In the courtyard of Sandrone’s villa.
At this moment, Columbina was lying on the tea party table, the afternoon sun shining obliquely onto her, bringing a bit of Warmth.
Beneath the tablecloth of the tea party table, Columbina lazily swung her feet, humming an ethereal and melodious song.
Having let go of everything, Columbina wanted to thoroughly enjoy every minute and every second she still had in Teyvat.
Especially the time spent with her friends.
“Hmm?”
Until a certain moment, when Columbina felt someone walking toward her.
Only then did she straighten up, turn her head to “look at” the newcomer, and a faint smile appeared on her face.
“Arlecchino, you’re here.”
“Mm.”
Arlecchino took off her dark red coat and placed it on the coat rack nearby.
After all, Sandrone’s home was like spring all year round, quite different from the temperature outside.
After doing this, Arlecchino walked straight to her usual seat and sat down, folding her hands on the tea party table.
Naturally, she brought nothing to the tea party.
“Columbina, good afternoon.”
“Mm,” Columbina smiled and said, “Good afternoon to you too, Arlecchino.
Sandrone is still preparing the tea; we might have to wait a little while.”
“No matter,” Arlecchino waved her hand, “Tell her not to rush; we still have people who haven’t arrived.”
“Tsk…”
At this moment, a voice carrying a hint of tsundere tone came from afar, “There’s no need to consider me; the tea is already prepared.”
The two looked toward the sound.
Sandrone was walking over, carrying an exquisite teapot and several plates of freshly baked pastries that were still emitting an enticing aroma.
Pulonia followed behind her, carrying more things in her hands.
Walking to the tea party table, Sandrone set down the things in her hands and then skillfully poured tea for Columbina and Arlecchino.
“I originally thought I wouldn’t make it in time, but it seems there is plenty of time now.
After all, everyone is so busy that they’ve forgotten the time for the tea party.”
“But…
Sandrone,” Columbina tilted her head and explained in confusion, “I remember there are still over ten minutes until the tea party.”
“Shut up, Columbina!”
As soon as she saw Columbina, Sandrone remembered how she had pestered her earlier, insisting on helping her brew the tea.
she didn’t even stop to think—she was a guest at her tea party now; what kind of logic was there in letting a guest help?
Later, Sandrone had to spend a lot of effort to get Columbina to come out and wait patiently.
Sigh, how could this guy Columbina be so annoying?
she was like this before, and she is still like this now.
It’s truly exhausting.
“Ahem,” Sandrone also poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and continued, “However, you are right.
Let’s wait for them for another ten minutes.
Once the time is up, my tea party won’t accept anyone else.”
As Sandrone spoke, on the other side, Pulonia had already arranged a full set of tea utensils and some pastries in front of every seat.
Columbina took all of this in, and when she “looked at” Sandrone again, a smile was already playing on her lips, as if she were saying, “Sandrone, I don’t seem to believe you.”
Being “looked at” by Columbina like this, Sandrone appeared very uncomfortable.
she subconsciously turned her head away and muttered softly, “I just didn’t want to seem impolite if they happened to arrive and I hadn’t prepared anything.
Though the probability is low, everyone is busy…”
Speaking up to this point, Sandrone’s voice suddenly grew louder as she looked up and glared at Columbina, “And another thing, Columbina!
Just drink your tea and eat the pastries prepared for you.
Is that not enough to keep your mouth shut?”
“Are they prepared for me?” Columbina obediently shifted her “gaze” to the space in front of her, where there was a cup of tea of unknown name and many portions of exquisite pastries, “They look delicious.”
Columbina picked up the cup of tea and gently swirled it in her hand.
The tea was still very clear, but Columbina could smell that it wasn’t the same kind of tea leaves she had drunk before.
“It’s different tea again.”
Columbina chuckled softly and brought the tea to her lips.
Immediately, a light, sweet flavor bloomed in her mouth, making the smile on her lips deepen.
Columbina gave this final assessment, then turned her head to “look at” Sandrone.
She noticed that Sandrone had been staring at her just a moment ago.
Seeing that she had been discovered, Sandrone hurriedly turned her head away, picked up the tea on the table, and pretended to be drinking tea.
Tsk…
What does she mean, ‘prepared for her’?
she just happened to buy this kind of tea leaves…
Sandrone thought to himself while drinking.
Columbina didn’t call her out; she just chuckled and continued to drink this special tea, while her “gaze” lingered on Sandrone, who was sitting not far from her.
So this is what “liking” is.
It feels a bit different from friendship.
It’s wanting to stick by her side, wanting to help her in another capacity, wanting to see all her little expressions, wanting to…
get a step closer to her.
Just like that Fox Guuji and the Shogun in the novels.
It is a…
very special emotion.
It’s just…
a bit of a pity.
I realized it too late, and I’m afraid I won’t have the chance to tell her…
As she thought, the smile on Columbina’s face gradually faded, and eventually, she returned to her usual cold and detached demeanor.
On the other side, Sandrone felt that Columbina was very strange today.
It was one thing to keep “staring” at her, but she was also smiling for no apparent reason, which looked rather scary and made her heart flutter in confusion.
she could only keep drinking tea, pretending she didn’t see anything.
“Hmm…”
Arlecchino took all of this in.
she felt that perhaps she shouldn’t have arrived so early.
The relationship between these two…
it seemed to be exactly as she had guessed; they were already more than just colleagues.
There was just one thing Arlecchino found a bit strange: it seemed Sandrone was still a bit awkward?
Should she give them a nudge?
They had been friends for so many years, after all.
After thinking for a while, Arlecchino calmly took a sip of tea.
her gaze lost the sharpness of the Fourth Fatui Harbinger and was left only with the sincerity and relaxation one shows toward friends.
“Well, the relationship between you two is really quite good.”
“Who has a good relationship with her!” / “Hmm?
Thank you, Arlecchino.”
Hearing this, the two answered in unison.
Columbina’s ethereal voice and Sandrone’s voice, which carried a hint of shy annoyance, blended together, surprisingly sounding quite harmonious.
However, as soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere became a bit awkward.
The three of them looked at each other, not knowing what to say for a moment.
Fortunately, at this moment, a somewhat flamboyant voice rang out not far away.
“I had some business to take care of on the way; I hope I’m not late.
What are you all…”
After a moment of silence, Columbina “looked at” the newcomer and stood up to walk forward, “Rosalyne, the tea party hasn’t started yet; you are right on time.”
This was the first time Columbina had met Rosalyne in a non-work setting since returning.
As one of her few friends, and someone who would “in the future” die under the blade of the Raiden Shogun, Columbina cared about her a great deal.
Columbina planned to subtly suggest that Rosalyne not go to Inazuma after the tea party ended.
She just didn’t know if Rosalyne would accept it, given her personality.
Hmm…
If that really doesn’t work, she would just go find the Tsaritsa and have the Harbinger changed.
She believed the Tsaritsa would still grant her this favor for such a simple request.
After all, she still needs me right now.
On the other side, seeing Columbina, Rosalyne smiled, a rare occurrence—a gentle smile.
Although Columbina was the third seat and much stronger than her, in Rosalyne’s eyes, she was very innocent, just like a child.
“Mm, that’s good.
If I were late, I wouldn’t be able to drink Sandrone’s good tea.”
“That’s right!” As soon as Rosalyne finished speaking, a voice full of youthful vitality rang out from outside the door, “Of course one cannot be late for a ladies’ tea party!
One must treat it as seriously as a battle!”
This was the Eleventh Fatui Harbinger, “Childe” Tartaglia.
“Heh,” hearing this, Sandrone sneered and took a light sip of tea, “Does Lord ‘Childe’ like shouting about fighting and killing at my tea party so much?
Did you come specifically to ruin my tea party?
It seems I can prepare one less invitation next time.”
Tartaglia was clearly choked by these words.
she didn’t know where she had offended Sandrone; she always felt she had some inexplicable malice toward her.
Tartaglia couldn’t respond to this, so she had to change the subject.
“Aha!
Miss Sandrone’s villa is still the same, much warmer than outside.
If I get the chance, I really must let Teucer and the others experience a time without snow.”
“Mm.”
Suddenly, Tartaglia felt someone patting her head.
she looked up, her pupils suddenly constricting, and her heart beat a little more intensely.
It was the First Fatui Harbinger, “The Captain” Capitano.
“Letting the children of Snezhnaya experience other environments is naturally a good thing.
Although the cold winter can temper one’s will, we also yearn for the warm sun.
However, Tartaglia, one must at least clean the snow off one’s head when attending a ladies’ tea party.”
“Ah,” seeing Capitano, Tartaglia’s eyes instantly became exceptionally clear—though her eyes were already quite clear to begin with.
she touched her head, feeling somewhat flattered, “I understand, Mr.
‘Captain’.”
Capitano had half a mind to say that such formal address wasn’t necessary outside of work hours, but remembering that she had already reminded Tartaglia many times, she ultimately gave up.
“Alright,” Sandrone looked around and couldn’t help but raise a smile, “Since you’ve arrived, hurry up and sit down.
You’ve arrived just in time; any later and there would be no tea for you.”
“That’s right, if you didn’t come, Sandrone would have been anxious.” Columbina said with a smile.
“Columbina!
Hurry up and come back here to drink your tea!”
Sandrone gave Columbina a look of mock reproach, while Columbina just covered her mouth and chuckled, pulling Rosalyne back.
“Hahaha~”
As for the daily bickering between Sandrone and Columbina, everyone was used to it and just found it quite interesting.
Amidst the chatting and laughing, everyone sat down in their usual seats.
“Mm,” Sandrone put down her teacup and made a “please” gesture with one hand, “It seems everyone has arrived.
Then, let’s begin today’s tea party.”
“Mm!
The time has indeed arrived; let’s begin!”
“Great, great!
Ladies, and Mr.
‘Captain’, I…”
“The brat should just shut up and eat her cake; let’s ignore her.”
“Hmph…
Thanks for the hospitality, Sandrone.
The tea is delicious; it should be from Fontaine, right?”
…
The tea party began, and just like in her memories, it started lively.
Columbina sat in her place, quietly watching all of this, with the purest smile on her face.
Everyone is here; this is very good.
Sandrone must be happy too, right?
Columbina’s eyes curved into crescents, and she raised her hand again, bringing the tea to her lips.
Mm, it’s sweet.