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The sun had turned in for the night, all the lights were off, and everyone had gone to sleep: everyone but Albedo. Albedo’s room was shrouded in darkness, the only light coming from the pale glow of the moon filtering through the window. The high schooler turned around, facing the bed his little sister was peacefully asleep in. A small smile spreads across his face. To Albedo, Klee was his whole world. He sighed before turning back towards his desk and proceeded to finish his homework.
A few hours passed, and he checked the clock he placed on the desk. It read 01:07 AM. If he was being honest, Albedo yawned and rubbed his bleary eyes, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling in his bones. He was already very sleepy and his bed that was across Klee’s was tempting him to go to sleep already. Albedo harshly slapped his right cheek to keep himself up. The Chemistry report is due on Friday and the school’s newspaper team (Mona) requested he writes about his experience competing and winning the Khaenri’ah Khemia Contest. He stretched his arms, a few of his bones making a cracking sound, and was about to proceed to his other tasks until-
“Albedo gege.”
Albedo’s ears perked up. He smiled at Klee, “Why are you still up Klee?” He asks, his voice as gentle as a lamb. Though the two siblings were in the dark, Albedo’s vision wasn’t terrible, he was able to see Klee rubbing her eyes as if she had just randomly woken up in the middle of the night. Klee yawned before responding, “Huh? Um, Klee can’t sleep so Klee decided to stay awake with gege.” Albedo chuckled as he closed his notebooks. Albedo walked over to Klee’s bed, the little girl made room for her older brother. He sat down beside her figure as he pulls her blanket over her head teasingly. “Now, tell me why you actually can’t sleep, Klee.” He asked playfully. Klee puffed her cheeks and Albedo had to stop himself from pinching her cheeks, his little sister was just so cute, who wouldn’t want to dote on her?!
“Klee just couldn’t sleep! Honest!” Albedo gave her the ‘are-you-lying?’ look and she sighed, Klee was not surprised her brother was able to tell when she was lying. She pulls down the covers, “Klee just…misses Albedo gege…and mama.”
Klee misses Albedo? That doesn’t make sense, they see each other at school and at home too. He also tries his best to free up his schedule to spend time with her. The look on Albedo’s face has confusion written all over his face before it slowly forms into guilt.
Oh.
“Klee…” Albedo’s voice was soft and soothing, as he leaned in closer to his sister's small frame. His hand gently stroked her hair, its soft texture slipping through his fingers like silk. “I’ve been so caught up with school, I completely forgot-” He trailed off, his voice laced with a hint of regret. The moonlight filtering through the window cast gentle shadows on his face, highlighting the concern etched across his features.
Klee's small hands felt warm against Albedo's lips as she tried to stop him from apologizing. He could see the glint of moonlight reflecting in her eyes, a mixture of joy and sadness. Albedo couldn't help but feel guilty for not realizing his sister's feelings earlier. He gently moved her hands away and took a deep breath, "I'm sorry, Klee. I should have made more time for you." His voice was laced with regret and he wished he could turn back time to make up for the lost moments.
Klee's smile was still present on her lips, but Albedo could sense the underlying sadness in her tone. Her once loud and playful voice was now soft and subdued. He felt a pang of guilt in his chest as he realized how much he had neglected his sister's need for attention and affection.
“It’s okay! Klee understands!” He walked towards his desk, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling in his bones. However, his guilt was quickly replaced with a spark of inspiration as he rummaged through the drawer below his desk. After a few moments, he pulled out a small, leather-bound notebook that his mother had given to him before she left him in Alice, Klee’s mother’s care. The notebook had a faint smell of inteyvats, which reminded him of his mother's cold yet comforting presence. Albedo sat back down on Klee's bed and opened the notebook, revealing its crisp pages, still untouched and waiting to be filled with stories and memories.
Albedo's voice grew wistful as he spoke, his eyes distant with memories of his mother. "My mother used to sing to me a special lullaby," he said, his fingers tracing over the sketches in his notebook. "It was about an all-knowing river that flowed through all parts of the continent.."
He hesitated momentarily before offering, "Would you like to hear it, Klee? Maybe it will help you fall asleep."
Klee eagerly snuggles closer to Albedo, her head resting on his chest, as he begins to sing. His voice, though not professionally trained, carries a soothing quality that lulls her into a state of tranquility. He closes his eyes, feeling the emotions of the song flow through him as he continues to sing.
Where the north wind, meets the sea…
As he sings, Albedo strokes Klee's hair and face with gentle, rhythmic movements, his touch comforting and calming. The moonlight casts a pale glow across the room, adding to the peaceful ambiance.
There’s a river, full of memory.
Albedo's heart swelled with warmth as he watched Klee's bright, sparkling eyes fixed on him, taking in every note of his song. His voice grew softer and more tender, his touch more gentle, as he continued to sing.
Sleep my darling safe and sound, for in this river all is found.
Albedo cradles Klee in his arms as he carries her towards the window, still singing the lullaby softly. As they approach the window, Klee reaches out and touches her brother's face with a look of pure joy and contentment. Albedo gazes down at his little sister with a tender smile, feeling grateful for this moment they shared.
In her waters, deep and true, lie the answers and a path for you.
Albedo lifted Klee to the window and gently placed her on the windowsill, careful not to drop her. Klee's eyes were still open, and she stared at Albedo with a look of pure adoration as he sang the final notes of the lullaby.
Dive down deep into her sound
His voice gets softer as the lullaby comes to an end,
But not too far or you’ll be drowned…
The blonde boy gently stroked Klee's hair as he gazed out of the window, the stars twinkling in the night sky. He felt a sense of warmth in his heart, knowing he could make his little sister happy despite his busy schedule.
Albedo held Klee close to his chest as she slept peacefully, her steady breaths creating a soothing rhythm. He couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia as he gazed out the window. His thoughts drifted back to his childhood, to the times his mother would sing him this very same lullaby.
“Mother, I made this for you. I learned how to make instant crystals and made a crystal flower just for you.” He showed her the flower he worked hard on.
Memories of his past flooded his mind. He could still recall the warmth of his mother's embrace as she accepted the crystal flower he had made for her, a testament to his love for her. Despite her busy schedule, Rhinedottir always made time for him at night, her voice soft and soothing as she sang the lullaby that had become a cherished memory for Albedo.
“Thank you, child.” She kissed Albedo’s forehead. “Why don’t you head up first? You must be tired from working on it the whole day. I’ll be up in a minute to tuck you in.”
Albedo's short blonde hair swayed as he obediently climbed up the stairs to his bedroom, carrying the crystal flower he had made for his mother in his small hands. He was a diligent student even at a young age, but a young child’s only wish in life was his mother's approval which meant more to him than any academic achievement. As he entered his room, he got on his bed and waited patiently for his mother.
Albedo hears the soft creak of his bedroom door and turns to see his mother's figure in the doorway, illuminated by the soft glow of the hallway light. Her blonde hair cascaded down her neck, and her eyes held a warm expression as she approached him.
"Did you wait long, dear?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle. Albedo shook his head, his blonde hair falling into his eyes. He was always patient when it came to his mother. He would wait for her for years if he had to, just to see her proud smile and feel her gentle touch. After all, Rhinedottir was not just his mother, but also his mentor and role model.
The memory brought a bittersweet feeling to Albedo's chest, as he realized how much he missed his mother's presence in his life.
Rhinedottir sat down on the chair beside Albedo’s bed, the wooden floor creaking beneath her weight. “Shall I sing to you again tonight?” The sound of her voice was as gentle as a lullaby, soothing Albedo's restless mind. He nods enthusiastically, feeling the softness of his pillow against his cheek. Her voice had always had a hypnotic effect on the young boy.
Where the north wind, meets the sea.
Whenever she would sing, he could feel the cool breeze coming in from the slightly open window, carrying the scent of lavender and jasmine. Rhine gets up to close the curtains that allowed the moonlight to enter the boy’s room, the fabric rustling softly in her hands.
There’s a mother, full of memory.
Rhine gets up to close the curtains that allowed the moonlight to enter the boy’s room to give him a sense of comfort.
Come my darling homeward bound,
The moonlight streaming through the half-closed curtains cast a gentle glow on the scene, adding to the bittersweet atmosphere. As she stood beside Albedo's bed, Rhinedottir's face slowly transformed from a gentle smile to a pained expression. Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears as she gazed at her sleeping son, knowing that she would have to send him away due to reasons she can’t tell the young boy yet. Her love for Albedo was a complex mix of pride, longing, and a mother's protective instinct. She wished she could keep him by her side forever, but she knew deep down that he had to go and find the truth of this world on his own.
When all is lost, then all is found.
Rhinedottir's voice fades into a whisper as she finished the lullaby. The atmosphere of the room was peaceful, if the conditions were different, she would've stayed longer but due to reasons, she must leave soon. Rhinedottir tucks a strand of Albedo's golden locks away from his face before kissing his forehead. Oh how she'll miss doing this to him but it is for the best. As a mother, she wanted to keep him by his side forever but as his mentor, she knows he should figure things out on his own. There's one thing in common that a mother and mentor share, and it's that they only want the best for their child.
As he closed his eyes, memories flooded back to him. He could almost feel her soft touch as she stroked his hair and sang the sweet melody to him. Albedo couldn't help but wonder how she was doing, and if she ever thought of him. He opened his eyes and gazed at the moon as if seeking answers from it. It seemed to gaze back at him, a silent witness to his inner turmoil.
Albedo remembers that was the last time his mother sang to him. The next day, he was sent to live with Alice and her husband in Mondstadt. He remembers how different he expected Alice to be. In comparison to his mother and Klee’s mom, Klee’s mom, Alice was just like the sun, a ball of energy and can light up an entire room with just her smile. Meanwhile, Rhinedottir was the moon, she was mysterious and rarely smiled unless it was in private.
“Rhiney!” Alice ran to hug her friend, accidentally tackling her poor friend to the ground. Albedo, Alice’s husband, and a small version of Alice all stared at the two best friends. “Come in come in!” Alice gestured for the two to enter her house.
“I haven’t seen you in ages! How long has it been?” The questions came out nonstop from Alice’s mouth, “Oh!” She turns to notice a young boy, his height slightly below her, “Is this little Albedo? My, how much you’ve grown! Do you remember me? I helped your mother babysit you when you were around my daughter’s age!”
Albedo looked at the baby observantly Alice’s husband was holding. That child looked no more than two.
Alice crossed her arms and feigned sadness. "Oh no, you don't remember me? Well, I guess I'll have to reintroduce myself. I'm Alice! You can call me Auntie or just Alice is fine too." She then took her child from her husband's arms and held her up for Albedo to see. "And this little bundle of joy is my darling Klee. Isn't she just adorable?"
Rhinedottir sighs, same old Alice. Always full of energy.
“I have some cookies in the oven, would you like to have some before you leave-” Alice offered but the cookie offering fell deaf on Albedo’s ears.
Albedo's eyes widened in shock as he heard his mother's words. "Leave? What do you mean, Mother?" he asked, his voice trembling with confusion and hurt.
Rhinedottir took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation she knew was coming. "Albedo, my dear, there's something I need to tell you," she began, her voice wavering slightly. She looked down, unable to meet her son's gaze. "There are things I can't explain to you yet, but I promise I will when the time is right. Until then, I am assigning you to Alice and her family. Be good to them, alright?"
Albedo's anger began to dissipate as he heard the sadness in his mother's shaky voice. "I...I understand, Mother. Will…will we meet again? " he asked, his voice now filled with concern.
Rhinedottir wrapped her arms around her son, pulling him close. "Of course, my dear. It’ll just be for a bit. I will visit you as often as I can," she said, her voice filled with love and warmth.
Albedo nodded again, feeling safe in his mother's grasp. He knew he had a long road ahead of him, but he also knew his mother's love and support would be there for him every step of the way.
Several years had gone by since Albedo's mother had left him in Alice's care. Now, he was a high school student with just one year left before starting university, while Klee had grown into a second-grader. During all that time, Rhinedottir had never contacted him directly. Instead, it was always Alice who cheerfully relayed news about Rhinedottir's journey, her well-being, and her interest in Albedo's life. Despite the lack of direct communication, Albedo felt reassured that his mother still cared for him, even from afar.
Albedo smiled up at the pale moonlight, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. Even though his mother had left him in Alice's care all those years ago, he knew that she still loved him and would come back for him one day. But for now, he was content to focus on the present - taking care of his little sister Klee, making memories with his friends at school, and pursuing his dreams. As he gently placed Klee back in her soft bed and watched her drift off to sleep, he felt his own eyes growing heavy. Soon enough, the two siblings were lost in peaceful slumber, dreaming of the future and all the adventures that awaited them.