Angel's Share was already bustling with activity. Colorful streamers draped in graceful arcs from the rafters, and bouquets sent by Flora were arranged in glass vases at the center of each table.
Sara pushed a small cart, weaving between the tables and chairs. The food on the cart was still steaming, delivering snacks and drinks to everyone working hard to set up the birthday party.
But the birthday girl herself—Lydia, who should have been the most excited—seemed to have lost some of her usual energy.
She stood by the window, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the Cecilia flower tucked in her hair. The petals were starting to wilt at the edges, mirroring her current mood.
Her snow-white hair, usually tied in a high ponytail, now fell loosely over her shoulders. Her gaze kept drifting to the path outside that led to Dragonspine, and even her lips were drawn into a tight line.
"Lydia, what do you think of hanging this wreath above the bar?" Noelle asked, holding up a wreath she had woven herself, her voice filled with anticipation.
But Lydia only gave a perfunctory nod, her eyes still glued to Dragonspine outside. Noelle sighed and shook her head.
She nodded to Barbara, who approached with a freshly mixed Mint Julep. The chilled glass gently touched Lydia's arm.
"Lydia, is something on your mind? I've seen you sigh three times since this morning."
Barbara had noticed something was wrong long ago.
Lydia had a party checklist in front of her. She held a pen in her other hand, hovering it over the "Flower Decorations" section for what felt like an eternity without checking the box. She was clearly distracted.
Lydia snapped back to reality, quickly pulling her wandering thoughts back. She forced a sweet smile. "No, it's nothing. I was just thinking about what song to sing on my birthday. I feel like the melody I wrote before isn't good enough."
Despite her words, her eyes subconsciously darted away, unable to meet Barbara's clear gaze.
Her mind was completely consumed by thoughts of Venti and Albedo.
Tomorrow was her birthday, yet Venti hadn't sent a single message, and Albedo hadn't replied to her letter.
She knew Venti was the Anemo Archon, powerful enough to level mountains with a single gust of wind. But no matter how powerful someone was, they shouldn't just vanish without a trace.
Albedo, the Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius, had also been out of contact for an even longer time. She feared that the next news she heard would be bad news.
Seeing her distress, Noelle set down the wreath and came closer. "If something's worrying you, you can tell us, you know."
Lydia carefully re-pinned the slightly wilted Cecilia flower in her hair and set down her pen. Her fingertips clenched the hem of her clothes, twisting the fabric into deep wrinkles.
She bit her lower lip but ultimately shook her head. "It's really nothing, don't worry about me."
She didn't want her worries to ruin everyone's mood. After all, they were all busy preparing for her birthday; she couldn't be so selfish.
Lydia turned, grabbed a pink balloon, and said with forced cheerfulness, "Let's keep decorating! Otherwise, we won't be ready when the guests arrive tomorrow!"
Watching her retreating back, Noelle and Barbara exchanged a helpless glance.
The two slipped outside and found Lumine and Paimon helping Diluc move wine barrels. They explained the situation in detail.
Paimon hovered in the air, her short legs kicking frantically in agitation. Her Starry Cape blurred with the motion.
"This won't do!" Paimon declared, hands on her hips, puffing out her cheeks. "If Lydia stays this down, how can she possibly have a happy birthday tomorrow?"
Lumine set down a barrel, her brow furrowed in concern. "Exactly. If this continues, she'll bottle it all up and break."
The four discussed the matter, and Lumine and Paimon agreed to Noelle and Barbara's request to go check on Lydia together.
When they found her back in the same spot, she was sitting there, her gaze still fixed on Dragonspine. She didn't even notice Paimon floating right beside her.
Lumine sat down gently beside her, her voice soft. "Worried about Venti and Albedo?"
Lydia's shoulders trembled slightly, as if Lumine had struck a nerve.
She lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper. "Mhm... It's been two days since I last heard from Venti, and Teacher Albedo hasn't replied to my letter either."
"I know Venti is the Anemo Archon, and they're both incredibly strong, but even so... they shouldn't be silent for this long..."
The last time she encountered a monster on Dragonspine, Venti had saved her.
And whenever she had a question—even if it wasn't about Alchemy—Albedo would always teach her with great patience.
She was terrified that something might have happened to these two people who meant so much to her.
Paimon quickly floated in front of her, patting her chest reassuringly. "No way! Venti's so powerful! He wiped out that monster on Dragonspine in a single blow. How could anything happen to him?"
"He's probably secretly preparing a birthday gift for you, planning a big surprise for your special day!"
Lumine nodded in agreement, gently patting Lydia's back. "Paimon's right. Knowing Venti, it wouldn't be strange at all for him to pull a little stunt like this just to make you happy."
"Really? Is he really preparing a gift?" Lydia's eyes brightened with a flicker of hope.
Venti had always loved playing jokes on her. Whenever she was feeling down, he'd prepare a surprise that would make her laugh for ages.
That's right! Venti's so powerful, how could anything happen to him?
He was definitely just trying to scare her. On her birthday, he'd suddenly appear, shove a gift into her hands, and grin, saying, "Gotcha!"
"Of course it's true!" Paimon laughed, ruffling Lydia's hair. "Don't you worry! We'll wait for him to show up together and see what surprise he's prepared!"
"Then we need to start decorating! We have to make this place look absolutely beautiful, so Venti sees the best birthday party ever!" Lydia finally broke into a smile.
Her snow-white ponytail swung rapidly behind her, and her steps became light, joyful skips as her usual energy returned.
Watching her back, Lumine and Paimon exchanged a quiet sigh.
Paimon floated to Lumine's ear, her voice lowered to a whisper. "Do you think something really happened to Venti? He's so strong... If he were okay, why wouldn't he contact us for two whole days?"
Lumine shook her head. "I don't know. But we can't go looking for him right now. The situation on Dragonspine is complicated, and besides, we promised to look after Lydia. We have to stay here."
She gazed toward Dragonspine, praying silently in her heart.
Meanwhile, Lydia had barely managed to blow up a few balloons in the tavern before Noelle and Barbara teamed up to "shoo" her out the door.
"The birthday girl can't be working!" Sara laughed as she pushed Lydia outside, stuffing a bag of freshly roasted Sweet Madame into her hands. "Go have some fun. Little birthday girls aren't allowed to do chores, you know."
Sara knew Lydia had been weighed down by worries these past few days. She'd also noticed Lumine and the others comforting her earlier. Lydia was usually so lively and adorable, but lately, she'd been listless. Sara didn't want to see her like this.
So, she went along with Noelle and the others, encouraging Lydia to go out and find something she enjoyed, just to clear her head.
Unable to argue with them, Lydia left, clutching the bundled-up Festering Desire.
After lingering outside the tavern for a long time and finishing the last bite of her Sweet Madame, Lydia made up her mind.
Time to leave the city!
She'd head into the wild to "practice" on some Hilichurls. It would kill time and let her brush up on her swordsmanship—two birds with one stone.
Worried she might get into trouble, Lumine and Paimon quickly followed.
As the three of them neared Springvale, Lydia suddenly stopped, pulling the other two behind a bush.
She parted the leaves of the bush, her eyes lighting up as she pointed into the distance. "Look! Hilichurls!"
Lumine and Paimon leaned in to see. Three Hilichurls with wooden clubs and a Hilichurl Shaman clutching a staff were circling a Precious Chest, performing a strange, wild dance.
"A chest! And a Precious Chest at that!" Paimon's eyes went wide, and she almost flew out impulsively. "There must be a ton of Mora inside! Maybe even Primogems!"
A delighted expression crossed Lumine's face as she quietly drew her Dull Blade.
Lydia glared at the Hilichurls, cracking her knuckles. She had already ripped off and discarded the cloth wrapping her Festering Desire.
"So many Hilichurls—perfect for practice! Last time, I got bullied by a bunch of those stinking churls. This time, I'm getting my revenge!"
She moved nimbly behind the Hilichurls while they were still dancing and brought her sword down on one's head.
The Hilichurl let out a yelp and collapsed, its body dissolving into a flash of white light, leaving only a broken mask behind.
Lumine and Paimon quickly joined the fray.
Lumine and Lydia fought in sync, their swords flashing as they dispatched the remaining Hilichurls. In no time, all four monsters were defeated.
Lydia clapped her hands and ran excitedly to the chest. "Let me open it! Let me open it!"
Lumine smiled and nodded, watching as Lydia gripped the lid with both hands and heaved it open. A brilliant golden light instantly burst forth, so dazzling that all three of them couldn't help but squint.
But the next second, a figure wearing goggles tumbled out of the chest, his head nearly hitting the tip of Lydia's foot.
"Ouch! Finally out!" Bennett rubbed his head, his hair a complete mess.
He looked up and saw Lydia, Lumine, and Paimon, freezing in surprise.
"What are you guys doing here?"
"Shouldn't we be asking you that?"
Lydia, Lumine, and Paimon exchanged glances, their faces instantly darkening as they spoke in unison.