At the tea party table.
I fear that hardly any Fatui Soldier would imagine that the usually imposing, tall, and solemn Fatui Harbinger could have another side.
It is as if…
after laying down all burdens, they have that side that is just like an ordinary person.
Here, Arlecchino gently raised her hand, lifting her teacup, her gaze wandering over the tea table.
she quite enjoyed the atmosphere of Sandrone’s tea party; it reminded her of the most joyful times spent with the children, which were also the most relaxing times.
It is just that when with the children, for the sake of their growth, she often has to appear stricter, much like a true “father.”
But here, it is different; one can be completely relaxed.
After taking a sip of tea, the corners of Arlecchino’s mouth could not help but rise by a few pixels.
This was quite authentic Fontaine black tea, which was priceless even in Fontaine.
Sandrone had put in the effort.
Capitano was the same.
her posture remained as straight as a mountain, but the oppressive sense of majesty around her had receded quite a bit.
she did not eat many snacks or drink much tea, just silently watching the scene of everyone drinking tea and chatting.
Occasionally, upon hearing something interesting, the face hidden beneath the heavy mask would also be tinged with a hint of a smile.
Like a knight, Capitano was silently guarding this rare warmth within the Fatui.
On the other side, Columbina was sitting quietly, holding that cup of special tea in one hand, while the other hand kept feeding various small snacks in front of her into her mouth, her lips always curled in a satisfied smile.
The snacks Sandrone prepared were truly delicious.
However, what was Sandrone doing now?
Columbina curiously raised her head, “looking” in the direction of Sandrone, and discovered that she seemed to have encountered a little “trouble.”
To be precise, she was bickering.
“Tsk, I say, Tartaglia, must you make such a loud noise when drinking tea?”
Sandrone tapped the edge of the teacup gently with a silver spoon, her expression carrying a trace of impatience.
“I remember I have already told you, although all guests invited to my tea party may speak their minds, please do not make that kind of noise that disrupts the tea party.”
“Ah…”
Upon hearing this, Tartaglia, who still had one hand holding a cup of tea suspended in mid-air, awkwardly scratched the back of her head with her other hand, “I was indeed a bit too hurried when drinking just now.
I hope I haven’t disturbed the ladies’ good mood.”
“You haven’t gone that far.”
Rosalyne took over the conversation, her demeanor rarely relaxed, just carrying a hint of playfulness.
“However, little brat, there is one more thing.”
She pointed at the cake in front of Tartaglia that had been cut until it was “mutilated,” and on the tablecloth next to the plate, there was even a bit of cream stuck.
“Eating dessert is not done like that.
Must you be so rude?
If you have the chance, you could go to Liyue and learn about their table etiquette.”
“Ahahaha…
As for Liyue, forget it.
I heard they have a lot of rules, and I can’t really learn them.”
Tartaglia tried to use laughter to skip over this matter.
Could she say that she had just seen a cherry on this small cake and had a sudden whim to cut it in half with one knife, but the cherry was somehow particularly “slippery,” and in the end…
that happened.
Sigh, where on earth did this groundless competitive spirit come from?
Seeing this, the others couldn’t help but have a few more smiles on their faces.
A tea party is just such an occasion that can bring smiles to people.
“Perhaps it is because the desserts Sandrone prepared are delicious that Mr.
Tartaglia was a bit hurried when eating.”
After a long while, the laughter gradually subsided, and Columbina spoke softly, taking up the topic from just now.
Once these words were spoken, everyone’s gaze focused on Columbina.
According to their impression, Columbina rarely spoke at tea parties in the past, and most of the time she was just silently accompanying various exquisite small snacks.
However, Tartaglia actually thought too much.
Columbina had absolutely no intention of helping her out; she just suddenly wanted to talk to her friends, it was that simple.
After all, there might not be a chance in the future…
Hmm, so it just happened to be a topic about her.
“Tsk…” Sandrone looked at Columbina, and although puzzled, her expression remained as calm as usual.
she waved her hand indifferently, “Columbina, no matter how delicious it is, you shouldn’t be so hurried.”
Columbina shook her head and said, “No, Sandrone, I think it is acceptable.
The snacks you prepare are all delicious.
If one doesn’t get to eat them often, one will be very excited, just like when I first attended Sandrone’s tea party.”
“When you first attended my tea party…”
Upon hearing this, Sandrone’s thoughts drifted into the distance, and the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curl up slightly, not knowing if it was amusement or something else.
“Hmph…
That was probably because you didn’t eat much while with the Children of the Frost Moon.
They are all very ordinary things; you are the first god I have seen eat like that.”
Columbina gently shook her head, raised her hand to pick up another small piece of cake, and took a gentle bite.
Immediately, the delicate sweet fragrance diffused in her mouth.
Columbina tilted her head, looking at Sandrone with a slight smile, her ethereal tone carrying a hint of unquestionable firmness.
“Not ordinary.
How could anything Sandrone prepares be ordinary?”
Sandrone couldn’t listen anymore, frowned, put down the teacup, and crossed her arms.
“Hey, hey, Columbina, what are you saying?”
“By the way, by the way,” Columbina didn’t answer Sandrone’s question, and instead said, “The tea Sandrone prepared today is also delicious, not bitter at all.
Hmm…
it’s just a bit too sweet.
I think it would be better if it were a little lighter, just a little.”
“Huh?” Sandrone wanted to laugh, “Columbina, are you making a request to me?
Hmph, in this kind of occasion, I won’t note down such an unreasonable request.”
“Just a suggestion.”
“A suggestion won’t do either!”
“Hmm…
Also, I suggest that Sandrone can also try this sweet tea more often; it’s very delicious.
That kind of bitter tea is fine to drink when working.”
“Tsk…
Columbina, the kind of tea you’re talking about has an aftertaste, that kind of…
forget it, I can’t explain it to you.”
Sandrone stopped halfway, but it successfully piqued Columbina’s curiosity.
That “aftertaste” Sandrone spoke of, how come she had never tasted it?
“Sandrone,” Columbina moved a bit closer to Sandrone, “Can you teach me?
I want to try it.”
“Huh?” Sandrone was full of shock, “Columbina, how do you teach this kind of thing?
Just be more attentive when you drink it yourself.”
“Be more attentive…”
Columbina muttered softly, as if she had figured something out.
she picked up the teacup, drank the sweet tea inside in one gulp, and then pushed the teacup in front of Sandrone.
“Then, Sandrone, pour me a little of the tea you are drinking.
I want to try it.”
“Tsk…”
Sandrone paused, raised an eyebrow looking at the empty teacup pushed in front of her, and then raised her eyes to meet Columbina’s face full of anticipation.
“Forget it, hold it steady.
But I’ll say it in advance, don’t complain that it’s bitter, and absolutely do not spit it out like before and waste my tea leaves.”
Immediately, a crisp, slightly bitter fragrance entered her nasal cavity.
“I won’t waste it, never again.”
Columbina said softly, then lowered her head and took a small sip.
“How is it?”
Sandrone had been watching Columbina, and seeing her finish, her expression was expectant.
Actually, she also wanted Columbina to understand her taste, at least not to always say the tea she drank was very bitter and that it was strange to like drinking that kind of tea.
That is a kind of taste, my Third Seat, you really have no discernment…
“Hmm…”
Under Sandrone’s expectant gaze, Columbina slowly raised her head.
she seemed to still be savoring that sip of tea, but after a moment, she tilted her head in confusion, “Sandrone, I don’t seem to have tasted it, it’s just bitter.”
Sandrone:…
“If it’s not good, don’t drink it, give it back to me!”
Sandrone reached out to snatch the teacup from Columbina’s hand, but was nimbly dodged by Columbina.
Columbina shook her head stubbornly, a silly smile on her face, “I didn’t say it wasn’t good, it’s just bitter.
Sandrone, I want to try again.”
“Tsk…
Suit yourself.”
Seeing this, Sandrone had to give up.
After thinking for a while, she felt more and more that Columbina was a bit strange today.
First, she was talking much more than usual, and also, she really didn’t like this kind of bitter tea, yet today she was actually taking the initiative to try it.
Something was not right.
“Hey, Columbina, why did you suddenly want to drink the tea I’m drinking?
Don’t tell me you’re just curious.”
Sandrone took an elegant sip of tea and said, appearing completely indifferent.
“Hmm?
Just because Sandrone likes to drink it.”
“Huh?
What kind of reason is that?
Just because I like it doesn’t mean you like it.
Isn’t that common sense?”
“Hmm…” Columbina tilted her head and thought for a while before answering, “Because Sandrone likes to drink it, I want to know why Sandrone likes to drink it.”
Because it’s written in novels that if you like someone, you can’t help but want to understand them more.
I have now discovered that I also want to understand Sandrone a little more.
Of course, Columbina didn’t say the last sentence out loud, just thinking it silently in her heart.
But this was harmless; just the sentence that was spoken aloud was enough to make Sandrone blush.
“Columbina!
Is your brain broken?
Do you want to hear what you are saying!”
“Hmm?
Is Sandrone concerned about me?
No, my brain is fine.”
Columbina replied with an innocent look on her face.
Sandrone:…
The others at the tea party table had been silently watching this conversation between Columbina and Sandrone from the beginning.
Except for Arlecchino, the others just felt that the atmosphere between these two felt strange?
In the end, they could only let out a sigh in their hearts.
How well the two ladies understand each other.
Let’s continue drinking tea and eating snacks; you two go on talking.