Chapter 21: Alarm Deactivated

The next day, the letter Pei Nana received contained only one sentence: “It seems you have some misunderstanding about me?”

Though the words appeared ordinary, the force with which they were written was so intense it almost pierced the paper, instantly altering the tone.

Holding the note, Pei Nana panicked.

This—this feeling seemed off...

Why did it feel like he was angry? Had she done something wrong?

(Was it a misjudgment of his background?)

(It shouldn’t be. With that perpetually grim and grief-ridden face of his, and being friends with the “protagonist,” he’s obviously a tragic figure marked by suffering and darkness. Definitely a beautiful yet tormented soul.)

(Was I being rude?)

(I wrote everything based on the floral symbolism; it was just like an essay analyzing a given theme.)

(Then... was I speaking too intimately despite little acquaintance?)

(Did I say something inappropriate?)

(I don’t know...)

She racked her brain, pacing around several times, reviewing every word she had written, scrutinizing each phrase. Finally, belatedly, she realized the problem.

(Could it be that phrase, “the shackles of this mortal world”?)

(Hmm... but dandelions in Mondstadt symbolize detachment and freedom... Still, since we’ve only just met a few days ago, and I’m not the game’s protagonist, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s sensitive about some deep, dark obsession and feels repelled. I was too eager for quick results.)

“This is truly flattering the wrong way!” Pei Nana stamped her foot in frustration, spinning around like a confused little ant.

Her heart was heavy with regret and guilt.

There was another truth: she had indeed been hasty.

Back when she was an internet keyboard warrior, spewing nonsense was boundless and consequence-free. This way of exchanging notes without meeting face to face unconsciously made her slip into the careless, casual banter mode common among netizens.

If only she had thought more before writing...

But casual net banter was one thing; after all, there were millions of online friends—if one fell out, she could just find another! Reality, however, was different.

Now that she had fallen out with someone in real life, how could she make amends?

Pei Nana rarely socialized, and reaching out with gifts and conversation was already an awkward attempt to please. With Kong absent and little communication, she was alone and without kin, so trying to win over her current “guardian” was only natural.

But she really didn’t know how...

Her panic only made matters worse. Would doing anything else only anger him further?

She paced around anxiously, sweat beading her forehead, unable to conjure any foolproof plan.

(What if I accidentally make things worse again... What if Mr. Diluc thinks I did it on purpose and angrily kicks me out?)

“Ahhh, this is so hard!!” she wailed, crouching down and clutching her head, unable to stop herself from resenting Kong a little. “Where the hell are you, you bastard?! You said you’d take me with you! Why did you leave without a word?!”

After a long moment with no ideas for salvation, she lowered her head in despair and muttered, “Forget it... if it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be. Ha, you can’t force a rabbit to climb walls or a wild boar to climb trees, right? At least Mr. Diluc hasn’t thrown me out yet and promised to shelter me until Kong returns... better not stir up trouble and just avoid making more mistakes.”

Feeling dejected but still clinging to hope, she wrote an apology letter.

Then, she endured the agonizing wait for the next day.

She even found herself mimicking the locals of Mondstadt by praying to the legendary Anemo Archon, Barbatos, hoping that the merciful and tolerant god would be more forgiving and protect her, the poor, unlucky, and wretched foreigner.

(Mr. Diluc speaks and acts like a gentleman. As long as I apologize sincerely, he will surely forgive me, right?)

(Please, please, Jade Emperor, Amitabha, no... I mean Lord Barbatos, bless me! I’m begging you!)

Unexpectedly, soon after, Haili knocked and entered with a smile, waving a letter teasingly before Pei Nana’s eyes.

“Look what this is~?”

“Mr. Diluc’s letter?!”

Pei Nana was both surprised and delighted. She snatched the letter eagerly and tore it open. Inside was a single sentence: “The sunlight beneath the window is indeed warm, and the breeze is gentle.”

He was responding to her suggestion of placing the dandelions on the windowsill!

“Yay!” she cheered, hugging Haili excitedly and hopping in place. “He forgave me! He’s so kind!”

...

The next day, Diluc found another flower basket in his office. This one was highly creative—a cluster of lilies folded from white paper, obviously handmade.

He was momentarily stunned, feeling unexpectedly flattered. But when he looked inside the basket, he found no letter filled with words. He even took out all the paper flowers and checked the bottom of the basket, but to no avail.

Diluc: ...

He pursed his lips and frowned.

(Could she still be angry?)

(No, that can’t be.)

As he pondered, a sudden image flashed in his mind: a little gray kitten who had made a mistake, quietly placing a tiny ball of feathers outside Lady Edeline’s door and then hiding nervously in the corner of its cat bed, ears perked up and big round eyes watching from the shadows.

The mental picture made him chuckle.

Holding the small flower basket, he looked it over from all sides and murmured softly, “If this keeps up, one day this room will be completely filled.”

In just a few days, three decorative items had appeared in his office.

Fortunately, the Traveler would return soon.

Finally, he placed the flower basket—filled with the heartfelt apologies of a young girl—on the top shelf of the bookcase, stepped back a few paces, and admired it.

It truly had a fresh and elegant charm.

“I need to comfort her.”

This “princess” was far too timid and lacked composure in social situations. Simply oppressing her outright would be easy but only push her further away. Maintaining a friendly relationship was the only way to handle any issues that might arise nearby.

Of course, his primary role now was no longer surveillance but protection.

...

Though it had only been a few days, Diluc had come to understand Miss Nana to a certain degree.

In short, she was truly harmless.

For several days, Diluc had deliberately lowered his guard and even instructed others not to disturb her, intentionally giving her ample “space” and opportunity to act freely.

She never took advantage to rummage through any of his belongings; all her movements were confined to that temporary “private domain” he had allowed her. Coupled with her obedient and remorseful nature, it was clear this “princess” was polite and well-mannered.

Very “good.”

Mondstadt was an open and tolerant city; the City of Freedom welcomed all friendly guests.

He could not treat her with hostility just because her origins were unusual. Doing so would turn potential friends into enemies.

“I must comfort her,” he thought again.

After much contemplation, he looked up at the origami flower basket and suddenly had an idea.

(Got it.)

It was still early afternoon, and the tavern was not crowded. Diluc personally selected some fine peaches and crafted a fresh, sweet fruit drink.

It was pink and luscious, wonderfully sweet, garnished with a few plump and adorable loquat blossoms—brimming with youthful charm.

Charles was somewhat surprised. “Is this a new item the tavern has developed?”

Diluc replied, “If you want, you can add it to the drink menu.”

Charles hesitated. “And this one?”

No way, no way. The boss always loved grape juice. Had he suddenly changed tastes? This color was far too girlish. Was this really something a tough man should drink?

Diluc said, “It’s a return gift for Miss Nana.”

Charles’ expression flickered strangely, glancing at Diluc twice with discomfort. (Except for the first day, the boss hadn’t prepared food for that lady personally again. Why suddenly...?)

He suddenly cleared his throat and casually remarked, “By the way, the Traveler should be returning soon, right? I wonder if he found Master Albedo. Though one is a restless wanderer and the other a quiet, reserved lady, he truly cares for her. I believe they will be very happy together in the future. This must be the pure love of youth, capable of overcoming all obstacles.

Wouldn’t you agree, boss?”