"Really?" Varesa still wasn't reassured. She reached out and felt Bai You's forehead.
"You don't have a fever... How about I take you to the hospital? You really don't look well today."
"No, no." Bai You hurriedly waved her hands. "I'm really fine. I just didn't sleep well last night."
Did I hold her too tightly last night? Varesa wondered.
Varesa looked at her and was just about to say something.
Bai You looked up at the worry in Varesa's eyes, and her heart softened. She spoke first:
"I just slept on my neck wrong. There's really nothing wrong."
Beside them, Odette watched, her gaze flickering slightly, but said nothing.
Odette spoke up from beside them.
"The public performance is the day after tomorrow," Odette said evenly, putting down her coffee cup.
"We have to rehearse all day today, and you said you wanted to renovate that cave and the restaurant next to the station tomorrow, so we have to rehearse today."
Varesa froze, only then remembering the performance.
She frowned and looked at Bai You, troubled. "But... what about Bai You? No one but staff is allowed in the performance hall during rehearsals. Should I ask for permission?"
"It's really okay," Bai You said with a smile. "You two go rehearse. I can take the chance to look around on my own, or go back to my room and rest."
Odette had already stood up. She picked up the coat draped over the back of her chair and glanced at them. "I'll wait for you at the door." With that, she left first.
Varesa hesitated, but finally nodded to Bai You. "Then you can have some fun in the theater or go outside, but don't wander into the outskirts. There might be monsters there. Make sure you stay safe, okay?"
"I know, I know." Bai You pushed her to her feet. "Hurry up and go rehearse. Don't be late."
Varesa looked back at Bai You and opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she only ruffled her hair. "I'm off, then. Remember to contact me anytime if you need anything."
"Mm, go on." Bai You waved to her.
Only then did Varesa turn and hurry after Odette.
Bai You remained in her seat, listening to their footsteps gradually fade. The smile slowly disappeared from her face.
She lowered her head and looked at her hands, her fingertips slightly cold.
It felt as if everything had been arranged by fate. The system had wanted her to become a Harbinger last night.
And this morning, she had a chance to be alone.
Bai You took a deep breath and stood up.
Bai You watched their figures disappear around the corner of the corridor, the smile slowly fading from her face.
After a while, she slowly walked out of the theater.
The theater doors slowly closed behind her, shutting out the faint sound of piano and singing from within.
Bai You stood on the steps outside the theater, watching the crowds come and go along the street. Suddenly, she felt a little empty.
It was broad daylight, the sun was shining, and the street was bustling, but without Varesa beside her, she felt as if a part of her had been hollowed out.
Though it had only been two or three days, she had already grown used to being by Varesa's side.
Now that she was suddenly walking down the street alone, she found it a little hard to adjust.
[What, you've only been apart a little while and you already miss them?] The system's voice sounded in her mind, teasing her. [Why don't you just go back? Forget about becoming a Harbinger.]
Cut the crap, Bai You shot back in her mind. It's just... my first time walking the streets of Snezhnaya alone, and I'm not used to it.
[Oh? Is that so?] The system drew out its words. [I thought a certain someone... a certain fish couldn't bear to leave Varesa's embrace.]
Say one more word and I'll mute you. Bai You's face was expressionless.
[All right, all right, I'll stop,] the system immediately backed down.
[But seriously, Snezhnaya Palace is in the direction of the city center. Go straight down this street, turn right at the end, and walk another two blocks. At the speed those little short legs of yours go, it'll probably take twenty minutes.]
"Whose legs are short?!" Bai You huffed and set off.
Though she wouldn't admit it, she really did walk for nearly twenty minutes before she saw the outline of Snezhnaya Palace in the distance.
It was an extremely magnificent building, constructed entirely of huge gray-white stones. Its spires pierced the clouds, and exquisite ice patterns were carved into its eaves.
A tall wall surrounded the palace, and two rows of Fatui guards in black uniforms stood at the entrance. Every one of them was expressionless, their auras as cold as Snezhnaya's ice and snow.
Bai You stood across the road, craning her neck to look at the enormous structure, and swallowed.
It hadn't felt like much in the game, but now that it was really before her eyes, Bai You felt a little dazed.
"System... isn't this place a little too intimidating?"
[What are you afraid of?] the system said. [Why not walk straight over and tell the guards you want to see the Tsaritsa?]
"But those guards look so fierce..."
[You're a fish who's going to become the Twelfth Harbinger. Can't you show a little promise?] the system said, frustrated with her.
[Go on. If you keep dawdling, Varesa will be done rehearsing.]
Bai You took a deep breath, clenched her little fists, and strode determinedly toward the gates of Snezhnaya Palace.
The guards at the entrance had long since noticed the little girl walking toward them alone.
She looked to be in her teens, wearing a cyan coat, with her hair neatly combed.
Her face was adorably blank, and her eyes were large. The fin-like ear on one side of her head stood out a little, but otherwise she looked like a lost child.
"Stop." The lead guard stepped forward, his deep voice carrying unquestionable authority. "This is Snezhnaya Palace. No unauthorized persons may approach."
Bai You looked up, trying to appear less nervous. "I want to see Her Majesty the Tsaritsa."
The guard paused, then frowned. "Don't make trouble here, child. Leave at once."
"I'm not making trouble," Bai You said earnestly. "I really need to see Her Majesty the Tsaritsa. It's very important."
"Not just anyone can see Her Majesty the Tsaritsa." The guard's tone turned cold. "If you don't leave, I'll have someone take you away."
"But I-"
"Young man, what's going on?"
A cheerful male voice came from the side.
Bai You turned and saw a brown-haired young man in a gray coat and earmuffs walking toward them.
He was tall, with a bright smile and a hint of amusement in his blue eyes. A water-blue curved blade hung at his waist.
It was Tartaglia.
Bai You recognized him at a glance. The Eleventh Fatui Harbinger, Childe-Tartaglia. She couldn't have been more familiar with this character from the game.
"Lord Tartaglia." The guard bowed respectfully. "This child says she wants to see Her Majesty the Tsaritsa. I'm trying to persuade her to leave."
"Oh?" Tartaglia raised an eyebrow and looked down at Bai You, a gentle smile appearing on his face. "Hey, little girl, did you come to Snezhnaya Palace all by yourself? Did you get separated from your family?"
He crouched down to meet Bai You at eye level, speaking very gently. "Tell me, where's your home? How about I take you back?"
Bai You looked at his face, so close to hers, and thought, This is Tartaglia? He looks pretty friendly, not as battle-hungry as he is in the game.
"I'm not lost," Bai You said earnestly, shaking her head. "I came to see Her Majesty the Tsaritsa."
The smile on Tartaglia's face faltered for a moment, as though he were a little surprised.
He looked Bai You up and down, pausing briefly when he saw her fin-like ears. But beastfolk were common in Snezhnaya, so he thought nothing of it.
Tartaglia then smiled. "Little girl, do you know who Her Majesty the Tsaritsa is? Not just anyone can see her, you know."