Barbara rarely visited the Gunnhildr Estate.
She had only come today to take the opportunity to stroll around the home she was born into.
She never expected to witness something like this.
When she saw Gu Chen holding her sister—
It felt as though the sky had collapsed.
She couldn't quite describe what she was feeling.
It just… hurt.
Ever since she could remember, her father, Seamus, had brought her to work at the Church of Favonius. From then on, she had always known of Gu Chen—the high-ranking figure of the Knights of Favonius who oversaw both the Knights and the Church.
Back then, she only thought: He's amazing. So young, yet already so capable. He must be a truly outstanding person.
Listening to Seamus and the sisters speak of him—his deeds, his contributions—Barbara gradually formed an impression of the Vice Captain everyone admired.
But those stories felt distant.
Until the day her father and Grand Master Varka departed on their expedition.
That day, Barbara didn't go to see her father off. They had already said their farewells the night before. She didn't want to experience that sadness again.
So she went to Windrise.
The wind that day was gentle.
And there, in her sorrow, she met him—the famous "superstar" of Mondstadt who was both familiar and strangely distant.
She had assumed someone of his status would be stern and imposing.
Instead, she was disarmed by his calm warmth.
She had once heard someone describe him as both sword and shield—sharp as the Favonius blade toward enemies, steadfast as a shield to those he protected.
That day at Windrise marked their true acquaintance.
They walked back to Mondstadt together.
She shyly recommended her unusual hobbies to him, expecting indifference.
Instead, he said he liked them too.
Even now, she still remembered the joy of having her odd interests affirmed.
After that, they truly became friends.
Whenever she felt lost, he guided her.
When her father—the only pillar she relied on—was gone, she felt like a lone boat drifting through a dark sea.
Gu Chen had been like a lighthouse.
Without him, she didn't know how long it would have taken for her to reconcile with her sister.
Her feelings for him were complicated.
Just as he once promised—he would be her number one fan.
And for two years, he truly had been.
Her first nervous performance—he comforted her backstage.
Her first public concert—he encouraged her.
When she made mistakes, he would laugh gently and say, "It's fine. I'll handle it."
Scene after scene surfaced in her mind.
Her vision blurred.
Her gray-purple eyes reflected the two figures embracing.
He and Sister are together.
Barbara's hands tightened into fists.
Run.
She urged herself silently.
She didn't know how deep her sister's feelings ran.
She only knew Jean had known him longer.
Had worked beside him longer.
Perhaps—
Jean had more right to stand at his side.
As for her…
Better to run away.
Gu Chen froze for a moment when he saw Barbara.
The disbelief, the panic, the instinct to flee—
He hadn't prepared for this.
He wasn't good at noticing the subtle changes in a girl's heart.
Now, he didn't know how to face Barbara's devastation.
Jean looked at Gu Chen's conflicted expression, then at her trembling sister.
She remembered that day—when Varka and Seamus departed.
Gu Chen had happened to meet Barbara at Windrise and brought her back.
With his help, the sisters had finally spoken openly.
Their bond had slowly healed.
Jean cherished her sister deeply.
But her duties were overwhelming; she rarely had time to visit.
So Barbara… likes him too?
Jean understood.
And she knew her sister well.
Barbara would suppress her feelings.
She would step aside.
She would never interfere.
That realization made Jean's chest tighten.
She didn't want to give him up.
But she didn't want to see her sister hurting either.
A soft, unfamiliar voice seemed to ride the wind—
"Ghehe~"
"This is the City of Freedom. There should be freedom of choice~"
"Follow your heart. Make a choice without regret~"
Jean didn't know whether it was the Anemo Archon's guidance.
But something clicked.
This city had never been bound by rigid rules.
Even in romance novels—
Weren't there sometimes multiple heroines?
Why must her sister bear regret?
Love might be selfish.
But Jean had never been.
That wasn't something taught—it was simply who she was.
And besides—
Barbara was her sister.
"…Haa…"
Jean exhaled softly.
Her expression gentled.
"Barbara," she said quietly, "you came at the perfect time."
Gu Chen blinked, stunned.
Barbara trembled.
What did her sister mean?
Was this… condescension?
No.
Jean wasn't like that.
Choosing her words carefully, Jean said softly:
"Our carefree Grand Master always drags Klee into trouble. I have too much work. I might not be able to look after him alone."
Barbara's eyes widened.
The meaning was clear.
"I—I…"
Her heart, which had plunged into the abyss, was suddenly swept upward by a gale.
She didn't know what to say.
"Jean…"
Even Gu Chen didn't know how to process this.
As a man, embracing two women was naturally a fantasy many would crave.
But no one is truly selfless in love.
Jean was effectively sharing him.
What kind of resolve had led her to this?
"If a light novel ends in regret," Jean murmured softly, "I'd send the author razor blades."
She extended her hand.
"Barbara. Come here."
She stepped aside slightly.
Gu Chen drew Barbara into his other arm.
"Ghehe~"
"And just like that, a perfect ending. Truly worthy of a poem~"
A gentle breeze swept past.
Not far away, a green-clad bard sat atop a wall, wine bottle in hand, smiling to himself.
With Venti's timely "guidance,"
Gu Chen began living a life with one on each arm.
He appeared carefree, yet the broader direction of Mondstadt's development was firmly in his hands.
Mondstadt prospered.
Though still behind Liyue economically, it was catching up rapidly.
Its military strength had accumulated quietly and steadily.
Freedom without restraint would only lead to chaos.
Years ago, when Gu Chen served as Vice Captain, he had already defined the boundaries of freedom. Though it caused unrest at the time, with the Knights' support, everything stabilized.
History had proven him right.
Another Spring
Knights of Favonius Training Grounds
"Probationary Outrider Amber reporting for duty!"
A petite girl clad in red stood straight, her face serious.
"Old man's granddaughter is already this grown?" Gu Chen smiled. "The current Outrider Captain is transferring soon. Little Amber, whether you can inherit your grandfather's post depends on how you perform."
Amber's eyes sparkled.
"Please rest assured, Grand Master! I'll work twice as hard!"
"Full of spirit. I can already see the Knights' future star."
After watching the energetic girl run off, Kaeya approached.
Now holding multiple roles—Cavalry Captain and Chief Instructor—Kaeya shrugged casually.
"Grand Master, there's a slightly thorny matter."
"Need my decision?"
"Mm-hmm."
Kaeya folded his arms.
"The last descendant of the Lawrence Clan wants to join the Knights to protect Mondstadt."
Gu Chen asked calmly, "Public opinion?"
"Complicated. Some say it's a scheme to sabotage Mondstadt's prosperity. Others say it's repentance for ancestral sins. Many still harbor deep resentment."
Kaeya smirked.
"Oh—and your 'big girlfriend' supports allowing it."
Gu Chen laughed helplessly.
"Where did that title come from?"
"Elder sister's the big one, younger sister's the small one. The whole city knows."
He clutched his chest theatrically.
"When the news broke that you were taken, the hearts of Mondstadt's maidens shattered~"
"Guess I'll have to apologize for disappointing them."
Gu Chen chuckled.
"Alright. Notify all departments."
"Meeting time."
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