After being separated for so long, Venti and Dvalin had much to talk about.
Gu Chen and Klee didn't disturb them. By now, he was already strolling across the plains with the little girl.
Klee tilted her head curiously.
"Brother, is that green big brother the Anemo Archon?"
"Yes," Gu Chen replied with a smile. "But you have to keep it secret. Just treat him like an ordinary bard who makes a living singing."
Klee's face lit up with an "I understand" expression.
"Klee gets it! He's pretending to be a normal person and living among everyone, right?"
Gu Chen raised a brow in surprise.
"You understand that?"
"Hehe, Klee read a novel from Lisa si— I mean, Sister Lisa! It had that kind of set—set…"
She scratched her head, struggling to recall the word.
"Setting?"
"Yes! Setting!"
Klee nodded enthusiastically.
"A super mysterious and powerful identity, but hiding it to live an ordinary life. The Anemo Archon must have that kind of setting!"
"Very clever," Gu Chen praised, giving her a thumbs-up.
Klee beamed shyly.
"The Anemo Archon looks really nice though. Not serious at all~"
"With that face of his, it's hard for him to look serious."
"G? That's true! But just now he was really angry!"
"Well, if you saw your old friend being tortured like that, you'd be angry too. If one day someone bullied me that badly, what would you do?"
Klee's eyes widened.
"No! That won't happen! If anyone bullies Brother, Klee will throw a super-super-big bomb at them!"
Gu Chen laughed.
"Alright, then let's work hard on making a super big bomb."
"Hehe~"
Three Days Later
The East Wind Dragon soared freely across the skies once more.
Inside the Knights of Favonius meeting room—
On the table was a document titled:
"Regarding the Reinforcement of Public Awareness of the Four Winds" — Grand Master Gu Chen
"This activity is only the beginning," Gu Chen said calmly.
"The people of Mondstadt must not forget the heroes who protect them. Though the Temples of the Four Winds have fallen into disrepair for various reasons, we must allocate funds for their restoration."
"We don't want others to say Mondstadters have forgotten their past, do we?"
Diluc spoke first.
"This must be vigorously promoted. When the East Wind Dragon reappeared, many citizens panicked. If not for the Knights' explanation, some would have mistaken it for a monster attack."
Kaeya added thoughtfully, "I have a suggestion. The plaza around the Statue of The Seven is spacious. We could erect statues there—both as city landmarks and as a reminder of the Four Winds. It would serve as a spiritual inheritance."
"I agree," Gu Chen nodded.
Jean considered briefly.
"Funding will not be an issue."
"Then it's settled. Meeting adjourned."
Half a Month Later
Gunnhildr Estate
As one of Mondstadt's three great noble families, the Gunnhildr family spared no effort for Jean's coming-of-age ceremony.
Nobles gathered.
High-ranking members of the Knights arrived in succession.
"Grand Master is here."
"Grand Master, you look even more energetic than before!"
Gu Chen waved with a smile.
"Save the flattery. I'm not today's main character."
Laughter followed.
Inside—
Jean sat stiffly while a makeup artist worked on her face.
She had no idea what exactly was being applied—only that it felt terribly uncomfortable.
"Jean," Frederica said earnestly, "you are a young lady. You must learn to dress properly."
Lisa leaned nearby, smiling teasingly.
"In novels, the heroine is always beautiful. If you don't dress up, how will you catch anyone's eye~?"
Jean, who had been about to protest, immediately fell silent.
She obediently allowed the makeup artist to continue.
After some time—
Frederica nodded in satisfaction.
"Perfect. Today, Jean is exceptionally beautiful."
In the main hall—
When Jean appeared—
The once lively hall fell briefly silent before erupting in astonished exclamations.
Gu Chen looked up.
Even he couldn't hide the flicker of amazement in his eyes.
Her usual ponytail was gone, replaced by cascading golden hair adorned with a delicate bow.
A faint blush graced her cheeks beneath subtle makeup.
Her white-to-blue gradient gown bore the Gunnhildr family insignia, with elegant hollowed lace along the hem, revealing glimpses of long, toned legs.
She seemed less like the Dandelion Knight—
And more like a true noble lady.
Jean herself felt unbearably awkward.
The gown's exposed shoulders made her uneasy, as though it might slip at any moment.
She wasn't used to such attire.
But—
She had caught the brief flash of admiration in Gu Chen's eyes.
And that eased her heart.
"Klee thinks Sister Jean is super pretty!" Klee clapped.
Everyone agreed.
"I'll begin," Gu Chen said.
He stepped forward, holding the long wooden case.
"When Varka entrusted the Favonius Sword to me, it represented responsibility and burden."
He opened the case.
"Today, I give it to you with a different meaning."
"The Favonius Sword symbolizes the justice of a knight. I hope that from this day forward, you will preserve that justice and walk firmly upon its path."
Jean froze.
She hadn't expected this.
The Favonius Sword was more than a weapon—it was practically a national treasure of Mondstadt.
The weight of it was immense.
"…Please accept it," Gu Chen said gently.
Jean took the case.
It felt light in her hands—
Yet unbearably heavy in her heart.
After gifts were exchanged and candles blown out—
The banquet continued into the afternoon.
Later—
Beside the estate's garden fountain—
Jean sat alone, thoughts swirling.
Frederica's and Lisa's words echoed in her mind.
Her competitors were many.
If she didn't seize her chance—
Would she lose him?
She inhaled deeply.
When had he entered her heart so completely?
From childhood admiration—
To partnership—
To something deeper.
When she faced workplace pressure, he would declare domineeringly that anyone who troubled her could answer to him.
When danger arose, he stood at the very front.
Perhaps—
She couldn't imagine a future without him.
"You seem troubled."
Gu Chen's voice came from behind.
She looked up.
"Mother said you weren't feeling well."
Jean stood.
Her cheeks carried a faint flush from wine.
Summoning all her courage, she said:
"Habit is a terrifying thing."
"I… may already be unable to live without you."
Gu Chen blinked in surprise.
"As Jean—not as Vice Captain—I want to stand by your side."
Her gaze trembled with both determination and shyness.
Gu Chen fell silent.
Memories resurfaced.
The first time he had met her at this very estate.
The young girl who admired him.
The assistant who quietly carried the burden of countless tasks.
Somewhere along the way—
He, too, had grown used to her presence.
Perhaps—
He, too, couldn't do without her.
He exhaled softly.
"Then I'll be in your care from now on, Dandelion Knight."
Jean didn't hesitate.
As if she had rehearsed this moment a thousand times, she stepped forward and threw herself into his arms.
The faint scent of wine lingered between them.
Neither minded.
"…I—I'm sorry."
A trembling voice sounded from behind.
"Did I… come at the wrong time?"
Barbara stood a short distance away.
Her small hands were clenched so tightly her knuckles had turned pale.
Her delicate figure trembled slightly.
Her lips were pressed thin.
Her face—
Utterly drained of color.
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