The moment Acting Grand Master Jean finally agreed, Amber acted almost immediately. He carefully supported his arm and gave Jean a salute.
His movements were gentle yet firm, leaving Lu Hongze no choice but to stand up with his help. He took one last look at the blonde ruler behind the desk; her lake-blue eyes were deep and unreadable, offering only a slight nod.
Leaving the Acting Grand Master's office and crossing the vast, solemn hall of the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, Lu Hongze could feel that Amber's pace was much lighter than when they had arrived. He still supported him, but no longer just to prop up his weak body; it felt more like a guiding and protective gesture.
As they stepped onto the streets of Mondstadt once more, the afternoon sunlight spilled down at an angle.
Amber seemed to deliberately avoid the bustling main road they had taken earlier, choosing instead a relatively quiet, winding slope along the inner city wall. There were far fewer pedestrians here, mostly workers pushing carts of goods or residents hurrying home.
Occasionally, someone would glance over, but upon seeing Amber's knightly crest and his clearly protective stance, most would politely look away or nod in greeting. Lu Hongze could sense that Amber was well-respected here—or at least, the identity of The Knights he represented commanded a level of respect that ordinary people didn't dare to offend.
He followed him in silence, his gaze scanning the surroundings like a precision instrument. He noticed herbs drying on the windowsills of roadside houses, smelled the aroma of the last batch of flatbreads wafting from the bakery, and heard the rhythmic clanging from the blacksmith's shop... everything was filled with the breath of life.
Amber would occasionally turn his head to look at him, attempting to communicate with simple words and gestures.
He pointed ahead, an expectant smile on his face. Lu Hongze simply nodded submissively, signaling his understanding.
They stopped in front of a two-story stone and wood cottage with a warm orange-red roof and a small courtyard. Amber took out a key, opened the sturdy-looking wooden door, and then stepped aside, making a "please" gesture with a hint of small pride and subtle nervousness on his face.
"Here we are."
Lu Hongze stepped inside.
The door closed softly behind him, cutting off all the sounds of the outside world—the distant bustle of the market, the chatter of passersby, and the sound of the wind whistling through the windmills.
The sudden silence made him feel momentarily out of place.
He stood in the foyer, his eyes quickly scanning the unfamiliar space.
The living room was small but very neat and bright. The wooden floors were polished clean, and though no fire was lit in the fireplace against the wall, several dry pine logs were stacked inside. A comfortable-looking sofa sat by the window, with a knitted blanket draped casually over it. On the wall hung a detailed map of the Mondstadt region and a well-maintained hunting bow. On the windowsill, several green plants stretched their leaves in the sunlight.
Everything here exuded the tidiness, warmth, and vitality of someone living alone.
Behind him, Amber also seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He casually kicked his boots aside and stepped onto the wooden floor barefoot, making a soft sound. This action caused the formality of an "Outrider" to instantly vanish, making him appear real and relaxed.
However, when he turned around and met Lu Hongze's quiet, slightly speechless gaze, he suddenly realized the situation—he was now alone in his home with another male.
A faint blush crept onto his cheeks, and he hurried to bend down and pick up the discarded shoes, placing them neatly by the shoe cabinet with somewhat rushed movements.
"Make yourself at home."
After speaking, he remembered that the boy couldn't understand him at all, so he awkwardly pointed to the sofa in the living room and then to him, trying to muster a reassuring smile.
Lu Hongze obediently walked to the sofa and sat on the edge, his body still maintaining a subtle tension. This space was too private. Here, Amber was no longer the impeccable guardian; he seemed more real, and more... defenseless. This, instead, made him feel an inexplicable pressure.
He placed the bundle of clean clothes he had been holding in his arms onto his lap, his fingers tightening unconsciously. The texture of the coarse cloth bundle clearly reminded him of his current situation—a penniless "burden" who could only survive on the kindness of others.
Amber went to pour a glass of water, handed it to him, and then sat down beside him, maintaining a distance that was neither distant nor overly intimate. He watched him as he lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes casting fine shadows on his pale cheeks, and the urge to protect him and put him at ease welled up once more.
"You're safe now. I promise," he whispered, unable to help himself. Even though he knew the boy couldn't understand, he still wanted to convey this sentiment.
Lu Hongze looked up.
The moment their eyes met, the proximity made Amber's heart flutter. He could clearly see the faint bloodshot lines in his eyes that hadn't fully faded, and smell the lingering scent of river water and wild grass from the wilderness, mixed with the smell of old paper and wood he had just picked up at the Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
As if he had been burned, he suddenly stood up from the sofa, his movement so quick he almost knocked over the water glass.
"You must be hungry! I can— I'll go fetch you a proper meal!"
He practically bolted into the small kitchen connected to the living room, leaving behind a somewhat hurried figure.
Watching his figure as he began to rummage around somewhat frantically in the kitchen, Lu Hongze took a slow, deep breath and then released his unconsciously clenched fingers. The coarse cloth bundle on his lap already bore several clear creases.
He needed to stay here. To survive, this Damselette, as bright and warm as a flame, was currently the only real anchor he could grasp in this completely unfamiliar world.
He picked up the glass of water in front of him, the temperature of the water slowly transferring to his palm through the ceramic walls of the cup.
Lu Hongze lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on the ceramic cup in his hand.
The texture of the ceramic rubbed against his fingertips, and the warm moisture seeped through the cup's walls into his skin. He gently rotated the cup, watching small ripples spread across the water's surface, reflecting the dappled light and shadows from outside the window.
The language barrier.
It was the most lethal shackle. He was like a deaf-mute; all information had to be gleaned through observation and guesswork.
How long could Amber's kindness last? How long could Acting Grand Master Jean's special permission hold up against financial pressure and regulations?
His fingertip unconsciously traced the rim of the cup.
Amber... he was too naive.
That unreserved kindness, in a world clearly fraught with social hierarchy and conflicts of interest, seemed so precious yet so dangerous. If utilized well, it would be his trump card.
In the reflection on the water's surface, he saw his own pale face and those eyes Amber had called "stunning," now filled only with exhaustion and calculation.
Beauty was a weapon; fragility was armor.
Before finding another way to survive, this was his only bargaining chip. He had to continue playing this role—a frightened, harmless, and protected stray.
From the kitchen came the rustling sounds of Amber rummaging through things, along with his muffled yet still audible, slightly frustrated muttering to himself.
Lu Hongze raised the cup to his lips.
The warm water slid down his dry throat, bringing a trace of comfort. He closed his eyes and finished the last drop of water in the cup.
By the time he placed the empty cup back on the table, all traces of his deliberation had vanished, replaced by a perfect measure of exhaustion and a hint of timid curiosity toward his new surroundings. He looked toward the kitchen, his gaze as clean as freshly melted snow.
The kitchen curtain swayed. Amber appeared with a hint of apology on his face, only to see the youth sitting there quietly, watching him with those clear eyes.
Lu Hongze's lips curved slightly into a faint, gentle smile in return.
On the rim of the cup, where his fingertip had pressed, the water mark was slowly beginning to Vaporize, leaving no trace behind.