would come back to her, like she remembered.  She knew he was right. But that didn’t make it any easier.

“I know. I just miss him so much and seeing him again made me realize just how much” she started crying again. He pulled her into him and lay them down in her bed and started stroking her back. He needs to find a way to cheer her up. He started telling her about the time where Teucer came to visit him in Liyue without their mom knowing.

She stopped crying and just listened to his story. When he was half way though. He noticed that she had fallen asleep. He smiled at her and kissed her forehead and closed his eyes.