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When Lumine teleported to Mondstadt for a moment, she thought she had made a mistake and landed in Dragonspine. But no, she quickly recognized the buildings and the square with the fountain, which at that moment was covered with a layer of white snow.
That wasn't normal. Mondstadt was always sunny and warm, and at that moment there were thick clouds over it. Lumine's bare shoulders became covered with goosebumps when the icy wind reached them.
“Why is it so cold there?” cried Paimon, rubbing her arms to keep herself warm. “Is this another cataclysm by Stormterror?”
Thinking little, Lumine ran to the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius, barging right into Jean's office.
“Jean! What is…” she stopped, looking around.
“Oh, good morning, sweetie” Lisa was there near the bookshelves, seeming to slowly place books in the right order. Instead of her usual dress, she was wearing a dark green one and her hat was decorated with plants with small red fruits. “Happy Neubeginn!”
“Honorary Knight!” Jean raised her eyes at her. The Acting Grandmaster was drinking tea while wearing a warm red suit with white fur details. “Is there an emergency? Did something happen?”
“Oh…” Lumine suddenly felt stupid. “I thought there was, but you’re too calm for that.”
“What is going on? Why is there snow in the city?” Called Paimon.
Lisa leaned over the railing separating the office library from the rest of the room.
“Oh, I guess you've been in Sumeru so much lately that you missed the announcement. Once in a while, strong winds make clouds from Dragonspine come to Mondstadt and send snow all over the area. Since this causes most plants to die and grow fresh, the phenomenon is called ‘Neubeginn’, meaning New Beginnings.”
Jean smiled reassuringly.
“Yes, and long ago, people didn’t have astronomers to predict it. Farmers and adventurers were often surprised by the sudden snow, left without food and wood to burn in fireplaces. Other people shared what they had and offered warm places in their houses to those in need.” She made a short pause. “Nowadays, thanks to people like Mona, we are no longer surprised by the coming snow. Yet the tradition of spending time together and giving each other gifts has remained.”
“Oooh…” Paimon now looked interested. “Gifts! Gifts are like treasure! How can we get them?”
“Paimon, don’t be so greedy.” Lumine sighed.
Lisa chuckled.
“The easiest way is to join someone in their Neubeginn celebration. There are many pretty traditions and unique dishes created for the occasion.” She smiled widely. “If I were to recommend something, it would be best to join someone who celebrates it with a kid. They see special magic at this time, enjoying the snow, gifts and tasty food.”
“Someone with a kid?” repeated Lumine, scratching her chin. “Like who? Draff and Diona or…”
“Albedo has already been dismissed from duty to prepare the celebration with Klee,” said Jean in a neutral tone. “I think he won't mind you joining them.”
Lumine didn’t notice Lisa's amused glance directed at the Acting Grand Master. She was too busy thinking about the possibility of spending some time with Albedo and Klee.
She felt her cheeks becoming a little warm at the mention of the alchemist. They hadn't seen each other since Weinlesefest, and she had to admit she missed him a bit.
“Okay, we’ll ask Albedo and Klee if we can join them,” she finally decided.
“Hurray! Gifts! Tasty food!” Paimon started wiggling with excitement.
“First, we’ll help them with preparation.” Lumine reminded her. Then she looked at Jean and Lisa. “Thank you for explaining everything. And… umm… Happy Neubeginn!” she exclaimed, stuttering slightly at a foreign word.
“Happy Neubeginn! Have fun with Klee!” Lisa waved at her. “And Albedo,” she added with a teasing smirk.
“Happy Neubeginn!” Jean smiled at them.
When the doors behind Lumine and Paimon closed, Lisa looked at her friend with a grin.
“Oh my, I didn’t know you also want to hook up our Honorary Knight with our Chief Alchemist!” She called teasingly.
Jean blushed and coughed into her fist, a little embarrassed.
“I just noticed Albedo is distracted every time we mention her during our meetings. He probably would like to see her.”
“I’m sure he would love it.” The librarian chuckled. “I wonder if they have some mistletoe hanging there.”
Jean sent her a scolding but slightly amused gaze.
Finding Klee and Albedo's home wasn't so difficult among the other houses in Mondstadt. The bright red roof and ornaments with clover patterns clearly indicated where the most explosive girl lived.
Lumine walked to the door and knocked on it, feeling strangely nervous. She wasn't sure why. After all, those were her friends.
She heard approaching steps and the door soon opened, revealing Albedo.
But that wasn’t Albedo she was used to - the calm, elegant prince with everything on the place and stoic approach. This Albedo had his hair tied up in a messy ponytail, his face dirty from flour, and a kitchen apron with chocolate stains. At the sight of Lumine and Paimon, he froze in surprise.
“Traveler?” he asked as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.
“Umm… hi!” Lumine raised her hand in greetings. “Jean told us you planned to celebrate Neubeginn with Klee and we wondered…”
“We want to join the celebration for food and gifts!” exclaimed Paimon with excitement.
The Traveler placed her hand on her forehead.
“Paimon…” she said scoldingly, but it was too late. She has already been ridiculed in front of Albedo.
“I see…” Albedo came back to his usual calm approach. “Of course, why not?”
Lumine looked at him hopefully.
“Really?”
The man smiled.
“Alice can’t join us this time, and Klee seems a bit down because of that. Having you around would definitely lift her mood.”
“And you?” Lumine carefully looked at him. She hoped to hear that he would also like her to join the celebration.
“Oh?” Albedo squinted his eyes. “Could it be that you want to spend this holiday with me?” He asked in a slightly teasing tone.
Lumine felt her cheeks burning as she looked away.
“Big brother Albedo, who is this?” The voice of Klee saved her from answering. A moment later, the little girl appeared behind Albedo. “Miss Honorary Knight! Paimon! Happy Neubeginn!” she exclaimed.
“Happy Neubeginn, Klee!” called Paimon.
“Klee, Miss Honorary Knight and Paimon want to join us today. Do you mind?” asked Albedo gently, looking at his sister.
Klee’s big eyes opened even more, and she grinned widely, starting to jump in place with excitement.
“Yay! Miss Honorary Knight and Paimon are going to celebrate with us!” she exclaimed.
“Then it’s settled.” Albedo smiled at Lumine and moved to the side, inviting her and her companion in.
Only after the door was closed behind her, Lumine realized how cold it was outside and how warm and cozy Albedo and Klee’s house was. The corridor she was in had a red carpet with clover symbols, and on the walls hung various paintings and objects whose purpose she didn't know. Probably souvenirs from Alice’s travels.
The smell of some roasted meat reached her. She felt the drool gather in her mouth, but, of course, Paimon was the first to comment on the aroma.
“It smells so goood!” Paimon placed hands on her cheeks in excitement. “Paimon wants to eat it all now!”
“No, not now!” said Klee with a small pout. “First, we need to prepare everything for the evening! Paimon can fly so Paimon will help me with decorating!” she decided.
“Whaat? But Paimon’s hungry!” wanted to protest the fairy, but stopped after hearing Albedo chuckle.
“I, too, am fairly new to the traditions of Mondstadt, so I’m merely following Klee's instructions. She is in charge today, so you better listen to her Paimon, or you won't get dinner,” he said a bit teasingly.
Paimon groaned and reluctantly flew after Klee, who went deeper into the house.
Lumine tensed a little, realizing he was left alone with Albedo. She looked at him with raised eyebrows.
“And how can I help?”
“Well…” Albedo scratched his chin in thought, making it even dirtier with flour. “I would appreciate help with preparations in the kitchen. I usually did it together with Alice, but this time everything is up to me.”
Lumine smiled at him.
“Of course. Lead the way.”
Upon entering the kitchen, the otherworldly smell she had already sensed in the hallway hit her nostrils. She quickly discovered its source: it was an oven where some poultry was baking.
“What is this?” she asked, leaning to the oven to have a closer look.
“Roast goose. According to Alice and Klee, it’s a traditional dish for Neubeginn,” said Albedo, approaching the countertop, where the dough for the cookies was rolled out. That explained why he was dirty with flour.
“And you did it yourself? I'm impressed.”
Albedo laughed shortly.
“Thank you, but I assure you it’s not much harder than preparing Sweet Madame. Now, would you be so kind and start decorating the cookies?” He looked at her.
Lumine nodded and approached him. She saw lots of cookies in shapes resembling conifers, hats, snowflakes and other things associated with winter. Next to them were several icings in different colors and colorful chocolate chips.
“When decorating the conifers, add these chips so they’ll resemble ornaments,” said Albedo.
Lumine raised her eyebrows.
“Ornaments? What ornaments?”
“Ah, right. You haven’t seen the Neubeginn tree. Klee and Paimon are probably decorating it right now.” Albedo went silent for a moment. “Since conifers stay green even during winter, people decorate them with ornaments as a symbol of continued life.”
“Oh…” Lumine scratched her chin, intrigued. “You seem to know quite a bit about this holiday. Can you tell me more? Jean and Lisa only told me its backstory.”
“I don’t know much, as I am an outsider just like you are.” Albedo didn’t raise his eyes from above the dough. “The general idea is to spend it with family and friends, just as the people of the unexpected winter spent time together, waiting for the cold wind to leave. People treated this holiday as a moment for the whole family to reunite, settle their quarrels and enjoy time together.”
“Family to reunite…” repeated Lumine, feeling a sudden sting of sadness.
Of course, counting on her brother to show up during the holiday was foolish. He made it clear that they would only meet again at the end of her journey. But the thought that he could be with her, decorating cookies or tasting the otherworldly-smelling goose by Albedo was pleasant.
And upsetting because it was impossible to come true.
Then she reminded herself about another persona.
“What about Rubedo? Did you invite him to the celebration?” She suddenly asked.
Albedo looked at her in surprise, evidently not expecting a question like that.
“Rubedo?” he repeated. “Why would I invite him?”
“Since this holiday is a time for reunions it sounds like the best moment for him to join us and stop hiding on Dragonspine,” explained Lumine. “Would you mind if the two of you reconciled?”
Albedo was staring at her, deep in thought. Finally, he answered:
“I wouldn’t. It would be nice if he would stop planning to replace me and live his own life. However, I don't think the holiday will change anything in this regard.” He shook his head.
“Let me talk with him,” said Lumine. “I have a feeling that this might be something he wishes for too, but doesn't want to admit.”
Albedo was staring at her with doubt, but after a moment sighed, giving up.
“You can find him near Durin's heart. But don't expect too much and come back quickly. Klee will be sad if you're not there for dinner.”
Lumine smiled and saluted, teleporting away a second later.
The cold wind hit her face and exposed parts of her skin. Dragonspine was even colder than Mondstadt, and she had just been in Albedo's warm kitchen. Her body didn't like the sudden change of environment. She shivered, promising herself to quickly find Rubedo and go back to the cozy house as soon as possible.
She glided down to the heart of Durin and went inside the cave, glad that there was warm in the quite creepy place.
“Rubedo?” she called, looking around.
She noticed traces of his presence in that place - a bed of dry grass, a campfire over which a rusted pot hung, bones of some eaten animals, single sheets of paper with notes created with coal.
How different it was from Albedo's nice and warm house.
She suddenly felt something sharp touching her back. It felt like the end of a blade.
“Don’t move,” said the voice, so familiar, yet so different with its cold and distant tone. “What do you want here, Traveler?”
“I just want to talk,” answered Lumine, not daring to move in case Rubedo thought she was going to attack him.
“Talk?” repeated the man sarcastically. “There’s nothing to talk about. I can just get rid of you, the only person who can distinguish me from my brother.”
“If that's the case, why don't you kill me right away instead of waiting for what I have to say?” asked Lumine, knowing full well that she was playing with fire. Rubedo could plunge the weapon into her body at any time.
The impostor didn’t answer, so she took a big breath and started:
“There’s a holiday in Mondstadt right now. The holiday of family reunions and reconciliations. Albedo said he wouldn't mind you joining him. You could eat a delicious meal in a warm house. Sleep in a real bed. Get your own identity instead of constantly trying to take his.” She made a short pause, so her words could sink. “All you have to do is show up at his house. I’m sure you know which one it is.”
Rubedo was silent for a moment and Lumine regretted not being able to see his face. However, she still didn't dare to turn around to look at him.
“Is this some kind of joke?” She finally heard. “Do you think all that I have experienced can be dealt with by simply… joining him? You are more naïve than I thought.”
Lumine felt the blade against her body move away.
She cautiously looked back and saw Rubedo staring somewhere off to the side, avoiding her gaze.
“Go away with your stupid ideas before I kill you on the spot,” he squeezed through his teeth and passed next to her, walking toward Durin’s heart.
Lumine sighed with relief, but also with regret. Her attempt was unsuccessful, just as Albedo had predicted.
“If you change your mind, you can join us at any time. I'll be there, too, in case you're worried that something will go wrong.”
Rubedo snorted.
“Since when is your presence supposed to be reassuring? It's more people against me.”
Lumine hesitated and tried one more time.
“Klee will be there too. We wouldn’t attack you in front of her.”
The impostor stood still for a moment as if analyzing her words. Finally, he turned and raised his sword.
“Did I not make myself clear? Get out of my face!” he exclaimed with anger.
Lumine didn’t answer, just raised her hands and teleported away, back to Mondstadt.
She sighed heavily, only now noticing how her heart was pounding hard. In distress, she didn't even notice how the cold began to affect her skin again. It wasn't until she reached her friends' house and Albedo opened the door for her. There was a worry in his eyes.
“Archons, Lumine, you’re freezing!” he called and pulled her inside by her arm.
Before she could protest, Albedo placed her on the armchair in the living room and covered her with a blanket. After that he left, saying something about a hot drink. Lumine used the moment to look around the room. It looked like Paimon and Klee had finished decorating it.
In the corner stood the previously mentioned Neubeginn tree, spruce with red ornaments with clover symbols hanging from the branches. The armchair on which she sat was next to a lit fireplace with the large clover symbol and more ornaments over the hearth. On the walls were even more Alice souvenirs and paintings, most likely created by Albedo. Despite numerous items, everything harmonized with each other.
Albedo came back, holding a steaming cup. Lumine accepted it with gratitude, only now noticing how stiff her fingers were.
“My guess is that you couldn't convince him?” asked the alchemist after she took a sip of the drink. It was delicious hot chocolate.
Lumine shook her head slowly.
“He hesitated after I had mentioned Klee,” she said. “Maybe it’s a way to reach him in the future… but not yet.”
Albedo smiled sadly.
“I appreciate your efforts, even if they had little chance of success. Maybe one day he will actually join us at the dinner table.”
Lumine recalled the place Rubedo was living. The thought of him spending all his time there alone was really upsetting. Sleeping almost on the cold ground… eating what he hunted down…
That reminded her of something.
“I’m sorry, Albedo! I was supposed to help you with preparations, but I left you alone with everything.” She sighed. “I'll drink the chocolate and then run to decorate the cookies right away!”
Albedo smiled at her.
“No need to. I finished everything while you were away.”
“What?!” Lumine looked at him in shock. “But I was only gone for a short while!” She groaned. “Now I feel even worse for leaving you!” She folded her hands in a pleading gesture. “What else can I do to help you?”
Albedo raised his eyebrows and shook his head.
“It’s okay, Lumine,” he said in a resurrecting tone. “I just… enjoy your presence here. No need to help me.”
Lumine felt her face becoming red, seeing his calm smile.
Did he actually admit it? Without teasing or putting the credit on Klee? Was he really happy that she was here?
Her heart grew warm.
But before she could answer anything, she heard Klee's sudden cheerful call.
“Big brother Albedo is under the mistletoe! Kissing time!”
Something red flashed before her eyes and soon after, she saw Klee in Albedo’s arms, pointing her cheek toward him.
Albedo raised his head and chuckled.
“Indeed I am,” he said, and placed a quick kiss on his sister’s cheek. The girl giggled and jumped out of his arms.
Lumine looked up and noticed on the ceiling, just above Albedo’s head, a branch of some plant with red fruits. She recalled it was the same one Lisa had on her hat that day.
“What is going on?” she asked, confused.
“This is a rather silly tradition associated with Neubeginn. When two people find themselves under the mistletoe, they must give each other a kiss for good luck.” Albedo shrugged. “As you can see, Klee is a fan of this.”
Lumine looked around the ceiling and indeed saw many branches hung everywhere, like traps for unsuspecting victims. It was only a matter of time to get under one of them.
If she was under one with Albedo... how would he react? Would he kiss her on the cheek like Klee? Or…
She felt her face burning just at the thought of his lips on her. It was not an unpleasant vision. In fact, she would be delighted by it.
“Miss Honorary Knight, will you help Klee and Paimon decorate the outside?” Klee’s voice snapped her out of her reverie.
“Ah, of course,” she smiled at the little girl and stood up.
Albedo this time didn’t allow her to leave the house without warm clothes, so she wore a bright red coat of Alice (“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind you borrowing this.”) and Albedo’s woolen gloves, scarf and a hat (“I'm used to the cold. They’re yours.”).
‘Decorating the outside’ was simply making snowmen in front of the house. Aside from convincing Klee that putting explosives wasn’t a good idea, the whole thing ran smoothly. In the end, however, Lumine's gloves were soaked, and she took them off, clumsily rubbing her hands together in an attempt to warm her fingers.
She noticed Albedo approaching her. Before she could react, he offered her his own gloves.
“Albedo, stop giving me everything! I feel guilty!” she protested.
The man frowned.
“Do you expect me to watch you freeze?” he asked with a hint of hurt in his voice.
“I’m fine! We’re going to the house soon anyway and…” she stopped, noticing something in the corner of her eye. “Paimon, what are you doing?” she asked, looking at her companion, who seemed to want to fly above them.
“Do you have mistletoe in your hand?” Albedo raised his eyebrows.
“Ah… that…” Paimon blushed. “That was Klee’s idea!” She pointed at the little girl, who was staring at them from a distance.
“Because you guys are fighting!” Klee stomped her foot in frustration. “You can't fight! You should kiss and apologize to each other!”
Lumine felt her cheeks becoming red, not only from the cold. Albedo on her side only smiled a little nervously.
“Klee, we’re not fighting. We’re just… discussing.” The Traveler froze, feeling his hand gently grasp hers. His skin at first was cold, but soon started warming her frozen fingers. “See? Everything is fine,” he added, raising their connected hands.
Klee observed them for a moment with a frown, like she was suspicious he was lying. Finally, she nodded with a serious face.
“Good! You can’t fight on Neubeginn! That’s against tradition!” Then she looked up. “Oh, there’s a first star in the sky! We can’t start the dinner!”
Lumine sighed with relief, not only because Klee distracted herself from them but also because she was starving. The smell of the goose, noticeable even outside the house, didn’t help her ignore her hunger.
“Not so soon, Klee,” said Albedo. “First, we need to change. You don't want to celebrate in dirty clothes, do you?”
Klee groaned and nodded, then turned toward the house and ran inside.
“Ah…” Lumine realized something. “I don’t have clothes to change into.”
Albedo looked at her from the corners of his eyes.
“Don’t worry about it,” he said with a smile. “You are beautiful in what you wear every day.”
After these words, he released her hand and followed his sister, leaving her standing in place in shock.
“What was that?!” she thought, feeling her face burning.
Lumine waited alone in the dining room for Albedo and Klee to return from dressing up. Paimon disappeared somewhere saying she would help the little girl with changing. That sounded like a poor excuse, so Lumine hoped the fairy hadn't actually gone to the kitchen to eat freshly baked cookies.
She heard someone approaching and soon Albedo showed up. His hair was no longer tied up, but loose with braids, as he had it every day. He was wearing a purple silk shirt with a golden tie and long black pants.
Lumine's heart sped up at the sight of him. She had never seen Albedo so elegantly dressed. She suddenly felt out of place with her usual dress that she wore for her travels.
“You look…” she gulped, feeling her throat hoarse. “...good.”
Albedo sent her a slight, a bit amused smile.
“Thank you. You too.” He approached her.
With a surprise, Lumine noticed that Albedo was a little tense, seeming nervous about something. Before she asked him what was wrong, he started:
“Lumine, I really appreciate you joining us here today.” He sighed. “I regret I didn’t know about it beforehand and prepared a gift for you.”
Lumine smiled and waved her hand dismissively.
“I should be the one to give you gifts for letting me celebrate with you.”
Albedo hesitated. Then he reached a vase with fresh flowers which stood on the dinner table and took one of the cecilias.
“Let me at least offer this,” he said, placing it on Lumine’s hand.
The Traveler smiled.
“Thank you! It’s really…”
Albedo interrupted her, hovering his palm over the cecilia. A glow began to emanate from his hand, which absorbed the entire plant. Lumine held her breath, observing as the flower started to shrink more and more and move on its own, forming a circle with its stem. After she had blinked, she realized there was a small ring in her open hand. Despite being created from a fresh flower, it seemed pretty stiff and long-lasting.
“May I?” Albedo's question interrupted her examination of the gift.
“Huh?” Lumine didn't have time to react when the ring was taken away and her hand was gently captured by the man.
She raised her head and saw Albedo staring at her with a smile. His eyes were filled with warmth and softness, which made her heart beat faster.
“Happy Neubeginn, Lumine,” he said, keeping his eyes locked with her. At the same time, Lumine felt that the ring slipped onto her finger.
“Ah…” She knew her face was red from blushes, but couldn’t really help it. “Thank you…”
She wondered if offering a ring meant something to Albedo. Was it only a gift for the occasion or…
“You two are standing under the mistletoe.” A sudden voice made her jump.
Lumine looked to the side and saw Klee and Paimon there, both with their arms crossed over their chest and proud faces. Then she shifted her gaze above her head and saw a small branch of mistletoe hanging from the ceiling.
Klee started jumping in place with excitement.
“A kiss! A kiss!” she chanted.
“You have to follow tradition, right?” asked Paimon with a smirk.
Lumine looked at Albedo, who didn't seem disgusted or embarrassed. He chuckled shortly and shifted his gaze to her as well. His eyes were still filled with warmth that made her heart beat fast.
“I guess we don’t have a choice,” he said with slight amusement and leaned toward her, seeming to aim at her cheek.
It was a safe decision, but...
“Screw this!” thought Lumine and tilted her head enough for his lips to land on her own.
She heard gasps from Klee and Paimon's side, but they seemed muted as her all attention was focused on the soft and warm touch of the man. Albedo froze for a split second, but after that leaned more into a kiss, wrapping her closer in his arms. That encouraged her to pull him even closer by his neck, gently entering his lips with her tongue, which caused a muffled gasp.
“Really? In front of a kid?!”
The call of Paimon made that amazing moment end. Lumine let go of Albedo, who stared at her with dreamy eyes. Then they both looked to the side.
Paimon was covering Klee’s eyes with her hands while gazing at them with disgust like she was going to puke at any moment.
“We wanted you to get together, not make out in front of us!” exclaimed the fairy with indignation.
“What is ‘making out’?” asked Klee, while wiggling to break free.
Lumine giggled.
“Hehe, sorry.” She shifted her gaze to Albedo. “I forgot to say… Happy Neubeginn!”
The man smiled and placed a quick kiss on her lips.
“Happy Neubeginn…” he whispered, resting his forehead against hers. “I think it’s my favorite holiday from today.”
The sudden knocking sound at the door made them twitch.
“Who is there at this moment?” asked Paimon with a frown.
“Maybe it's Mona? She never mentioned her plans for the holidays, so maybe she wants to join us.” Albedo raised his eyebrows, reluctantly pulling away from Lumine.
“I'll open!” called Klee and before anyone protested, ran out of the room.
They heard the sound of a door opening in the hallway and a surprised gasp from the girl.
“Big brother Albedo?!”
Albedo’s eyes widened and he rushed to the entrance. Lumine went right after him.
In the doorway stood... Rubedo. Evidently embarrassed to meet Klee face to face. The girl was staring at him in disbelief. Then she started looking forward and behind as if confirming that she didn’t imagine it and there were indeed two of her older brother.
“Rubedo…” Albedo walked to the entrance, gazing at the newcomer. “You actually came.”
“Yeah…” Rubedo looked away with a slight blush on his face. “I heard something about delicious food… and that you can’t fight on Neubeginn.”
Lumine realized that he must have been observing them when they were making snowmen. Was it Klee's words that convinced him to join them?
“That’s right.” Albedo carefully watched his impostor. “We were just about to sit down to dinner.” He put on a slight, a little nervous smile. “And there will certainly be a seat for one more person.”
Then he looked at the little girl, who was still shifting her head between both men.
“Klee, this is Rubedo, my… older brother.” Albedo went silent for a moment, as the girl gasped in surprise. “Would you mind if he joined our celebration?”
“Ooh…” Klee breathed a solemn sigh. “Of course, I don't mind! Neubeginn is a time of family reunions! Big brother Albedo must spend time with his brother!” She said in a serious tone.
Albedo smiled at her and shifted his gaze to his impostor.
“Come inside. You should get warm,” he said softly, moving to the side.
The other man hesitated before slowly passing the threshold of the house.
Lumine watched with a smile as Klee started explaining the layout of the house to Rubedo, as if she had already decided that he was going to live with them. Albedo was right next to them, seeming to finally relax.
Lumine noticed Paimon floating next to her with her arms crossed over her chest.
“Paimon is not sure this is a good idea. It's like inviting a wolf under your roof,” she said with a frown.
The Traveler chuckled shortly.
“This wolf will only bite if it needs to. But for now, there is no reason,” she said. “I hope there will never be.”
Her moment of bliss was interrupted by a loud rumble from her stomach. So loud that everyone looked at her.
She felt her face burning, as she muttered:
“So… what about that roast goose?”