Chapter 39 — Barbara's Cooking Skills
"...Who are you?"
Barbara blinked in surprise as a tall stranger stepped casually out of Jean's guest room.
For a moment, she froze mid-motion, broom still in hand.
A man? In her sister's house?
Her first instinct was pure confusion.
Jean wasn't the type to bring strangers home—much less a man.
Could it be… her boyfriend?
The thought alone nearly made Barbara drop the broom.
Jean, the diligent, ever-responsible Acting Grand Master, in love?
Impossible!
Her sister barely had time to sleep, let alone date!
But as she studied the man before her, she noticed something peculiar—his posture was confident yet relaxed, his expression gentle but unreadable. His golden eyes gleamed with calm intelligence, and his presence carried an inexplicable warmth.
"Ah, my apologies," the stranger said, breaking the silence. His voice was smooth, pleasant—like the wind itself.
"My name is Kael, an advisor to Lady Ningguang of the Liyue Qixing. I came to Mondstadt as an envoy, and Captain Jean kindly offered me a place to stay while I'm here."
Barbara's suspicion softened a little. His tone was sincere, his words respectful.
"An envoy from Liyue?" she repeated, blinking in surprise. "Then—welcome to the City of Freedom! May the Anemo Archon bless your travels!"
Kael smiled faintly. "I believe he already has."
If only she knew how literal that was.
Barbara tilted her head curiously. "You're up early! Have you had breakfast yet?"
"I was planning to head out for a meal," Kael replied, "but most of the taverns and inns seemed quite crowded lately."
Barbara's expression brightened immediately. "Oh, that's true! Ever since the ley lines started acting strange, travelers and refugees have been pouring into Mondstadt. You'd have to wait forever to get a table!"
She tapped a finger to her chin, then smiled. "Why don't I cook for you instead?"
Kael's eyebrows rose slightly. "You cook?"
"Of course!" she said proudly. "I'm not amazing, but I can manage breakfast."
The sincerity in her tone made him chuckle. "Then I'll trouble you, Miss Barbara."
"Leave it to me!"
She darted into the kitchen, humming a lively tune.
---
The Song of Morning
As Kael leaned back against the wall, he listened to her gentle humming drift from the kitchen.
Her voice—pure, melodic, and filled with warmth—carried a resonance unlike any ordinary song.
Each note seemed to harmonize with the air itself.
Even without a Vision, Kael could tell this was no simple melody. It was infused with faith—the same divine frequency that allowed Barbara to channel Hydro energy into healing.
He smiled faintly. She doesn't even realize how close she is to divinity.
A few minutes later, Barbara returned, carefully balancing a tray laden with dishes.
"Sorry if it's not fancy," she said, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "My cooking skills aren't the best."
Kael glanced at the food—and paused.
Spicy vegetable braised pork.
For breakfast.
Ah, so this is Mondstadt's idea of 'light morning fare,' he thought with amusement.
But the aroma was surprisingly appetizing.
He took a spoonful of the broth and tasted it.
His eyes widened slightly. The flavor was bold but balanced, the spice awakening his senses without overwhelming them.
"It's delicious," he said sincerely. "The seasoning is perfect. I didn't expect such depth from a simple home-cooked dish."
Barbara let out a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad you like it! I was worried it might not suit someone from Liyue."
Kael smiled warmly. "You're a wonderful cook, Barbara. You'll make an excellent wife and mother someday."
"W–What?!" Barbara nearly dropped her spoon, her face turning bright red. "I—I'm a deaconess! My duty is to serve the Church!"
Kael chuckled softly. "Being a deaconess doesn't mean you can't have a life of your own. You serve Barbatos, the God of Freedom, do you not? Wouldn't he want you to be free to choose your own path?"
Barbara froze.
She had never thought about it that way.
The Church of Favonius often emphasized discipline and devotion, but… wasn't the Anemo Archon the very embodiment of freedom?
If the Church imposed too many restrictions—weren't they, in a way, betraying his ideals?
"I…" She lowered her gaze, conflicted. "I don't know."
Kael's smile was kind, but his eyes were sharp, almost probing. "Sometimes freedom needs to be redefined, Barbara. Blind devotion can easily turn into a different kind of prison."
Her lips parted, but no words came.
She couldn't deny that she had seen it before—the way some priests and knights hid behind their faith, using the name of Barbatos to justify inaction or pride.
And yet… could freedom really exist without rules?
---
A Lesson in Freedom
As they ate, Kael continued thoughtfully, "Freedom isn't inherently good or bad. It's simply… potential. What people do with it defines whether it brings peace or chaos."
Barbara tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
Kael set his spoon down. "Imagine a group of citizens who claim they're fighting for freedom. They demand fewer restrictions, fewer rules. Sounds noble, doesn't it?"
She nodded hesitantly.
"But what happens," Kael continued, "when they begin looting shops in protest? Burning homes? Attacking knights because they 'feel oppressed'? Would you still call that true freedom?"
Barbara's eyes widened. "Of course not!"
He smiled faintly. "Exactly. Freedom without responsibility is destruction. Even wind can nurture life or bring a storm."
Barbara stared down at her bowl, his words echoing in her mind.
She had never considered the darker side of freedom before.
Mondstadt had always celebrated its liberty—the songs, the festivals, the carefree laughter—but what if that very freedom could also sow chaos?
Had the Knights grown too lenient?
Was Jean overburdened not because of duty, but because everyone else had grown complacent under the illusion of freedom?
Her heart ached at the thought.
Jean carried the entire city's hope alone, and Barbara had never truly understood the weight of it—until now.
---
Kael leaned back, his tone gentler now. "Freedom is beautiful, Barbara. But it needs wisdom to flourish. Even the freest wind must have direction—otherwise, it becomes a storm that tears everything apart."
Barbara nodded slowly, her eyes soft but uncertain. "Maybe… you're right. But it's hard to balance both."
"That's what makes leadership difficult," Kael said with a faint smile. "Your sister understands that better than anyone."
Barbara smiled faintly, a mix of pride and worry in her eyes. "Jean tries so hard… sometimes too hard."
"I know," Kael said quietly. "And that's why Mondstadt needs people like you—to remind it what true freedom is meant to be."
For a moment, silence filled the room—warm and contemplative.
Then Barbara giggled lightly. "You sound like one of those philosophers from Sumeru."
Kael chuckled. "Let's just say I've met my fair share of scholars."
As they finished breakfast, Barbara began clearing the dishes, humming softly once more.
Kael watched her for a while, his expression thoughtful.
So this is the Saint of Hydro… he mused. Pure-hearted, devoted, yet capable of questioning her own beliefs. Venti chose well.
---
End of Chapter 39 — Barbara's Cooking Skills