Although she acted like a bad person, that was just Lumine's prank. She wasn't a bad person and wouldn't make Mona do anything she didn't want to.
Realizing she had been played, Mona and Lumine got into a playful tussle. In just a few hours, she had experienced extreme ups and downs of emotions; she was truly frightened.
"Really, if you pull a prank like that on me again, I won't forgive you."
"Oh? Then, may I ask, great Astrologist, Miss Mona, how do you plan to deal with me?"
Lumine smiled and came behind Durandal, intimately wrapping her arm around her neck, and retorted.
"You... never mind, I surrender, isn't that enough?"
She couldn't stand it. Even if she went to the Old Woman for help, it would just be one more person coming to be defeated. She didn't think she was Durandal's match.
Would she only be bullied by this malicious fellow from now on? Although they were both girls, she always felt that Lumine had many ways to trick her, as evidenced by the impromptu idea of forcing her to sign a contract earlier.
She herself was foolishly unaware, and even had thoughts of gratitude towards Lumine for being willing to help. She was truly too naive.
After teasing Mona, a refreshed Lumine prepared to leave with everyone. As a friend, she had already helped as much as she could. The rest was for Mona to repay her.
"Wait a minute! Lumine. I have something to tell you."
"Hmm? Something you want to tell me?"
"Yes, I was originally planning to look for you during this time, but since you're here, I'll tell you about it now."
During this period of studying astrology at home, Mona hadn't forgotten her promise to Lumine to help her find information about her family.
Although at first, no matter how she divined, she couldn't get any useful information, she recently found that her divinations were no longer as shrouded in mist as before. She had divined some content.
"Brother? Oh~ Right, I once asked you to divine about my Brother."
Lumine was stunned for a moment, only then remembering that she had a Brother.
Oh dear~ It's all Durandal's fault. During this time, her words had made her so distracted that she almost forgot her purpose of traveling through various nations was to find her Brother.
"Hey, what's with that expression? Did you forget about this matter?"
What's wrong with this person? It should be something to be happy about upon hearing it, so why do you have to recall it before making an expression of 'Oh, right, there was such a thing'?
Didn't you say he was an important family member to you? How could you forget so quickly? Don't be like a certain fellow who, despite needing to rescue a princess, gets lost in adventures and can't extricate himself!
"How... how could I? I'm just too happy. Besides, didn't you say you couldn't divine any useful information? Why is there suddenly news?"
"Who knows? Maybe my divination abilities have grown stronger, or something happened to someone among you. Anyway, do you want to hear it or not? It's just a few sentences, why are you being so wishy-washy!"
"Hear, hear, hear. What's the clue you divined? Tell me."
Although I really like my current life with Durandal, I haven't forgotten the important matter of finding my Brother... I mean it, I'm not lying to you! I definitely haven't forgotten my purpose due to enjoyment.
"Cough! Cough! The divined content isn't much, but it's very useful. According to what I divined, you will have a chance to meet soon. You must seize this opportunity, as who knows when the next meeting will be."
"You mean I'll see my Brother soon? Really?"
Searching high and low for something only to find it effortlessly? Is it really that simple to meet him? She had tried so hard to find him before without any trace, but now there's suddenly a possibility of meeting.
Could it be... could Aether have been sent to another country like herself, and recently might take a ship to Liyue Harbor or Mondstadt, and then they'll meet by chance?
"It's true, but you need to be prepared. I can't see any content in subsequent divinations; there might be some hidden secret."
Durandal, who knew the inside story, couldn't help but look at Lumine. As the Prince on the Abyss side, Aether and Lumine's meeting would not be too peaceful. At least, Aether would not leave the Abyss Order for Lumine; his plan to overthrow the Heavenly Principles had not yet been completed.
If Mona's divination was correct, Lumine and Aether's meeting this time would most likely not be pleasant. Hopefully, nothing bad would happen.
Lumine, who learned that she would soon find her Brother, left Mona's residence with a slight smile, chatting with Paimon ahead.
Shenhe and Durandal followed behind, watching Lumine's happy smile. Shenhe pondered for a moment and looked at Durandal.
Lumine once said that she and her Brother were travelers from another world. So, after she finds her Brother, does that mean they will leave this world?
Although Durandal also came from another world, she had no attachment to her original world; she would definitely stay on Teyvat.
Lumine would eventually leave Teyvat, so wouldn't Durandal, left alone, only have her by her side?
Thinking of this, Shenhe's eyes lit up. She realized she didn't need to worry about anything; she just needed to accompany them, and when the time was right, victory would naturally come to her.
"By the way, what kind of person is that Brother you keep talking about?"
Shenhe was a little curious about what kind of person Lumine's Brother would be. Since they were siblings, would he be as strange as Lumine?
Lumine was alright; even if she was a bit eccentric, she would still gain others' approval. But if a boy were that eccentric, he would easily get into trouble.
At least Durandal definitely wouldn't indulge him. If he were to make intimate gestures towards her like Lumine did, he'd probably be poisoned to death in the next second.
"Brother, he's very gentle. Because I'm his younger sister, he's always taken great care of me."
Talking about Aether, Lumine couldn't help but recall their past. Having grown up together, their bond was strong. Aether took great care of her as his sister, forgiving her no matter what pranks she pulled.
However, because they were family, they would occasionally play pranks on each other. Plus, they were twins, and every time they made a bet and the other lost, Lumine would demand that the loser wear women's clothing, specifically her own skirt.
And it's true, if Aether's Horsetail was untied and he wore her skirt, he really was a top-notch Damselette. Once, when she went out with Aether in women's clothing, no one recognized that he was a boy.
Everyone thought they were a pair of sisters, and some even took an interest in Aether in women's clothing, which is quite absurd, isn't it?
When she mentioned this, Lumine couldn't help but burst into bright laughter. The past experiences of pranking her Brother were simply too amusing.
It was a pity that she didn't know where her Brother was now; she suddenly felt a strange urge to prank him.
Aether, currently planning his next move in the Abyss, inexplicably shivered, feeling a strong sense of malice, and vigilantly looked around.
"I always feel this sensation is so familiar. It seems whenever Lumine wants to prank me, I get this feeling."
Although Lumine always gave him a hard time, looking back now, they were all wonderful memories.
He wondered how she was doing now, and if she was still diligently searching for him as before.
As a protective older brother, Aether knew Lumine was looking for him, but he couldn't appear before her. He could only watch her from afar like this, confirming that she was doing well and was safe—that was enough.
With Miss Durandal by her side, not to mention the Fatui, even if the Heavenly Principles themselves came to deal with Lumine, they would likely have to think twice.
He wasn't sure whether Miss Durandal or the Heavenly Principles were more powerful, but given Miss Durandal's protective nature, she would certainly not stand by and watch Lumine fall into danger.
This was also why he could rest assured letting Lumine travel outside; her situation was truly far, far better than his own back then.
She might encounter danger, but there would absolutely be no life-threatening danger. Although Miss Durandal disliked him, it was enough that she liked Lumine.
"Speaking of which... if Lumine finds me in the future and asks Miss Durandal to deal with me, will she do it?"
Aether stopped what he was doing and fell into contemplation. Given Miss Durandal's personality, it seemed, possible, probable that she really would give him a good beating.
At that time, could he escape? He would probably have to sacrifice who knows how many Abyss Order comrades to get away safely.
As a brother, he understood her personality well. If she knew he was hiding in the shadows, watching her search for him, she would probably be unable to resist giving him a good beating.
"I hope she can be a little calmer and understand my difficulties."
Although he felt very sorry for her, he couldn't return with Lumine until he completed the mission of overthrowing the Heavenly Principles. He also couldn't reveal too much to Lumine.
Since she was currently on an adventure, he would let her travel through various nations with her companions, just as he did back then.
During her journey, Lumine would gradually find the answers. He believed that at that time, she would stand with him and fight against the Heavenly Principles.
Just as they fought against the Heavenly Principles together before, only last time they ultimately lost to the Heavenly Principles and fell into a long slumber.
But next time would be different. As long as the Abyss Order's plan succeeded, then... the Heavenly Principles would meet their end.
"Your Highness, the ruins we are guarding have been targeted by the Treasure Hoarders. They are very likely to affect the upcoming plan. If discovered by the Millelith, it could greatly hinder the plan's progress."
At this moment, an Abyss Mage appeared behind Aether and asked respectfully.
"Act according to the original plan, stay alert for intruders, and arrange for Abyssal Apostles to guard it. Once an invasion is detected, eliminate them."
"Yes."
The Abyss Order's plan had been disrupted too many times; they had to speed up.
This plan was very important and could not be affected by anyone else, no matter who it was.
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