“Sandrone, what kind of reaction is that?”
Columbina glanced at the expression on Sandrone’s face, which definitely wasn’t one of liking it.
“Is it really not good?”
Sandrone set the iced red tea back on the table and said indifferently, “It tastes bad.”
?
To think there was actually someone who disliked iced red tea.
Refusing to believe it, she picked up the iced red tea on the table and took a sip.
[It tastes fine.]
[Isn’t this way better than those bitter aged teas Sandrone collects?]
Sandrone watched Columbina gulp down the drink, not knowing what to say.
Maybe…
it was pretty cute.
No, actually it was quite annoying, with zero sense of personal boundaries whatsoever.
“Sandrone, I have a request.” Before long, Columbina had chugged down all the iced red tea.
What on earth was this fellow’s stomach made of?
Sandrone met Columbina’s gaze and said coldly, “Don’t even think about it.
I won’t agree.”
“Eh?
But I haven’t even said it yet!”
[Seriously, Sandrone isn’t listening to people properly at all.]
“Don’t you just want to bring this weird drink to my tea party?” Sandrone continued to sip her Liyue tea; this slightly bitter taste suited her much better.
Columbina scratched her head sheepishly.
[I’ve been seen right through.]
“Sandrone, don’t you want to know what Arlecchino and the others think of this tea?”
Columbina said softly.
“No.
I don’t want any weird things sneaking into my tea party.” Sandrone rejected her without hesitation.
“Sandrone, could it be that you’re scared?”
“Scared?” Sandrone put down her teacup and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Scared of what?”
“Scared that Arlecchino and the others will say Columbina’s tea is ten thousand times better than Sandrone’s.” Columbina smiled.
“Ha?
I’m not scared at all.
Tomorrow you bring this so-called iced red tea of yours, and I’ll see whose tastes better—yours or mine!” Sandrone looked entirely unyielding.
“Then it’s a deal.” Columbina reached out her hand.
“What are you doing?”
“Pinky promise.”
“Tsk, how childish.” Sandrone hooked her pinky finger onto her.
“Is this good enough now?”
Columbina tugged firmly, smiling as he looked at Sandrone’s disgusted expression.
[I really can’t wait.] The source of this chapter is g.com.
…
Noon.
Sunlight streamed across the garden in front of Sandrone’s villa, adding a touch of Warmth to the quiet, cold garden.
At this moment, Columbina was busy helping Sandrone prepare the teaware needed for the tea party.
“Columbina, I told you that you’re a guest.
Just leave these simple things to Pulonia.”
Columbina paused his movements for a moment and looked toward the source of the voice.
Pulonia was striding with steady steps, leading Sandrone over toward this direction.
As they drew near, Pulonia slowly crouched down, and a girl in a yellow-and-black dress jumped down from the mechanical arm.
Columbina smiled at him, “Well, isn’t it because I have nothing else to do?”
Sandrone walked up to the tea party table, frowning as she glanced at the teaware already set out and the snacks meticulously arranged on the plates.
“Did you prepare these?” She looked toward the girl in the white dress nearby.
“Mm, Arlecchino said friends should share, so I brought some snacks from home.” Columbina nodded.
Looking at Columbina like this, Sandrone let out a helpless sigh.
Clearly, she was nearly starving to death in her own room before.
Yet she actually had extra food to bring over.
Surprisingly, however, Sandrone did not say much this time.
“Columbina, why don’t you go rest instead?
Even if you sing a bit right now, I won’t say anything to you.”
“Alright then.”
Basically everything needed for the tea party was ready; the remaining tasks could just be left to Pulonia.
She lay lazily on the tea table.
Beneath the tablecloth, those fair, slender legs swayed from time to time as he continued to hum an ethereal, lovely tune.
At a time like this, she didn’t seem so annoying anymore?
Sandrone glanced at the girl lying on the table, thinking to herself.
Perhaps today was a rare break.
Songs that she used to find irritating were now soothing her heart.
Accompanied by Columbina’s melodious singing, the tea party table was soon piled high with snacks.
“Columbina?”
It wasn’t until a certain moment when Columbina sensed someone approaching that she raised her fluffy head from the tea table.
Seeing clearly who had arrived, a faint smile appeared on Columbina’s face.
“Arlecchino, you’re here.”
“The weather is nice today.” Arlecchino looked around, and seeing that she was the only one at the table, asked, “It seems I’m not late?”
She pushed back a chair and sat down in her usual spot.
[Where’s Sandrone?]
Columbina looked around, realizing she had vanished again at some point.
“Mm.”
“Good afternoon, Arlecchino.
As for Sandrone, she’ll probably come later.” Columbina spoke slowly, somewhat absentmindedly.
“You too, Columbina.” This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
“Good afternoon.”
Arlecchino smiled, “Since everyone hasn’t arrived yet, why don’t we chat for a bit?”
Chat?
“Ever since you went to the House of the Hearth, Rosalyne’s position has gradually been replaced by yours, hasn’t it?
Even Hook told me he misses you a lot,” Arlecchino teased.
“I-Is that so?” Being praised like that, Columbina’s face flushed slightly red.
“Columbina…” Arlecchino lowered his voice, speaking softly only after making sure no one was around.
“How is your physical condition right now?”
Columbina knew what Arlecchino was referring to.
She said softly, “It’s fine, but just like before, except when sleeping, I have to touch hands with you once every hour.”
“Mm, but that’s precisely what I’m worried about.” Arlecchino frowned.
Originally, he didn’t believe such an explanation that touching hands was necessary to restore energy.
That was until the day Columbina passed out at the House of the Hearth, and after touching her hand, the paleness on his face visibly turned rosy again.
According to Columbina, this was Teyvat’s rejection of him, but to Arlecchino, it seemed more like a curse.
What kind of treatment method involved holding hands every hour to recover?
“Columbina, in a few days I might really have to leave.
My mission in Fontaine has been delayed for too long.
The Tsaritsa has been urging me.” Arlecchino glanced at her with concern.
“Are you leaving?” Columbina muttered to herself.
Now that the moment of departure was actually here, she felt a bit reluctant.
After all, Arlecchino was one of only two friends she had made here.
“Mm.” Arlecchino looked deeply at her.
“Regarding this symptom of yours, if Dottore were still here, I would suggest you go consult her.”
It wasn’t that Arlecchino trusted Dottore, but among the current Harbingers, besides Sandrone, only Dottore possessed the ability to help Columbina restore his power.
Moreover, looking at how things were before, Columbina’s relationship with Dottore wasn’t too bad; at least from what she could see, Columbina had cooperated with his research quite often.
[Dottore?] Columbina recalled various past events, remembering everything Dottore had done to Sandrone.
[That hypocrite.
Fortunately she was sent to Sumeru, otherwise I’d be afraid I couldn’t resist chopping her into mincemeat.]
“Setting Dottore aside, what are your thoughts regarding Sandrone?” Arlecchino looked at her with concern.
“Are you going to tell her?”
[Sandrone?] Columbina paused and thought for a moment.
[Could it be that I should tell her the two of us must hold hands, or else I’ll die?]
[If she finds out, she’ll definitely find me troublesome.]
[Knowing her personality, he’ll definitely say, “Col!um!bi!na!
What on earth is inside your head?” “Hold hands?
Ha!
Who wants to hold hands with you?”]
[No, I can’t think about it anymore.]
“I…” Columbina was just about to speak when she was interrupted by a voice carrying a hint of tsundere arrogance.
“What are you two chatting about?
I thought I heard you mention me?”