On the same day, in the afternoon.
Bai You and Varesa finally came downstairs.
Both of them were starving, and they devoured most of the food that was still warm in the kitchen.
When Odette returned from dance practice and saw them like this, she didn't ask anything, but just lowered her head and ate quietly, her ears turning slightly red.
After the meal, we began packing our luggage.
Bai You doesn't have many things: a few clothes and some odds and ends.
It was put away quickly.
Varesa has a lot of clothes; a whole suitcase was filled with them.
Bai You joined in to help, the two of them handing over the garments and folding them, occasionally bickering over whether a piece of clothing could fit inside.
I had packed most of my luggage when I heard a knock on the door downstairs.
In the living room, Bai You was folding clothes, Varesa was packing her luggage, and Odette was sitting by the window.
They were carrying something in their hands when they heard the knock on the door, and all three of them looked up.
Immediately afterwards, from downstairs outside, came the trembling, panicked voices of the staff, their footsteps faltering.
"Honorable guests... Why have you two come in person... Please, please come in--"
Bai You and Varesa exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised.
Odette also put down what she was doing and stood up.
The three of them went downstairs to take a look.
Two visitors were standing in the living room.
A woman holding a paper bag in her arms was slowly looking around, her eyes crinkling with a smile – it was Columbina.
The other blonde with blue eyes, arms crossed, chin slightly raised, and an expression that said, "I was just passing by," was Sandrone.
"Why are you here?" Bai You, both surprised and delighted, and quickly went downstairs.
" Bai You." Columbina turned her head, her eyes lighting up, and waved the paper bag in her arms at her. "I came to see you. I even brought some food."
Sandrone coughed lightly and slowly said, "Just passing by."
" The Snezhnaya Palace is in the north of the city, and the theater is in the south." Varesa leaned against the stair railing, a smile playing on her lips. "This route is quite a detour."
"... I'd rather go further away." Sandrone's ears burned, and he stiffened his neck.
Odette brewed the best tea and gently closed the door.
The five people sat down in the living room, a fire was lit in the stove, and wisps of tea smoke rose from the stove.
Columbina opened the paper bag in her arms and took out several small, golden bread rolls, still warm, their aroma filling the air.
She handed them out one by one, one to each person.
"Come on, have a taste." She smiled, "They're fresh out of the oven."
Bai You took it and took a bite. The outer skin was baked until crispy.
Inside, it's soft and fluffy, bursting with the aroma of butter and wheat, with a hint of sweetness—cooked to perfection.
Her eyes lit up. "Delicious! Which shop did you buy this from?"
Varesa ate in small bites, nodding gently with approval in her eyes.
Odette tasted it, looking thoughtful.
Columbina, however, smiled and took over the conversation.
"I didn't buy it." She tilted her head, her tone light and cheerful.
"It was made by Sandrone herself. She spent the whole afternoon baking them in the workshop, failing several times, but these were the few that succeeded, and she insisted that I bring them to her—"
"Columbia!"
Sandrone's face flushed red, and she almost jumped up from her chair; her voice even changed tone.
"Who, who spent the whole afternoon baking!"
That was something I did while testing the temperature control curve of my new oven!
I made too much and didn't want to waste it, that's why I asked you to take it with you!
"Oh, is that so?" Columbina blinked.
"But I clearly saw that you even looked up a bread recipe, saying you had to—"
"Shut up!"
There was a moment of silence in the living room, followed by a burst of laughter.
Even the quiet Odette couldn't help but lower her head and smile, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Varesa rested her chin on her hand, looking at Sandrone, whose face was flushed and who was at a loss for what to do, her eyes full of laughter.
"I never imagined that Lady the Marionette had this skill," Odette said slowly.
"This bread is much better than the best bread in the city."
"... Hmph." Sandrone stiffened his neck, but his ears softened slightly. He sat back down in his chair, picked up his teacup to cover half his face, and mumbled.
"It's nothing, just a small matter. Whatever you want to make, is it impossible? If you still want to eat, I'll continue making more later."
As she spoke, she secretly glanced at everyone's expressions out of the corner of her eye. Seeing that everyone was enjoying the meal, a hint of smugness rose beneath her initial embarrassment.
After laughing for a while, Bai You refilled their tea and asked with a smile, "Is there something you two wanted to do here today?"
"Something came up." Columbina nodded, holding her hot tea, her tone light and casual. "I heard you're going to Mondstadt tomorrow."
I want to go see it too.
Bai You was taken aback. "You're going too?"
"Yes, yes, let's go to Mondstadt!" Columbina counted on her fingers, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I've heard there are dandelions, windmills, and many other beautiful sights... but I haven't been there yet."
Before Bai You could answer, Sandrone had already snorted.
"Look at your pathetic self." She glanced at Columbina, then quickly looked at Bai You, raising her chin.
"And me. Rosalyne is in Mondstadt now; I'm going to visit her and throw a tea party."
She finished speaking in one breath, and then emphasized:
"I'm going on official business, it has nothing to do with you guys, I'm just passing by and wanted to keep you company."
"Is it really on the way?" Columbina drawled, a half-smile playing on her lips.
"Stop saying that!!!"
Bai You was delighted. "The more people, the more lively it will be, the better. It's a deal then, see you at the port first thing tomorrow morning."
"Hmm." Columbina smiled and raised her teacup.
"Wait, there's also Odette," Varesa suddenly remembered.
Then Varesa looked at Odette.
"Odette, let's go together."
Odette paused, just about to say something.
Columbina spoke first.
"In my capacity as Harbinger, I am exempting you from all training during this period."
"Should I use my Harbinger privileges too?" Sandrone then suggested.
Bai You chimed in, "Looks like I can do that too!"
Odette:...
She then had no choice but to pack her things.
After a while, Varesa seemed to remember something and looked at Odette and the two of them.
"We've booked the ' White Gull ' for tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM). If you'd like to come along—"
"Don't worry about the tickets." Sandrone held his teacup, a meaningful smile flashing in his golden eyes. "I have my own way."
She paused, her smile deepening. "However... I think the ' White Gull ' is in jeopardy."
Bai You was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
"It's nothing." Sandrone took a sip of tea, keeping Bai You in suspense, and just smiled no matter how she asked.
"You'll know when we arrive at the port tomorrow."
On her screen that morning, Pantalone's records of mobilizing cruise ships and delaying flights were clearly displayed.
She was also very curious about what that miser was up to, and she wouldn't reveal it prematurely.
Bai You was filled with doubt, but she could only give up.
In the evening, Odette and Varesa personally prepared a sumptuous dinner and opened a jar of their treasured juice.
Five people sat around a table, the firelight reflecting off their faces, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.
When it comes to Mondstadt, there's a lot to say.
"The first thing to do upon arriving in Mondstadt is to find a tavern."
Odette rested her chin on her hand. "I've heard that ' Angel's Share ' is the best tavern in town."
"Let's hold the tea party together," Sandrone said, counting on his fingers.
Columbina just ate her food with a smile, occasionally interjecting, "I want some apple pie."
Night deepened.
Sandrone and Columbina decided to stay at the theater and cleaned up two more guest rooms.
It's late at night.
Bai You and Varesa returned to their room. Their luggage had already been packed.
Varesa tucked the blanket around her and gently kissed her forehead.
"Go to sleep," she whispered. "Tomorrow is the day we go to a new country."
Bai You hummed in agreement and snuggled closer to her.
Outside the window, the snow had long since stopped, and a crescent moon hung in the clear night sky.
Deep in the harbor, a brand-new cruise ship rests quietly, its lights shining brightly.
The book is stuck in the dark at midnight, so it might be getting stale. I hope everyone will comment and read these comments for a while to see if it helps. Thank you for your support! つ♡⊂