Fidelle: "Now that you're at the House of the Hearth, have you ever considered leaving?"
Although The Knave was considered one of the better figures within the Fatui, now that Fidelle knew Freminet was her younger brother, she didn't want him to remain at the House of the Hearth.
She was well aware of the dark secrets hidden within the House of the Hearth and believed that if Freminet ever wanted to leave, The Knave wouldn't stop him.
However, Fidelle wouldn't demand anything of Freminet. If he didn't want to leave the House of the Hearth, she wouldn't force him. She was merely offering a suggestion.
Freminet: "I'm sorry, Sister, but I don't want to leave the House of the Hearth just yet."
Before their battle with Father, he might have entertained such thoughts. But after the battle, especially after Lyney and the Traveler revealed Father's true intentions to him, he no longer wished to leave.
Worried about upsetting his sister, Freminet quickly explained:
"Father treats us all very well. She's nothing like the previous Knave. I still have many brothers and sisters at the House of the Hearth. I'm sorry..."
Fidelle couldn't resist touching Freminet's golden hair again—it was so smooth and silky, the texture was heavenly.
"Freminet, I'm not pressuring you. You have your own choices, and I respect them. It's okay, but... now that I know you're my biological younger brother, there are some things I need to say. I'll discuss it with The Knave first, so don't worry. I know how to phrase it so it won't affect you."
"Don't forget to come to the beach near Poisson the day after tomorrow at dusk. The Traveler will be there too."
Freminet: "I'll remember, Sister."
Fidelle stood up, brushing the dust off her clothes. "Go finish your quest. I need to go back and prepare as well."
Freminet: "Okay, Sister."
"Be careful."
"Mm-hmm."
Freminet watched his sister leave, a sudden smile spreading across his face.
Today had been wonderful. He'd found his sister and learned about his origins. This is great!
He couldn't wait to go back and tell Lyney and Lynette. They'd be so happy too!
Freminet set aside the information his sister had just given him, weighed it down with a box, put on his diving suit, and headed into the sea.
After agreeing to meet Freminet later, Fidelle returned to Fontaine.
She needed to inform Lady Furina and Lady Focalors about the party first. She remembered how much Lady Furina loved such gatherings, and she was certain Lady Focalors would enjoy it as well.
After spending so many days with them, Fidelle had realized that Lady Furina and Lady Focalors shared nearly identical tastes!
Right, I also need to find the Traveler and gather various ingredients.
There was one more thing: she had to tell Lady Furina that The Knave might attend the party, so she could prepare herself mentally.
And I must hurry and find Escoffier to help.
Since this party was for her and her dear brother, she had to personally prepare all the dishes. Fidelle had no faith in other chefs; if she needed assistance, it had to be the head chef of Hotel Debord.
Hmm, even Escoffier, the head chef of Hotel Debord, would be reduced to an assistant under Fidelle's superhuman culinary skills.
-
Inside the System Space, Jiang Mumu paid little attention to Fidelle and Freminet. After being transformed by [ Gold ], Fidelle had almost completely forgotten her past. Moreover, when Fidelle left her parents, Freminet hadn't even been born yet.
During this time, Jiang Mumu had been sorting through Emotional Feedback, setting aside the portion needed for her schemes in Natlan. She then used the remaining points to purchase the next phase of rewards.
These included items like [ Elemental Mastery ], [ Yuna's Gourmet Tablecloth ], [ Fidelle's Gourmet Tablecloth ], [ Purifying Nectar ], [ Instant Karmic Debt Removal ], [ Healing Pills ], various weapons, and an assortment of clothing.
Most importantly, she acquired a [ Resurrection Voucher ], though she could only afford one for now. But there was no rush; she knew she could earn plenty more Emotional Feedback Points later.
After securing these treasures, Jiang Mumu tidied herself up and went to pay a visit to her friends.
Within Lumine's Unrelenting Will space, four computers hummed, each workstation occupied by a screen-addicted girl. Jiang Mumu's arrival went almost unnoticed.
"Aaaaah!!" Rola let out a long sigh, her small mouth pouting so much it could almost hang an oil jug. "Brother, please don't come here!"
Jiang Mumu curiously glanced over. Good grief, she's playing Genshin Impact and just pulled a gold... three golds, actually! But... uh... why are they all Diluc? ? ?
Frustrated, Rola glanced sideways and suddenly spotted Jiang Mumu's face.
"Aaaaaaah!"
"Ouch—!"
Jiang Mumu clutched her right eye and stumbled back several steps.
"Rola!"
Recognizing her, Rola gave an embarrassed smile. "Sorry! It's your fault for scaring me."
Rola's scream drew Qingge, Yuna, and Silaya, who had just arrived and been roped into playing. Yuna darted over with a mischievous grin.
"Rola, you pulled Diluc again? Hahaha! I bet your Diluc's got over thirty constellations by now!"
Rola glared fiercely at Yuna, then turned to Jiang Mumu. "Come on, come on! We've got five now—let's team up!"
Yuna chimed in, "Yeah, yeah! With Silaya here, we'll definitely climb the ranks!"
Silaya was new to the game but already a formidable player.
"Wait, wait a sec,"
Jiang Mumu approached Silaya and saw that her Genshin Impact quest had progressed to Sumeru. The screen displayed the Little Dendro Archon Nahida.
Jiang Mumu: "How are you settling in here?"
Silaya: "It's amazing! Except for old Teacher Tighnari..."
Silaya's tone lacked the resentment Rola showed when mentioning Diluc. After all, Silaya had only gotten a few bad pulls, unlike Rola, who would summon him at every 50/50.
Qingge: "How much longer until the Traveler goes to Natlan?"
Jiang Mumu: "How would I know?"
Qingge: "Should we hurry them along?"
Jiang Mumu: "I don't think that's necessary. It'll probably happen in the next few days anyway. Once Natlan is done, you can all go home."
Rola rolled up her sleeves. "When we get back, Brother had better apologize! I didn't even get Furina because of him! Sniff..."
Jiang Mumu scratched her head, regretting Fidelle's absence. If Fidelle were here to help pull, they might have gotten her.
Yuna: "Hurry, hurry! Let's queue up for League! This time, I'm climbing the ranks for real!"
Intrigued by Yuna's eagerness, Jiang Mumu used Emotional Value Points to conjure a computer next to them.
"Come on, let's five-man stomp the rift this time!"
-
Fontaine.
Lumine sensed something amiss. She drew her Unrelenting Will Sword, gently stroking the blade. It felt warm.