Anemo swirled around Venti, gently lowering Lydia to the ground at the entrance of Angel's Share.
He carefully set the girl down and deliberately lowered his voice. "We're safe here for now. Master Diluc shouldn't turn us away."
Lydia stumbled a few steps before steadying herself, her cheeks still flushed from the wind.
She clutched the corner of Venti's clothes and peeked inside the tavern.
The rich aroma of apple cider mingled with the scent of oak barrels, instantly easing her tense nerves.
As they pushed the door open, they found Diluc standing at the bar, speaking in low tones with Charles, the bartender.
Hearing the commotion, he turned, his deep red eyes sweeping over their disheveled appearances.
Lumine's golden hair was a mess, and Paimon was floating erratically, panting for breath.
Diluc raised an eyebrow, his tone flat. "It seems you've stirred up quite a bit of trouble."
"Hehe, we'll fill you in later!" Venti waved dismissively, his breathing as steady as if he'd just returned from a leisurely stroll—a stark contrast to Lumine and Paimon, who were bent over, hands on their hips, gasping for air behind him.
He gestured toward the second floor with his chin. "Master Diluc, we need somewhere private."
Diluc didn't ask any questions. He simply tilted his chin toward the staircase. "If you want privacy, go upstairs."
No sooner had they started up the wooden stairs than the heavy footsteps of Favonius Knights echoed from below.
"Master Diluc, pardon the intrusion! Have you seen any suspicious individuals?"
Lydia and the others instantly held their breath, creeping closer to the railing to eavesdrop.
The Knight unfurled a wanted poster, his frustrated complaint drifting up. "There's no portrait, just descriptions—one with golden hair, one in green clothes, and one with white hair. Those three have some nerve, daring to steal the Holy Lyre der Himmel!"
On the second floor, Lydia nervously clutched the hem of her clothes. It was the first time in her life she'd ever been "wanted" by the Knights, and her heart pounded in her chest.
Lumine gently patted her shoulder, the unwavering resolve in her eyes offering a small measure of comfort.
Downstairs, Diluc had already stepped forward.
"Sir Knight, my tavern is open for business. While many patrons come and go, I haven't seen anyone matching those descriptions." His face wore its usual indifferent expression, his voice steady and unquestionable.
He paused before adding, "If I find any leads, I will naturally inform the Knights at once."
Diluc's prestige in Mondstadt was undeniable, and the Knights were merely conducting a routine inquiry.
Satisfied with his answer, the Knights chatted for a moment longer before quickly leaving.
Not until they heard the soft click of the tavern door closing downstairs did the group upstairs finally breathe a sigh of relief and descend.
Diluc asked them why they had stolen the Holy Lyre der Himmel.
Venti cleared his throat and, in the distinctive cadence of a bard, began to sing their story. He recounted Stormterror's past and explained why they needed to borrow the Holy Lyre, his voice laced with a deliberate romanticism that concealed a subtle, underlying earnestness.
Lydia sat at the bar, chin propped in her hand, her eyes shining as she listened intently.
When Venti finished his song, she couldn't help but tilt her head and ask, "Venti, how do you know so much about Stormterror?"
Venti flashed a mischievous grin, his signature "Ehe!" escaping his lips. "As Mondstadt's greatest bard, this is essential knowledge! The legend of the Wind Dragon is prime material for my songs, after all!"
Lydia nodded, only half-understanding, her mind already picturing Venti composing his music.
Paimon, however, floated quietly to Lumine's ear. "That's such a lame excuse. Only Lydia would fall for that."
Lumine stifled a laugh and gently patted Paimon's head, signaling her not to expose him.
If Venti didn't want to tell them, he surely had his reasons.
Just then, Diluc's gaze swept over the group. "The Knights have issued a wanted poster."
His eyes settled on Lumine and Lydia.
"Blonde hair, white hair... those descriptions are too vague. No one would connect the Knights' rising star, Lumine, or Lydia, who grew up in the Cathedral, with the 'Lyre Thief.'"
His tone shifted as he turned to Venti. "You, the bard, are the most conspicuous one. To be safe, we should meet again after the tavern closes for the night."
Venti's face fell instantly. "You've got to be kidding. I'm usually so low-key."
Seeing this, Lydia quickly hopped off her stool and stood beside Venti. "I'll stay and keep Venti company!"
"No," Diluc said flatly, his red eyes fixed on Lydia with unwavering resolve. "You can't drink."
Lydia's cheeks flushed crimson. She clutched her skirt and stomped her foot lightly. "I wouldn't drink! I'm a good kid!"
But Diluc gave her no quarter, his voice calm as he began to "settle the accounts":
"Last month, you and Venti snuck in and ordered two ciders. Half a month ago, you pretended to be visiting merchants and drank all of my prized Dandelion Wine. And last week, you two..."
"Stop, stop!" Lydia hurriedly covered her ears, her voice trailing off. "I-I'll just drink juice, okay? I won't touch any alcohol."
Venti quickly stepped in to smooth things over, reaching out to ruffle Lydia's ruffled white hair. "Master Diluc, don't worry. I'll keep a close eye on her."
Diluc glanced at Venti, then at Lydia, who was pouting but didn't dare to argue. He finally sighed in resignation, giving his silent approval.
After bidding the others farewell, Lumine and Paimon headed to Good Hunter to refuel. They were starving after all that running.
When Angel's Share finally closed for the night, the two returned to the tavern. Pushing the door open, they froze.
Acting Grand Master Jean was at the bar, clearly having just rushed over from the Knights' headquarters. She was speaking gently to Lydia, her voice filled with concern.
Lydia's gaze, however, was glued to the amber-colored cider in Jean's hand, her eyes brimming with longing.
Jean quickly noticed her intense stare and smiled helplessly. She discreetly slid the glass further away from Lydia, deliberately covering the rim with her hand. "Little ones can't drink alcohol, you know."
Lydia lowered her head listlessly, muttering under her breath, "I know..."
Venti, watching from the side, couldn't help but grin, though he didn't dare make a sound.
Diluc sighed and pressed a hand to his forehead, clearly at his wit's end with the girl.
It wasn't until Jean spotted Lumine and Paimon that her eyes lit up. "You're here. We have something important to discuss regarding Stormterror and the Holy Lyre der Himmel."
As soon as Jean finished speaking, Venti's playful expression vanished. He leaned against the bar, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the countertop.
"The truth is," he began, "we stole the Holy Lyre to soothe Stormterror, Dvalin."
...
Venti briefly explained the whole situation.
Diluc was the first to speak. "We've already located the Fatui's stronghold. It seems they intend to use the Holy Lyre's power to further control Stormterror."
"Then let's go get it back right now!" Paimon exclaimed, instantly fired up. She floated over to Lumine, her short legs kicking excitedly. "Lumine, we have to succeed this time!"
Lydia leaped from her chair, her eyes sparkling. "I wanna go, I wanna go! How could I miss out on something this exciting?"
Jean turned to Lydia, her tone gentle yet unyielding. "Lydia, the stronghold is too dangerous. Staying in Mondstadt is the safest option for you."
The moment Jean finished speaking, Lydia suddenly clenched the hem of her skirt. "You always make excuses, but I want to help too!"
"I just... I don't want... I don't want to be left behind..."
Her body swayed, and her words became jumbled—a stark contrast to her earlier listlessness.
"I don't want to always hide behind you, watching you go on adventures..."
Before anyone could respond, she shoved open the tavern door and bolted outside.
"Lydia!" Lumine instinctively moved to follow but was stopped by Venti.
Jean and Diluc exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in the other's eyes. They knew Lydia's temperament; such a small matter shouldn't have triggered such an emotional outburst.
Paimon floated beside Lumine, whispering, "What's wrong with Lydia? Something seems off."
Just then, Diluc's gaze fell to a corner of the bar.
The spot where Jean had set down her glass was now empty.
He then glanced behind the bar. A bottle of cider that had been full now held only a few amber drops at the bottom.
Faint fingerprints lingered on the bottle, clear evidence it had just been handled.
Diluc instantly understood. He pointed to the empty glass and bottle.
"It seems she secretly drank quite a bit while we were talking."
At his words, Lumine and Jean froze.
Jean quickly looked at her own glass—it was bone dry.
"No wonder Lydia reacted so strongly... That child, why is she so disobedient?"
Diluc, however, turned to Venti, his crimson eyes glinting with a hint of "settling accounts." "Bard, didn't you say you'd watch her and keep her away from alcohol?"
Venti instantly stiffened, scratching his head.
"I-I didn't expect this! I was so engrossed in our conversation, I didn't notice her sneak the glass..."
He recalled how Lydia had been staring at Jean's glass earlier, assuming it was just curiosity.
He never imagined the girl would be so bold
She didn't just finish Jean's glass; she drained the entire bottle from behind the bar.
A pang of guilt struck him. He'd promised Diluc he'd keep an eye on Lydia, but he'd failed.
"Lydia is usually so quick-witted and sensible. I'm quite fond of her," Diluc said, his tone softening. After all, Lydia often helped out at the Dawn Winery and occasionally assisted Charles at the tavern, making her practically one of their own.
"It's understandable for a child to be reckless, but this time, her drinking caused trouble. Venti, you really didn't watch her properly."
"That's why we need to find her now!" Lumine tried to rush out again, but Venti stopped her once more.
The usual laziness vanished from Venti's face. "I'll go after her. You two focus on preparing for the stronghold."
"That girl's temper flares up quickly, but I know how to calm her down."
With that, he pushed open the tavern door and hurried out.
Inside, Jean stared at the empty glass and shook her head helplessly. "That child... she seems so well-behaved, but she's certainly not lacking in courage."
Diluc put the empty bottle away behind the bar.
Seeing Lumine and Paimon still staring worriedly at the door, Diluc spoke slowly.
"Don't worry. Venti may be unreliable, but he's always genuinely cared for Lydia."
"When he brings Lydia back, I'll have a serious talk with that girl about drinking. After all, she's still young, and it's bad for her health."
Paimon hovered in place, her face etched with worry. "Will Lydia be okay? She ran out alone late at night. What if she runs into danger?"
Jean shook her head gently, her tone firm. "Venti is with her. She'll be fine."
Diluc nodded in agreement. "The girl is just desperate to prove herself. It doesn't mean she's a fool who knows nothing."
"Besides," he added, "Lydia grew up in Mondstadt. She knows the city's streets well and won't get lost."
Lumine glanced at the empty street outside the door, hesitating for a moment.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, Master Diluc... I've always been curious. Lydia... why does she always stay near the cathedral? What about her family?"
Jean and Diluc exchanged a look, falling silent for a few seconds.
Diluc spoke first, his voice softer than usual. "Lydia is an orphan. Seventeen years ago, the Anemo Archon, Barbatos, found her on Dragonspine and brought her back. She's been raised in the Favonius Cathedral ever since."
"An orphan?" Lumine froze, a pang of sympathy piercing her heart.
Paimon's eyes widened. "Then what about those two extinguished Visions she carries? Where did they come from?"
"Rumor has it, those are her parents' Visions." Jean sighed, her voice softening. "When the Cathedral nuns found her at the entrance, she was clutching those two Visions. They must be the only mementos her parents left her."
"All these years, she's kept the Visions with her at all times, hoping to one day find out what happened to her parents."
Lumine fell silent, her heart a tangle of conflicting emotions.
Lydia, who grew up alone and without support, craved attention so desperately that she caused trouble everywhere she went.
Did that make it all excusable?
Even Paimon was unusually quiet, muttering under her breath, "Lydia's life is so tragic..."
Diluc tapped the bar lightly, breaking their train of thought. "This isn't the time for pity."
"The Fatui could use the Holy Lyre der Himmel for their schemes at any moment. We need to formulate a plan to retrieve and repair it as quickly as possible."
Jean nodded, also choosing to shift the topic. "Then let's continue discussing our plan."