It was deserted here, and it was excessively quiet.
Then, she saw a tavern.
A small two-story building, which looked elegantly decorated from the outside.
The wooden door frame was carved with vine patterns, there were a few pots of small flowers on the windowsill, and a bunch of grapes and a wine glass were painted on the sign.
The decor appealed to the fae’s aesthetic, elegant and stylish.
But because it was daytime, and there were foreign fae attracting attention on the main street, this tavern was empty.
What made Anastasia stop was an old acquaintance standing at the door.
Long blue hair, pointed ears, and a slender figure; he was looking up at the tavern’s sign.
“Lord Chudmir.” Anastasia asked in a flat tone, “Did the wine in the alley hook you all the way here?”
The blue-haired man turned around.
His amber eyes seemed unfocused; that was a characteristic of Lamp Fae.
Their gaze always appeared unfocused, as if they were blind.
But when this elegant gentleman saw Anastasia, he bowed slightly, his etiquette impeccable.
“Good day, Grand Duchess Fyodorovna.”
Krylov Chudmir Philins.
Although nominally, there were only two nobles in the honor guard: His Majesty and the Grand Duchess.
But any fae who had participated in the war with His Majesty had been ennobled.
And the members of this honor guard were carefully selected, so most of them were nobles, and the one before her was one of them.
He did not yet have the various disguises he would later make to pass as a human, including his surname.
At this moment, Philins was still that elegant and aloof Lamp Fae, his blue hair gleaming with a cold luster in the sunlight.
He also had titles among the fae that were more famous than that Snezhnayan name: [Vassal Holy Demon Spear], [Ghost Flame].
As the names suggested, he was a veteran who had fought with His Majesty.
Spear formations and blue fire had once torn open the enemy’s front line for the Winter Pact Army and His Majesty.
For this visit, he accompanied the team as a master of ceremonies, a leisurely job that required no work.
Anastasia looked him over.
“It is a waste of talent to have you only be a nobleman.” She said, with a tone of casual advice, “Given your merits, as long as you work a little harder, you could completely become another favorite courtier besides Filippov.”
Philins’s smile was gentle, but without much emotion.
“I am not very good at maneuvering in the court, Your Highness.
Compared to becoming a musician or dancer at His Majesty’s balls, I am better suited to be the spear in His Majesty’s hand that pierces the enemy’s throat.
His Majesty has many fae who can please him; he doesn’t lack one like me.
Besides, rising in rank also requires managing a fief, and I prefer to be alone.”
He shook his head, “Better not.”
“Still as glib as ever.” Anastasia twirled a lock of hair with one finger, “Krylov, why haven’t I seen you say these things in front of His Majesty?”
“His Majesty does not like glib men.” Philins answered quickly, “You know that.”
“You don’t count as glib.
His Majesty even told me to learn more from your way of speaking, saying you are very good at complimenting others.” You are reading on g.com, the official source.
“I am grateful for His Majesty’s favor.”
Anastasia did not continue this topic; she glanced at the tavern door.
“Would you like to have a drink together?”
“My pleasure, Your Highness.”
He walked to the door and gentlemanly opened the tavern door for Anastasia.
Inside the door, the aroma of wine rushed to meet them.
The tavern was not large; the first floor was a bar and a few scattered seats, and the second floor was likely private rooms.
The decor was even more exquisite than it looked from the outside; the wooden tables and chairs were polished until they gleamed, and a few oil paintings depicting vineyards hung on the walls.
Behind the bar was a wall of wine cabinets, with various bottles arranged neatly, gleaming with a warm luster under the soft light.
A red-haired girl stood by the bar at the entrance, wearing a high ponytail, a neat shirt and trousers, and a dark apron tied around her waist.
Her features were bright and beautiful, with a hint of heroic spirit in her eyes.
At this moment, she was wiping a wine glass, and looked up when she heard the door open.
“Welcome to the tavern, you two guests.”
Her gaze fell on Anastasia and Philins, and she was slightly taken aback.
— Pointed ears, luxurious attire, distinguished temperament.
It was the fae, those distinguished guests from the North, and her smile became a little more sincere.
Anastasia looked at her, “Your appearance and hair color…
you are from the Ragnvindr Clan.”
The girl blinked.
“Do you know my family?”
“I have met them before; Grand Master Vennessa introduced me to the important figures of Mondstadt.
Your father and brother were among them.”
The girl realized, she put down the wine glass and bowed slightly.
“So that’s it.
I am the second daughter of the family, Lia Ragnvindr.”
She straightened up, her smile open and honest.
“I don’t have the talent to manage a large family; I am only good at mixing and making wine.
Since you two are guests from the North, I should fulfill the duties of a host and invite you to taste the specialties of Mondstadt.
Consider it making friends with you two.”
Anastasia looked at her.
This human girl’s eyes were very clean, and her smile was very sincere.
There was no sycophancy common among nobles, nor was there any deliberate aloofness.
She liked this attitude.
“It would be an honor.” Philins replied, his tone gentle, “Just call me Krylov.”
“Anastasia.” The Grand Duchess also gave her name, brief and concise.
Lia’s eyes brightened.
“Ms.
Anastasia, Mr. The source of this chapter is g.com.
Krylov.” She turned and took a few glasses from the wine cabinet, “Seeing that you are dressed so luxuriously, I heard that the fae’s royal court is also divided by nobility?”
“You could say that.” Anastasia did not say more.
“Then what are your preferences for drinking?” Lia asked while preparing the bartending tools.
“I would like something sweet.” Anastasia said.
“Please bring me something with a higher alcohol content.” Philins added.
Anastasia glanced at him.
“I hope you don’t get drunk and burn down the little girl’s shop.”
Philins showed an innocent expression.
“How could I?” His tone carried a hint of grievance, “I am not that unreasonable — this is slander, Your Highness.”
Lia’s hand, which was reaching for the wine, paused slightly.
Your Highness?
She quietly looked up at the female fae who was called “Anastasia”.
This lady…
is she of high status among the fae?
She did not ask more and focused on mixing the drinks.
The golden Dandelion Wine was poured into the shaker, followed by the crisp sweetness of Apple cider and a splash of lemon juice—Lia’s movements were fluid, carrying the ease and proficiency of someone who had been bartending for years.
On the other side, she took out a thick-walled glass, poured in deep red wine, added a few drops of Mint essence, and sprinkled in a little crushed Spice.
Both glasses were pushed in front of the guests at the same time.
“Lady Anastasia’s [Sunrise].” Lia said, “It is a famous sweet wine recipe from Mondstadt.”
“And Mr.
Krylov’s is [Midnight], a high-proof spicy liquor.”
Anastasia picked up her glass, and Philins picked up his as well.
The two exchanged a glance and clinked glasses lightly.
Anastasia didn’t love drinking as much as Krylov.
After all, Lamp Spirits treated alcohol as fuel and drank it to burn.
But her good father would make all sorts of messy things, so she was able to taste some novel concoctions.
When it came to alcohol, she only evaluated two things—whether the drink was strong enough, and whether it tasted good or bad.
She took a sip.
Crisp, sweet, and mellow, carrying the unique aroma of Dandelion Wine.
“Not bad.” She said.
On Philins’ side, he had already finished half his glass.
“Miss Lia’s drinks are mixed very well.” He said, his tone sincere, “Second only to Your Majesty.”
Anastasia raised an eyebrow, “You’ve even had drinks made by His Majesty?”
Philins turned to look at her, his eyes carrying a hint of meaningful amusement.