The unease in Lydia's heart had just surged to her throat, and before she could even hint at it to Lumine, several familiar calls drifted over with the wind.
"Lydia!"
"Lumine!"
Looking toward the voices, they saw Albedo holding Klee's hand.
Acting Grand Master Jean, Kaeya, Diluc, Amber, Noelle, and the others were walking this way.
Klee spotted Lydia at a glance, instantly let go of Albedo's hand, and ran forward with her short legs moving as fast as they could, stumbling all the way to Lydia's side. Her small face was covered in tear streaks, and her eyes were as red as ripe cherries.
"Big Sister Lydia!" Klee's voice was thick with sobs as she threw open her arms and lunged into Lydia's embrace.
Lydia instinctively bent down to pick her up, and her nose was instantly filled with the faint scent of gunpowder and the sweet aroma of candy on Klee's body, a familiar scent unique to the little one.
"I'm so glad... Big Sister Lydia is back! Klee thought I would never see you again!" Klee hugged her neck tightly, burying her small head against her shoulder, her tears soaking Lydia's clothes. She kept murmuring these words, filled with the wild joy and lingering fear of having lost and then found her again.
Feeling the trembling of the small body in her arms and hearing those childish sobs, the unease in Lydia's heart inexplicably dissipated for the most part.
She raised her hand and gently patted Klee's back, her voice so gentle it could drip with tenderness: "I'm sorry, Klee, for making you worry. I'm back."
Noelle and Amber quickly walked up to Lydia, their eyes red and their faces filled with unconcealed worry.
"Lydia, it's so good that you're okay." They stepped forward and gave Lydia a powerful hug, the force of it almost crushing her into their arms. "We've been looking for you for so long, we were almost driven crazy with worry!"
Lydia set Klee down and hugged Amber and Noelle back. Feeling their familiar body warmth, a sense of warmth gradually spread through her heart.
"I'm fine, sorry for making you worry," she comforted them softly, patting their backs.
Jean stepped forward, a gentle smile on her face and her eyes full of relief: "As long as you've returned safely, Mondstadt has always been waiting for you."
Kaeya leaned against a nearby lamppost, his lips curved in his usual flippant smile, but his eyes hid genuine concern: "Welcome back, our two warriors."
Diluc nodded slightly, his tone steady: "It's good to have you back. Angel's Share always has wine ready for you."
Albedo's gaze fell upon the Festering Desire in Lydia's hand. He seemed lost in thought but asked nothing more, only saying softly, "Welcome back."
Lydia and Lumine exchanged greetings with everyone. The familiar faces and sincere concern allowed their long-strained nerves to finally relax completely.
Just then, Aether walked up to Lumine's side, looking at her with a gentle gaze and asking softly, "Lumine, what are your plans next?"
Hearing this, Lumine felt an inexplicable emptiness in her heart, as if something important had been forgotten.
The childish voice calling "Traveler," "Traveler" echoed in her mind over and over again, carrying a crisp smile. Yet, she couldn't remember who was calling her, only feeling a hollow ache in her heart, tinged with a faint melancholy.
Seeing her hesitation, Aether's gaze grew even more gentle, his tone carrying a hint of a plea: "How about living here with me for a while? It's been too long since we last met, I missed you, sister."
Looking at Aether's earnest expression, Lumine's heart twisted inexplicably, as if something had lightly pricked it.
She didn't know where this pain came from, but as if possessed, she nodded: "Okay."
Having received an affirmative answer, a flash of joy crossed Aether's eyes, and a gentle smile curved his lips.
The group marched grandly toward Angel's Share, and the lively procession added a touch of bustle to the streets.
Entering the tavern, Diluc skillfully brought out his reserved apple cider and poured a glass for everyone.
Lydia lifted her glass and took a sip, but her brow furrowed slightly. As the liquid slid down her throat, it lacked any of the crisp sweetness and rich aroma apple cider should have, tasting as bland as plain water.
Thinking she was just too exhausted, she took another sip. It was still tasteless, with only a cold sensation gliding across her tongue.
Why is this?
Lydia's heart filled with questions, and her grip on the glass tightened slightly as the unease she had thought vanished quietly resurfaced.
Kaeya noticed her melancholy expression and asked, "What is it? Not to your liking?"
Lydia shook her head, just about to say it was nothing, when Amber's eyes suddenly lit up. "Oh, right! Lydia, how about we hold a belated birthday party for you?"
"A birthday party!" Klee instantly became excited, bouncing up and down and shouting, "Klee wants to set off fireworks! I'll prepare the most beautiful fireworks for Big Sister Lydia!"
Acting Grand Master Jean smiled and nodded. "That's a wonderful idea. We can use it as a welcome-back celebration for you both and a belated birthday wish for Lydia."
Lydia's eyes instantly lit up at the mention of a "birthday party," and she eagerly agreed, "That sounds great!"
In the following days, Mondstadt buzzed with excitement.
Klee dragged Albedo outside the city to set up fireworks, muttering about giving Big Sister Lydia a huge surprise.
Amber and Noelle busied themselves shopping for a birthday cake and decorations, running through every street and alley in Mondstadt.
Diluc and Kaeya took charge of arranging the venue, decorating Angel's Share to be both cozy and festive.
Aether and Lumine helped everyone with the preparations, occasionally exchanging smiles that revealed a long-lost sibling warmth.
Watching everyone's busy figures and feeling the liveliness and warmth, the unease in Lydia's heart was gradually replaced by joy.
Only occasionally, when she quieted down, would she remember that tasteless glass of apple cider and the empty smiles of the pedestrians on the street, and a strange doubt would flicker in the depths of her heart.
The night before the birthday party, Lydia said goodbye to the others at Noelle's house after their meal and walked out alone.
On the Statue of the Anemo Archon in the center of the plaza, the graffiti from the past had already disappeared.
Who could have helped wipe it away?
Was it Sister Grace? Or Barbara?
Speaking of which, why had she never thought of going to the Cathedral, even though she had been back for so long?
She clearly missed her own room inside the Cathedral... She clearly missed Sister Grace... She clearly wanted to give Barbara a big hug... She clearly...
It seemed... many people, many things, were gradually being forgotten.
The wind beneath the Statue of the Seven was gentle, brushing through Lydia's snow-white hair, yet it could not disperse the inexplicable heaviness in her heart.
Ever since she could not remember when, a thin mist seemed to have enveloped her.
Even though she slept until she woke up naturally every day, her body still felt as heavy as lead, making even lifting her hand feel like an effort.
She gazed at the familiar silhouette of the Statue of the Seven, her eyes somewhat dull and vacant. The familiar names and past fragments in her mind were as if covered by a layer of gauze, blurry and unclear.
Sister Grace's smile, Barbara's sweet singing voice, the memories of adventuring outside the city with her friends, all were gradually fading, leaving only faint phantoms that could not be grasped, could not be kept.
Speaking of which, who were Grace and Barbara again?