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It was a beautiful day in Mondstadt, the sun shone warm and bright on the city below, clouds drifted in all kinds of patterns that had children all around look up in wonder. The sweet fragrance of fresh blooming flowers hung in the air as stunning melodies drifted through the street from the local bards.
Yet this lovely atmosphere fell blind to the chipper Spark Knight as she wandered the halls of the Knights of Favonius headquarters. Klee had been beside herself with joy the last couple of days, getting giddier day by day, yet when the day she had been looking forward to arrived, she had grown quiet and withdrawn. The halls were void of her chipper voice, colder due to the lack of her warm smile.
The other knights couldn't help but watch with worried eyes as Klee passed by, clearly not taking note of anyone else.
No one had much of an idea why Klee had become so down, but Kaeya was determined to get to the bottom of his Spark Knight's mood. It was in his search for answers that he had found it: a scrunched-up letter in the trash bin close to the entrance of their headquarters. Kaeya had hesitated a little when he first found it, before his curiosity and worry won him over. Inside was a carefully penned note from Klee's mom, informing her sweet daughter that she wouldn't be able to visit her this summer, stating just how sorry she was that she had to break her promise and that she'd make it up to her.
Kaeya remembered Klee being over the moon when she shoved a similar letter in his hands a couple of weeks back, chatting happily as her mom was finally coming back home and they would be able to visit all her favorite spots together. It wasn't hard to figure out why Klee had been anything but her usual self.
After learning the truth, Kaeya couldn't just stand by idly; no, he decided he would take it upon himself to make that beautiful smile, full of light and warmth, return to his Spark Knight's face. Klee wasn't a child meant to look so forlorn. It didn't take long for a plan to form in his head. He would need some time to prepare and set it all up, but if it worked out, it would be worth it, and with his mind set, he marched towards Jean's office.
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"So that's why Klee's been walking around like a shadow of herself, don't worry about your paperwork, I'll delegate it to someone else," Jean answered upon hearing his request. "But just for today, you hear me, Kaeya," she warned him.
Kaeya put on his most sincere-looking smile and saluted, "Yes, Acting Grand Master."
"Good," Jean nodded with a gentle smile, for all the mystery she still felt clinging to Kaeya's skin, she knew with all the certainty in the world that Klee was someone he cared for deeply. "I'll inform the others, and I'll join your little mission with whoever is available," Jean promised, and with that, Kaeya left to set his plan in motion.
Kaeya moved from one shop to another, gathering all of Klee's favorite food and drinks, making sure to leave ample room for a big variety of desserts, knowing Klee's sweet tooth like no other. He picked up some small gifts in the shape of cute accessories, stationery, and toys. His final stop was Flora's stall, where he ordered all the flowers that she could spare him, arranging everything carefully in the woven picnic baskets he had brought along.
When he was sure he had everything he needed, he set out to the Statue of the Seven at Windrise to set everything up for Klee's surprise.
With everything ready to go and the confidence that the Anemo Archon would ensure the safety of his setup, Kaeya went back to the city to pick up his little knight for a fun day, and hopefully succeed in his biggest surprise along the way.
It took a while for him to find Klee, but when he did, he smiled warmly at the little girl, who was currently occupied with throwing some of her hard-earned mora into the fountain at the city square. His heart broke a little at the scene, knowing exactly what she was wishing for.
When she was finished and about to jump off the border to continue her pity party, Kaeya caught her in his arms and twirled her around, a habit that had developed between the two over time. "Hey there, little Missy, how are you doing on this fine day?" he asked her while propping her up on his hip, certain that she wouldn't tell him the truth.
"Big brother Kaeya," Klee answered in a quiet voice, "Klee is doing okay, just tired." Just as Kaeya suspected, Klee could be very sharp and honest, but when it came to her own troubles, she would often avoid the truth to not bother others.
"I see, but would it be fine if I ask you to accompany me this lovely afternoon?" Klee looked up at him with a puzzled expression, clearly wanting to know what her big brother was up to, as he never just did something without some motive.
After a short silence, Klee's curiosity won over the still lingering sadness. The little girl nodded and gasped lightly when she was easily lifted onto Kaeya's shoulders. Kaeya told her to hold on tightly as he started to walk towards the city gates.
"Where are we going?" Klee asked, tiny hands clutching the fabric of his shirt.
"That's a surprise you will find out in due time," Kaeya said, keeping up an air of mischief and mystery, two character traits Klee adored about her older brother. Whenever Kaeya got like this, something fun was sure to follow, but even if she knew this, the sad twinkle stayed deeply engraved in her eyes. She leaned her chin on top of Kaeya's head in silent wonder, perking up lightly at Kaeya's words. "Do you trust me?"
Klee didn't need much time to think, nodding against Kaeya's soft blue locks.
"Well then, can you close your eyes for me? And promise not to open them until I say so, I guarantee you that it will be fun," he asked her softly; When he felt a second nod against his scalp, he trusted that Klee would uphold her promise.
They walked a little further, and true to her word, Klee didn't open her eyes until Kaeya said she could. "Okay, you can open them now,” he said, putting her down gently in front of him.
When Klee did, her red eyes met with a beautiful spread of her favorite foods, sweets, drinks, and so many flowers that they could make for a cosy bed for her to snuggle in. She was enthralled by what she saw and slowly tore her gaze away to look over at Kaeya, yet before she could ask anything, her big brother kneeled in front of her and reached out his hand.
"Would my brave knight like to join me for this delightful picnic?" Klee looked back at the delicious food, and then back to Kaeya's outstretched hand. Before long, Klee began to giggle at her big brother's theatrics, the light returning to her eyes as she happily accepted Kaeya's hand. With her tiny hand securely in his, he guided her to the picnic blanket, where he told her to relax; he would give her whatever her heart desired. He showered her with delicious Mondstadt delicacies, an assortment of gifts he had brought, and theatrical stories of his many adventures—stories she loved to hear, anything that would make Klee smile.
Once they finished eating, Kaeya started putting some of the empty dishes and containers back in the woven baskets. When he looked back at Klee, he noticed that the previous sadness had returned to her demeanor. The way she aimlessly stared at the sky gripped Kaeya’s heart, and he thought it would be best to give her some space to process her emotions. In the meantime, he settled himself near a small mountain of flowers and began making a flower crown in all the colors he knew suited Klee’s cheerful personality.
They sat in comfortable silence, the only sound coming from Kaeya’s hands working the flowers into place. Once he was finished and satisfied with the final look, he stood up in one smooth motion and walked over to where Klee was sitting. Slowly, he brought the flower crown into her line of sight.
"For you, my fair little lady," he said, presenting her with the arrangement of flowers and smiling endearingly as she bowed her head slightly to accept the crown. "A beautiful crown for a very special and very brave knight," Kaeya whispered, admiring her smiling face.
Not long after Klee's crowning ceremony, a group began to arrive, led by Jean along with several of the Knights. Even Diluc had joined, having been caught by the Acting Grand Master. They made their way to where Kaeya and Klee were seated.
"Would this young flower princess mind if we joined her banquet?" Jean bowed in front of Klee, the others following her lead; Even Diluc bowed his head slightly after being elbowed in the side by Kaeya. This display brought out a whole new bubble of giggles from Klee as she eagerly welcomed them all to her little feast.
"You are all welcome to join Klee at her summer banquet. I'll make sure to foresee a beautiful crown for everyone!" the little girl promised as she ran towards the flowers and had an animated discussion with everyone about which colors and flowers they liked.
Everyone soon fell into peaceful chatter over delicious food and drinks, while some indulged Klee in making a crown of their own.
Everything was going perfectly, Klee smiling and surrounded by people she loved and who loved her back, yet there was still one surprise left, and if the appearance of one wayward bard was any indication, then the cheeky grin on his face was definitely a sign that his final and most important surprise was about to be revealed. Kaeya nodded at Venti, who in turn started to strum one of Klee's favorite songs, the one her mom would always sing to her when she was younger, and even now, no visit ever ended without that song being shared.
The melody was accompanied by a very beautiful, refined, and playful blonde woman, who moved with a grace fitting her status. She slowly walked up to where the girl of the hour was busy weaving flowers into a crown for the reluctant but not-so-secretly touched Diluc. The lady sat down behind Klee, barely making any sound before making her humble request. "May I also request such a beautiful crown from this lovely flower princess?''
Recognizing that voice, Klee spun around so quickly she nearly lost her balance before looking up at the smiling face of her mom, Alice, smiling back, stretching out her arms to catch her daughter in a tight hug.
"Klee will make mom the most beautiful flower crown ever!" she says happily within her mother's embrace, nuzzling her head in Alice's chest as her mother lovingly combs her hair.
"I'm sure I will love it if you are the one who made it," she states affectionately.
Later, when Klee was busy making her mother's crown, she asked her why she was there, after sending her a letter to tell her she couldn't meet her this summer. Alice just smiled back at her lovingly, ruffling her warm blond locks, and with a slender finger pressed against her lips, she said, "It's a secret".
Klee pouted for a second, just missing how her mother winked at Kaeya a bit further away.