"Dance truly is profound…"
Noelle spoke with newfound seriousness. After trying it herself just now, her understanding had deepened considerably.
Determined to become the perfect maid, she realized—thanks to Eula's reminder—that it wasn't only dance she needed to learn.
Anything she wasn't yet skilled at… she would master.
Lory really wanted to tell her it wasn't that serious.
But knowing it was pointless, he swallowed the words back down.
Eula agreed wholeheartedly and even praised Noelle's natural talent.
Just then, a voice called from outside:
"Excuse me! Is this Mr. Lory's residence? You have a letter and a package!"
Lory blinked.
A letter? For him?
Only his Mondstadt acquaintances knew where he lived. Who could be sending him things?
Before he could investigate, Eula dashed outside and soon returned with a letter and a box.
"What's that?" Lory asked.
Eula's lips curved into a rare smile as she waved the items.
"A gift from a friend in Liyue."
Noelle blinked.
"Eula has a friend… from Liyue?"
"Of course," she said proudly.
Lory already knew who it must be.
If he wasn't mistaken—this was from Yanfei, Liyue's famed legal consultant, half-illuminated beast like Ganyu.
Their friendship had formed in a peculiar way.
Years ago, Eula had been tracking a shipment of dangerous Abyssal contraband.
The Abyss Order had disguised the goods as normal cargo being shipped from Port Jinqiu to Liyue Harbor.
Yanfei, serving as the merchant fleet's legal advisor, noticed something suspicious and investigated—dragging danger onto herself.
If Eula hadn't arrived in time, things would have gone very badly.
Since then, the two maintained correspondence.
Their shared affinity for legal logic, strict rules… yet flexible reasoning made them hit it off immediately.
Every holiday, Yanfei sent gifts.
Eula treasured her few friends dearly.
She tore open the letter and read Yanfei's familiar handwriting line by line.
"What does she say?" Lory asked, curious.
He remembered Yanfei's father well—they had fought side-by-side in the Archon War.
"Mm… the usual greetings, stories about Liyue's recent events, legal cases she's handling, little things about daily life."
Eula paused, eyes brightening.
"But this time she says Liyue will soon hold a Rite of Descension, and she warmly invites me to join."
Eula felt her heart stir.
Yanfei had invited her last year too, but Eula had been swamped with missions and couldn't go.
But this year—her duties were finished.
With a long break ahead, she could definitely ask Jean for leave.
"Rite of Descension?" Lory's eyes flashed.
"If I remember right, last year it was overseen by the Liyue Qixing's Yuheng Star?"
Eula nodded.
"Yanfei says this year the Tianquan Star is in charge."
"Oh?"
Lory's expression grew meaningful.
Eula frowned.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, just remembered something interesting."
This year's Rite was no simple ceremony.
His old friend—who had governed Liyue for 3,700 years—was finally retiring.
How could he not attend such a moment?
Reading his expression perfectly, Raiden Makoto gently said:
"If you want to go, then go. Isn't it time to visit your old friends again?"
"…And you?" Lory asked.
"I'll go if you wish."
Makoto didn't know the Liyue adepti well, but she wasn't opposed.
"Good. I'll give them a pleasant surprise."
Hearing this, Eula's golden eyes lit up.
Her hesitation evaporated—her heart fluttering like a maiden's.
"Should we prepare gifts for your friends?" Makoto suggested.
Lory shook his head instantly.
"No need. I'll handle it when we get there."
"…Alright."
Once their discussion settled, Eula added:
"Then I'll go as well. Though I've passed through Liyue on missions, I never got to enjoy its scenery.
I'd love to join you and Lady Makoto this time."
But under Makoto's smiling gaze, Eula suddenly grew nervous and lowered her head.
So this… is the aura of the rightful wife.
Pretending not to notice Eula's inner panic, Makoto said warmly:
"If we're all going, you should change outfits.
This isn't a mission but a trip. Your knight uniform isn't appropriate.
There's still time before the Rite—choose something fitting."
Eula blinked—then realized she hadn't considered this at all.
"You're right… I'll return home to choose—"
"Not so fast." Lory quickly stopped her.
"There's more than a month before the ceremony. No rush."
If Eula returned home now, she might realize something was wrong with her family.
Thankfully, she accepted Lory's advice without suspicion.
Later that evening, when Lumine returned, Lory finally learned that everything had been resolved.
Every Lawrence member involved with the Fatui had been arrested.
They wouldn't be exiled… but for the already declining clan, this would be a devastating blow.
Listening in, Noelle nodded solemnly.
"As a perfect maid, I also need to choose proper outfits."
"You're going too?" Lory asked in surprise.
"Of course. Wherever my master goes—his maid follows."
Her tone was so matter-of-fact that Lory couldn't even refute it.
Makoto clapped her hands gently.
"Then it's settled. We depart three days before the Rite of Descension."
Eula and Noelle agreed immediately.
Across the table, Lumine and Paimon exchanged confused looks.
Paimon whispered, "What's a Rite of Descension?"
"No idea."
"…"
They stared at each other, wounded.
Once again, everyone had made plans for something fun… without them.
Paimon puffed up in indignation.
"Hmph! If they dare not bring us, I'm holding a grudge!"
PS: Chapter Five may be delayed. Just a note.