39 Industrial Saccharin-Flavored Candies

Following them out of the bedroom, Aether had just reached the ground floor when Paina stood in the upstairs hallway, leaning against the railing and looking down from above. All she could see was the crown of a golden head.

Watching from behind, she found herself studying him with unconcealed curiosity.

(How strange.)

Because she needed his help, she was usually the more proactive one whenever they were together. Aether’s attitude was friendly, but in truth, he remained somewhat distant and reserved.

This was especially true where physical contact was concerned. Unless it was necessary, Aether never took the initiative to touch her.

Yet something about what had happened in the bedroom just now had been very strange.

Warm. Proactive. Full of tenderness. Intimate, as though they had known each other for years and shared a deep bond...

She had deliberately acted close to the Traveler in front of Haily, hoping to make her misunderstand their relationship and start a rumor. But what about the Traveler?

Could it be... that he was doing the same thing?

Paina was staring at the young man’s back, lost in thought, when she suddenly heard Diluc call out, “Miss Paina?”

“Huh?” Startled awake, Paina instinctively looked over. In the dining room, Mr. Diluc had rolled up his sleeves, revealing his well-defined forearms. Before him sat a plate of sliced fruit and five glasses already filled with wine.

He lifted one of the glasses and saluted her from a distance, his tone calm and detached. “Come down and rest for a while.”

As though he had heard him, Aether also turned to look in her direction.

“Ah... Ah! Yes, all right!” Paina hurriedly replied. She turned back to call for Haily, then rushed downstairs.

Although there were only two floors, the frantic descent left her breathing hard. She stumbled slightly, and Aether—who knew no one had seen him return—steadied her with one hand.

His voice was cool, but concern lingered beneath it. “Careful. Don’t run so fast next time. You might fall.”

(Just as I thought.)

A flicker passed through Paina’s eyes. When she raised her head again, her face had already transformed into a sweet, obedient smile.

Taking the initiative, she slipped her arm around Aether’s and leaned affectionately against him, swaying slightly as she said in a coquettish voice, “I’m not scared at all~ You’ll catch me for sure, won’t you?”

Aether let out a seemingly helpless sigh, though the corners of his mouth lifted with good-natured tolerance. In a gentle voice, he said, “Even so, you need to be careful.

“When you’re home alone, don’t go running around. And take it slowly when you’re coming downstairs.”

“I know~”

Diluc watched their performance in silence. If he had not known that the little princess had spent less time with the Traveler than she had with him, he might actually have tried to believe them.

Unfortunately, after learning the truth, everything about the scene looked fake. It reeked of artificial sweetness.

Two introverted, quiet people—even if they truly were lovers—would be reserved and restrained. How could they possibly cling to each other and flaunt their affection in public?

That was the sort of thing only an attention-seeking show-off would do.

(You overdid it again, miss.)

He raised his wineglass expressionlessly and took a sip. For some reason, although it was the sweetest, freshest grape juice, he found it strangely too sweet and too sour, enough to make him feel slightly nauseated.

At that moment, he sensed a faint gaze. Following it, he looked up and saw Miss Haily standing by the upstairs railing, arms folded across her chest. She shook her head and sighed, looking at him as though he were her own hopeless son who had failed to live up to expectations.

Diluc: “...”

Diluc rolled his eyes inwardly and took another sip of the grape juice. It was still cloyingly sweet.

(...Where was this produced? Was it adulterated?)

(The Dawn Winery?)

(...Perhaps this batch of grapes simply had a higher sugar content.)

...

After organizing the new house and enjoying a delicious dinner prepared personally by Aether, Diluc took his leave with Haily.

That left Paina, Paimon, and Aether to make the final arrangements.

“There are six bedrooms in total,” Paina said. “Which one would you all like to stay in? Should Mr. Aether take the master bedroom? It’s not only the largest room, but also the one with the best lighting.”

Paimon stamped her foot in displeasure. “How unfair! Why does he get the best room? We can stay there too!”

Paina quietly reminded her, “But he’s the one paying for it. The person paying gets the final say~

“And there are three bedrooms in the townhouse wing, and the lighting in the other rooms isn’t bad either. They’re just a little smaller than the master bedroom. If Aether chooses the master bedroom, we can stay in the rooms on either side.”

Aether smiled faintly. “There’s no need. Paimon and I are often away, so using the master bedroom would be a waste. Since it’s such a good room, you should stay there.

“There are three bedrooms in the townhouse wing. You, Paimon, and... Lumine can divide them between you.”

Paina froze slightly, startled. “Then... what about you?”

Aether gave a bitter smile. “If Lumine really is deliberately avoiding me, then I shouldn’t deliberately get too close either. I’ll stay downstairs. If Lumine thinks she can come back without being discovered, perhaps she really will sneak back to take a look.

“I won’t stop searching for her, and sooner or later I’ll make her explain everything clearly. But home is supposed to be a harbor of rest. I don’t want her to remain on edge even here. Until I find Lumine and bring her back, I won’t set foot in that bedroom. I’ll leave Lumine’s room in your care.”

At that, he gave a self-deprecating laugh. “With your abilities, she must feel completely at ease. If she doesn’t want to see you, then even if you share a room, she’ll have no trouble avoiding you.”

“As for me, I’ll stay in the room directly beneath hers.”

There was another reason as well. The three bedrooms in the townhouse wing on the second floor were undoubtedly the rooms belonging to the owners, while any of the others might be treated as guest rooms. If Lumine’s room were placed elsewhere, what if she mistook it for a guest room and felt like a lonely outsider?

The three women would be staying in the part of the house where ownership was most clearly established. If Lumine knew that, she would understand that no matter when or where, she would always be the most important and inseparable part of his heart.

Thus, the rooms were assigned without delay. Paina took the largest master bedroom on the second floor, with Paimon and Lumine’s rooms on either side of hers. Aether, meanwhile, would stay in the room directly beneath Lumine’s.

...

They had spent the entire day moving into their new home. By the time everything was put in order, it was already very late, and both Paimon and Paina were exhausted. After coaxing Paimon into going to sleep in her new room, Paina herself went downstairs and once again stopped outside Aether’s door.

When he heard footsteps, Aether was rather surprised. Once the previous night might have been understandable, but was this person planning to do it again tonight?

(This is getting a little excessive.)

(Maybe I should give her a polite warning.)

With that thought, he sat on the bed with his arms folded across his chest, his expression cold as he fixed his gaze on the door.

But before long, he realized he had misunderstood.

Paina had indeed come to his door, but this time she did not do anything inexplicable. Instead, she knocked directly.

Aether heard her voice, slightly lowered. “Hello? Mr. Aether? Are you asleep? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

(This attitude... This doesn’t seem like nonsense.)

Aether thought it over, then went to open the door.

“What is it?”

Paina stood outside with a beaming smile, her voice soft and harmless. “Mr. Aether, may I ask what plans you have for the future?”

Aether considered the question. “Find my sister, then leave Teyvat together.”

Whatever secrets might be hidden within the possible “main storyline,” and whatever schemes the “Demon King” tempting his sister might have, none of it had anything to do with them. Now that he knew trouble lay ahead, the best course was to avoid it as quickly as possible.

Paina asked again, “Then may I ask whether you have any expectations for a future partner?”

Aether: “?!”

(Am I... am I about to be proposed to?!)

The golden-haired youth, refined as a little prince, widened his eyes slightly. His baby-soft cheeks made him appear even younger and more innocent. He stared at Paina in shock as a certain realization dawned upon him.

Somehow, he already had a premonition of what she was about to say.

After a moment’s thought, he invited Paina into the room. His expression solemn and grave, he shook his head with utmost seriousness.

“No.”

Paina tapped one finger against her cheek, then brought her extraordinarily beautiful face close to his and asked with a bright smile, “Then what do you think of me?”

Aether: “...”

The Traveler fell silent for a moment. Then, with stern sincerity, he said, “Even if it’s to exchange for a peaceful and comfortable life, using your body as payment is still unacceptable.”

“Besides, miss, I am an immortal.”